●○○ INITIAL CALL

Question: How can we know the future?

Scripture: Isa 46:10

Link: What Bible prophecies are we seeing fulfilled?

○●○ FIRST RETURN VISIT

Question: What Bible prophecies are we seeing fulfilled?

Scripture: 2Ti 3:1-5

Link: What blessings will people enjoy in the future that God promises?

○○● SECOND RETURN VISIT

Question: What blessings will people enjoy in the future that God promises?

Scripture: Isa 65:21-23

Link: What role will God’s Son play in bringing about these blessings?

• Song 14 and Prayer

• Opening Comments (1 min.)

TREASURES FROM GOD’S WORD

• “A Covenant That Affects You”: (10 min.)

  • Ge 12:1, 2​—Jehovah promised to bless Abram (Abraham) (it-1 522 ¶4)

  • Ge 12:3​—“All the families of the ground will certainly be blessed by means of [Abraham]” (w89 7/1 3 ¶4)

  • Ge 13:14-17​—Jehovah showed Abraham the land that his offspring would possess (it-2 213 ¶3)

• Digging for Spiritual Gems: (10 min.)

  • Ge 13:8, 9​—How can we imitate Abraham when resolving disputes? (w16.05 5 ¶12)

  • Ge 14:18-20​—How did Levi pay “tithes through Abraham”? (Heb 7:4-10; it-2 683 ¶1)

  • What spiritual gems from this week’s Bible reading would you like to share regarding Jehovah God, the field ministry, or something else?

• Bible Reading: (4 min. or less) Ge 12:1-20 (th study 10)

APPLY YOURSELF TO THE FIELD MINISTRY

• Apply Yourself to Reading and Teaching: (10 min.) Discussion. Play the video Main Points Made to Stand Out, and then discuss study 14 of the Teaching brochure.

• Talk: (5 min. or less) w12 1/1 8​—Theme: What Made Sarah So Precious? (th study 14)

LIVING AS CHRISTIANS

• Song 144

• “What Can You Learn From the Original Songs?”: (10 min.) Discussion. Play the original song video Just Around the Corner.

• Local Needs: (5 min.)

• Congregation Bible Study: (30 min.) jy chap. 102

• Concluding Comments (3 min. or less)

• Song 15 and Prayer

12:1-3; 13:14-17

• Jehovah made a covenant with Abraham, which formed the legal foundation of the Kingdom of the heavens

• The covenant apparently went into effect in 1943 B.C.E. when Abraham crossed the Euphrates River on his way to Canaan

• The covenant remains in effect until the Messianic Kingdom destroys God’s enemies and brings blessings to all the families of the earth

Jehovah blessed Abraham for his great faith. If we demonstrate faith in Jehovah’s promises, what blessings await us as a result of the Abrahamic covenant?

What are some of your favorite original songs? Why? Do you find that the video content relates to everyday life? With such a variety of themes and music styles, there is something for everyone. Nevertheless, the original songs and music videos are more than entertainment.

Each original song teaches practical lessons that we can apply in our Christian life and ministry. Some songs focus on hospitality, unity, friendship, courage, love, or faith. Others deal with returning to Jehovah, showing forgiveness, maintaining daily integrity, and pursuing spiritual goals. There is even an original song about the balanced use of cell phones. What other practical lessons have you found in the original songs?

WATCH THE ORIGINAL SONG VIDEO JUST AROUND THE CORNER, AND THEN ANSWER THE FOLLOWING QUESTIONS:

• What future blessing is the older couple thinking about?​—Ge 12:3

• How do we strengthen our faith in Jehovah’s ability to fulfill his promises?

• What happy reunions are just around the corner?

• How does the Kingdom hope help us to endure present trials?​—Ro 8:25

• Song 39 and Prayer

• Opening Comments (1 min.)

TREASURES FROM GOD’S WORD

• “Jehovah Renamed Abram and Sarai​—Why?”: (10 min.)

  • Ge 17:1​—Though imperfect, Abram could prove himself faultless (it-1 817)

  • Ge 17:3-5​—Abram was renamed Abraham (it-1 31 ¶1)

  • Ge 17:15, 16​—Sarai was renamed Sarah (w09 2/1 13)

• Digging for Spiritual Gems: (10 min.)

  • Ge 15:13, 14​—When did the 400 years of affliction begin and end? (it-1 460-461)

  • Ge 15:16​—How did Abraham’s descendants return to Canaan “in the fourth generation”? (it-1 778 ¶4)

  • What spiritual gems from this week’s Bible reading would you like to share regarding Jehovah God, the field ministry, or something else?

• Bible Reading: (4 min. or less) Ge 15:1-21 (th study 10)

APPLY YOURSELF TO THE FIELD MINISTRY

• Initial Call Video: (4 min.) Discussion. Play the video. Then ask the audience the following questions: How did the publisher make good use of questions? How did he use an illustration to teach?

• Initial Call: (3 min. or less) Begin with the sample conversation. Overcome a common objection. (th study 3)

• Initial Call: (5 min. or less) Begin with the sample conversation. Then offer the Good News brochure, and start a Bible study in lesson 3. (th study 6)

LIVING AS CHRISTIANS

• Song 131

• “How Couples Can Strengthen Their Marriage”: (15 min.) Discussion. Play the video How to Strengthen the Marriage Bond.

• Congregation Bible Study: (30 min.) jy chap. 103

• Concluding Comments (3 min. or less)

• Song 92 and Prayer

17:1, 3-5, 15, 16

Jehovah viewed Abram as faultless before Him. When he expanded on his promise to Abram, he gave Abram and Sarai names with prophetic meaning.

True to their names, Abraham became the father of many nations and Sarah became an ancestress of kings.

• 

  Abraham

  Father of a Multitude

• 

  Sarah

  Princess

We cannot choose the name given to us at birth. But like Abraham and Sarah, we can establish our own reputation. Ask yourself:

• ‘How can I be viewed by Jehovah as faultless?’

• ‘What kind of name am I making with Jehovah?’

Abraham and Sarah are a good example of marriage mates who loved and respected each other. (Ge 12:11-13; 1Pe 3:6) Nevertheless, their marriage was not perfect, and they had to endure trials in life. What can married couples learn by considering the example of Abraham and Sarah?

Communicate with each other. Respond humbly to words spoken in frustration or irritation by your mate. (Ge 16:5, 6) Arrange to spend time together. By words and actions, assure your mate of your love. Above all things, keep Jehovah in your marriage by studying, praying, and worshipping together. (Ec 4:12) Strong marriages honor Jehovah, the Originator of this sacred arrangement.

WATCH THE VIDEO HOW TO STRENGTHEN THE MARRIAGE BOND, AND THEN ANSWER THE FOLLOWING QUESTIONS:

• In the dramatization, what were some signs that Shaan and Kiara were growing apart?

• Why is honest, open communication vital in a marriage?

• How did the example of Abraham and Sarah help Shaan and Kiara?

• What steps did Shaan and Kiara take to strengthen their marriage?

• Why must a husband and wife not expect perfection in their marriage?

• Song 1 and Prayer

• Opening Comments (1 min.)

TREASURES FROM GOD’S WORD

• “‘The Judge of All the Earth’ Destroys Sodom and Gomorrah”: (10 min.)

  • Ge 18:23-25​—Abraham was confident that Jehovah always renders righteous judgments (w17.04 18 ¶1)

  • Ge 18:32​—Jehovah affirmed that he would not destroy Sodom if ten righteous men were found there (w18.08 30 ¶4)

  • Ge 19:24, 25​—Jehovah destroyed Sodom and Gomorrah because of the wickedness of their inhabitants (w10 11/15 26 ¶12)

• Digging for Spiritual Gems: (10 min.)

  • Ge 18:1, 22​—How was it that “Jehovah appeared to” Abraham and “remained with” him? (w88 5/15 23 ¶4-5)

  • Ge 19:26​—Why did Lot’s wife become “a pillar of salt”? (w19.06 20 ¶3)

  • What spiritual gems from this week’s Bible reading would you like to share regarding Jehovah God, the field ministry, or something else?

• Bible Reading: (4 min. or less) Ge 18:1-19 (th study 12)

APPLY YOURSELF TO THE FIELD MINISTRY

• First Return Visit Video: (5 min.) Discussion. Play the video. Then ask the audience the following questions: How did the publisher properly introduce the scripture? How did he make clear the application of the scripture?

• First Return Visit: (3 min. or less) Use the sample conversation. (th study 6)

• First Return Visit: (5 min. or less) Begin with the sample conversation. Then offer the Teach Us book, and discuss the artwork on page 98. (th study 9)

LIVING AS CHRISTIANS

• Song 35

• “Are You Benefiting From Examining the Scriptures Daily?”: (15 min.) Discussion. Play the video Do Not Love the World (1Jo 2:15).

• Congregation Bible Study: (30 min.) jy chap. 104

• Concluding Comments (3 min. or less)

• Song 2 and Prayer

18:23-25, 32; 19:24, 25

What do we learn from Jehovah’s actions regarding Sodom and Gomorrah?

• Jehovah will not indefinitely tolerate wickedness

• Those who survive the coming judgment will be those who pay attention to God’s will and do it.​—Lu 17:28-30

ASK YOURSELF: ‘Does the brazen conduct of this wicked world distress me?’ (2Pe 2:7) ‘Does my daily life show that doing Jehovah’s will is most important to me?’

Does your spiritual routine include reading the Bible text and comments for the day from Examining the Scriptures Daily? If not, can you make it part of your routine? Many consider the text early in the day so that they can reflect on those thoughts as they go about their daily activities. (Jos 1:8; Ps 119:97) How might you benefit even more from the Scripture text? Read the context of the Bible verse to determine the background. Try to think of a Bible account that illustrates the principle highlighted in the text. Then apply the principle to your own life. When God’s Word affects your decisions, it will direct your life and truly benefit you.​—Ps 119:105.

Bethel families around the world consider Examining the Scriptures Daily at breakfast time. In recent years, many of these discussions have been posted on JW Broadcasting^® under the category PROGRAMS AND EVENTS. When was the last time you reviewed one or more of them? Perhaps some of the material is exactly what you need. For instance, how might the account of Lot influence your decisions?

WATCH THE VIDEO DO NOT LOVE THE WORLD (1JO 2:15), AND THEN ANSWER THE FOLLOWING QUESTIONS:

• What Bible principle was the foundation for this Morning Worship discussion?

• How does the account of Lot illustrate the danger of loving the world or the things in it?​—Ge 13:12; 14:12; 19:3, 12, 13, 24-26

• How do we show that we love Jehovah and not the world or the things in it?

• Song 108 and Prayer

• Opening Comments (1 min.)

TREASURES FROM GOD’S WORD

• “Jehovah Always Does What He Promises”: (10 min.)

  • Ge 21:1-3​—Sarah became pregnant and bore a son (wp17.5 14-15)

  • Ge 21:5-7​—Jehovah made the impossible a reality

  • Ge 21:10-12, 14​—Abraham and Sarah had strong faith in Jehovah’s promise regarding Isaac

• Digging for Spiritual Gems: (10 min.)

  • Ge 20:12​—How was Sarah Abraham’s sister? (wp17.3 12, ftn.)

  • Ge 21:33​—How did Abraham call “on the name of Jehovah”? (w89 7/1 20 ¶9)

  • What spiritual gems from this week’s Bible reading would you like to share regarding Jehovah God, the field ministry, or something else?

• Bible Reading: (4 min. or less) Ge 20:1-18 (th study 5)

APPLY YOURSELF TO THE FIELD MINISTRY

• Second Return Visit Video: (5 min.) Discussion. Play the video. Then ask the audience the following questions: How did the publisher make clear the practical value of the scripture? How was this a good example of following up on interest shown?

• Second Return Visit: (3 min. or less) Use the sample conversation. (th study 4)

• Bible Study: (5 min. or less) bhs 35 ¶19-20 (th study 3)

LIVING AS CHRISTIANS

• Song 111

• Annual Service Report: (15 min.) Talk by an elder. After reading the announcement from the branch office regarding the annual service report, interview publishers, selected in advance, who had encouraging experiences in the ministry during the past year.

• Congregation Bible Study: (30 min.) jy chap. 105

• Concluding Comments (3 min. or less)

• Song 119 and Prayer

21:1-3, 5-7, 10-12, 14

Jehovah rewarded Abraham and Sarah for their faith by giving them a son. Later, their obedience under trial showed their remarkable faith in Jehovah’s promises for the future.

How does my obedience during trials show that I trust in Jehovah’s promises for the future? How can I strengthen my faith?