●○ INITIAL CALLa

Question: Are we living in the last days?

Scripture: 2Ti 3:1-5

Link: What will happen after the last days?

○● RETURN VISIT

Question: What will happen after the last days?

Scripture: Re 21:3, 4

Link: How can we enjoy the life God has promised?

• Song 130 and Prayer

• Opening Comments (1 min.)

TREASURES FROM GOD’S WORD

• “Joseph Forgives His Brothers”: (10 min.)

  • Ge 44:1, 2​—Joseph tested his brothers’ motives (w15 5/1 14-15)

  • Ge 44:33, 34​—Judah pleaded in Benjamin’s behalf

  • Ge 45:4, 5​—Joseph imitated Jehovah’s willingness to forgive

• Digging for Spiritual Gems: (10 min.)

  • Ge 44:13​—What was signified by the ripping of garments? (it-2 813)

  • Ge 45:5-8​—What can help us to endure injustice? (w04 8/15 15 ¶15)

  • 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 45:1-15 (th study 10)

APPLY YOURSELF TO THE FIELD MINISTRY

• Apply Yourself to Reading and Teaching: (10 min.) Discussion. Play the video Informative to Your Audience, and then discuss study 18 of the Teaching brochure.

• Talk: (5 min. or less) w06 2/1 31​—Theme: Did Joseph use a special silver cup to read omens, as Genesis 44:5, 15 seems to indicate? (th study 18)

LIVING AS CHRISTIANS

• Song 58

• Local Needs: (10 min.)

• Organizational Accomplishments: (5 min.) Play the Organizational Accomplishments video for June.

• Congregation Bible Study: (30 min.) jy chap. 117

• Concluding Comments (3 min. or less)

• Song 19 and Prayer

44:1, 2, 33, 34; 45:4, 5

It can be a challenge to forgive, especially when someone has harmed us deliberately. What helped Joseph to forgive his brothers when they wronged him?

• Joseph did not seek revenge but looked for a basis to forgive.​—Ps 86:5; Lu 17:3, 4

• He let go of resentment and reflected the disposition of Jehovah, who forgives generously.​—Mic 7:18, 19

How can I imitate Jehovah’s forgiveness?

• Song 86 and Prayer

• Opening Comments (1 min.)

TREASURES FROM GOD’S WORD

• “Relief From Famine”: (10 min.)

  • Ge 47:13​—A severe famine afflicted Egypt and Canaan (w87 5/1 15 ¶2)

  • Ge 47:16, 19, 20​—The Egyptians had to make sacrifices in order to preserve their lives

  • Ge 47:23-25​—Effort is required to benefit from the abundant spiritual food available today (kr 234-235 ¶11-12)

• Digging for Spiritual Gems: (10 min.)

  • Ge 46:4​—What did it mean for Joseph to “lay his hand” on Jacob’s eyes? (it-1 220 ¶1)

  • Ge 46:26, 27​—How many people of Jacob’s house entered into Egypt? (“75 persons in all” study note on Ac 7:14, nwtsty)

  • 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 47:1-17 (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 use questions effectively? How did he make the scripture application clear?

• Initial Call: (3 min. or less) Begin with the sample conversation. Offer a publication from the Teaching Toolbox. (th study 3)

• Initial Call: (5 min. or less) Begin with the sample conversation. Then offer the Teach Us book, and start a Bible study in chapter 9. (th study 14)

LIVING AS CHRISTIANS

• Song 96

• Keep Feeding on Jehovah’s Reminders: (15 min.) Play the video Treasure Jehovah’s Reminders. Encourage all to continue feeding on God’s Word and the spiritual food available to us.​—Isa 25:6; 55:1; 65:13; Mt 24:45.

• Congregation Bible Study: (30 min.) jy chap. 118

• Concluding Comments (3 min. or less)

• Song 109 and Prayer

47:13, 16, 19, 20, 23-25

The world today suffers from spiritual famine. (Am 8:11) By means of Christ Jesus, Jehovah provides an abundance of nourishing spiritual food.

• Bible-based publications

• Congregation meetings

• Assemblies and conventions

• Audio recordings

• Videos

• JW.ORG

• JW Broadcasting

What sacrifices am I making to feed regularly at Jehovah’s table?

• Song 30 and Prayer

• Opening Comments (1 min.)

TREASURES FROM GOD’S WORD

• “Older Ones Have Much to Share”: (10 min.)

  • Ge 48:21, 22​—Jacob expressed faith in the future conquest of Canaan (it-1 1246 ¶8)

  • Ge 49:1​—Jacob’s deathbed prophecy revealed his faith (it-2 206 ¶1)

  • Ge 50:24, 25​—Joseph expressed faith in the fulfillment of Jehovah’s promises (w07 6/1 28 ¶10)

• Digging for Spiritual Gems: (10 min.)

  • Ge 49:19​—How was Jacob’s prophecy regarding Gad fulfilled? (w04 6/1 15 ¶4-5)

  • Ge 49:27​—How was Jacob’s prophecy regarding Benjamin fulfilled? (it-1 289 ¶2)

  • 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 49:8-26 (th study 5)

APPLY YOURSELF TO THE FIELD MINISTRY

• Return Visit Video: (5 min.) Discussion. Play the video. Then ask the audience the following questions: How did the publishers cooperate in giving a witness? How can we imitate their conviction when we give a witness?

• Return Visit: (3 min. or less) Begin with the sample conversation. Overcome a common objection. (th study 6)

• Return Visit: (5 min. or less) Begin with the sample conversation. Then offer the Teach Us book, and start a Bible study in chapter 9. (th study 16)

LIVING AS CHRISTIANS

• Song 138

• “What Can You Learn From Experienced Christians?”: (15 min.) Discussion. Play the video Maintaining Unity Under Ban.

• Congregation Bible Study: (30 min.) jy chap. 119

• Concluding Comments (3 min. or less)

• Song 25 and Prayer

48:21, 22; 49:1; 50:24, 25

Older ones strengthen our faith in Jehovah and his promises when they tell us firsthand accounts of the “wonderful works” that Jehovah has performed during these last days. (Ps 71:17, 18) If you are blessed with older ones in your congregation, ask them about

• how Jehovah helped them to overcome obstacles in serving him

• the increase that they have seen in the number of Kingdom proclaimers

• their joy at receiving clarifications in our understanding of Bible truth

• the refinements that they have observed in Jehovah’s organization

In our congregations we find those who have served Jehovah for many decades. We can learn from their firm reliance on Jehovah. We can ask them about the history of Jehovah’s organization and about the challenges they have faced and overcome with Jehovah’s help. We may even invite one of these dear ones to share experiences during a Family Worship evening.

If you are an experienced Christian, freely express your faith to younger Christians. Jacob and Joseph shared their experience with their offspring. (Ge 48:21, 22; 50:24, 25) Jehovah later expected family heads to teach their children about his mighty acts. (De 4:9, 10; Ps 78:4-7) In our day, parents and others in the congregation can pass on to the future generation the wonderful things that they have seen Jehovah accomplish through his organization.

WATCH THE VIDEO MAINTAINING UNITY UNDER BAN, AND THEN ANSWER THE FOLLOWING QUESTIONS:

• How did the Austria branch help our brothers in some countries where our work was banned?

• How did the brothers in these countries keep their faith strong?

• Why did many publishers in Romania separate from Jehovah’s organization, and how did they return?

• How do these experiences strengthen your faith?

• Song 7 and Prayer

• Opening Comments (1 min.)

TREASURES FROM GOD’S WORD

• “I Will Become What I Choose to Become”: (10 min.)

  • [Play the video Introduction to Exodus.]

  • Ex 3:13​—Moses wanted to know more about the person represented by the name Jehovah (w13 3/15 25 ¶4)

  • Ex 3:14​—Jehovah becomes whatever is needed to accomplish his purpose (kr 43, box)

• Digging for Spiritual Gems: (10 min.)

  • Ex 2:10​—Why is it reasonable to believe that Pharaoh’s daughter adopted Moses? (g04 4/8 6 ¶5)

  • Ex 3:1​—What kind of priest was Jethro? (w04 3/15 24 ¶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) Ex 2:11-25 (th study 11)

APPLY YOURSELF TO THE FIELD MINISTRY

• Initial Call: (3 min. or less) Begin with the sample conversation. Overcome an objection common in your territory. (th study 16)

• Return Visit: (4 min. or less) Begin with the sample conversation. Then offer a recent magazine to address a topic raised by the householder. (th study 12)

• Talk: (5 min. or less) w02 6/15 11 ¶1-4​—Theme: Something Greater Than the Treasures of Egypt. (th study 13)

LIVING AS CHRISTIANS

• Song 2

• Become Jehovah’s Friend​—Jehovah’s Name: (6 min.) Discussion. Play the video. Then, if possible, invite selected young children to the stage, and ask them: What does Jehovah’s name mean? What did Jehovah create? How can Jehovah help you?

• The Divine Name Is Exalted in Scandinavia: (9 min.) Discussion. Play the video. Then ask the audience: Why was the divine name virtually unknown prior to the 16th century? How did the name Jehovah begin to be used in Scandinavia? Why do you appreciate the New World Translation of the Holy Scriptures?

• Congregation Bible Study: (30 min.) jy chap. 120

• Concluding Comments (3 min. or less)

• Song 104 and Prayer

3:13, 14

Jehovah revealed to Moses a thrilling aspect of His own nature. Within the bounds of his perfect standards, Jehovah becomes whatever is needed in each circumstance to accomplish his will. Much like a human parent, Jehovah fills whatever roles are necessary to care for his children.

What roles has Jehovah filled in my life?

• Song 3 and Prayer

• Opening Comments (1 min.)

TREASURES FROM GOD’S WORD

• “I Will Be With You as You Speak”: (10 min.)

  • Ex 4:10, 13​—Moses felt inadequate for his assignment (w10 10/15 13-14)

  • Ex 4:11, 12​—Jehovah assured him (w14 4/15 9 ¶5-6)

  • Ex 4:14, 15​—Jehovah provided Aaron to assist Moses (w10 10/15 14)

• Digging for Spiritual Gems: (10 min.)

  • Ex 4:24-26​—For what possible reason did Zipporah call Jehovah “a bridegroom of blood”? (w04 3/15 28 ¶4)

  • Ex 5:2​—In what sense did Pharaoh not know Jehovah? (it-2 12 ¶5)

  • 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) Ex 4:1-17 (th study 12)

APPLY YOURSELF TO THE FIELD MINISTRY

• Initial Call: (3 min. or less) Begin with the sample conversation. Then invite the person to our meetings. (th study 2)

• Return Visit: (4 min. or less) Begin with the sample conversation. Then offer a study publication. (th study 4)

• Bible Study: (5 min. or less) bhs 100 ¶15-16 (th study 8)

LIVING AS CHRISTIANS

• Song 61

• “How to Use the Sample Conversations”: (5 min.) Discussion.

• “You Can Preach and Teach!”: (10 min.) Discussion. Play the video Be a Courageous . . . Publisher.

• Congregation Bible Study: (30 min.) jy chap. 121

• Concluding Comments (3 min. or less)

• Song 73 and Prayer

4:10-15

With Jehovah’s help, Moses overcame his fears. What can we learn from Jehovah’s interaction with Moses?

• We should avoid focusing on our own inadequacies

• We can be confident that Jehovah will give us whatever we need to fulfill our assignments

• Faith in God is the antidote to fear of man

How has Jehovah helped me to overcome hurdles in the ministry?

Since January 2018, sample conversations have appeared on the cover of Our Christian Life and Ministry​—Meeting Workbook. How can they be used?

When Giving Student Assignments: You should use the question, scripture, and link from the sample conversation. However, this does not mean that you must copy the wording used in the sample conversation video. You may use a different setting, introduction, line of reasoning, and so forth. You may also offer a publication from our Teaching Toolbox, even if it is not specified in the instructions for the part.

When in the Ministry: The sample conversations are designed to provide helpful ideas. If a person shows sincere interest and wants to know more, you may continue the conversation, perhaps using content from the sample return visit. You may modify the sample conversations or use something entirely different. Would a subject from a previous month or a different scripture have wider appeal in the local territory? Are people where you live more interested in a current event or a local news item? Regardless of how you choose to use the sample conversations, your goal should be to “do all things for the sake of the good news, in order to share it with others.”​—1Co 9:22, 23.

Moses initially doubted his ability to fulfill an assignment that Jehovah had given him. (Ex 4:10, 13) Have you ever felt that way? Are you studying the Bible with Jehovah’s Witnesses? Do you wonder whether you could ever preach from house to house? Or perhaps you are a young person who hesitates to witness at school. Or maybe you are afraid to participate in telephone witnessing or in some form of public witnessing. Beg Jehovah for the strength of his holy spirit. (1Pe 4:11) Be confident that he can equip you for any assignment he gives you.​—Ex 4:11, 12.

WATCH THE VIDEO BE A COURAGEOUS . . . PUBLISHER, AND THEN ANSWER THE FOLLOWING QUESTIONS:

• What challenge did Sister Aoyama face?

• Where did she find strength and courage?​—Jer 20:7-9

• How did she benefit by reaching out in Jehovah’s service?

• What challenges in the ministry can Jehovah help you to overcome?