●○ INITIAL CALL

Question: How does God feel about those who sincerely seek him?

Scripture: 1Pe 5:6, 7

Link: To what extent does God pay attention to us as individuals?

○● RETURN VISIT

Question: To what extent does God pay attention to us as individuals?

Scripture: Mt 10:29-31

Link: How do we know that God understands us?

• Song 34 and Prayer

• Opening Comments (1 min.)

TREASURES FROM GOD’S WORD

• “Do Not Follow After the Crowd”: (10 min.)

  • Ex 23:1​—Do not repeat falsehoods (w18.08 4 ¶7-8)

  • Ex 23:2​—Do not be swayed by the crowd to do evil (it-1 11 ¶3)

  • Ex 23:3​—Do not show partiality (it-1 343 ¶5)

• Digging for Spiritual Gems: (10 min.)

  • Ex 23:9​—How did Jehovah appeal to the Israelites’ empathy? (w16.10 9 ¶4)

  • Ex 23:20, 21​—What evidence supports the conclusion that the angel mentioned here is Michael? (it-2 393)

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

• Bible Reading: (4 min. or less) Ex 23:1-19 (th study 5)

APPLY YOURSELF TO THE FIELD MINISTRY

• Initial Call Video: (4 min.) Discussion. Play the video, and then ask the audience: How did the publisher maintain common ground when the householder gave a wrong answer? How could the publisher have introduced the public edition of The Watchtower No. 3 2020?

• Initial Call: (3 min. or less) Begin with the sample conversation. Then introduce and discuss (but do not play) the video Why Study the Bible? (th study 1)

• Talk: (5 min. or less) w16.05 30-31​—Theme: What Can Help Christians Determine Whether It Is Appropriate to Give Gifts or Tips to Government Employees? (th study 14)

LIVING AS CHRISTIANS

• Song 124

• “Beware of Spreading Falsehoods”: (15 min.) Discussion. Play the whiteboard animation How Can I Stop the Gossip?

• Congregation Bible Study: (30 min. or less) jy chap. 131

• Concluding Comments (3 min. or less)

• Song 145 and Prayer

23:1-3

Jehovah’s warning to witnesses and judges in legal cases not to be swayed by the crowd to give false testimony or render a perverted judgment also applies to other areas of life. Christians are under constant pressure to conform to this world’s ungodly thinking and conduct.​—Ro 12:2.

Why is it unwise to follow after the crowd when

• hearing unsubstantiated rumors or gossip?

• choosing clothing, hairstyles, or entertainment?

• thinking about and dealing with people of a different race, culture, or economic standing?

Today, information can be circulated to millions of people very quickly via print, radio, television, and the Internet. Those who worship “the God of truth” do not want to spread false information, even unwittingly. (Ps 31:5; Ex 23:1) Falsehoods that are passed on to others can cause great harm. When trying to determine whether something is true, ask yourself:

• ‘Is the source reliable?’ The one telling the story may not know the facts. Stories that pass from one person to another inevitably change, so be cautious when you cannot pinpoint the exact source. Because those who have privileges in the congregation are respected sources of information, they should be especially careful about passing on unverified information

• ‘Is the information slanderous?’ If it detracts from the good name of a person or group, it is best not to repeat it.​—Pr 18:8; Php 4:8

• ‘Is the story plausible?’ Be cautious when hearing sensational stories and experiences

WATCH THE VIDEO HOW CAN I STOP THE GOSSIP? AND THEN ANSWER THE FOLLOWING QUESTIONS:

• 

  According to Proverbs 12:18, what harm can words cause?

• 

  How does Philippians 2:4 help us to have a balanced view of talking about others?

• 

  What should we do when comments about others turn sarcastic or negative?

• 

  Before we start talking about others, what questions should we ask ourselves?

• Song 18 and Prayer

• Opening Comments (1 min.)

TREASURES FROM GOD’S WORD

• “The Central Object of the Tabernacle”: (10 min.)

  • Ex 25:9​—Jehovah provided the pattern for the ark of the covenant (it-1 165)

  • Ex 25:21​—The Ark was a holy archive for the sacred Testimony (it-1 166 ¶2)

  • Ex 25:22​—The Ark was associated with God’s presence (it-1 166 ¶3)

• Digging for Spiritual Gems: (10 min.)

  • Ex 25:20​—What apparently was the significance of the way the cherubs were positioned on the cover of the Ark? (it-1 432 ¶1)

  • Ex 25:30​—What was the showbread? (it-2 936)

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

• Bible Reading: (4 min. or less) Ex 25:23-40 (th study 5)

APPLY YOURSELF TO THE FIELD MINISTRY

• Return Visit Video: (5 min.) Discussion. Play the video, and then ask the audience: How did the publisher demonstrate warmth and empathy? How might the publisher have introduced a publication from the Teaching Toolbox?

• Return Visit: (3 min. or less) Use the sample conversation. (th study 8)

• Return Visit: (5 min. or less) Begin with the sample conversation. Then offer a publication from the Teaching Toolbox. (th study 11)

LIVING AS CHRISTIANS

• Song 23

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

• Local Needs: (10 min.)

• Congregation Bible Study: (30 min. or less) jy chap. 132, box “To the Stake”

• Concluding Comments (3 min. or less)

• Song 20 and Prayer

25:9, 21, 22

The Ark was the most important object of the tabernacle and of the camp of Israel. God’s presence was represented by a cloud between the two cherubs over the propitiatory cover of the Ark. On the annual Day of Atonement, the high priest entered the Most Holy and spattered the blood of a bull and a goat before the cover to atone for Israel’s sins. (Le 16:14, 15) This foreshadowed the entrance of Jesus, the greater High Priest, into the very presence of Jehovah in heaven to present the value of his ransom sacrifice.​—Heb 9:24-26.

Match the following scriptures to the benefits available to us because of the ransom:

SCRIPTURES

• 1Jo 1:8, 9

• Heb 9:13, 14

• Ro 6:23

BENEFITS

• hope of living forever

• forgiveness of sins

• clean conscience

What must we do to receive these benefits?

• Song 25 and Prayer

• Opening Comments (1 min.)

TREASURES FROM GOD’S WORD

• “What Can We Learn From the Priests’ Garments?”: (10 min.)

  • Ex 28:30​—We must seek Jehovah’s direction (it-2 1143)

  • Ex 28:36​—We must remain holy (it-1 849 ¶3)

  • Ex 28:42, 43​—We must uphold the godly standard of dignity (w08 8/15 15 ¶17)

• Digging for Spiritual Gems: (10 min.)

  • Ex 28:15-21​—Where did the precious stones on the breastpiece of Israel’s high priest possibly come from? (w12 8/1 26 ¶1-3)

  • Ex 28:38​—What were “the holy things”? (it-1 1130 ¶2)

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

• Bible Reading: (4 min. or less) Ex 27:1-21 (th study 5)

APPLY YOURSELF TO THE FIELD MINISTRY

• Initial Call: (3 min. or less) Begin with the sample conversation. Then leave a jw.org contact card. (th study 1)

• Return Visit: (4 min. or less) Begin with the sample conversation. Then offer a publication from our Teaching Toolbox. (th study 2)

• Bible Study: (5 min. or less) lvs 111 ¶20-21 (th study 13)

LIVING AS CHRISTIANS

• Song 57

• “Improving Our Skills in the Ministry​—Witnessing Through a Camera or an Intercom”: (15 min.) Discussion. Play and discuss video 1, and then play and discuss video 2.

• Congregation Bible Study: (30 min. or less) jy chap. 133

• Concluding Comments (3 min. or less)

• Song 46 and Prayer

28:30, 36, 42, 43

The garments worn by Israel’s priests remind us of the importance of seeking Jehovah’s direction, of being holy, and of displaying modesty and dignity.

• How do we seek Jehovah’s direction?

• What does it mean to be holy?

• How can we display modesty and dignity?

WHY IMPORTANT: Advances in technology and the increase of crime have made home security cameras and intercoms more common. We may feel intimidated when trying to share the good news with someone that we cannot see but who can see us. The following reminders will help us to witness through a camera or an intercom with more confidence.

HOW TO DO IT:

• Be positive. Many householders who have a camera or an intercom are willing to converse with us

• Remember that some cameras begin recording before you ring the bell and that the householder may be watching and listening to you as soon as you enter the property

• When the householder answers, talk to the intercom or camera as if you were talking to him in person. Smile and gesture naturally. Say the same thing you had planned to say if he had come to the door. If there is a camera, do not put your face too close. If the householder does not answer, do not leave a message

• After the conversation concludes, remember that the householder may still be observing or listening to you

• Song 32 and Prayer

• Opening Comments (1 min.)

TREASURES FROM GOD’S WORD

• “A Contribution to Jehovah”: (10 min.)

  • Ex 30:11, 12​—Jehovah told Moses to take a census (it-2 764-765)

  • Ex 30:13-15​—Everyone who was registered gave a contribution to Jehovah (it-1 502)

  • Ex 30:16​—The contribution was used “in behalf of the service of the tent of meeting” (w11 11/1 12 ¶1-2)

• Digging for Spiritual Gems: (10 min.)

  • Ex 29:10​—What is the significance of the expression “lay their hands on the bull’s head”? (it-1 1029 ¶4)

  • Ex 30:31-33​—Why was it a capital offense to make holy anointing oil and to put it on an unauthorized person? (it-1 114 ¶1)

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

• Bible Reading: (4 min. or less) Ex 29:31-46 (th study 5)

APPLY YOURSELF TO THE FIELD MINISTRY

• Initial Call: (2 min. or less) Use the sample conversation, and demonstrate witnessing through a camera or an intercom. (If your territory has no cameras or intercoms, demonstrate witnessing to a householder behind a closed door.) (th study 2)

• Bible Study: (5 min. or less) bhs 113 ¶18 (th study 13)

• Talk: (5 min. or less) km 1/11 4 ¶5-7; 6, box​—Theme: Some Ideas for Family Worship. (th study 20)

LIVING AS CHRISTIANS

• Song 84

• “Can You Contribute Your Time and Energy?”: (15 min.) Discussion. Play the video A New Construction Project Is Being Planned​—Excerpt.

• Congregation Bible Study: (30 min. or less) jy chap. 134

• Concluding Comments (3 min. or less)

• Song 137 and Prayer

30:11-16

When the tabernacle was constructed, individuals had the privilege of contributing financially to support Jehovah’s worship, regardless of whether they were rich or poor. How can we make a contribution to Jehovah today? One way is by financially supporting Kingdom Halls, Assembly Halls, remote translation offices, and Bethel complexes, as well as other buildings that are dedicated to the worship of Jehovah.

What do we learn from the following scriptures about making financial contributions to support true worship?

• 1Ch 29:5

• Mr 12:43, 44

• 1Co 16:2

As foretold by Isaiah, we are seeing unprecedented growth in the earthly part of Jehovah’s organization. (Isa 54:2) This requires the construction of new Kingdom Halls, Assembly Halls, and branch facilities. After their construction, such buildings need maintenance, and some must eventually be renovated. What opportunities does this give us to contribute our time and energy to Jehovah?

• We can participate when our field service group is scheduled to clean the Kingdom Hall

• We can volunteer to receive training to maintain our Kingdom Hall

• We can fill out a Local Design/​Construction Volunteer Application (DC-50) to assist periodically with construction and maintenance projects close to home

• We can fill out an Application for Volunteer Program (A-19) and volunteer to assist for a week or more in our branch territory at Bethel or another branch facility

WATCH THE VIDEO A NEW CONSTRUCTION PROJECT IS BEING PLANNED​—EXCERPT, AND THEN ANSWER THE FOLLOWING QUESTIONS:

• What dramatic increase in the use of videos has occurred since 2014?

• To keep up with the increasing need for video production, what project is being planned, and what is the time period for construction?

• How can volunteers help with this project?

• If we wish to help with construction at Ramapo, why should we fill out an application (DC-50) and assist with Local Design/​Construction projects close to home?

• What evidence has there been that Jehovah is steering this project?

• How can we support this project even if we are unable to help personally with construction?