Cover picture: Moses teaches God’s people a song that honors Jehovah

• Song 40 and Prayer

• Opening Comments (1 min.)

• “How Jehovah Wants to Be Worshipped”: (10 min.)

• Spiritual Gems: (10 min.)

  • De 11:29​—How, apparently, was this verse fulfilled? (it-1 925-926)

  • 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.) De 11:1-12 (th study 2)

• “Increase Your Joy in the Ministry​—Show Empathy”: (8 min.) Discussion. Play the video Experience the Joy of Disciple-Making​—Improve Your Skills—​Showing Empathy.

• Initial Call Video: (4 min.) Discussion. Play the video Initial Call: Suffering​—Jas 1:13. Stop the video at each pause, and ask the audience the questions that appear in the video.

• Initial Call: (2 min.) Use the sample conversation. (th study 1)

• Song 103

• Local Needs: (15 min.)

• Congregation Bible Study: (30 min.) rr chap. 10 ¶8-12, box 10A

• Concluding Comments (3 min.)

• Song 72 and Prayer

The Israelites were to obey, love, and serve Jehovah with all their heart and soul (De 11:13; it-2 1007 ¶4)

Remnants of false worship were to be completely destroyed (De 12:2, 3)

Everyone was to worship in one place (De 12:11-14; it-1 84 ¶3)

Jehovah wants his people to worship him whole-souled, to reject all false worship, and to be united.

Empathy is the ability to understand the thinking, feelings, values, and needs of others. It is easily sensed by others and springs from a heartfelt desire to help. When we show empathy in the ministry, we reflect Jehovah’s love and care, and this draws people to him.​—Php 2:4.

Showing empathy is not a mere technique; it is reflected in the way we listen and speak as well as in our attitude, gestures, and facial expressions. We demonstrate empathy by showing genuine interest in someone. We take note of his interests, beliefs, and circumstances. We offer practical information and assistance but do not pressure him to change. When others respond by allowing us to help them, we increase our joy in the ministry.

WATCH THE VIDEO DRAMATIZATION EXPERIENCE THE JOY OF DISCIPLE-MAKING​—IMPROVE YOUR SKILLS—​SHOWING EMPATHY, AND THEN ANSWER THE FOLLOWING QUESTIONS:

• 

  How did Neeta show empathy when Jade was late?

• 

  How did Neeta show empathy when Jade said that she was too stressed to have her study?

• 

  How did Neeta show empathy when Jade said that she is not really organized?

• Song 38 and Prayer

• Opening Comments (1 min.)

• “How the Law Demonstrated Jehovah’s Concern for the Poor”: (10 min.)

• Spiritual Gems: (10 min.)

  • De 14:21​—What can we learn from the prohibition in the Law not to boil a young goat in its mother’s milk? (w06 4/1 31)

  • 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.) De 13:1-18 (th study 5)

• Return Visit Video: (5 min.) Discussion. Play the video Return Visit: Suffering​—1Jo 5:19. Stop the video at each pause, and ask the audience the questions that appear in the video.

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

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

• Song 7

• “Never Be Anxious”: (15 min.) Discussion. Play the video Love Never Fails Despite . . . Poverty​—Congo.

• Congregation Bible Study: (30 min.) rr chap. 10 ¶13-17, boxes 10B and 10C

• Concluding Comments (3 min.)

• Song 71 and Prayer

The poor and those who had no inheritance received help from the nation of Israel (De 14:28, 29; it-2 1110 ¶3)

During the Sabbath year, Israelites who owed money were granted “a release” from their debt (De 15:1-3; it-2 833)

In the seventh year of his servitude, an Israelite who had sold himself into slavery was set free and given a gift by his master (De 15:12-14; it-2 978 ¶6)

ASK YOURSELF, ‘In what practical ways can I show concern for Christians in need?’

Jehovah helped the poor in ancient Israel. What are some ways that he helps the poor among his servants today?

• He has taught them to have a balanced view of money.​—Lu 12:15; 1Ti 6:6-8

• He has helped them to have self-respect.​—Job 34:19

• He has taught them to work hard and avoid harmful habits.​—Pr 14:23; 20:1; 2Co 7:1

• He has brought them into a loving Christian brotherhood.​—Joh 13:35; 1Jo 3:17, 18

• He gives them hope.​—Ps 9:18; Isa 65:21-23

No matter how desperate our situation may become, we do not need to be anxious. (Isa 30:15) Jehovah will care for our material needs as long as we keep on seeking first his Kingdom.​—Mt 6:31-33.

WATCH THE VIDEO LOVE NEVER FAILS DESPITE . . . POVERTY​—CONGO, AND THEN ANSWER THE FOLLOWING QUESTIONS:

• 

  How have the brothers who live near regional convention locations shown loving hospitality to those who must travel to the convention?

• 

  What does the video teach about Jehovah’s love for the poor?

• 

  How can we imitate Jehovah regardless of how much we have materially?

• Song 115 and Prayer

• Opening Comments (1 min.)

• “Principles for Judging Righteously”: (10 min.)

• Spiritual Gems: (10 min.)

  • De 17:7​—Why did the Law require that the witnesses to a wrongdoing be the first to stone the guilty one? (it-1 787)

  • 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.) De 16:9-22 (th study 5)

• Initial Call: (3 min.) Begin with the sample conversation. Offer a magazine to address a topic raised by the householder. (th study 3)

• Return Visit: (4 min.) Begin with the sample conversation. Offer a publication from the Teaching Toolbox. (th study 4)

• Talk: (5 min.) it-1 519 ¶4​—Theme: Does the Christian Congregation Have Judges? (th study 18)

• Song 81

• Could You Serve as a Regular Pioneer?: (10 min.) Discussion by the service overseer based on the articles “Could You Try It for One Year?” and “Schedules for Regular Pioneering” in the July 2016 Our Christian Life and Ministry​—Meeting Workbook. Play and discuss the video Jehovah Supports Our Ministry.

• Local Needs: (5 min.)

• Congregation Bible Study: (30 min.) rr chap. 11 ¶1-8, intro video

• Concluding Comments (3 min.)

• Song 60 and Prayer

Be impartial (De 16:18, 19; it-1 343 ¶5)

Establish the facts (De 17:4-6; it-2 511 ¶7)

Get help for difficult cases (De 17:8, 9; it-2 685 ¶6)

Elders must be careful to follow these principles when rendering judgment in the congregation.

• Song 141 and Prayer

• Opening Comments (1 min.)

• “Human Life Is Precious to Jehovah”: (10 min.)

• Spiritual Gems: (10 min.)

  • De 21:19​—Why was the local court situated at the gate of a city? (it-1 518 ¶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.) De 19:1-14 (th study 10)

• Initial Call: (3 min.) Begin with the sample conversation. Overcome a common objection. (th study 12)

• Return Visit: (4 min.) Begin with the sample conversation. Introduce (but do not play) the video Why Study the Bible? (th study 6)

• Bible Study: (5 min.) bhs 138 ¶8 (th study 13)

• Song 37

• “Walk on Your Way in Safety”: (15 min.) Discussion. Play the video. Then ask the following questions: Why should we act safely? What specific things can we do to be safety conscious?

• Congregation Bible Study: (30 min.) rr chap. 11 ¶9-17

• Concluding Comments (3 min.)

• Song 108 and Prayer

Cities of refuge were easy to access (De 19:2, 3; w17.11 14 ¶4)

Cities of refuge helped to protect the Israelites from bloodguilt (De 19:10; w17.11 15 ¶9)

Hating our brother can lead to bloodguilt (De 19:11-13; it-1 344)

ASK YOURSELF, ‘What are some ways to demonstrate that I have Jehovah’s viewpoint of life?’

• Song 1 and Prayer

• Opening Comments (1 min.)

• “How the Law Demonstrated Jehovah’s Concern for Animals”: (10 min.)

• Spiritual Gems: (10 min.)

  • De 23:19, 20​—Why could interest be charged on a loan to a foreigner but not on a loan to a fellow Israelite? (it-1 600)

  • 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.) De 23:1-14 (th study 5)

• “Increase Your Joy in the Ministry​—Reach the Heart”: (9 min.) Discussion. Play the video Experience the Joy of Disciple-Making​—Improve Your Skills—​Reaching the Heart.

• Talk: (5 min.) g 4/15 13​—Theme: Is It Wrong to Kill Animals? (th study 14)

• Song 62

• Local Needs: (15 min.)

• Congregation Bible Study: (30 min.) rr chap. 11 ¶18-26, box 11A

• Concluding Comments (3 min.)

• Song 77 and Prayer

An animal in distress was not to be ignored (De 22:4; it-1 375-376)

A mother bird was not to be treated cruelly (De 22:6, 7; it-1 621 ¶1)

Animals of different types were not to be yoked together (De 22:10; w03 10/15 32 ¶1-2)

The way we treat animals is important to Jehovah. We must not be cruel to animals or kill them just for sport.​—Pr 12:10.

Obedience to God comes from the heart. (Pr 3:1) Therefore, when teaching, we must strive to reach the heart of our listeners. How?

Do not just teach your student Bible truths, but help him to link them to his life and relationship with Jehovah. Help him to appreciate how Bible standards reflect God’s love, goodness, and righteousness. Tactfully draw him out with questions to help him examine how he feels about what he is learning. Assist him to reason on the personal benefits of correcting a wrong viewpoint or practice. When you see your student’s heartfelt love for Jehovah, your joy will be increased.

WATCH THE VIDEO DRAMATIZATION EXPERIENCE THE JOY OF DISCIPLE-MAKING​—IMPROVE YOUR SKILLS—​REACHING THE HEART, AND THEN ANSWER THE FOLLOWING QUESTIONS:

• 

  Why did Neeta ask Jade: “Did you think any more about what we talked about on Monday?”

• 

  How did Neeta help Jade to link Bible standards with Jehovah’s love for her?

• 

  How did Neeta help Jade to reason on how she can express her love for God?

• Song 137 and Prayer

• Opening Comments (1 min.)

• “How the Law Demonstrated Jehovah’s Concern for Women”: (10 min.)

• Spiritual Gems: (10 min.)

  • De 24:1​—Why should we not conclude that the Mosaic Law made it easy for a man to divorce his wife? (it-1 640 ¶5)

  • 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.) De 26:4-19 (th study 10)

• Initial Call: (3 min.) Begin with the sample conversation. Overcome a common objection. (th study 1)

• Return Visit: (4 min.) Begin with the sample conversation. Offer a publication from the Teaching Toolbox. (th study 2)

• Talk: (5 min.) w19.06 23-24 ¶13-16​—Theme: How Can We Console and Support Widows and Widowers? (th study 20)

• Song 100

• “Treat Older Women as Mothers, Younger Women as Sisters”: (15 min.) Discussion. Play the video Display Unfailing Love in the Congregation​—To Widows and the Fatherless.

• Congregation Bible Study: (30 min.) rr chap. 12 ¶1-6, intro video, box 12A

• Concluding Comments (3 min.)

• Song 101 and Prayer

Brides did not lose their husbands to the army during their first year of marriage (De 24:5; it-2 1196 ¶4)

Widows were cared for materially (De 24:19-21; it-1 963 ¶2)

Childless widows were given the opportunity to have children (De 25:5, 6; w11 3/1 23)

ASK YOURSELF, ‘How can I show consideration and respect for women in my family and congregation?’

The Scriptures tell us to treat older Christians as if they were our mothers and fathers and the younger ones as our siblings. (Read 1 Timothy 5:1, 2.) Brothers especially need to treat sisters with dignity and respect.

Never would a brother flirt or do anything that would make a sister feel uncomfortable around him. (Job 31:1) A single brother would not toy with the emotions of a single sister by making her feel that he wants to pursue a romantic relationship when he does not.

Elders should give kind consideration to sisters who respectfully ask a question or even point out something that may require attention. Elders are especially considerate of those who do not have a husband to protect them.​—Ru 2:8, 9.

WATCH THE VIDEO DISPLAY UNFAILING LOVE IN THE CONGREGATION​—TO WIDOWS AND THE FATHERLESS, AND THEN ANSWER THE FOLLOWING QUESTIONS:

• 

  How did the congregation show outstanding love to Sister Myint?

• 

  How did the love shown by the congregation give a good witness to the village?

• 

  How did the love shown by the congregation affect Sister Myint’s daughters?

What are some practical ways you can show loving concern for the sisters in your congregation?

• Song 89 and Prayer

• Opening Comments (1 min.)

• “All These Blessings Will . . . Overtake You”: (10 min.)

• Spiritual Gems: (10 min.)

  • De 27:17​—Why did Jehovah’s Law prohibit moving a neighbor’s boundary marker? (it-1 360)

  • 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.) De 28:1-14 (th study 11)

• Initial Call: (3 min.) Begin with the sample conversation. Offer a publication from the Teaching Toolbox. (th study 6)

• Return Visit: (4 min.) Begin with the sample conversation. Give the householder a meeting invitation, and introduce (but do not play) the video What Happens at a Kingdom Hall? (th study 3)

• Bible Study: (5 min.) lvs 234 ¶21-22 (th study 9)

• Song 11

• “How Creation Reveals God’s Love”: (15 min.) Discussion. Play the video Creation Reveals Jehovah’s Love.

• Congregation Bible Study: (30 min.) rr chap. 12 ¶7-14

• Concluding Comments (3 min.)

• Song 14 and Prayer

Those who listen to Jehovah’s voice receive many blessings (De 28:1, 3-6; w10 12/15 19 ¶18)

Jehovah’s blessings will overtake his obedient servants (De 28:2; w01 9/15 10 ¶2)

Jehovah wants our obedience to be “with rejoicing and joy of heart” (De 28:45-47; w10 9/15 8 ¶4)

Jehovah’s obedient servants enjoy his abundant blessings right now and will soon be overtaken by his promised future blessings.

We can easily go about our busy lives and give little thought to the evidence of Jehovah’s love and generosity seen in the creation all around us. But Jesus encourages us to observe creation and reflect on what it teaches us about Jehovah.​—Mt 6:25, 26.

WATCH THE VIDEO CREATION REVEALS JEHOVAH’S LOVE, AND THEN ANSWER THE FOLLOWING QUESTIONS:

What did you learn about Jehovah’s love for us from . . .

• earth’s elements?

• earth’s atmosphere?

• grass?

• the design of animals?

• our senses?

• our brain?

• Song 3 and Prayer

• Opening Comments (1 min.)

• “Serving Jehovah Is Not Too Difficult”: (10 min.)

• Spiritual Gems: (10 min.)

  • De 29:4​—How are the Israelites a warning example for us? (it-1 665 ¶3)

  • 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.) De 29:1-18 (th study 2)

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

• Return Visit: (4 min.) Begin with the sample conversation. Offer a Bible study, and introduce (but do not play) the video What Happens at a Bible Study? (th study 6)

• Bible Study: (5 min.) lvs 226-227 ¶3-5 (th study 13)

• Song 73

• “Being Courageous Is Not Too Difficult”: (15 min.) Discussion. Play the video Imitate, Not the Cowards, But the Courageous!

• Congregation Bible Study: (30 min.) rr chap. 12 ¶15-21

• Concluding Comments (3 min.)

• Song 90 and Prayer

Learning and obeying God’s commandments is not beyond our reach (De 30:11-14; w09 11/1 31 ¶2)

Jehovah has given each one of us a choice (De 30:15; w09 11/1 31 ¶1)

Jehovah urges us to choose life (De 30:19; w09 11/1 31 ¶4)

Serving Jehovah is not too difficult if we rely on him for direction and strength.

Courage is the quality of being strong, bold, and valiant. It does not mean never being afraid. Rather, it means taking action in spite of our fears. Jehovah is the Source of true courage. (Ps 28:7) How can young ones demonstrate courage?

WATCH THE VIDEO DRAMATIZATION IMITATE, NOT THE COWARDS, BUT THE COURAGEOUS! AND THEN ANSWER THE FOLLOWING QUESTIONS:

• What situations faced by youths require courage?

• What Bible accounts inspire courage?

• How do we and observers benefit from our displaying courage?

• Song 78 and Prayer

• Opening Comments (1 min.)

• “Learn From Word Pictures in an Inspired Song”: (10 min.)

• Spiritual Gems: (10 min.)

  • De 31:12​—How can Christian parents apply this principle? (w04 9/15 27 ¶12)

  • 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.) De 32:36-52 (th study 2)

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

• Return Visit: (4 min.) Begin with the sample conversation. Adapt to the needs of the householder, and share an appropriate scripture. (th study 12)

• Talk: (5 min.) w07 5/15 15-16​—Theme: Your Children Are Watching You! (th study 16)

• Song 25

• Learn From the Good Examples of Those Taking the Lead: (15 min.) Discussion. Play the video ‘Remember Those Taking the Lead’ (Heb 13:7). Then ask the audience: What do we learn from the example of T. J. Sullivan? George Gangas? Karl Klein? Daniel Sydlik?

• Congregation Bible Study: (30 min.) rr chap. 13 ¶1-6, intro video

• Concluding Comments (3 min.)

• Song 128 and Prayer

Our teaching can be like the dew (De 32:2, 3; w20.06 10 ¶8-9; see cover picture)

Jehovah is the Rock (De 32:4; w09 5/1 14 ¶4)

Jehovah protects his people like an eagle protects its young (De 32:11, 12; w01 10/1 9 ¶7)

Where can you find good illustrations to use in your teaching?

Initial Call

Question: How do we know that our suffering is not punishment from God?

Scripture: Jas 1:13

Link: Why do we suffer?

FIND THIS SCRIPTURE IN THE TEACHING TOOLBOX:

• 

  bhs 9 ¶7

Return Visit

Question: Why do we suffer?

Scripture: 1Jo 5:19

Link: How does God feel about our suffering?

FIND THIS SCRIPTURE IN THE TEACHING TOOLBOX:

• 

  bhs 117 ¶7