March
Our Christian Life and Ministry—Meeting Workbook, March-April 2024
p. 1
Our Christian Life and Ministry—Meeting Workbook, March-April 2024
© 2023 Christian Congregation of Jehovah’s Witnesses
Cover picture: Soldiers casting lots over Jesus’ outer garments
MARCH 4-10
pp. 2–3
MARCH 4-10
PSALMS 16-17
Song 111 and Prayer | Opening Comments (1 min.)
1. “Jehovah, My Source of Goodness”
(10 min.)
Friendships with those who serve Jehovah bring us delight (Ps 16:2, 3; w18.12 26 ¶11)
An approved relationship with Jehovah gives us contentment (Ps 16:5, 6; w14 2/15 29 ¶4)
Jehovah’s spiritual protection makes us feel secure (Ps 16:8, 9; w08 2/15 3 ¶2-3)
Like David, we enjoy a rich life because it centers on the worship of Jehovah, our Source of goodness.
ASK YOURSELF, ‘How is my life better than before I came into the truth?’
2. Spiritual Gems
(10 min.)
3. Bible Reading
(4 min.) Ps 17:1-15 (th study 5)
4. Starting a Conversation
(1 min.) HOUSE TO HOUSE. Offer the Memorial invitation. (th study 11)
5. Starting a Conversation
(3 min.) HOUSE TO HOUSE. Offer the Memorial invitation. After the person shows interest, introduce and discuss the video Remember Jesus’ Death. (th study 9)
6. Starting a Conversation
(2 min.) INFORMAL WITNESSING. Offer the Memorial invitation. (th study 2)
7. Making Disciples
(5 min.) lff lesson 14 intro and points 1-3 (th study 6)
Song 20
8. How Can We Prepare for the Memorial?
(15 min.) Discussion.
In obedience to Jesus’ command, on Sunday, March 24, we will commemorate the death of Jesus, which involved history’s two greatest expressions of love. (Lu 22:19; Joh 3:16; 15:13) How can we prepare for this special occasion?
Have an enthusiastic share in the campaign to invite people to the special talk and the Memorial. Make a list of acquaintances, and invite them. If any live outside your territory, consult jw.org to find the time and location of the meetings in their area
During March and April, increase your activity in the ministry. Can you auxiliary pioneer with the goal of either 15 or 30 hours?
On March 18, begin considering the important events that occurred during the final week of Jesus’ life on earth. You can determine how much material to read each day from the “2024 Memorial Bible Reading Schedule” on pages 6-7
On the day of the Memorial, watch the special Morning Worship program on jw.org
At the Memorial, warmly welcome newcomers and inactive ones. Make yourself available to answer questions afterward. Arrange to call on attenders to further their interest
Before and after the Memorial, meditate on the ransom
Play the VIDEO Remember Jesus’ Death. Then ask the audience:
How can we use this video during the Memorial campaign?
9. Congregation Bible Study
(30 min.) bt chap. 6 ¶18-24, box on p. 48
Concluding Comments (3 min.) |
2024 MEMORIAL BIBLE READING SCHEDULE
pp. 6–7
2024 MEMORIAL BIBLE READING SCHEDULE
MONDAY, MARCH 18
SUNRISE
SUNSET (Nisan 8 begins)
TUESDAY, MARCH 19
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 20
THURSDAY, MARCH 21
FRIDAY, MARCH 22
SATURDAY, MARCH 23
SUNDAY, MARCH 24
MEMORIAL (AFTER SUNSET)
MONDAY, MARCH 25
TUESDAY, MARCH 26
SUNRISE
SUNSET (Nisan 16 begins)
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 27
MARCH 11-17
p. 4
MARCH 11-17
PSALM 18
Song 148 and Prayer | Opening Comments (1 min.)
1. “Jehovah Is . . . the One Who Rescues Me”
(10 min.)
Jehovah is like a crag, a stronghold, and a shield (Ps 18:1, 2; w09 5/1 14 ¶4-5)
Jehovah hears our cries for help (Ps 18:6; it-2 1161 ¶7)
Jehovah acts in our behalf (Ps 18:16, 17; w22.04 3 ¶1)
Jehovah might choose to remove a trial as he occasionally did for David. However, often God makes “the way out” by providing what we need so that we can endure the trial successfully.—1Co 10:13.
2. Spiritual Gems
(10 min.)
Ps 18:10—Why did the psalmist describe Jehovah as riding on a cherub? (it-1 432 ¶2)
What spiritual gems from this week’s Bible reading would you like to share?
3. Bible Reading
(4 min.) Ps 18:20-39 (th study 10)
4. Kindness—What Jesus Did
(7 min.) Discussion. Play the VIDEO, and then discuss lmd lesson 3 points 1-2.
5. Kindness—Imitate Jesus
(8 min.) Discussion based on lmd lesson 3 points 3-5 and “See Also.”
Song 60
6. Local Needs
(5 min.)
7. Organizational Accomplishments for March
(10 min.) Play the VIDEO.
8. Congregation Bible Study
(30 min.) bt chap. 7 ¶1-8, box on p. 53
Concluding Comments (3 min.) |
MARCH 18-24
p. 5
MARCH 18-24
PSALMS 19-21
Song 6 and Prayer | Opening Comments (1 min.)
1. “The Heavens Are Declaring the Glory of God”
(10 min.)
Jehovah’s creation declares his glory (Ps 19:1; w04 1/1 8 ¶1-2)
Our sun is a wonder of creation (Ps 19:4-6; w04 6/1 11 ¶8-10)
We should take lessons from God’s creation (Mt 6:28; g95 11/8 7 ¶3)
FAMILY WORSHIP IDEA: Observe creation, and then discuss what it teaches us about Jehovah.
2. Spiritual Gems
(10 min.)
3. Bible Reading
(4 min.) Ps 19:1-14 (th study 11)
4. Starting a Conversation
(3 min.) PUBLIC WITNESSING. Offer the Memorial invitation to someone, and use jw.org to find the observance near him. (lmd lesson 2 point 3)
5. Starting a Conversation
(4 min.) INFORMAL WITNESSING. Welcome someone who came to the Memorial because he found an invitation in his door. Arrange to answer his questions. (lmd lesson 3 point 4)
6. Explaining Your Beliefs
(5 min.) Talk. ijwfq 45—Theme: Why Do Jehovah’s Witnesses Observe the Lord’s Supper Differently From the Way Other Religions Do? (th study 6)
Song 141
7. Use Creation to Build Your Faith
(15 min.) Discussion. Play the VIDEO. Then ask the audience:
How do various aspects of creation build your faith in the Creator?
8. Congregation Bible Study
(30 min.) bt chap. 7 ¶9-13, box on p. 56
Concluding Comments (3 min.) |
MARCH 25-31
p. 8
MARCH 25-31
PSALM 22
Song 19 and Prayer | Opening Comments (1 min.)
Soldiers casting lots over Jesus’ outer garments
1. Aspects of Jesus’ Death Foretold
(10 min.)
Jesus would seem forsaken by God (Ps 22:1; w11 8/15 15 ¶16)
Jesus would be reviled (Ps 22:7, 8; w11 8/15 15 ¶13)
Lots would be cast for Jesus’ clothing (Ps 22:18; w11 8/15 15 ¶14; see cover picture)
2. Spiritual Gems
(10 min.)
Ps 22:22—In what two ways can we imitate the psalmist today? (w06 11/1 29 ¶7; w03 9/1 20 ¶1)
What spiritual gems from this week’s Bible reading would you like to share?
3. Bible Reading
(4 min.) Ps 22:1-19 (th study 2)
4. Starting a Conversation
(3 min.) HOUSE TO HOUSE. (lmd lesson 4 point 4)
5. Following Up
(4 min.) INFORMAL WITNESSING. Follow up with an acquaintance who accepted your invitation to attend the Memorial. (lmd lesson 4 point 3)
6. Talk
(5 min.) w20.07 12-13 ¶14-17—Theme: How Bible Prophecy Builds Strong Faith. (th study 20)
Song 95
7. Local Needs
(15 min.)
8. Congregation Bible Study
(30 min.) bt chap. 7 ¶14-18, boxes on pp. 57-58
Concluding Comments (3 min.) |
APRIL 1-7
pp. 9–16
APRIL 1-7
PSALMS 23-25
Song 4 and Prayer | Opening Comments (1 min.)
1. “Jehovah Is My Shepherd”
(10 min.)
Jehovah leads us (Ps 23:1-3; w11 5/1 31 ¶3)
Jehovah protects us (Ps 23:4; w11 5/1 31 ¶4)
Jehovah feeds us (Ps 23:5; w11 5/1 31 ¶5)
Jehovah cares for his servants just as an attentive shepherd cares for his sheep.
ASK YOURSELF, ‘How has Jehovah cared for me personally?’
2. Spiritual Gems
(10 min.)
Ps 23:3—What are “the paths of righteousness,” and what will prevent us from deviating from them? (w11 2/15 24 ¶1-3)
What spiritual gems from this week’s Bible reading would you like to share?
3. Bible Reading
(4 min.) Ps 23:1–24:10 (th study 5)
4. Starting a Conversation
(3 min.) INFORMAL WITNESSING. Share an encouraging Bible verse with a person who tells you that they are concerned about the environment. (lmd lesson 2 point 5)
5. Following Up
(4 min.) HOUSE TO HOUSE. Demonstrate a Bible study to someone who accepted the Enjoy Life Forever! brochure. (lmd lesson 9 point 3)
6. Making Disciples
(5 min.) lff lesson 14 point 4 (lmd lesson 11 point 3)
Song 54
7. We Reject the Voice of Strangers
(15 min.) Discussion.
Literal sheep know the voice of their shepherd and follow him. On the other hand, they flee from a stranger whose voice they do not know. (Joh 10:5) Similarly, we listen to the voice of our loving and reliable spiritual Shepherds, Jehovah and Jesus. (Ps 23:1; Joh 10:11) But we reject the voice of strangers who try to weaken our faith by means of “counterfeit words.”—2Pe 2:1, 3.
Genesis chapter three describes the first time the voice of a stranger was heard on earth. Satan approached Eve in a misleading way that hid his true identity. Pretending to be her friend, he twisted Jehovah’s words and motives. Sadly, Eve listened, which led to untold suffering for herself and her family.
Today Satan tries to sow doubts about Jehovah and his organization by spreading negative reports, half-truths, and outright lies. When we hear the voice of a stranger, we should flee! Listening, even briefly out of curiosity, is dangerous. How many words did Satan need to mislead Eve during their brief conversation? (Ge 3:1, 4, 5) What, though, if someone we know—someone who loves us and has good intentions—wants to share negative information about Jehovah’s organization?
Play the VIDEO Reject “the Voice of Strangers.” Then ask the audience:
What did you learn from the way that Jade handled the situation involving her unbelieving mother?
8. Congregation Bible Study
(30 min.) bt chap. 8 ¶1-4, boxes on pp. 61-62
Concluding Comments (3 min.) |
APRIL 8-14
pp. 10–11
APRIL 8-14
PSALMS 26-28
Song 34 and Prayer | Opening Comments (1 min.)
1. How David Fortified His Integrity
(10 min.)
David asked Jehovah to refine him (Ps 26:1, 2; w04 12/1 14 ¶8-9)
David avoided bad associations (Ps 26:4, 5; w04 12/1 15 ¶12-13)
David loved worshipping Jehovah (Ps 26:8; w04 12/1 16 ¶17-18)
Although David made mistakes, he walked “with integrity of heart.” (1Ki 9:4) David’s integrity was seen in his wholehearted devotion to and love for Jehovah.
2. Spiritual Gems
(10 min.)
Ps 27:10—How can this verse comfort us when we feel abandoned by close friends? (w06 7/15 28 ¶15)
What spiritual gems from this week’s Bible reading would you like to share?
3. Bible Reading
(4 min.) Ps 27:1-14 (th study 2)
4. Starting a Conversation
(2 min.) HOUSE TO HOUSE. Use a tract from our Teaching Toolbox. (th study 3)
5. Following Up
(4 min.) HOUSE TO HOUSE. Discuss the question on the back of the tract that you left on the last visit. Point out jw.org, and show a sample of what can be found there. (lmd lesson 9 point 3)
6. Talk
(5 min.) lmd appendix A point 3—Theme: The Earth’s Environment Will Be Restored. (th study 13)
Song 128
7. Teenagers Who Maintain Moral Integrity
(15 min.) Discussion.
Christian youths must fight to maintain moral integrity. They struggle against their imperfect flesh and fight to remain clean during the bloom of youth—a time when strong sexual feelings can distort a young person’s judgment. (Ro 7:21; 1Co 7:36) They must also resist relentless pressure from others to engage in sex—heterosexual and homosexual. (Eph 2:2) We are proud of those who continue to maintain their integrity.
Play the VIDEO My Teen Life—How Can I Fight the Pressure to Have Premarital Sex? Then ask the audience:
What peer pressure did Cory and Kamryn face?
What helped them to maintain their integrity?
What Bible principles can help you face similar situations?
8. Congregation Bible Study
(30 min.) bt chap. 8 ¶5-12
Concluding Comments (3 min.) |
APRIL 15-21
p. 12
APRIL 15-21
PSALMS 29-31
Song 108 and Prayer | Opening Comments (1 min.)
1. Discipline—An Expression of God’s Love
(10 min.)
Jehovah hid his face after David’s disobedience (Ps 30:7; it-1 802 ¶3)
Repentant David pleaded for Jehovah’s favor (Ps 30:8)
Jehovah did not remain angry at David (Ps 30:5; w07 3/1 19 ¶1)
FOR MEDITATION: How can a disfellowshipped person benefit from discipline and demonstrate repentance?—w21.10 6 ¶18.
2. Spiritual Gems
(10 min.)
Ps 31:23—How is a haughty person repaid exceedingly by Jehovah? (w06 5/15 19 ¶13)
What spiritual gems from this week’s Bible reading would you like to share?
3. Bible Reading
(4 min.) Ps 31:1-24 (th study 10)
4. Starting a Conversation
(1 min.) PUBLIC WITNESSING. Give a brief witness to a person who is busy. (lmd lesson 5 point 3)
5. Starting a Conversation
(3 min.) INFORMAL WITNESSING. Show a mother a children’s video, and explain how to find more. (lmd lesson 3 point 3)
6. Following Up
(3 min.) PUBLIC WITNESSING. Offer a Bible study to a person who has refused one in the past. (lmd lesson 8 point 3)
7. Making Disciples
(4 min.) lff lesson 14 point 5 (th study 6)
Song 45
8. Why We Have Faith in . . . God’s Love
(7 min.) Discussion. Play the VIDEO. Then ask the audience:
What does this experience teach us about God’s love?
9. 2024 Update on the Local Design/Construction Program
(8 min.) Talk. Play the VIDEO.
10. Congregation Bible Study
(30 min.) bt chap. 8 ¶13-21
Concluding Comments (3 min.) |
APRIL 22-28
p. 13
APRIL 22-28
PSALMS 32-33
Song 103 and Prayer | Opening Comments (1 min.)
1. Why Confess a Serious Sin?
(10 min.)
David experienced distress when trying to conceal his sins, perhaps involving Bath-sheba (Ps 32:3, 4; w93 3/15 9 ¶7)
David confessed to Jehovah and was pardoned (Ps 32:5; cl 262 ¶8)
David felt relief after receiving Jehovah’s forgiveness (Ps 32:1; w01 6/1 30 ¶1)
If we commit a serious sin, we should confess by humbly admitting our wrongdoing to Jehovah and asking for his forgiveness. We should also seek help from the elders, who will help us to regain our spiritual health. (Jas 5:14-16) The result is refreshment from Jehovah.—Ac 3:19.
2. Spiritual Gems
(10 min.)
Ps 33:6—What is “the spirit” of Jehovah’s mouth? (w06 5/15 20 ¶1)
What spiritual gems from this week’s Bible reading would you like to share?
3. Bible Reading
(4 min.) Ps 33:1-22 (th study 11)
4. Humility—What Paul Did
(7 min.) Discussion. Play the VIDEO, and then discuss lmd lesson 4 points 1-2.
5. Humility—Imitate Paul
(8 min.) Discussion based on lmd lesson 4 points 3-5 and “See Also.”
Song 74
6. Local Needs
(15 min.)
7. Congregation Bible Study
(30 min.) bt chap. 8 ¶22-24, box on p. 67
Concluding Comments (3 min.) |
APRIL 29–MAY 5
pp. 14–15
APRIL 29–MAY 5
PSALMS 34-35
Song 10 and Prayer | Opening Comments (1 min.)
1. “Praise Jehovah at All Times”
(10 min.)
David praised Jehovah even when he was experiencing trials (Ps 34:1; w07 3/1 22 ¶11)
David boasted in Jehovah, not himself (Ps 34:2-4; w07 3/1 22 ¶13)
David’s expressions of praise strengthened his companions (Ps 34:5; w07 3/1 23 ¶15)
After he was delivered from Abimelech, David was joined in the wilderness by 400 men who had grievances with Saul. (1Sa 22:1, 2) David may have had such ones in mind when he composed this psalm.—Ps 34, superscription.
ASK YOURSELF, ‘How can I praise Jehovah when speaking with someone at the next congregation meeting?’
2. Spiritual Gems
(10 min.)
Ps 35:19—What is the meaning of David’s request not to let those hating him “wink their eyes”? (w06 5/15 20 ¶2)
What spiritual gems from this week’s Bible reading would you like to share?
3. Bible Reading
(4 min.) Ps 34:1-22 (th study 5)
4. Starting a Conversation
(2 min.) INFORMAL WITNESSING. The conversation concludes before you can give a witness. (lmd lesson 1 point 4)
5. Following Up
(4 min.) INFORMAL WITNESSING. (lmd lesson 2 point 4)
6. Explaining Your Beliefs
(5 min.) Demonstration. ijwfq 59—Theme: How Do Jehovah’s Witnesses Determine Whether a Holiday Is Acceptable? (th study 17)
Song 59
7. Three Ways to Praise Jehovah at Meetings
(15 min.) Discussion.
Congregation meetings provide excellent opportunities to praise Jehovah. Here are three ways.
Conversations: Talk about Jehovah’s goodness when conversing with others. (Ps 145:1, 7) Did you hear or read a specific point that benefited you? Did you have a good field service experience? Did you receive encouragement from someone by their words or actions? Did you observe an aspect of creation that impressed you? These are all gifts from Jehovah. (Jas 1:17) Arrive a few minutes early so that you will have time to talk with others.
Comments: Try to give at least one comment during each meeting. (Ps 26:12) You could give a direct answer to the question or a comment on a secondary point, a scripture, the artwork, or the application. Since others will likely raise their hand when you do, prepare several comments. More will be able to “offer to God a sacrifice of praise” if our comments are 30 seconds or less.—Heb 13:15.
Songs: Sing the Kingdom songs enthusiastically. (Ps 147:1) You may not get called on to comment at every meeting, especially in a large congregation, but you can always join in singing the songs. Even if you feel that you are not a good singer, when you do your best, how it must please Jehovah! (2Co 8:12) You can prepare by practicing the songs at home.
Play the VIDEO Our History in Motion—The Gift of Song, Part 1. Then ask the audience:
During the early days of our modern-day organization, how did we show that singing Jehovah’s praise is important?
8. Congregation Bible Study
(30 min.) bt chap. 9 ¶1-7, intro to section 3, and box on p. 70