January
Our Christian Life and Ministry—Meeting Workbook, January-February 2025
p. 1
Our Christian Life and Ministry—Meeting Workbook, January-February 2025
© 2024 Christian Congregation of Jehovah’s Witnesses
Cover picture: Solomon’s son listening to his father’s loving discipline
JANUARY 6-12
pp. 2–3
JANUARY 6-12
PSALMS 127-134
Song 134 and Prayer | Opening Comments (1 min.)
1. Parents—Continue to Care for Your Precious Inheritance
(10 min.)
Parents can count on Jehovah’s help to care for the needs of their family (Ps 127:1, 2)
Children are a precious gift from Jehovah (Ps 127:3; w21.08 5 ¶9)
Train each child according to his individual needs (Ps 127:4; w19.12 27 ¶20)
Jehovah appreciates it when parents rely on him and do their best to care for their children
2. Spiritual Gems
(10 min.)
3. Bible Reading
(4 min.) Ps 132:1-18 (th study 2)
4. Starting a Conversation
(3 min.) INFORMAL WITNESSING. (lmd lesson 1 point 3)
5. Starting a Conversation
(4 min.) INFORMAL WITNESSING. The person expresses a belief that conflicts with a Bible teaching. (lmd lesson 5 point 4)
6. Making Disciples
(5 min.) lff lesson 16 points 4-5. Discuss with your student the arrangements you have made for his study while you are away. (lmd lesson 10 point 4)
Song 13
7. Parents—Are You Using This Powerful Teaching Tool?
(15 min.) Discussion.
Jehovah’s organization has published a great deal of material to help parents teach their children about Jehovah. Still, one of the most powerful tools that parents possess is their good example.—De 6:5-9.
Jesus used this powerful tool to teach his disciples.
Read John 13:13-15. Then ask the audience:
Why do you think Jesus’ method of teaching by example was effective?
As a parent, your actions can reinforce the things that you teach your child orally. Your good example also builds respect for what you teach and can motivate your children to listen.
Play the VIDEO Teaching Our Children by Example. Then ask the audience:
What important lessons did Brother and Sister Garcia teach their daughters?
How does this video motivate you to continue setting a good example for your children?
8. Congregation Bible Study
(30 min.) bt chap. 20 ¶13-20
Concluding Comments (3 min.) | and Prayer
JANUARY 13-19
p. 4
JANUARY 13-19
PSALMS 135-137
Song 2 and Prayer | Opening Comments (1 min.)
1. “Our Lord Is Greater Than All Other Gods”
(10 min.)
Jehovah has demonstrated his control over all creation (Ps 135:5, 6; it-2 661 ¶4-5)
He defends his people (Ex 14:29-31; Ps 135:14)
He is there for us when we are down (Ps 136:23; w21.11 6 ¶16)
2. Spiritual Gems
(10 min.)
3. Bible Reading
(4 min.) Ps 135:1-21 (th study 11)
4. Starting a Conversation
(3 min.) INFORMAL WITNESSING. Exchange contact information with a person who shows interest. (lmd lesson 2 point 4)
5. Following Up
(4 min.) HOUSE TO HOUSE. Invite the person to a meeting. (lmd lesson 9 point 4)
6. Explaining Your Beliefs
(5 min.) Demonstration. ijwfq article 7—Theme: Are Jehovah’s Witnesses Christians? (th study 12)
Song 10
7. Local Needs
(15 min.)
8. Congregation Bible Study
(30 min.) bt chap. 21 ¶1-7, box on p. 166
Concluding Comments (3 min.) | and Prayer
JANUARY 20-26
pp. 5–16
JANUARY 20-26
PSALMS 138-139
Song 93 and Prayer | Opening Comments (1 min.)
1. Do Not Let Nervousness Hold You Back
(10 min.)
We want to praise Jehovah with all our heart (Ps 138:1)
When you feel nervous about participating in a meeting, rely on Jehovah for help (Ps 138:3)
Being nervous can be a good sign (Ps 138:6; w19.01 10 ¶10)
TIP: Keeping our comments brief can help reduce our anxiety.—w23.04 21 ¶7.
2. Spiritual Gems
(10 min.)
Ps 139:21, 22—Are Christians required to forgive everyone? (it-1 862 ¶4)
What spiritual gems from this week’s Bible reading would you like to share?
3. Bible Reading
(4 min.) Ps 139:1-18 (th study 2)
4. Starting a Conversation
(3 min.) PUBLIC WITNESSING. (lmd lesson 2 point 3)
5. Making Disciples
(4 min.) PUBLIC WITNESSING. Offer and demonstrate a Bible study. (lmd lesson 10 point 3)
6. Talk
(5 min.) ijwyp article 105—Theme: How Can I Overcome Shyness? (th study 16)
Song 59
7. You Can Thrive in Your Ministry Despite Being Shy
(15 min.) Discussion.
Would you describe yourself as someone who is shy? Do you generally prefer to go unnoticed? Do you get a knot in your stomach at the thought of talking to others? At times, being shy can hold us back from doing things that we would like to do. However, many who have struggled with shyness have been able to reach out and even thrive in their ministry. What can we learn from their example?
Play the VIDEO Giving My All Despite Being Shy. Then ask the audience:
How has Sister Lee benefited from applying her grandmother’s advice to “put everything into serving Jehovah”?
The Bible indicates that Moses, Jeremiah, and Timothy may have struggled with shyness. (Ex 3:11; 4:10; Jer 1:6-8; 1Ti 4:12) Still, they were able to accomplish great things in Jehovah’s service because he was with them. (Ex 4:12; Jer 20:11; 2Ti 1:6-8)
Read Isaiah 43:1, 2. Then ask the audience:
What promise does Jehovah make to his worshippers?
How can Jehovah help those who are shy to thrive in their ministry today?
Play the VIDEO How Your Baptism Leads to More Happiness—Excerpt. Then ask the audience:
How has Sister Jackson felt Jehovah’s power and support in her ministry?
How can the ministry help a person who is shy?
8. Congregation Bible Study
(30 min.) bt chap. 21 ¶8-13, box on p. 169
Concluding Comments (3 min.) | and Prayer
JANUARY 27–FEBRUARY 2
pp. 6–7
JANUARY 27–FEBRUARY 2
PSALMS 140-143
Song 44 and Prayer | Opening Comments (1 min.)
1. Act in Harmony With Your Pleas for Help
(10 min.)
Be willing to accept advice or counsel (Ps 141:5; w22.02 12 ¶13-14)
Meditate on Jehovah’s acts of deliverance (Ps 143:5; w10 3/15 32 ¶4)
Strive to see things as Jehovah does (Ps 143:10; w15 3/15 32 ¶2)
Psalms 140-143 contain not only David’s pleas for help but also expressions that show that he acted in harmony with his pleas.
2. Spiritual Gems
(10 min.)
3. Bible Reading
(4 min.) Ps 141:1-10 (th study 12)
4. Starting a Conversation
(4 min.) INFORMAL WITNESSING. Initiate a conversation after helping a person in a practical way. (lmd lesson 3 point 5)
5. Following Up
(3 min.) PUBLIC WITNESSING. The person tells you that he is busy. (lmd lesson 7 point 3)
6. Explaining Your Beliefs
(5 min.) Demonstration. ijwfq article 21—Theme: Why Don’t Jehovah’s Witnesses Accept Blood Transfusions? (th study 7)
Song 141
7. Be Prepared for Situations That Require Medical or Surgical Care
(15 min.) Discussion.
Jehovah promises to be “a help that is readily found in times of distress.” (Ps 46:1) Situations that require medical or surgical care can be distressing. However, Jehovah has provided everything we need to be prepared for such events. For example, his organization has provided the durable power of attorney (DPA), the Identity Card,a and other medical information documentsb as well as the Hospital Liaison Committees (HLC). These provisions help us to obey God’s law regarding blood.—Ac 15:28, 29.
Play the VIDEO Are You Prepared for Medical Situations? Then ask the audience:
How have some benefited from filling out a DPA?
How have some benefited from the document Information for Expectant Mothers (S-401)?
Why is it best to contact the HLC as soon as possible in any situation that requires a hospital stay, a surgery, or a therapy, such as cancer treatment, even if it seems that the situation might not involve the blood issue?
8. Congregation Bible Study
(30 min.) bt chap. 21 ¶14-22
Concluding Comments (3 min.) | and Prayer
a Baptized publishers can obtain from the literature servant a DPA for themselves as well as an Identity Card for their minor children.
b Information for Expectant Mothers (S-401), Information for Patients Requiring Surgery or Chemotherapy (S-407), and Information for Parents Whose Child Requires Medical Treatment (S-55) can be requested from the elders when needed.
FEBRUARY 3-9
pp. 8–9
FEBRUARY 3-9
PSALMS 144-146
Song 145 and Prayer | Opening Comments (1 min.)
1. “Happy Is the People Whose God Is Jehovah!”
(10 min.)
Jehovah blesses those who rely on him (Ps 144:11-15; w18.04 32 ¶3-4)
We rejoice in our hope (Ps 146:5; w22.10 28 ¶16-17)
Those whose God is Jehovah will be happy forever (Ps 146:10; w18.01 26 ¶19-20)
When we serve Jehovah faithfully, we can be happy even though we have problems
2. Spiritual Gems
(10 min.)
Ps 145:15, 16—How should these verses affect the way we treat animals? (it-1 111 ¶9)
What spiritual gems from this week’s Bible reading would you like to share?
3. Bible Reading
(4 min.) Ps 144:1-15 (th study 11)
4. Starting a Conversation
(4 min.) HOUSE TO HOUSE. The person tells you that he is a university student. (lmd lesson 1 point 5)
5. Following Up
(4 min.) INFORMAL WITNESSING. Feature a video from the Teaching Toolbox. (lmd lesson 7 point 4)
6. Talk
(4 min.) lmd appendix A point 7—Theme: A Wife Should Deeply Respect Her Husband. (th study 1)
Song 59
7. Jehovah Wants You to Be Happy
(10 min.) Discussion.
Jehovah is the happy God. (1Ti 1:11) He has given us many wonderful gifts that show us how much he loves us and wants us to be happy. (Ec 3:12, 13) Consider two of these gifts—food and sound.
Play the VIDEO Creation Proves That Jehovah Wants Us to Rejoice—Delicious Food and Delightful Sounds. Then ask the audience:
How do the gifts of food and sound convince you that Jehovah wants you to be happy?
Read Psalm 32:8. Then ask the audience:
How does knowing that Jehovah wants you to be happy motivate you to listen to the direction he provides in the Bible and through his organization?
8. Local Needs
(5 min.)
9. Congregation Bible Study
(30 min.) bt chap. 22 ¶1-6
Concluding Comments (3 min.) | and Prayer
FEBRUARY 10-16
pp. 10–11
FEBRUARY 10-16
PSALMS 147-150
Song 12 and Prayer | Opening Comments (1 min.)
1. We Have Many Reasons to Praise Jah
(10 min.)
He cares for us as individuals (Ps 147:3, 4; w17.07 18 ¶5-6)
He is empathetic and uses his power to help us (Ps 147:5; w17.07 18 ¶7)
He gives us the privilege of being part of his people (Ps 147:19, 20; w17.07 21 ¶18)
ASK YOURSELF, ‘What else moves me to praise Jehovah?’
2. Spiritual Gems
(10 min.)
3. Bible Reading
(4 min.) Ps 148:1–149:9 (th study 11)
4. Starting a Conversation
(3 min.) HOUSE TO HOUSE. The person tells you that he is dealing with a chronic illness. (lmd lesson 2 point 5)
5. Starting a Conversation
(4 min.) INFORMAL WITNESSING. Look for an opportunity to tell the person something that you learned at a recent meeting. (lmd lesson 4 point 3)
6. Talk
(5 min.) w19.03 10 ¶7-11—Theme: Listen to Jesus—Preach the Good News. See picture. (th study 14)
Song 159
7. Annual Service Report
(15 min.) Discussion.
After reading the announcement from the branch office regarding the annual service report, invite the audience to highlight other positive aspects of the 2024 Service Year Report of Jehovah’s Witnesses Worldwide. Interview publishers, selected in advance, who had encouraging experiences in the ministry during the past year.
8. Congregation Bible Study
(30 min.) bt chap. 22 ¶7-14, boxes on pp. 174, 177
Concluding Comments (3 min.) | and Prayer
FEBRUARY 17-23
pp. 12–13
FEBRUARY 17-23
PROVERBS 1
Song 88 and Prayer | Opening Comments (1 min.)
Solomon’s son listening to his father’s loving discipline
1. Youths—To Whom Will You Listen?
(10 min.)
[Play the VIDEO Introduction to Proverbs.]
Be wise and listen to your parents (Pr 1:8; w17.11 29 ¶16-17; see picture)
Do not listen to those who do what is bad (Pr 1:10, 15; w05 2/15 19-20 ¶11-12)
2. Spiritual Gems
(10 min.)
3. Bible Reading
(4 min.) Pr 1:1-23 (th study 10)
4. Starting a Conversation
(2 min.) PUBLIC WITNESSING. The person wants to argue with you. (lmd lesson 6 point 5)
5. Starting a Conversation
(2 min.) PUBLIC WITNESSING. Exchange contact information with a person who shows interest. (lmd lesson 1 point 5)
6. Following Up
(2 min.) INFORMAL WITNESSING. Tell a person about our Bible study program, and give him a Bible course contact card. (lmd lesson 9 point 5)
7. Making Disciples
(5 min.) lff lesson 16 point 6. Use an article from the “Explore” section with a student who wonders whether Jesus’ miracles really happened. (th study 3)
Song 89
8. Local Needs
(15 min.)
9. Congregation Bible Study
(30 min.) bt chap. 22 ¶15-21
Concluding Comments (3 min.) | and Prayer
FEBRUARY 24–MARCH 2
pp. 14–15
FEBRUARY 24–MARCH 2
PROVERBS 2
Song 35 and Prayer | Opening Comments (1 min.)
1. Why Put Your Heart Into Personal Study?
(10 min.)
To show appreciation for the truth (Pr 2:3, 4; w22.08 18 ¶16)
To help you make good decisions (Pr 2:5-7; w22.10 19 ¶3-4)
To strengthen your faith (Pr 2:11, 12; w16.09 23 ¶2-3)
ASK YOURSELF, ‘How could I improve my personal study routine?’
2. Spiritual Gems
(10 min.)
Pr 2:7—In what way is Jehovah “a shield for those walking in integrity”? (it-1 1211 ¶4)
What spiritual gems from this week’s Bible reading would you like to share?
3. Bible Reading
(4 min.) Pr 2:1-22 (th study 12)
4. Starting a Conversation
(4 min.) HOUSE TO HOUSE. Show a person how to find information on jw.org that is helpful to married couples. (lmd lesson 1 point 3)
5. Following Up
(3 min.) INFORMAL WITNESSING. Offer a magazine on a topic that the person showed interest in during your last conversation. (lmd lesson 9 point 3)
6. Talk
(5 min.) lmd appendix A point 8—Theme: A Husband and a Wife Should Be Loyal to Each Other. (th study 13)
Song 96
7. Are You a Treasure Hunter?
(15 min.) Discussion.
Young ones, do you like the idea of searching for a hidden treasure? If so, the Bible invites you to hunt for the most valuable treasure in the universe—the knowledge of God! (Pr 2:4, 5) You can find this treasure by making time to read the Bible regularly and by digging into the accounts that you read. Doing so can be enjoyable and rewarding!
What questions can you ask yourself as you read the Bible? (w24.02 32 ¶2-3)
What tools can you use to find the answers?
The video series Learn From Jehovah’s Friends can help you to learn how to meditate on what you read in the Bible.
Play the VIDEO Learn From Jehovah’s Friends—Abel.
Read Genesis 4:2-4 and Hebrews 11:4. Then ask the audience:
How did Abel show that he was Jehovah’s friend?
How did Abel build his faith in Jehovah?
How can you build your faith?
8. Congregation Bible Study
(30 min.) bt chap. 23 ¶1-8 and intro to section 8