Theocratic School Schedule for 1980
INSTRUCTIONS
During 1980 the following will be the arrangement when conducting the Theocratic School.
TEXTBOOKS: The New World Translation of the Holy Scriptures, The Watchtower [w], Awake! [g], Bible Topics for Discussion [td], and the books “All Scripture Is Inspired of God and Beneficial” [si], Commentary on the Letter of James [cj] and My Book of Bible Stories [my] will be the basis for assignments.
The school will begin with song and prayer and remarks of welcome, and then proceed as follows:
ASSIGNMENT NO. 1: 20 minutes. This should be handled by an elder if possible, or, when necessary, by a qualified ministerial servant. When based on the Commentary on the Letter of James this should be a question-and-answer discussion, using the questions provided at the end of each chapter and the cited scriptures as time permits. A brother who reads well may be assigned in advance to read the paragraphs. The objective should be not only to aid understanding, but to focus attention on how the material can be applied to the specific needs of the congregation. All will need to make careful advance preparation to benefit fully from this discussion. If there are any points for improvement that the school overseer has in mind in connection with this assignment, he can discuss this after the meeting with the one who has handled this part.
When based on “All Scripture Is Inspired of God and Beneficial” this assignment should be delivered as an instruction talk, with a specific theme. Once again the objective is not just to summarize the material, but rather to focus attention on the practical value of the information, highlighting what will be most helpful to the congregation. There will be no oral review of the instruction talk.
HIGHLIGHTS FROM BIBLE READING: 6 minutes. This should be handled by the school overseer, or another qualified elder assigned by him. This should not be just a summary of the assigned reading. After giving a brief overall view of the assigned chapters, help the audience to appreciate why and how the information is of value to us. To the extent possible include the audience in the discussion. Any highlights from the chapter on which the No. 2 talk is based could be discussed after that talk has been given. Following this, the students will be dismissed to their various classrooms.
TALK NO. 2: 5 minutes. This is a Bible reading of the assigned material to be given by a brother. The reading assignments are usually short enough to permit the student to present brief explanatory information in his opening and concluding remarks, and even at intermediate points. Historical background, prophetic or doctrinal significance and application of principles may be included. All the assigned verses should actually be read. The material may be presented as a talk to the congregation, or a boy may read it to his father or to another qualified older brother who may then use questions to draw comments from the boy on the value of the material.
TALKS NOS. 3 and 4: 5 minutes each. These talks will be assigned to sisters whenever possible. When delivering one of the talks, the student may be either seated or standing. One assistant will be scheduled by the school overseer, but additional assistants may be used. Settings could include situations arising at home, in the field service, in the congregation or elsewhere. The sister giving the talk may either initiate the conversation to establish the setting or have her assistant(s) do so. Not the setting but the material should be given prime consideration.
TALK NO. 5: 5 minutes. Assigned preferably to a brother with some experience. This should be a talk to the entire audience. While giving his talk from notes, the speaker, when he thinks it fitting, may read quotations or pointed excerpts from the assigned material. It will usually be best for the speaker to prepare his talk with the Kingdom Hall audience in mind, so that it will be truly informative and beneficial to those who actually hear it. However, if the material lends itself better to another practical and suitable setting, the speaker may choose to develop his talk accordingly.
REMARKS: After each student talk (Nos. 2 through 5), the school overseer will have two minutes to highlight informative and practical points that the students may not have included in their presentations. These remarks should be meaningful, emphasizing points that will be helpful to the brothers in their homelife, at school, on the job, within the congregation or while out in the field service. Occasionally, questions can be put to the audience on points in the assigned material that can be applied.
COUNSEL: This will always be given privately after the meeting, and should not be neglected. (See Question Box, Our Kingdom Service May 1978.) More than two minutes may be used as advisable.
PREPARING TALKS: Where the material makes it possible, talks should follow a well-developed theme. Choose a theme that will allow for the best coverage of the material in the allotted time. Prepare all talks with the points in mind to be considered next on the Speech Counsel slip.
TIMING: No talk should go overtime. Neither should the remarks by the school overseer. Talks Nos. 2 through 5 should tactfully be stopped when the time is up. If the school overseer assigns someone to give the “stop signal,” that one should be advised as to the importance of doing this whenever a talk goes overtime. If a brother handling assignment No. 1 goes overtime, he should be given private counsel. All should watch their timing carefully.
WRITTEN REVIEWS: Periodically, a written review will be given. In preparation, review principally the material in cj, si and my and complete the scheduled Bible reading. Only the Bible may be used during this thirty-minute review. The balance of the hour will be devoted to a discussion of the questions and answers. Each student will check his own paper and, in reading off all the answers, the school overseer will concentrate on the more difficult questions, helping all to understand the answers clearly. If, for some reason, local circumstances make it necessary, the written review may be used a week later than what is shown on the schedule.
LARGE AND SMALL CONGREGATIONS: Congregations with a school enrollment of 75 or more students may wish to arrange for additional groups of students to deliver the scheduled talks before other counselors. Rotate the students to the various halls. Where it is necessary, sisters may take any student talk, presenting it to someone else, as outlined for Talks Nos. 3 and 4.
ABSENTEES: The entire congregation can show appreciation for this school by being present, when possible, at every weekly session, by preparing their assignments well, and by participating in question sessions. It is hoped that all students will view their assignments conscientiously. If a student is not present when scheduled, a volunteer may take the assignment, making whatever application he feels qualified to make on such short notice. Or, the school overseer may cover the material with appropriate audience participation.
SCHEDULE
Jan. 6 Bible reading: Psalms 104 to 106
No. 1: cj p. 5 ¶1 to p. 7 ¶2
No. 2: Psalms 104:1-5, 29-35; 105:1-4
No. 3: my story 1
No. 4: td 1B “Is It Scripturally Proper to Honor Men?”
No. 5: w78 7/15 pp. 3, 4
Jan. 13 Bible reading: Psalms 107 to 112
No. 1: cj p. 8 ¶1 to p. 10 ¶3
No. 2: Psalms 110:1-7; 111:1-10
No. 3: my story 2
No. 4: td 3A “Is Baptism a Christian Requirement?”
No. 5: w78 8/1 pp. 3-5
Jan. 20 Bible reading: Psalms 113 to 118
No. 1: cj p. 11 ¶1 to p. 12 ¶2
No. 2: Psalm 116:1-19
No. 3: my story 3
No. 4: td 4B “Is Help Needed to Understand the Bible?”
No. 5: w78 8/1 pp. 30, 31
Jan. 27 Bible reading: Psalm 119
No. 1: cj p. 13 ¶1 to p. 15 ¶1
No. 2: Psalm 119:9-16, 97-105
No. 3: my story 4
No. 4: td 6D “How Long Was Jesus’ Earthly Ministry?”
No. 5: w78 8/15 pp. 3, 4
Feb. 3 Bible reading: Psalms 120 to 134
No. 1: cj p. 15 ¶2 to p. 17 ¶2
No. 2: Psalms 120:1-7; 127:1-5
No. 3: my story 5
No. 4: td 7A “What Is the True Church and Its Foundation?”
No. 5: g78 6/8 pp. 27, 28
Feb. 10 Bible reading: Psalms 135 to 142
No. 1: cj p. 18 ¶1 to p. 21 ¶1
No. 2: Psalm 139:1-18
No. 3: my story 6
No. 4: td 9A “Does True Science Agree with the Bible?”
No. 5: g78 6/22 pp. 27, 28
Feb. 17 Bible reading: Psalms 143 to 150
No. 1: cj p. 21 ¶2 to p. 23 ¶2
No. 2: Psalms 146:1-10; 150:1-6
No. 3: my story 7
No. 4: td 11A “Why Do All Men Die?”
No. 5: g78 7/8 pp. 27, 28
Feb. 24 Written Review. Complete Psalms 104 to 150
Mar. 2 Bible reading: Proverbs 1 to 5
No. 1: si p. 106 ¶1 to p. 111 ¶38. “Proverbs.”
No. 2: Proverbs 3:1-18
No. 3: my story 8
No. 4: td 14B “Who Is the Devil?”
No. 5: w78 9/15 pp. 3-5
Mar. 9 Bible reading: Proverbs 6 to 10
No. 1: cj p. 24 ¶1 to p. 26 ¶1
No. 2: Proverbs 8:12-31
No. 3: my story 9
No. 4: td 15C “What Is Required to Receive Divine Forgiveness?”
No. 5: w78 10/1 pp. 3-5
Mar. 16 Bible reading: Proverbs 11 to 14
No. 1: cj p. 26 ¶2 to p. 28 ¶2
No. 2: Proverbs 14:20-35
No. 3: my story 10
No. 4: td 17A “What Is God’s Purpose for the Earth?”
No. 5: w78 10/1 pp. 5-8
Mar. 23 Bible reading: Proverbs 15 to 19
No. 1: cj p. 28 ¶3 to p. 30 ¶1
No. 2: Proverbs 15:1-19
No. 3: my story 11
No. 4: td 20A “What Is the Christian’s Relation to Worldly Authorities?”
No. 5: w78 10/15 pp. 4-6
Mar. 30 Bible reading: Proverbs 20 to 23
No. 1: cj p. 30 ¶2 to p. 33 ¶2
No. 2: Proverbs 20:1; 23:20-35
No. 3: my story 12
No. 4: td 21A “What Constitutes Good Works?”
No. 5: g78 7/22 pp. 27, 28
Apr. 6 Bible reading: Proverbs 24 to 27
No. 1: cj p. 34 ¶1 to p. 36 ¶1
No. 2: Proverbs 26:1-19
No. 3: my story 13
No. 4: td 22B “How Do We Know that God’s Kingdom Will Bring Permanent Physical Cures?”
No. 5: g78 8/8 pp. 27, 28
Apr. 13 Bible reading: Proverbs 28 to 31
No. 1: cj p. 36 ¶2 to p. 38 ¶1
No. 2: Proverbs 31:10-31
No. 3: my story 14
No. 4: td 23C “What Are the Requirements for Heavenly Life?”
No. 5: g78 8/22 pp. 27, 28
Apr. 20 Bible reading: Ecclesiastes 1 to 4
No. 1: si p. 111 ¶1 to p. 114 ¶19. “Ecclesiastes.”
No. 2: Ecclesiastes 3:16-22; 4:4-10
No. 3: my story 15
No. 4: td 24A “Is There Hope for Those in Hell?”
No. 5: g78 9/8 pp. 3-5
Apr. 27 Written Review. Complete Proverbs 1-31 to Ecclesiastes 1-4
May 4 Bible reading: Ecclesiastes 5 to 8
No. 1: cj p. 38 ¶2 to p. 40 ¶2
No. 2: Ecclesiastes 7:1-18
No. 3: my story 16
No. 4: td 26B “How Does God View Image Worship?”
No. 5: w78 11/15 pp. 13-15
May 11 Bible reading: Ecclesiastes 9 to 12
No. 1: cj p. 41 ¶1 to p. 42 ¶1
No. 2: Ecclesiastes 12:1-14
No. 3: my story 17
No. 4: td 28A “How Is the Bible to Be Interpreted?”
No. 5: w78 12/1 pp. 3, 4
May 18 Bible reading: Song of Solomon 1 to 4
No. 1: si p. 115 ¶1 to p. 117 ¶18. “Song of Solomon.”
No. 2: Song of Solomon 2:1-17
No. 3: my story 18
No. 4: td 29A “How Important Is God’s Personal Name?”
No. 5: w78 12/15 pp. 9-11
May 25 Bible reading: Song of Solomon 5 to 8
No. 1: cj p. 43 ¶1 to p. 45 ¶1
No. 2: Song of Solomon 8:1-14
No. 3: my story 19
No. 4: td 30B “Are Christians to Be Christ’s Witnesses or Jehovah’s Witnesses?”
No. 5: w79 1/1 pp. 5-8
June 1 Bible reading: Isaiah 1 to 4
No. 1: si p. 118 ¶1 to p. 123 ¶39. “Isaiah.”
No. 2: Isaiah 2:1-17
No. 3: my story 20
No. 4: td 31C “Who Is Jehovah’s Greatest Prophet?”
No. 5: g78 9/8 pp. 27, 28
June 8 Bible reading: Isaiah 5 to 8
No. 1: cj p. 45 ¶2 to p. 47 ¶1
No. 2: Isaiah 6:1-13
No. 3: my story 21
No. 4: td 33E “Is the Kingdom of God ‘in the Hearts’ of Men?”
No. 5: g78 9/22 pp. 27, 28
June 15 Bible reading: Isaiah 9 to 13
No. 1: cj p. 47 ¶2 to p. 49 ¶1
No. 2: Isaiah 11:1-12
No. 3: my story 22
No. 4: td 34C “Why Do You Say We Are Living in the ‘Last Days’?”
No. 5: g78 11/8 pp. 27, 28
June 22 Bible reading: Isaiah 14 to 18
No. 1: cj p. 58 ¶1 to p. 59 ¶3
No. 2: Isaiah 14:4-20
No. 3: my story 23
No. 4: td 35B “Are Christians Required to Keep the Ten Commandments?”
No. 5: g78 11/22 pp. 27, 28
June 29 Written Review. Complete Ecclesiastes 5-12; Ca 1-8 to Isaiah 1-18
July 6 Bible reading: Isaiah 19 to 23
No. 1: cj p. 60 ¶1 to p. 63 ¶1
No. 2: Isaiah 21:1-12
No. 3: my story 24
No. 4: td 36A “Life—God’s Gift for Faithful Service.”
No. 5: w79 1/15 pp. 3-5
July 13 Bible reading: Isaiah 24 to 28
No. 1: cj p. 63 ¶2 to p. 65 ¶3
No. 2: Isaiah 25:1-12
No. 3: my story 25
No. 4: td 37A “Why Do You Distribute Bible Literature?”
No. 5: w79 2/15 pp. 3, 4
July 20 Bible reading: Isaiah 29 to 32
No. 1: cj p. 66 ¶1 to p. 67 ¶2
No. 2: Isaiah 32:1-18
No. 3: my story 26
No. 4: td 38F “What Is the Scriptural View of Polygamy?”
No. 5: w79 3/1 pp. 3-5
July 27 Bible reading: Isaiah 33 to 36
No. 1: cj p. 68 ¶1 to p. 69 ¶1
No. 2: Isaiah 35:1-10
No. 3: my story 27
No. 4: td 39A “Why Could Mary Not Be the ‘Mother of God’?”
No. 5: w79 3/15 pp. 3, 4
Aug. 3 Bible reading: Isaiah 37 to 40
No. 1: cj p. 70 ¶1 to p. 71 ¶2
No. 2: Isaiah 40:12-15, 21-31
No. 3: my story 28
No. 4: td 40A “What Is the Lord’s Evening Meal?”
No. 5: g78 12/8 pp. 27, 28
Aug. 10 Bible reading: Isaiah 41 to 44
No. 1: cj p. 72 ¶1 to p. 74 ¶1
No. 2: Isaiah 43:8-13; 44:14-20
No. 3: my story 29
No. 4: td 41B “Do All Men Have Equal Opportunity to Be Saved?”
No. 5: g78 12/22 pp. 27, 28
Aug. 17 Bible reading: Isaiah 45 to 48
No. 1: cj p. 75 ¶1 to p. 76 ¶1
No. 2: Isaiah 45:11-19, 22-25
No. 3: my story 30
No. 4: td 42A “Why Are True Christians Persecuted?”
No. 5: g79 1/8 pp. 27, 28
Aug. 24 Bible reading: Isaiah 49 to 53
No. 1: cj p. 77 ¶1 to p. 79 ¶1
No. 2: Isaiah 53:1-12
No. 3: my story 31
No. 4: td 43C “Is It Wrong to Pray to Saints?”
No. 5: g79 1/22 pp. 27, 28
Aug. 31 Written Review. Complete Isaiah 19 to 53
Sept. 7 Bible reading: Isaiah 54 to 58
No. 1: cj p. 80 ¶1 to p. 82 ¶1
No. 2: Isaiah 55:1-13
No. 3: my story 32
No. 4: td 45B “When Will All Racial Problems Be Solved?”
No. 5: w79 4/1 pp. 3, 4
Sept. 14 Bible reading: Isaiah 59 to 62
No. 1: cj p. 82 ¶2 to p. 84 ¶1
No. 2: Isaiah 61:1-11
No. 3: my story 33
No. 4: td 46B “How Is Christ’s Sacrifice a Corresponding Ransom?”
No. 5: w79 4/15 pp. 3-5
Sept. 21 Bible reading: Isaiah 63 to 66
No. 1: cj p. 84 ¶2 to p. 86 ¶3
No. 2: Isaiah 65:13-25
No. 3: my story 34
No. 4: td 47G “When People Say: ‘There Is Good in All Religions.’”
No. 5: w79 5/1 pp. 3, 4
Sept. 28 Bible reading: Jeremiah 1 to 3
No. 1: si p. 124 ¶1 to p. 129 ¶40. “Jeremiah.”
No. 2: Jeremiah 1:4-19
No. 3: my story 35
No. 4: td 48C “Was Jesus Resurrected Bodily as a Man of Flesh and Blood?”
No. 5: w79 5/1 pp. 8, 9
Oct. 5 Bible reading: Jeremiah 4 to 6
No. 1: cj p. 87 ¶1 to p. 89 ¶1
No. 2: Jeremiah 5:20-31
No. 3: my story 36
No. 4: td 49A “Is Christ’s Return Visible to Humans?”
No. 5: g79 2/8 pp. 27, 28
Oct. 12 Bible reading: Jeremiah 7 to 9
No. 1: cj p. 89 ¶2 to p. 92 ¶1
No. 2: Jeremiah 8:8-22
No. 3: my story 37
No. 4: td 50C “Is House-to-House Witnessing on the ‘Sabbath’ Proper?”
No. 5: g79 2/22 pp. 27, 28
Oct. 19 Bible reading: Jeremiah 10 to 13
No. 1: cj p. 99 ¶1 to p. 101 ¶2
No. 2: Jeremiah 10:1-12, 23-25
No. 3: my story 38
No. 4: td 51D “Is ‘Once Saved, Always Saved’ Scriptural?”
No. 5: g79 3/8 pp. 27-29
Oct. 26 Written Review. Complete Isaiah 54-66 to Jeremiah 1-13
Nov. 2 Bible reading: Jeremiah 14 to 17
No. 1: cj p. 102 ¶1 to p. 104 ¶1
No. 2: Jeremiah 17:1-14
No. 3: my story 39
No. 4: td 52B “Can Science Save Mankind?”
No. 5: w79 5/15 pp. 3-6
Nov. 9 Bible reading: Jeremiah 18 to 21
No. 1: cj p. 104 ¶2 to p. 107 ¶1
No. 2: Jeremiah 20:7-18
No. 3: my story 40
No. 4: td 53F “What Is the Sin Against the Holy Spirit?”
No. 5: w79 6/15 pp. 3, 4
Nov. 16 Bible reading: Jeremiah 22 to 24
No. 1: cj p. 107 ¶2 to p. 110 ¶1
No. 2: Jeremiah 24:1-10
No. 3: my story 41
No. 4: td 54B “What Is the Difference Between Soul and Spirit?”
No. 5: w79 8/1 pp. 24, 25
Nov. 23 Bible reading: Jeremiah 25 to 27
No. 1: cj p. 110 ¶2 to p. 113 ¶1
No. 2: Jeremiah 25:27-38
No. 3: my story 42
No. 4: td 55A “What Is the Holy Spirit?”
No. 5: w79 8/15 pp. 3, 4
Nov. 30 Bible reading: Jeremiah 28 to 30
No. 1: cj p. 114 ¶1 to p. 117 ¶1
No. 2: Jeremiah 28:1-14
No. 3: my story 43
No. 4: td 56B “Must Christians Avoid All Superstition?”
No. 5: w79 9/1 pp. 3, 4
Dec. 7 Bible reading: Jeremiah 31 to 32
No. 1: cj p. 117 ¶2 to p. 120 ¶1
No. 2: Jeremiah 32:3-15, 25, 44
No. 3: my story 44
No. 4: td 59D “Why Has God Permitted Wickedness?”
No. 5: g79 3/22 pp. 27, 28
Dec. 14 Bible reading: Jeremiah 33 to 35
No. 1: cj p. 120 ¶2 to p. 123 ¶1
No. 2: Jeremiah 35:1-11, 18, 19
No. 3: my story 45
No. 4: td 59H “How Could Wickedness Originate in a Perfect Universe?”
No. 5: g79 4/8 pp. 28, 29
Dec. 21 Bible reading: Jeremiah 36 to 38
No. 1: cj p. 123 ¶2 to p. 125 ¶1
No. 2: Jeremiah 38:1-13
No. 3: my story 46
No. 4: td 60A “Is Witnessing to Others Required of All Christians?”
No. 5: g79 4/22 pp. 27, 28
Dec. 28 Written Review. Complete Jeremiah 14 to 38