Theocratic School Schedule for 1981
INSTRUCTIONS
During 1981 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: 15 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 suggestions 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. 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: 8 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. The students will then be dismissed to their various classrooms.
TALK NO. 2: 6 minutes. This is a Bible reading of the assigned material to be given by a male student. The reading assignments are usually short enough to permit the student to present brief explanatory information in the 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 also be presented by a boy reading it to a qualified older brother who may then use questions to draw comments from the boy on the value of the material.
TALK NO. 3: 5 minutes. This talk will be assigned to a sister, including younger ones, whenever possible. When delivering the talk, 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. 4: 5 minutes. Assigned preferably to a male student 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.
When assigned to a female student, the material may be presented as outlined for Talk No. 3.
COUNSEL AND REMARKS: After each student talk the school overseer will give specific counsel, following the program of progressive counsel outlined on the Speech Counsel slip. In addition, comments on informative and practical points that the students may not have included in the presentation can help to keep the attention of all focused primarily on the Scriptural information presented. The school overseer should be careful to use no more than two minutes for counsel and remarks after each student talk.
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 counsel and remarks of the school overseer. Talks Nos. 2 through 4 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 the brother handling assignment No. 1 goes overtime, he should be given private counsel. All should watch their timing carefully. Total program 45 minutes not counting song and prayer.
WRITTEN REVIEWS: Periodically, a written review will be given. In preparation, review the assigned material and complete the scheduled Bible reading. Only the Bible may be used during this twenty-five minute review. The balance of the time 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 clearly understand the answers. 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 Talk No. 3.
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. 4 Bible reading: Jeremiah 39 to 42
Song No. 70 “Guard Your Heart!”
No. 1: cj p. 125 ¶2 to p. 127 ¶2
No. 2: Jeremiah 39:1-9, 15-18
No. 3: my story 47
No. 4: w79 9/1 pp. 5-7
Jan. 11 Bible reading: Jeremiah 43 to 45
Song No. 78 “We Must Have the Faith!”
No. 1: cj p. 127 ¶3 to p. 129 ¶3
No. 2: Jeremiah 43:1-13
No. 3: my story 48
No. 4: w79 9/15 pp. 29-31
Jan. 18 Bible reading: Jeremiah 46 to 48
Song No. 42 “The Prayer of God’s Servant”
No. 1: cj p. 130 ¶1 to p. 132 ¶1
No. 2: Jeremiah 46:1-17
No. 3: my story 49
No. 4: w79 9/15 pp. 3, 4
Jan. 25 Bible reading: Jeremiah 49 and 50
Song No. 96 “Get Out of Babylon the Great!”
No. 1: cj p. 132 ¶2 to p. 134 ¶3
No. 2: Jeremiah 50:1-13
No. 3: my story 50
No. 4: w79 9/15 pp. 5-7
Feb. 1 Bible reading: Jeremiah 51 and 52
Song No. 20 “The Scriptures—Inspired and Beneficial”
No. 1: cj p. 142 ¶1 to p. 143 ¶3
No. 2: Jeremiah 52:1-14
No. 3: td 4C “Is the Bible Practical for Our Day?”
No. 4: g79 5/8 pp. 27, 28
Feb. 8 Bible reading: Lamentations 1 and 2
Song No. 98 “The Resurrection—God’s Loving Provision”
No. 1: si p. 130 ¶1 to p. 132 ¶15. “Lamentations.”
No. 2: Lamentations 2:1-10
No. 3: td 11D “Should Christians Honor the Dead?”
No. 4: g79 7/22 pp. 27, 28
Feb. 15 Bible reading: Lamentations 3 to 5
Song No. 77 “Waiting on Jehovah”
No. 1: cj p. 144 ¶1 to p. 146 ¶2
No. 2: Lamentations 3:19-45
No. 3: td 6E “How Long Were the Creative Days?”
No. 4: g79 6/8 pp. 27, 28
Feb. 22 Written Review. Complete Jeremiah 39-52 to Lamentations 1-5
Song No. 39 “Be like Jeremiah!”
Mar. 1 Bible reading: Ezekiel 1 to 4
Song No. 90 “See Jehovah’s Army!”
No. 1: si p. 132 ¶1 to p. 137 ¶33. “Ezekiel.”
No. 2: Ezekiel 3:16-27
No. 3: my story 51
No. 4: w79 10/1 pp. 4-6
Mar. 8 Bible reading: Ezekiel 5 to 8
Song No. 116 “Christian Warriors”
No. 1: cj p. 146 ¶3 to p. 148 ¶1
No. 2: Ezekiel 8:5-18
No. 3: my story 52
No. 4: w79 10/1 pp. 29-31
Mar. 15 Bible reading: Ezekiel 9 to 12
Song No. 108 “Proof of Discipleship”
No. 1: cj p. 148 ¶2 to p. 150 ¶1
No. 2: Ezekiel 9:1-11
No. 3: my story 53
No. 4: w80 6/15 pp. 5-7
Mar. 22 Bible reading: Ezekiel 13 to 16
Song No. 71 “O Walk with God!”
No. 1: cj p. 150 ¶2 to p. 151 ¶3
No. 2: Ezekiel 14:1-14
No. 3: my story 54
No. 4: w80 6/15 pp. 8-10
Mar. 29 Bible reading: Ezekiel 17 to 19
Song No. 112 “To Whom Do We Belong?”
No. 1: cj p. 152 ¶1 to p. 154 ¶2
No. 2: Ezekiel 18:19-32
No. 3: my story 55
No. 4: w79 9/1 pp. 12-14
Apr. 5 Bible reading: Ezekiel 20 and 21
Song No. 40 “Good Cheer amid Earth’s Darkness”
No. 1: cj p. 155 ¶1 to p. 157 ¶1
No. 2: Ezekiel 21:18-32
No. 3: td 14C “Who Is Responsible for World Distress?”
No. 4: g79 6/22 pp. 27, 28
Apr. 12 Bible reading: Ezekiel 22 to 24
Song No. 29 “Jehovah’s Happy People!”
No. 1: cj p. 157 ¶2 to p. 159 ¶1
No. 2: Ezekiel 24:1-14
No. 3: td 21E “How Can Christians Best Serve Community Interests?”
No. 4: g79 7/8 pp. 12-14
Apr. 19 Bible reading: Ezekiel 25 to 27
Song No. 65 “Displaying Loyalty”
No. 1: cj p. 159 ¶2 to p. 162 ¶1
No. 2: Ezekiel 26:1-14
No. 3: td 28B “When People Say: ‘The Bible Is Open to Many Interpretations.’”
No. 4: g79 7/8 pp. 27, 28
Apr. 26 Written Review. Complete Ezekiel 1 to 27
Song No. 105 “This Is Jehovah’s Day!”
May 3 Bible reading: Ezekiel 28 to 30
Song No. 45 “Cultivating the Fruit of Love”
No. 1: cj p. 162 ¶2 to p. 165 ¶1
No. 2: Ezekiel 28:1-5, 11-19
No. 3: my story 56
No. 4: g80 1/8 pp. 3, 4
May 10 Bible reading: Ezekiel 31 to 33
Song No. 23 “Responding to God’s Love”
No. 1: cj p. 165 ¶2 to p. 167 ¶1
No. 2: Ezekiel 33:7-19
No. 3: my story 57
No. 4: w80 1/1 pp. 24-27
May 17 Bible reading: Ezekiel 34 to 36
Song No. 41 “Jehovah Is My Shepherd”
No. 1: cj p. 167 ¶2 to p. 170 ¶2
No. 2: Ezekiel 34:17-30
No. 3: my story 58
No. 4: w80 2/1 pp. 3-5
May 24 Bible reading: Ezekiel 37 to 39
Song No. 56 “Be Forgiving”
No. 1: cj p. 171 ¶1 to p. 173 ¶1
No. 2: Ezekiel 38:1-4, 10-12, 18-23
No. 3: my story 59
No. 4: w80 3/1 pp. 3, 4
May 31 Bible reading: Ezekiel 40 to 42
Song No. 38 “‘Store Up Treasures in Heaven’”
No. 1: cj p. 179 ¶1 to p. 180 ¶3
No. 2: Ezekiel 40:1-15
No. 3: my story 60
No. 4: w80 3/1 pp. 5-7
June 7 Bible reading: Ezekiel 43 to 45
Song No. 119 “Keep Your Eyes on the Prize!”
No. 1: cj p. 181 ¶1 to p. 183 ¶1
No. 2: Ezekiel 43:1-12
No. 3: td 29C “How Do We Know that God Exists?”
No. 4: g79 5/22 pp. 27, 28
June 14 Bible reading: Ezekiel 46 to 48
Song No. 61 “God’s Loyal Love”
No. 1: cj p. 183 ¶2 to p. 185 ¶2
No. 2: Ezekiel 47:1-12
No. 3: td 31D “How Essential Is Belief in Jesus Christ?”
No. 4: g79 8/8 pp. 5-7
June 21 Bible reading: Daniel 1 to 3
Song No. 93 “All Things Made New!”
No. 1: si p. 138 ¶1 to p. 142 ¶24. “Daniel.”
No. 2: Daniel 2:31-44
No. 3: td 33B “What Will God’s Kingdom Do for Mankind?”
No. 4: g79 8/8 pp. 26-28
June 28 Written Review. Complete Ezekiel 28-48 to Daniel 1-3
Song No. 59 “‘Then They Will Know’!”
July 5 Bible reading: Daniel 4 to 6
Song No. 53 “The Resurrection Joy”
No. 1: cj p. 186 ¶1 to p. 187 ¶3
No. 2: Daniel 6:4-11, 16, 19-23
No. 3: my story 61
No. 4: w80 3/15 pp. 5-7
July 12 Bible reading: Daniel 7 to 9
Song No. 115 “Be Long-suffering!”
No. 1: cj p. 188 ¶1 to p. 190 ¶1
No. 2: Daniel 7:2-14
No. 3: my story 63
No. 4: w80 3/15 pp. 3, 4
July 19 Bible reading: Daniel 10 to 12
Song No. 43 “Gratitude for Divine Patience”
No. 1: cj p. 190 ¶2 to p. 191 ¶2
No. 2: Daniel 12:1-13
No. 3: my story 64
No. 4: w80 4/1 pp. 12-15
July 26 Bible reading: Hosea 1 to 6
Song No. 48 “Jehovah’s Lovely Place of Worship”
No. 1: si p. 143 ¶1 to p. 145 ¶17. “Hosea.”
No. 2: Hosea 1:1-11
No. 3: my story 65
No. 4: w80 4/15 pp. 4-6
Aug. 2 Bible reading: Hosea 7 to 14
Song No. 80 “Flee to God’s Kingdom!”
No. 1: cj p. 192 ¶1 to p. 195 ¶2
No. 2: Hosea 13:12 to 14:9
No. 3: td 35A “What Was the Purpose of the Law Covenant?”
No. 4: g79 8/22 pp. 27, 28
Aug. 9 Bible reading: Joel 1 to 3
Song No. 95 “Let God Be Found True!”
No. 1: si p. 146 ¶1 to p. 148 ¶14. “Joel.”
No. 2: Joel 2:1-11, 28-32
No. 3: td 47A “How Can We Identify the True Religion?”
No. 4: g79 9/8 pp. 27, 28
Aug. 16 Bible reading: Amos 1 to 4
Song No. 88 “Walking in Integrity”
No. 1: si p. 148 ¶1 to p. 150 ¶17. “Amos.”
No. 2: Amos 3:1-15
No. 3: td 50A “Must Christians Keep a Sabbath Day?”
No. 4: g79 9/22 pp. 27, 28
Aug. 23 Bible reading: Amos 5 to 9
Song No. 30 “God’s Great and Wondrous Works”
No. 1: cj p. 195 ¶3 to p. 197 ¶2
No. 2: Amos 5:1-15
No. 3: td 51A “What Is God’s Purpose for Man?”
No. 4: g79 10/22 pp. 27, 28
Aug. 30 Written Review. Complete Daniel 4-12; Hos 1-14; Joe 1-3 to Amos 1-9
Song No. 100 “God’s Own Book—A Treasure!”
Sept. 6 Bible reading: Obadiah 1-21 to Jonah 1-4
Song No. 85 “Our Christian Unity”
No. 1: si p. 151 ¶1 to p. 155 ¶13. “Obadiah”; “Jonah.”
No. 2: Jonah 3:10; 4:1-11
No. 3: my story 67
No. 4: w80 5/1 pp. 9-11
Sept. 13 Bible reading: Micah 1 to 7
Song No. 18 “Daily Walking with Jehovah”
No. 1: si p. 155 ¶1 to p. 158 ¶19. “Micah.”
No. 2: Micah 4:1-12
No. 3: my story 68
No. 4: w80 5/1 pp. 3, 4
Sept. 20 Bible reading: Nahum 1-3 to Habakkuk 1-3
Song No. 57 “Sing Jehovah’s Praise with Courage!”
No. 1: si p. 158 ¶1 to p. 163 ¶14. “Nahum”; “Habakkuk.”
No. 2: Habakkuk 1:12 to 2:8
No. 3: my story 69
No. 4: w80 5/15 pp. 3, 4
Sept. 27 Bible reading: Zephaniah 1-3 to Haggai 1-2
Song No. 99 “Not Neglecting ‘the House of Our God’”
No. 1: si p. 163 ¶1 to p. 168 ¶16. “Zephaniah”; “Haggai.”
No. 2: Haggai 2:6-19
No. 3: my story 70
No. 4: w80 6/1 pp. 3, 4
Oct. 4 Bible reading: Zechariah 1 to 5
Song No. 97 “Balsam in Gilead”
No. 1: si p. 168 ¶1 to p. 172 ¶27. “Zechariah.”
No. 2: Zechariah 4:1-14
No. 3: td 51C “What Does It Mean to Be ‘Born Again’?”
No. 4: g79 11/8 pp. 27, 28
Oct. 11 Bible reading: Zechariah 6 to 10
Song No. 110 “We Thank You, Jehovah!”
No. 1: cj p. 197 ¶3 to p. 198 ¶3
No. 2: Zechariah 8:11-23
No. 3: td 53A “What Is Sin?”
No. 4: g79 11/22 pp. 27, 28
Oct. 18 Bible reading: Zechariah 11 to 14
Song No. 111 “Rejoice in the Hope Ahead”
No. 1: cj p. 199 ¶1 to p. 201 ¶1
No. 2: Zechariah 14:12-21
No. 3: td 53D “How Do We Know that God Did Not Predestinate Sin?”
No. 4: g79 12/8 pp. 27, 28
Oct. 25 Written Review. Complete Obadiah 1-21; Jon 1-4; Mic 1-7; Na 1-3; Hab 1-3; Zeph 1-3; Hag 1-2 to Zechariah 1-14
Song No. 2 “Shed Forth Light, O Zion!”
Nov. 1 Bible reading: Malachi 1 to 4
Song No. 32 “Let the Light Shine!”
No. 1: si p. 172 ¶1 to p. 175 ¶17. “Malachi.”
No. 2: Malachi 3:1-10, 17, 18
No. 3: my story 71
No. 4: w80 6/1 pp. 8-10
Nov. 8 Bible reading: Matthew 1 to 4
Song No. 24 “Making Jehovah’s Heart Glad”
No. 1: si p. 175 ¶1 to p. 180 ¶33. “Matthew.”
No. 2: Matthew 3:13 to 4:17
No. 3: my story 72
No. 4: w80 6/1 pp. 12-15
Nov. 15 Bible reading: Matthew 5 to 7
Song No. 92 “Keep On Seeking First the Kingdom!”
No. 1: cj p. 201 ¶2 to p. 203 ¶3
No. 2: Matthew 6:1-21
No. 3: my story 73
No. 4: w80 6/15 pp. 3, 4
Nov. 22 Bible reading: Matthew 8 to 11
Song No. 106 “‘Take My Yoke’!”
No. 1: cj p. 204 ¶1 to p. 206 ¶2
No. 2: Matthew 10:5-23
No. 3: my story 74
No. 4: w79 11/15 pp. 9-11
Nov. 29 Bible reading: Matthew 12 to 14
Song No. 52 “The Fruitage of Goodness”
No. 1: cj p. 207 ¶1 to p. 208 ¶2
No. 2: Matthew 13:1-15, 18-23
No. 3: my story 75
No. 4: w80 6/15 pp. 28-30
Dec. 6 Bible reading: Matthew 15 to 18
Song No. 117 “Extending Mercy to Others”
No. 1: cj p. 208 ¶3 to p. 211 ¶1
No. 2: Matthew 18:15-17, 21-35
No. 3: td 57B “How Does the New World Translation Help Us to Understand the Bible?”
No. 4: g79 12/22 pp. 27, 28
Dec. 13 Bible reading: Matthew 19 to 21
Song No. 46 “Hail Jehovah’s Firstborn!”
No. 1: cj p. 212 ¶1 to p. 213 ¶2
No. 2: Matthew 21:1-17
No. 3: td 58A “How Do We Know that God Is Not a Trinity?”
No. 4: w79 12/15 pp. 3-5
Dec. 20 Bible reading: Matthew 22 to 24
Song No. 94 “The Fruitage of the Spirit”
No. 1: cj p. 214 ¶1 to p. 215 ¶2
No. 2: Matthew 24:1-22
No. 3: td 58E “What Is God’s Holy Spirit?”
No. 4: g80 1/22 pp. 3, 4
Dec. 27 Written Review. Complete Malachi 1-4 to Matthew 1-24
Song No. 68 “Sowing Kingdom Seed”