Theocratic Ministry School Schedule for 1983
INSTRUCTIONS
During 1983 the following will be the arrangements when conducting the Theocratic Ministry School.
TEXTBOOKS: The New World Translation of the Holy Scriptures, The Watchtower [w], Awake! [g], Bible Topics for Discussion [td], and the books Aid to Bible Understanding [ad], “All Scripture Is Inspired of God and Beneficial” [si], Theocratic Ministry School Guidebook [sg] and My Book of Bible Stories [my].
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 Theocratic Ministry School Guidebook, this should be delivered as a 10-minute instruction talk followed by a five-minute oral review, using the questions provided at the end of each study. Since usually only part of a study is assigned each week, the brother handling this assignment should be careful to cover only the portion of the material that is assigned. The objective should be not just to cover the material but to focus attention on the practical value of the information being discussed. All are encouraged to make careful advance preparation so as to benefit fully from this material.
When based on “All Scripture Is Inspired of God and Beneficial,” this assignment should be delivered as a 15-minute instruction talk, with no oral review following. 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.
The brother handling Assignment No. 1 should be given private counsel, if necessary.
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. The students will then 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 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 ministry, in the congregation or elsewhere. The one 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 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.
When assigned to a sister, the material should be presented as outlined for Talk No. 3.
COUNSEL AND REMARKS: After each student talk the school overseer will give specific counsel, not necessarily following the program of progressive counsel outlined on the Speech Counsel slip. Rather he should concentrate on those areas where the student needs to improve. 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. It would be advisable for those giving talks to sit toward the front of the hall. This will help to save time, and also it will enable the school overseer to give his counsel directly to each student.
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 which attention has been drawn by the school overseer.
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 a 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 25-minute review. Any remaining 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 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 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. Non-dedicated persons who are leading lives that conform to Christian principles may also enroll in the school and receive assignments.
SCHEDULE
Jan. 2 Bible reading: Philippians 1 to 4
Song No. 70 “Guard Your Heart!”
No. 1: si p. 222 par. 1 to p. 224 par. 14
No. 2: Philippians 4:1-13
No. 3: my story 102
No. 4: w81 5/15 pp. 12-16
Jan. 9 Bible reading: Colossians 1 to 4
Song No. 56 “Be Forgiving”
No. 1: si p. 224 par. 1 to p. 226 par. 14
No. 2: Colossians 3:12-25
No. 3: td 49B “How Can We Know When Christ Returns?”
No. 4: w81 6/1 pp. 10-12
Jan. 16 Bible reading: 1 Thessalonians 1-5 to 2 Thessalonians 1-3
Song No. 115 “Be Long-suffering!”
No. 1: si p. 227 par. 1 to p. 231 par. 11
No. 2: 1 Thessalonians 5:1-15
No. 3: td 55B “What Is the Spirit in Living Creatures?”
No. 4: w81 6/15 pp. 4-6
Jan. 23 Bible reading: 1 Timothy 1 to 6
Song No. 63 “Move Ahead!”
No. 1: si p. 232 par. 1 to p. 235 par. 19
No. 2: 1 Timothy 4:1-16
No. 3: td 56A “Why Should We Avoid Superstition?”
No. 4: w81 7/1 pp. 4-6
Jan. 30 Bible reading: 2 Timothy 1 to 4
Song No. 20 “The Scriptures—Inspired and Beneficial”
No. 1: si p. 235 par. 1 to p. 237 par. 12
No. 2: 2 Timothy 3:1-17
No. 3: my story 103
No. 4: w81 7/15 pp. 4-7
Feb. 6 Bible reading: Titus 1-3 to Philemon 1-25
Song No. 111 “‘Rejoice in the Hope Ahead’”
No. 1: si p. 237 par. 1 to p. 240 par. 10
No. 2: Titus 2:1-15
No. 3: my story 104
No. 4: g80 11/22 pp. 25-27
Feb. 13 Bible reading: Hebrews 1 to 4
Song No. 46 “Hail Jehovah’s Firstborn!”
No. 1: si p. 241 par. 1 to 245 par. 27
No. 2: Hebrews 1:1-14
No. 3: td 58D “In What Way Are God and Christ One?”
No. 4: g80 12/8 pp. 3, 4
Feb. 20 Bible reading: Hebrews 5 to 7
Song No. 118 “Christ Our Exemplar”
No. 1: sg p. 96 par. 1 to p. 99 par. 10
No. 2: Hebrews 5:1-14
No. 3: td 60C “Is it Proper to Witness On the Sabbath?”
No. 4: g80 12/22 pp. 3, 4
Feb. 27 Written Review. Complete Philippians 1-4; Col 1-4; 1Th 1-5; 2Th 1-3; 1Ti 1-6; 2Ti 1-4; Tit 1-3; Phm 1-25 to Hebrews 1-7
Song No. 54 “Remember Ezra!”
Mar. 6 Bible reading: Hebrews 8 to 10
Song No. 36 “Meeting in Unity”
No. 1: sg p. 100 par. 1 to p. 102 par. 12
No. 2: Hebrews 10:19-39
No. 3: my story 105
No. 4: w81 8/1 pp. 4-7
Mar. 13 Bible reading: Hebrews 11 to 13
Song No. 78 “We Must Have the Faith!”
No. 1: sg p. 103 par. 13 to p. 108 par. 21
No. 2: Hebrews 13:1-17
No. 3: td 2C “How Could a God of Love Destroy the Wicked?”
No. 4: w81 8/15 pp. 4-7
Mar. 20 Bible reading: James 1 to 5
Song No. 42 “The Prayer of God’s Servant”
No. 1: si p. 246 par. 1 to p. 248 par. 17
No. 2: James 4:1-17
No. 3: td 4A “Is the Bible Really Inspired?”
No. 4: w81 9/1 pp. 5-8
Week of March 27, 1983 Memorial
Apr. 3 Bible reading: 1 Peter 1 to 5
Song No. 43 “Gratitude for Divine Patience”
No. 1: si p. 249 par. 1 to p. 251 par. 13
No. 2: 1 Peter 3:1-15
No. 3: my story 106
No. 4: g81 1/8 pp. 3, 4
Apr. 10 Bible reading: 2 Peter 1 to 3
Song No. 117 “Extending Mercy to Others”
No. 1: si p. 252 par. 1 to p. 253 par. 10
No. 2: 2 Peter 3:1-13
No. 3: td 5B “Is One’s Life to Be Saved at All Costs?”
No. 4: g81 1/8 pp. 9-11
Apr. 17 Bible reading: 1 John 1 to 5
Song No. 108 “Proof of Discipleship”
No. 1: si p. 254 par. 1 to p. 256 par. 13
No. 2: 1 John 4:7-21
No. 3: td 6B “Was the Time for Messiah’s First Coming Foretold?”
No. 4: g81 1/8 pp. 26-28
Apr. 24 Written Review. Complete Hebrews 8-13; Jas 1-5; 1Pe 1-5; 2Pe 1-3 to 1 John 1-5
Song No. 104 “The Heavens Declare God’s Glory”
May 1 Bible reading: 2 John 1-13; 3Jo 1-14 to Jude 1-25
Song No. 91 “Contending for the Faith”
No. 1: si p. 256 par. 1 to p. 260 par. 10
No. 2: Jude 1-15
No. 3: my story 107
No. 4: w81 9/1 pp. 8-12
May 8 Bible reading: Revelation 1 to 3
Song No. 74 “Listen to the News of the Kingdom!”
No. 1: si p. 261 par. 1 to p. 267 par. 35
No. 2: Revelation 1:1-17a
No. 3: td 7B “How Many Make Up the True Church?”
No. 4: w81 9/15 pp. 5-7
May 15 Bible reading: Revelation 4 to 8
Song No. 100 “God’s Own Book—A Treasure!”
No. 1: sg p. 108 par. 1 to p. 112 par. 20
No. 2: Revelation 6:1-11
No. 3: td 9B “Were the Creative Days 24 Hours Long?”
No. 4: w81 10/1 pp. 4-7
May 22 Bible reading: Revelation 9 to 12
Song No. 6 “‘Be Glad, You Nations’”
No. 1: sg p. 113 par. 1 to p. 116 par. 16
No. 2: Revelation 12:1-14
No. 3: td 11C “Is It Possible to Talk With the Dead?”
No. 4: w81 10/1 pp. 9-12
May 29 Bible reading: Revelation 13 to 16
Song No. 30 “God’s Great and Wondrous Works”
No. 1: sg p. 116 par. 1 to p. 118 par. 12
No. 2: Revelation 14:1-12
No. 3: my story 108
No. 4: w81 10/15 pp. 5-7
June 5 Bible reading: Revelation 17 to 19
Song No. 96 “Get Out of Babylon the Great!”
No. 1: sg p. 119 par. 13 to p. 121 par. 28
No. 2: Revelation 17:1-14
No. 3: my story 109
No. 4: g81 1/22 pp. 8-11
June 12 Bible reading: Revelation 20 to 22
Song No. 98 “The Resurrection—God’s Loving Provision”
No. 1: sg p. 122 par. 1 to p. 125 par. 21
No. 2: Revelation 20:1-15
No. 3: td 12A “When Is Dedication Required?”
No. 4: g81 2/8 pp. 3, 4
June 19 Bible reading: Genesis 1 to 3
Song No. 19 “Our Paradise: Present and Future”
No. 1: ad p. 642 par. 9 to p. 644 par. 6
No. 2: Genesis 3:1-15
No. 3: td 14A “Who Is the Devil?”
No. 4: g81 2/8 pp. 8-10
June 26 Written Review: Complete 2 John 1-13; 3Jo 1-14; Jude 1-25; Re 1-22 to Genesis 1-3
Song No. 51 “Preach with Boldness!”
July 3 Bible reading: Genesis 4 to 7
Song No. 71 “O Walk with God!”
No. 1: sg p. 126 par. 1 to p. 129 par. 22
No. 2: Genesis 6:1-16
No. 3: my story 110
No. 4: w81 11/1 pp. 3-6
July 10 Bible reading: Genesis 8 to 11
Song No. 119 “Keep Your Eyes on the Prize!”
No. 1: sg p. 130 par. 1 to p. 133 par. 20
No. 2: Genesis 9:1-16
No. 3: td 17C “Will the Earth Ever Be Destroyed?”
No. 4: w81 11/15 pp. 3, 4
July 17 Bible reading: Genesis 12 to 15
Song No. 80 “Flee to God’s Kingdom!”
No. 1: sg p. 133 par. 1 to p. 135 par. 8
No. 2: Genesis 15:1-16
No. 3: td 23B “When Others Say: ‘All Good People Go to Heaven.’”
No. 4: w81 11/15 pp. 5-7
July 24 Bible reading: Genesis 16 to 19
Song No. 31 “Appreciating God’s Reminders”
No. 1: sg p. 135 par. 9 to p. 138 par. 21
No. 2: Genesis 18:20-33
No. 3: td 24B “What Is Hell?”
No. 4: w81 11/15 pp. 28-30
July 31 Bible reading: Genesis 20 to 23
Song No. 69 “‘It Is Impossible for God to Lie’”
No. 1: sg p. 138 par. 1 to p. 141 par. 19
No. 2: Genesis 22:1-5, 9-18
No. 3: my story 111
No. 4: w81 12/1 pp. 4-8
Aug. 7 Bible reading: Genesis 24 and 25
Song No. 65 “Displaying Loyalty”
No. 1: sg p. 142 par. 1 to p. 145 par. 15
No. 2: Genesis 25:19-34
No. 3: my story 112
No. 4: g81 2/22 pp. 3, 4
Aug. 14 Bible reading: Genesis 26 to 28
Song No. 10 “‘From House to House’”
No. 1: sg p. 145 par. 16 to p. 148 par. 34
No. 2: Genesis 28:10-22
No. 3: td 26C “What Is Wrong With the Use of Images?”
No. 4: g81 3/8 pp. 3, 4
Aug. 21 Bible reading: Genesis 29 to 31
Song No. 1 “Hail Jehovah’s Kingdom!”
No. 1: sg p. 149 par. 1 to p. 150 par. 8
No. 2: Genesis 29:13-29
No. 3: td 27B “When People Say: ‘There Is Good in All Religions.’”
No. 4: g81 4/22 pp. 10, 11
Aug. 28 Written Review. Complete Genesis 4 to 31
Song No. 66 “Now Is the Time!”
Sept. 4 Bible reading: Genesis 32 to 35
Song No. 84 “Recognizing Earth’s New King”
No. 1: sg p. 150 par. 9 to p. 153 par. 21
No. 2: Genesis 34:1-7, 25-31
No. 3: my story 113
No. 4: w81 12/15 pp. 4-7
Sept. 11 Bible reading: Genesis 36 to 38
Song No. 67 “Our Possession of Peace”
No. 1: sg p. 153 par. 1 to p. 156 par. 14
No. 2: Genesis 37:1-11, 25-28
No. 3: td 30C “How Are Jehovah’s Witnesses Financed?”
No. 4: w82 1/1 pp. 5-9
Sept. 18 Bible reading: Genesis 39 to 41
Song No. 83 “The Bread from Heaven”
No. 1: sg p. 156 par. 15 to p. 158 par. 24
No. 2: Genesis 39:7-12, 17-23
No. 3: td 31B “Who Is Jesus Christ?”
No. 4: w82 1/15 pp. 4, 5
Sept. 25 Bible reading: Genesis 42 to 44
Song No. 103 “Preach ‘This Good News of the Kingdom’!”
No. 1: sg p. 158 par. 1 to p. 160 par. 9
No. 2: Genesis 44:18-34
No. 3: td 34D “How Do We Know the Last Days Began in 1914?”
No. 4: w82 2/1 pp. 4-8
Oct. 2 Bible reading: Genesis 45 to 47
Song No. 62 “We Are Jehovah’s Witnesses!”
No. 1: sg p. 160 par. 10 to p. 163 par. 24
No. 2: Genesis 45:1-15
No. 3: my story 114
No. 4: g81 5/8 pp. 3, 4
Oct. 9 Bible reading: Genesis 48 to 50
Song No. 17 “Be Strong in Faith!”
No. 1: sg p. 163 par. 1 to p. 165 par. 9
No. 2: Genesis 50:1-3, 15-26
No. 3: td 38G “Where Did Cain Get His Wife?”
No. 4: g81 6/8 pp. 3, 4
Oct. 16 Bible reading: Exodus 1 to 3
Song No. 95 “Let God Be Found True!”
No. 1: ad p. 547 par. 8 to p. 548 par. 7
No. 2: Exodus 3:6-10, 13-17
No. 3: td 39C “Was Mary ‘Ever Virgin’?”
No. 4: g81 7/8 pp. 3, 4
Oct. 23 Bible reading: Exodus 4 to 6
Song No. 56 “Be Forgiving”
No. 1: sg p. 165 par. 10 to p. 167 par. 21
No. 2: Exodus 6:1-13
No. 3: td 43A “Does God Hear All Prayers?”
No. 4: g81 8/8 pp. 3, 4
Oct. 30 Written Review. Complete Genesis 32-50 to Exodus 1-6
Song No. 85 “Our Christian Unity”
Nov. 6 Bible reading: Exodus 7 to 9
Song No. 82 “Appreciation of God’s Compassions”
No. 1: sg p. 168 par. 1 to p. 171 par. 22
No. 2: Exodus 7:14-25
No. 3: my story 115
No. 4: w82 2/15 pp. 4-6
Nov. 13 Bible reading: Exodus 10 to 12
Song No. 88 “Walking in Integrity”
No. 1: sg p. 172 par. 1 to p. 175 par. 13
No. 2: Exodus 12:1-14
No. 3: td 44B “When People Say: ‘Once Saved, Always Saved.’”
No. 4: w82 3/1 pp. 7-9
Nov. 20 Bible reading: Exodus 13 to 15
Song No. 13 “‘Jehovah Has Become King!’”
No. 1: sg p. 175 par. 1 to p. 177 par. 14
No. 2: Exodus 14:19-31
No. 3: td 45C “Was the Black Race Cursed By God?”
No. 4: w82 3/15 pp. 5-7
Nov. 27 Bible reading: Exodus 16 to 18
Song No. 75 “The Fruit of Self-Control”
No. 1: sg p. 177 par. 15 to p. 180 par. 29
No. 2: Exodus 18:13-27
No. 3: td 47E “Is It Wrong to Change One’s Religion?”
No. 4: w82 3/15 pp. 29, 30
Dec. 4 Bible reading: Exodus 19 to 21
Song No. 22 “Praise Jehovah, the Rock”
No. 1: sg p. 181 par. 1 to p. 183 par. 14
No. 2: Exodus 20:1-17
No. 3: my story 116
No. 4: g81 8/22 pp. 17-19
Dec. 11 Bible reading: Exodus 22 to 24
Song No. 49 “The Divine Pattern of Love”
No. 1: sg 184 par. 15 to p. 187 par. 34
No. 2: Exodus 24:1-18
No. 3: td 50B “Must Christians Keep the Sabbath?”
No. 4: g81 10/8 pp. 8-11
Dec. 18 Bible reading: Exodus 25 to 27
Song No. 101 “Our Godly Joy”
No. 1: sg p. 188 par. 1 to p. 191 par. 13
No. 2: Exodus 25:1-22
No. 3: td 52A “Does the Bible Agree With True Science?”
No. 4: g81 11/8 pp. 9-12
Dec. 25 Written Review. Complete Exodus 7 to 27
Song No. 107 “An Evening Song to Jehovah”