Theocratic Ministry School Schedule for 1984
Instructions
During 1984 the following will be the arrangements when conducting the Theocratic Ministry School.
TEXTBOOKS: The New World Translation of the Holy Scriptures, Bible Topics for Discussion [td], and the books “All Scripture Is Inspired of God and Beneficial” [si] and Theocratic Ministry School Guidebook [sg] 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 Theocratic Ministry School Guidebook, this should be delivered as a 10-minute instruction talk followed by a 5-minute oral review. Since a part of a study is assigned from this book, 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.
All assigned this talk should be careful to keep within the time limit. 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. Of course, nondedicated persons who are leading lives that conform to Christian principles may also enroll in the school and receive assignments. 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. 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. If the student speaker merits only a “G” and there is no other speech quality marked “I” or “W,” then the counselor should circle a speech quality the student should work on next, doing so in the box where the “G,” “I” or “W” would normally appear. 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.
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. 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 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.
SCHEDULE
Jan. 1 Bible reading: Exodus 28 and 29
No. 1: si p. 7 par. 1 to p. 9 par. 13
No. 2: Exodus 28:29-43
No. 3: td 1A “Why Not Worship One’s Ancestors?”
No. 4: td 2B “What Will Be the Christian’s Part in God’s Final War?”
Jan. 8 Bible reading: Exodus 30 to 32
No. 1: si p. 9 par. 14 to p. 11 par. 28
No. 2: Exodus 32:19, 20, 25-35
No. 3: td 3C “Is ‘Baptism for the Dead’ Scriptural?”
No. 4: td 4E “Are There Other ‘Holy Books’ or Traditions That Are Inspired?”
Jan. 15 Bible reading: Exodus 33 to 35
No. 1: sg p. 5 par. 1 to p. 7 par. 9
No. 2: Exodus 34:1-16
No. 3: td 4F “For Whom Was the Bible Written?”
No. 4: td 5A “When Others Ask: ‘Why Don’t You Accept Blood Transfusions?’”
Jan. 22 Bible reading: Exodus 36 to 38
No. 1: sg p. 7 par. 10 to p. 9 par. 16
No. 2: Exodus 36:1-13
No. 3: td 6A “How Do We Know the Gentile Times Ended in 1914?”
No. 4: td 7A “What Is the True Church and Its Foundation?”
Jan. 29 Bible reading: Exodus 39 and 40
No. 1: sg p. 9 par. 1 to p. 11 par. 12
No. 2: Exodus 39:32-43
No. 3: td 8A “What Moral Standards Must Christians Uphold?”
No. 4: td 10A “Why Was Jesus Hanged on a Stake?”
Feb. 5 Bible reading: Leviticus 1 to 4
No. 1: si p. 25 par. 1 to p. 26 par.10; p. 29 par. 28 to p. 30 par. 39
No. 2: Leviticus 1:1-13
No. 3: td 11A “Why Does Man Die?”
No. 4: td 14B “Who Is the Ruler of the World?”
Feb. 12 Bible reading: Leviticus 5 to 7
No. 1: sg p. 12 par. 13 to p. 13 par. 20
No. 2: Leviticus 5:1-13
No. 3: td 15A “Why Are Some Disfellowshipped From the Congregation?”
No. 4: td 15B “What Are Some Causes for Disfellowshipping?”
Feb. 19 Bible reading: Leviticus 8 to 10
No. 1: sg p. 14 par. 1 to p. 17 par. 10
No. 2: Leviticus 10:1-11
No. 3: td 17A “What Is God’s Purpose for the Earth?”
No. 4: td 19A “How Can False Prophets Be Recognized?”
Feb. 26 Written Review. Complete Exodus 28-40 to Leviticus 1-10
Mar. 4 Bible reading: Leviticus 11 to 13
No. 1: sg p. 17 par. 11 to p. 19 par. 17
No. 2: Leviticus 11:1-12, 46, 47
No. 3: td 20D “How Is Christian Warfare a Protection for Others?”
No. 4: td 21A “What Constitutes Good Works?”
Mar. 11 Bible reading: Leviticus 14 and 15
No. 1: sg p. 19 par. 1 to p. 21 par. 9
No. 2: Leviticus 14:1-13
No. 3: td 22A “What Permanent Benefits Does Spiritual Healing Have?”
No. 4: td 23A “Do All Good People Go to Heaven?”
Mar. 18 Bible reading: Leviticus 16 to 18
No. 1: sg p. 21 par. 10 to p. 24 par. 20
No. 2: Leviticus 16:1-14
No. 3: td 24D Is Not Heaven’s Existence Proof That Hell Exists?”
No. 4: td 25A “Is the Observance of Feast Days Required of Christians?”
Mar. 25 Bible reading: Leviticus 19 to 21
No. 1: sg p. 24 par. 1 to p. 26 par. 11
No. 2: Leviticus 19:1-15
No. 3: td 26A “Is It Wrong to Use Images as an Aid in Worship?”
No. 4: td 28A “When Others Say: ‘You Can Interpret the Bible Any Way You Want.’”
Apr. 1 Bible reading: Leviticus 22 to 24
No. 1: sg p. 27 par. 12 to p. 29 par. 20
No. 2: Leviticus 23:1-14
No. 3: td 29A “What Is the Personal Name of God?”
No. 4: td 30A “What Is the Origin of Jehovah’s Witnesses?”
Apr. 8 Bible reading: Leviticus 25 to 27
No. 1: sg p. 29 par. 1 to p. 31 par. 7
No. 2: Leviticus 25:1-12
No. 3: td 29D “What Are God’s Dominant Attributes?”
No. 4: td 31B “Who Is Jesus Christ?”
Apr. 15 Bible reading: Numbers 1 to 3
No. 1: si p. 30 par. 1 to p. 31 par. 10; p. 34 par. 32 to p. 35 par. 38
No. 2: Numbers 3:38-51
No. 3: td 31F “Were Jewish Hopes Fulfilled in Jesus the Messiah?”
No. 4: td 33A “What Is the Purpose of God’s Kingdom?”
Apr. 22 Bible reading: Numbers 4 to 6
No. 1: sg p. 31 par. 8 to p. 33 par. 15
No. 2: Numbers 6:1-12
No. 3: td 33C “When Did God’s Kingdom Begin Operating?”
No. 4: td 34B “Why Do We Need to Be Awake to the Signs of the Last Days?”
Apr. 29 Written Review. Complete Leviticus 11-27 to Numbers 1-6
May 6 Bible reading: Numbers 7 and 8
No. 1: sg p. 33 par. 1 to p. 35 par. 9
No. 2: Numbers 8:14-26
No. 3: td 36C “When Others Say: ‘All Good People Go to Heaven.’”
No. 4: td 36D “Is There a Limit to the Number of Those Who Gain Heavenly Life?”
May 13 Bible reading: Numbers 9 to 12
No. 1: sg p. 36 par. 10 to p. 38 par. 17
No. 2: Numbers 12:1-16
No. 3: td 36E “For How Many Is Earthly Life Promised?”
No. 4: td 38A “Why Is Marriage a Sacred Institution?”
May 20 Bible reading: Numbers 13 to 15
No. 1: sg p. 39 par. 1 to p. 41 par. 11
No. 2: Numbers 14:1-12
No. 3: td 37F “Does It Matter What Literature One Reads?”
No. 4: td 37B “Why Is Reading Bible Literature Not Confusing?”
May 27 Bible reading: Numbers 16 to 19
No. 1: sg p. 41 par. 12 to p. 43 par. 18
No. 2: Numbers 17:1-13
No. 3: td 37I “Why Does One Not Need Money to Get the Truth?”
No. 4: td 37C “When Others Say: “I Have My Own Church Literature.’”
June 3 Bible reading: Numbers 20 to 22
No. 1: sg p. 44 par. 1 to p. 46 par. 8
No. 2: Numbers 20:1-13
No. 3: td 37H “Why Does One Need Help to Understand the Bible?”
No. 4: td 38C “Who Is the Head of the Christian Family?”
June 10 Bible reading: Numbers 23 to 26
No. 1: sg p. 46 par. 9 to p. 48 par. 20
No. 2: Numbers 25:1-13
No. 3: td 39B “Should Prayers Be Directed to Mary?”
No. 4: td 43B “Should Christians Pray for This World?”
June 17 Bible reading: Numbers 27 to 30
No. 1: sg p. 49 par. 1 to p. 51 par. 8
No. 2: Numbers 30:1-16
No. 3: td 41C “Did the Jewish Fathers Hope in God’s Kingdom?”
No. 4: td 41D “Was the Suffering of Jews Foretold in Prophecy?”
June 24 Bible reading: Numbers 31 and 32
No. 1: sg p. 51 par. 9 to p. 53 par. 18
No. 2: Numbers 31:1-12
No. 3: td 42D “Should Family Opposition Prevent One From Serving God?”
No. 4: td 42F “What Warning Does the Bible Give Persecutors?”
July 1 Written Review. Complete Numbers 7 to 32
July 8 Bible reading: Numbers 33 to 36
No. 1: sg p. 54 par. 1 to p. 56 par. 8
No. 2: Numbers 35:9-25
No. 3: td 47C “Why Is It Proper to Condemn False Doctrine?”
No. 4: td 47D “Why Must False Leaders Be Exposed?”
July 15 Bible reading: Deuteronomy 1 to 3
No. 1: si p. 36 par. 1 to p. 37 par. 9; p. 40 par. 30 to p. 41 par. 34
No. 2: Deuteronomy 1:29-46
No. 3: td 47H “Is There a True Religion?”
No. 4: td 47F “When Others Say: ‘I Have My Own Religion.’”
July 22 Bible reading: Deuteronomy 4 to 6
No. 1: sg p. 56 par. 9 to p. 58 par. 16
No. 2: Deuteronomy 5:6-22
No. 3: td 48B “Where Will the Dead Be Resurrected?”
No. 4: td 51B “How Only Can One Be ‘Saved’?”
July 29 Bible reading: Deuteronomy 7 to 10
No. 1: sg p. 58 par. 1 to p. 61 par. 12
No. 2: Deuteronomy 7:1-11
No. 3: td 53C “What Was the Forbidden Fruit?”
No. 4: td 58B “Why Could Not Jesus Be Equal to Jehovah?”
Aug. 5 Bible reading: Deuteronomy 11 to 14
No. 1: sg p. 61 par. 13 to p. 63 par. 18
No. 2: Deuteronomy 13:1-11
No. 3: td 59B “What Is the Significance of World Distress?”
No. 4: td 59E “When Others Say: ‘Why Has God Allowed Wickedness for So Long?’”
Aug. 12 Bible reading: Deuteronomy 16 to 19
No. 1: sg p. 63 par. 1 to p. 66 par. 10
No. 2: Deuteronomy 18:9-22
No. 3: td 57A “Why Are There So Many Bible Translations?”
No. 4: td 59F “What Is the Solution to World Distress?”
Aug. 19 Bible reading: Deuteronomy 20 to 23
No. 1: sg p. 66 par. 11 to p. 69 par. 22
No. 2: Deuteronomy 23:9-25
No. 3: td 59A “Will We Ever Be Freed From World Distress?”
No. 4: td 60E “Must All Christians Share in Witnessing to Others?”
Aug. 26 Bible reading: Deuteronomy 24 to 27
No. 1: sg p. 69 par. 1 to p. 71 par. 8
No. 2: Deuteronomy 24:10-22
No. 3: td 60F “Why Must All Kinds of Men Be Reached With a Witness?”
No. 4: td 60G “Why Must Christians Preach to Others?”
Sept. 2 Written Review. Complete Numbers 33-36 to Deuteronomy 1-27
Sept. 9 Bible reading: Deuteronomy 28 to 30
No. 1: sg p. 72 par. 9 to p. 73 par. 13
No. 2: Deuteronomy 30:8-20
No. 3: td 4D “Is It Scriptural to Quote Scattered Texts?”
No. 4: td 4C “Why Is the Bible Practical for Our Day?”
Sept. 16 Bible reading: Deuteronomy 31 to 34
No. 1: sg p. 73 par. 1 to p. 75 par. 8
No. 2: Deuteronomy 32:1-14
No. 3: td 4H “What Internal Evidence Proves the Bible’s Canonicity?”
No. 4: td 6C “When Was Jesus Born?”
Sept. 23 Bible reading: Joshua 1 to 5
No. 1: si p. 42 par. 1 to p. 43 par. 5; p. 45 par. 21 to p. 46 par. 24
No. 2: Joshua 1:1-11
No. 3: td 7C “Where Should Christians Meet Together?”
No. 4: td 8B “Why Is the True Adornment That of the Heart?”
Sept. 30 Bible reading: Joshua 6 to 9
No. 1: sg p. 75 par. 9 to p. 78 par. 17
No. 2: Joshua 6:12-27
No. 3: td 14C “Who Is Responsible for World Distress?”
No. 4: td 15C “What Repentance Is Essential for Divine Forgiveness?”
Oct. 7 Bible reading: Joshua 10 to 13
No. 1: sg p. 78 par. 1 to p. 80 par. 10
No. 2: Joshua 10:1-14
No. 3: td 17B “Will Paradise Ever Be Restored?”
No. 4: td 20B “To Whom Is a Christian’s First Responsibility?”
Oct. 14 Bible reading: Joshua 14 to 17
No. 1: sg p. 80 par. 11 to p. 84 par. 24
No. 2: Joshua 14:1-14
No. 3: td 20C “Why Must Christians Remain Neutral?”
No. 4: td 21B “Is Keeping the Golden Rule Sufficient to Please God?”
Oct. 21 Bible reading: Joshua 18 to 20
No. 1: sg p. 84 par. 1 to p. 88 par. 9
No. 2: Joshua 20:1-9
No. 3: td 21C “Why Must Faith Be Backed by Works?”
No. 4: td 22B “Will God’s Kingdom Bring Permanent Physical Cures?”
Oct. 28 Bible reading: Joshua 21 to 24
No. 1: sg p. 88 par. 10 to p. 90 par. 15
No. 2: Joshua 24:1-15
No. 3: td 24C “Of What Is Fire a Symbol?”
No. 4: td 25B “Did the Early Christians Celebrate Birthdays?”
Nov. 4 Written Review. Complete Deuteronomy 28-34 to Joshua 1-24
Nov. 11 Bible reading: Judges 1 to 4
No. 1: si p. 46 par. 1 to p. 47 par. 8; p. 50 pars. 27 to 29
No. 2: Judges 2:8-23
No. 3: td 29B “Why Is God’s Name to Be Made Known?”
No. 4: td 31C “Who Is God’s Greatest Prophet?”
Nov. 18 Bible reading: Judges 5 to 7
No. 1: sg p. 90 par. 1 to p. 92 par. 7
No. 2: Judges 7:7-22
No. 3: td 29C “How Do We Know That God Exists?”
No. 4: td 31D “Why Is Belief in Jesus Essential to Salvation?”
Nov. 25 Bible reading: Judges 8 to 10
No. 1: sg p. 92 par. 8 to p. 95 par. 18
No. 2: Judges 8:13-28
No. 3: td 29E “Why Is It Fatal to Deny God’s Existence?”
No. 4: td 33B “What Will God’s Kingdom Do for Mankind?”
Dec. 2 Bible reading: Judges 11 to 14
No. 1: si p. 269 par. 1 to p. 274 par. 16
No. 2: Judges 11:28-40
No. 3: td 35B “Must Christians Keep the Ten Commandments?”
No. 4: td 36B “How Is Everlasting Life Assured for Obedient Mankind?”
Dec. 9 Bible reading: Judges 15 to 18
No. 1: si p. 274 par. 17 to p. 277 par. 32
No. 2: Judges 16:18-31
No. 3: td 38B “Why Must the Marriage Union Be Kept Honorable?”
No. 4: td 42E “Why Cannot Apostates Prevent God’s ‘Sheep’ From Hearing?”
Dec. 16 Bible reading: Judges 19 to 21
No. 1: si p. 349 par. 1 to p. 352 par. 16
No. 2: Judges 21:8-25
No. 3: td 51C “What Does It Mean to Be ‘Born Again’?”
No. 4: td 53F “What Constitutes Sin Against the Holy Spirit?”
Dec. 23 Bible Reading: Ruth 1 to 4
No. 1: si p. 51 par. 1 to p. 53 par. 10
No. 2: Ruth 1:7-22
No. 3: td 59I “What Must We Decide as the End of Wickedness Nears?”
No. 4: td 60B “Why Must We Repeatedly Witness to Others?”
Dec. 30 Written Review. Complete Judges 1-21 to Ruth 1-4