Theocratic Ministry School Schedule for 1985
INSTRUCTIONS
During 1985 the following will be the arrangements when conducting the Theocratic Ministry School.
TEXTBOOKS: The New World Translation of the Holy Scriptures [bi12 and Rbi8], Bible Topics for Discussion [td], The Watchtower [w] and the books “All Scripture Is Inspired of God and Beneficial” [si], Theocratic Ministry School Guidebook [sg] and You Can Live Forever in Paradise on Earth [pe] will be the basis for assignments.
The school will begin with song and prayer and remarks of welcome, and then proceed as follows. [Alternate songs are from 1966 songbook.]
ASSIGNMENT NO. 1: 15 minutes. This should be handled by an elder or by a qualified ministerial servant. When based on the Theocratic Ministry School Guidebook, this should be delivered as a ten-minute instruction talk followed by a five-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” or the Watchtower article on the Bible book(s) being considered, 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 may be given private counsel if that is necessary.
HIGHLIGHTS FROM BIBLE READING: 6 minutes. This should be handled by the school overseer or another qualified elder or ministerial servant 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. The students will then be dismissed to their various classrooms by the school overseer.
TALK NO. 2: 5 minutes. This is a Bible reading of the assigned material to be given by a brother. This will apply in the main school as well as in the auxiliary groups. 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. The student should use the theme shown.
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. The student should use the theme shown. Numbers in parentheses refer to Bible Topics for Discussion found in the bi12 Bible, 1984 edition.
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. If the student speaker merits solely a “G” and there is no other speech quality marked “I” or “W,” then the counselor should circle the box, where the “G,” “I” or “W” would normally appear, of the speech quality that the student should work on next. He will advise the student of this that evening as well as show this speech quality on the student’s next Theocratic Ministry School Assignment slip (S-89). Those giving talks should sit toward the front of the hall. This will save time and enable the school overseer to give his counsel directly to each student. As time allows, comments may be given by the counselor on informative and practical points not covered by the students. The school overseer should be careful to use no more than two minutes for counsel and remarks after each student talk.
PREPARING TALKS: Brothers assigned the first and second talks should choose a theme that will allow for the best coverage of the material. Students assigned the third and fourth talks should use the theme shown. Students will want to read over the School Guidebook material dealing with the speech quality being worked on next.
TIMING: No talk should go overtime. Neither should the counsel and remarks of the counselor. Talks Nos. 2 through 4 should tactfully be stopped when the time is up. The one assigned to give the “stop signal” should do so immediately. When brothers handling Assignment No. 1 go overtime, they should be given private counsel. All should watch their timing carefully. Total program: 45 minutes, not counting song and prayer.
WRITTEN REVIEW: Periodically a written review will be given. In preparation, review the assigned material and complete the scheduled Bible reading. The school overseer will already have made sure that he covers main points that should be highlighted and that were overlooked by the speakers. 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. The school overseer will read off all answers and 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. Of course, nondedicated persons who are leading lives that conform to Christian principles may also enroll in the school and receive assignments.
ABSENTEES: All in the congregation can show appreciation for this school by endeavoring to be present 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: 1 Samuel 1 to 3
Song No. 109 (119)
No. 1: 1 and 2 Samuel (si p. 53 ¶1 to p. 63 ¶31)
No. 2: 1 Samuel 3:2-18
No. 3: pe chap. 1 ¶1-9 “Why Living Forever Is Not Just a Dream”
No. 4: td 1B (1B) “Who Only May Be Worshiped, But Who May Be Honored?”
Jan. 13 Bible reading: 1 Samuel 4 to 7
Song No. 23 (1)
No. 1: sg p. 96 ¶1 to p. 98 ¶7
No. 2: 1 Samuel 7:1-14
No. 3: pe chap. 1 ¶10-19 “Grand Blessings From God—Now Near!”
No. 4: td 2A (2A) “How Will Wickedness Be Ended?”
Jan. 20 Bible reading: 1 Samuel 8 to 11
Song No. 45 (59)
No. 1: sg p. 98 ¶8 to p. 99 ¶10
No. 2: 1 Samuel 11:1-15
No. 3: pe chap. 2 ¶1-12 “Who Is the Ruler of the World?”
No. 4: td 2C (2B) “Why Will Armageddon Be an Act of Love on God’s Part?”
Jan. 27 Bible reading: 1 Samuel 12 to 14
Song No. 26 (9)
No. 1: sg p. 100 ¶1 to p. 102 ¶12
No. 2: 1 Samuel 13:1-14
No. 3: pe chap. 2 ¶13-25 “What Is the Devil Doing?”
No. 4: td 3A (3A) “What Baptism Requirements Must All Christians Meet?”
Feb. 3 Bible reading: 1 Samuel 15 to 17
Song No. 8 (22)
No. 1: sg p. 103 ¶13 to p. 108 ¶21
No. 2: 1 Samuel 15:5-23
No. 3: pe chap. 3 ¶1-10 “Religion That Is Not Good”
No. 4: td 3B (3B) “Does Baptism Wash Away Sins?”
Feb. 10 Bible reading: 1 Samuel 18 to 20
Song No. 180 (100)
No. 1: sg p. 108 ¶1 to p. 111 ¶13
No. 2: 1 Samuel 18:1-16
No. 3: pe chap. 3 ¶11-22 “What Makes Religion Pleasing to God?”
No. 4: td 4A (4A) “Is the Bible Inspired of God?”
Feb. 17 Bible reading: 1 Samuel 21 to 24
Song No. 61 (21)
No. 1: sg p. 111 ¶14 to p. 112 ¶20
No. 2: 1 Samuel 23:13-29
No. 3: pe chap. 4 ¶1-17 “God—Who Is He?”
No. 4: td 5B (5B) “Is It Scriptural to Put Saving a Life Ahead of God’s Law?”
Feb. 24 Written Review. Complete 1 Samuel 1 to 24
Song No. 156 (88)
Mar. 3 Bible reading: 1 Samuel 25 to 27
Song No. 34 (8)
No. 1: sg p. 113 ¶1 to p. 114 ¶7
No. 2: 1 Samuel 26:7-25
No. 3: pe chap. 4 ¶18-31 “God’s Name and Purpose”
No. 4: td 7D (7B) “Is Peter the ‘Rock-Mass’?”
Mar. 10 Bible reading: 1 Samuel 28 to 31
Song No. 46 (20)
No. 1: sg p. 114 ¶8 to p. 116 ¶16
No. 2: 1 Samuel 30:7-25
No. 3: pe chap. 5 ¶1-20 “How the Bible Has Come to Us”
No. 4: td 9A (8A) “Does Creation Agree With Proved Science or With Evolution?”
Mar. 17 Bible reading: 2 Samuel 1 to 4
Song No. 175 (104)
No. 1: 1 and 2 Samuel (w85 1/1)
No. 2: 2 Samuel 1:1-4, 17-27
No. 3: pe chap. 5 ¶21-28 “Why We Know the Bible Is True”
No. 4: td 9B (8B) “Is a Creative Day 24 Hours Long?”
Mar. 24 Bible reading: 2 Samuel 5 to 8
Song No. 105 (46)
No. 1: sg p. 116 ¶1 to p. 118 ¶12
No. 2: 2 Samuel 6:1-19
No. 3: pe chap. 6 ¶1-19 “What Jesus Accomplished on Earth”
No. 4: td 10B (9B) “Should Christians Worship the Cross?”
Mar. 31 Bible reading: 2 Samuel 9 to 12
Song No. 185 (98)
No. 1: sg p. 119 ¶13 to p. 121 ¶28
No. 2: 2 Samuel 10:1-14
No. 3: pe chap. 6 ¶20-28 “Jesus’ Miracles—What They Mean to Us”
No. 4: td 11B (10B) “What Is the Condition of the Dead?”
Apr. 7 Bible reading: 2 Samuel 13 to 15
Song No. 96 (32)
No. 1: sg p. 122 ¶1 to p. 124 ¶12
No. 2: 2 Samuel 15:1-17
No. 3: pe chap. 7 ¶1-18 “Why We Are Here”
No. 4: td 11C (10C) “Can the Living Talk to the Dead?”
Apr. 14 Bible reading: 2 Samuel 16 to 18
Song No. 191 (28)
No. 1: sg p. 124 ¶13 to p. 125 ¶21
No. 2: 2 Samuel 18:1-17
No. 3: pe chap. 8 ¶1-14 “What Happens at Death?”
No. 4: td 14A (11A) “Is the Devil a Real Creature?”
Apr. 21 Bible reading: 2 Samuel 19 to 21
Song No. 57 (29)
No. 1: sg p. 126 ¶1 to p. 128 ¶14
No. 2: 2 Samuel 19:1-14
No. 3: pe chap. 9 ¶1-22 “What Kind of Place Is Hell?”
No. 4: td 14D (11C) “Where Did the Demons Originate?”
Apr. 28 Written Review. Complete 1 Samuel 25-31 to 2 Samuel 1-21
Song No. 123 (63)
May 5 Bible reading: 2 Samuel 22 to 24
Song No. 218 (111)
No. 1: sg p. 128 ¶15 to p. 129 ¶22
No. 2: 2 Samuel 22:1-4, 24-36
No. 3: pe chap. 10 ¶1-12 “Who Are the Wicked Spirits?”
No. 4: td 17C (12B) “Will the Earth Always Be Populated?”
May 12 Bible reading: 1 Kings 1 and 2
Song No. 209 (33)
No. 1: 1 and 2 Kings (si p. 64 ¶1 to p. 74 ¶36)
No. 2: 1 Kings 1:32-48
No. 3: pe chap. 10 ¶13-19 “Be Informed and Resist Wicked Spirits”
No. 4: td 22C (14C) “Does Faith Healing Today Have God’s Approval?”
May 19 Bible reading: 1 Kings 3 to 6
Song No. 50 (23)
No. 1: sg p. 130 ¶1 to p. 131 ¶10
No. 2: 1 Kings 3:10-28
No. 3: pe chap. 11 ¶1-14 “Why Has God Permitted Wickedness?”
No. 4: td 22D (14D) “What Purpose Did Speaking in Tongues Serve?”
May 26 Bible reading: 1 Kings 7 and 8
Song No. 71 (103)
No. 1: sg p. 131 ¶11 to p. 133 ¶20
No. 2: 1 Kings 8:54-66
No. 3: pe chap. 12 ¶1-17 “You Are Involved in a Vital Issue”
No. 4: td 23B (15A) “How Many From Earth Will Go to Heaven?”
June 2 Bible reading: 1 Kings 9 to 11
Song No. 201 (107)
No. 1: sg p. 133 ¶1 to p. 135 ¶8
No. 2: 1 Kings 10:1-13
No. 3: pe chap. 13 ¶1-9 “The Importance of God’s Government”
No. 4: td 24B (16A) “Are the Wicked Dead in a Place of Torment?”
June 9 Bible reading: 1 Kings 12 to 14
Song No. 60 (86)
No. 1: sg p. 135 ¶9 to p. 138 ¶21
No. 2: 1 Kings 12:1-15
No. 3: pe chap. 13 ¶10-18 “Arranging for God’s Government”
No. 4: td 24E (16C) “Is the Rich Man and Lazarus Account Literal?”
June 16 Bible reading: 1 Kings 15 to 17
Song No. 179 (12)
No. 1: sg p. 138 ¶1 to p. 140 ¶9
No. 2: 1 Kings 17:1-16
No. 3: pe chap. 14 ¶1-20 “Who Go to Heaven, and Why?”
No. 4: td 26B (18B) “Why Is Image Worship Not for Christians?”
June 23 Bible reading: 1 Kings 18 to 20
Song No. 213 (42)
No. 1: sg p. 140 ¶10 to p. 141 ¶19
No. 2: 1 Kings 18:25-40
No. 3: pe chap. 15 ¶1-19 “What Is Required to Be a Subject of God’s Government?”
No. 4: td 26C (18C) “Can Worship of Jehovah Be ‘Relative’?”
June 30 Written Review. Complete 2 Samuel 22-24 to 1 Kings 1-20
Song No. 25 (31)
July 7 Bible reading: 1 Kings 21 and 22
Song No. 176 (4)
No. 1: sg p. 142 ¶1 to p. 144 ¶10
No. 2: 1 Kings 21:15-29
No. 3: pe chap. 16 ¶1-13 “What Marked the Beginning of Kingdom Rule?”
No. 4: td 27A (19A) “Is It Proper for Christians to Join Interfaith Movements?”
July 14 Bible reading: 2 Kings 1 to 3
Song No. 168 (84)
No. 1: 1 and 2 Kings (w85 5/1)
No. 2: 2 Kings 2:1-14
No. 3: pe chap. 16 ¶14-22 “Identifying the Time for Kingdom Rule to Begin”
No. 4: td 27B (19B) “Is the Statement ‘There Is Good in All Religions’ True?”
July 21 Bible reading: 2 Kings 4 to 6
Song No. 98 (91)
No. 1: sg p. 144 ¶11 to p. 146 ¶23
No. 2: 2 Kings 5:1-14
No. 3: pe chap. 17 ¶1-17 “Christ’s Return—How Seen?”
No. 4: td 29F (20D) “Do All Religious People Serve the Same God?”
July 28 Bible reading: 2 Kings 7 to 9
Song No. 144 (78)
No. 1: sg p. 146 ¶24 to p. 148 ¶34
No. 2: 2 Kings 9:1-14
No. 3: pe chap. 18 ¶1-8 “Why We Know ‘the End of the World’ Is Near”
No. 4: td 31E (22C) “Is Belief in Jesus Enough to Gain Life?”
Aug. 4 Bible reading: 2 Kings 10 to 12
Song No. 4 (93)
No. 1: sg p. 149 ¶1 to p. 150 ¶8
No. 2: 2 Kings 10:15-30
No. 3: pe chap. 19 ¶1-21 “What the Paradise Earth Will Be Like”
No. 4: td 33E (23C) “Is God’s Kingdom a Real Government?”
Aug. 11 Bible reading: 2 Kings 13 to 15
Song No. 102 (53)
No. 1: sg p. 150 ¶9 to p. 153 ¶21
No. 2: 2 Kings 13:14-25
No. 3: pe chap. 20 ¶1-9 “Why We Know the Dead Can Be Raised”
No. 4: td 34A (24A) “What Is Meant by ‘the End of the World’?”
Aug. 18 Bible reading: 2 Kings 16 to 18
Song No. 164 (117)
No. 1: sg p. 153 ¶1 to p. 156 ¶14
No. 2: 2 Kings 17:1-15
No. 3: pe chap. 20 ¶10-18 “Who Will Be Resurrected on Earth?”
No. 4: td 38D (26C) “What Responsibility Do Parents Have Toward Their Children?”
Aug. 25 Written Review. Complete 1 Kings 21-22 to 2 Kings 1-18
Song No. 204 (109)
Sept. 1 Bible reading: 2 Kings 19 to 22
Song No. 117 (101)
No. 1: sg p. 156 ¶15 to p. 158 ¶24
No. 2: 2 Kings 19:14-28, 35
No. 3: pe chap. 20 ¶19-27 “The Resurrection Miracle—When and Where?”
No. 4: td 38E (26D) “From Where Should Single Christians Select a Mate?”
Sept. 8 Bible reading: 2 Kings 23 to 25
Song No. 220 (19)
No. 1: sg p. 158 ¶1 to p. 160 ¶9
No. 2: 2 Kings 23:1-15
No. 3: pe chap. 21 ¶1-23 “The Judgment Day and Afterward”
No. 4: td 38F (26E) “Does God Approve of Polygamy?”
Sept. 15 Bible reading: 1 Chronicles 1 to 3
Song No. 217 (67)
No. 1: 1 and 2 Chronicles (si p. 75 ¶1 to p. 84 ¶36)
No. 2: 1 Chronicles 3:1-16
No. 3: pe chap. 22 ¶1-20 “How to Identify the True Religion”
No. 4: td 39A (27A) “Is It Proper to Call Mary the ‘Mother of God’?”
Sept. 22 Bible reading: 1 Chronicles 4 to 6
Song No. 114 (61)
No. 1: sg p. 160 ¶10 to p. 163 ¶24
No. 2: 1 Chronicles 5:1-17
No. 3: pe chap. 23 ¶1-14 “God’s Visible Organization—Past and Present”
No. 4: td 39C (27B) “Did Mary Continue a Virgin?”
Sept. 29 Bible reading: 1 Chronicles 7 to 10
Song No. 189 (49)
No. 1: sg p. 163 ¶1 to p. 165 ¶9
No. 2: 1 Chronicles 7:1-12
No. 3: pe chap. 23 ¶15-32 “What God’s Organization Is Doing”
No. 4: td 40A (28A) “What Commemoration Are All Christians Expected to Observe?”
Oct. 6 Bible reading: 1 Chronicles 11 to 14
Song No. 163 (94)
No. 1: sg p. 165 ¶10 to p. 167 ¶21
No. 2: 1 Chronicles 13:1-14
No. 3: pe chap. 24 ¶1-14 “Are We Under the Ten Commandments?”
No. 4: td 40B (28B) “Should Christians Attend Mass?”
Oct. 13 Bible reading: 1 Chronicles 15 to 18
Song No. 38 (65)
No. 1: sg p. 168 ¶1 to p. 169 ¶9
No. 2: 1 Chronicles 17:1-15
No. 3: pe chap. 25 ¶1-11 “What Is Satan’s World?”
No. 4: td 42A (30A) “Why Can Christians Expect Opposition?”
Oct. 20 Bible reading: 1 Chronicles 19 to 22
Song No. 202 (112)
No. 1: sg p. 169 ¶10 to p. 171 ¶22
No. 2: 1 Chronicles 22:6-19
No. 3: pe chap. 25 ¶12-23 “How to Avoid Being Part of Satan’s World”
No. 4: td 42C (30B) “Should a Wife Place Her Husband Ahead of God?”
Oct. 27 Written Review. Complete 2 Kings 19-25 to 1 Chronicles 1-22
Song No. 177 (92)
Nov. 3 Bible reading: 1 Chronicles 23 to 26
Song No. 161 (118)
No. 1: sg p. 172 ¶1 to p. 175 ¶13
No. 2: 1 Chronicles 23:1-5, 24-32
No. 3: pe chap. 26 ¶1-8 “The Fight to Do What Is Right”
No. 4: td 43A (31A) “What Prayers Does God Hear?”
Nov. 10 Bible reading: 1 Chronicles 27 to 29
Song No. 42 (52)
No. 1: sg p. 175 ¶1 to p. 177 ¶14
No. 2: 1 Chronicles 27:23-34
No. 3: pe chap. 26 ¶9-19 “Help Needed to Win the Fight”
No. 4: td 43C (31B) “What Prayers Does God Not Hear?”
Nov. 17 Bible reading: 2 Chronicles 1 to 5
Song No. 188 (77)
No. 1: 1 and 2 Chronicles (w85 9/1)
No. 2: 2 Chronicles 5:1-14
No. 3: pe chap. 27 ¶1-16 “How to Gain Help Through Prayer”
No. 4: td 44A (32A) “Is Man’s Destiny Predetermined?”
Nov. 24 Bible reading: 2 Chronicles 6 to 8
Song No. 200 (108)
No. 1: sg p. 177 ¶15 to p. 180 ¶29
No. 2: 2 Chronicles 7:1-16
No. 3: pe chap. 28 ¶1-9 “The Need to Get Along in Love”
No. 4: td 46A (33A) “For How Many Did Christ Die?”
Dec. 1 Bible reading: 2 Chronicles 9 to 12
Song No. 155 (15)
No. 1: sg p. 181 ¶1 to p. 187 ¶34
No. 2: 2 Chronicles 9:1-14
No. 3: pe chap. 28 ¶10-19 “Solving Difficulties With Love”
No. 4: td 46B (33B) “What Corresponding Price Did Christ Pay?”
Dec. 8 Bible reading: 2 Chronicles 13 to 17
Song No. 145 (115)
No. 1: sg p. 188 ¶1 to p. 191 ¶13
No. 2: 2 Chronicles 13:8-22
No. 3: pe chap. 29 ¶1-23 “How to Make a Success of Family Life”
No. 4: td 47A (34A) “How Many True Religions Are There?”
Dec. 15 Bible reading: 2 Chronicles 18 to 21
Song No. 12 (45)
No. 1: Reference Bible (w85 11/1)
No. 2: 2 Chronicles 19:1-11
No. 3: pe chap. 29 ¶24-33 “Successfully Handling Family Problems”
No. 4: td 47E (34C) “When Would It Be Wise for a Person to Change His Religion?”
Dec. 22 Bible reading: 2 Chronicles 22 to 25
Song No. 109 (76)
No. 1: Reference Bible (w85 11/15)
No. 2: 2 Chronicles 23:1-15
No. 3: pe chap. 30 ¶1-15 “What You Must Do to Live Forever”
No. 4: td 47G (34D) “Does God See ‘Good in All Religions’?”
Dec. 29 Written Review. Complete 1 Chronicles 23-29 to 2 Chronicles 1-25
Song No. 113 (62)