Theocratic Ministry School Schedule for 1989
INSTRUCTIONS
During 1989 the following will be the arrangements when conducting the Theocratic Ministry School.
TEXTBOOKS: The New World Translation of the Holy Scriptures [bi12], “All Scripture Is Inspired of God and Beneficial” [si], Reasoning From the Scriptures [rs], and You Can Live Forever in Paradise on Earth [pe] will be the basis for assignments.
The school will begin with song, prayer, and remarks of welcome, and then proceed as follows:
ASSIGNMENT NO. 1: 15 minutes. This should be handled by an elder or by a qualified ministerial servant. It will be based on “All Scripture Is Inspired of God and Beneficial.” This assignment should be delivered as a 10- to 12-minute instruction talk with a 3- to 5-minute oral review following, using the printed questions in the section. The objective should be not just to cover the material but to focus attention on the practical value of the information being discussed, highlighting what will be most helpful to the congregation. Where needed, a theme should be selected. All are encouraged to make careful advance preparation so as to benefit fully from this material.
The brothers assigned this talk should be careful to keep within the time limit. Private counsel may be given if necessary.
HIGHLIGHTS FROM BIBLE READING: 6 minutes. This should be handled by the school overseer or another qualified elder or by a ministerial servant assigned by the school overseer. 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. Check Watchtower issues for further highlight material. 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.
TALK NO. 3: 5 minutes. This talk will be assigned to sisters. The subjects for this talk will alternate between the Reasoning and Live Forever books, the latter to be mainly assigned to young or new students. The student assigned should be able to read. 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. It is preferred that settings involve field service or informal witnessing. 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 to a brother or a sister. When assigned to a brother, this should be a talk to the entire audience. It will usually be best for the brother 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 audience-type setting, the brother may choose to develop his talk accordingly. The student should use the theme shown.
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 after the giving of necessary oral counsel, 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 a total of two minutes for counsel and remarks after each student talk. If the Bible highlights presentation left something to be desired, private counsel may be given.
PREPARING TALKS: Brothers giving Assignment No. 1 should select a theme where needed. Students assigned the second talk 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. Prior to giving the talk, students will want to read over the School Guidebook material dealing with the speech quality being worked on.
TIMING: No talk should go overtime. Neither should the counsel and remarks of the counselor. Talks No. 2 through 4 should tactfully be stopped when the time is up. The one assigned to give the “stop signal” should do so promptly. When brothers handling Assignment No. 1 go overtime, they should be given private counsel. All should watch their timing carefully. Total program: 45 minutes, excluding song and prayer.
WRITTEN REVIEW: 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. 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 50 or more students may wish to arrange for additional groups of students to deliver the scheduled talks before other counselors. Of course, unbaptized persons whose lives 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. 2 Bible reading: Ezekiel 38 and 39
No. 1: Introduction to Lamentations (si pp. 130-1, pars. 1-7)
No. 2: Ezekiel 39:1-13
No. 3: True Prophets Did Not Always Understand How and When Things Foretold Would Happen (rs p. 134)
No. 4: A True Prophet’s Pronouncements Promote True Worship (rs p. 135, first subheading)
Jan. 9 Bible reading: Ezekiel 40 to 44
No. 1: Lamentations 1:1 to 5:22 (si pp. 131-2, pars. 8-12)
No. 2: Ezekiel 44:1-16
No. 3: Why Jesus Could Not Return as a Human (pe chap. 17, pars. 1-5)
No. 4: True Prophets Identified by Fruits Produced (rs p. 135, second subheading, to p. 137, par. 1)
Jan. 16 Bible reading: Ezekiel 45 to 48
No. 1: Introduction to Ezekiel (si pp. 132-3, pars. 1-6)
No. 2: Ezekiel 47:1-12
No. 3: Why Errors Made by Jehovah’s Witnesses Do Not Disqualify Them as True Prophets (rs p. 137, pars. 2-4)
No. 4: God Does Not Predestinate When Each Person Will Die (rs p. 138)
Jan. 23 Bible reading: Daniel 1 and 2
No. 1: Ezekiel 1:1 to 7:27 (si pp. 133-4, pars. 7-11)
No. 2: Daniel 2:36-46
No. 3: Jesus’ Fleshly Body Not Taken to Heaven (pe chap. 17, pars. 6-12)
No. 4: Not Everything That Happens Is God’s Will (rs p. 139 to p. 140, first subheading)
Jan. 30 Bible reading: Daniel 3 and 4
No. 1: Ezekiel 8:1 to 11:25 (si p. 134, pars. 12-14)
No. 2: Daniel 3:19-30
No. 3: God Does Not Foreknow and Foreordain Everything (rs p. 140, second subheading)
No. 4: God’s Ability to Foreknow and Foreordain Events (rs p. 141)
Feb. 6 Bible reading: Daniel 5 and 6
No. 1: Ezekiel 12:1 to 23:49 (si pp. 134-5, pars. 15-19)
No. 2: Daniel 5:17-31
No. 3: How Christ Returns and How His Return Is Recognized (pe chap. 17, pars. 13-17)
No. 4: Why God Did Not Exercise His Foreknowledge Regarding Adam (rs p. 142, first subheading)
Feb. 13 Bible reading: Daniel 7 and 8
No. 1: Ezekiel 24:1 to 32:32 (si pp. 135-6, pars. 20-23)
No. 2: Daniel 8:15-27
No. 3: God Did Not Predestinate Jacob, Esau, or Judas (rs p. 142, second subheading, to p. 143, first subheading)
No. 4: In What Way Was the Christian Congregation Predestinated? (rs p. 143, second subheading)
Feb. 20 Bible reading: Daniel 9 and 10
No. 1: Ezekiel 33:1 to 39:29 (si p. 136, pars. 24-26)
No. 2: Daniel 9:20-27
No. 3: To What Do Christ’s “Coming” and “the End of the World” Refer? (pe chap. 18, pars. 1-6)
No. 4: What Is the Scriptural View of Astrology? (rs pp. 144-5)
Feb. 27 Bible reading: Daniel 11 and 12
No. 1: Ezekiel 40:1 to 48:35 (si pp. 136-7, pars. 27, 28)
No. 2: Daniel 12:1-13
No. 3: What Are Some Sound Reasons for Believing in God? (rs p. 145, last subheading)
No. 4: Wickedness and Suffering Do Not Disprove God’s Existence (rs p. 146 to p. 147, first subheading)
Mar. 6 Bible reading: Hosea 1 to 5
No. 1: Daniel, Introduction and Authenticity (si pp. 138-9, pars. 1-7)
No. 2: Hosea 5:1-15
No. 3: Wars and Famines Visible Proof of Christ’s Invisible Presence (pe p. 150)
No. 4: God Is a Real Person Capable of Emotion (rs p. 147, second subheading, to p. 148, first subheading)
Mar. 13 Bible reading: Hosea 6 to 10
No. 1: Daniel 1:1 to 4:37 (si pp. 139-40, pars. 8-11)
No. 2: Hosea 8:1-14
No. 3: God Had No Beginning (rs p. 148, second subheading)
No. 4: Use of God’s Name Essential for Salvation (rs p. 149, first subheading)
Mar. 20 Bible reading: Hosea 11 to 14
No. 1: Daniel 5:1 to 8:27 (si pp. 140-1, pars. 12-15)
No. 2: Hosea 11:1-12
No. 3: Pestilence, Earthquakes, Fear, and Lawlessness Proof of Christ’s Presence (pe pp. 151-2)
No. 4: Are All Religions Good? (rs p. 149, second subheading)
Mar. 27 Bible reading: Joel 1 to 3
No. 1: Daniel 9:1 to 12:13 (si p. 141, pars. 16-19)
No. 2: Joel 2:21-32
No. 3: What Kind of “God” Is Jesus? (rs p. 150, first subheading)
No. 4: Overcoming Objections to Belief in God (rs p. 150, par. 3, to p. 151, par. 3)
Apr. 3 Bible reading: Amos 1 to 5
No. 1: Introduction to Hosea (si pp. 143-4, pars. 1-8)
No. 2: Amos 3:1-15
No. 3: Fulfillment of 2 Timothy 3:1-5 a Sign of Last Days (pe pp. 152-4)
No. 4: Why Men Have Been Unable to Establish a Just Government (rs p. 152 to p. 153, par. 1)
Apr. 10 Bible reading: Amos 6 to 9
No. 1: Hosea 1:1 to 14:9 (si pp. 144-5, pars. 9-13)
No. 2: Amos 8:1-14
No. 3: Why Human Efforts to Bring Relief Cannot Succeed (rs p. 153, first subheading, to p. 154, first subheading)
No. 4: God’s Kingdom Only Answer to Mankind’s Real Needs (rs p. 154, second subheading)
Apr. 17 Bible reading: Obadiah 1-21 to Jonah 1-4
No. 1: Introduction to Joel (si p. 146, pars. 1-5)
No. 2: Jonah 1:14–2:10
No. 3: Why “Armageddon” Not a Frightening Word (pe chap. 19, pars. 1-3)
No. 4: Bible Prophecies Have Proved Completely Reliable (rs p. 155, first subheading)
Apr. 24 Written Review. Complete Ezekiel 38-48; Da 1-12; Hos 1-14; Joe 1-3; Am 1-9; Ob 1-21 to Jonah 1-4
May 1 Bible reading: Micah 1 to 4
No. 1: Joel 1:1 to 3:21 (si pp. 146-7, pars. 6-11)
No. 2: Micah 4:1-12
No. 3: Miraculous Healings Today Not Done by God’s Spirit (rs p. 156 to p. 157, par. 3)
No. 4: Difference Between Cures of Jesus and His Apostles and Those of Today (rs p. 157, subheading, to p. 158, first subheading)
May 8 Bible reading: Micah 5 to 7
No. 1: Introduction to Amos (si pp. 148-9, pars. 1-6)
No. 2: Micah 6:3-16
No. 3: Blessings Coming to Mankind After Armageddon (pe pp. 156-8)
No. 4: How True Christians Are Identified Today (rs p. 158, second and third subheadings)
May 15 Bible reading: Nahum 1 to 3
No. 1: Amos 1:1 to 9:15 (si pp. 149-50, pars. 7-12)
No. 2: Nahum 1:2-14
No. 3: Why Gifts of Healing Were Given in the First Century (rs p. 159)
No. 4: What Hope Is There for Real Healing for All Mankind? (rs p. 160, second subheading)
May 22 Bible reading: Habakkuk 1 to 3
No. 1: Introduction to Obadiah (si pp. 151-2, pars. 1-5)
No. 2: Habakkuk 2:1-14
No. 3: What Blessings and What Work Will Be the Lot of Armageddon Survivors? (pe chap. 19, pars. 4-7)
No. 4: Who Alone Had a Prehuman Existence? (rs p. 161, last subheading)
May 29 Bible reading: Zephaniah 1 to 3
No. 1: Obadiah 1 to 21 (si p. 152, pars. 6-9)
No. 2: Zephaniah 2:1-11
No. 3: Not All Good People Go to Heaven (rs p. 162, first subheading)
No. 4: Adam Was Not Promised Heavenly Life (rs p. 162, second subheading)
June 5 Bible reading: Haggai 1 and 2
No. 1: Introduction to Jonah (si pp. 153-4, pars. 1-5)
No. 2: Haggai 2:1-9, 20-23
No. 3: Identifying the “New Heavens” and the “New Earth” (pe chap. 19, pars. 8-10)
No. 4: Not Necessary to Go to Heaven to Have a Happy Future (rs p. 163, first subheading)
June 12 Bible reading: Zechariah 1 to 5
No. 1: Jonah 1:1 to 4:11 (si p. 154, pars. 6-9)
No. 2: Zechariah 4:1-14
No. 3: Jesus Did Not Open Way to Heaven for Those Who Died Before He Did (rs p. 163, second subheading)
No. 4: Heavenly Life Not Hope of All Christians (rs p. 164)
June 19 Bible reading: Zechariah 6 to 9
No. 1: Introduction to Micah (si pp. 155-6, pars. 1-8)
No. 2: Zechariah 8:9-23
No. 3: Kingdom Blessings Coming to Mankind (pe pp. 161-2)
No. 4: Christian Scriptures Contain Hope of Earthly Blessings (rs p. 165, subheading)
June 26 Bible reading: Zechariah 10 to 14
No. 1: Micah 1:1 to 7:20 (si pp. 156-7, pars. 9-15)
No. 2: Zechariah 13:1-9
No. 3: How Many Will Get Heavenly Reward and Why the Number Is Not Symbolic (rs p. 166, first subheading, and p. 167, first subheading)
No. 4: The 144,000 Not Only Natural Jews (rs p. 166, second subheading)
July 3 Bible reading: Malachi 1 to 4
No. 1: Introduction to Nahum (si pp. 158-9, pars. 1-7)
No. 2: Malachi 3:1-10, 16-18
No. 3: Blessings in Store for Armageddon Survivors (pe chap. 19, pars. 11-21)
No. 4: Great Crowd Before God’s Throne, but Not in Heaven (rs p. 167, second subheading)
July 10 Bible reading: Matthew 1 to 3
No. 1: Nahum 1:1 to 3:19 (si pp. 159-60, pars. 8-10)
No. 2: Matthew 3:1-17
No. 3: Heavenly Duties of 144,000 (rs p. 168, first subheading)
No. 4: Bible Shows Dead Do Not Suffer Pain (rs p. 169, first and second subheadings)
July 17 Bible reading: Matthew 4 and 5
No. 1: Introduction to Habakkuk (si p. 161, pars. 1-5)
No. 2: Matthew 5:1-17
No. 3: The Resurrection Hope in the Hebrew Scriptures (pe chap. 20, pars. 1-4)
No. 4: Bible Shows Both Good and Bad Go to Hell at Death (rs p. 170, first to third subheadings)
July 24 Bible reading: Matthew 6 and 7
No. 1: Habakkuk 1:1 to 3:19 (si pp. 161-2, pars. 6-11)
No. 2: Matthew 6:1-14, 31-33
No. 3: Bible Translators Cause Confusion About Hell (rs p. 170, last subheading)
No. 4: Wicked Eternally Punished but Not Eternally Tormented (rs p. 171, subheading)
July 31 Bible reading: Matthew 8 and 9
No. 1: Introduction to Zephaniah (si pp. 163-4, pars. 1-6)
No. 2: Matthew 9:18-38
No. 3: Resurrections Recorded in the Christian Greek Scriptures (pe chap. 20, pars. 5-9)
No. 4: Meaning of Eternal Torment Mentioned in Revelation (rs p. 172, subheading)
Aug. 7 Bible reading: Matthew 10 and 11
No. 1: Zephaniah 1:1 to 3:20 (si pp. 164-5, pars. 7-9)
No. 2: Matthew 10:5-15, 24-31
No. 3: What Is the Fiery Gehenna Mentioned by Jesus? (rs p. 173, subheading)
No. 4: God’s Punishment of the Wicked Compatible With His Personality (rs p. 174, third subheading, and p. 175, subheading)
Aug. 14 Bible reading: Matthew 12 and 13
No. 1: Introduction to Haggai (si pp. 166-7, pars. 1-7)
No. 2: Matthew 13:34-52
No. 3: Who Will Be Resurrected? (pe chap. 20, pars. 10-18)
No. 4: Parable of Rich Man and Lazarus Teaches What? (rs p. 174, last subheading)
Aug. 21 Bible reading: Matthew 14 and 15
No. 1: Haggai 1:1 to 2:23 (si p. 167, pars. 8-12)
No. 2: Matthew 15:1-20
No. 3: What Disproves Jesus Was Born December 25? (rs p. 176)
No. 4: Who Were the Magi That Visited Jesus? (rs p. 177, first subheading)
Aug. 28 Written Review. Complete Micah 1-7; Na 1-3; Hab 1-3; Zeph 1-3; Hag 1-2; Zech 1-14; Mal 1-4 to Matthew 1-15
Sept. 4 Bible reading: Matthew 16 and 17
No. 1: Introduction to Zechariah (si pp. 168-9, pars. 1-7)
No. 2: Matthew 16:13-28
No. 3: The Two Resurrections (pe chap. 20, pars. 19-24)
No. 4: What Is the Origin of Christmas Giving? (rs p. 177, second subheading)
Sept. 11 Bible reading: Matthew 18 and 19
No. 1: Zechariah 1:1 to 7:14 (si pp. 169-70, pars. 8-17)
No. 2: Matthew 18:7-22
No. 3: Why Should Christians Have Nothing to Do With Christmas Celebrations? (rs p. 178, subheading)
No. 4: Why Should Christians Not Celebrate Easter or New Year’s? (rs p. 179, subheading, to 180, first subheading)
Sept. 18 Bible reading: Matthew 20 and 21
No. 1: Zechariah 8:1 to 14:21 (si pp. 170-1, pars. 18-22)
No. 2: Matthew 20:17-34
No. 3: The Resurrection Truly a Miracle (pe chap. 20, pars. 25-27)
No. 4: What Is the Origin of All Souls’ Day Celebrations? (rs p. 180, second subheading)
Sept. 25 Bible reading: Matthew 22 and 23
No. 1: Introduction to Malachi (si pp. 172-3, pars. 1-6)
No. 2: Matthew 22:15-33
No. 3: Why Do Christians Not Participate in Worldly Holidays? (rs p. 181, subheading, to p. 182, third subheading)
No. 4: What Does the Bible Say About Image Worship? (rs p. 183, first subheading)
Oct. 2 Bible reading: Matthew 24 and 25
No. 1: Malachi 1:1 to 4:6 (si pp. 173-4, pars. 7-12)
No. 2: Matthew 24:3-22
No. 3: How Long Will the Judgment Day Be, and Who Will Do the Judging? (pe chap. 21, pars. 1-4)
No. 4: True Worship Does Not Need Images as Aids (rs p. 183, last subheading)
Oct. 9 Bible reading: Matthew 26
No. 1: Introduction to Romans (si pp. 204-5, pars. 1-7)
No. 2: Matthew 26:1-5, 17-30
No. 3: “Saints” Cannot Serve as Intercessors (rs p. 184)
No. 4: How Does God View Images That Are Objects of Worship? (rs p. 185, second subheading)
Oct. 16 Bible reading: Matthew 27 and 28
No. 1: Romans 1:1 to 8:39 (si pp. 205-6, pars. 8-12)
No. 2: Matthew 28:7-20
No. 3: Why Is the Judgment Day Not to Be Dreaded? (pe chap. 21, pars. 5-7)
No. 4: How Should We Feel About Images We Once Venerated? (rs p. 186, subheading)
Oct. 23 Bible reading: Mark 1 and 2
No. 1: Romans 9:1 to 12:21 (si pp. 206-7, pars. 13-15)
No. 2: Mark 1:1-15
No. 3: What Effect Could Use of Images Have on Our Future? (rs p. 187)
No. 4: Casting Aside Bible’s Moral Standards Does Not Bring Freedom (rs p. 187, last subheading, to p. 188, par. 2)
Oct. 30 Bible reading: Mark 3 and 4
No. 1: Romans 13:1 to 16:27 (si p. 207, pars. 16-19)
No. 2: Mark 4:21-34
No. 3: What Are the Resurrections to Life and to Judgment? (pe chap. 21, pars. 12-14)
No. 4: Materialistic Pursuits Are Self-Defeating (rs p. 188, par. 3)
Nov. 6 Bible reading: Mark 5 and 6
No. 1: Introduction to 1 Corinthians (si pp. 208-9, pars. 1-7)
No. 2: Mark 6:30-44, 56
No. 3: Christians Must Avoid Bad Associations (rs p. 189, par. 2)
No. 4: Satan, Chief Instigator Against God’s Commands (rs p. 189, last subheading, to p. 190, first subheading)
Nov. 13 Bible reading: Mark 7 and 8
No. 1: 1 Corinthians 1:1 to 7:40 (si pp. 209-10, pars. 8-13)
No. 2: Mark 7:5-23
No. 3: By What Will People Be Judged on Judgment Day? (pe chap. 21, pars. 15-18)
No. 4: What Independent Attitudes Must Christians Avoid? (rs p. 190, second subheading, to p. 191, first subheading)
Nov. 20 Bible reading: Mark 9 and 10
No. 1: 1 Corinthians 8:1 to 11:34 (si pp. 210-11, pars. 14-17)
No. 2: Mark 9:1-13
No. 3: Where Is God’s Name to Be Found in Some Commonly Used Bibles? (rs p. 191, last subheading, to p. 193, par. 7)
No. 4: Why Do Many Translations Slight God’s Name? (rs p. 193, subheading)
Nov. 27 Bible reading: Mark 11 and 12
No. 1: 1 Corinthians 12:1 to 16:24 (si p. 211, pars. 18-22)
No. 2: Mark 12:28-44
No. 3: How Jehovah Determines Who Will Be Written in the Book of Life (pe chap. 21, pars. 19-21)
No. 4: How Do We Know Christian Greek Scripture Writers Used Jehovah’s Name? (rs p. 194)
Dec. 4 Bible reading: Mark 13 and 14
No. 1: Introduction to 2 Corinthians (si p. 213, pars. 1-4)
No. 2: Mark 13:21-37
No. 3: Why Do We Prefer “Jehovah” to “Yahweh”? (rs p. 195, subheading)
No. 4: Why Is It Important to Know and Use Jehovah’s Name? (rs p. 196, subheading)
Dec. 11 Bible reading: Mark 15 and 16
No. 1: 2 Corinthians 1:1 to 7:16 (si pp. 213-14, pars. 5-12)
No. 2: Mark 15:1-15
No. 3: Who Will Survive the Present Judgment Day? (pe chap. 21, pars. 22, 23)
No. 4: Jehovah of the “Old Testament” Is Not Jesus of the “New Testament” (rs p. 197, subheading)
Dec. 18 Bible reading: Luke 1
No. 1: 2 Corinthians 8:1 to 13:14 (si pp. 214-15, pars. 13-17)
No. 2: Luke 1:57-80
No. 3: Why We Can Both Love and Fear Jehovah (rs p. 198, subheading)
No. 4: Three Beliefs That Set Us Apart From Other Religions (support with scriptures) (rs pp. 199-200)
Dec. 25 Written Review. Complete Matthew 16-28; Mr 1-16 to Luke 1