Theocratic Ministry School Schedule for 1993
INSTRUCTIONS
During 1993 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” (1990 Edition) [si], Theocratic Ministry School Guidebook [sg], The Greatest Man Who Ever Lived [gt], Reasoning From the Scriptures [rs], and “Bible Topics for Discussion” as found in the New World Translation [*td] 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. This talk will be based on “All Scripture Is Inspired of God and Beneficial” or the Theocratic Ministry School Guidebook. 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 publication. 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 30- to 60-second 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. Historical background, prophetic or doctrinal significance, and application of principles may be included. All the assigned verses should actually be read without a break.
TALK NO. 3: 5 minutes. This talk will be assigned to sisters. The subjects for this talk will be based on the book The Greatest Man Who Ever Lived. 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 any other brief 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, nor 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 and Bible highlights 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 consider with the audience the answers to the review questions and concentrate on the more difficult ones, helping all to understand the answers clearly. If, for some reason, local circumstances make it necessary, the written review may be given 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
*td – “Bible Topics for Discussion” as found in the New World Translation
Jan. 4 Bible reading: 1 Samuel 25 to 27
No. 1: sg pp. 84-8 pars. 1-9
No. 2: 1 Samuel 26:7-25
No. 3: A Lesson in Mercy (gt chap. 40)
No. 4: What Is the Rapture, and What Does “Caught Up” to Be With the Lord Really Mean? (rs p. 312 par. 1)
Jan. 11 Bible reading: 1 Samuel 28 to 31
No. 1: 1 Samuel—Why Beneficial (si pp. 57-8 pars. 27-35)
No. 2: 1 Samuel 30:7-25
No. 3: Jesus Is a Center of Controversy (gt chap. 41)
No. 4: *td 1A Why Not Worship One’s Ancestors?
Jan. 18 Bible reading: 2 Samuel 1 to 4
No. 1: Introduction to 2 Samuel (si p. 59 pars. 1-5)
No. 2: 2 Samuel 1:1-4, 17-27
No. 3: Jesus Rebukes the Pharisees (gt chap. 42)
No. 4: Who Are the Ones ‘Caught Up in the Clouds’ to Be With the Lord? (rs p. 312 par. 2)
Jan. 25 Bible reading: 2 Samuel 5 to 8
No. 1: sg pp. 88-90 pars. 10-15
No. 2: 2 Samuel 6:1-19
No. 3: Five Illustrations While Aboard a Boat (gt chap. 43 pars. 1-8)
No. 4: *td 1B Why Humans May Be Honored but Only God Worshiped
Feb. 1 Bible reading: 2 Samuel 9 to 12
No. 1: sg pp. 90-2 pars. 1-7
No. 2: 2 Samuel 10:1-14
No. 3: How the Disciples Benefit From Jesus’ Teachings (gt chap. 43 pars. 9-19)
No. 4: When the Lord ‘Descends From Heaven,’ He Will Not Appear Visibly (rs p. 313 pars. 1, 2)
Feb. 8 Bible reading: 2 Samuel 13 to 15
No. 1: sg pp. 92-5 pars. 8-18
No. 2: 2 Samuel 15:1-17
No. 3: Jesus Blesses His Disciples With More Instruction (gt chap. 43 pars. 20-31)
No. 4: *td 2A How Will Wickedness Be Ended?
Feb. 15 Bible reading: 2 Samuel 16 to 18
No. 1: sg pp. 96-9 pars. 1-10
No. 2: 2 Samuel 18:1-17
No. 3: Jesus Silences a Terrifying Storm (gt chap. 44)
No. 4: In What Sense Will Humans “See” the Lord “Coming in a Cloud”? (rs p. 313 par. 3)
Feb. 22 Bible reading: 2 Samuel 19 to 21
No. 1: sg pp. 100-102 pars. 1-12
No. 2: 2 Samuel 19:1-14
No. 3: A Demon-Possessed Man Becomes a Disciple (gt chap. 45)
No. 4: *td 2B Why Will Armageddon Be an Act of Love on God’s Part?
Mar. 1 Bible reading: 2 Samuel 22 to 24
No. 1: 2 Samuel—Why Beneficial (si p. 63 pars. 28-31)
No. 2: 2 Samuel 22:1-4, 24-36
No. 3: She Touched His Garment (gt chap. 46)
No. 4: Why Christians Cannot Be Taken to Heaven With Their Physical Bodies (rs p. 314 pars. 1, 2)
Mar. 8 Bible reading: 1 Kings 1 and 2
No. 1: Introduction to 1 Kings (si pp. 64-5 pars. 1-5)
No. 2: 1 Kings 1:32-48
No. 3: Tears Turned to Great Ecstasy (gt chap. 47)
No. 4: *td 3A Baptism Is a Christian Requirement
Mar. 15 Bible reading: 1 Kings 3 to 6
No. 1: sg pp. 103-8 pars. 13-21
No. 2: 1 Kings 3:10-28
No. 3: Despite His Miracles, Jesus Is Rejected (gt chap. 48)
No. 4: Will Faithful Christians Go to Heaven Secretly, Disappearing From Earth Without Dying? (rs p. 314 pars. 3, 4)
Mar. 22 Bible reading: 1 Kings 7 and 8
No. 1: sg pp. 108-12 pars. 1-20
No. 2: 1 Kings 8:54-66
No. 3: A Third Preaching Tour of Galilee (gt chap. 49)
No. 4: *td 3B Baptism Does Not Wash Sins Away
Mar. 29 Bible reading: 1 Kings 9 to 11
No. 1: sg pp. 113-16 pars. 1-16
No. 2: 1 Kings 10:1-13
No. 3: Preparing His Disciples to Face Opposition (gt chap. 50)
No. 4: Will All Faithful Christians Be Taken Miraculously From Earth Before the Great Tribulation? (rs p. 315 pars. 1, 2)
Apr. 5 Bible reading: 1 Kings 12 to 14
No. 1: sg pp. 116-18 pars. 1-12
No. 2: 1 Kings 12:1-15
No. 3: Murder During a Birthday Party (gt chap. 51)
No. 4: *td 4A Is the Bible Really Inspired?
Apr. 12 Bible reading: 1 Kings 15 to 17
No. 1: sg pp. 119-21 pars. 13-28
No. 2: 1 Kings 17:1-16
No. 3: Jesus Miraculously Feeds Thousands (gt chap. 52)
No. 4: How Will Christians Be Protected During the Great Tribulation? (rs p. 315 pars. 3, 4)
Apr. 19 Bible reading: 1 Kings 18 to 20
No. 1: sg pp. 122-5 pars. 1-21
No. 2: 1 Kings 18:25-40
No. 3: When Jesus Walks on Water (gt chap. 53)
No. 4: *td 4B Why the Bible Is a Practical Guide for Our Day
Apr. 26 Written Review. Complete 1 Samuel 25-31; 2Sa 1-24 to 1 Kings 1-20
May 3 Bible reading: 1 Kings 21 and 22
No. 1: 1 Kings—Why Beneficial (si pp. 68-9 pars. 23-26)
No. 2: 1 Kings 21:15-29
No. 3: Bread From Heaven—A Gift From Whom? (gt chap. 54)
No. 4: Why Are Some Christians Taken to Heaven, and Will They Return to Live Forever on Earth? (rs p. 316 pars. 5-8)
May 10 Bible reading: 2 Kings 1 to 3
No. 1: Introduction to 2 Kings (si p. 69 pars. 1-4)
No. 2: 2 Kings 2:1-14
No. 3: Why Many Quit Following Jesus (gt chap. 55)
No. 4: *td 4C For Whom Was the Bible Written?
May 17 Bible reading: 2 Kings 4 to 6
No. 1: sg pp. 126-9 pars. 1-22
No. 2: 2 Kings 5:1-14
No. 3: What Defiles a Man? (gt chap. 56)
No. 4: The Teaching of Reincarnation Is Not Supported by the Bible (rs p. 317 par. 3 to p. 319 par. 3)
May 24 Bible reading: 2 Kings 7 to 9
No. 1: sg pp. 130-3 pars. 1-20
No. 2: 2 Kings 9:1-14
No. 3: Jesus’ Compassion for the Afflicted (gt chap. 57)
No. 4: *td 5A Transfusions Violate the Sacredness of Blood
May 31 Bible reading: 2 Kings 10 to 12
No. 1: sg pp. 133-5 pars. 1-8
No. 2: 2 Kings 10:15-30
No. 3: Jesus Corrects a Misunderstanding (gt chap. 58)
No. 4: The Bible’s Teaching About the Soul and Death Does Not Allow for Reincarnation (rs p. 319 par. 4 to p. 320 par. 2)
June 7 Bible reading: 2 Kings 13 to 15
No. 1: sg pp. 135-8 pars. 9-21
No. 2: 2 Kings 13:14-25
No. 3: Who Really Is Jesus? (gt chap. 59)
No. 4: *td 5B Is One’s Life to Be Saved at All Costs?
June 14 Bible reading: 2 Kings 16 to 18
No. 1: sg pp. 138-41 pars. 1-19
No. 2: 2 Kings 17:1-15
No. 3: A Preview of Christ’s Kingdom Glory (gt chap. 60)
No. 4: What Differences Are There Between Reincarnation and the Hope Held Out in the Bible? (rs p. 320 pars. 3, 4)
June 21 Bible reading: 2 Kings 19 to 22
No. 1: sg pp. 142-5 pars. 1-15
No. 2: 2 Kings 19:14-28, 35
No. 3: The Power of Faith (gt chap. 61)
No. 4: *td 6A How Do We Know the Gentile Times Ended in 1914?
June 28 Bible reading: 2 Kings 23 to 25
No. 1: 2 Kings—Why Beneficial (si p. 74 pars. 33-36)
No. 2: 2 Kings 23:1-15
No. 3: A Lesson in Humility (gt chap. 62)
No. 4: Why Are There So Many Religions, and Who Is Their Instigator? (rs p. 322 pars. 1-3)
July 5 Bible reading: 1 Chronicles 1 to 3
No. 1: Introduction to 1 Chronicles (si pp. 75-6 pars. 1-7)
No. 2: 1 Chronicles 3:1-16
No. 3: Guard Against Stumbling Others (gt chap. 63)
No. 4: *td 7A What Is the True Church and Its Foundation?
July 12 Bible reading: 1 Chronicles 4 to 6
No. 1: sg pp. 145-8 pars. 16-34
No. 2: 1 Chronicles 5:1-17
No. 3: A Lesson in Forgiveness (gt chap. 64)
No. 4: Why Not All Religions Are Acceptable to God (rs p. 322 par. 4 to p. 323 par. 5)
July 19 Bible reading: 1 Chronicles 7 to 10
No. 1: sg pp. 149-50 pars. 1-8
No. 2: 1 Chronicles 7:1-12
No. 3: A Secret Trip to Jerusalem (gt chap. 65)
No. 4: *td 7B Is Peter the “Rock-Mass”?
July 26 Bible reading: 1 Chronicles 11 to 14
No. 1: sg pp. 150-3 pars. 9-21
No. 2: 1 Chronicles 13:1-14
No. 3: Danger at the Festival of Tabernacles (gt chap. 66)
No. 4: When It Is Proper to Leave the Religion of One’s Parents (rs p. 324 pars. 1-3)
Aug. 2 Bible reading: 1 Chronicles 15 to 18
No. 1: sg pp. 153-6 pars. 1-14
No. 2: 1 Chronicles 17:1-15
No. 3: Why Officers Fail to Arrest Jesus (gt chap. 67)
No. 4: *td 8A Does True Science Agree With the Bible?
Aug. 9 Bible reading: 1 Chronicles 19 to 22
No. 1: sg pp. 156-8 pars. 15-24
No. 2: 1 Chronicles 22:6-19
No. 3: Jesus’ Divine Origin and His Future in Heaven (gt chap. 68 pars. 1-11)
No. 4: The Bible’s Viewpoint as to Interfaith (rs p. 325 par. 1 to p. 326 par. 1)
Aug. 16 Bible reading: 1 Chronicles 23 to 26
No. 1: sg pp. 158-60 pars. 1-9
No. 2: 1 Chronicles 23:1-5, 24-32
No. 3: The Truth That Sets People Free (gt chap. 68 pars. 12-16)
No. 4: *td 8B Is a Creative Day 24 Hours Long?
Aug. 23 Bible reading: 1 Chronicles 27 to 29
No. 1: 1 Chronicles—Why Beneficial (si pp. 78-9 pars. 22-25)
No. 2: 1 Chronicles 27:23-34
No. 3: The Question of Fatherhood (gt chap. 69)
No. 4: Why the True Religion Must Be Organized (rs p. 326 par. 2 to p. 327 par. 2)
Aug. 30 Written Review. Complete 1 Kings 21-22; 2Ki 1-25 to 1 Chronicles 1-29
Sept. 6 Bible reading: 2 Chronicles 1 to 5
No. 1: Introduction to 2 Chronicles (si pp. 79-80 pars. 1-6)
No. 2: 2 Chronicles 5:1-14
No. 3: Healing a Man Born Blind (gt chap. 70)
No. 4: *td 9A Why Was Jesus Hanged on a Stake?
Sept. 13 Bible reading: 2 Chronicles 6 to 8
No. 1: sg pp. 160-3 pars. 10-24
No. 2: 2 Chronicles 7:1-16
No. 3: A Beggar Confounds the Pharisees (gt chap. 71)
No. 4: Why More Is Needed Than Loving One’s Fellowman (rs p. 327 par. 4)
Sept. 20 Bible reading: 2 Chronicles 9 to 12
No. 1: sg pp. 163-5 pars. 1-9
No. 2: 2 Chronicles 9:1-14
No. 3: Jesus Sends Out the 70 (gt chap. 72)
No. 4: *td 9B Should Christians Worship the Cross?
Sept. 27 Bible reading: 2 Chronicles 13 to 17
No. 1: sg pp. 165-7 pars. 10-21
No. 2: 2 Chronicles 13:8-22
No. 3: Who Really Is Our Neighbor? (gt chap. 73)
No. 4: Why More Is Needed Than a Personal Relationship With God (rs p. 327 par. 5 to p. 328 par. 1)
Oct. 4 Bible reading: 2 Chronicles 18 to 21
No. 1: sg pp. 168-70 pars. 1-14
No. 2: 2 Chronicles 19:1-11
No. 3: Jesus’ Counsel to Martha (gt chap. 74 pars. 1-5)
No. 4: *td 10A Why Does Man Die?
Oct. 11 Bible reading: 2 Chronicles 22 to 25
No. 1: sg pp. 170-1 pars. 15-22
No. 2: 2 Chronicles 23:1-15
No. 3: The Need to Persevere in Prayer (gt chap. 74 pars. 6-9)
No. 4: Why Just Reading the Bible Is Not Sufficient (rs p. 328 pars. 2, 3)
Oct. 18 Bible reading: 2 Chronicles 26 to 28
No. 1: sg pp. 172-5 pars. 1-13
No. 2: 2 Chronicles 26:11-23
No. 3: The Proper Response to Jesus’ Miracles (gt chap. 75)
No. 4: *td 10B What Is the Condition of the Dead?
Oct. 25 Bible reading: 2 Chronicles 29 and 30
No. 1: sg pp. 175-7 pars. 1-14
No. 2: 2 Chronicles 30:1-12
No. 3: Jesus Exposes the Pharisees and Lawyers (gt chap. 76)
No. 4: The Right Religion Is Bible-Based and Makes Known God’s Name (rs p. 328 pars. 4, 5)
Nov. 1 Bible reading: 2 Chronicles 31 to 33
No. 1: sg pp. 177-80 pars. 15-29
No. 2: 2 Chronicles 32:10-22
No. 3: Jesus Handles the Question of Inheritance (gt chap. 77)
No. 4: *td 10C Is It Possible to Talk With the Dead?
Nov. 8 Bible reading: 2 Chronicles 34 to 36
No. 1: 2 Chronicles—Why Beneficial (si p. 84 pars. 34-36)
No. 2: 2 Chronicles 34:22-33
No. 3: Jesus Urges His Disciples to Keep Ready for His Return (gt chap. 78)
No. 4: The Right Religion Demonstrates True Faith in Jesus Christ (rs p. 329 par. 1)
Nov. 15 Bible reading: Ezra 1 to 3
No. 1: Introduction to Ezra (si p. 85 pars. 1-7)
No. 2: Ezra 3:1-13
No. 3: A Nation Lost, but Not All (gt chap. 79 pars. 1-5)
No. 4: *td 11A Who Is the Devil?
Nov. 22 Bible reading: Ezra 4 to 7
No. 1: sg pp. 181-3 pars. 1-14
No. 2: Ezra 6:1-13
No. 3: Refuting Those Who Protest Healing on the Sabbath (gt chap. 79 pars. 6-9)
No. 4: The True Religion Is Not Formalistic but Is a Way of Life (rs p. 329 par. 2)
Nov. 29 Bible reading: Ezra 8 to 10
No. 1: Ezra—Why Beneficial (si p. 87 pars. 14-18)
No. 2: Ezra 9:1-9, 15
No. 3: The Sheepfolds and the Fine Shepherd (gt chap. 80)
No. 4: *td 11B Who Is the Ruler of the World?
Dec. 6 Bible reading: Nehemiah 1 to 3
No. 1: Introduction to Nehemiah (si p. 88 pars. 1-5)
No. 2: Nehemiah 3:1-14
No. 3: Why They Try to Kill Jesus (gt chap. 81)
No. 4: Members of the Right Religion Love One Another and Keep Separate From the World (rs p. 329 pars. 3, 4)
Dec. 13 Bible reading: Nehemiah 4 to 6
No. 1: sg pp. 184-7 pars. 15-34
No. 2: Nehemiah 6:1-13
No. 3: Who Will Not Be Saved? (gt chap. 82 pars. 1-6)
No. 4: *td 11C From Where Did the Demons Originate?
Dec. 20 Bible reading: Nehemiah 7 and 8
No. 1: sg pp. 188-91 pars. 1-13
No. 2: Nehemiah 8:1-12
No. 3: Activities En Route to Jerusalem (gt chap. 82 pars. 7-11)
No. 4: All Members of the Right Religion Are Active Witnesses (rs p. 330 par. 1)
Dec. 27 Written Review. Complete 2 Chronicles 1-36; Ezr 1-10 to Nehemiah 1-8