Theocratic Ministry School Schedule for 1994
INSTRUCTIONS
During 1994 the following will be the arrangements when conducting the Theocratic Ministry School.
TEXTBOOKS: The New World Translation of the Holy Scriptures [bi12], United in Worship of the Only True God [uw], “All Scripture Is Inspired of God and Beneficial” (1990 Edition) [si], The Greatest Man Who Ever Lived [gt], 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 talk should be handled by an elder or by a qualified ministerial servant, and it will be based on United in Worship of the Only True God or “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 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. The theme shown should be used. All are encouraged to make thorough 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 or if requested in advance by the speaker.
HIGHLIGHTS FROM BIBLE READING: 6 minutes. This should be handled by the school overseer or by another elder or ministerial servant who will effectively apply the material to local needs. This should not be just a summary of the assigned reading. Limit the initial overall review of the assigned chapters to 30 to 60 seconds. The principal objective is to 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. Historical background, prophetic or doctrinal significance, and application of principles may be included. All the assigned verses should actually be read without a break. Of course, where the verses to be read are not consecutive, the student may cite the verse where the reading continues.
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. It will be based on “Bible Topics for Discussion” as found in the New World Translation. 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: Before preparing an assigned talk, the student should read carefully the School Guidebook material dealing with the speech quality to be worked on. Students assigned the second talk should choose a theme appropriate to the portion of the Bible that is to be read. Other talks will be developed in line with the theme shown on the printed schedule.
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 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. 3 Bible reading: Nehemiah 9 to 11
No. 1: How True Christian Unity is Achieved (uw pp. 5-7 pars. 1-7)
No. 2: Nehemiah 9:4, 26-33, 36-38
No. 3: Doing Things That Have Real Merit With God (gt chap. 83)
No. 4: *td 12A God’s Purpose for the Earth
Jan. 10 Bible reading: Nehemiah 12 and 13
No. 1: Nehemiah—Why Beneficial (si pp. 90-1 pars. 16-19)
No. 2: Nehemiah 13:15-18, 23-31
No. 3: The Responsibility of Discipleship (gt chap. 84)
No. 4: *td 12B The Earth Will Always Be Inhabited
Jan. 17 Bible reading: Esther 1 to 5
No. 1: Introduction to Esther (si pp. 91-2 pars. 1-6)
No. 2: Esther 4:6-17
No. 3: Beware of Self-Righteousness, and Appreciate Humility (gt chap. 85)
No. 4: *td 13A How to Identify False Prophets
Jan. 24 Bible reading: Esther 6 to 10
No. 1: Esther—Why Beneficial (si p. 94 pars. 16-18)
No. 2: Esther 6:1-13
No. 3: The Lost Son and His Loving Father (gt chap. 86 pars. 1-9)
No. 4: *td 14A Why Spiritual Healing Is Vital
Jan. 31 Bible reading: Job 1 to 3
No. 1: Introduction to Job (si pp. 95-6 pars. 1-6)
No. 2: Job 2:1-13
No. 3: The Lost Son’s Return Affects Others (gt chap. 86 pars. 10-20)
No. 4: *td 14B God’s Kingdom Will Bring Permanent Physical Cures
Feb. 7 Bible reading: Job 4 to 6
No. 1: Essential Factors for Christian Unity (uw p. 8 par. 8 to 8 [3])
No. 2: Job 6:1-11, 29, 30
No. 3: Provide for the Future With Practical Wisdom (gt chap. 87)
No. 4: *td 14C Modern Faith Healing Lacks Evidence of Divine Approval
Feb. 14 Bible reading: Job 7 to 9
No. 1: Factors That Contribute to Christian Unity (uw p. 9 pars. 8 [4] to 9)
No. 2: Job 9:1-15
No. 3: The Rich Man and Lazarus (gt chap. 88 pars. 1-10)
No. 4: *td 14D Speaking in Tongues Only a Temporary Provision
Feb. 21 Bible reading: Job 10 to 12
No. 1: True Christians Avoid Divisive Influences (uw pp. 10-11 pars. 10-12)
No. 2: Job 12:1-16
No. 3: What the Illustration of the Rich Man and Lazarus Means (gt chap. 88 pars. 11-21)
No. 4: *td 15A Only 144,000 Go to Heaven
Feb. 28 Bible reading: Job 13 to 15
No. 1: Know and Appreciate Jehovah (uw pp. 12-13 pars. 1-4)
No. 2: Job 13:1-13
No. 3: A Mission of Mercy Into Judea (gt chap. 89)
No. 4: *td 16A There Is No Literal Fire in Hell
Mar. 7 Bible reading: Job 16 to 18
No. 1: Imitate Jehovah’s Example of Love (uw pp. 14-15 pars. 5-7)
No. 2: Job 16:1-11, 22
No. 3: Jesus Speaks of the Resurrection Hope (gt chap. 90)
No. 4: *td 16B Fire Is a Symbol of Annihilation
Mar. 14 Bible reading: Job 19 and 20
No. 1: Help People Learn the Truth About God (uw pp. 15-17 pars. 8 to 11 [2])
No. 2: Job 19:14-29
No. 3: Jesus Resurrects Lazarus (gt chap. 91)
No. 4: *td 16C Rich Man and Lazarus Account—No Proof of Eternal Torment
Mar. 21 Bible reading: Job 21 and 22
No. 1: There Is Only One Jehovah (uw pp. 17-18 pars. 11 [3] to 12)
No. 2: Job 21:19-34
No. 3: Show Gratitude for God’s Goodness (gt chap. 92)
No. 4: *td 17A Early Christians Did Not Observe Birthdays or Christmas
Mar. 28 Bible reading: Job 23 to 26
No. 1: What It Means to Walk in God’s Name (uw pp. 18-19 pars. 13-15)
No. 2: Job 24:1, 2, 14-25
No. 3: When the Son of Man Is Revealed (gt chap. 93)
No. 4: *td 18A The Use of Images in Worship Dishonors God
Apr. 4 Bible reading: Job 27 to 29
No. 1: Help Others Accept the Bible as God’s Word (uw pp. 20-2 pars. 1-6)
No. 2: Job 29:2-18
No. 3: The Need for Prayer and for Humility (gt chap. 94)
No. 4: *td 18B Image Worship Contributed to Israel’s Downfall
Apr. 11 Bible reading: Job 30 and 31
No. 1: Read the Bible Daily (uw pp. 23-5 pars. 7-11)
No. 2: Job 31:23-37
No. 3: Lessons on Divorce and on Love for Children (gt chap. 95)
No. 4: *td 18C “Relative” Worship Is Not Authorized by God
Apr. 18 Bible reading: Job 32 and 33
No. 1: Study to Learn About Jehovah (uw pp. 25-6 par. 12 to 12 [1])
No. 2: Job 33:1-6, 23-33
No. 3: Jesus and a Rich Young Ruler (gt chap. 96)
No. 4: *td 19A True Unity Does Not Come Through Interfaith
Apr. 25 Written Review. Complete Nehemiah 9-13; Es 1-10 to Job 1-33
May 2 Bible reading: Job 34 to 36
No. 1: Consider the Bible’s Theme and the Context of Scriptures (uw p. 26 par. 12 [2] and 12 [3])
No. 2: Job 34:1-15
No. 3: Jesus’ Illustration of the Vineyard (gt chap. 97)
No. 4: *td 19B “Good in All Religions” Is Not True
May 9 Bible reading: Job 37 and 38
No. 1: Make Personal Application and Share What You Learn With Others (uw pp. 26-8 pars. 12 [4] to 13)
No. 2: Job 37:5-14, 23, 24
No. 3: Jesus Prepares His Disciples for What Lies Ahead (gt chap. 98)
No. 4: *td 20A Christians Should Use God’s Personal Name
May 16 Bible reading: Job 39 and 40
No. 1: What the Prophets Say About Jesus (uw pp. 29-31 pars. 1-6)
No. 2: Job 40:1-14
No. 3: Jesus Restores a Lost Son of Abraham (gt chap. 99)
No. 4. *td 20B Truths About God’s Existence
May 23 Bible reading: Job 41 and 42
No. 1: Job—Why Beneficial (si p. 100 pars. 39-43)
No. 2: Job 42:1-10, 12-17
No. 3: The Illustration of the Minas (gt chap. 100)
No. 4: *td 20C Identifying God’s Attributes
May 30 Bible reading: Psalms 1 to 6
No. 1: Introduction to Psalms—Part 1 (si p. 101 pars. 1-5)
No. 2: Psalm 2:1-12
No. 3: Jesus Defends Mary for Her Fine Deed (gt chap. 101)
No. 4: *td 20D Not All Are Serving the Same God
June 6 Bible reading: Psalms 7 to 10
No. 1: Introduction to Psalms—Part 2 (si p. 102 pars. 6-11)
No. 2: Psalm 8:1–9:5
No. 3: Christ’s Triumphal Entry Into Jerusalem (gt chap. 102)
No. 4: *td 21A The Origin of Jehovah’s Witnesses
June 13 Bible reading: Psalms 11 to 17
No. 1: Pay Attention to Prophetic Patterns (uw pp. 32-3 pars. 7 to 8 [2])
No. 2: Psalm 14:1–15:5
No. 3: Jesus Condemns Those Who Defile God’s Temple (gt chap. 103)
No. 4: *td 22A Jesus Is God’s Son and Appointed King
June 20 Bible reading: Psalms 18 to 20
No. 1: Our High Priest Foreshadowed (uw p. 33 par. 8 [3] and 8 [4])
No. 2: Psalm 19:1-14
No. 3: God’s Voice Heard a Third Time (gt chap. 104)
No. 4: *td 22B Belief in Jesus Christ Is Essential to Salvation
June 27 Bible reading: Psalms 21 to 24
No. 1: Why Repentance and Faith Are Essential (uw pp. 33-7 pars. 9-14)
No. 2: Psalm 23:1–24:10
No. 3: What the Cursed Fig Tree Represents (gt chap. 105)
No. 4: *td 22C More Than Belief in Jesus Is Required
July 4 Bible reading: Psalms 25 to 29
No. 1: Obedience to God Brings True Freedom (uw pp. 38-40 pars. 1-5)
No. 2: Psalm 26:1-12
No. 3: How the Religious Leaders Are Exposed (gt chap. 106)
No. 4: *td 23A What God’s Kingdom Will Do for Mankind
July 11 Bible reading: Psalms 30 to 33
No. 1: Where True Freedom Can Be Found Today (uw pp. 40-2 pars. 6-9)
No. 2: Psalm 32:1-11
No. 3: What the Illustration of the Marriage Feast Represents (gt chap. 107)
No. 4: *td 23B Kingdom Rule Begins While Christ’s Enemies Are Still Active
July 18 Bible reading: Psalms 34 to 36
No. 1: Worldly Freedom Is Actually Slavery (uw pp. 42-3 pars. 10-12)
No. 2: Psalm 36:1-12
No. 3: They Fail to Entrap Jesus (gt chap. 108)
No. 4: *td 23C Kingdom of God Does Not Come Through Man’s Efforts
July 25 Bible reading: Psalms 37 to 39
No. 1: How to Identify Bad Associations (uw pp. 44-5 pars. 13, 14)
No. 2: Psalm 37:23-38
No. 3: Jesus Denounces His Opposers (gt chap. 109)
No. 4: *td 24A What “the End of the World” Means
Aug. 1 Bible reading: Psalms 40 to 44
No. 1: The Great Issue Everyone Must Face (uw pp. 46-7 pars. 1-3)
No. 2: Psalm 41:1-13
No. 3: Jesus’ Ministry at the Temple Is Completed (gt chap. 110)
No. 4: *td 24B Keep Awake to Evidence of the Last Days
Aug. 8 Bible reading: Psalms 45 to 49
No. 1: Imitate the Faith of Loyal Ones (uw pp. 47-52 pars. 4-11
No. 2: Psalm 45:1-7, 10-17
No. 3: Jesus Gives the Sign of the Last Days (gt chap. 111 pars. 1-11)
No. 4: *td 25A God Promises Everlasting Life for Obedient Mankind
Aug. 15 Bible reading: Psalms 50 to 52
No. 1: The Truth Honors Jehovah (uw pp. 52-4 pars. 12-15)
No. 2: Psalm 51:1-17
No. 3: Jesus Tells More About the Last Days (gt chap. 111 pars. 12-19)
No. 4: *td 25B Only Those in Christ’s Body Go to Heaven
Aug. 22 Bible reading: Psalms 53 to 57
No. 1: What God’s Permission of Evil Teaches Us (uw pp. 55-7 pars. 1-7)
No. 2: Psalm 55:1, 2, 12-23
No. 3: The Wise and the Foolish Virgins (gt chap. 111 pars. 20-8)
No. 4: *td 25C Everlasting Life Promised to Unlimited Number of “Other Sheep”
Aug. 29 Written Review. Complete Job 34-42 to Psalm 1-57
Sept. 5 Bible reading: Psalms 58 to 62
No. 1: Never Is There Injustice With God (uw pp. 58-61 pars. 8-16)
No. 2: Psalm 62:1-12
No. 3: The Illustration of the Talents (gt chap. 111 pars. 29-37)
No. 4: *td 26A The Marriage Union Must Be Honorable
Sept. 12 Bible reading: Psalms 63 to 67
No. 1: Rely on Jehovah—Resist Wicked Spirit Forces (uw pp. 62-4 pars. 1-5)
No. 2: Psalm 65:1-13
No. 3: When Christ Arrives in Kingdom Power (gt chap. 111 pars. 38-46)
No. 4: *td 26B Headship Principle Must Be Respected by Christians
Sept. 19 Bible reading: Psalms 68 and 69
No. 1: Be Alert to the Devil’s Sly Devices (uw pp. 64-7 pars. 6-12)
No. 2: Psalm 68:1-11, 32-35
No. 3: Jesus’ Final Passover Is At Hand (gt chap. 112)
No. 4: *td 26C Christian Parents’ Responsibility to Children
Sept. 26 Bible reading: Psalms 70 to 73
No. 1: Put On the Complete Suit of Armor From God (uw pp. 67-9 pars. 13-15)
No. 2: Psalm 72:1-20
No. 3: Jesus Gives a Lesson in Humility (gt chap. 113)
No. 4: *td 26D Christians Should Marry Only Christians
Oct. 3 Bible reading: Psalms 74 to 77
No. 1: Knowledge, Faith, and the Resurrection (uw pp. 70-3 pars. 1-7)
No. 2: Psalm 76:1-12
No. 3: Jesus Institutes the Memorial (gt chap. 114)
No. 4: *td 26E True Christians Are Not Polygamous
Oct. 10 Bible reading: Psalms 78 and 79
No. 1: Jesus Has the Keys of Death and of Hades (uw pp. 73-7 pars. 8-15)
No. 2: Psalm 79:1-13
No. 3: Jesus Patiently Teaches His Disciples Love and Humility (gt chap. 115)
No. 4: *td 27A Mary Was the Mother of Jesus, Not the “Mother of God”
Oct. 17 Bible reading: Psalms 80 to 85
No. 1: Appreciate God’s Enduring Kingdom (uw pp. 78-81 pars. 1-9)
No. 2: Psalm 83:1-18
No. 3: Jesus Prepares the Apostles for His Departure (gt chap. 116 pars. 1-14)
No. 4: *td 27B Bible Shows That Mary Was Not “Ever Virgin”
Oct. 24 Bible reading: Psalms 86 to 89
No. 1: The Kingdom Will Accomplish God’s Original Purpose (uw pp. 81-2 pars. 10-12)
No. 2: Psalm 86:1-17
No. 3: Who Jesus’ Real Friends Are (gt chap. 116 pars. 15-25)
No. 4: *td 28A What the Scriptures Say About the Memorial
Oct. 31 Bible reading: Psalms 90 to 94
No. 1: What the Kingdom Has Already Accomplished (uw pp. 83-6 pars. 13-15)
No. 2: Psalm 90:1-17
No. 3: Jesus Forearms and Encourages His Disciples (gt chap. 116 pars. 26-37)
No. 4: *td 28B The Celebration of the Mass Is Unscriptural
Nov. 7 Bible reading: Psalms 95 to 101
No. 1: How We Seek First the Kingdom (uw pp. 87-9 pars. 1-6)
No. 2: Psalm 100:1–101:8
No. 3: Jesus’ Concluding Prayer in the Upper Room (gt chap. 116 pars. 38-51)
No. 4: *td 29A All Christians Must Be Ministers
Nov. 14 Bible reading: Psalms 102 to 104
No. 1: Follow the Pattern of the Early Disciples (uw pp. 90-1 pars. 7-9)
No. 2: Psalm 103:1-14, 21, 22
No. 3: Agony in the Garden (gt chap. 117)
No. 4: *td 29B Qualifications for the Ministry
Nov. 21 Bible reading: Psalms 105 and 106
No. 1: Personally Keep the Kingdom First (uw pp. 91-4 pars. 10-15)
No. 2: Psalm 106:1-12, 47, 48
No. 3: The Betrayal and Arrest of Jesus (gt chap. 118)
No. 4: *td 30A Why True Christians Are Hated
Nov. 28 Bible reading: Psalms 107 to 109
No. 1: What the Scriptures Say About Baptism by John (uw pp. 95-6 pars. 1-5)
No. 2: Psalm 108:1-13
No. 3: Jesus Is Treated Abusively and Tried Illegally (gt chap. 119)
No. 4: *td 30B A Wife Should Not Allow Her Husband to Separate Her From God
Dec. 5 Bible reading: Psalms 110 to 115
No. 1: Baptism Into Death (uw pp. 97-8 pars. 6-8)
No. 2: Psalm 110:1-7; 114:1-8
No. 3: Fear of Man Moves Peter to Deny Christ (gt chap. 120)
No. 4: *td 30C A Husband Should Not Allow His Wife to Prevent His Serving God
Dec. 12 Bible reading: Psalms 116 to 119:32
No. 1: Baptism “in the Name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit” (uw p. 98 par. 9)
No. 2: Psalm 116:1-19
No. 3: Jesus Courageously Speaks the Truth Before the Sanhedrin and Pilate (gt chap. 121)
No. 4: *td 31A Prayers That God Hears
Dec. 19 Bible reading: Psalm 119:33-112
No. 1: Baptism and Christian Responsibilities (uw pp. 99-102 pars. 10-14)
No. 2: Psalm 119:97-112
No. 3: Neither Pilate nor Herod Can Find Fault in Jesus (gt chap. 122)
No. 4: *td 31B Why Certain Prayers Are Not Valid
Dec. 26 Written Review. Complete Psalms 58 to Ps 119:112