Theocratic Ministry School Schedule for 1995
INSTRUCTIONS
During 1995 the following will be the arrangements when conducting the Theocratic Ministry School.
TEXTBOOKS: The New World Translation of the Holy Scriptures [bi12], Jehovah’s Witnesses—Proclaimers of God’s Kingdom [jv], “All Scripture Is Inspired of God and Beneficial” (1990 Edition) [si], The Greatest Man Who Ever Lived [gt], “Bible Topics for Discussion” as found in the New World Translation [*td], and United in Worship of the Only True God [uw] 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 a ministerial servant, and it will be based on Jehovah’s Witnesses—Proclaimers of God’s Kingdom or “All Scripture Is Inspired of God and Beneficial.” When based on the Proclaimers book, this assignment should be delivered as a 15-minute instruction talk with no oral review; when based on the “All Scripture” book, it 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. Illustrations, photographs, and charts found in the Proclaimers book may be commented on by the speaker and used as teaching aids. 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 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 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 or “Bible Topics for Discussion” as found in the New World Translation. 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. Sisters assigned this talk will need to adapt the theme and the material to be considered to a practical setting, preferably one that involves field service or informal witnessing. Not the setting but the effective use of the material should be given prime consideration.
TALK NO. 4: 5 minutes. Assigned to a brother or a sister. It will be based on United in Worship of the Only True God. 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. 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 may 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. 2 Bible reading: Psalm 119:113-176
No. 1: Integrity-Keeping Witnesses to Jehovah’s Rightful Sovereignty (jv p. 10-p. 13 par. 2)
No. 2: Psalm 119:161-176
No. 3: Why Jesus Was Called “The Man” (gt chap. 123)
No. 4: Identifying the Great Crowd (uw pp. 103-4 pars. 1-4)
Jan. 9 Bible reading: Psalms 120 to 130
No. 1: Early Witnesses Who Proved Loyal to Jehovah (jv p. 13 par. 3–p. 18)
No. 2: Psalm 122:1–123:4
No. 3: Why Pilate Feared Jesus (gt chap. 124)
No. 4: Traits the Other Sheep Must Manifest (uw p. 105 par. 5)
Jan. 16 Bible reading: Psalms 131 to 136
No. 1: Jesus Christ, the Faithful Witness (jv p. 19-p. 20 par. 3)
No. 2: Psalm 132:1-18
No. 3: Evidences of Jesus’ Love for Humankind (gt chap. 125)
No. 4: Why the Great Crowd Survives the Great Tribulation (uw pp. 106-7 pars. 6-8)
Jan. 23 Bible reading: Psalms 137 to 140
No. 1: Jesus Loyally Bore Witness to God’s Name and Kingdom (jv p. 20 par. 4–p. 25)
No. 2: Psalm 137:1–138:8
No. 3: How Jesus Was Exemplary to the End (gt chap. 126)
No. 4: Why We Treasure Our Spiritual Paradise (uw pp. 107-9 pars. 9-13)
Jan. 30 Bible reading: Psalms 141 to 145
No. 1: Psalms—Why Beneficial—Part 1 (si pp. 104-5 pars. 23-7)
No. 2: Psalm 144:1-15
No. 3: Why Jesus’ Burial and an Empty Tomb Interest Us (gt chap. 127)
No. 4: Why So Few Kingdom Heirs on Earth Today? (uw pp. 110-12 pars. 1-7)
Feb. 6 Bible reading: Psalms 146 to 150
No. 1: Psalms—Why Beneficial—Part 2 (si pp. 105-6 pars. 28-32)
No. 2: Psalm 148:1-14
No. 3: The Joy of Jesus’ Resurrection (gt chap. 128)
No. 4: How Do They Know They Are Spiritual Sons? (uw pp. 112-13 pars. 8-10)
Feb. 13 Bible reading: Proverbs 1 and 2
No. 1: Introduction to Proverbs—Part 1 (si pp. 106-7 pars. 1-5)
No. 2: Proverbs 2:1-19
No. 3: How Faith in the Resurrection Is Fortified (gt chap. 129)
No. 4: The Memorial Celebration Is Not an Empty Religious Ritual (uw pp. 114-16 pars. 11-14)
Feb. 20 Bible reading: Proverbs 3 and 4
No. 1: Introduction to Proverbs—Part 2 (si pp. 107-8 pars. 6-11)
No. 2: Proverbs 3:1-18
No. 3: Jesus Explains How to Show Love (gt chap. 130)
No. 4: Identifying Jehovah’s Visible Organization (uw pp. 117-18 pars. 1-3)
Feb. 27 Bible reading: Proverbs 5 and 6
No. 1: Christian Witnesses of Jehovah in the First Century (jv p. 26-p. 28 par. 3)
No. 2: Proverbs 6:1-19
No. 3: How Jesus Fortifies His Disciples (gt chap. 131)
No. 4: God’s Organization Is Theocratic (uw pp. 118-20 pars. 4-7)
Mar. 6 Bible reading: Proverbs 7 and 8
No. 1: Organization of the Christian Congregation (jv p. 28 par. 4–p. 29 par. 4)
No. 2: Proverbs 8:22-36
No. 3: What Jesus Does at God’s Right Hand (gt chap. 132)
No. 4: The Scriptural Role of the Governing Body (uw pp. 120-22 pars. 8-12)
Mar. 13 Bible reading: Proverbs 9 and 10
No. 1: Identifying Characteristics of the Christian Congregation (jv p. 29 par. 5–p. 32)
No. 2: Proverbs 10:16-32
No. 3: Why Jesus Was the Greatest Man Who Ever Lived (gt chap. 133)
No. 4: Analyzing Our Appreciation for God’s Organization (uw pp. 123-4 pars. 13, 14)
Mar. 20 Bible reading: Proverbs 11 and 12
No. 1: The Great Apostasy Develops (jv p. 33-p. 37 par. 1)
No. 2: Proverbs 11:1-14
No. 3: Why Everyone Should Read the Greatest Man Book (gt—Prepare from introductory material in book.)
No. 4: Why Listen to Counsel? (uw pp. 125-7 pars. 1-4)
Mar. 27 Bible reading: Proverbs 13 and 14
No. 1: Turning Away From Christ’s Pure Teachings (jv p. 37 par. 2–p. 41)
No. 2: Proverbs 14:1-16
No. 3: *td 32A Man Is Not Predestinated
No. 4: Fine Examples of Those Who Accepted Counsel (uw pp. 127-8 pars. 5, 6)
Apr. 3 Bible reading: Proverbs 15 and 16
No. 1: A Search for Truth (jv p. 42-p. 46 par. 1)
No. 2: Proverbs 15:1-16
No. 3: *td 33A Jesus’ Human Life Was a Ransom for All
No. 4: Cultivate Priceless Qualities (uw pp. 128-30 pars. 7-11)
Apr. 10 Bible reading: Proverbs 17 and 18
No. 1: Proclaiming the Lord’s Return (jv p. 46 par. 2–p. 51 par. 3)
No. 2: Proverbs 18:1-15
No. 3: *td 33B Why Jesus Could Pay the Ransom
No. 4: Do Not Reject Jehovah’s Discipline (uw pp. 130-1 pars. 12-14)
Apr. 17 Bible reading: Proverbs 19 and 20
No. 1: Out Of Babylon Into Spiritual Refreshment (jv p. 51 par. 4–p. 55 par. 4)
No. 2: Proverbs 19:8-23
No. 3: *td 34A How to Identify the One True Religion
No. 4: Love Identifies True Christians (uw pp. 132-3 pars. 1-5)
Apr. 24 Written Review. Complete Psalm 119:113–150:6 to Proverbs 1-20
May 1 Bible reading: Proverbs 21 and 22
No. 1: Intensifying the Proclamation of the Lord’s Return (jv p. 55 par. 5–p. 60)
No. 2: Proverbs 22:1-16
No. 3: *td 34B Is It Wrong to Condemn False Teachings?
No. 4: What to Do When Problems Arise (uw p. 134 pars. 6-9)
May 8 Bible reading: Proverbs 23 and 24
No. 1: Great Expectations (jv p. 61-p. 64 par. 2)
No. 2: Proverbs 24:1-16
No. 3: *td 34C When God Approves of a Change of Religion
No. 4: Handle Problems Scripturally (uw pp. 135-6 pars. 10-13)
May 15 Bible reading: Proverbs 25 and 26
No. 1: A Change in Administration (jv p. 64 par. 3–p. 69 par. 2)
No. 2: Proverbs 25:1-13
No. 3: *td 34D Does God See “Good in All Religions”?
No. 4: Seek Ways to “Widen Out” (uw pp. 137-8 pars. 14-17)
May 22 Bible reading: Proverbs 27 and 28
No. 1: Proverbs—Why Beneficial—Part 1 (si pp. 109-10 pars. 19-28)
No. 2: Proverbs 28:1-14
No. 3: *td 35A Who Will Be Raised From the Dead?
No. 4: Practice Godly Devotion at Home (uw p. 139 pars. 1, 2)
May 29 Bible reading: Proverbs 29 to 31
No. 1: Proverbs—Why Beneficial—Part 2 (si pp. 110-11 pars. 29-38)
No. 2: Proverbs 31:10-31
No. 3: *td 35B Where Will the Dead Be Resurrected?
No. 4: What the Bible Says About Marriage, Divorce, and Separation (uw p. 140 par. 3)
June 5 Bible reading: Ecclesiastes 1 to 3
No. 1: Introduction to Ecclesiastes (si pp. 112-13 pars. 1-8)
No. 2: Ecclesiastes 3:1-9, 18-22
No. 3: *td 36A The Return of Christ Is Invisible
No. 4: Key Factors in Successful Marriage (uw pp. 140-1 pars. 4, 5)
June 12 Bible reading: Ecclesiastes 4 to 6
No. 1: A Time of Testing (jv p. 69 par. 3–p. 71)
No. 2: Ecclesiastes 5:1-8, 18-20
No. 3: *td 36B The Return of Christ Is Discerned by Physical Facts
No. 4: Fulfill Your Role in God’s Family Arrangement (uw pp. 142-3 pars. 6-10)
June 19 Bible reading: Ecclesiastes 7 to 9
No. 1: Out Of Prison and On With the Work (jv p. 72-p. 77 par. 3)
No. 2: Ecclesiastes 7:1-12
No. 3: *td 37A Christians Are Not Obligated to Keep the Sabbath
No. 4: Let the Bible Be Your Source of Counsel (uw p. 144 pars. 11-13)
June 26 Bible reading: Ecclesiastes 10 to 12
No. 1: Ecclesiastes—Why Beneficial (si p. 114 pars. 15-19)
No. 2: Ecclesiastes 12:1-14
No. 3: *td 37B The Sabbath Law Was Not Given to Christians
No. 4: Why the Mosaic Law Interests Us (uw pp. 146-7 pars. 1-4)
July 3 Bible reading: Song of Solomon 1 to 4
No. 1: Introduction to Song of Solomon (si p. 115 pars. 1-4)
No. 2: Song of Solomon 2:1-14
No. 3: *td 37C When God’s Sabbath Rest Begins and Ends
No. 4: Scriptural Reasons Why We Are Not Under the Mosaic Law (uw pp. 147-8 pars. 5, 6)
July 10 Bible reading: Song of Solomon 5 to 8
No. 1: Song of Solomon—Why Beneficial (si p. 117 pars. 16-18)
No. 2: Song of Solomon 8:1-14
No. 3: *td 38A God Gives Salvation Only Through Christ
No. 4: Faith Is Vital for Forgiveness and Salvation (uw pp. 148-50 pars. 7-10)
July 17 Bible reading: Isaiah 1 to 3
No. 1: Introduction to Isaiah (si pp. 118-19 pars. 1-8)
No. 2: Isaiah 1:1-13
No. 3: *td 38B “Once Saved, Always Saved” Is Not Scriptural
No. 4: Benefits From Knowing the Law (uw pp. 150-1 pars. 11-13; p. 153 par. 14)
July 24 Bible reading: Isaiah 4 to 7
No. 1: Advertise the King and the Kingdom (jv p. 77 par. 4–p. 83 par. 2)
No. 2: Isaiah 6:1-13
No. 3: *td 38C “Universal Salvation” Is Not Scriptural
No. 4: Basic Principles in the Mosaic Law: “Responsibilities Toward God” (uw p. 152)
July 31 Bible reading: Isaiah 8 to 10
No. 1: Fearless Proclaimers of Kingdom Truth (jv p. 83 par. 3–p. 89)
No. 2: Isaiah 9:1-12
No. 3: *td 39A What Sin Is
No. 4: Basic Principles in the Mosaic Law: “Forbidden Religious Practices” (uw p. 152)
Aug. 7 Bible reading: Isaiah 11 to 13
No. 1: Declaring the Good News Without Letup (jv p. 90-p. 94 par. 5)
No. 2: Isaiah 11:1-10
No. 3: *td 39B Why All Humans Suffer From Adam’s Sin
No. 4: Basic Principles in the Mosaic Law: “Marriage and Family Life” (uw p. 152)
Aug. 14 Bible reading: Isaiah 14 to 17
No. 1: Qualified Teachers Carry the Good News Into Many Lands (jv p. 94 par. 6–p. 98 par. 3)
No. 2: Isaiah 14:3-20
No. 3: *td 39C What Was the Forbidden Fruit?
No. 4: Basic Principles in the Mosaic Law: “Duties Involving Other Persons” (uw p. 152)
Aug. 21 Bible reading: Isaiah 18 to 22
No. 1: Theocracy’s Increase (jv p. 98 par. 4–p. 102 par. 3)
No. 2: Isaiah 21:1-17
No. 3: *td 39D What Is Sin Against the Holy Spirit?
No. 4: Life and Blood Are Sacred (uw pp. 154-6 pars. 1-6)
Aug. 28 Written Review. Complete Proverbs 21-31; Ec 1-12; Ca 1-8 to Isaiah 1-22
Sept. 4 Bible reading: Isaiah 23 to 26
No. 1: Well Equipped to Proclaim the Good News (jv p. 103 par. 1–p. 107)
No. 2: Isaiah 25:1-12
No. 3: *td 40A What Is the Soul?
No. 4: The Medical Use of Blood and a Christian’s Responsibility (uw pp. 156-8 pars. 7-9)
Sept. 11. Bible reading: Isaiah 27 to 29
No. 1: Jehovah’s Word Keeps Moving Speedily (jv p. 108-p. 112 par. 4)
No. 2: Isaiah 28:1-13
No. 3: *td 40B How Do the Soul and the Spirit Differ?
No. 4: How Serious Is the Sacredness of Blood? (uw pp. 159-60 pars. 10-12)
Sept. 18 Bible reading: Isaiah 30 to 33
No. 1: A People Zealous for Fine Works (jv p. 112 par. 5–p. 117)
No. 2: Isaiah 32:1-8, 16-20
No. 3: *td 41A What Is the Holy Spirit?
No. 4: True Christians Are No Part of the World (uw pp. 161-3 pars. 1-6)
Sept. 25 Bible reading: Isaiah 34 to 37
No. 1: Growing in Knowledge of God and of His Word (jv p. 120-p. 126 par. 2)
No. 2: Isaiah 35:1-10
No. 3: *td 41B The Life-Force of Man and Beast Is Called Spirit
No. 4: What Being No Part of the World Requires of Christians (uw pp. 163-5 pars. 7-10)
Oct. 2 Bible reading: Isaiah 38 to 40
No. 1: Appreciation for the Truth About Death and the Ransom (jv p. 126 par. 3–p. 132 par. 1)
No. 2: Isaiah 40:12-26
No. 3: *td 41C Why Shun All Forms of Spiritism?
No. 4: Christian Neutrality in the Time of the End (uw pp. 165-8 pars. 11-16)
Oct. 9 Bible reading: Isaiah 41 to 43
No. 1: Discerning the Manner and the Time of the Lord’s Return (jv p. 132 par. 2–p. 137)
No. 2: Isaiah 43:1-15
No. 3: *td 42A Why Jehovah Cannot Be Part of a Trinity
No. 4: Continue to Speak God’s Word With Boldness (uw pp. 169-70 pars. 1-4)
Oct. 16 Bible reading: Isaiah 44 to 46
No. 1: What Would the Setting Up of God’s Kingdom Mean? (jv p. 138-p. 142 par. 2)
No. 2: Isaiah 46:1-13
No. 3: *td 42B The Son Is Not Equal to the Father
No. 4: How We Rely on Jehovah for Strength (uw pp. 170-1 pars. 5-7)
Oct. 23 Bible reading: Isaiah 47 to 49
No. 1: The Means by Which Jehovah’s Servants Are Taught (jv p. 142 par. 3–p. 148)
No. 2: Isaiah 48:1-11, 16-19
No. 3: *td 42C How God and Christ Are One
No. 4: Benefiting From the Apostles’ Example (uw p. 172 par. 8)
Oct. 30 Bible reading: Isaiah 50 to 53
No. 1: How We Came to Be Known as Jehovah’s Witnesses (jv p. 149-p. 156 par. 3)
No. 2: Isaiah 52:1-15
No. 3: *td 42D The Holy Spirit Is Not a Person
No. 4: Preaching With Boldness and Discernment (uw pp. 173-5 pars. 9-13)
Nov. 6 Bible reading: Isaiah 54 to 57
No. 1: Jehovah’s Witnesses—The Responsibility That Goes With the Name (jv p. 156 par. 4–p. 158)
No. 2: Isaiah 55:1-13
No. 3: *td 43A God Is Not Responsible for World Distress
No. 4: Why Keep Close in Mind That Jehovah’s Day Is Near? (uw pp. 176-7 pars. 1-4)
Nov. 13 Bible reading: Isaiah 58 to 62
No. 1: Preaching With What Objective (From 1879 to 1925)? (jv p. 159-p. 163 par. 2)
No. 2: Isaiah 60:4-17
No. 3: *td 43B Why God Has Permitted Wickedness
No. 4: Keep Alert to Events Fulfilling the Sign (uw pp. 178-9 pars. 5, 6)
Nov. 20 Bible reading: Isaiah 63 to 66
No. 1: Isaiah—Why Beneficial (si p. 123 pars. 34-39)
No. 2: Isaiah 65:11-25
No. 3: *td 43C God Manifests His Great Mercy
No. 4: The Great Separating Work—Evidence That the End Is Near (uw pp. 179-81 pars. 7-10)
Nov. 27 Bible reading: Jeremiah 1 to 3
No. 1: Introduction to Jeremiah (si p. 124 pars. 1-5)
No. 2: Jeremiah 1:4-19
No. 3: *td 43D God’s Kingdom Is the Only Remedy
No. 4: What Lies Ahead Before Jehovah’s Day Begins? (uw pp. 181-3 pars. 11-14)
Dec. 4 Bible reading: Jeremiah 4 to 6
No. 1: Identifying the Great Crowd (jv p. 163 par. 3–p. 170 par. 1)
No. 2: Jeremiah 5:1-14
No. 3: *td 44A All True Christians Must Bear Witness to the Truth
No. 4: Jehovah’s Wise and Loving Purpose (uw pp. 184-5 pars. 1-5)
Dec. 11 Bible reading: Jeremiah 7 to 9
No. 1: Zeal in an Urgent Work Calls Forth God’s Blessing (jv p. 170 par. 2–p. 171)
No. 2: Jeremiah 9:12-26
No. 3: *td 44B Why We Keep Calling on People
No. 4: Jehovah Unifies His People (uw pp. 186-7 pars. 6-9)
Dec. 18 Bible reading: Jeremiah 10 to 12
No. 1: Recognized by Our Holding to the Bible’s Moral Standards (jv p. 172-p. 178 par. 3)
No. 2: Jeremiah 10:6-15, 22-25
No. 3: *td 44C Witnessing Frees Us From Bloodguilt
No. 4: Human Creation Will Be Set Free (uw pp. 188-91 pars. 10-17)
Dec. 25 Written Review. Complete Isaiah 23-66 to Jeremiah 1-12