Theocratic Ministry School Schedule for 2001
Instructions
During 2001 the following will be the arrangements when conducting the Theocratic Ministry School.
SOURCE MATERIAL: The New World Translation of the Holy Scriptures [bi12], The Watchtower [w], “All Scripture Is Inspired of God and Beneficial” (1990 Edition) [si], and Reasoning From the Scriptures [rs] will be the basis for assignments.
The school should begin ON TIME with song, prayer, and a brief welcome. There is no need to give a preview of what is on the program. As the school overseer introduces each part, he will mention the subject to be developed. Proceed as follows:
ASSIGNMENT NO. 1: 15 minutes. This should be handled by an elder or a ministerial servant, and it will be based on The Watchtower or “All Scripture Is Inspired of God and Beneficial.” When based on The Watchtower, 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 talk, followed by a 3- to 5-minute oral review 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.
The brothers assigned this talk should be careful to keep within the time limit. Private counsel may be given if necessary or if requested by the speaker.
HIGHLIGHTS FROM BIBLE READING: 6 minutes. This should be handled by an elder or a ministerial servant who will effectively apply the material to local needs. No theme is necessary. This should not be just a summary of the assigned reading. A 30- to 60-second overall review of the assigned chapters may be included. The principal objective, however, 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.
ASSIGNMENT NO. 2: 5 minutes. This is a Bible reading of the assigned material to be given by a brother, whether the student is in the main school or in an auxiliary school. The reading assignments are usually short enough to permit the students 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 be read without a break. Of course, when the verses to be read are not consecutive, the student may cite the verse where the reading continues.
ASSIGNMENT NO. 3: 5 minutes. This will be assigned to a sister. The subject for this presentation will be based on Reasoning From the Scriptures. The setting may be an informal witness, a return visit, or a home Bible study, and the participants may be either seated or standing. The school overseer will be particularly interested in the way the student develops the assigned theme and helps the householder to reason on the scriptures. The student assigned this part should know how to read. One assistant will be scheduled by the school overseer, but an additional assistant may be used. Not the setting but the effective use of the Bible should be given prime consideration.
ASSIGNMENT NO. 4: 5 minutes. The subject for this assignment will be based on Reasoning From the Scriptures. A brother or a sister may be given Assignment No. 4. When assigned to a brother, it should always be a talk. When assigned to a sister, it should be presented as outlined for Assignment No. 3.
BIBLE READING SCHEDULE: Everyone in the congregation is encouraged to follow the weekly Bible reading schedule, which amounts to reading about one page a day.
NOTE: For additional information and instruction regarding counsel, timing, written reviews, and the preparation of assignments, please see page 3 of the October 1996 Our Kingdom Ministry.
SCHEDULE
Jan. 1 Bible reading: 2 Kings 13-16
No. 1: An Act of Forgiveness Opens the Way for Salvation (w99 1/1 pp. 30-1)
No. 2: 2 Kings 14:1-14
No. 3: Abortion—Why Forbidden? (rs pp. 25-6 par. 4)
No. 4: Responding to Someone Who Says: ‘I Have a Right to Decide on Matters Affecting My Own Body’ (rs p. 26 par. 5)
Jan. 8 Bible reading: 2 Kings 17-20
No. 1: Counsel That Is Easier to Accept (w99 1/15 pp. 21-4)
No. 2: 2 Kings 18:1-16
No. 3: Adam and Eve—Actual Historical People? (rs pp. 27-8 par. 5)
No. 4: Responding to Someone Who Says: ‘Adam’s Sin Was God’s Will, God’s Plan’ (rs p. 29 pars. 1-2)
Jan. 15 Bible reading: 2 Kings 21-25
No. 1: 2 Kings—Why Beneficial (si p. 74 pars. 33-6)
No. 2: 2 Kings 21:1-16
No. 3: Why Is Ancestor Worship Futile? (rs pp. 29-31 par. 3)
No. 4: Why Ancestor Worship Displeases Jehovah God (rs p. 31 par. 4–p. 32 par. 1)
Jan. 22 Bible reading: 1 Chronicles 1-5
No. 1: Introduction to 1 Chronicles (si pp. 75-6 pars. 1-7)
No. 2: 1 Chronicles 1:1-27
No. 3: Who Are the Antichrists? (rs pp. 32-3)
No. 4: Identifying Apostates (rs pp. 34-6 par. 1)
Jan. 29 Bible reading: 1 Chronicles 6-10
No. 1: How True Humility Can Be Shown (w99 2/1 pp. 6-7)
No. 2: 1 Chronicles 9:1-21
No. 3: What Should Be Our Attitude Toward Apostates? (rs p. 36 par. 2–p. 37 par. 2)
No. 4: Christ Did Not Build Church on Peter (rs pp. 37-9 par. 3)
Feb. 5 Bible reading: 1 Chronicles 11-16
No. 1: Be a Source of Encouragement (w99 2/15 pp. 26-9)
No. 2: 1 Chronicles 11:1-19
No. 3: What Were the Keys Peter Used? (rs p. 39 par. 4–p. 41 par. 5)
No. 4: “Apostolic Successors” Not True Christians (rs p. 42 par. 1–p. 44 par. 3)
Feb. 12 Bible reading: 1 Chronicles 17-23
No. 1: Gird Yourselves With Lowliness of Mind (w99 3/1 pp. 30-1)
No. 2: 1 Chronicles 18:1-17
No. 3: Where Will Armageddon Be Fought? (rs pp. 44-6 par. 3)
No. 4: Who and What Will Be Destroyed at Armageddon? (rs p. 46 par. 4–p. 47 par. 2)
Feb. 19 Bible reading: 1 Chronicles 24-29
No. 1: 1 Chronicles—Why Beneficial (si pp. 78-9 pars. 22-5)
No. 2: 1 Chronicles 29:1-13
No. 3: Who Will Survive Armageddon? (rs p. 47 pars. 3-8)
No. 4: Armageddon—No Violation of God’s Love (rs p. 48 pars. 1-3)
Feb. 26 Bible reading: 2 Chronicles 1-5
No. 1: Introduction to 2 Chronicles (si pp. 79-80 pars. 1-6)
No. 2: 2 Chronicles 1:1-17
No. 3: No Neutral Position Possible at Armageddon (rs p. 48 pars. 4-7)
No. 4: Whose Influence Is Pushing Nations Toward the Armageddon Situation? (rs p. 48 par. 8–p. 49 par. 1)
Mar. 5 Bible reading: 2 Chronicles 6-9
No. 1: Do Not Be Overcome by Anxiety (w99 3/15 pp. 21-3)
No. 2: 2 Chronicles 8:1-16
No. 3: Identifying the Babylon of Revelation (rs p. 49 pars. 2-3)
No. 4: For What Was Ancient Babylon Noted? (rs p. 50 par. 1–p. 51 par. 5)
Mar. 12 Bible reading: 2 Chronicles 10-15
No. 1: Who Molds Your Thinking? (w99 4/1 pp. 20-2)
No. 2: 2 Chronicles 10:1-16
No. 3: Why Professed Christian Religions Are Part of Babylon the Great (rs p. 52 par. 1–p. 53 par. 1)
No. 4: Why It Is Urgent to Get Out of Babylon the Great (rs p. 53 pars. 2-7)
Mar. 19 Bible reading: 2 Chronicles 16-20
No. 1: Protect Your Heart From the Spirit of Baal Worship (w99 4/1 pp. 28-31)
No. 2: 2 Chronicles 16:1-14
No. 3: What Baptism Is, and Why Believers Get Baptized (rs p. 54 pars. 1-4)
No. 4: Christian Baptism—Not by Sprinkling, Not for Infants (rs p. 54 par. 5–p. 55 par. 4)
Mar. 26 Bible reading: 2 Chronicles 21-25
No. 1: Do Not Hold Back From Expressing Appreciation (w99 4/15 pp. 15-17)
No. 2: 2 Chronicles 22:1-12
No. 3: Water Baptism Does Not Forgive Sins (rs p. 55 par. 5–p. 56 par. 1)
No. 4: Who Is Baptized With Holy Spirit? (rs p. 56 par. 2–p. 57 par. 3)
Apr. 2 Bible reading: 2 Chronicles 26-29
No. 1: Does God Work in “Crooked” Ways? (w99 5/1 pp. 28-9)
No. 2: 2 Chronicles 28:1-15
No. 3: Baptism by Fire Not Same as by Holy Spirit (rs p. 57 par. 4–p. 58 par. 2)
No. 4: Reasons for Considering the Bible (rs pp. 58-60 par. 2)
Apr. 9 Bible reading: 2 Chronicles 30-33
No. 1: How Can Humans Bless Jehovah God? (w99 5/15 pp. 21-4)
No. 2: 2 Chronicles 33:1-13
No. 3: Proof From Isaiah and Jeremiah of the Bible’s Inspiration (rs p. 60 par. 3–p. 61 par. 3)
No. 4: Fulfillment of Jesus’ Prophecies Prove Bible’s Inspiration (rs p. 61 par. 4–p. 62 par. 1)
Apr. 16 Bible reading: 2 Chronicles 34-36
No. 1: 2 Chronicles—Why Beneficial (si p. 84 pars. 34-6)
No. 2: 2 Chronicles 36:1-16
No. 3: The Bible Is Scientifically Sound (rs p. 62 par. 2–p. 64 par. 3)
No. 4: aResponding to Objections About the Bible (rs p. 64 par. 4–p. 68 par. 1)
Apr. 23 Bible reading: Ezra 1-6
No. 1: Introduction to Ezra and Why Beneficial (si p. 85 pars. 1-7; p. 87 pars. 14-18)
No. 2: Ezra 4:1-16
No. 3: Why Do Christians Not Celebrate Birthdays? (rs pp. 68-70 par. 2)
No. 4: Why Do Christians Abstain From Blood? (rs pp. 70-2 par. 3)
Apr. 30 Written Review. Bible reading: Ezra 7-10
May 7 Bible reading: Nehemiah 1-5
No. 1: Introduction to Nehemiah (si p. 88 pars. 1-5)
No. 2: Nehemiah 1:1-11
No. 3: Why Do Christians Not Accept Blood Transfusions? (rs p. 72 par. 4–p. 73 par. 4)
No. 4: bResponding to Assertions About Blood Transfusions (rs p. 74 par. 1–p. 76 par. 2)
May 14 Bible reading: Nehemiah 6-9
No. 1: The Christian Congregation Is a Source of Strengthening Aid (w99 5/15 pp. 25-8)
No. 2: Nehemiah 9:1-15
No. 3: What Does It Mean to Be Born Again? (rs pp. 76-7 par. 7)
No. 4: Salvation Not Dependent Upon Being “Born Again” (rs p. 77 par. 8–p. 79 par. 1)
May 21 Bible reading: Nehemiah 10-13
No. 1: Nehemiah—Why Beneficial (si pp. 90-1 pars. 16-19)
No. 2: Nehemiah 12:27-43
No. 3: cResponding to Viewpoints About Being Born Again (rs p. 79 par. 3–p. 80 par. 2)
No. 4: Confessing to Priests—Why Not Scriptural? (rs pp. 80-1 par. 9)
May 28 Bible reading: Esther 1-4
No. 1: Introduction to Esther (si pp. 91-2 pars. 1-6)
No. 2: Esther 1:1-15
No. 3: Confessing Sins Against God and Man (rs p. 83 pars. 2-8)
No. 4: Why Should Serious Sins Be Confessed to Elders? (rs p. 83 par. 9–p. 84 par. 4)
June 4 Bible reading: Esther 5-10
No. 1: Esther—Why Beneficial (si p. 94 pars. 16-18)
No. 2: Esther 5:1-14
No. 3: Why Is It Reasonable to Believe in Creation? (rs pp. 84-6 par. 2)
No. 4: Understanding the Bible’s Account of Creation (rs p. 86 par. 3–p. 88 par. 4)
June 11 Bible reading: Job 1-7
No. 1: Introduction to Job (si pp. 95-6 pars. 1-6)
No. 2: Job 1:6-22
No. 3: Why Is Veneration of the Cross Unscriptural? (rs p. 92 par. 1–p. 93 par. 1)
No. 4: Why Do Humans Die? (rs pp. 98-9 par. 6)
June 18 Bible reading: Job 8-14
No. 1: Saul—A Chosen Vessel to the Lord (w99 5/15 pp. 29-31)
No. 2: Job 8:1-22
No. 3: Where Are the Dead, and What Is Their Condition? (rs p. 99 par. 7–p. 101 par. 4)
No. 4: Why Do Jehovah’s Witnesses Not Share in Traditional Mourning Customs? (rs p. 102 par. 1–p. 103 par. 2)
June 25 Bible reading: Job 15-21
No. 1: God Is Not Slow Regarding His Promise (w99 6/1 pp. 4-7)
No. 2: Job 17:1-16
No. 3: dResponding to Incorrect Viewpoints About Death (rs p. 103 par. 3–p. 104 par. 1)
No. 4: Dreams: Inspired and Otherwise (rs pp. 104-6 par. 3)
July 2 Bible reading: Job 22-29
No. 1: Should You Broaden Your Viewpoint? (w99 6/15 pp. 10-13)
No. 2: Job 27:1-23
No. 3: Drugs—When Forbidden to Christians (rs pp. 106-8 par. 1)
No. 4: Why Christians Avoid Marijuana (rs p. 108 par. 2–p. 109 par. 2)
July 9 Bible reading: Job 30-35
No. 1: Why You Can Trust Bible Prophecy (w99 7/15 pp. 4-8)
No. 2: Job 31:1-22
No. 3: Why Do Christians Avoid Tobacco? (rs p. 109 par. 3–p. 111 par. 3)
No. 4: Overcoming Bad Habits—How? (rs p. 111 par. 4–p. 112 par. 3)
July 16 Bible reading: Job 36-42
No. 1: Job—Why Beneficial (si p. 100 pars. 39-43)
No. 2: Job 36:1-22
No. 3: Nations Will Not Frustrate God’s Purpose Regarding Earth (rs pp. 112-13 par. 5)
No. 4: Will Jehovah Destroy the Earth by Fire? (rs p. 113 par. 6–p. 115 par. 1)
July 23 Bible reading: Psalms 1-10
No. 1: Introduction to Psalms—Part 1 (si p. 101 pars. 1-5)
No. 2: Psalm 3:1–4:8
No. 3: Members of New Jerusalem Not to Return to Earth After Wicked Are Destroyed (rs p. 115 par. 2–p. 116 par. 1)
No. 4: Has God’s Original Purpose for Earth Changed? (rs p. 116 par. 2–p. 117 par. 2)
July 30 Bible reading: Psalms 11-18
No. 1: Introduction to Psalms—Part 2 (si p. 102 pars. 6-11)
No. 2: Psalm 11:1–13:6
No. 3: How Can We Encourage Sick Ones? (rs pp. 117-18 par. 1)
No. 4: How We Can Encourage Bereaved Ones (rs p. 118 pars. 2-6)
Aug. 6 Bible reading: Psalms 19-26
No. 1: Wholesome Communication—A Key to a Good Marriage (w99 7/15 pp. 21-3)
No. 2: Psalm 20:1–21:13
No. 3: Encouragement for Those Persecuted for Doing God’s Will (rs p. 118 par. 7–p. 119 par. 4)
No. 4: How Can You Encourage Those Disheartened by Injustices? (rs p. 119 par. 5–p. 120 par. 2)
Aug. 13 Bible reading: Psalms 27-34
No. 1: Philip—A Zealous Evangelizer (w99 7/15 pp. 24-5)
No. 2: Psalm 28:1–29:11
No. 3: What Encouragement for Those Pressed by Economic Problems? (rs p. 120 pars. 3-7)
No. 4: Encouragement for Those Disheartened by Shortcomings (rs p. 120 par. 8–p. 121 par. 3)
Aug. 20 Bible reading: Psalms 35-39
No. 1: Peer Pressure—Can It Be to Your Advantage? (w99 8/1 pp. 22-5)
No. 2: Psalm 38:1-22
No. 3: Evolution—A Scientific Dilemma (rs pp. 121-3 par. 1)
No. 4: Evolution, the Fossil Record, and Reasonableness (rs p. 123 par. 2–p. 126 par. 2)
Aug. 27 Written Review. Bible reading: Psalms 40-47
Sept. 3 Bible reading: Psalms 48-55
No. 1: Keep Anger From Stumbling You (w99 8/15 pp. 8-9)
No. 2: Psalm 49:1-20
No. 3: eResponding to Assertions by Evolutionists (rs p. 126 par. 3–p. 128 par. 3)
No. 4: Why Do Many People Lack Faith? (rs pp. 129-30 par. 2)
Sept. 10 Bible reading: Psalms 56-65
No. 1: Does the Devil Make Us Sick? (w99 9/1 pp. 4-7)
No. 2: Psalm 59:1-17
No. 3: How Can a Person Acquire Faith? (rs p. 130 par. 3–p. 131 par. 3)
No. 4: Faith in Prospect of Righteous New System Proved by Works (rs p. 131 par. 5–p. 132 par. 2)
Sept. 17 Bible reading: Psalms 66-71
No. 1: Choose “the Good Portion” (w99 9/1 pp. 30-1)
No. 2: Psalm 69:1-19
No. 3: How Can False Prophets Be Identified? (rs pp. 132-4 par. 2)
No. 4: True Prophets Did Not Always Understand How and When Things Foretold Would Happen (rs p. 134 pars. 3-8)
Sept. 24 Bible reading: Psalms 72-77
No. 1: Why Keep Your Promises? (w99 9/15 pp. 8-11)
No. 2: Psalm 73:1-24
No. 3: A True Prophet’s Pronouncements Promote True Worship (rs p. 135 pars. 1-2)
No. 4: True Prophets Identified by Fruits Produced (rs p. 135 par. 3–p. 137 par. 1)
Oct. 1 Bible reading: Psalms 78-81
No. 1: Gain Wisdom, and Accept Discipline (w99 9/15 pp. 12-15)
No. 2: Psalm 78:1-22
No. 3: Responding to Those Who Call Us False Prophets (rs p. 137 pars. 2-4)
No. 4: God Does Not Predestinate When Each Person Will Die (rs p. 138 pars. 1-3)
Oct. 8 Bible reading: Psalms 82-89
No. 1: Timothy—“A Genuine Child in the Faith” (w99 9/15 pp. 29-31)
No. 2: Psalm 88:1-18
No. 3: Not Everything That Happens Is God’s Will (rs p. 139 par. 1–p. 140 par. 2)
No. 4: God Does Not Foreknow and Foreordain Everything (rs p. 140 pars. 3-5)
Oct. 15 Bible reading: Psalms 90-98
No. 1: Fortified to Say No to Wrongdoing (w99 10/1 pp. 28-31)
No. 2: Psalm 90:1-17
No. 3: God’s Ability to Foreknow and Foreordain Events (rs p. 141 pars. 1-4)
No. 4: Why God Did Not Exercise His Foreknowledge Regarding Adam (rs p. 142 pars. 1-3)
Oct. 22 Bible reading: Psalms 99-105
No. 1: Learning the Excelling Way of Love (w99 10/15 pp. 8-11)
No. 2: Psalm 103:1-22
No. 3: God Did Not Predestinate Jacob, Esau, or Judas (rs p. 142 par. 4–p. 143 par. 2)
No. 4: In What Way Was the Christian Congregation Predestinated? (rs p. 143 par. 3–p. 144 par. 1)
Oct. 29 Bible reading: Psalms 106-109
No. 1: “Jehovah Himself Gives Wisdom” (w99 11/15 pp. 24-7)
No. 2: Psalm 107:1-19
No. 3: What Is the Scriptural View of Astrology? (rs p. 144 par. 2–p. 145 par. 2)
No. 4: What Are Some Sound Reasons for Believing in God? (rs pp. 145-6 par. 5)
Nov. 5 Bible reading: Psalms 110-118
No. 1: The Apocalypse—To Be Feared or Hoped For? (w99 12/1 pp. 5-8)
No. 2: Psalm 112:1–113:9
No. 3: Wickedness and Suffering Do Not Disprove God’s Existence (rs p. 146 par. 6–p. 147 par. 1)
No. 4: God Is a Real Person Capable of Emotion (rs p. 147 par. 2–p. 148 par. 3)
Nov. 12 Bible reading: Psalm 119
No. 1: Do Not Let Your Strength Become Your Weakness (w99 12/1 pp. 26-9)
No. 2: Psalm 119:1-24
No. 3: God Had No Beginning (rs p. 148 pars. 4-7)
No. 4: Use of God’s Name Essential for Salvation (rs p. 149 pars. 1-4)
Nov. 19 Bible reading: Psalms 120-137
No. 1: Psalms—Why Beneficial—Part 1 (si pp. 104-5 pars. 23-7)
No. 2: Psalm 120:1–122:9
No. 3: Are All Religions Good? (rs p. 149 pars. 5-8)
No. 4: What Kind of “God” Is Jesus? (rs p. 150 pars. 1-2)
Nov. 26 Bible reading: Psalms 138-150
No. 1: Psalms—Why Beneficial—Part 2 (si pp. 105-6 pars. 28-32)
No. 2: Psalm 139:1-24
No. 3: fResponding to Objections About Belief in God (rs p. 150 par. 3–p. 151 par. 3)
No. 4: Why Men Have Been Unable to Establish a Just Government (rs pp. 152-3 par. 1)
Dec. 3 Bible reading: Proverbs 1-7
No. 1: Introduction to Proverbs—Part 1 (si pp. 106-7 pars. 1-5)
No. 2: Proverbs 4:1-27
No. 3: Why Human Efforts to Bring Relief Cannot Succeed (rs p. 153 par. 2–p. 154 par. 2)
No. 4: God’s Kingdom Only Answer to Mankind’s Real Needs (rs p. 154 par. 3–p. 155 par. 1)
Dec. 10 Bible reading: Proverbs 8-13
No. 1: Introduction to Proverbs—Part 2 (si pp. 107-8 pars. 6-11)
No. 2: Proverbs 13:1-25
No. 3: Bible Prophecies Have Proved Completely Reliable (rs p. 155 pars. 2-5)
No. 4: Miraculous Healings Today Not Done by God’s Spirit (rs pp. 156-7 par. 3)
Dec. 17 Bible reading: Proverbs 14-19
No. 1: Proverbs—Why Beneficial—Part 1 (si pp. 109-10 pars. 19-28)
No. 2: Proverbs 16:1-25
No. 3: Difference Between Cures of Jesus and His Apostles and Those of Today (rs p. 157 par. 4–p. 158 par. 2)
No. 4: How True Christians Are Identified Today (rs p. 158 par. 3–p. 159 par. 1)
Dec. 24 Bible reading: Proverbs 20-25
No. 1: Proverbs—Why Beneficial—Part 2 (si pp. 110-11 pars. 29-38)
No. 2: Proverbs 20:1-30
No. 3: Why Gifts of Healing Were Given in the First Century (rs p. 159 par. 2–p. 160 par. 2)
No. 4: What Hope Is There for Real Healing for All Mankind? (rs p. 160 pars. 3-5)
Dec. 31 Written Review. Bible reading: Proverbs 26-31
[Footnote]
a As time permits, consider responses to assertions, objections, and so forth that will best meet needs in territory.
b As time permits, consider responses to assertions, objections, and so forth that will best meet needs in territory.
c As time permits, consider responses to assertions, objections, and so forth that will best meet needs in territory.
d As time permits, consider responses to assertions, objections, and so forth that will best meet needs in territory.
e As time permits, consider responses to assertions, objections, and so forth that will best meet needs in territory.
f As time permits, consider responses to assertions, objections, and so forth that will best meet needs in territory.