Tuesday, January 9
Keep your eyes open and guard against every sort of greed.—Luke 12:15.
Satan wants us to slave for Riches rather than for Jehovah. (Matt. 6:24) Those who spend most of their energy accumulating material things end up with a life that is, at best, shallow because it appeals to selfish gratification or that is, at worst, spiritually empty and full of grief and frustration. (1 Tim. 6:9, 10; Rev. 3:17) It is as Jesus described in his illustration of the sower. When the Kingdom message is “sown among the thorns . . . , the desires for everything else make inroads and choke the word, and it becomes unfruitful.” (Mark 4:14, 18, 19) As we near the end of this system of things, now is not the time to amass more and more material things for ourselves. We should not expect that any of our possessions, regardless of how treasured or valuable they may be, will survive with us through the great tribulation.—Prov. 11:4, ftn.; Matt. 24:21, 22. w16.07 1:5, 6
January 8-14
MATTHEW 4-5
Song 82 and Prayer
Opening Comments (3 min. or less)
TREASURES FROM GOD’S WORD
“Lessons Learned From Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount”: (10 min.)
Mt 5:3—Happiness results from being conscious of our spiritual need (“Happy,” “those conscious of their spiritual need” study notes on Mt 5:3, nwtsty)
Mt 5:7—Happiness results from being merciful and compassionate (“merciful” study note on Mt 5:7, nwtsty)
Mt 5:9—Happiness results from being a peacemaker (“peacemakers” study note on Mt 5:9, nwtsty; w07 12/1 17)
Digging for Spiritual Gems: (8 min.)
Mt 4:9—Satan tried to tempt Jesus to do what? (“do an act of worship” study note on Mt 4:9, nwtsty)
Mt 4:23—What are two important activities that Jesus engaged in? (“teaching . . . preaching” study note on Mt 4:23, nwtsty)
What has this week’s Bible reading taught you about Jehovah?
What other spiritual gems have you discovered in this week’s Bible reading?
Bible Reading: (4 min. or less) Mt 5:31-48
APPLY YOURSELF TO THE FIELD MINISTRY
Initial Call: (2 min. or less) See Sample Conversations.
First Return Visit Video: (5 min.) Play and discuss the video.
Talk: (6 min. or less) w16.03 31-32—Theme: Did Satan Physically Take Jesus to the Temple When Tempting Him?
LIVING AS CHRISTIANS
Happy Are Those Who Have Been Persecuted for Righteousness’ Sake: (9 min.) Play the video The Namgungs: Imprisoned for Their Faith, and then discuss the lessons learned.
“First Make Your Peace With Your Brother—How?”: (6 min.) Discussion. Consider why only the last action in each list is correct.
Congregation Bible Study: (30 min.) jy chap. 3
Review Followed by Preview of Next Week (3 min.)
Song 141 and Prayer