Friday, February 9
I became a minister of this according to the free gift of God’s undeserved kindness.—Eph. 3:7.
If we met all of Jehovah’s requirements perfectly, his kindness toward us would be deserved. As it is, we fail to do so. Thus, wise King Solomon wrote: “There is no righteous man on earth who always does good and never sins.” (Eccl. 7:20) The apostle Paul likewise stated: “All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,” and “the wages sin pays is death.” (Rom. 3:23; 6:23a) That is what we deserve. Jehovah, however, expressed his love toward fallen mankind in an incomparable act of undeserved kindness. He sent his greatest gift of all, “his only-begotten Son,” to earth to die in our behalf. (John 3:16) So Paul wrote concerning Jesus that he is “now crowned with glory and honor for having suffered death, so that by God’s undeserved kindness he might taste death for everyone.” (Heb. 2:9) Yes, “the gift God gives is everlasting life by Christ Jesus our Lord.”—Rom. 6:23b. w16.07 3:3, 4
February 5-11
MATTHEW 12-13
Song 27 and Prayer
Opening Comments (3 min. or less)
TREASURES FROM GOD’S WORD
“The Illustration of the Wheat and the Weeds”: (10 min.)
Mt 13:24-26—A man sowed fine seed in his field, and his enemy oversowed the field with weeds (w13 7/15 9-10 ¶2-3)
Mt 13:27-29—The wheat and the weeds grew together until the harvest (w13 7/15 10 ¶4)
Mt 13:30—During the harvest, the reapers first collected the weeds and then gathered the wheat (w13 7/15 12 ¶10-12)
Digging for Spiritual Gems: (8 min.)
Mt 12:20—How can we imitate Jesus’ compassion? (“smoldering wick” study note on Mt 12:20, nwtsty)
Mt 13:25—Is it believable that someone in ancient times would actually oversow another man’s field with weeds? (w16.10 32)
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 12:1-21
APPLY YOURSELF TO THE FIELD MINISTRY
Initial Call Video: (4 min.) Play and discuss the video.
First Return Visit: (3 min. or less) Use the sample conversation.
Bible Study: (6 min. or less) bhs 22-23 ¶10-12
LIVING AS CHRISTIANS
Local Needs: (5 min.)
“Kingdom Illustrations and Their Meaning for Us”: (10 min.) Discussion. Consider how these illustrations should affect our share in the ministry.
Congregation Bible Study: (30 min.) jy chap. 7
Review Followed by Preview of Next Week (3 min.)
Song 10 and Prayer