Thursday, March 22
[We] walk, not according to the flesh, but according to the spirit.—Rom. 8:4.
You may wonder why Paul would stress to anointed Christians the danger of living “according to the flesh.” And could a similar danger today threaten Christians, whom God has accepted as his friends and views as righteous? Sadly, any Christian could begin to walk according to the sinful flesh. For example, Paul wrote that some among the brothers in Rome were slaves “of their own appetites,” which could have been sexual appetite or appetite for food, drink, or other things. Some of them were ‘seducing unsuspecting ones.’ (Rom. 16:17, 18; Phil. 3:18, 19; Jude 4, 8, 12) Recall, too, that for a time, a brother in Corinth was “living with his father’s wife.” (1 Cor. 5:1) It is understandable, then, why God used Paul to warn Christians about “setting the mind on the flesh.” (Rom. 8:5, 6) That warning is equally valid now. w16.12 2:5, 8, 9
March 19-25
MATTHEW 24
Song 126 and Prayer
Opening Comments (3 min. or less)
TREASURES FROM GOD’S WORD
“Remain Spiritually Awake During the Last Days”: (10 min.)
Mt 24:12—Increased lawlessness will cause people’s love to grow cold (it-2 279 ¶6)
Mt 24:39—Normal pursuits of life will become the chief concern of some and cause them to be distracted (w99 11/15 19 ¶5)
Mt 24:44—The Master will come at an unexpected time (jy 259 ¶5)
Digging for Spiritual Gems: (8 min.)
Mt 24:8—What may Jesus’ wording suggest? (“pangs of distress” study note on Mt 24:8, nwtsty)
Mt 24:20—Why did Jesus say this? (“in wintertime,” “on the Sabbath day” study notes on Mt 24:20, 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 24:1-22
APPLY YOURSELF TO THE FIELD MINISTRY
Initial Call: (2 min. or less) Begin with the sample conversation. The person raises an objection that is common in your territory.
First Return Visit: (3 min. or less) Begin with the sample conversation. The person you spoke with before is not at home, but a relative comes to the door.
Second Return Visit Video: (5 min.) Play and discuss the video.
LIVING AS CHRISTIANS
“Close to the End of This System of Things”: (15 min.) Discussion. Play the video.
Congregation Bible Study: (30 min.) jy chap. 13
Review Followed by Preview of Next Week (3 min.)
Song 97 and Prayer