Wednesday, July 11
Do not deal treacherously with the wife of your youth.—Mal. 2:15.
Today, marital treachery cannot be tolerated among Jehovah’s people. But suppose a baptized married man or woman ran off with another person’s mate and married that one after obtaining a divorce. If he is unrepentant, the wrongdoer would be disfellowshipped in order to maintain the spiritual purity of the congregation. (1 Cor. 5:11-13) He or she would have to “produce fruits that befit repentance” before being accepted back into the congregation. (Luke 3:8; 2 Cor. 2:5-10) Though no set time must pass before that person’s reinstatement, such treachery, which seldom occurs among those associated with God’s people, cannot be ignored. It might take quite some time—a year or more—for the sinner to give proof of true repentance. Even if the person is reinstated, he or she must still render an account “before the judgment seat of God.”—Rom. 14:10-12. w16.08 1:12, 13
July 9-15
LUKE 8-9
Song 13 and Prayer
Opening Comments (3 min. or less)
TREASURES FROM GOD’S WORD
“Be My Follower—What Is Needed?”: (10 min.)
Lu 9:57, 58—Those who follow Jesus must put their trust in Jehovah (it-2 494)
Lu 9:59, 60—Those who follow Jesus put the Kingdom of God first in their lives (“bury my father,” “Let the dead bury their dead” study notes on Lu 9:59, 60, nwtsty)
Lu 9:61, 62—Those who follow Jesus cannot allow themselves to be distracted by the things of the world (“Plowing” media on Lu 9:62, nwtsty; w12 4/15 15-16 ¶11-13)
Digging for Spiritual Gems: (8 min.)
Lu 8:3—How were these Christians “ministering” to Jesus and the apostles? (“were ministering to them” study note on Lu 8:3, nwtsty)
Lu 9:49, 50—Why did Jesus not prevent a man from expelling demons, even though the man was not following him? (w08 3/15 31 ¶2)
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) Lu 8:1-15
APPLY YOURSELF TO THE FIELD MINISTRY
Initial Call: (2 min. or less) Use the sample conversation.
First Return Visit Video: (5 min.) Play and discuss the video.
Talk: (6 min. or less) w12 3/15 27-28 ¶11-15—Theme: Should We Regret Any Sacrifices That We Have Made for the Sake of the Kingdom?
LIVING AS CHRISTIANS
Local Needs: (15 min.)
Congregation Bible Study: (30 min.) jy chap. 28, box “Illustrations About Fasting”
Review Followed by Preview of Next Week (3 min.)
Song 110 and Prayer