Monday, August 12
O God, I thank you that I am not like everyone else.—Luke 18:11.
Why were the Pharisees so unwilling to show mercy? The Bible says that they “considered others as nothing.” (Luke 18:9-14) Imitate Jehovah, not the Pharisees. Show compassion. (Col. 3:13) One way to do so is to make it easy for others to seek your forgiveness. (Luke 17:3, 4) Ask yourself: ‘Is my forgiveness within reach of people who have wronged me, even repeatedly? Am I eager to restore peace with someone who has offended me or who has hurt me?’ Forgiveness is really a test of humility. The Pharisees failed that test because they considered others to be inferior. As Christians, however, we must humbly “consider others superior” to us, as worthy of our forgiveness. (Phil. 2:3) Will you imitate Jehovah and pass the test of humility? Keep the “road” to your forgiveness open and in good repair. Be quick to extend mercy and slow to take offense.—Eccl. 7:8, 9. w17.11 14-15 ¶6-8
August 12-18
TITUS 1–PHILEMON
Song 99 and Prayer
Opening Comments (3 min. or less)
TREASURES FROM GOD’S WORD
“Make Appointments of Elders”: (10 min.)
[Play the video Introduction to Titus.]
Tit 1:5-9—Circuit overseers appoint as elders those who meet the Scriptural qualifications (w14 11/15 28-29)
[Play the video Introduction to Philemon.]
Digging for Spiritual Gems: (8 min.)
Tit 1:12—Why does this text not justify showing ethnic prejudice? (w89 5/15 31 ¶5)
Phm 15, 16—Why did Paul not ask Philemon to grant freedom to Onesimus? (w08 10/15 31 ¶4)
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) Tit 3:1-15 (th study 5)
APPLY YOURSELF TO THE FIELD MINISTRY
Initial Call Video: (4 min.) Play and discuss the video.
Initial Call: (2 min. or less) Use the sample conversation. (th study 3)
Initial Call: (3 min. or less) Begin with the sample conversation. Overcome a common objection. (th study 12)
Initial Call: (3 min. or less) Begin with the sample conversation. Then leave a jw.org contact card. (th study 11)
LIVING AS CHRISTIANS
“Young Ones—Be ‘Zealous for Fine Works’”: (15 min.) Discussion. Play the video Youths Honoring Jehovah.
Congregation Bible Study: (30 min.) jy chap. 79
Review Followed by Preview of Next Week (3 min.)
Song 127 and Prayer
Study Article 24: August 12-18, 2019
8 Overturn Every Reasoning That Is Against the Knowledge of God!