Thursday, May 21
O Jehovah, who may be a guest in your tent? . . . The one who is . . . speaking the truth in his heart.—Ps. 15:1, 2.
Spreading lies has become commonplace in today’s society. As stated in the article “Why We Lie” by Y. Bhattacharjee, “lying has come to be recognized as a deeply ingrained human trait.” People often resort to lying either to protect themselves or to promote themselves. They lie to cover up their mistakes and misdeeds or to gain economic and personal advantages. As the article states, there are people who “lie with ease, in ways big and small, to strangers, co-workers, friends, and loved ones.” What is the result of all this lying? Trust is lost and relationships can be ruined. The psalmist David prayed to Jehovah: “You find pleasure in truth in the inner person.” (Ps. 51:6) David knew that our being truthful comes from the inside, from our heart. In every aspect of life, true Christians “speak the truth with one another.”—Zech. 8:16. w18.10 7 ¶4; 8 ¶9-10; 10 ¶19
May 18-24
GENESIS 40-41
Song 8 and Prayer
Opening Comments (1 min.)
TREASURES FROM GOD’S WORD
“Jehovah Delivers Joseph”: (10 min.)
Ge 41:9-13—Joseph came to the attention of Pharaoh (w15 2/1 14 ¶4-5)
Ge 41:16, 29-32—Jehovah gave Joseph the interpretation of Pharaoh’s dreams (w15 2/1 14-15)
Ge 41:38-40—Joseph became the ruler second to Pharaoh in Egypt (w15 2/1 15 ¶3)
Digging for Spiritual Gems: (10 min.)
Ge 41:14—Why did Joseph shave before seeing Pharaoh? (w15 11/1 9 ¶1-3)
Ge 41:33—What can we discern from the way that Joseph spoke to Pharaoh? (w09 11/15 28 ¶14)
What spiritual gems from this week’s Bible reading would you like to share regarding Jehovah God, the field ministry, or something else?
Bible Reading: (4 min. or less) Ge 40:1-23 (th study 2)
APPLY YOURSELF TO THE FIELD MINISTRY
First Return Visit Video: (5 min.) Discussion. Play the video, and then ask the audience: What shows that the husband and wife prepared together for this return visit? How did the brother make the scripture application clear?
First Return Visit: (4 min. or less) Use the sample conversation. (th study 11)
First Return Visit: (5 min. or less) Begin with the sample conversation. Offer a publication from our Teaching Toolbox. (th study 13)
LIVING AS CHRISTIANS
Be Like Joseph—Endure Despite Unjust Treatment: (6 min.) Begin by playing the video Become Jehovah’s Friend—Endure Despite Unjust Treatment. Then invite children to the platform, and ask them: What unjust treatment did Caleb and Sophia experience? What do you think they learned from Joseph’s experience?
Local Needs: (9 min.)
Congregation Bible Study: (30 min.) jy chap. 115
Concluding Comments (3 min. or less)
Song 124 and Prayer