Thursday, October 7
Because you are no part of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world, for this reason the world hates you.—John 15:19.
Jesus explained why we should expect opposition. He said that we would be hated because we are no part of the world. Persecution is not a sign that we lack Jehovah’s blessing. Instead, it indicates that we are doing what is right! Mere human opposers cannot stamp out the worship of the almighty God, Jehovah. Many have tried and failed. Consider what happened during World War II. At that time, governments in many countries intensely persecuted God’s people. The work of Jehovah’s Witnesses was banned not only by the Nazi party in Germany but also by governments in Australia, Canada, and other lands. Yet, note what took place. In 1939 when the war began, there were 72,475 publishers worldwide. Reports showed that by the end of the war in 1945, with Jehovah’s blessing, there were 156,299 publishers. The number of publishers had more than doubled! w19.07 9 ¶4-5
October 4-10
JOSHUA 8-9
Song 127 and Prayer
Opening Comments (1 min.)
TREASURES FROM GOD’S WORD
“Lessons From the Account of the Gibeonites”: (10 min.)
Spiritual Gems: (10 min.)
Bible Reading: (4 min.) Jos 8:28–9:2 (th study 5)
APPLY YOURSELF TO THE FIELD MINISTRY
Initial Call: (3 min.) Use the sample conversation. Overcome a common objection. (th study 2)
Return Visit: (4 min.) Begin with the sample conversation. Give the householder a meeting invitation, and introduce (but do not play) the video What Happens at a Kingdom Hall? (th study 11)
Talk: (5 min.) it-1 520; 525 ¶1—Theme: What Can We Learn From the Covenant That Joshua Made With the Gibeonites? (th study 13)
LIVING AS CHRISTIANS
Show Humility (1Pe 5:5): (15 min.) Discussion. Play the video. Then ask the audience: How did Peter and John follow through on Jesus’ instructions for the Passover? What lesson on humility did Jesus teach the night before his death? How do we know that Peter and John took to heart this lesson? In what practical ways can we show humility?
Congregation Bible Study: (30 min.) rr chap. 14 ¶15-20
Concluding Comments (3 min.)
Song 59 and Prayer