Saturday, October 9
Forgetting the things behind and stretching forward to the things ahead, I am pressing on toward the goal.—Phil. 3:13, 14.
The apostle Paul did not allow himself to be distracted, either by past accomplishments or by past mistakes. In fact, he said that “forgetting the things behind” was essential to “stretching forward to the things ahead,” that is, to completing the race successfully. What were some of the things that could have distracted Paul? First, his accomplishments in Judaism were impressive. Yet, he viewed those things as “a lot of refuse.” (Phil. 3:3-8) Second, he did not allow guilt over his earlier persecution of Christians to paralyze him. And third, he did not reason that he had already done enough for Jehovah. Paul had a productive ministry despite being imprisoned, beaten, stoned, and shipwrecked, as well as lacking food and clothing. (2 Cor. 11:23-27) However, regardless of what he had already accomplished and suffered, Paul knew that he must press on. The same is true of us. w19.08 3 ¶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