Sunday, November 21
The seventh day is a sabbath of complete rest. It is something holy to Jehovah.—Ex. 31:15.
God’s Word states that after six “days” of creating, God paused from his works as regards the earth. (Gen. 2:2) Yet, Jehovah loves to work, and in other respects he “has kept working.” (John 5:17) The provision for the weekly Sabbath follows a pattern similar to that of Jehovah’s day of rest described in Genesis. God said that the Sabbath was a sign between him and Israel. (Ex. 31:12-14) The prohibition against work applied to everyone, including children, slaves, and even domestic animals. (Ex. 20:10) It allowed the people to give more attention to spiritual matters. Many religious leaders in Jesus’ time took an extreme, rigid view of the Sabbath day. They claimed that it was unlawful on the Sabbath even to pluck some heads of grain or to heal a person who was ill. (Mark 2:23-27; 3:2-5) Such views did not reflect God’s thinking, and Jesus made that clear to those who would listen. w19.12 3-4 ¶8-9
November 15-21
JOSHUA 23-24
Song 50 and Prayer
Opening Comments (1 min.)
TREASURES FROM GOD’S WORD
“Joshua’s Final Admonition to the Nation”: (10 min.)
Spiritual Gems: (10 min.)
Jos 24:2—Was Abraham’s father, Terah, a worshipper of idols? (w04 12/1 12 ¶1)
What spiritual gems from this week’s Bible reading would you like to share regarding Jehovah, the field ministry, or something else?
Bible Reading: (4 min.) Jos 24:19-33 (th study 11)
APPLY YOURSELF TO THE FIELD MINISTRY
Initial Call: (3 min.) Begin with the sample conversation. Overcome a common objection. (th study 2)
Return Visit: (4 min.) Begin with the sample conversation. Offer the Enjoy Life Forever! brochure. (th study 20)
Bible Study: (5 min.) lffi lesson 01 summary, review, and goal (th study 3)
LIVING AS CHRISTIANS
Avoid Bad Associations at Work: (7 min.) Discussion. Play the video dramatization Avoid What Erodes Loyalty—Bad Associations. Then ask the audience: What negative effect did bad associations at work have on the sister? What change did she make, and how did that help her? What lessons does this dramatization teach you about avoiding bad associations?
Find Friends in Unexpected Places: (8 min.) Discussion. Play the video. Then ask the audience: What challenges caused Akil to become involved in bad associations at school? How did he find good associations in the congregation? What lessons does this dramatization teach you about finding good associates?
Congregation Bible Study: (30 min.) rr chap. 16 ¶1-8, intro video
Concluding Comments (3 min.)
Song 39 and Prayer