SERVICE MEETING for the week of 21december09

WEEK STARTING DECEMBER 21

http://www.watchtower.org/e/bible/index.htm

Song 73
 Congregation Bible Study:
 lv chap. 14¶10-14, box on pp.164-165, app. pp. 222-223

Theocratic Ministry School:
Bible reading: Joshua 9-11
No.1: Joshua 9:1-15
No. 2: How We Can Tell Armageddon Is Near Or chap. 47)
No. 3: God’s Peaceful New World—You Can Live There (lr chap. 48)

 Service Meeting:
Song 4
5 min: Announcements. [Please include the announcement that during the week of January 4, everyone should bring their January 2010 Our Kingdom Ministry to the Service Meeting. During this meeting the convention article in the insert will be considered along with the reading of the 2010 district convention assignment letter.’

15 min: Prepare to Offer The Watchtower and Awake! Present a demonstration showing how a group overseer shares his presentation with a young publisher and explains why he selected it and which question and scriptures he will use. The young publisher explains that he had a presentation in mind but needs help refining it. Using the article he had in mind, they develop a question and select the scriptures he will use.

THE WATCHTOWER January 1
ANNOUNCING JEHOVAH’S KINGDOM
“There are conflicting religious opinions regarding the use of alcoholic beverages. How do you think God feels about a person’s drinking alcohol? [Allow for response.] Although the Bible reports that Jesus once miraculously turned water to wine, it also says this. [Read Proverbs 23:20a.] This magazine shows the Bible’s balanced viewpoint.”
Awake! January
“In these difficult times, many people feel overworked and stressed out. Have you felt that way? [Allow for response.] Notice this reasonable advice. [Read Ecclesiastes 4:6.] This magazine discusses how we can balance work, family, and relaxation. It also gives suggestions for those looking for a job.”







Watchtower (Public) — January 1, 2010
Table of Contents
“Just One More Drink”
What Is God’s View of Alcohol?
Keeping Alcohol in Its Place
Did You Know?
Draw Close to God—A Fulfiller of Promises
Why Did God Wage War Against the Canaanites?
The Life and Times of First-Century Christians—Where They Lived
Can the Dead Help the Living?
Will the Earth Come to an End?
Imitate Their Faith—He Was Loyal in the Face of Tests
Our Readers Ask . . .
For Young People—A Man of Humility and Courage

Awake! — January 2010
Table of Contents
Are You Stressed Out?
Cultivate a Balanced View of Work
Live a Simple, Balanced Life
The Bible’s Viewpoint—What Is Judgment Day?
Watching the World
Can Mealtime Strengthen Your Family Values?
Cultivating Orchids—How Patience Pays Off
The Golden Age of Queen Elizabeth I—Myth or Reality?
Come See an African Market
Was It Designed? Bone—A Marvel of Strength
Young People Ask . . . Why Don’t Boys Like Me?
‘Arresting the Drift Toward Selfishness’
“Stop Being Anxious”
Do You Want to Be God’s Friend?




15 min: “‘Impart Your Soul’ to Your Students.” Question-and-answer discussion. After considering paragraph 2, interview a publisher regarding practical ways he endeavors to show personal interest in his students. What has been the result? Also interview a publisher who benefited from personal interest shown by the one conducting his Bible study.

Impart Your Soul’ to Your Students
1 In order to help a Bible student to the point of dedication, more is required than simply conducting a regular Bible study with him. The apostle Paul compared his relationship with those he taught to that of a nursing mother cherishing her children. We too are pleased to impart “our own souls” in order to help our students to grow spiritually. —1 Thess. 2:7-9.
1. What is required to help a Bible student?
2 Take a Personal Interest: As a Bible student applies what he learns, his conscience will prompt him to discontinue close association with those who do not conform to Bible principles. (1 Pet. 4:4) His family may disown him. (Matt. 10:34-36) We can help fill the emotional void by demonstrating warm personal interest. One experienced missionary recommends: “Do not rush away from the study after it is over. If appropriate, stay and talk for a while.” Be alert to offer your student practical help. For example, could you telephone or visit him when he is sick? Can you sit with your student at meetings and help with the children, if fitting?
2. Why should we demonstrate personal interest, and how may that be done?
3 Help From the Congregation: If you are working in the ministry near your student’s home, why not visit briefly to introduce your service companions? When appropriate, from time to time invite different publishers, including elders, to accompany you on the study. Also, soon after you establish a study, encourage your Bible student to attend meetings at the Kingdom Hall. This will enable him to enjoy upbuilding association with members of the congregation who may become his spiritual family.—Mark 10: 29, 30; Heb. 10:24, 25.
3. How can we help our student receive encouragement from the congregation?
4 A parent who tirelessly assists his children spiritually is overjoyed when they take a stand for Jehovah and walk in the truth. (3 John 4) We can experience similar joy as we impart our souls to help our Bible students.
4. How may our diligence be rewarded?

Song 66