Theocratic Ministry School Schedule for 1987
INSTRUCTIONS
During 1987 the following will be the arrangements when conducting the Theocratic Ministry School.
TEXTBOOKS: The New World Translation of the Holy Scriptures [bi12], “All Scripture Is Inspired of God and Beneficial” [si], and Bible Topics for Discussion [td] will be the basis for assignments.
The school will begin with song, prayer, and remarks of welcome, and then proceed as follows:
ASSIGNMENT NO. 1: 15 minutes. This should be handled by an elder or by a qualified ministerial servant. It will be based on “All Scripture Is Inspired of God and Beneficial.” This assignment should be delivered as a ten-minute instruction talk with a five-minute oral review following, using the printed questions for this section. The objective should be not just to cover the material but to focus attention on the practical value of the information being discussed, highlighting what will be most helpful to the congregation. Where needed, a theme should be selected. All are encouraged to make careful advance preparation so as to benefit fully from this material.
The brothers assigned this talk should be careful to keep within the time limit. Private counsel may be given if necessary.
HIGHLIGHTS FROM BIBLE READING: 6 minutes. This should be handled by the school overseer or another qualified elder or by a ministerial servant assigned by the school overseer. This should not be just a summary of the assigned reading. After giving a brief overall view of the assigned chapters, help the audience to appreciate why and how the information is of value to us. Check Watchtower issues for further highlight material. The students will then be dismissed to their various classrooms by the school overseer.
TALK NO. 2: 5 minutes. This is a Bible reading of the assigned material to be given by a brother. This will apply in the main school as well as in the auxiliary groups. The reading assignments are usually short enough to permit the student to present brief explanatory information in the opening and concluding remarks, and even at intermediate points. Historical background, prophetic or doctrinal significance, and application of principles may be included. All the assigned verses should actually be read.
TALK NO. 3: 5 minutes. This talk will be assigned to sisters. The student assigned should be able to read. When delivering the talk, the student may be either seated or standing. One assistant will be scheduled by the school overseer, but additional assistants may be used. Settings could include situations arising at home, in the field ministry, in the congregation, or elsewhere. The one giving the talk may either initiate the conversation to establish the setting or have her assistant(s) do so. Not the setting but the material should be given prime consideration. The student should use the theme shown.
TALK NO. 4: 5 minutes. Assigned to a brother or a sister. When assigned to a brother, this should be a talk to the entire audience. It will usually be best for the brother to prepare his talk with the Kingdom Hall audience in mind so that it will be truly informative and beneficial to those who actually hear it. However, if the material lends itself better to another practical and suitable audience-type setting, the brother may choose to develop his talk accordingly. The student should use the theme shown.
When assigned to a sister, the material should be presented as outlined for Talk No. 3.
COUNSEL AND REMARKS: After each student talk, the school overseer will give specific counsel, not necessarily following the program of progressive counsel outlined on the Speech Counsel slip. Rather, he should concentrate on those areas where the student needs to improve. If the student speaker merits solely a “G” and there is no other speech quality marked “I” or “W,” then the counselor should circle the box, where the “G,” “I,” or “W” would normally appear, of the speech quality that the student should work on next. He will advise the student of this that evening as well as show this speech quality on the student’s next Theocratic Ministry School Assignment slip (S-89). Those giving talks should sit toward the front of the hall. This will save time and enable the school overseer to give his counsel directly to each student. As time allows after the giving of necessary oral counsel, comments may be given by the counselor on informative and practical points not covered by the students. The school overseer should be careful to use no more than a total of two minutes for counsel and remarks after each student talk.
PREPARING TALKS: Brothers giving Assignment No. 1 should select a theme where needed. Students assigned the second talk should choose a theme that will allow for the best coverage of the material. Students assigned the third and fourth talks should use the theme shown. Prior to giving the talk, students will want to read over the School Guidebook material dealing with the speech quality being worked on.
TIMING: No talk should go overtime. Neither should the counsel and remarks of the counselor. Talks Nos. 2 through 4 should tactfully be stopped when the time is up. The brother assigned to give the “stop signal” should do so promptly. When brothers handling Assignment No. 1 go overtime, they should be given private counsel. All should watch their timing carefully. Total program: 45 minutes, excluding song and prayer.
WRITTEN REVIEW: Periodically a written review will be given. In preparation, review the assigned material and complete the scheduled Bible reading. The school overseer will have covered main points that should have been highlighted but that were overlooked by the speakers. Only the Bible may be used during this 25-minute review. The balance of the time will be devoted to a discussion of the questions and answers. Each student will check his own paper. The school overseer will read off all answers and concentrate on the more difficult questions, helping all to understand the answers clearly. If, for some reason, local circumstances make it necessary, the written review may be used a week later than shown on the schedule.
LARGE AND SMALL CONGREGATIONS: Congregations with a school enrollment of 50 or more students may wish to arrange for additional groups of students to deliver the scheduled talks before other counselors. Of course, nondedicated persons who are leading lives that conform to Christian principles may also enroll in the school and receive assignments.
ABSENTEES: All in the congregation can show appreciation for this school by endeavoring to be present at every weekly session, by preparing their assignments well, and by participating in question sessions. It is hoped that all students will view their assignments conscientiously. If a student is not present when scheduled, a volunteer may take the assignment, making whatever application he feels qualified to make on such short notice. Or the school overseer may cover the material with appropriate audience participation.
SCHEDULE
Jan. 4 Bible reading: Psalms 70 to 73
No. 1: The Bible: A Firm Foundation for Faith (si pp. 7-8, pars. 1-11)
No. 2: Psalm 72
No. 3: td 2B The Christian’s Part in God’s Final War
No. 4: td 3C “Baptism for the Dead” Is Unscriptural
Jan. 11 Bible reading: Psalms 74 to 77
No. 1: God’s Word: The Process of Inspiration (si pp. 8-10, pars. 12-20)
No. 2: Psalm 76
No. 3: td 4B We Need Help to Understand God’s Word
No. 4: td 4D Quoting Scattered Texts Has Scriptural Backing
Jan. 18 Bible reading: Psalms 78 and 79
No. 1: God’s Word: Who Wrote It and When? (si pp. 10-12, pars. 21-33)
No. 2: Psalm 79
No. 3: td 4E Other “Holy Books” Are Not Inspired
No. 4: td 4G “Old” and “New” Testaments Both Important
Jan. 25 Bible reading: Psalms 80 to 85
No. 1: Genesis: Who Wrote It and When? (si pp. 13-14, pars. 1-9)
No. 2: Psalm 83
No. 3: td 4H Canonicity of Bible Books Determined Best From Internal Evidence
No. 4: td 6B 70 Weeks: Prophecy of Messiah’s First Coming
Feb. 1 Bible reading: Psalms 86 to 89
No. 1: Genesis 1:1 to 25:12 (si pp. 14-16, pars. 10-22)
No. 2: Psalm 86
No. 3: td 6C 2 B.C.E. Is Date of Jesus’ Birth
No. 4: td 6D Christ’s Ministry 3 1/2 Years Long
Feb. 8 Bible reading: Psalms 90 to 94
No. 1: Genesis 25:13 to 50:26 (si pp. 16-17, pars. 23-32)
No. 2: Psalm 90
No. 3: td 7B Christ’s Church Limited to 144,000
No. 4: td 7C Meeting in Homes or Building Halls Proper
Feb. 15 Bible reading: Psalms 95 to 101
No. 1: Exodus: Who Wrote It and When? (si pp. 19-20, pars. 1-8)
No. 2: Psalms 100 and 101
No. 3: td 7D Christian Congregation Not Built Upon Peter
No. 4: td 7E Christ Established No Pope as Successor
Feb. 22 Written Review. Complete Psalms 70 to 101
Mar. 1 Bible reading: Psalms 102 to 104
No. 1: Exodus 1:1 to 13:16 (si pp. 21-2, pars. 9-17)
No. 2: Psalm 103:1-14, 21, 22
No. 3: td 8A Moral Standard of Bible Must Be Upheld
No. 4: td 8B True Adornment Is of the Heart
Mar. 8 Bible reading: Psalms 105 and 106
No. 1: Exodus 13:17 to 40:38 (si pp. 22-3, pars. 18-25)
No. 2: Psalm 106:1-12, 47, 48
No. 3: td 11D Honoring the Dead Is Wrong
No. 4: td 12A Dedication to Jehovah Essential for Life
Mar. 15 Bible reading: Psalms 107 to 109
No. 1: Leviticus: Who Wrote It and When? (si pp. 25-6, pars. 1-10)
No. 2: Psalm 108
No. 3: td 13A Bible Answer to Problem of Juvenile Delinquency
No. 4: td 14C The Devil Is Responsible for World Distress
Mar. 22 Bible reading: Psalms 110 to 115
No. 1: Leviticus 1:1 to 15:33 (si pp. 27-8, pars. 11-21)
No. 2: Psalms 110 and 114
No. 3: td 15A Scriptural Basis for Disfellowshipping
No. 4: td 15B Causes for Disfellowshipping
Mar. 29 Bible reading: Psalms 116 to 119:32
No. 1: Leviticus 16:1 to 27:34 (si p. 28, pars. 22-27)
No. 2: Psalm 116
No. 3: td 15C Repentance Essential for Divine Forgiveness
No. 4: td 16A Christians Shun Addictives
Apr. 5 Bible reading: Psalm 119:33-112
No. 1: Numbers: Who Wrote It and When? (si pp. 30-1, pars. 1-10)
No. 2: Psalm 119:97-112
No. 3: td 17B From Paradise Lost to Paradise Restored
No. 4: td 17D Men Unable to Destroy the Earth
Apr. 12 Bible reading: Psalm 119:113-176
No. 1: Numbers 1:1 to 12:16 (si pp. 31-2, pars. 11-19)
No. 2: Psalm 119:161-176
No. 3: td 18A Evolution Is Unscriptural
No. 4: td 20A Christian’s Relationship to World Governments
Apr. 19 Bible reading: Psalms 120 to 130
No. 1: Numbers 13:1 to 36:13 (si pp. 33-4, pars. 20-31)
No. 2: Psalms 122 and 123
No. 3: td 20B Christian’s First Responsibility Is to God
No. 4: td 20C Christians Must Maintain Neutrality in World’s Affairs
Apr. 26 Written Review. Complete Psalms 102 to 130
May 3 Bible reading: Psalms 131 to 136
No. 1: Deuteronomy: Who Wrote It and When? (si pp. 36-7, pars. 1-9)
No. 2: Psalm 132
No. 3: td 20D Christian Warfare a Protection for All
No. 4: td 20E Right Attitude Toward Reverence to Emblems
May 10 Bible reading: Psalms 137 to 140
No. 1: Deuteronomy 1:1 to 11:32 (si pp. 37-8, pars. 10-19)
No. 2: Psalms 137 and 138
No. 3: td 21A What Constitutes Good Works?
No. 4: td 21B Sincerely Keeping “Golden Rule” Not Sufficient
May 17 Bible reading: Psalms 141 to 145
No. 1: Deuteronomy 12:1 to 33:29 (si pp. 39-40, pars. 20-29)
No. 2: Psalm 144
No. 3: td 21C Faith Without Works Is Dead
No. 4: td 21D Charitable Works a Part of Christian Living
May 24 Bible reading: Psalms 146 to 150
No. 1: Joshua: Who Wrote It and When? (si pp. 42-3, pars. 1-5)
No. 2: Psalm 148
No. 3: td 21E Community Interests Best Served by Kingdom Preaching
No. 4: td 23A Heaven Is God’s Home, Earth Is Man’s
May 31 Bible reading: Proverbs 1 and 2
No. 1: Joshua 1:1 to 12:24 (si pp. 43-4, pars. 6-15)
No. 2: Proverbs 2:1-19
No. 3: td 23C Requirements for Heavenly Life
No. 4: td 24A Hell (Sheol, Hades) Provides Temporary Rest With Resurrection Hope
June 7 Bible reading: Proverbs 3 and 4
No. 1: Joshua 13:1 to 24:33 (si pp. 44-5, pars. 16-20)
No. 2: Proverbs 3:1-17
No. 3: td 24D Heaven’s Existence No Proof That Hell Exists
No. 4: td 25A Observance of Feast Days Not Required of Christians
June 14 Bible reading: Proverbs 5 and 6
No. 1: Judges: Who Wrote It and When? (si pp. 46-7, pars. 1-8)
No. 2: Proverbs 6:1-19
No. 3: td 27C Only One Way, but It Is Open to All
No. 4: td 28A Interpretations Belong to God
June 21 Bible reading: Proverbs 7 and 8
No. 1: Judges 1:1 to 9:57 (si pp. 47-8, pars. 9-17)
No. 2: Proverbs 8:22-36
No. 3: td 28B Only One Correct Interpretation of Bible
No. 4: td 29B God’s Name to Be Made Known
June 28 Written Review. Complete Psalms 131-150 to Proverbs 1-8
July 5 Bible reading: Proverbs 9 and 10
No. 1: Judges 10:1 to 21:25 (si pp. 49-50, pars. 18-26)
No. 2: Proverbs 10:16-32
No. 3: td 29E God Is the Creator; to Deny Him Is Fatal
No. 4: td 29G Jehovah Not God of Jews Only
July 12 Bible reading: Proverbs 11 and 12
No. 1: The Book of Ruth (si pp. 51-2, pars. 1-8)
No. 2: Proverbs 11:1-14
No. 3: td 30B Not Primarily “Christ’s” but “Jehovah’s Witnesses”
No. 4: td 31A God’s Provision of Jesus Christ
July 19 Bible reading: Proverbs 13 and 14
No. 1: 1 Samuel: Who Wrote It and When? (si pp. 53-4, pars. 1-6)
No. 2: Proverbs 14:1-16
No. 3: td 31C Jesus Is God’s Greatest Prophet
No. 4: td 31F Jewish Hopes Fulfilled in Jesus the Messiah
July 26 Bible reading: Proverbs 15 and 16
No. 1: 1 Samuel 1:1 to 15:35 (si pp. 54-5, pars. 7-17)
No. 2: Proverbs 15:1-16
No. 3: td 32A Judgment of All People
No. 4: td 32B The Thousand-Year Judgment Day
Aug. 2 Bible reading: Proverbs 17 and 18
No. 1: 1 Samuel 16:1 to 31:13 (si pp. 56-7, pars. 18-26)
No. 2: Proverbs 18:1-15
No. 3: td 33A Purpose and Importance of God’s Kingdom
No. 4: td 33D Christ Not Given Full Power as King at Pentecost
Aug. 9 Bible reading: Proverbs 19 and 20
No. 1: 2 Samuel: Who Wrote It and When? (si p. 59, pars. 1-5)
No. 2: Proverbs 19:8-23
No. 3: td 34C The Last Days Began 1914 (Physical Facts)
No. 4: td 34D Chronological Proof Last Days Began 1914
Aug. 16 Bible reading: Proverbs 21 and 22
No. 1: 2 Samuel 1:1 to 12:31 (si pp. 60-1, pars. 6-16)
No. 2: Proverbs 22:1-16
No. 3: td 35A The Purpose of the Law Covenant
No. 4: td 35B Decalogue Abolished With Rest of Law Covenant
Aug. 23 Bible reading: Proverbs 23 and 24
No. 1: 2 Samuel 13:1 to 24:25 (si pp. 61-3, pars. 17-27)
No. 2: Proverbs 24:1-16
No. 3: td 35C More Required Than Decalogue to Gain Life
No. 4: td 35D Decalogue Righteous but Not Binding on Christians
Aug. 30 Written Review. Complete Proverbs 9 to 24
Sept. 6 Bible reading: Proverbs 25 and 26
No. 1: 1 Kings: Who Wrote It and When? (si pp. 64-5, pars. 1-5)
No. 2: Proverbs 25:1-13
No. 3: td 36A Life Is God’s Gift for Faithful Service
No. 4: td 36C Heavenly and Earthly Life Both Within God’s Promises
Sept. 13 Bible reading: Proverbs 27 and 28
No. 1: 1 Kings 1:1 to 14:20 (si pp. 65-6, pars. 6-14)
No. 2: Proverbs 28:1-14
No. 3: td 37A Distribution of Bible Literature Not Done for Profit
No. 4: td 37B Reading Bible Literature Is Not Confusing
Sept. 20 Bible reading: Proverbs 29 to 31
No. 1: 1 Kings 14:21 to 22:53 (si pp. 67-8, pars. 15-22)
No. 2: Proverbs 31:10-31
No. 3: td 38A Marriage a Sacred Institution of God
No. 4: td 37C Church Literature Does Not Fill Need for Family Study
Sept. 27 Bible reading: Ecclesiastes 1 and 2
No. 1: 2 Kings: Who Wrote It and When? (si p. 69, pars. 1-4)
No. 2: Ecclesiastes 1:1-15
No. 3: td 38G Cain’s Wife Was His Sister
No. 4: td 37E Forbidding to Read Comforting Literature Unreasonable
Oct. 4 Bible reading: Ecclesiastes 3 and 4
No. 1: 2 Kings 1:1 to 8:29 (si pp. 70-1, pars. 5-12)
No. 2: Ecclesiastes 3:1-9, 18-22
No. 3: td 39B Mary, a Virgin, Became Jesus’ Mother and Later a Disciple
No. 4: td 37F Deciding What to Read Is Each One’s Responsibility
Oct. 11 Bible reading: Ecclesiastes 5 and 6
No. 1: 2 Kings 9:1 to 16:20 (si pp. 71-2, pars. 13-24)
No. 2: Ecclesiastes 5:1-8, 18-20
No. 3: td 39D Prayers to Be Directed to God Through Christ, Not Saints
No. 4: td 37G Much Literature Being Published; Being Selective Is Practical
Oct. 18 Bible reading: Ecclesiastes 7 and 8
No. 1: 2 Kings 17:1 to 25:30 (si pp. 72-3, pars. 25-32)
No. 2: Ecclesiastes 7:1-12
No. 3: td 41A God’s Kingdom Provision Is for All Men
No. 4: td 37H Those Having Bible Helps Need Study, Spiritual Progress
Oct. 25 Written Review. Complete Proverbs 25-31 to Ecclesiastes 1-8
Nov. 1 Bible reading: Ecclesiastes 9 and 10
No. 1: 1 Chronicles: Who Wrote It and When? (si pp. 75-6, pars. 1-7)
No. 2: Ecclesiastes 9:1-11
No. 3: td 41B Non-Christians Have Equal Opportunity to Be Saved
No. 4: td 37I One Does Not Need Money to Get Truth
Nov. 8 Bible reading: Ecclesiastes 11 and 12
No. 1: 1 Chronicles 1:1 to 12:40 (si pp. 76-7, pars. 8-13)
No. 2: Ecclesiastes 12:1-14
No. 3: td 41C Jewish Fathers Had Hope in Kingdom
No. 4: td 41D Suffering of Jews Foretold in Prophecy
Nov. 15 Bible reading: Song of Solomon 1 to 4
No. 1: 1 Chronicles 13:1 to 29:30 (si pp. 77-8, pars. 14-21)
No. 2: Song of Solomon 2:1-14
No. 3: td 42B Persecution Can Come From Many Sources; None to Be Feared
No. 4: td 42E Apostates Cannot Prevent God’s “Sheep” From Hearing Truth
Nov. 22 Bible reading: Song of Solomon 5 to 8
No. 1: 2 Chronicles: Who Wrote It and When? (si pp. 79-80, pars. 1-6)
No. 2: Song of Solomon 8:1-14
No. 3: td 42F God’s Warning to Persecutors
No. 4: td 43B Prayers for This World Are Not Authorized
Nov. 29 Bible reading: Isaiah 1 to 3
No. 1: 2 Chronicles 1:1 to 9:31 (si pp. 80-1, pars. 7-13)
No. 2: Isaiah 1:1-13
No. 3: td 44B “Once Saved, Always Saved” Is Unscriptural
No. 4: td 45A All Races Are Equal, Not Separate Creations
Dec. 6 Bible reading: Isaiah 4 to 7
No. 1: 2 Chronicles 10:1 to 26:23 (si pp. 81-3, pars. 14-24)
No. 2: Isaiah 6:1-13
No. 3: td 45B Racial Problems Will Be Solved by God’s Kingdom
No. 4: td 45C The Black Race Not the Result of a Curse
Dec. 13 Bible reading: Isaiah 8 to 10
No. 1: 2 Chronicles 27:1 to 36:23 (si pp. 83-4, pars. 25-33)
No. 2: Isaiah 9:1-12
No. 3: td 47B Many Religions; How True One Can Be Identified
No. 4: td 47D Exposure of False Leaders Required to Protect God’s “Sheep”
Dec. 20 Bible reading: Isaiah 11 to 13
No. 1: Ezra: Who Wrote It and When? (si pp. 85-6, pars. 1-7)
No. 2: Isaiah 11:1-10
No. 3: td 47F Even Those Professing a Religion Need to Walk Carefully
No. 4: td 47H False Religion’s Badness Not Proof No True Religion Exists
Dec. 27 Written Review. Complete Ecclesiastes 9-12; Ca 1-8 to Isaiah 1-13