December 26, 2016–January 1, 2017
ISAIAH 17-23
Song 123 and Prayer
Opening Comments (3 min. or less)
TREASURES FROM GOD’S WORD
“Abuse of Power Leads to Loss of Authority”: (10 min.)
Isa 22:15, 16—Shebna used his authority in a selfish way (ip-1 238 ¶16-17)
Isa 22:17-22—Jehovah replaced Shebna with Eliakim (ip-1 238-239 ¶17-18)
Isa 22:23-25—Shebna’s experience teaches us valuable lessons (w07 1/15 8 ¶6; ip-1 240-241 ¶19-20)
Digging for Spiritual Gems: (8 min.)
Isa 21:1—What region was called “the wilderness of the sea,” and why? (w06 12/1 11 ¶2)
Isa 23:17, 18—How did Tyre’s material profit become “holy to Jehovah”? (ip-1 253-254 ¶22-24)
What does this week’s Bible reading teach me about Jehovah?
What points from this week’s Bible reading can I use in the field ministry?
Bible Reading: (4 min. or less) Isa 17:1-14
APPLY YOURSELF TO THE FIELD MINISTRY
Initial Call: (2 min. or less) bh—Use the video Why Study the Bible? to introduce the book. (Note: Do not play the video during the demonstration.)
Return Visit: (4 min. or less) bh—Start a doorstep Bible study, and lay the groundwork for the next visit.
Bible Study: (6 min. or less) lv 150-151 ¶10-11—Show how to reach the heart.
LIVING AS CHRISTIANS
Song 44
Will You “Keep on the Watch”?: (8 min.) Talk by an elder based on the March 15, 2015, Watchtower, pages 12-16. Encourage all to keep on the watch, just as did Isaiah’s visionary watchman and the five virgins of Jesus’ illustration.—Isa 21:8; Mt 25:1-13.
Organizational Accomplishments: (7 min.) Play the Organizational Accomplishments video for December.
Congregation Bible Study: (30 min.) kr chap. 6 ¶1-7 and “Section 2—Kingdom Preaching—Spreading the Good News Worldwide”
Review Followed by Preview of Next Week (3 min.)
Song 141 and Prayer