Song 55 and Prayer

Opening Comments (3 min. or less)

“Ebed-melech​—An Example of Bravery and Kindness”: (10 min.)

• Jer 38:4-6​—Zedekiah gave in to fear of man and allowed opposers to throw Jeremiah into a muddy cistern to die (it-2 1228 ¶3)

• Jer 38:7-10​—Ebed-melech acted bravely and decisively to help Jeremiah (w12 5/1 31 ¶2-3)

• Jer 38:11-13​—Ebed-melech demonstrated kindness (w12 5/1 31 ¶4)

Digging for Spiritual Gems: (8 min.)

• Jer 35:19​—Why were the Rechabites blessed? (it-2 759)

• Jer 37:21​—How did Jehovah care for Jeremiah, and how can this encourage us when we experience adversity? (w98 1/15 18 ¶16-17; w95 8/1 5 ¶5-6)

• What has this week’s Bible reading taught you about Jehovah?

• What other spiritual gems have you discovered in this week’s Bible reading?

Bible Reading: (4 min. or less) Jer 36:27–37:2

Initial Call: (2 min. or less) wp17.3 cover​—Lay the groundwork for a return visit.

Return Visit: (4 min. or less) wp17.3 cover​—Lay the groundwork for the next visit.

Bible Study: (6 min. or less) jl lesson 26

Song 92

“Caring for Our Places of Worship”: (15 min.) Questions and answers by an elder. After playing the video Caring for Our Places of Worship and considering the questions, briefly interview the congregation’s representative on the operating committee. (If your congregation does not have a representative, interview the coordinator of the body of elders. If your congregation is the only one that meets in the Kingdom Hall, interview the maintenance coordinator.) What Kingdom Hall maintenance projects have been accomplished recently, and what is planned for the future? If someone has maintenance skills or would like to learn by assisting those with skills, what should he or she do? How can all of us, regardless of our circumstances, share in caring for the Kingdom Hall?

Congregation Bible Study: (30 min.) kr chap. 12 ¶9-15, boxes “How the Manner of Oversight Improved” and “How the Governing Body Cares for Kingdom Interests”

Review Followed by Preview of Next Week (3 min.)

Song 123 and Prayer