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THEOCRATIC MINISTRY SCHOOL SCHEDULE FOR 2015
INSTRUCTIONS
During 2015 the following will be the arrangements for conducting the Theocratic Ministry School.
SOURCE MATERIAL: New World Translation of the Holy Scriptures [nwt] and Insight on the Scriptures, Volume 1 [it-1]. The school should begin with remarks of welcome and then proceed as outlined below. After each part, the school overseer will introduce the next part. If the school overseer wishes and if there is sufficient space, he may sit at a table and make his comments from a seated position on the platform. On the other hand, if he prefers, he may sit in the audience near the platform but make his comments from the speaker’s stand.
HIGHLIGHTS FROM BIBLE READING: 8 minutes. For the first two minutes, a qualified elder or ministerial servant should focus on one Scriptural point selected from the weekly Bible reading, doing so within the time allotted. Also, whenever possible, the speaker should make local application, and emphasis should be placed on how the material affects us today. (be 47 par. 2-48 par. 1) The speaker should be careful not to exceed the two minutes allotted for the opening portion. He should ensure that six minutes are set aside for the audience to offer brief comments of 30 seconds or less on what they have appreciated in the weekly Bible reading. The school overseer will then dismiss the students who are assigned to other classrooms.
ASSIGNMENT NO. 1: 3 minutes or less. This is a reading to be given by a brother. The student should read the assigned material without giving an introduction or a conclusion. The school overseer will be especially interested in helping students to read with accuracy, understanding, fluency, proper sense stress, modulation, appropriate pausing, and naturalness.
ASSIGNMENT NO. 2: 5 minutes. This will be assigned to a sister. The student either will be given a setting or may select one from the list appearing on page 82 of Benefit From Theocratic Ministry School Education. The assigned theme should be used. When an assignment is based on material from the New World Translation, it should be applied to an aspect of field service that is realistic and practical for the local territory. When the assignment is based on a Bible character as found in Insight on the Scriptures, Volume 1, the student should develop the assigned theme, select appropriate scriptures to be used, and show what can be learned from the example of the Bible character. Acts of faithfulness, courage, humility, and unselfishness furnish good examples to be followed; acts demonstrating a lack of faith as well as undesirable traits stand as strong warnings to turn Christians away from an improper course. The school overseer will be particularly interested in the way the student employs the art of teaching and the way she helps the assistant to reason on the Scriptures. Additional scriptures that tie in with the theme may be included. The school overseer will assign one assistant.
ASSIGNMENT NO. 3: 5 minutes. This may be assigned to a brother or a sister. When assigned to a sister, it should be presented as outlined for Assignment No. 2. When assigned to a brother, material based on the Insight book should be given as a talk with the Kingdom Hall audience in mind. The student should develop the assigned theme, select appropriate scriptures to be used, and show what can be learned from the example of the Bible character. When material based on the New World Translation is assigned to a brother, it should be presented as a demonstration of family study or of field service. The assistant should be a member of the student’s family or a brother in the congregation. Usually, the school overseer will assign the assistant and the setting. If an elder is given this assignment to demonstrate the art of teaching, he may select his own assistant and the setting. Additional scriptures that highlight Bible principles that tie in with the theme may be included.
COUNSEL: 2 minutes. Following Assignments No. 1, No. 2, and No. 3, the school overseer should use the time allotted to give commendation as well as constructive counsel based on Benefit From Theocratic Ministry School Education. When the school overseer introduces a student’s part on the school, he will not announce the point of counsel that the student is working on. However, after the student’s presentation and some appropriate words of commendation, the school overseer should announce the point that the student is working on and state why the student did well on that point or kindly explain why it would be beneficial for the student to give that particular point further attention. According to the need of each student, additional constructive counsel based on Benefit From Theocratic Ministry School Education may be given privately after the meeting or at another time, either on the assigned speech quality or on another aspect of the presentation.
TIMING: No part should go overtime, nor should the remarks of the counselor. Assignments No. 1, No. 2, and No. 3 should tactfully be stopped when the time is up. If brothers handling highlights from the Bible reading go overtime, they should be given private counsel. All should watch their timing carefully. Total program: 30 minutes.
COUNSEL FORM: In Ministry School textbook.
AUXILIARY COUNSELOR: Whenever possible, it is good to use an elder who is an experienced speaker for this privilege of service. The auxiliary counselor’s responsibility will be to give private counsel, if needed, to elders or ministerial servants regarding any speaking assignment they may handle, including parts on the Theocratic Ministry School, Service Meeting parts, public talks, and conducting or reading at the Watchtower Study and the Congregation Bible Study. If there are a number of elders in the congregation who are capable speakers and teachers, then a different qualified elder may serve as auxiliary counselor each year. It is not necessary for the auxiliary counselor to offer counsel after each assignment by elders and ministerial servants but only when he sees that a word of encouragement or a practical suggestion would help the brothers to make progress.
THEOCRATIC MINISTRY SCHOOL REVIEW: 20 minutes. Every two months, the school overseer will conduct a review. It will be preceded by highlights from the Bible reading. The review will be based on material considered in the school during the preceding two months, including the current week. If the congregation has the visit of the circuit overseer during the week of the Theocratic Ministry School Review, the review should be postponed one week and Assignments No. 1, No. 2, and No. 3 of the following week’s schedule should be used. No changes should be made in the schedule of the weekly Bible reading or the presentation of Bible highlights. During the week of a circuit assembly or a regional convention, no congregation meetings are held. The material scheduled for meetings during such weeks should be considered individually or as a family.
SCHEDULE
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Jan. 5 No. 1: No.2: No. 3: |
Bible reading: Joshua 16-20 Who Is God? (nwt p. 6 ^1-3) King Ahab—Theme: There Can Be No Peace for the Wicked (it-1 pp. 59-60) |
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Jan. 12 |
Bible reading: Joshua 21-24 |
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No. 1: | |
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No.2: |
King Ahaz—Theme: Idolatry Brings God’s Disfavor |
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(it-1 pp.61-62) | |
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No. 3: |
Jehovah Is the All-Powerful Creator |
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(nwt p.6 ^4-p.7 fl1) | |
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Jan. 19 |
Bible reading: Judges 1-4 |
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No. 1: |
Judges3:1-11 |
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No.2: |
How Can You Learn About God? (nwt p. 8 ^1-4) |
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No. 3: |
Ahithophel—Theme: Jehovah Thwarts the Schemes of |
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Traitors (it-1 pp. 65-66) | |
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Jan. 26 |
> Bible reading: Judges5-7 |
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No. 1: | |
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No.2: |
Amnon—Theme: Selfish Erotic Love Is Ruinous |
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(it-1 p. 96) | |
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No. 3: |
Ways in Which We Can Learn AboutJehovah |
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(nwt p.9 ^1-4) | |
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Feb. 2 |
Bible reading: Judges8-10 |
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No. 1: | |
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No.2: |
Who Wrote the Bible? (nwt p.10 ^1-5) |
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No. 3: |
Andrew—Theme: Not Prominent, ButApproachable |
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and Faithful (it-1 p.105) | |
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Feb. 9 |
Bible reading: Judges 11-14 |
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No. 1: | |
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No.2: |
Annas—Theme: Hateful Opposition to the Truth Is Futile |
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(it-1 pp.112-113) | |
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No. 3: |
Is the Bible Scientifically Accurate? (nwt p.11 ^1-3) |
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Feb.16 Bible reading: Judges 15-18 | |
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No. 1: | |
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No.2: |
What Is the Bible’s Message? (nwt p.12 ^1-4) |
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No. 3: |
Apollos—Theme: A Man of Humility, Eloquence, and |
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Zeal (it-1 pp.125-126) | |
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Feb. 23 Bible reading: Judges 19-21 | |
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Theocratic Ministry School Review | |
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Mar. 2 |
Bible reading: Ruth 1-4 |
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No. 1: | |
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No.2: |
Aquila—Theme: Preach With Zeal and Be Hospitable |
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(it-1 p. 138) | |
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No. 3: |
The Humility and Powerof Christ the King |
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(nwt p.12 %5-p.13 fl4) | |
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Mar. 9 |
Bible reading: 1 Samuel 1-4 |
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No. 1: | |
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No.2: |
What Did the Bible Foretell Aboutthe Messiah? |
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(nwt p.14) | |
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No. 3: |
Asa (No. 1)—Theme: Be Zealous for Pure Worship |
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(it-1 pp. 183-185) | |
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Mar.16 Bible reading: 1 Samuel 5-9 | |
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No. 1: | |
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No.2: |
Athaliah (No.1)—Theme: Beware of the Jezebel |
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Influence (it-1 p. 209) | |
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No. 3: |
Messianic Prophecies That Jesus Fulfilled (nwt p.15) |
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Mar. 23 Bible reading: 1 Samuel 10-13 | |
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No. 1: | |
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No.2: |
WhatDoesthe Bible ForetellAboutOurDay? |
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(nwt p.16 ^1-4) | |
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No. 3: |
Azariah (No. 21 )—Theme: Strong in Faith From Youth to |
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Manhood (it-1 p. 225) | |
Mar. 30 Bible reading: 1 Samuel 14-15
No.1: 1 Samuel 14:36-45
No. 2: Balaam—Theme: Greed Can Blind Us to a Wrong Course (it-1 pp. 244-245)
No. 3: The Fulfillmentof Bible Prophecy Aboutthe Last Days (nwt p.17 fl1)
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Apr. 6 No. 1: No.2: No. 3: |
Bible reading: 1 Samuel 16-18 Is God to Blame for Human Suffering? (nwt p.18 ^1-4) Barak—Theme: BeValiantand Do NotSeekGlory From Men (it-1 p. 255) |
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Apr.13 No. 1: No.2: No. 3: |
Bible reading: 1 Samuel 19-22 Barnabas—Theme: Be Warmhearted and Generous in Your Ministry (it-1 p. 257) Why Do Humans Suffer? (nwt p.19 ^1-4) |
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Apr. 20 Bible reading: 1 Samuel 23-25 No.1: 1 Samuel 23:13-23 No. 2: What Does the Bible Promise for the Future? (nwt p.20 ^1-3) No. 3: Baruch (No.1)—Theme: Serve Jehovah Unselfishly (it-1 p. 259) | |
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Apr. 27 Bible reading: 1 Samuel 26-31 Theocratic Ministry School Review | |
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May4 No. 1: No.2: No. 3: |
Bible reading: 2 Samuel 1-3 Bath-sheba—Theme: Repentant Wrongdoers Can Receive God’s Favor (it-1 pp. 263-264) Bible PromisesThatWill Soon Be Fulfilled (nwt p.20 ^4-p.21 ffl) |
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May 11 No. 1: No.2: No. 3: |
Bible reading: 2 Samuel 4-8 What Happens When Someone Dies? (nwt p. 22 ^1-3) Belshazzar—Theme: Learn Humility and Avoid Disaster (it-1 pp. 282-284) |
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May 18 No. 1: No.2: No. 3: |
i Bible reading: 2 Samuel 9-12 Benaiah (No.1)—Theme: Be Faithful and Fearless (it-1 pp. 284-285) What Hope Can We Have for the Dead? (nwt p. 23 ^1-3) |
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May 25 Bible reading: 2 Samuel 13-15 No.1: 2 Samuel 13:34-14:7 No. 2: What Does the Bible Say About Work? (nwt p. 24 ^1-3) No. 3: Bezalel (No.1)—Theme: Jehovah’s Spirit Equips His Servants for Every Good Work (it-1 p. 307) | |
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June 1 No. 1: No.2: No. 3: |
Bible reading: 2 Samuel 16-18 Boaz, I—Theme: Be Morally Clean and AcceptScriptural Responsibility (it-1 pp. 347-348) How Can You Manage Your Assets? (nwt p. 25 ^1-4) |
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June 8 No. 1: No.2: No. 3: |
Bible reading: 2 Samuel 19-21 How Can You Find Happiness? (nwt p. 26 ^1-3) Caiaphas—Theme: Bloodguilty Opposers of the Truth Will Never Prevail (it-1 pp. 385-386) |
June 15 Bible reading: 2 Samuel 22-24
No.1: 2 Samuel 22:21-32
No. 2: Cain—Theme: How We React to Counsel Tells Much About Us (it-1 pp. 386-387)
No. 3: Love and Obedience Bring Happiness (nwt p. 26 ^4-6)
June 22 Bible reading: 1 Kings 1-2
No.1: 1 Kings 1:15-27
No. 2: Why Genuine Christians Are Content and Happy (nwt p.27 ^1-3)
No. 3: Caleb (No. 2)—Theme: Jehovah Makes Powerful Those Who Follow Him Fully (it-1 pp. 388-389)
June 29 Bible reading: 1 Kings 3-6 Theocratic Ministry School Review
July 6 Bible reading: 1 Kings 7-8
No.1: 1 Kings 8:27-34
No. 2: Cornelius—Theme: Jehovah God Is Not Partial
(it-1 p. 513)
No. 3: How Can You Cope With Anxiety? (nwt p. 28 ^1-3)
July 13 Bible reading: 1 Kings9-11
No.1: 1 Kings 9:24-10:3
No. 2: Reduce Anxiety by Taking to HeartGod’s Word (nwt p.28 ^4-p.29 fl2)
No. 3: Cyrus—Theme: God’s Word Always ComesTrue (/t-1 pp.566-569)
Oct.5 Bible reading: 1 Chronicles 1-4
No. 1: 1 Chronicles 1:28-42
No. 2: Eli, I—Theme: Permissiveness Dishonors God
(it-1 pp. 706-707)
No. 3: To Whom Does the Term "Antichrist" Refer? (Glossary, nwt p. 1693)
July20 Bible reading: 1 Kings 12-14
No. 1: 1 Kings 12:21-30
No. 2: Daniel (No. 2)—Theme: Jehovah Blesses Whole-Souled Devotion (/t-1 pp. 576-577)
No. 3: How Can the Bible Help Husbands and Fathers? (nwt p.30 ^1-2)
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July 27 No. 1: No.2: No. 3: |
Bible reading: 1 Kings 15-17 How Can the Bible Help Wives? (nwt p. 30 ^3-4) David—Theme: Youths, Prepare Now to Serve Jehovah Courageously (/1-1 pp. 585-591) |
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Aug. 3 |
Bible reading: 1 Kings 18-20 |
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No. 1: | |
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No.2: |
Deborah (No.2)—Theme: Faithful Women Praise Jehovah ( t-1 p. 600) |
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No. 3: |
How Can the Bible Help Children? (nwt p. 31 ^1-2) |
Aug.10 Bible reading: 1 Kings 21-22
No.1: 1 Kings 22:13-23
No. 2: How Can You Draw Close to God? (nwt p. 32 ^1-4)
No. 3: Delilah—Theme:The Love of Money Can Lead to Betrayal (it-1 pp. 608-609)
Aug.17 Bible reading: 2 Kings 1-4
No.1: 2 Kings 1:11-18
No. 2: Dinah—Theme: Bad Associations Can Lead to Tragedy (it-1 p. 627)
No. 3: Things We Must Do to Draw Close to God (nwt p. 32 %5-p. 33 fl3)
Aug. 24 Bible reading: 2Kings5-8
No.1: 2 Kings 6:20-31
No. 2: What Is Contained in the Various Books of the Hebrew Scriptures? (nwt p. 34)
No. 3: Doeg—Theme: Beware of Those Who Love What Is Bad (it-1 p. 644)
Aug. 31 Bible reading: 2Kings9-11 Theocratic Ministry School Review
Sept. 7 Bible reading: 2 Kings 12-15
No.1: 2 Kings 13:12-19
No. 2: Dorcas—Theme: Genuine Christians Abound in Good
Works (it-1 p. 646)
No. 3: What Is Contained in the Various Books of the Christian
Greek Scriptures? (nwt p. 35)
Sept.14 Bible reading: 2 Kings 16-18
No. 1: 2 Kings 17:12-18
No. 2: How Can You Get the Most out of Your Bible Reading? (nwt p. 36)
No. 3: Ebed-melech—Theme: Be Fearless, and Honor
Jehovah’s Servants (/t-1 pp. 672-673)
Sept. 21 Bible reading: 2 Kings 19-22
No.1: 2 Kings 20:12-21
No. 2: Ehud (No. 2)—Theme: Jehovah Delivers His People (it-1 p. 700)
No. 3: What Does the Word "Amen" Mean?
(Glossary, nwt p.1692)
Sept. 28 Bible reading: 2 Kings 23-25
No.1: 2 Kings 23:8-15
No. 2: What Roles Do Angels Play in God’s Purpose? (Glossary, nwt pp. 1692-1693)
No. 3: Eleazar (No. 1)—Theme: Steadfastly Serve Jehovah (it-1 p. 705)
Oct. 12 Bible reading: 1 Chronicles 5-7
No.1: 1 Chronicles 6:48-60
No. 2: What Is Apostasy? (Glossary, nwt p. 1693)
No. 3: Elihu (No. 1)—Theme: True Friends Speak the Truth
(it-1 p. 710)
Oct. 19 Bible reading: 1 Chronicles 8-11
No.1: 1 Chronicles 11:15-25
No. 2: Elijah (No.1)—Theme: Never Underestimate the Power of Prayer (it-1 pp. 710-713)
No. 3: Who Is the Archangel? (Glossary, nwt p. 1693)
Oct. 26 Bible reading: 1 Chronicles 12-15 Theocratic Ministry School Review
Nov. 2 Bible reading: 1 Chronicles 16-20
No.1: 1 Chronicles 17:15-27
No. 2: What Was the Ark of the Covenant?
(Glossary, nwt p. 1693)
No. 3: Eliphaz (No. 2)—Theme: Jehovah Hates a False Tongue
(it-1 pp. 713-714)
Nov. 9 Bible reading: 1 Chronicles 21-25
No.1: 1 Chronicles23:1-11
No. 2: Elisha—Theme: Have Deep Respect for Jehovah’s Servants (it-1 pp. 714-718)
No. 3: What Really Is Armageddon? (Glossary, nwt p. 1693)
Nov. 16 Bible reading: 1 Chronicles 26-29
No.1: 1 Chronicles29:20-30
No. 2: What Does "Atonement" Mean? (Glossary, nwt p. 1694)
No. 3: Elizabeth—Theme: Be God-Fearing and Blameless
(it-1 p. 719)
Nov. 23 Bible reading: 2 Chronicles 1-5
No. 1: 2 Chronicles 3:14-4:6
No. 2: Enoch (No. 2)—Theme: Walk With Jehovah (it-1 p. 729)
No. 3: What Kinds of Baptisms Are There?
(Glossary, nwt p. 1694)
Nov. 30 Bible reading: 2 Chronicles 6-9
No. 1: 2 Chronicles 6:22-27
No. 2: How Serious Is Brazen Conduct? (Glossary, nwt p. 1694)
No. 3: Epaphras—Theme: Pray and Slave for Your Brothers (it-1 p. 731)
Dec. 7 Bible reading: 2 Chronicles 10-14
No. 1: 2 Chronicles 13:13-22
No. 2: Epaphroditus—Theme: Have Respect for Trustworthy Men(/t-1 p.731)
No. 3: What Is the Meaning of "Caesar"?
(Glossary, nwt p. 1694)
Dec. 14 Bible reading: 2 Chronicles 15-19
No. 1: 2 Chronicles 16:1-9
No. 2: Where Was Chaldea, and Who Were the Chaldeans? (Glossary, nwt p. 1695)
No. 3: Esau—Theme: Our Decisions Reveal Whether We
Appreciate Sacred Things ( t-1 pp. 759-760)
Dec. 21 Bible reading: 2 Chronicles 20-24
No.1: 2 Chronicles20:13-20
No. 2: Esther—Theme: How True Beauty Is Made Manifest ( t-1 pp. 761-762)
No. 3: What Does "Chief Agent" Mean?
(Glossary, nwt p. 1695)
Dec. 28 Bible reading: 2 Chronicles 25-28 Theocratic Ministry School Review
