References for Life and Ministry Meeting Workbook
© 2025 Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society of Pennsylvania
SEPTEMBER 1-7
TREASURES FROM GOD’S WORD | PROVERBS 29
Reject Unscriptural Beliefs and Customs
wp16.06 6, box
Visions of Those in the Invisible Heavens
Like prisoners in chains, millions of people are shackled by superstition and the dread of evil spirits. They look to charms, amulets, and magic potions to protect themselves. There is no need for you to do so. The Bible gives this comforting assurance: “The eyes of Jehovah are roving about through all the earth to show his strength in behalf of those whose heart is complete toward him.” (2 Chronicles 16:9) The true God, Jehovah, who is far more powerful than Satan, will protect you if you trust in Him.
To gain Jehovah’s protection, you need to learn what is pleasing to him and then do it. For example, in the first century, Christians in the city of Ephesus collected all their books on magic and burned them. (Acts 19:19, 20) Similarly, to have God’s protection, you must dispose of charms, amulets, fetishes, magic books, “protective” strings, and anything else connected with demonistic practices.
Spiritual Gems
it “Flattery” ¶1
Flattery
The act of pleasing by artful commendation; adulation; false, insincere, or excessive praise. It is usually done to gratify the self-love or vanity of the one flattered and is therefore damaging to him. Its motive is to gain favor or material benefits from another, to create a feeling of obligation toward the flatterer or to bring glory to him. Often it is designed to lead the other person into a trap. (Pr 29:5) The use of flattery is not evidence of the wisdom from above; it is of this world, being characterized by selfishness, the making of partial distinctions, and hypocrisy. (Jas 3:17) Insincerity, lying, adulating or glorifying men, and playing on the vanity of others are all displeasing to God.—2Co 1:12; Ga 1:10; Eph 4:25; Col 3:9; Re 21:8.
SEPTEMBER 8-14
TREASURES FROM GOD’S WORD | PROVERBS 30
“Give Me Neither Poverty Nor Riches”
w87 5/15 30 ¶8
Fear Jehovah and You Will Be Happy
◆ 30:15, 16—What is the point of these examples?
They illustrate the insatiableness of greed. Leeches gorge themselves with blood, even as greedy persons always demand more money or power. Likewise, Sheol is never satisfied but remains open to receive more victims of death. A barren womb ‘cries out’ for children. (Genesis 30:1) Drought-stricken land drinks up rainwater and soon appears dry again. And a fire that has consumed things thrown into it sends out flames that lick up other combustibles in reach. So it is with greedy persons. But those guided by godly wisdom are not endlessly goaded on by such selfishness.
w11 6/1 10 ¶4
Living Within One’s Means—How It Can Be Done
Save up money before buying. Although it may seem old-fashioned, saving up money before making a purchase is actually one of the wisest ways to keep out of financial trouble. Doing so keeps many out of debt and its associated plagues, such as high interest rates, which ultimately add to the price of everything a person buys. In the Bible, the ant is depicted as being “wise” because of saving up “food supplies even in the harvest” for future use.—Proverbs 6:6-8; 30:24, 25.
Spiritual Gems
w09 4/15 17 ¶11-13
Jehovah’s Wisdom Observed in Creation
11 The rock badger is another comparatively small creature that can teach us important lessons. (Read Proverbs 30:26.) It somewhat resembles a large rabbit but has short, rounded ears and short legs. This little animal lives in rocky areas. The keen eyesight of the rock badger serves it well, and the holes and crevices in its craggy habitat provide a safe retreat from predators. The rock badger is designed to prosper in a close-knit community, which provides protection and helps it to keep warm in winter.
12 What can we learn from the rock badger? First, note that this animal does not leave itself vulnerable to attack. Rather, it takes advantage of its keen eyesight to see predators from afar, and it stays close to holes and crevices that can provide lifesaving shelter. Similarly, we need to have sharp spiritual vision so that we can perceive the dangers that lurk in Satan’s world. The apostle Peter admonished Christians: “Keep your senses, be watchful. Your adversary, the Devil, walks about like a roaring lion, seeking to devour someone.” (1 Pet. 5:8) When he was on earth, Jesus remained watchful, on guard against all attempts of Satan to break His integrity. (Matt. 4:1-11) Jesus set a good example for his followers!
13 One way we can be watchful is by taking advantage of the spiritual protection that Jehovah makes available to us. Study of God’s Word and attendance at Christian meetings should not be neglected. (Luke 4:4; Heb. 10:24, 25) Furthermore, just as the rock badger thrives in a close-knit community, we need to stay close to our fellow Christians so that we can enjoy “an interchange of encouragement” with them. (Rom. 1:12) By availing ourselves of the protection Jehovah provides, we show that we agree with the psalmist David, who wrote: “Jehovah is my crag and my stronghold and the Provider of escape for me. My God is my rock. I shall take refuge in him.”—Ps. 18:2.
SEPTEMBER 15-21
TREASURES FROM GOD’S WORD | PROVERBS 31
Lessons From a Mother’s Loving Instructions
w11 2/1 19 ¶7-8
Inculcate Moral Values in Your Children
Teach the whole truth about sex. Warnings are necessary. (1 Corinthians 6:18; James 1:14, 15) However, the Bible primarily portrays sex as a gift of God, not as a trap of Satan. (Proverbs 5:18, 19; Song of Solomon 1:2) Telling your teens only about the dangers may leave them with a distorted, unscriptural view of the topic. “My parents put a lot of emphasis on sexual immorality,” says a young woman in France named Corrina, “and that gave me a negative attitude toward sex relations.”
Make sure that your children get the whole truth about sex. “What I have always tried to get across to my teens,” says a mother in Mexico named Nadia, “is that sex is beautiful and natural and that Jehovah God gave it to humans for them to enjoy. But it has its proper place within marriage. It can give us happiness or suffering, depending on how we use it.”
ijwhf article 4 ¶11-13
Talking to Children About Alcohol
Take the initiative to discuss the topic. “The use of alcohol can be confusing to young ones,” says Mark, a father in Britain. “I asked my eight-year-old son if he thought it was right or wrong to drink alcohol. I kept the atmosphere relaxed and informal, and this helped him to express his views openly.”
You will leave a deeper impression if you address the subject of alcohol on several occasions. Depending on the age of your child, include discussions about alcohol along with other life lessons, such as road safety and sex education.
Set the example. Children are like sponges—they absorb their surroundings—and research indicates that parents influence their children the most. This means that if you drink alcohol as a primary way to calm down or relieve stress, your child will get the message that alcohol is the answer to life’s anxieties. So be a good role model. Make sure you use alcohol responsibly.
g17.6 9 ¶5
Teaching Children Humility
Encourage giving. Prove to your child that “there is more happiness in giving than there is in receiving.” (Acts 20:35) How? Together you might prepare a list of people in need of help with shopping, transportation, or repair work. Then take your child along as you assist some of them. Allow your child to see your joy and satisfaction as you care for the needs of others. That way you will teach your child humility in the most powerful way—by example.—Bible principle: Luke 6:38.
SEPTEMBER 22-28
TREASURES FROM GOD’S WORD | ECCLESIASTES 1-2
Spiritual Gems
it “Ecclesiastes” ¶1
Ecclesiastes
The Hebrew name Qo·heʹleth (meaning “Congregator; Assembler; Convener; Convoker”) fittingly describes the role of the king in the theocratic government that Israel enjoyed. (Ec 1:1, 12) It was the responsibility of the ruler to hold the dedicated people of God together in faithfulness to their true King and God. (1Ki 8:1-5, 41-43, 66) For that reason, whether a king was good or bad for the nation was determined by whether he led the nation in the worship of Jehovah or not. (2Ki 16:1-4; 18:1-6) The congregator, who was Solomon, had already done much congregating of Israel and their companions, the temporary residents, to the temple. In this book he sought to congregate God’s people away from the vain and fruitless works of this world to the works worthy of the God to whom they as a nation were dedicated. The name used in our English Bibles is taken from the translation of Qo·heʹleth in the Greek Septuagint, namely, Ek·kle·si·a·stesʹ (Ecclesiastes), meaning “a member of an ecclesia (congregation; assembly).”
SEPTEMBER 29–OCTOBER 5
TREASURES FROM GOD’S WORD | ECCLESIASTES 3-4
Strengthen Your Threefold Cord
ijwhf article 10 ¶2-8
How to Keep Technology in Its Place
● The wise use of technology can benefit a marriage. For example, some husbands and wives use it to keep in touch with each other during the day while they are apart.
“A simple text message that says ‘I love you’ or ‘I’m thinking about you’ can mean a lot.”—Jonathan.
● The unwise use of technology can undermine a marriage. For example, some people use their devices constantly, which diminishes the time and attention they can give to their spouse.
“I’m sure that there have been times when my husband would have felt more inclined to talk to me if I hadn’t been using my phone.”—Julissa.
● Some people say they can have meaningful discussions with their spouse and use their device at the same time. According to sociologist Sherry Turkle, that is “the myth of multitasking.” Evidently, the so-called ability to multitask is not exactly a virtue. She says that in reality, “our performance degrades for each new task we add to the mix.”
“Having a conversation with my husband is rewarding, but not when he’s multitasking. Multitasking sends the message that he would be just as happy to be with his device only.”—Sarah.
The bottom line: The way you use technology can help or can hurt your marriage.
Spiritual Gems
it “Love” ¶39
Love
“A Time to Love.” Love is held back only from those whom Jehovah shows are unworthy of it, or from those set in a course of badness. Love is extended to all persons until they show they are haters of God. Then the time comes for love’s expression toward them to end. Both Jehovah God and Jesus Christ love righteousness and hate lawlessness. (Ps 45:7; Heb 1:9) Those who intensely hate the true God are not persons toward whom love is to be expressed. Indeed, it would accomplish no good to continue exercising love toward such ones, for those who hate God will not respond to God’s love. (Ps 139:21, 22; Isa 26:10) Therefore God properly hates them and has a time to act against them.—Ps 21:8, 9; Ec 3:1, 8.
OCTOBER 6-12
TREASURES FROM GOD’S WORD | ECCLESIASTES 5-6
How We Show Reverence for Our Great God
w08 8/15 15-16 ¶17-18
Honor Jehovah by Displaying Dignity
17 Special attention should be given to displaying dignity when we approach Jehovah in worship. “Guard your feet whenever you go to the house of the true God,” says Ecclesiastes 5:1. Both Moses and Joshua were commanded to remove their sandals when in a holy place. (Ex. 3:5; Josh. 5:15) They were to do this as a gesture of respect or reverence. Israelite priests were obliged to wear linen drawers “to cover the naked flesh.” (Ex. 28:42, 43) This prevented indecent exposure when they served at the altar. Every member of a priest’s family was to uphold the godly standard of dignity.
18 Dignity in worship, then, involves honor and respect. To be worthy of honor and respect, we must act respectfully. The dignity we display must be more than a pretense or a mere robe of identification. It should go beyond what human eyes see to what God sees—our heart. (1 Sam. 16:7; Prov. 21:2) Dignity should become part of us and affect our behavior, our attitude, our relationship with others, even the way we view and feel about ourselves. Indeed, dignity should be evident at all times and in everything we say and do. When it comes to our conduct, demeanor, and dress and grooming, we take to heart the words of the apostle Paul: “In no way are we giving any cause for stumbling, that our ministry might not be found fault with; but in every way we recommend ourselves as God’s ministers.” (2 Cor. 6:3, 4) We “adorn the teaching of our Savior, God, in all things.”—Titus 2:10.
w09 11/15 11 ¶21
Enrich Your Prayers Through Bible Study
21 Jesus prayed reverently in full faith. Before he resurrected Lazarus, for instance, “Jesus raised his eyes heavenward and said: ‘Father, I thank you that you have heard me. True, I knew that you always hear me.’” (John 11:41, 42) Do your prayers give evidence of such reverence and faith? Study Jesus’ reverential model prayer, and you will see that particularly significant features of it are the sanctification of Jehovah’s name, the coming of his Kingdom, and the accomplishment of his will. (Matt. 6:9, 10) Think about your own prayers. Do they reflect your keen interest in Jehovah’s Kingdom, in the doing of his will, and in the sanctification of his holy name? They should.
Spiritual Gems
w20.09 31 ¶3-5
Questions From Readers
Ecclesiastes 5:8 refers to a ruler who oppresses the poor and denies them justice. The ruler ought to remember that he is likely being watched by someone who has a higher post or more authority in government than he has. In fact, there may be others who have even higher positions. Sadly, in human governments, all these rulers may be corrupt, and the common people must cope with misrule on many levels.
Yet, no matter how hopeless matters might seem, we can take comfort in knowing that Jehovah is ‘watching even high officials’ in human governments. We can appeal to God and throw our burdens on him. (Ps. 55:22; Phil. 4:6, 7) We know that “the eyes of Jehovah are roving about through all the earth to show his strength in behalf of those whose heart is complete toward him.”—2 Chron. 16:9.
Consequently, Ecclesiastes 5:8 brings to mind the real situation of men in government; there is always someone with greater authority. More important, the verse can help us reflect on the fact that Jehovah is the highest, yes, the Supreme Authority. He is now ruling through his Son, Jesus Christ, King of the Kingdom. The Almighty, who is observing all, is completely just and fair, and so is his Son.
OCTOBER 13-19
TREASURES FROM GOD’S WORD | ECCLESIASTES 7-8
“Go to the House of Mourning”
it “Mourning” ¶9
Mourning
A Time to Mourn. Ecclesiastes 3:1, 4 states that there is “a time to weep and a time to laugh; a time to wail and a time to skip about.” In view of all mankind’s dying condition, the heart of the wise ones is shown to be “in the house of mourning” rather than in the banquet house. (Ec 7:2, 4; compare Pr 14:13.) Thus, the wise person makes use of his opportunity to express sympathy and give comfort, instead of ignoring such an occasion in favor of seeking pleasure. This helps him to keep in mind his own mortal state and to keep his heart in a right attitude toward his Creator.
OCTOBER 20-26
TREASURES FROM GOD’S WORD | ECCLESIASTES 9-10
Keep a Proper View of Your Trials
w13 8/15 14 ¶20-21
Never Become “Enraged Against Jehovah”
20 Lay the blame where it belongs. Why should we do so? Well, we may be responsible for some of our problems. If we are, we need to acknowledge that fact. (Gal. 6:7) Do not try to blame Jehovah for the problems. Why would such a course be unreasonable? Consider this example: A car may be capable of traveling at a high speed. Imagine that a driver greatly exceeds the recommended speed limit when traveling around a sharp curve and he crashes. Should the manufacturer of the car be held accountable for the accident? No, of course not! Similarly, Jehovah has created us with free will. But he has also provided us with guidelines on how to make wise decisions. So why would we blame our Creator for our own mistakes?
21 Of course, not all our problems are a result of our personal mistakes and wrong actions. Some events take place as a result of “time and unforeseen occurrence.” (Eccl. 9:11) Ultimately, though, let us never lose sight of the fact that Satan the Devil is the primary cause of wickedness. (1 John 5:19; Rev. 12:9) He is the enemy—not Jehovah!—1 Pet. 5:8.
w11 10/15 8 ¶1-2
Is Your Recreation Beneficial?
THROUGHOUT the Bible, we find statements indicating that Jehovah wants us not only to live but also to enjoy life. For instance, Psalm 104:14, 15 states that Jehovah is causing “food to go forth from the earth, and wine that makes the heart of mortal man rejoice, to make the face shine with oil, and bread that sustains the very heart of mortal man.” Indeed, Jehovah makes crops grow to yield grain, oil, and wine for our sustenance. But wine also ‘makes the heart rejoice.’ It goes beyond what is strictly necessary to maintain life and adds to our joy. (Eccl. 9:7; 10:19) Yes, Jehovah wants us to be joyful, our hearts filled with “good cheer.”—Acts 14:16, 17.
2 There is, therefore, no reason to feel guilty when we once in a while schedule some time to “observe intently the birds of heaven” and “the lilies of the field” or to enjoy some other activities that refresh us and enrich our life. (Matt. 6:26, 28; Ps. 8:3, 4) A wholesome life is a “gift of God.” (Eccl. 3:12, 13) Viewing leisure time as part of that gift will move us to use it in a way that will bring pleasure to the Giver.
Spiritual Gems
it “Gossip, Slander” ¶4, 8
Gossip, Slander
Gossip can lead to slander, becoming disastrous to the slanderer. The wisdom of the words at Ecclesiastes 10:12-14 is very evident: “The lips of the stupid one swallow him up. The start of the words of his mouth is foolishness, and the end afterward of his mouth is calamitous madness. And the foolish one speaks many words.”
While gossip can in some cases be more or less harmless (though it can become slander or lead into it), slander is always damaging and always causes hurt and contention. It may be with or without malicious motive. In either case, the slanderer is putting himself in a bad position before God, for “sending forth contentions among brothers” is among the things that God hates. (Pr 6:16-19) The Greek word for “slanderer” or “accuser” is di·aʹbo·los. The word is also used in the Bible as a title of Satan “the Devil,” the great slanderer of God. (Joh 8:44; Re 12:9, 10; Ge 3:2-5) This indicates the source of such defamatory accusation.
OCTOBER 27–NOVEMBER 2
TREASURES FROM GOD’S WORD | ECCLESIASTES 11-12
Enjoy a Happy, Healthy Life
g 3/15 13 ¶6-7
Fresh Air and Sunshine—Natural “Antibiotics”?
Sunlight also has natural disinfecting properties. The Journal of Hospital Infection explains that “the majority of microbes that cause airborne infections cannot tolerate sunlight.”
How can you take advantage of this? You might want to go outdoors, where you can spend a moderate amount of time in the sunshine and breathe some fresh air. It will likely do you good.
Spiritual Gems
it “Inspiration” ¶10
Inspiration
The evidence indicates, however, that the men used by God to record the Scriptures were not merely automatons, simply recording dictated material. We read concerning the apostle John that the “God-breathed” Revelation was presented to him through an angel “in signs” and that John then “bore witness to the word God gave and to the witness Jesus Christ gave, even to all the things he saw.” (Re 1:1, 2) It was “by inspiration [literally, “in spirit”]” that John “came to be in the Lord’s day” and he was told: “What you see write in a scroll.” (Re 1:10, 11) So, God apparently saw good to allow Bible writers to use their mental faculties in selecting words and expressions to describe the visions they saw (Hab 2:2), while always exercising sufficient control and guidance over them so that the end product would be not only accurate and true but also such as suited Jehovah’s purpose. (Pr 30:5, 6) That personal effort on the part of the writer was involved is shown by the statement at Ecclesiastes 12:9, 10, there being a pondering, searching, and arranging in order to present properly “delightful words and the writing of correct words of truth.”—Compare Lu 1:1-4.