Theocratic Ministry School Schedule for 1986
INSTRUCTIONS
During 1986 the following will be the arrangements when conducting the Theocratic Ministry School.
TEXTBOOKS: The New World Translation of the Holy Scriptures [bi12], Bible Topics for Discussion [td], The Watchtower [w], and the books “All Scripture Is Inspired of God and Beneficial” [si] and My Book of Bible Stories [my] will be the basis for assignments.
The school will begin with song and 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 the “Why Beneficial” section of “All Scripture Is Inspired of God and Beneficial” on the Bible book being considered. 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. 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 should be given as necessary.
HIGHLIGHTS FROM BIBLE READING: 6 minutes. This should be handled by the school overseer or another qualified elder or ministerial servant assigned by him. 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 current 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 or to younger ones. 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 select an appropriate theme.
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. Numbers in parentheses refer to Bible Topics for Discussion found in the bi12 Bible, 1984 edition.
When assigned to a sister, the material should be presented as outlined for Talk No. 3, except she should use the theme shown.
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 giving 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: Students assigned the first, second, and third talks should choose a theme that will allow for the best coverage of the material. Students assigned the fourth talk should use the theme shown. Students will want to read over the School Guidebook material dealing with the speech quality being worked on next, prior to giving the talk.
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 one assigned to give the “stop signal” should do so immediately. 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 already have made sure that he covers main points that should be highlighted and 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 what is 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. 5 Bible reading: 2 Chronicles 26 to 28
No. 1: Genesis
No. 2: 2 Chronicles 26:11-23
No. 3: my Story 1
No. 4: td 1A (1A) “Should Christians Worship Their Ancestors?”
Jan. 12 Bible reading: 2 Chronicles 29 and 30
No. 1: Exodus
No. 2: 2 Chronicles 30:1-12
No. 3: my Story 2
No. 4: td 2C (2B) “Is It Right for God to Destroy the Wicked?”
Jan. 19 Bible reading: 2 Chronicles 31 to 33
No. 1: Leviticus
No. 2: 2 Chronicles 32:10-22
No. 3: my Story 3
No. 4: td 4C (4B) “Is the Bible Practical for Modern-Day Living?”
Jan. 26 Bible reading: 2 Chronicles 34 to 36
No. 1: Numbers
No. 2: 2 Chronicles 34:22-33
No. 3: my Story 4
No. 4: td 4F (4C) “Can the Bible Help People of All Nations and Races?”
Feb. 2 Bible reading: Ezra 1 to 3
No. 1: Ezra
No. 2: Ezra 3:1-13
No. 3: my Story 5
No. 4: td 5A (5A) “Why Is It Better Not to Take Blood Transfusions?”
Feb. 9 Bible reading: Ezra 4 to 7
No. 1: Deuteronomy
No. 2: Ezra 6:1-13
No. 3: my Story 6
No. 4: td 6A (6A) “What Facts Prove 1914 C.E. to Be a Marked Year?”
Feb. 16 Bible reading: Ezra 8 to 10
No. 1: Joshua
No. 2: Ezra 9:1-9, 15
No. 3: my Story 7
No. 4: td 7A (7A) “What Meaning Does the Bible Give to the Word ‘Church’?”
Feb. 23 Written Review. Complete 2 Chronicles 26-36 to Ezra 1-10
Mar. 2 Bible reading: Nehemiah 1 to 3
No. 1: Nehemiah
No. 2: Nehemiah 3:1-13
No. 3: my Story 8
No. 4: td 10A (9A) “What Significance Was There to Jesus’ Being Hanged on a Stake?”
Mar. 9 Bible reading: Nehemiah 4 to 6
No. 1: Judges
No. 2: Nehemiah 6:1-13
No. 3: my Story 9
No. 4: td 11A (10A) “Why Has Death Come to All Mankind?”
Mar. 16 Bible reading: Nehemiah 7 and 8
No. 1: Ruth
No. 2: Nehemiah 8:1-12
No. 3: my Story 10
No. 4: td 14B (11B) “Who Is the Real Ruler of the World?”
Mar. 23 Bible reading: Nehemiah 9 to 11
No. 1: 1 Samuel
No. 2: Nehemiah 9:4, 26-33, 36-38
No. 3: my Story 11
No. 4: td 17A (12A) “What Better Conditions Has God Purposed for Good People?”
Mar. 30 Bible reading: Nehemiah 12 and 13
No. 1: 2 Samuel
No. 2: Nehemiah 13:15-18, 23-31
No. 3: my Story 12
No. 4: td 19A (13A) “Who Are the False Prophets of Our Time?”
Apr. 6 Bible reading: Esther 1 to 5
No. 1: Esther
No. 2: Esther 4:6-17
No. 3: my Story 13
No. 4: td 22A (14A) “Why Is Spiritual Healing Good for a Christian?”
Apr. 13 Bible reading: Esther 6 to 10
No. 1: 1 Kings
No. 2: Esther 6:1-13
No. 3: my Story 14
No. 4: td 22B (14B) “What Physical Benefits Will God’s Kingdom Bring?”
Apr. 20 Bible reading: Job 1 to 3
No. 1: Job
No. 2: Job 2:1-13
No. 3: my Story 15
No. 4: td 24B (16A) “What Is the Bible ‘Hell’?”
Apr. 27 Written Review. Complete Nehemiah 1-13; Es 1-10 to Job 1-3
May 4 Bible reading: Job 4 to 6
No. 1: 2 Kings
No. 2: Job 6:1-11, 29, 30
No. 3: my Story 16
No. 4: td 24C (16B) “Of What Is the Bible Term ‘Fire’ Symbolic?”
May 11 Bible reading: Job 7 to 9
No. 1: 1 Chronicles
No. 2: Job 9:1-15
No. 3: my Story 17
No. 4: td 25B (17A) “What Is the Christian View of Holidays?”
May 18 Bible reading: Job 10 to 12
No. 1: 2 Chronicles
No. 2: Job 12:1-16
No. 3: my Story 18
No. 4: td 26A (18A) “Why Is It Improper to Use Images in True Worship?”
May 25 Bible reading: Job 13 to 15
No. 1: Proverbs
No. 2: Job 13:1-13
No. 3: my Story 19
No. 4: td 29A (20A) “What Does the Bible Say About God’s Name?”
June 1 Bible reading: Job 16 to 18
No. 1: Ecclesiastes
No. 2: Job 16:1-11, 22
No. 3: my Story 20
No. 4: td 29C (20B) “How Do We Know God Exists When He Cannot Be Seen?”
June 8 Bible reading: Job 19 and 20
No. 1: Song of Solomon
No. 2: Job 19:14-29
No. 3: my Story 21
No. 4: td 29D (20C) “What Attributes Does God Possess?”
June 15 Bible reading: Job 21 and 22
No. 1: Isaiah
No. 2: Job 21:19-34
No. 3: my Story 22
No. 4: td 30A (21A) “Upon What Is the Name ‘Jehovah’s Witnesses’ Based?”
June 22 Bible reading: Job 23 to 26
No. 1: Jeremiah
No. 2: Job 24:1, 2, 14-25
No. 3: my Story 23
No. 4: td 31B (22A) “What Is Jesus’ Position in Relationship to Jehovah?”
June 29 Written Review. Complete Job 4 to 26
July 6 Bible reading: Job 27 to 29
No. 1: Lamentations
No. 2: Job 29:2-18
No. 3: my Story 24
No. 4: td 31D (22B) “Why Is Belief in Jesus Christ Essential to Salvation?”
July 13 Bible reading: Job 30 and 31
No. 1: Ezekiel
No. 2: Job 31:23-37
No. 3: my Story 25
No. 4: td 33B (23A) “What Benefits Will Come Through God’s Kingdom?”
July 20 Bible reading: Job 32 and 33
No. 1: Daniel
No. 2: Job 33:1-6, 23-33
No. 3: my Story 26
No. 4: td 33C (23B) “What Will Christ Do While His Enemies Are Still Active?”
July 27 Bible reading: Job 34 to 36
No. 1: Hosea
No. 2: Job 34:1-15
No. 3: my Story 27
No. 4: td 34B (24B) “Why Is It Urgent That We Take Note of Certain Signs?”
Aug. 3 Bible reading: Job 37 and 38
No. 1: Joel
No. 2: Job 37:5-14, 23, 24
No. 3: my Story 28
No. 4: td 36B (25A) “What Does the Bible Assure Us Obedient Mankind Will Receive?”
Aug. 10 Bible reading: Job 39 and 40
No. 1: Amos
No. 2: Job 40:1-14
No. 3: my Story 29
No. 4: td 36D (25B) “Who Only Have Been Selected for Heavenly Life?”
Aug. 17 Bible reading: Job 41 and 42
No. 1: Obadiah
No. 2: Job 42:1-10, 12-17
No. 3: my Story 30
No. 4: td 36E (25C) “What Promise Awaits the Unlimited Number of ‘Other Sheep’?”
Aug. 24 Bible reading: Psalms 1 to 6
No. 1: Psalms
No. 2: Psalm 2:1-12
No. 3: my Story 31
No. 4: td 38B (26A) “What Standards Does the Bible Set for Christian Marriages?”
Aug. 31 Written Review. Complete Job 27-42 to Psalm 1-6
Sept. 7 Bible reading: Psalms 7 to 10
No. 1: Jonah
No. 2: Psalm 8:1-9; 9:1-5
No. 3: my Story 32
No. 4: td 38C (26B) “What Headship Arrangement Do All Families Fall Under?”
Sept. 14 Bible reading: Psalms 11 to 17
No. 1: Micah
No. 2: Psalm 14:1-7; 15:1-5
No. 3: my Story 33
No. 4: td 42D (30C) “What Must a Husband Never Allow His Wife to Do?”
Sept. 21 Bible reading: Psalms 18 to 20
No. 1: Nahum
No. 2: Psalm 19:1-14
No. 3: my Story 34
No. 4: td 47C (34B) “How Should We View False Doctrine?”
Sept. 28 Bible reading: Psalms 21 to 24
No. 1: Habakkuk
No. 2: Psalm 23:1-6; 24:1-10
No. 3: my Story 35
No. 4: td 48A (35A) “What Hope Is There for the Dead?”
Oct. 5 Bible reading: Psalms 25 to 29
No. 1: Zephaniah
No. 2: Psalm 26:1-12
No. 3: my Story 36
No. 4: td 48B (35B) “What Two Types of Resurrection Are There?”
Oct. 12 Bible reading: Psalms 30 to 33
No. 1: Haggai
No. 2: Psalm 32:1-11
No. 3: my Story 37
No. 4: td 49A (36A) “What Proof Is There That Christ’s Return Will Be Invisible?”
Oct. 19 Bible reading: Psalms 34 to 36
No. 1: Zechariah
No. 2: Psalm 36:1-12
No. 3: my Story 38
No. 4: td 49B (36B) “How Is It Possible to Know When Christ Has Returned?”
Oct. 26 Written Review. Complete Psalms 7 to 36
Nov. 2 Bible reading: Psalms 37 to 39
No. 1: Malachi
No. 2: Psalm 37:23-38
No. 3: my Story 39
No. 4: td 50A (37A) “Why Is the ‘Sabbath Day’ Law Not Binding Upon Christians?”
Nov. 9 Bible reading: Psalms 40 to 44
No. 1: Matthew
No. 2: Psalm 41:1-13
No. 3: my Story 40
No. 4: td 50B (37B) “Who Only Were Required to Observe the Sabbath?”
Nov. 16 Bible reading: Psalms 45 to 49
No. 1: Mark
No. 2: Psalm 45:1-7, 10-17
No. 3: my Story 41
No. 4: td 50D (37C) “What Does the Bible Say About God’s Sabbath?”
Nov. 23 Bible reading: Psalms 50 to 52
No. 1: Luke
No. 2: Psalm 51:1-17
No. 3: my Story 42
No. 4: td 51B (38A) “What Arrangement for Salvation Has Jehovah Made?”
Nov. 30 Bible reading: Psalms 53 to 57
No. 1: John
No. 2: Psalm 55:1, 2, 12-23
No. 3: my Story 43
No. 4: td 51D (38B) “Why Is the Belief ‘Once Saved, Always Saved’ Not Scriptural?”
Dec. 7 Bible reading: Psalms 58 to 62
No. 1: Acts
No. 2: Psalm 62:1-12
No. 3: my Story 44
No. 4: td 51E (38C) “What Scriptures Refute the Teaching of ‘Universal Salvation’?”
Dec. 14 Bible reading: Psalms 63 to 67
No. 1: Romans
No. 2: Psalm 65:1-13
No. 3: my Story 45
No. 4: td 53A (39A) “What Is the Bible Definition of ‘Sin’?”
Dec. 21 Bible reading: Psalms 68 and 69
No. 1: 1 Corinthians
No. 2: Psalm 68:1-11, 32-35
No. 3: my Story 46
No. 4: td 53B (39B) “Why Do All Humans Suffer From Adam’s Sin?”
Dec. 28 Written Review. Complete Psalms 37 to 69