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.
w19.04 17 ¶13
Uphold the Truth About Death
13 If you are unsure about a certain custom or practice, go to Jehovah in prayer, asking in faith for godly wisdom. (Read James 1:5.) Then follow up by doing research in our publications. If necessary, consult the elders in your congregation. They will not tell you what to do, but they can point you to relevant Bible principles, such as those discussed here. As you take these steps, you train your “powers of discernment,” and these powers will help you to “distinguish both right and wrong.”—Heb. 5:14.
w18.11 11 ¶12
“I Will Walk in Your Truth”
12 Unscriptural customs and practices. Family members, workmates, and schoolmates may try to get us to join them in their celebrations. How can we resist the pressure to conform to customs and holidays that do not honor Jehovah? We can do so by keeping Jehovah’s view of such practices clearly in mind. Reviewing discussions printed in our publications that show the origin of popular holidays can be helpful. When we remind ourselves of the Scriptural reasons for not participating in such holidays, we are convinced that we are walking in the way that “is acceptable to the Lord.” (Eph. 5:10) Trusting in Jehovah and his Word of truth will protect us from “trembling at men.”—Prov. 29:25.
SEPTEMBER 8-14
TREASURES FROM GOD’S WORD | PROVERBS 30
“Give Me Neither Poverty Nor Riches”
w18.01 24-25 ¶10-12
What Kind of Love Brings True Happiness?
10 We all need money, of course. It provides a measure of protection. (Eccl. 7:12) But can a person be truly happy if he has only enough for his basic needs? Absolutely! (Read Ecclesiastes 5:12.) Agur son of Jakeh wrote: “Give me neither poverty nor riches. Just let me consume my portion of food.” We can readily understand his reason for not wanting to be extremely poor. As he went on to explain, he did not want to be tempted to steal because theft would dishonor God. But why did he pray not to have riches? He wrote: “So that I do not become satisfied and deny you and say, ‘Who is Jehovah?’” (Prov. 30:8, 9) Likely you can think of people who trust in their wealth rather than in God.
11 Those who love money cannot please God. Jesus said: “No one can slave for two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will stick to the one and despise the other. You cannot slave for God and for Riches.” He prefaced that by saying: “Stop storing up for yourselves treasures on the earth, where moth and rust consume and where thieves break in and steal. Rather, store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust consumes, and where thieves do not break in and steal.”—Matt. 6:19, 20, 24.
12 Many have found that living a simple life not only makes them happier but also gives them more time to serve Jehovah. Jack, who lives in the United States, sold his large home and business because he knew that doing so would make it possible for him to pioneer with his wife. He reflects: “It was hard to give up our beautiful home and property in the country. Yet, for years, I would come home frustrated because of problems at work. My wife, a regular pioneer, was always so happy. She would say, ‘I have the greatest boss ever!’ Now that I too am pioneering, we both work for the same Person, Jehovah.”
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 16 ¶7-10
Jehovah’s Wisdom Observed in Creation
7 When we examine their design and activities, even the things that can be called “the smallest of the earth” provide lessons for us. For example, consider the instinctive wisdom of the ant.—Read Proverbs 30:24, 25.
8 Some researchers believe that for every human there are at least 200,000 ants, all of them busily toiling on and under the earth’s surface. Ants are organized into colonies, and in most colonies three types of ants can be found: queens, males, and workers. Each group contributes in its own way to caring for the colony’s needs. One particular ant, the South American leaf-cutting ant, could be called a sophisticated gardener. This little insect fertilizes, transplants, and prunes its fungus gardens in ways that maximize yield. Researchers have found that this skillful “gardener” adjusts its efforts according to the amount of food that is needed by the colony.
9 We can learn from the ants. They teach us that diligent effort is needed if we wish to produce good fruitage. The Bible tells us: “Go to the ant, you lazy one; see its ways and become wise. Although it has no commander, officer or ruler, it prepares its food even in the summer; it has gathered its food supplies even in the harvest.” (Prov. 6:6-8) Both Jehovah and his Master Worker, Jesus, are industrious. “My Father has kept working until now,” said Jesus, “and I keep working.”—John 5:17.
10 As imitators of God and of Christ, we too should be industrious. No matter what our assignment in God’s organization, all of us should have “plenty to do in the work of the Lord.” (1 Cor. 15:58) Therefore, we do well to follow Paul’s admonition to the Christians in Rome: “Do not loiter at your business. Be aglow with the spirit. Slave for Jehovah.” (Rom. 12:11) Our efforts in doing Jehovah’s will are not in vain, for the Bible assures us: “God is not unrighteous so as to forget your work and the love you showed for his name.”—Heb. 6:10.
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 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.
OCTOBER 13-19
TREASURES FROM GOD’S WORD | ECCLESIASTES 7-8
“Go to the House of Mourning”
w19.06 23 ¶15
Help Others Deal With Stress
15 William, whose wife died some years ago, relates: “I appreciate it when others recount experiences about my wife; it reassures me that she was loved and respected. This form of support is a tremendous help to me. I feel a deep sense of satisfaction, because my wife was so precious to me and had been a big part of my life.” A widow named Bianca explains: “I find comfort when others pray with me and share a scripture or two with me. It helps when they talk about my husband and when they listen to me talk about him.”
w17.07 16 ¶16
“Weep With Those Who Weep”
16 Do not underestimate the value of your prayers with and for a bereaved fellow Christian. Even though it may be difficult to express your prayerful thoughts in such an emotional situation, your heartfelt supplication in his behalf, even through tears and an unsteady voice, can be a powerful antidote to grief. “Sometimes when sisters have come to comfort me,” recalls Dalene, “I have asked them if they are willing to say a prayer. They start praying, often battling to speak at first, but every time, within a few sentences, their voice gets stronger and they say the most heartfelt prayer. Their strong faith, their love, and their concern have been very faith-strengthening.”
OCTOBER 20-26
TREASURES FROM GOD’S WORD | ECCLESIASTES 9-10
Keep a Proper View of Your Trials
w19.09 5 ¶10
Jehovah Values His Humble Servants
10 Humility also makes our life easier. Realistically, we may observe things in life that do not seem to be right or fair. The wise man King Solomon acknowledged: “I have seen servants on horseback but princes walking on foot just like servants.” (Eccl. 10:7) Those who have great ability do not always receive recognition. And those with less ability sometimes receive more honor. Even so, Solomon acknowledged that it is wise for us to face reality rather than to be obsessed with negative circumstances. (Eccl. 6:9) If we are humble, we will find it easier to accept life as it is—not as we think it should be.
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.