References for Life and Ministry Meeting Workbook

© 2024 Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society of Pennsylvania

NOVEMBER 4-10

TREASURES FROM GOD’S WORD | PSALM 105

“He Remembers His Covenant Forever”

it-2 1201 ¶2

Word, The

Creation, animate and inanimate, is subject to God’s word, and can be used by him to accomplish his purposes. (Ps 103:20; 148:8) His word is dependable; what God promises he also remembers to do. (De 9:5; Ps 105:42-45) As he himself has said, his word “will last to time indefinite”; it will never return without accomplishing its purpose.​—Isa 40:8; 55:10, 11; 1Pe 1:25.

Spiritual Gems

w86 11/1 19 ¶15

Youths​—Your Part in a Happy, United Family

¹⁵ “With fetters they afflicted his [Joseph’s] feet, into irons his soul came; until the time that his word came, the saying of Jehovah itself refined him.” (Psalm 105:17-19) For 13 years, Joseph suffered as a slave and a prisoner until Jehovah’s promise came true. By this experience he was refined. Jehovah, though not causing the troubles, allowed them for a purpose. Would Joseph preserve his hope in “the saying of Jehovah” despite being in the crucible of adversity? Would he bring to maturity his fine qualities, and develop the needed patience, humility, spiritual strength, and determination to handle a difficult assignment? Well, Joseph came out as gold from the refiner’s fire​—purer and even more precious to God, who used him wonderfully thereafter.​—Genesis 41:14, 38-41, 46; 42:6, 9.

NOVEMBER 11-17

TREASURES FROM GOD’S WORD | PSALM 106

Spiritual Gems

w06 7/15 13 ¶9

Highlights From Books Three and Four of Psalms

106:36, 37. These verses associate idol worship with sacrifices to demons. This indicates that a person who uses idols may come under demon influence. The Bible urges us: “Guard yourselves from idols.”​—1 John 5:21.

NOVEMBER 18-24

TREASURES FROM GOD’S WORD | PSALMS 107-108

“Give Thanks to Jehovah, for He Is Good”

w07 4/15 20 ¶2

Let the Congregation Praise Jehovah

² The congregation is no mere social group. It is not a community association or a club where people with a similar background or similar interests in a sport or a hobby come together. Rather, the congregation arrangement is primarily for the praise of Jehovah God. That has long been so, as the book of Psalms emphasizes. At Psalm 35:18, we read: “I will laud you in the big congregation; among a numerous people I shall praise you.” Similarly, Psalm 107:31, 32 encourages us: “O let people give thanks to Jehovah for his loving-kindness and for his wonderful works to the sons of men. And let them extol him in the congregation of the people.”

w15 1/15 9 ¶4

Give Thanks to Jehovah and Be Blessed

⁴ If we are to cultivate a grateful heart and maintain it, we must acknowledge and meditate appreciatively on our blessings from Jehovah and carefully consider his acts of loyal love. When the psalmist did so, he was awed by the many wonderful things that Jehovah had done.​—Read Psalm 40:5; 107:43.

NOVEMBER 25–DECEMBER 1

TREASURES FROM GOD’S WORD | PSALMS 109-112

Support Jesus, the King!

w06 9/1 13 ¶6

Highlights From Book Five of Psalms

110:1, 2​—What did “[David’s] Lord,” Jesus Christ, do while sitting at God’s right hand? Following his resurrection, Jesus ascended to heaven and waited at God’s right hand until 1914 to begin ruling as King. During that time, Jesus ruled over his anointed followers, guiding them in their preaching and disciple-making work as well as preparing them to rule with him in his Kingdom.​—Matthew 24:14; 28:18-20; Luke 22:28-30.

w00 4/1 18 ¶3

Fighters Against God Will Not Prevail!

³ Jehovah’s people have been under attack since early in the 20th century. In many lands, men of wicked intent have sought to hinder​—yes, silence—​the proclamation of the good news of God’s Kingdom. They have been goaded on by our chief Adversary, the Devil, who “walks about like a roaring lion, seeking to devour someone.” (1 Peter 5:8) After “the appointed times of the nations” ended in 1914, God installed his Son as earth’s new King, with the command: “Go subduing in the midst of your enemies.” (Luke 21:24; Psalm 110:2) Exercising his power, Christ ousted Satan from heaven and confined him to the vicinity of the earth. Knowing that his time is short, the Devil vents his wrath upon anointed Christians and their companions. (Revelation 12:9, 17) What have been the results of the repeated attacks by these fighters against God?

be 76 ¶2

Be Progressive​—Make Advancement

The exhortation to use your gift implies using initiative. Do you take the initiative to work with others in the field ministry? Do you look for opportunities to help members of your congregation who are new, young, or infirm? Do you volunteer to clean the Kingdom Hall or to assist in various ways at conventions and assemblies? Can you enroll periodically as an auxiliary pioneer? Are you able to serve as a regular pioneer or help in a congregation where the need is greater? If you are a brother, are you reaching out to meet the Scriptural qualifications for ministerial servants and elders? Your willingness to offer assistance and accept responsibility is a sign of advancement.​—Ps. 110:3.

Spiritual Gems

it-1 524 ¶2

Covenant

Covenant to Be a Priest Like Melchizedek. This covenant is expressed at Psalm 110:4, and the writer of the Bible book of Hebrews applies it to Christ at Hebrews 7:1-3, 15-17. It is a covenant made by Jehovah with Jesus Christ alone. Jesus apparently referred to it when making a covenant for a kingdom with his followers. (Lu 22:29) By Jehovah’s oath Jesus Christ, the heavenly Son of God, would be a priest according to the manner of Melchizedek. Melchizedek was king and priest of God on earth. Jesus Christ would hold both offices of King and High Priest, not on earth, but in heaven. He was installed permanently into office after his ascension to heaven. (Heb 6:20; 7:26, 28; 8:1) The covenant is forever in operation, since Jesus will act under Jehovah’s direction as King and High Priest forever.​—Heb 7:3.

DECEMBER 2-8

TREASURES FROM GOD’S WORD | PSALMS 113-118

With What Will We Repay Jehovah?

w01 1/1 11 ¶13

Be Built Up by Love

¹³ From Jesus’ words, it is clear that first and foremost we should love Jehovah. However, we are not born with a fully developed love of Jehovah. That is something we must cultivate. When we first heard about him, we were attracted to him by what we heard. Little by little, we learned how he prepared the earth for mankind. (Genesis 2:5-23) We learned how he has dealt with mankind, not casting us off when sin first invaded the human family, but taking steps to redeem us. (Genesis 3:1-5, 15) He dealt kindly with those who were faithful, and eventually he provided his only-begotten Son for the forgiveness of our sins. (John 3:16, 36) This increasing knowledge made our appreciation for Jehovah grow. (Isaiah 25:1) King David said that he loved Jehovah because of His loving care. (Psalm 116:1-9) Today, Jehovah cares for us, guides us, strengthens us, and encourages us. The more we learn about him, the deeper our love becomes.​—Psalm 31:23; Zephaniah 3:17; Romans 8:28.

Spiritual Gems

w12 5/15 22 ¶1-2

Questions From Readers

An inspired psalmist sang: “Precious in the eyes of Jehovah is the death of his loyal ones.” (Ps. 116:15) The life of every true worshipper of Jehovah is very valuable to him. However, more than the death of an individual is meant by the words just quoted from Psalm 116.

When delivering a memorial talk for a Christian, it is not fitting to apply Psalm 116:15 to the deceased person, even though he died as a loyal servant of Jehovah. Why? Because the psalmist’s statement has a broader significance. It means that God counts the death of the entire group of his loyal ones too costly for him to let it take place.​—See Psalm 72:14; 116:8.

DECEMBER 9-15

TREASURES FROM GOD’S WORD | PSALM 119:1-56

“How Can a Young Man Keep His Path Clean?”

w87 11/1 18 ¶10

Are You Remaining Clean in Every Respect?

¹⁰ At Ephesians 5:5 Paul warned: “For you know this, recognizing it for yourselves, that no fornicator or unclean person or greedy person​—which means being an idolater—​has any inheritance in the kingdom of the Christ and of God.” Yet, thousands each year are reproved or disfellowshipped because of sexual immorality​—‘sinning against the body.’ (1 Corinthians 6:18) Often, it is simply a result of not “keeping on guard according to [God’s] word.” (Psalm 119:9) Many brothers, for example, drop their moral guard during vacation periods. Neglecting theocratic association, they strike up friendships with worldly vacationers. Reasoning that these are ‘really nice people,’ some Christians have joined them in questionable activities. Similarly, others have become overly friendly with their workmates. One Christian elder became so involved with a female employee that he abandoned his family and took up living with her! Disfellowshipping resulted. How true the Bible’s words, “Bad associations spoil useful habits”!​—1 Corinthians 15:33.

DECEMBER 16-22

TREASURES FROM GOD’S WORD | PSALM 119:57-120

How to Endure Affliction

w00 12/1 14 ¶3

Do You Love Jehovah’s Reminders Exceedingly?

³ God’s reminders were dear to the psalmist who sang: “I hurried up, and I did not delay to keep your commandments. The very ropes of the wicked ones surrounded me. Your law I did not forget.” (Psalm 119:60, 61) Jehovah’s reminders help us to endure persecution because we are confident that our heavenly Father can cut the ropes of restraint that enemies tie about us. In due time, he frees us from such obstacles so that we can carry out the Kingdom-preaching work.​—Mark 13:10.

w06 9/1 14 ¶4

Highlights From Book Five of Psalms

119:71​—What could be good about suffering affliction? Hardship can teach us to rely more fully on Jehovah, to pray to him more earnestly, and to be more diligent in studying the Bible and applying what it says. Moreover, our response to affliction can reveal personality flaws that can be corrected. Suffering will not make us bitter if we allow it to refine us.

Spiritual Gems

w06 9/1 14 ¶5

Highlights From Book Five of Psalms

119:96​—What is meant by ‘an end to all perfection’? The psalmist is speaking about perfection from a human viewpoint. He likely had in mind that man’s concept of perfection is limited. In contrast, God’s commandment has no such limit. Its guidance applies to all aspects of life. “To all perfection I see a limit,” reads the New International Version, “but your commands are boundless.”

DECEMBER 23-29

TREASURES FROM GOD’S WORD | PSALM 119:121-176

How to Avoid Unnecessary Heartache

w93 4/15 17 ¶12

Youths​—What Are You Pursuing?

¹² Above all, you must learn to hate, abhor, and detest what is bad. (Psalm 97:10) How do you hate what may at first be fun or pleasurable? By thinking about the consequences! “Do not be misled: God is not one to be mocked. For whatever a man is sowing, this he will also reap; because he who is sowing with a view to his flesh will reap corruption from his flesh.” (Galatians 6:7, 8) When tempted to give in to passion, think of what is of greater consequence​—how this would hurt Jehovah God. (Compare Psalm 78:41.) Think, too, about the possibility of an unwanted pregnancy or of contracting a disease, such as AIDS. Consider the emotional devastation and loss of self-respect you would suffer. There may also be long-term consequences. One Christian woman admits: “My husband and I had sex relations before we met each other. Although we are both Christians today, our past sex life is a source of contention and jealousy in our marriage.” Not to be overlooked, either, is the loss of your theocratic privileges or the possibility of being expelled from the Christian congregation! (1 Corinthians 5:9-13) Is any momentary pleasure worth so high a price?

DECEMBER 30–JANUARY 5

TREASURES FROM GOD’S WORD | PSALMS 120-126

They Sowed With Tears, but Reaped With Joy

w04 6/1 16 ¶10

Blessed Are Those Who Give Glory to God

¹⁰ When we take on the yoke of discipleship, we are fighting against Satan. “Oppose the Devil, and he will flee from you,” promises James 4:7. This is not to say that doing so is easy. Serving God entails considerable effort. (Luke 13:24) But the Bible makes this promise at Psalm 126:5: “Those sowing seed with tears will reap even with a joyful cry.” Yes, we do not worship an ungrateful God. He is “the rewarder of those earnestly seeking him,” and he blesses those who give him glory.​—Hebrews 11:6.

w01 7/15 18-19 ¶13-14

Press On in the Harvest Work!

¹³ Of great comfort to God’s harvest workers, and especially to those who suffer persecution, are the words of Psalm 126:5, 6: “Those sowing seed with tears will reap even with a joyful cry. The one that without fail goes forth, even weeping, carrying along a bagful of seed, will without fail come in with a joyful cry, carrying along his sheaves.” The psalmist’s words about sowing and reaping illustrate Jehovah’s care for and blessing on the remnant that returned from captivity in ancient Babylon. They were very happy at their release, but they may have wept when sowing seed in the desolate ground that had not been worked during their 70-year exile. However, those who went ahead with their sowing and construction activities enjoyed fruitage and satisfaction from their labor.

¹⁴ We may shed tears when under trial or when we or our fellow believers are suffering for righteousness’ sake. (1 Peter 3:14) In our harvest work, we may at first have a hard time because we seemingly have nothing to show for our efforts in the ministry. But if we continue to sow and water, God will make things grow, often beyond our expectations. (1 Corinthians 3:6) This is well illustrated by the results of our distribution of Bibles and Scriptural publications.

Spiritual Gems

cl 73 ¶15

Protective Power​—“God Is Our Refuge”

¹⁵ Consider, first, the matter of physical protection. As Jehovah’s worshippers, we can expect such protection as a group. Otherwise, we would be easy prey for Satan. Think about this: Satan, “the ruler of this world,” would like nothing more than to eliminate true worship. (John 12:31; Revelation 12:17) Some of the most powerful governments on earth have banned our preaching work and have tried to wipe us out completely. Yet, Jehovah’s people have remained firm and have continued to preach without letup! Why have mighty nations been unable to put a stop to the activity of this relatively small and seemingly defenseless group of Christians? Because Jehovah has shielded us with his powerful wings!​—Psalm 17:7, 8.