# August 3-9 **Bible reading:** [JEREMIAH 22-23](https://www.jw.org/en/library/bible/study-bible/books/jeremiah/22/#v24022001-v24022030) [Open this week on jw.org](https://www.jw.org/en/library/jw-meeting-workbook/july-august-2026-mwb/Life-and-Ministry-Meeting-Schedule-for-August-3-9-2026/) ### Song 40 and Prayer | Opening Comments (1 min.) 🎵 [Song 40](https://www.jw.org/en/library/music-songs/sing-out-joyfully/40-to-whom-do-we-belong/) — opens in JW Library ## TREASURES FROM GOD’S WORD ### 1. The Importance of Good Shepherds *(10 min.)* The shepherds in Judah neglected God’s people ([Jer 23:2;](https://www.jw.org/en/library/bible/study-bible/books/jeremiah/23/#v24023002) [Eze 34:2-5](https://www.jw.org/en/library/bible/study-bible/books/ezekiel/34/#v26034002-v26034005)) False prophets, by their words and example, encouraged the people to engage in wrongdoing ([Jer 23:14, 15](https://www.jw.org/en/library/bible/study-bible/books/jeremiah/23/#v24023014-v24023015); *w94* 3/1 8 ¶4; [it “Apostasy” ¶4](https://www.jw.org/en/library/books/Insight-on-the-Scriptures/Apostasy/#p5)) Christian overseers shepherd the flock eagerly and strive to be good examples ([1Pe 5:2, 3](https://www.jw.org/en/library/bible/study-bible/books/1-peter/5/#v60005002-v60005003)) **FOR RESEARCH:** How did the fulfillment of [Jeremiah 23:5, 6](https://www.jw.org/en/library/bible/study-bible/books/jeremiah/23/#v24023005-v24023006) benefit God’s people? **Why these scriptures** - **[Jeremiah 23:2](https://www.jw.org/en/library/bible/study-bible/books/jeremiah/23/#v24023002)** > Therefore this is what Jehovah the God of Israel says against the shepherds who are shepherding my people: “You have scattered my sheep; you kept dispersing them, and you have not turned your attention to them.” “So I will turn my attention to you because of your evil deeds,” declares Jehovah. - **[Ezekiel 34:2](https://www.jw.org/en/library/bible/study-bible/books/ezekiel/34/#v26034002-v26034005)** > “Son of man, prophesy against the shepherds of Israel. Prophesy, and say to the shepherds, ‘This is what the Sovereign Lord Jehovah says: “Woe to the shepherds of Israel, who have been feeding themselves! Is it not the flock that the shepherds should feed? - **[Ezekiel 34:3](https://www.jw.org/en/library/bible/study-bible/books/ezekiel/34/#v26034002-v26034005)** > You eat the fat, you clothe yourselves with the wool, and you slaughter the fattest animal, but you do not feed the flock. - **[Ezekiel 34:4](https://www.jw.org/en/library/bible/study-bible/books/ezekiel/34/#v26034002-v26034005)** > You have not strengthened the weak or healed the sick or bandaged the injured or brought back the strays or looked for the lost; rather, you have ruled them with harshness and tyranny. - **[Ezekiel 34:5](https://www.jw.org/en/library/bible/study-bible/books/ezekiel/34/#v26034002-v26034005)** > So they were scattered because there was no shepherd; they were scattered and became food for every wild beast of the field. - **[Jeremiah 23:14](https://www.jw.org/en/library/bible/study-bible/books/jeremiah/23/#v24023014-v24023015)** > And in the prophets of Jerusalem I have seen horrible things. They commit adultery and walk in falsehood; They encourage evildoers, And they do not turn away from their wickedness. To me they are all like Sodʹom, And her inhabitants are like Go·morʹrah.” - **[Jeremiah 23:15](https://www.jw.org/en/library/bible/study-bible/books/jeremiah/23/#v24023014-v24023015)** > Therefore this is what Jehovah of armies says against the prophets: “Here I am making them eat wormwood And giving them poisoned water to drink. For from the prophets of Jerusalem apostasy has spread throughout the land.” - **[1 Peter 5:2](https://www.jw.org/en/library/bible/study-bible/books/1-peter/5/#v60005002-v60005003)** > Shepherd the flock of God under your care, serving as overseers, not under compulsion, but willingly before God; not for love of dishonest gain, but eagerly; - **[1 Peter 5:3](https://www.jw.org/en/library/bible/study-bible/books/1-peter/5/#v60005002-v60005003)** > not lording it over those who are God’s inheritance, but becoming examples to the flock. - **[Jeremiah 23:5](https://www.jw.org/en/library/bible/study-bible/books/jeremiah/23/#v24023005-v24023006)** > “Look! The days are coming,” declares Jehovah, “when I will raise up to David a righteous sprout. And a king will reign and show insight and uphold justice and righteousness in the land. - **[Jeremiah 23:6](https://www.jw.org/en/library/bible/study-bible/books/jeremiah/23/#v24023005-v24023006)** > In his days Judah will be saved, and Israel will reside in security. And this is the name by which he will be called: Jehovah Is Our Righteousness.” 🗺️ **Places:** [Jerusalem](https://bible-lands.apps.simontingle.com/?place=jerusalem) *(Jerusalem, Israel)*, [Judea](https://bible-lands.apps.simontingle.com/?place=judea-region) *(southern West Bank / Israel)* **Referenced material** - [it “Apostasy” ¶4](https://www.jw.org/en/library/books/Insight-on-the-Scriptures/Apostasy/#p5) ### 2. Spiritual Gems *(10 min.)* [Jer 23:33](https://www.jw.org/en/library/bible/study-bible/books/jeremiah/23/#v24023033)—What is “the burden of Jehovah”? ([w07 3/15 11 ¶1](https://www.jw.org/en/library/magazines/w20070315/Highlights-From-the-Book-of-Jeremiah/#p32)) What spiritual gems from this week’s Bible reading would you like to share? **Why these scriptures** - **[Jeremiah 23:33](https://www.jw.org/en/library/bible/study-bible/books/jeremiah/23/#v24023033)** > “And when this people or a prophet or a priest asks you, ‘What is the burden of Jehovah?’ you should reply to them, ‘“You people are the burden! And I will cast you off,” declares Jehovah.’ 🗺️ **Places:** [Judea](https://bible-lands.apps.simontingle.com/?place=judea-region) *(southern West Bank / Israel)*, [Jerusalem](https://bible-lands.apps.simontingle.com/?place=jerusalem) *(Jerusalem, Israel)*, [Abarim](https://bible-lands.apps.simontingle.com/?place=abarim), [Babylon](https://bible-lands.apps.simontingle.com/?place=babylon) *(Hillah, Iraq)*, [Egypt](https://bible-lands.apps.simontingle.com/?place=egypt) *(Ain Shams)* **Referenced material** - [w07 3/15 11 ¶1](https://www.jw.org/en/library/magazines/w20070315/Highlights-From-the-Book-of-Jeremiah/#p32) ### 3. Bible Reading *(4 min.)* [Jer 23:25-36](https://www.jw.org/en/library/bible/study-bible/books/jeremiah/23/#v24023025-v24023036) ([th study 11](https://www.jw.org/en/library/brochures/reading-and-teaching/11-enthusiasm/)) **Why these scriptures** - **[Jeremiah 23:25](https://www.jw.org/en/library/bible/study-bible/books/jeremiah/23/#v24023025-v24023036)** > “I have heard the prophets who are prophesying lies in my name say, ‘I had a dream! I had a dream!’ - **[Jeremiah 23:26](https://www.jw.org/en/library/bible/study-bible/books/jeremiah/23/#v24023025-v24023036)** > How long will this continue in the heart of the prophets, to prophesy lies? They are prophets of the deceit of their own heart. - **[Jeremiah 23:27](https://www.jw.org/en/library/bible/study-bible/books/jeremiah/23/#v24023025-v24023036)** > They intend to make my people forget my name by the dreams they relate to one another, just as their fathers forgot my name because of Baʹal. - **[Jeremiah 23:28](https://www.jw.org/en/library/bible/study-bible/books/jeremiah/23/#v24023025-v24023036)** > Let the prophet who has a dream relate the dream, but the one who has my word should speak my word truthfully.” “What does the straw have in common with the grain?” declares Jehovah. - **[Jeremiah 23:29](https://www.jw.org/en/library/bible/study-bible/books/jeremiah/23/#v24023025-v24023036)** > “Is not my word just like a fire,” declares Jehovah, “and like a forge hammer that smashes the crag?” - **[Jeremiah 23:30](https://www.jw.org/en/library/bible/study-bible/books/jeremiah/23/#v24023025-v24023036)** > “So here I am against the prophets,” declares Jehovah, “who steal my words from one another.” - **[Jeremiah 23:31](https://www.jw.org/en/library/bible/study-bible/books/jeremiah/23/#v24023025-v24023036)** > “Here I am against the prophets,” declares Jehovah, “those who use their tongue to say, ‘He declares!’” - **[Jeremiah 23:32](https://www.jw.org/en/library/bible/study-bible/books/jeremiah/23/#v24023025-v24023036)** > “Here I am against the prophets of lying dreams,” declares Jehovah, “who relate them and lead my people astray because of their lies and their boasting.” “But I did not send them or command them. So they will not benefit this people at all,” declares Jehovah. - **[Jeremiah 23:33](https://www.jw.org/en/library/bible/study-bible/books/jeremiah/23/#v24023025-v24023036)** > “And when this people or a prophet or a priest asks you, ‘What is the burden of Jehovah?’ you should reply to them, ‘“You people are the burden! And I will cast you off,” declares Jehovah.’ - **[Jeremiah 23:34](https://www.jw.org/en/library/bible/study-bible/books/jeremiah/23/#v24023025-v24023036)** > As for the prophet or the priest or the people who say, ‘This is the burden of Jehovah!’ I will turn my attention on that man and on his household. - **[Jeremiah 23:35](https://www.jw.org/en/library/bible/study-bible/books/jeremiah/23/#v24023025-v24023036)** > This is what each of you is saying to his fellow and to his brother, ‘What has Jehovah answered? And what has Jehovah spoken?’ - **[Jeremiah 23:36](https://www.jw.org/en/library/bible/study-bible/books/jeremiah/23/#v24023025-v24023036)** > But the burden of Jehovah you should mention no more, for the burden is each one’s own word, and you have changed the words of the living God, Jehovah of armies, our God. **Referenced material** - [th study 11](https://www.jw.org/en/library/brochures/reading-and-teaching/11-enthusiasm/) ## APPLY YOURSELF TO THE FIELD MINISTRY ### 4. Starting a Conversation *(4 min.)* HOUSE TO HOUSE. Feature a video from the Teaching Toolbox. ([lmd lesson 3 point 4](https://www.jw.org/en/library/brochures/love-people-make-disciples/lesson-3/#p16)) **Referenced material** - [lmd lesson 3 point 4](https://www.jw.org/en/library/brochures/love-people-make-disciples/lesson-3/#p16) ### 5. Following Up *(4 min.)* HOUSE TO HOUSE. Offer a magazine on the topic of your last conversation. ([lmd lesson 9 point 5](https://www.jw.org/en/library/brochures/love-people-make-disciples/lesson-9/#p17)) **Referenced material** - [lmd lesson 9 point 5](https://www.jw.org/en/library/brochures/love-people-make-disciples/lesson-9/#p17) ### 6. Talk *(4 min.)* [lmd appendix A point 19](https://www.jw.org/en/library/brochures/love-people-make-disciples/appendix-a/#p36)—Theme: Jesus Is God’s Son. ([th study 15](https://www.jw.org/en/library/brochures/reading-and-teaching/15-expressed-with-conviction/)) **Referenced material** - [lmd appendix A point 19](https://www.jw.org/en/library/brochures/love-people-make-disciples/appendix-a/#p36) - [th study 15](https://www.jw.org/en/library/brochures/reading-and-teaching/15-expressed-with-conviction/) ## LIVING AS CHRISTIANS ### Song 103 🎵 [Song 103](https://www.jw.org/en/library/music-songs/sing-out-joyfully/103-shepherds-gifts-in-men/) — opens in JW Library ### 7. Our History in Motion—The Governing Body Preserves Unity—Part 1 *(15 min.)* Discussion. [Play the VIDEO](https://www.jw.org/open?wtlocale=E&lank=pub-jwb-089_8_VIDEO)**.** Then ask the audience: Before the Internet and other technology were available, how did the Governing Body prove to be good shepherds? 🎬 [Play the VIDEO](https://www.jw.org/open?wtlocale=E&lank=pub-jwb-089_8_VIDEO) — opens in JW Library ### 8. Congregation Bible Study *(30 min.)* [wcg chap. 2](https://www.jw.org/en/library/books/walk-courageously-with-god/patriarchs-to-time-of-judges/noah-condemned-the-world/) **Referenced material** - [wcg chap. 2](https://www.jw.org/en/library/books/walk-courageously-with-god/patriarchs-to-time-of-judges/noah-condemned-the-world/) ### Concluding Comments (3 min.) | Song 60 and Prayer 🎵 [Song 60](https://www.jw.org/en/library/music-songs/sing-out-joyfully/60-it-means-their-life/) — opens in JW Library --- *Comments are AI-generated study aids, not published material. Program text and references are © Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society of Pennsylvania; follow the links above to read them on jw.org.*