# August 17-23 **Bible reading:** [JEREMIAH 26-28](https://www.jw.org/en/library/bible/study-bible/books/jeremiah/26/#v24026001-v24026024) [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-17-23-2026/) ### Song 77 and Prayer | Opening Comments (1 min.) 🎵 [Song 77](https://www.jw.org/en/library/music-songs/sing-out-joyfully/77-light-in-dark-world/) — opens in JW Library ## TREASURES FROM GOD’S WORD ### 1. Do Not Be Fooled by False Prophets *(10 min.)* God’s prophet Jeremiah gave lifesaving direction ([Jer 26:2-6](https://www.jw.org/en/library/bible/study-bible/books/jeremiah/26/#v24026002-v24026006)) False prophets contradicted Jeremiah ([Jer 27:14, 15](https://www.jw.org/en/library/bible/study-bible/books/jeremiah/27/#v24027014-v24027015)) We must use discernment to determine whether direction comes from Jehovah’s organization or from God’s enemies ([w24.07 12 ¶13-15](https://www.jw.org/en/library/magazines/watchtower-study-july-2024/Do-You-Recognize-the-Truth/#p21)) **Why these scriptures** - **[Jeremiah 26:2](https://www.jw.org/en/library/bible/study-bible/books/jeremiah/26/#v24026002-v24026006)** > “This is what Jehovah says, ‘Stand in the courtyard of the house of Jehovah and speak concerning all the people of the cities of Judah who are coming in to worship at the house of Jehovah. Tell them everything that I command you; do not take away a word. - **[Jeremiah 26:3](https://www.jw.org/en/library/bible/study-bible/books/jeremiah/26/#v24026002-v24026006)** > Perhaps they will listen and each one will turn back from his evil way, and I will change my mind concerning the calamity that I intend to bring on them because of their evil deeds. - **[Jeremiah 26:4](https://www.jw.org/en/library/bible/study-bible/books/jeremiah/26/#v24026002-v24026006)** > Say to them: “This is what Jehovah says, ‘If you will not listen to me by following my law that I have placed before you, - **[Jeremiah 26:5](https://www.jw.org/en/library/bible/study-bible/books/jeremiah/26/#v24026002-v24026006)** > by listening to the words of my servants the prophets, whom I am sending to you again and again, whom you have not listened to, - **[Jeremiah 26:6](https://www.jw.org/en/library/bible/study-bible/books/jeremiah/26/#v24026002-v24026006)** > then I will make this house like Shiʹloh, and I will make this city an object of cursing to all the nations of the earth.’”’” - **[Jeremiah 27:14](https://www.jw.org/en/library/bible/study-bible/books/jeremiah/27/#v24027014-v24027015)** > Do not listen to the words of the prophets who are saying to you, ‘You will not serve the king of Babylon,’ because they are prophesying lies to you. - **[Jeremiah 27:15](https://www.jw.org/en/library/bible/study-bible/books/jeremiah/27/#v24027014-v24027015)** > “‘For I have not sent them,’ declares Jehovah, ‘but they are prophesying lies in my name, with the result that I will disperse you and you will perish, you and the prophets who are prophesying to you.’” 🗺️ **Places:** [Judea](https://bible-lands.apps.simontingle.com/?place=judea-region) *(southern West Bank / Israel)*, [Babylon](https://bible-lands.apps.simontingle.com/?place=babylon) *(Hillah, Iraq)* **Referenced material** - [w24.07 12 ¶13-15](https://www.jw.org/en/library/magazines/watchtower-study-july-2024/Do-You-Recognize-the-Truth/#p21) ### 2. Spiritual Gems *(10 min.)* [Jer 26:20-23](https://www.jw.org/en/library/bible/study-bible/books/jeremiah/26/#v24026020-v24026023)—What lesson may Jeremiah have learned from Urijah? (*jr* 122 ¶18) What spiritual gems from this week’s Bible reading would you like to share? **Why these scriptures** - **[Jeremiah 26:20](https://www.jw.org/en/library/bible/study-bible/books/jeremiah/26/#v24026020-v24026023)** > “And there was another man prophesying in the name of Jehovah, U·riʹjah son of She·maiʹah from Kirʹi·ath-jeʹa·rim, who prophesied against this city and against this land with words like those of Jeremiah. - **[Jeremiah 26:21](https://www.jw.org/en/library/bible/study-bible/books/jeremiah/26/#v24026020-v24026023)** > King Je·hoiʹa·kim and all his mighty men and all the princes heard his words, and the king sought to put him to death. When U·riʹjah heard of it, he at once became afraid and fled to Egypt. - **[Jeremiah 26:22](https://www.jw.org/en/library/bible/study-bible/books/jeremiah/26/#v24026020-v24026023)** > Then King Je·hoiʹa·kim sent El·naʹthan the son of Achʹbor and other men with him to Egypt. - **[Jeremiah 26:23](https://www.jw.org/en/library/bible/study-bible/books/jeremiah/26/#v24026020-v24026023)** > They brought U·riʹjah from Egypt and took him to King Je·hoiʹa·kim, who then struck him down with the sword and cast his dead body into the graveyard of the common people.” 🗺️ **Places:** [Judea](https://bible-lands.apps.simontingle.com/?place=judea-region) *(southern West Bank / Israel)*, [New Gate](https://bible-lands.apps.simontingle.com/?place=new-gate) *(Jerusalem)*, [Moresheth-gath](https://bible-lands.apps.simontingle.com/?place=moresheth-gath) *(Tel Goded)*, [Jerusalem](https://bible-lands.apps.simontingle.com/?place=jerusalem) *(Jerusalem, Israel)*, [Egypt](https://bible-lands.apps.simontingle.com/?place=egypt) *(Ain Shams)*, [Tyre](https://bible-lands.apps.simontingle.com/?place=tyre) *(Sur, Lebanon)*, [Babylon](https://bible-lands.apps.simontingle.com/?place=babylon) *(Hillah, Iraq)* ### 3. Bible Reading *(4 min.)* [Jer 28:5-17](https://www.jw.org/en/library/bible/study-bible/books/jeremiah/28/#v24028005-v24028017) ([th study 5](https://www.jw.org/en/library/brochures/reading-and-teaching/5-accurate-reading/)) **Why these scriptures** - **[Jeremiah 28:5](https://www.jw.org/en/library/bible/study-bible/books/jeremiah/28/#v24028005-v24028017)** > Then Jeremiah the prophet spoke to Han·a·niʹah the prophet in the presence of the priests and all the people who were standing in the house of Jehovah. - **[Jeremiah 28:6](https://www.jw.org/en/library/bible/study-bible/books/jeremiah/28/#v24028005-v24028017)** > Jeremiah the prophet said: “Amen! May Jehovah do this! May Jehovah fulfill your words that you prophesied by bringing back from Babylon to this place the utensils of the house of Jehovah and all the exiled people! - **[Jeremiah 28:7](https://www.jw.org/en/library/bible/study-bible/books/jeremiah/28/#v24028005-v24028017)** > However, hear, please, this message that I am speaking in your ears and in the ears of all the people. - **[Jeremiah 28:8](https://www.jw.org/en/library/bible/study-bible/books/jeremiah/28/#v24028005-v24028017)** > Long ago the prophets who were prior to me and prior to you used to prophesy concerning many lands and great kingdoms, about war, calamity, and pestilence. - **[Jeremiah 28:9](https://www.jw.org/en/library/bible/study-bible/books/jeremiah/28/#v24028005-v24028017)** > If a prophet prophesies about peace and the word of that prophet comes true, then it will be known that Jehovah truly sent that prophet.” - **[Jeremiah 28:10](https://www.jw.org/en/library/bible/study-bible/books/jeremiah/28/#v24028005-v24028017)** > At that Han·a·niʹah the prophet took the yoke bar off the neck of the prophet Jeremiah and broke it. - **[Jeremiah 28:11](https://www.jw.org/en/library/bible/study-bible/books/jeremiah/28/#v24028005-v24028017)** > Han·a·niʹah then said in the presence of all the people: “This is what Jehovah says, ‘Just like this I will break the yoke of King Neb·u·chad·nezʹzar of Babylon from off the neck of all the nations within two years.’” And Jeremiah the prophet went on his way. - **[Jeremiah 28:12](https://www.jw.org/en/library/bible/study-bible/books/jeremiah/28/#v24028005-v24028017)** > After Han·a·niʹah the prophet had broken the yoke bar from off the neck of Jeremiah the prophet, this message of Jehovah came to Jeremiah: - **[Jeremiah 28:13](https://www.jw.org/en/library/bible/study-bible/books/jeremiah/28/#v24028005-v24028017)** > “Go and say to Han·a·niʹah, ‘This is what Jehovah says: “You have broken yoke bars of wood, but instead of them you will make yoke bars of iron.” - **[Jeremiah 28:14](https://www.jw.org/en/library/bible/study-bible/books/jeremiah/28/#v24028005-v24028017)** > For this is what Jehovah of armies, the God of Israel, says: “I will put an iron yoke bar on the neck of all these nations, to serve King Neb·u·chad·nezʹzar of Babylon, and they must serve him. Even the wild beasts of the field I will give him.”’” - **[Jeremiah 28:15](https://www.jw.org/en/library/bible/study-bible/books/jeremiah/28/#v24028005-v24028017)** > Jeremiah the prophet then said to Han·a·niʹah the prophet: “Listen, please, O Han·a·niʹah! Jehovah has not sent you, but you have caused this people to trust in a lie. - **[Jeremiah 28:16](https://www.jw.org/en/library/bible/study-bible/books/jeremiah/28/#v24028005-v24028017)** > Therefore this is what Jehovah says, ‘Look! I am removing you from the face of the ground. This year you will die, for you have urged rebellion against Jehovah.’” - **[Jeremiah 28:17](https://www.jw.org/en/library/bible/study-bible/books/jeremiah/28/#v24028005-v24028017)** > So Han·a·niʹah the prophet died in that year, in the seventh month. 🗺️ **Places:** [Babylon](https://bible-lands.apps.simontingle.com/?place=babylon) *(Hillah, Iraq)* **Referenced material** - [th study 5](https://www.jw.org/en/library/brochures/reading-and-teaching/5-accurate-reading/) ## APPLY YOURSELF TO THE FIELD MINISTRY ### 4. Starting a Conversation *(3 min.)* PUBLIC WITNESSING. ([lmd lesson 1 point 4](https://www.jw.org/en/library/brochures/love-people-make-disciples/lesson-1/#p16)) **Referenced material** - [lmd lesson 1 point 4](https://www.jw.org/en/library/brochures/love-people-make-disciples/lesson-1/#p16) ### 5. Following Up *(4 min.)* HOUSE TO HOUSE. Share a truth from [appendix A](https://www.jw.org/en/library/brochures/love-people-make-disciples/appendix-a/) of the *Love People* brochure. ([lmd lesson 9 point 3](https://www.jw.org/en/library/brochures/love-people-make-disciples/lesson-9/#p13)) **Referenced material** - [appendix A](https://www.jw.org/en/library/brochures/love-people-make-disciples/appendix-a/) - [lmd lesson 9 point 3](https://www.jw.org/en/library/brochures/love-people-make-disciples/lesson-9/#p13) ### 6. Making Disciples *(5 min.)* [lff lesson 20 intro and points 1-3](https://www.jw.org/en/library/books/enjoy-life-forever/section-2/lesson-20/#p3) ([lmd lesson 11 point 4](https://www.jw.org/en/library/brochures/love-people-make-disciples/lesson-11/#p14)) **Referenced material** - [lff lesson 20 intro and points 1-3](https://www.jw.org/en/library/books/enjoy-life-forever/section-2/lesson-20/#p3) - [lmd lesson 11 point 4](https://www.jw.org/en/library/brochures/love-people-make-disciples/lesson-11/#p14) ## LIVING AS CHRISTIANS ### Song 16 🎵 [Song 16](https://www.jw.org/en/library/music-songs/sing-out-joyfully/16-praise-jah-for-his-son-the-anointed/) — opens in JW Library ### 7. Local Needs *(15 min.)* ### 8. Congregation Bible Study *(30 min.)* [wcg chap. 4](https://www.jw.org/en/library/books/walk-courageously-with-god/patriarchs-to-time-of-judges/abraham-first-man-to-wage-a-righteous-war/) **Referenced material** - [wcg chap. 4](https://www.jw.org/en/library/books/walk-courageously-with-god/patriarchs-to-time-of-judges/abraham-first-man-to-wage-a-righteous-war/) ### Concluding Comments (3 min.) | Song 71 and Prayer 🎵 [Song 71](https://www.jw.org/en/library/music-songs/sing-out-joyfully/71-jehovahs-army/) — 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.*