# September 14-20

**Bible reading:** [JEREMIAH 34-35](https://www.jw.org/en/library/bible/study-bible/books/jeremiah/34/#v24034001-v24034022)

[Open this week on jw.org](https://www.jw.org/en/library/jw-meeting-workbook/september-october-2026-mwb/Life-and-Ministry-Meeting-Schedule-for-September-14-20-2026/)

### Song 161 and Prayer | Opening Comments (1 min.)

🎵 [Song 161](https://www.jw.org/en/library/music-songs/sing-out-joyfully/161-to-do-your-will-is-my-delight/) — opens in JW Library

## TREASURES FROM GOD’S WORD

### 1. Jehovah Rewards Faithful Obedience  *(10 min.)*

Many Jews obeyed Jehovah only when they needed his help ([Jer 34:8-11](https://www.jw.org/en/library/bible/study-bible/books/jeremiah/34/#v24034008-v24034011); *jr* 49-50 ¶13-14)

The Rechabites adhered closely to Jehonadab’s command ([Jer 35:5, 6](https://www.jw.org/en/library/bible/study-bible/books/jeremiah/35/#v24035005-v24035006); *jr* 76 ¶17-18)

Jehovah rewarded the Rechabites for their faithful obedience ([Jer 35:18, 19](https://www.jw.org/en/library/bible/study-bible/books/jeremiah/35/#v24035018-v24035019); [it “Rechabites” ¶5-6](https://www.jw.org/en/library/books/Insight-on-the-Scriptures/Rechabites/#p6))

**ASK YOURSELF,** ‘Am I resolved to obey Jehovah, even if at times I feel I could avoid the consequences of disobedience?’

**Why these scriptures**

- **[Jeremiah 34:8](https://www.jw.org/en/library/bible/study-bible/books/jeremiah/34/#v24034008-v24034011)**

  > The word that came to Jeremiah from Jehovah after King Zed·e·kiʹah had made a covenant with all the people in Jerusalem to proclaim liberty to them,

- **[Jeremiah 34:9](https://www.jw.org/en/library/bible/study-bible/books/jeremiah/34/#v24034008-v24034011)**

  > that everyone should free his Hebrew slaves, male and female, so that no one would keep a fellow Jew as his slave.

- **[Jeremiah 34:10](https://www.jw.org/en/library/bible/study-bible/books/jeremiah/34/#v24034008-v24034011)**

  > So all the princes and all the people obeyed. They had entered into the covenant that everyone should free his male and female slaves and not keep them as slaves any longer. They obeyed and let them go.

- **[Jeremiah 34:11](https://www.jw.org/en/library/bible/study-bible/books/jeremiah/34/#v24034008-v24034011)**

  > However, they later brought back the male and female slaves whom they had freed, and they again forced them back into slavery.

- **[Jeremiah 35:5](https://www.jw.org/en/library/bible/study-bible/books/jeremiah/35/#v24035005-v24035006)**

  > Then I put cups and goblets full of wine before the men of the house of the Reʹcha·bites and said to them: “Drink wine.”

- **[Jeremiah 35:6](https://www.jw.org/en/library/bible/study-bible/books/jeremiah/35/#v24035005-v24035006)**

  > But they said: “We will not drink wine, because Je·honʹa·dab the son of Reʹchab, our forefather, gave us this command, ‘Neither you nor your sons must ever drink wine.

- **[Jeremiah 35:18](https://www.jw.org/en/library/bible/study-bible/books/jeremiah/35/#v24035018-v24035019)**

  > And Jeremiah said to the household of the Reʹcha·bites: “This is what Jehovah of armies, the God of Israel, says, ‘Because you have obeyed the order of your forefather Je·honʹa·dab and you continue to observe all his orders, doing exactly what he ordered you,

- **[Jeremiah 35:19](https://www.jw.org/en/library/bible/study-bible/books/jeremiah/35/#v24035018-v24035019)**

  > this is what Jehovah of armies, the God of Israel, says: “There will never fail to be a descendant of Je·honʹa·dab the son of Reʹchab to serve in my presence.”’”


🗺️ **Places:** [Jerusalem](https://bible-lands.apps.simontingle.com/?place=jerusalem) *(Jerusalem, Israel)*

**Referenced material**

- [it “Rechabites” ¶5-6](https://www.jw.org/en/library/books/Insight-on-the-Scriptures/Rechabites/#p6)

### 2. Spiritual Gems  *(10 min.)*

[Jer 34:7](https://www.jw.org/en/library/bible/study-bible/books/jeremiah/34/#v24034007)—What archaeological evidence supports the events described in this verse? ([it “Archaeology” ¶27-28](https://www.jw.org/en/library/books/Insight-on-the-Scriptures/Archaeology/#p28))

What spiritual gems from this week’s Bible reading would you like to share?

**Why these scriptures**

- **[Jeremiah 34:7](https://www.jw.org/en/library/bible/study-bible/books/jeremiah/34/#v24034007)**

  > when the armies of the king of Babylon were fighting against Jerusalem and against all the cities of Judah that were left, against Laʹchish and against A·zeʹkah; for they were the only fortified cities that remained of the cities of Judah.


🗺️ **Places:** [Jerusalem](https://bible-lands.apps.simontingle.com/?place=jerusalem) *(Jerusalem, Israel)*, [Babylon](https://bible-lands.apps.simontingle.com/?place=babylon) *(Hillah, Iraq)*, [Judea](https://bible-lands.apps.simontingle.com/?place=judea-region) *(southern West Bank / Israel)*, [Azekah](https://bible-lands.apps.simontingle.com/?place=azekah) *(Tel Azeka, Israel)*, [Lachish](https://bible-lands.apps.simontingle.com/?place=lachish) *(Tel Lachish, Israel)*, [Egypt](https://bible-lands.apps.simontingle.com/?place=egypt) *(Ain Shams)*

**Referenced material**

- [it “Archaeology” ¶27-28](https://www.jw.org/en/library/books/Insight-on-the-Scriptures/Archaeology/#p28)

### 3. Bible Reading  *(4 min.)*

[Jer 35:1-14](https://www.jw.org/en/library/bible/study-bible/books/jeremiah/35/#v24035001-v24035014) ([th study 5](https://www.jw.org/en/library/brochures/reading-and-teaching/5-accurate-reading/))

**Why these scriptures**

- **[Jeremiah 35:1](https://www.jw.org/en/library/bible/study-bible/books/jeremiah/35/#v24035001-v24035014)**

  > 35 The word that came to Jeremiah from Jehovah in the days of Je·hoiʹa·kim son of Jo·siʹah, the king of Judah, saying:

- **[Jeremiah 35:2](https://www.jw.org/en/library/bible/study-bible/books/jeremiah/35/#v24035001-v24035014)**

  > “Go to the house of the Reʹcha·bites and speak with them and bring them into the house of Jehovah, into one of the dining rooms; then offer them wine to drink.”

- **[Jeremiah 35:3](https://www.jw.org/en/library/bible/study-bible/books/jeremiah/35/#v24035001-v24035014)**

  > So I took Ja·az·a·niʹah the son of Jeremiah the son of Hab·az·zi·niʹah, his brothers, all his sons, and the entire house of the Reʹcha·bites

- **[Jeremiah 35:4](https://www.jw.org/en/library/bible/study-bible/books/jeremiah/35/#v24035001-v24035014)**

  > into the house of Jehovah. I brought them to the dining room of the sons of Haʹnan the son of Ig·da·liʹah, a man of the true God, which was next to the dining room of the princes that was above the dining room of Ma·a·seiʹah the son of Shalʹlum the doorkeeper.

- **[Jeremiah 35:5](https://www.jw.org/en/library/bible/study-bible/books/jeremiah/35/#v24035001-v24035014)**

  > Then I put cups and goblets full of wine before the men of the house of the Reʹcha·bites and said to them: “Drink wine.”

- **[Jeremiah 35:6](https://www.jw.org/en/library/bible/study-bible/books/jeremiah/35/#v24035001-v24035014)**

  > But they said: “We will not drink wine, because Je·honʹa·dab the son of Reʹchab, our forefather, gave us this command, ‘Neither you nor your sons must ever drink wine.

- **[Jeremiah 35:7](https://www.jw.org/en/library/bible/study-bible/books/jeremiah/35/#v24035001-v24035014)**

  > And you must not build a house, sow seed, or plant or obtain a vineyard. Instead, you must always dwell in tents, so that you may live for a long time in the land where you are residing as foreigners.’

- **[Jeremiah 35:8](https://www.jw.org/en/library/bible/study-bible/books/jeremiah/35/#v24035001-v24035014)**

  > So we continue to obey the voice of Je·honʹa·dab the son of our forefather Reʹchab in all that he commanded us, by never drinking any wine—we, our wives, our sons, and our daughters.

- **[Jeremiah 35:9](https://www.jw.org/en/library/bible/study-bible/books/jeremiah/35/#v24035001-v24035014)**

  > And we do not build houses to dwell in, nor do we have vineyards or fields or seed.

- **[Jeremiah 35:10](https://www.jw.org/en/library/bible/study-bible/books/jeremiah/35/#v24035001-v24035014)**

  > We keep living in tents and obeying all that Je·honʹa·dab our forefather commanded us.

- **[Jeremiah 35:11](https://www.jw.org/en/library/bible/study-bible/books/jeremiah/35/#v24035001-v24035014)**

  > But when King Neb·u·chad·nezʹzar of Babylon came up against the land, we said, ‘Come, let us go into Jerusalem to escape the army of the Chal·deʹans and of the Syrians,’ and now we are living in Jerusalem.”

- **[Jeremiah 35:12](https://www.jw.org/en/library/bible/study-bible/books/jeremiah/35/#v24035001-v24035014)**

  > And the word of Jehovah came to Jeremiah, saying:

- **[Jeremiah 35:13](https://www.jw.org/en/library/bible/study-bible/books/jeremiah/35/#v24035001-v24035014)**

  > “This is what Jehovah of armies, the God of Israel, says, ‘Go and say to the men of Judah and to the inhabitants of Jerusalem: “Were you not continually urged to obey my words?” declares Jehovah.

- **[Jeremiah 35:14](https://www.jw.org/en/library/bible/study-bible/books/jeremiah/35/#v24035001-v24035014)**

  > “Je·honʹa·dab the son of Reʹchab commanded his descendants not to drink wine, and they have carried out his words by not drinking it to this day, thus obeying the order of their forefather. However, I have spoken to you again and again, but you have not obeyed me.


🗺️ **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)*, [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  *(2 min.)*

HOUSE TO HOUSE. Offer a Bible study. ([lmd lesson 3 point 3](https://www.jw.org/en/library/brochures/love-people-make-disciples/lesson-3/#p13))

**Referenced material**

- [lmd lesson 3 point 3](https://www.jw.org/en/library/brochures/love-people-make-disciples/lesson-3/#p13)

### 5. Starting a Conversation  *(2 min.)*

HOUSE TO HOUSE. Offer a Bible study. Feature a video from our Teaching Toolbox. ([lmd lesson 3 point 5](https://www.jw.org/en/library/brochures/love-people-make-disciples/lesson-3/#p17))

**Referenced material**

- [lmd lesson 3 point 5](https://www.jw.org/en/library/brochures/love-people-make-disciples/lesson-3/#p17)

### 6. Following Up  *(3 min.)*

INFORMAL WITNESSING. Offer a Bible study to a person who previously expressed concern about a current event. ([lmd lesson 7 point 4](https://www.jw.org/en/library/brochures/love-people-make-disciples/lesson-7/#p14))

**Referenced material**

- [lmd lesson 7 point 4](https://www.jw.org/en/library/brochures/love-people-make-disciples/lesson-7/#p14)

### 7. Making Disciples  *(4 min.)*

Discussion with a Bible student. Tell your student about the Bible study campaign. Ask if he knows anyone who might be interested in studying the Bible. ([th study 11](https://www.jw.org/en/library/brochures/reading-and-teaching/11-enthusiasm/))

**Referenced material**

- [th study 11](https://www.jw.org/en/library/brochures/reading-and-teaching/11-enthusiasm/)

## LIVING AS CHRISTIANS

### Song 121

🎵 [Song 121](https://www.jw.org/en/library/music-songs/sing-out-joyfully/121-we-need-self-control/) — opens in JW Library

### 8. Self-Control Helps Us to Obey  *(6 min.)*

Discussion.

Negative thinking can weaken our resolve to do what is right. How important it is, then, to do our best to control such thoughts! But how can we succeed?

[Play the VIDEO DRAMATIZATION](https://www.jw.org/open?lank=pub-mwbv_202609_2_VIDEO&wtlocale=E) **Pursue What Builds Loyalty—Self-Control.** Then ask the audience:

What did you learn from this video about how to overcome negative thoughts?

🎬 [Play the VIDEO DRAMATIZATION](https://www.jw.org/open?lank=pub-mwbv_202609_2_VIDEO&wtlocale=E) — opens in JW Library

### 9. Organizational Accomplishments for September  *(9 min.)*

Discussion.

[Play the VIDEO](https://www.jw.org/open?lank=pub-mwbv_202609_3_VIDEO&wtlocale=E)**.** Then ask the audience the questions that appear at the end of the video.

🎬 [Play the VIDEO](https://www.jw.org/open?lank=pub-mwbv_202609_3_VIDEO&wtlocale=E) — opens in JW Library

### 10. Congregation Bible Study  *(30 min.)*

[wcg chap. 8](https://www.jw.org/en/library/books/walk-courageously-with-god/patriarchs-to-time-of-judges/joseph-resisted-temptation/)

**Referenced material**

- [wcg chap. 8](https://www.jw.org/en/library/books/walk-courageously-with-god/patriarchs-to-time-of-judges/joseph-resisted-temptation/)

### Concluding Comments (3 min.) | Song 28 and Prayer

🎵 [Song 28](https://www.jw.org/en/library/music-songs/sing-out-joyfully/28-gaining-jehovahs-friendship/) — opens in JW Library

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*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.*