# September 21-27

**Bible reading:** [JEREMIAH 36-37](https://www.jw.org/en/library/bible/study-bible/books/jeremiah/36/#v24036001-v24036032)

[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-21-27-2026/)

### Song 74 and Prayer | Opening Comments (1 min.)

🎵 [Song 74](https://www.jw.org/en/library/music-songs/sing-out-joyfully/74-join-in-kingdom-song/) — opens in JW Library

## TREASURES FROM GOD’S WORD

### 1. Jehovah Supports Those Who Support His Kingdom  *(10 min.)*

Jeremiah proclaimed an unpopular message during a time of political controversy in Judah ([Jer 37:6-10](https://www.jw.org/en/library/bible/study-bible/books/jeremiah/37/#v24037006-v24037010); *jr* 27 ¶22)

He was persecuted because his position was misunderstood ([Jer 37:13-15](https://www.jw.org/en/library/bible/study-bible/books/jeremiah/37/#v24037013-v24037015); *jr* 28 ¶23)

Jehovah supported Jeremiah while he was imprisoned ([Jer 37:21](https://www.jw.org/en/library/bible/study-bible/books/jeremiah/37/#v24037021); [w08 10/15 11 ¶18](https://www.jw.org/en/library/magazines/w20081015/Jehovah-Watches-Us-for-Our-Good/#p25))

**ASK YOURSELF,** ‘How can the examples of Jeremiah and others motivate me to support God’s Kingdom during times of political unrest?’

Modern-day examples show that Jehovah continues to care for those who are persecuted because of their Christian neutrality

**Why these scriptures**

- **[Jeremiah 37:6](https://www.jw.org/en/library/bible/study-bible/books/jeremiah/37/#v24037006-v24037010)**

  > Then the word of Jehovah came to Jeremiah the prophet, saying:

- **[Jeremiah 37:7](https://www.jw.org/en/library/bible/study-bible/books/jeremiah/37/#v24037006-v24037010)**

  > “This is what Jehovah the God of Israel says, ‘This is what you should say to the king of Judah, who sent you to me to inquire of me: “Look! The army of Pharʹaoh that is coming to assist you will have to go back to its land, Egypt.

- **[Jeremiah 37:8](https://www.jw.org/en/library/bible/study-bible/books/jeremiah/37/#v24037006-v24037010)**

  > And the Chal·deʹans will come back and fight against this city and capture it and burn it with fire.”

- **[Jeremiah 37:9](https://www.jw.org/en/library/bible/study-bible/books/jeremiah/37/#v24037006-v24037010)**

  > This is what Jehovah says, “Do not deceive yourselves by saying, ‘The Chal·deʹans will surely go away from against us,’ because they will not go away.

- **[Jeremiah 37:10](https://www.jw.org/en/library/bible/study-bible/books/jeremiah/37/#v24037006-v24037010)**

  > Even if you were to strike down the entire army of the Chal·deʹans who are fighting against you and only their wounded men were left, they would still rise up from their tents and burn this city with fire.”’”

- **[Jeremiah 37:13](https://www.jw.org/en/library/bible/study-bible/books/jeremiah/37/#v24037013-v24037015)**

  > But when he reached the Gate of Benjamin, the officer in charge of the guard, whose name was I·riʹjah the son of Shel·e·miʹah the son of Han·a·niʹah, seized Jeremiah the prophet and said: “You are deserting to the Chal·deʹans!”

- **[Jeremiah 37:14](https://www.jw.org/en/library/bible/study-bible/books/jeremiah/37/#v24037013-v24037015)**

  > But Jeremiah said: “It is not true! I am not deserting to the Chal·deʹans.” But he did not listen to him. So I·riʹjah arrested Jeremiah and brought him in to the princes.

- **[Jeremiah 37:15](https://www.jw.org/en/library/bible/study-bible/books/jeremiah/37/#v24037013-v24037015)**

  > The princes were furious with Jeremiah, and they beat him and imprisoned him in the house of Je·honʹa·than the secretary, which had been made into a prison.

- **[Jeremiah 37:21](https://www.jw.org/en/library/bible/study-bible/books/jeremiah/37/#v24037021)**

  > So King Zed·e·kiʹah ordered that Jeremiah be put in custody in the Courtyard of the Guard, and he was given a round loaf of bread daily from the street of the bakers until all the bread in the city was gone. And Jeremiah remained in the Courtyard of the Guard.


🗺️ **Places:** [Judea](https://bible-lands.apps.simontingle.com/?place=judea-region) *(southern West Bank / Israel)*, [Egypt](https://bible-lands.apps.simontingle.com/?place=egypt) *(Ain Shams)*, [Benjamin Gate](https://bible-lands.apps.simontingle.com/?place=benjamin-gate) *(Jerusalem)*

**Referenced material**

- [w08 10/15 11 ¶18](https://www.jw.org/en/library/magazines/w20081015/Jehovah-Watches-Us-for-Our-Good/#p25)

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

[Jer 36:30](https://www.jw.org/en/library/bible/study-bible/books/jeremiah/36/#v24036030)—How did the prophecy that Jehoiakim would have no successor come true? ([it “Jehoiakim” ¶9](https://www.jw.org/en/library/books/Insight-on-the-Scriptures/Jehoiakim/#p10))

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

**Why these scriptures**

- **[Jeremiah 36:30](https://www.jw.org/en/library/bible/study-bible/books/jeremiah/36/#v24036030)**

  > Therefore this is what Jehovah says against King Je·hoiʹa·kim of Judah, ‘He will have no one to sit on the throne of David, and his dead body will be left exposed to the heat by day and the frost by night.


🗺️ **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)*, [New Gate](https://bible-lands.apps.simontingle.com/?place=new-gate) *(Jerusalem)*, [Babylon](https://bible-lands.apps.simontingle.com/?place=babylon) *(Hillah, Iraq)*, [Egypt](https://bible-lands.apps.simontingle.com/?place=egypt) *(Ain Shams)*, [Benjamin Gate](https://bible-lands.apps.simontingle.com/?place=benjamin-gate) *(Jerusalem)*

**Referenced material**

- [it “Jehoiakim” ¶9](https://www.jw.org/en/library/books/Insight-on-the-Scriptures/Jehoiakim/#p10)

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

[Jer 36:1-13](https://www.jw.org/en/library/bible/study-bible/books/jeremiah/36/#v24036001-v24036013) ([th study 10](https://www.jw.org/en/library/brochures/reading-and-teaching/10-modulation/))

**Why these scriptures**

- **[Jeremiah 36:1](https://www.jw.org/en/library/bible/study-bible/books/jeremiah/36/#v24036001-v24036013)**

  > 36 Now in the fourth year of Je·hoiʹa·kim son of Jo·siʹah, the king of Judah, this word came to Jeremiah from Jehovah, saying:

- **[Jeremiah 36:2](https://www.jw.org/en/library/bible/study-bible/books/jeremiah/36/#v24036001-v24036013)**

  > “Take a scroll and write in it all the words that I have spoken to you against Israel and Judah and all the nations, from the first day I spoke to you in the days of Jo·siʹah to this day.

- **[Jeremiah 36:3](https://www.jw.org/en/library/bible/study-bible/books/jeremiah/36/#v24036001-v24036013)**

  > Perhaps when those of the house of Judah hear of all the calamity that I intend to bring on them, they may turn back from their evil ways, so that I may forgive their error and their sin.”

- **[Jeremiah 36:4](https://www.jw.org/en/library/bible/study-bible/books/jeremiah/36/#v24036001-v24036013)**

  > Jeremiah then called Barʹuch the son of Ne·riʹah, and Jeremiah dictated all the words that Jehovah had spoken to him, and Barʹuch wrote them in the scroll.

- **[Jeremiah 36:5](https://www.jw.org/en/library/bible/study-bible/books/jeremiah/36/#v24036001-v24036013)**

  > Then Jeremiah commanded Barʹuch: “I am confined and unable to enter the house of Jehovah.

- **[Jeremiah 36:6](https://www.jw.org/en/library/bible/study-bible/books/jeremiah/36/#v24036001-v24036013)**

  > So you are the one who must go in and read aloud the words of Jehovah from the scroll that you wrote at my dictation. Read them in the hearing of the people at the house of Jehovah on the day of a fast; thus you will read them to all the people of Judah who come in from their cities.

- **[Jeremiah 36:7](https://www.jw.org/en/library/bible/study-bible/books/jeremiah/36/#v24036001-v24036013)**

  > Perhaps their request for favor will reach Jehovah, and they will turn back, each one from his evil ways, for great is the anger and the wrath that Jehovah has declared against this people.”

- **[Jeremiah 36:8](https://www.jw.org/en/library/bible/study-bible/books/jeremiah/36/#v24036001-v24036013)**

  > So Barʹuch the son of Ne·riʹah did all that Jeremiah the prophet had commanded him; he read aloud from the scroll the words of Jehovah at the house of Jehovah.

- **[Jeremiah 36:9](https://www.jw.org/en/library/bible/study-bible/books/jeremiah/36/#v24036001-v24036013)**

  > Now in the fifth year of Je·hoiʹa·kim son of Jo·siʹah, the king of Judah, in the ninth month, all the people in Jerusalem and all the people who came into Jerusalem from the cities of Judah proclaimed a fast before Jehovah.

- **[Jeremiah 36:10](https://www.jw.org/en/library/bible/study-bible/books/jeremiah/36/#v24036001-v24036013)**

  > Barʹuch then read aloud from the scroll the words of Jeremiah at the house of Jehovah, in the chamber of Gem·a·riʹah the son of Shaʹphan the copyist, in the upper courtyard, at the entrance of the new gate of the house of Jehovah, in the hearing of all the people.

- **[Jeremiah 36:11](https://www.jw.org/en/library/bible/study-bible/books/jeremiah/36/#v24036001-v24036013)**

  > When Mi·caiʹah the son of Gem·a·riʹah the son of Shaʹphan heard all the words of Jehovah from the scroll,

- **[Jeremiah 36:12](https://www.jw.org/en/library/bible/study-bible/books/jeremiah/36/#v24036001-v24036013)**

  > he went down to the house of the king, to the secretary’s chamber. All the princes were sitting there: E·lishʹa·ma the secretary, De·laʹiah the son of She·maiʹah, El·naʹthan the son of Achʹbor, Gem·a·riʹah the son of Shaʹphan, Zed·e·kiʹah the son of Han·a·niʹah, and all the other princes.

- **[Jeremiah 36:13](https://www.jw.org/en/library/bible/study-bible/books/jeremiah/36/#v24036001-v24036013)**

  > Mi·caiʹah told them all the words that he had heard when Barʹuch read from the scroll in the hearing of the people.


🗺️ **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)*, [New Gate](https://bible-lands.apps.simontingle.com/?place=new-gate) *(Jerusalem)*

**Referenced material**

- [th study 10](https://www.jw.org/en/library/brochures/reading-and-teaching/10-modulation/)

## APPLY YOURSELF TO THE FIELD MINISTRY

### 4. Starting a Conversation  *(3 min.)*

PUBLIC WITNESSING. Offer a Bible study to a person of a non-Christian background. ([lmd lesson 5 point 5](https://www.jw.org/en/library/brochures/love-people-make-disciples/lesson-5/#p15))

**Referenced material**

- [lmd lesson 5 point 5](https://www.jw.org/en/library/brochures/love-people-make-disciples/lesson-5/#p15)

### 5. Following Up  *(4 min.)*

HOUSE TO HOUSE. Offer a Bible study to a person who accepted a tract on your last visit. ([lmd lesson 9 point 4](https://www.jw.org/en/library/brochures/love-people-make-disciples/lesson-9/#p14))

**Referenced material**

- [lmd lesson 9 point 4](https://www.jw.org/en/library/brochures/love-people-make-disciples/lesson-9/#p14)

### 6. What Would You Say?  *(6 min.)*

Discussion. HOUSE TO HOUSE. Briefly review [lmd lesson 2 point 5](https://www.jw.org/en/library/brochures/love-people-make-disciples/lesson-2/#p15). Then ask the audience:

A householder says that he is concerned about the rising cost of living. What would you say to acknowledge his worry?

What Bible truth might you share?

**Referenced material**

- [lmd lesson 2 point 5](https://www.jw.org/en/library/brochures/love-people-make-disciples/lesson-2/#p15)

## LIVING AS CHRISTIANS

### Song 142

🎵 [Song 142](https://www.jw.org/en/library/music-songs/sing-out-joyfully/142-holding-to-our-hope/) — opens in JW Library

### 7. Remaining Neutral in Our Hearts  *(15 min.)*

Discussion.

As the world becomes increasingly divided, we expect to face growing tests of our neutrality. To ensure that our actions remain neutral, we must make sure that our hearts remain neutral.—[Pr 4:23](https://www.jw.org/en/library/bible/study-bible/books/proverbs/4/#v20004023).

What tests of neutrality might you face where you live?

Why, at times, may it be difficult not to take sides?

**Read** [Luke 4:5, 6](https://www.jw.org/en/library/bible/study-bible/books/luke/4/#v42004005-v42004006)**.** Then ask the audience:

How do these verses motivate you to remain neutral?

What Bible verses can you use to explain your decision to remain neutral?

[Play the VIDEO](https://www.jw.org/open?lank=pub-jwb_201903_6_VIDEO&wtlocale=E) **Lessons From The Watchtower—Remain Neutral in a Divided World.** Then ask the audience:

What did you learn from this video that can help you remain neutral in your heart?

Based on the study article featured in the video, what four key points can help us to remain neutral? ([w16.04 27-31](https://www.jw.org/en/library/magazines/watchtower-study-april-2016/maintain-neutrality-in-a-divided-world/))

🎬 [Play the VIDEO](https://www.jw.org/open?lank=pub-jwb_201903_6_VIDEO&wtlocale=E) — opens in JW Library

**Why these scriptures**

- **[Proverbs 4:23](https://www.jw.org/en/library/bible/study-bible/books/proverbs/4/#v20004023)**

  > Above all the things that you guard, safeguard your heart, For out of it are the sources of life.

- **[Luke 4:5](https://www.jw.org/en/library/bible/study-bible/books/luke/4/#v42004005-v42004006)**

  > So he brought him up and showed him all the kingdoms of the inhabited earth in an instant of time.

- **[Luke 4:6](https://www.jw.org/en/library/bible/study-bible/books/luke/4/#v42004005-v42004006)**

  > Then the Devil said to him: “I will give you all this authority and their glory, because it has been handed over to me, and I give it to whomever I wish.


**Referenced material**

- [w16.04 27-31](https://www.jw.org/en/library/magazines/watchtower-study-april-2016/maintain-neutrality-in-a-divided-world/)

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

[wcg chap. 9](https://www.jw.org/en/library/books/walk-courageously-with-god/patriarchs-to-time-of-judges/shiphrah-puah-amram-jochebed-miriam-by-faith-moses-was-hid/)

**Referenced material**

- [wcg chap. 9](https://www.jw.org/en/library/books/walk-courageously-with-god/patriarchs-to-time-of-judges/shiphrah-puah-amram-jochebed-miriam-by-faith-moses-was-hid/)

### Concluding Comments (3 min.) | Song 134 and Prayer

🎵 [Song 134](https://www.jw.org/en/library/music-songs/sing-out-joyfully/134-children-are-a-trust-from-god/) — 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.*