A Public Talk Outline is essentially a structured lesson plan provided to congregations. Each outline consists of:
The primary objective of these outlines is to ensure that the same spiritual "food" is served to congregations around the globe, regardless of who is delivering the speech.
A: The secretary or coordinator of the body of elders selects themes from the available list. If you have a suggestion, speak to them directly. They can download any outline from the official library.
A Public Talk Outline is not a script to be read word-for-word. Instead, it is a skeleton framework. It provides the speaker with:
The speaker researches and writes the talk himself, using the outline as a blueprint. This ensures consistency of doctrine worldwide while allowing for local adaptation and personal expression.
You may have noticed that Google does not return a full spreadsheet of outline titles. There are three reasons for this:
Focused on Matthew 24, 2 Timothy 3:1-5, and the book of Revelation.
Practical advice for daily life based on biblical principles. list of jw public talk outlines
To summarize, there is no single, static "list of JW public talk outlines" in the traditional sense today. The pre-2011 numbered list (1–142) is historical and obsolete. The modern list is a dynamic collection of PDFs released by the Watchtower Society, accessible only via official channels.
For active Witnesses: Check the "Outlines" section of JW Library monthly. For researchers: The themes are public; the internal outlines are not. For former Witnesses or curious Christians: Your local Kingdom Hall posts the theme of the week on its sign or on jw.org > "Find a Meeting."
The evolution from a numbered binder to a digital, living list reflects the organization’s emphasis on "food in due season"—current, practical, and globally unified Bible instruction.
Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes. All trademarks and copyrighted materials mentioned are the property of the Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society of Pennsylvania. For official publications, please visit jw.org.
The official list of public talk outlines for Jehovah's Witnesses, often referred to by its document code S-99, includes nearly 200 themes. These outlines are standardized by the organization to ensure consistent scriptural instruction globally, though speakers are encouraged to add personal research and local illustrations. Overview of Public Talk Subjects
The outlines are categorized into several key biblical and practical themes:
Bible & God: Topics include knowing God (No. 1), trusting the Bible (No. 99), and why God permits wickedness (No. 187). A Public Talk Outline is essentially a structured
Family & Youth: Practical advice on helping families (No. 5), successful marriage (No. 28), and helping youths find happiness (No. 113).
Kingdom & Paradise: Explores the purpose of life (No. 23), God's Kingdom (No. 109), and the resurrection hope (No. 132).
Christian Conduct: Themes cover honesty (No. 10), views of authority (No. 12), and showing hospitality (No. 77).
World Affairs & Prophecy: Insight into the "last days" (No. 2), Armageddon (No. 152), and real peace and security (No. 176). Accessing Outlines
While general titles are listed on the Watchtower Online Library, the detailed outlines themselves are typically managed through congregation leadership:
Congregation Repository: Elders and ministerial servants usually hold the complete collection of physical or digital outlines.
Speaker Assignment: When a speaker is assigned a talk, they are provided the specific pre-written outline (e.g., in PDF format) to prepare their 30-minute presentation. The primary objective of these outlines is to
Management Tools: Many congregations use software like JW Scheduler to track talk history and manage visiting speakers' themes. Recent Themes (2025–2026)
New special talk themes are periodically released, such as the 2026 convention talk titled "Have You Discovered the Treasure?" and the 2026 yeartext-focused discussions on being "conscious of your spiritual need".
This guide provides an overview of how to find, understand, and use the list of Jehovah’s Witnesses (JW) Public Talk Outlines.
These outlines are used by elders and ministerial servants to deliver public speeches at Kingdom Halls and conventions.
If you are an elder or ministerial servant assigned a talk, here is the workflow for using the outline list:
Step 1: Selection
Step 2: Download
Step 3: Research
Step 4: Personalization