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Your Service Meetings

WEEK STARTING SEPTEMBER 9

15 min: Song 69. Family group briefly comment on text. Then parents discuss with the children opportunities to use the “Evolution” book in school to give a witness. Discuss how to go about offering it to teachers, and when; use of it in class discussion.

15 min: “Do You Qualify for Congregational Responsibility?” August 1, 1973, “Watchtower,” from start through material on “Not newly converted.” Partially a talk, but involve audience freely.

20 min: “Intensive Tract Distribution.” Questions and answers. Discuss thoroughly without reading paragraphs. Tell publishers that they may obtain their supply of tracts after the meeting, but not to distribute them until September 21.

10 min: Concluding comments. Include accounts report, also announcement about writing to Turkey. Song 72.

WEEK STARTING SEPTEMBER 16

10 min: Song 80. Introduction. Invite audience to comment on text.

5 min: “Do You Qualify for Congregational Responsibility?” August 1973, “Watchtower,” from paragraph before material on “Serious” to the end. Several brothers may discuss it together.

25 min: Tract Distribution.

(5 min.) Briefly analyze with the congregation what the tract contains. Some people will simply pick it up and thumb through it without reading everything. What impression will it make? Let audience point out the few key ideas that are made to stand out on each page.

(15 min.) “Presenting the Good News​—With Kingdom News No. 16.” Cover with audience participation. Have at least two demonstrations showing how to offer the tracts.

(5 min.) Outline special arrangements for group witnessing to distribute tracts. Encourage publishers to put forth special effort to distribute all their tracts. However, if some are unable to do so, request that they give the extras to their book study conductor or turn them in at the Kingdom Hall no later than the next service meeting.

10 min: Concluding comments. Comment on Branch Letter. Encourage all to prepare for discussion of organization on next service meeting. Song 74.

WEEK STARTING SEPTEMBER 23

15 min: Song 87. Introduction, text and comments. Arrange ahead of time for the ones in charge of various groups that met for witnessing during the week to tell how the publisher support was, progress in territory coverage, also any notable experiences.

15 min: “Does it Matter Who Your Friends Are?” July 15, 1973, “Watchtower.” Discussion among youths.

20 min: How Well Do You Know the Organization?

There are many persons newly associated with the congregation; this discussion should build up their appreciation for how the organization functions. The following questions may be used as a basis for discussion, with the audience answering; use scriptures as time permits.

(1) What position does Jehovah occupy in relation to his organization? (Rev. 4:9-11) (2) What evidence is there that the heavenly angelic organization of Jehovah actually takes an interest in us here on earth? (Rev. 14:6, 7; 7:10-12; Heb. 1:14) (3) Who is the head of the Christian congregation? (Eph. 1:22, 23) (4) How do we show that we really recognize his headship’? (Heb. 12:1-3; John 15:14; Phil. 2:1-8; w72 p. 755) (5) What is the “faithful and discreet slave”? (Matt. 24:45; Luke 12:32, 42; “Organization” book, p. 9) (6) Who are the “domestics” referred to at Matthew 24:45? (“or” p. 9) (7) What is the governing body?. (“or” p. 10; w72 pp. 703, 704) (8) Which brothers are the appointed elders in our local congregation? What are their positions of oversight? (9) How do we personally benefit from their services? (10) How do we show that we really recognize Jehovah’s organization and are in full harmony with it? (1 John 5:3; Eph. 5:1; Heb. 13:7, 17; Matt. 24:14)

10 min: Concluding comments. Remind publishers that goal is to complete tract distribution by Sunday night. Request any who have more tracts than they can use to turn them in so that others can distribute them. Mention that early in October we will go right back into the same territory with the special “Awake!” Song 90.

WEEK STARTING SEPTEMBER 30

15 min: Song 95. Introduction, text and comments. Also “Question Box.”

15 min: Discuss the obtaining of “Awake!” subscriptions. Ask publishers how many have personal subscriptions for “Watchtower,” how many for “Awake!” What advantage? Why do we distribute “Awake!” and what purpose does it serve in our ministry? How is that purpose served especially well if people subscribe? Draw attention to first two paragraphs of the article “Using the Special Magazines.”

15 min: A Month of Special Magazine Distribution.

Discuss talking points from the October 8 “Awake!” Encourage working with the group on Magazine Day.

Show value of magazine as a follow up to tract distribution. Encourage publishers to go right back into the same territory that was covered during the last ten days of September, rather than to go on to other areas. Discuss benefits of doing this. Demonstrate how to approach people, making mention of the tract. Show how to use special “Awake!” if householder says he did not see the tract or did not read it. Also demonstrate how to use it if householder voices doubts or objections about the message. Show how to work into a Bible study where there is genuine interest. Carry with you the new book advertised on the tract; some people may ask for it.

15 min: Concluding comments. Include remarks on the article “Resist the ‘Tendency to Envy,’” in the August 15, 1973, “Watchtower.” Encourage all to prepare well for discussion next week on “The Issue.” Song 85.

WEEK STARTING OCTOBER 7

10 min: Song 101. Introduction, text and comments. (Might have several school-age publishers discussing text together in school cafeteria and applying it to their lives.)

10 min: Use of Special Magazines.

Comment on points from the fourth paragraph of the article “Using the Special Magazines.” Demonstrate how to offer the October 22 issue to a schoolteacher who previously obtained the “Evolution” book. (Teacher says he enjoyed book so when offering “Awake!”, student says he can have it for a full year for $1.50.)

Demonstrate house-to-house magazine offer, featuring the October 15 “Watchtower.”

30 min: How Clearly Do We See the Issue?

At the outset briefly set forth what the issue of universal sovereignty is: In attacking God’s law, Satan called into question the rightfulness, righteousness and deservedness of God’s sovereignty. And the rebellion of Satan and the first humans raised yet another question: Would all other intelligent creatures ignore God’s law if that seemed to be to their advantage? When we see this issue clearly, we recognize disregard of God’s law as rebellion against him as Ruler. By rebelling against him a person sides with Satan. Does appreciation of these facts influence our daily conduct?​—“True Peace and Security,” pp. 52, 53.

Discuss the following questions with the audience, making sure that in each instance it is shown how the issue of sovereignty is involved and that what one does shows where he stands in relation to that issue. Encourage publishers to comment freely; read scriptures and bring in fine points from “True Peace and Security” book as time permits. (1) When would a husband’s actions toward his wife and family reveal that he needed to let recognition of the issue be a greater force in his life? (Eph. 5:28-31; 6:4; Col. 3:19, 21; tp p. 168 ¶5; p. 175 ¶22; p. 139 ¶17) (2) How does a wife, even if her husband may be unreasonable or demanding, prove that she sees the issue clearly? (Eph. 5:22-24; 1 Pet. 3:1-6; tp pp. 140, 141; p. 176 ¶24) (3) What attitude and actions on the part of children toward their parents would show that they do appreciate the issue? Why? (Col. 3:17, 20; Rom. 15:2, 3; tp pp. 132, 133, 140, 141) (4) Since disregard for traffic laws (speed limits, parking, etc.) has become “acceptable” in the world, why would our seeing the issue clearly prevent us from imitating the world in this respect? (Eph. 2:2, 3; 1 John 5:19; tp p. 137 ¶14) (5) Why would one’s littering and sharing in other similar acts reveal the need to consider more seriously one’s attitude toward the issue? (Matt. 7:12; tp p. 169 ¶8 (6) How can real appreciation for the issue prevent one from being influenced by racial, social or national prejudice? (Acts 17:26; Rom. 3:23; Jas. 2:1-9; tp p. 171 ¶12 to p. 172 ¶16) (7) What aspects about the settlement of the issue make it urgent that we zealously share in Kingdom-preaching and disciple-making? (Matt. 24:34; 2 Thess. 1:6-9; 2 Pet. 3:9, 15; tp pp. 173-175) In concluding, reemphasize the importance of seriously reflecting on our conduct and activity. Are we working hard to make advancement in living in ever fuller recognition of Jehovah’s sovereignty?​—tp p. 143 ¶25; p. 144 ¶26.

10 min: Concluding comments. Song 77.