Copy the Master's Manner of Teaching

¹ How productive is the ministry of those who copy the Master’s manner of teaching! This was certain to be so, because “everyone that is perfectly instructed will be like his teacher.” This is an important month for applying the Master’s manner of teaching in all aspects of our ministry, for March is Memorial month.

² Last year the Memorial attendance for the United States was 434,-795—an increase of 79,812 over the attendance at Memorial in 1959. May we work just as diligently this year in inviting others to attend the Memorial, March 30, after 6 p.m. Start using the Memorial invitations about the middle of the month. An invitation should be given to all with whom Bible studies are being conducted, persons on whom back-calls are being made and any subscribers for the Watchtower and Awake! magazines, friends, relatives and others who would be interested in attending. By our diligence in inviting good-will persons to the Memorial, March should be one of the finest back-call months on record.

³ Though the back-call work will play a big role in our month’s activity, spend some time every week in. the house-to-house ministry. During December the average hours for congregation publishers dropped to nine. Let us do our utmost to build this average up to at least ten hours per publisher. How? Try to be out in the field ministry each Sunday, spending at least two hours in the house-to-house ministry whenever possible and one hour in the back-call work.

⁴ How are you doing in the subscription campaign? By the first of March, to be abreast with the suggested quota, all publishers should have obtained at least one subscription, pioneers ten, and special pioneers 15. Continue to be subscription-minded. Do not pass up any opportunity to obtain a subscription. That many are happy to subscribe is apparent from the numerous subscriptions flowing into the Society’s office day after day. An interesting letter was received: “Herewith find $2 for my subscription to The Watchtower for two years. Somehow 1 missed anyone calling on me to see if I wanted it, which I surely do, as I very much enjoy reading it. It is reading of the very best. I wish I knew when the services were here so I could attend.” A good-will slip was sent to the congregation so a publisher could call on this person. Such a letter emphasizes the need for regularly sharing in the house-to-house

¹ Special efforts in our Kingdom ministry! When do they begin? With the Memorial and with our helping all good-will persons to attend. Make a list of all those you intend to invite to the Memorial. Follow through on it. Because of the important events after the Memorial, all congregations will hold a service meeting that week, but it

OFFER FOR MARCH ‘Watchtower” subscription for one year and three booklets, for $1.

THEME FOR MARCH Copying the Master’s Manner of Teaching.—Luke 6:40.

should not interfere with the Memorial celebration. Congregations normally having their service meeting on Thursday can arrange to have it on another night. Friday, March 31, may be the most suitable.

² Special arrangements for the field ministry: Each congregation should make its own schedule in accord with local circumstances. All publishers who possibly can get out ministry and for calling back when householders are not at home.

⁵ Put forth reasonable effort to give householders the current sermon. Reports from all over the country tell of the excellent reception on the part of householders of the sermon “Man’s Future in This Space Age.” A brother writes: “I wanted to write you relative to the success we have been having with the new sermon. In two territories the average was one subscription in every three households. The new sermon is just the thing needed to arouse the interest of many sheeplike persons.”

⁶ When subscriptions are obtained, (Continued on page If, col. 3)

into the field ministry should try to do so on Memorial day, Friday, Saturday and Sunday. Witnessing on Sunday will be through the service centers, enabling the most to be out and the greatest aid to be rendered to new and less mature ones.

³ After Memorial give special attention to those persons Invited but who did not attend. Extend to them an invitation to attend the special public talk. At the close of the talk the special April 15 Watchtower will be released for immediate distribution. Our big work after the special talk will be the helping of good-will persons to share in the Kingdom ministry, using the special magazine to be released at the public talk. Follow up with encouragement during the whole of April. The April 22 special Awake! will have a novel approach, one that should appeal to persons of many faiths and thus prove a most fitting companion to the special Watchtower featuring the article “The Sacred Bible and Our Problem of Survival.” Be ready, then, for the special Memorial activity.

Copy the Master’s zeal, too!

FIRST MEETING IN MARCH

Theme: Copying^- the Master’s Manner of Teaching.

5 min: Welcome, text, comments.

10 min: Talk on “Copying the Master’s Manner of Teaching,’’ emphasizing our ministerial privileges. (See “Watchtower,” April 1,  1960, pp.

200-206, and March 1, 1961, p. 150.) 15 min: Lively question-and-answer discussion of main article, “Copy the Master’s Manner of Teaching.”

20 min: “Presenting the Good News” •—talk and demonstration of points.

10 min: Concluding comments. (Encourage all who can to vacation pioneer during April. Comment on slogan at bottom of page 1; see John 2:17.)

SECOND MEETING IN MARCH

5 min: Welcome, text, comments.

10 min: New World News and Announcements.

15 min: Report from school servant. Talk to include coverage of paragraphs 129-131 of “Preaching and Teaching in Peace and Unity,” calling publishers’ attention to pertinent points therein.

22 min: Building Up New Ones for Service.

CHAIRMAN (2 min.) Do we want new ones to share in the ministry with us in April? Then we must begin now to prepare them progressively for this activity. For the next three weeks, after each home Bible study, have something prepared to turn the student’s mind toward privileges of service. How? Watch the groundwork being laid on the first of these calls.

SCENE I (5 min.) After the study, conductor commends student for progress, asks how he would explain God’s purpose for this earth if neighbors or friends inquired. Student relates truths learned and quotes Matt. 6:9, 10 when proof is asked. Publisher encourages him to watch for opportunities to tell others good things learned.

CHAIRMAN (1 min.) This encouragement to participate can be used for those who have been studying only a short time. Now, what can be done the very next week to encourage the same person toward sharing in the ministry?

SCENE II (5 min.) As study concludes, publisher speaks of most important event of year for Christians, offering handbill with invitation to Memorial. Mentions special public meeting to be held in over 21,000 congregations. Using “Kingdom Ministry,” outlines congregation service arrangements starting with Memorial; many persons being studied with will want to share. Publisher builds up benefit and joy all will have who do share in the ministry. (Some may be ready for service at this point. If so, make arrangements.)

CHAIRMAN (1 min.) Now, with foundation laid, watch how “Yearbook” can serve as basis to encourage new ones into service the third week.

SCENE III (5 min.) Publisher uses “Yearbook” to point out preaching activity of Jehovah’s witnesses in 179 lands. Explains it is filled with enjoyable experiences; over 47,000 new ones joined in taking truths to others last year; reads and discusses joy new one had in service for first time. (“Yearbook,” page 214, par. 1) Com

March 30 in over 21,000 congregations in 179 different countries. It will be held . . . [Show time and place on Memorial slip, and give slip to householder]. Also, I’d like to invite you to attend a special Bible lecture Sunday, April 2. The title is ‘The Sacred Bible and Our Problem of Survival.’ [Give handbill to householder.] Arrangements have been made for this talk to be given in over 21,000 congregations, Sunday, April 2. I know you would enjoy and benefit greatly from this Bible talk.” Make definite arrangements for them to attend.

SCENE III (4 min.) New publisher very pleased with helpful information. Conductor asks if someone would like to volunteer to demonstrate such a call. New publisher volunteers. Using one in attendance as householder, gives model presentation, includes making definite arrangements to stop for person.

CHAIRMAN (3 min.) Encouragement for all to be diligent. Write down names of all you want to invite. If some cannot be reached, an invitation can be sent by mail, but personal contact is recommended; and, remember, the best way to help people attend the first time is to bring them with you.

7 min: Concluding comments. (Include comment on slogan at bottom of page 4, based on 1 Peter 4:9.)

FOURTH MEETING IN MARCH

5 min: Welcome, text, comments.

15 min: Talk on “The Importance of Home Bible Studies.” Also “Yearbook” experiences, pp. 95, 114, 188.

15 min: Question-and-answer discussion of “Congregation Organization” article.

15 min: “Greet One Another”—-warm talk from “Watchtower” of February 1, 1961, pp. 90, 91. Emphasize the greeting of one another and of strangers at Memorial and public talks.

10 min: Concluding comments. (If this is the last service meeting before Memorial, encourage publishers to be diligent in applying themselves to Memorial activities. Cover pertinent points in “Special Memorial Activity” article that apply before next meeting.)

FIFTH MEETING IN MARCH

5 min: Welcome, text, comments.

15 min: Warm, encouraging talk by capable brother on “Zealous Participation in the Ministry,” based on “Watchtower” of January 15, 1961, p. 54, and article “Special Memorial Activity.”

15 min: Question-and-answer discussion of article “Teach Children to Be Efficient Ministers.”

15 min: Help New Ones Start in Service. Bible study servant reviews 3-point program of demonstration “Building Up New Ones for Service,” presented on second meeting in March.

10 min: Concluding comments. Make clear all local arrangements in harmony with suggestions in “Special Memorial Activity” article. Encourage all to attend public talk and to bring aS many good-will persons as possible. The same encouragement will be given regarding Memorial if this meeting is before Memorial.

CONGREGATION

Dedicated Publishers, Are You Regular in the Service?

• ¹ To be a servant of Jehovah not only is a great privilege but makes possible salvation for us and those who hear us. How important it is to regularly praise his name! (Heb. 13:15) Are you regularly sharing in Jehovah’s service?

• ² Records at the Society’s office show that 72 percent of all publishers in the United States have been baptized. Knowing many undedicated publishers approaching baptism are regular publishers, one would expect to see many more than 72 percent of all publishers regular in the service. What are the facts? Reports show only 67 percent of all publishers to be regular publishers. Based on even the difference between 72 percent and 67 percent, 5 percent would mean at least 12,500 dedicated publishers do not regularly share in the ministry.

• ³ What is the reason for irregularity? It appears that some publishers are left on their own before becoming well grounded in the truth and in time their zeal fades. Others fail to take needed time for personal study, and some allow old-

  Announcements

  
  

A Memorial Report card is being sent to each congregation with the March statement. The congregation servant will please see that it is filled out and put in the mail promptly after the public talk Sunday, April 2.

♦ Early in the month congregation servants will arrange for the accounts servant and several publishers as assistants, if necessary, to list on sheets of paper the names and addresses of all subscribers shown on the Subscription Record sheets (S-10) since January, 1960. Beside each subscriber’s name should be shown the name of the publisher who obtained the subscription. This will be given to the publishers by the middle of March so they can invite all subscribers to attend the Memorial and the special talk.

<&■ Congregations that have not submitted special orders for the April 15 Watchtower and April 22 Awake! are requested to do so immediately. The special April 15 Watchtower features the important article “The Sacred Bible and Our Problem of Survival.” The special April 22 Awake! contains thought-provoking quizzes and discussions on the theme “How Well Do You Know Your Religion?” When ordering, keep in mind the quotas set out in the February Kingdom Ministry. Also, if Memorial invitations have not yet been ordered, please do so at once.

Each congregation will receive a copy of the lecture “The Sacred Bible and Our Problem of Survival” and this is to be given to the brother who is assigned to deliver the April 2 public talk. The talk will include the material on pages 229 to 243.

♦ No publication of the Society— books, booklets, magazines or tracts —should be sent to any addresses in

ORGANIZATION

world attractions to consume their time and energy. What can and should be done to aid all dedicated ones to be regular publishers?

• ⁴ Individually each dedicated publisher should be keenly conscious of his spiritual welfare. Jehovah’s Word must be studied regularly and its principles followed consistently. A good schedule of theocratic activity is needed, including time for study, meetings and service. Right thinking and right actions go hand in hand.

• ⁵ Congregational!}⁷, all servants and mature publishers will want to assist and encourage new and weaker ones to study, attend meetings and share in field service. Overseers and their assistants can help many by personal, encouraging, upbuilding visits to ascertain the cause of spiritual weaknesses and then to aid them to advance to maturity. Those who are called on should appreciate the love shown by others in making visits and arranging to assist them. By all recognizing the seriousness of regularly sharing in the ministry and by wholeheartedly working together much can and will be done to aid more to regularly praise Jehovah’s name.

Yugoslavia. Sending publications will only cause difficulties for the brothers and people of good will. The Society is allowed to do printing in Yugoslavia so as to meet the needs of the people. If someone wishes that a person in Yugoslavia be called on by a publisher or that literature be sent to an address there, he should write to the Society about such. State if the person is a relative upon making any request for calls to be made.

Some brothers are writing to the Brooklyn office inquiring about air travel to attend the European conventions. All brothers who would like to go to Europe should immediately get in touch with their local district transportation officers.

♦New publications available: “Equipped for Every Good Work”

—Italian

From Paradise Lost to Paradise

Regained       —Arabic, Chinese,

Ilocano, Silozi

“Let God Be True” (2nd edition)

G» reck

Out of stock in U.S.A.:

Watchtower and Awake! bound volumes (1960)          —English

JANUARY SERVICE REPORT

Av.     Av. Av. Av.

Pubs. Hrs.    B-C Bi.St. Mags.

Sp’I Pios.     490 143.3 55.5  8.3

Pios.        6,077  92.6 33.9  5.4

Vac. Pios. 1,149  82.7 23.5  2.7

Pubs. 233,099    9.1   3.4   .6

TOTAL 240,815

Public Meetings Held: 21,602 UNITED STATES QUOTA FOR 1961 255,895 Publishers

Teach Children to Be Efficient Ministers

• ¹ Children are not born into the ministry. They must be trained for it, and parents must help them along the way.

• ² Children are born mimics. They will imitate the parent in study, prayer and in the ministry. So set before them a right example.

• ³ Keep the child’s age in mind. Use teaching methods that will match his age. An early lesson is one of appreciation for the truth. Always speak highly of the ministry. Instill in his mind that when he is in the service of God he must always be properly dressed for service and that his conduct must be above reproach. Rather than burdening him down with a lot of do’s and don’t’s, teach him the why’s and wherefore’s, Jehovah’s principles ; these are the things that will aid him to become an efficient minister.

• ⁴ Give a child something to do when he goes with you in the field ministry. Have him offer a handbill, read a scripture, present the magazines, and so forth. Rehearse what he is to do beforehand so he knows that he can do it. Then commend him when he does well. Parents should work with their children in the service and see to it that their children have opportunity to share in the ministry every month and are regular publishers.

• ⁵ As the children grow in ability prepare the sermon with them, rehearsing presentations together, acting as, householder in practice sessions at home. Help them to learn the sermons well. Go with them to the doors until they are sure they can give the sermon. Supervise their work. Encourage them to be progressive, to improve, to advance to maturity. Fix goals for them to meet. It gives them a thrill to be able to reach the goals that you set for them.

• ⁶ Encourage children to share more fully in the ministry. Encourage them to vacation pioneer each year during the school vacation. Urge them to talk about their experiences in the field, how they got people to take the magazines, and so forth. This shows them you care. Bring children to the meetings regularly. Help them to prepare comments to give. Mature publishers, include children in your demonstrations. Call on them to comment. Have them enroll in the theocratic ministry school. By home training and by sharing together in all the congregation’s activities help your children to become efficient ministers.

  'the good news

  
  

Where Signs Forbid “Evangelizing”

• ¹ Lately stickers or signs have been posted on the front door of a number of homes to the effect that the occupants are members of a certain religion and do not want to be bothered by one who is “evangelizing,” In such cases what should we do?

• ² Generally it is best not to make an issue of such signs. If the issue is not raised by the householder it is best to ignore such and tactfully go ahead with our sermon. We have a divine obligation to preach and, of course, we know beforehand that some will not hear.—Ezek. 2:5; 3:11.

• ³ If, however, the householder raises the issue and points to the sign, you could say: “I appreciate your sincerity and desire to do what is right. I am sure too that you desire peace, security and happiness for all people. No doubt you pray the ‘Our Father,’ or the ‘Lord’s Prayer.’ We do too I In fact, it is this peaceful message of God's kingdom that motivates us to come to your door and share something that

  The Importance of Home Bible Studies

  
  

¹ Right thinking brings life: wrong thinking means death. This world is passing away because its thinking is based on doctrines of demons, lying traditions, paganism and fleshly desires. (1 John 2:15-17) Jehovah’s witnesses, copying Jesus, champion right thinking, Christian thinking, based on the will and purpose of Jehovah. This we gladly do by preaching and conducting upward of 646,000 home Bible studies. Through such studies thousands in all continents have transformed their thinking and come into unity with Jehovah and his organization. Your personal experiencing of this vital transformation illustrates the importance of home Bible studies.

² As Armageddon rapidly approaches, the importance of Bible studies increases. Missionaries and special pioneers recognize this, as shown by their conducting in most cases better than eight studies each week. In the United States, for the first three months of this service has made us very happy’.” (Then, depending upon the reaction, go into the sermon or whatever part of it you may be able to deliver.) If you see this is not advisable, then perhaps you could leave a tract.

• ⁴ On the other hand, some have had splendid results by tactfully referring to the sign, saying: “I certainly admire your sincerity, and no doubt this sign indicates that yours is a religious family. Hence you may wonder why I call. It is because God told me to come. (Isa. 61:1-3) Some feel we call to change their religion. Actually we have not come to solicit church membership, but to share the good news of God’s kingdom, which one day will assure universal peace and happiness. Don’t you long for such a day?”

• ⁵ The main thing is to be discerning and tactful. Strive to reach a point of general agreement as a foundation for further conversation. If persons are adamant, or very opposed, do not argue with them. Ours is a peaceful message. At the same time we want to be clean from the blood of all men and should make a reasonable effort to deliver the message wherever possible.

year, special pioneers averaged 7.8 Bible studies while regular pioneers averaged five studies. During this period congregation publishers averaged .6. From this sowing of Bible knowledge conies many blessings.

³ Our desire is to make our Bible studies good ones by preparing well and conducting them every week. So doing, many receptive hearts soon will see the need of dedication and baptism. To that end, all missionaries and special pioneers are urged to conduct between eight and ten Bible studies weekly, reporting at least ten each month. Regular pioneers, endeavor to conduct five to seven studies each week, reporting at least seven each month. Congregation publishers, share in the joyful harvest by conducting a Bible study each week and reporting at least one every month. The prospects of happiness are great for those who fully appreciate the importance of home Bible studies.

NEW WORLD NEWS

♦ On February 6 the new ten-month training course began at the Watchtower Bible School of Gilead, now located at the new Bethel home in Brooklyn, with 101 students enrolled from 45 lands.

Reports show that 73 lands and islands of the sea reached or exceeded their 1 O-percent goal in December. World-wide total in December was 898,489 publishers! 4)- Brothers in Dominican Republic enjoyed enthusiastic assembly. There were 585 publishers reporting in December, for a 27-percenf increase. The assembly opened with 830 present; 957 attended public meeting; 51 immersed.

♦ During the visit of Brother Henschel to branch offices in the Caribbean area he reported the following information on assemblies that were held:

Master’s Manner of Teaching (Coat’d) keep in mind the starting of Bible studies. Start them on the initial placement or on return calls. Apply the suggestions contained in the Kingdom Ministry demonstration for February, “Call Back on AU Subscribers.” This material should be reviewed by all study conductors Sunday morning, March 5, at their service centers.

⁷ Memorial and the weekend following it begin the big push for April, the month in which we seek to attain the 20-percent quota. For the United States this is 279,158 publishers. We can do much this month in laying the foundation for meeting the quota. It will be possible to start many new ones in the service now. Follow through, of course, in helping them out during April and the months to come. Invite them to go along with you in the regular house-to-house work or in the magazine work. Many excellent opportunities will present themselves during March to help new ones share in the service in connection with the Memorial celebration. Take them with you when you make back-calls on persons whom you want to invite to the Memorial. In all features of our ministry, let us copy the Master’s manner of teaching, that our productivity during March may pave the way for the sought-after 20-percent increase for April.

*           “Be hospitable”—assist ali to attend Memorial.           *

Published monthly by Watchtower Bible and Tract Society of New York, Inc., 117 Adams St., Brooklyn 1, N.Y. Second-class postage paid at Brooklyn, N;Y. Printed in U.S.A.

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