^Kingdom ^PuMiste/iS:

All of us who are enjoying a share in the evangelizing work are encouraged very much as we see how Jehovah is making everything grow. (1 Cor. 3:6) From our viewpoint here at Bethel, there has never been anything like it. Last year in the United States 81,588 persons were immersed; and this service year, to the end of February, 32,845 have been immersed already.

Distribution of literature containing the good news keeps increasing. The Brooklyn Bethel family who work in producing the Bibles and other books are personally aware of the growth. During the 1973 service year we were privileged to make 28 million copies. In 1974 we made 45 million. Amazingly, during the first six months of the present service year we have made 30 million books, including Bibles, but still there are some publications out of stock. As of March 1 we had unfilled orders on hand at Brooklyn for 32 million more books.

In trying to meet the demand for literature to use in the evangelizing work, the Bethel family at Brooklyn and Watchtower Farms was increased by about 400 members, so now there are over two thousand members in this family. New bindery equipment has been ordered that will double the production capacity, the bindery lines being increased from ten to twenty. A total of 85 new machines are being purchased this year for making books. Also five more rotary printing presses are on order.

As the new machinery comes in, there will be a real need for more single brothers to serve at Bethel and produce publications for the evangelizing work, so we extend an invitation to those who are in good health and willing to do this kind of service to write to Office .of the President, 124 Columbia Heights, Brooklyn, N.Y. 11201, requesting an application. The age requirement for these single brothers is

¹The birth of Jesus was good news to God-fearing persons who heard about it, news worthy of being announced far and wide. (Luke 2:10) Jesus proved to be the long-awaited Messiah, and he gave more good news to pass on to others—the news of the Messianic kingdom that will bless all mankind.—Matt. 24:14; 28:19, 20.

² Today the evangel we declare to all mankind tells of the Kingdom’s establishment. It is an exciting announcement. So all servants of Jehovah should have the evangelizing spirit! Are you taking advantage of your opportunities to be an evangelizer? Do you schedule time for field service? Are you striving to improve your ability and effectiveness as an evangelizer? Do you really cultivate interest and show a willingness to take on the responsibility of a Bible study? Truly, if we have the evangelizing spirit we will definitely schedule time to evangelize on a regular basis and we will constantly strive to improve in presenting the good news. We will that they were born in 1956 or prior thereto and are not over 35 years old. Are you one who can join our family and help to supply your brothers with needed things to do the evangelizing work? We hope to welcome many more into the Bethel family in the near future, for we have faith that Jehovah will continue to make the congregations grow.

Here at Bethel we find the increase exciting and we appreciate the privilege of serving you who are in the congregations everywhere. We pray that you will continue to have Jehovah’s blessing and good success in evangelizing with the good news for all mankind.

Your fellow servants, Brooklyn Branch Office

WEEK STARTING MAY 11

12 min: Song 92. Introductory comments and points from Branch Letter. 25 min: ‘Advertise the King and the Kingdom.’ Have certain book study groups prepared to comment on these points. Discuss the importance of zealously proclaiming the “good news.’’ The 1975 Yearbook, page 119, paragraph 2, to page 144, paragraph 2, will provide the basis for their comments. The publishers can center their conversation around the following questions: (1) What developments in 1919 proved that Jehovah wanted his people to be busy in advertising the King and his Kingdom? (Pp. 120-122) (2) How was The Golden Age used to spread the “good news”? (Pp. 123-125) During the period from 1919 to 1921 w’hat publications were used in bringing the Kingdom message to people’s homes? (Pp. 125-128) (3) In view of w’hat happenings in connection with printing operations can we say that the use of literature in the field has had divine backing? (Pp. 128-130) (4) How did the second Cedar Point assembly serve as a grand stimulus for increased activity in door-to-door preaching? (Pp. 131-135) (5) How have Jehovah’s servants on earth been involved in the fulfillment of thrilling apocalyptic prophecies? (Pp. 135-139) (6) How was the radio used to advertise the King and the Kingdom? (Pp. ISO-144) In concluding, emphasize that it is a marvelous privilege to share in the field service—a work being done under angelic direction. (Rev. 14:6, 7) This should certainly encourage us to continue zealously advertising the King and the Kingdom.

13 min: “Evangelize with the Welcome Good News.” A talk. Include any interesting experiences, especially in distributing Kingdom News No. 20.

10 min: Concluding comments. Mention number in congregation baptized this service year. With assembly time approaching, some may be considering baptism. Still time to consider the 80 questions in Organization book. Song 103.

' WEEK STARTING MAY 18

15 min: Song 62. Introductory comments based on Question Box. Two elders discuss and show how overseers must teach in a variety of ways. A good example of an overseer who teaches is the circuit overseer.

Understand Deeper Things

• ¹ How grateful we are for spiritual food! Since learning the truth, we have enjoyed the primary doctrine about Christ, but as dedicated servants of God we need to cultivate an appetite for solid food if we are to continue to grow spiritually. (1 Cor. 2:10; Heb. 5: 14; 6:1; 2 Pet. 2:16) One provision for understanding deeper things is the congregation book study. Much of the material is more than elementary and requires effort on our part to dig into it to grasp the . meaning.

• ² All of us in the truth in 1971 enjoyed studying the ‘Know Je-30 min: “Get the Spiritual Benefits.” Discuss material with audience participation. Include following demonstration:

Family at home comments on announcement of circuit overseer’s visit. Very happy to learn of visit. Family head encourages all to review service activity to see how they could benefit. Son mentions his house-to-house work weak; hasn’t had much success recently, so has been making only return visits on Sundays. Could use help from circuit overseer on this. Daughter has no Bible study, would like to conduct one. Feels circuit overseer might help her on several calls possibly to start a study. Wife has been wanting to temporary pioneer and feels this would be a good time. Could work with circuit overseer and wife during week. Wonders how they could work it out. Father comments all could work together to help on meals and other chores. Could have light easy-to-prepare meal in evening rather than usual large dinner. Suggests they buy meat that could be used for several meals, making it quicker to prepare evening meal. All agree would be fine to work together and help so wife could temporary pioneer during visit. Father plans to work with circuit overseer on Saturday or Sunday. All agree visit should help them as a family to progress spiritually; looking forward to visit very much.

15 min: Concluding comments. May mention how last visit by circuit overseer helped. Include comments on day’s text and brief report on congregation accounts. Song 36.

WEEK STARTING MAY 25

10 min: Song 91. Introduction, including comments from audience on day’s text.

15 min: Talk on June theme, “Persisting in Faithfulness as Our Way of Life.”—1 Cor. 4:2. Include several local experiences to illustrate faithfulness, in face of difficult situations involving school, employment, etc. Also could interview one or two older brothers or sisters who have served faithfully for many years in Jehovah’s service.

18 min: “Presenting the Good News— with the June Offer.” Audience discussion. Demonstrate paragraphs 2 and 3, showing how presentations would best fit local territory.

hovah’ book after its release that year. But from 1972 through 1974 there were 654,985 who were baptized and became part of Jehovah’s organization. What a fine thing it will be for these many new brothers to study this book with us.

• ³ In addition to attending regularly, it is recommended that we carefully prepare our lesson each week before going to the book study, with a view to participating in the study.

• ⁴ When you finish the “Eternal Purpose” book you can look forward to studying the ‘Know Jehovah’ book. In our study, we will take up selected portions of the ‘Know Jehovah’ book, as listed be-

17 min: Concluding comments. Include appropriate Announcements. Mention that applications are available for any who decide to temporary pioneer during summer. Remind congregation to bring Organization book for next week’s service meeting. Song 35.

WEEK STARTING JUNE 1

10 min: Song 74. Introduction, also items from Theocratic News. Possibly read text and comments.

10 min: “Attend the ‘Divine Sovereignty’ Assemblies.” Brief talk, with some audience participation, covering points in article.

28 min: “Understand Deeper Things.” Question-and-answer coverage of article. Also include discussion of pages 100 and 101 of Organization book under the subheading “Congregation Book Study.” Show how congregation book study is valuable meeting that Jehovah has arranged.

Also include brief demonstration of publisher preparing for book study at home, speaking as one thinking aloud. First asks himself question at bottom of page, then repeats to be sure he understands it. Then he notes points in paragraph that would answer question and underlines key words as he notes them out loud. Observes Scripture reference not quoted, so takes Bible and looks up reference, reading it out loud. Then asks himself: “How does this apply to paragraph?” Immediately sees point ana comments on how it applies. [Publisher can do two paragraphs in this way if time permits.]

Chairman then encourages all to prepare in this way each week in order to participate, being sure they understand questions and looking up scriptures not quoted. Also parents should help children to prepare answers before coming to study. Conclude by encouraging all to attend book study every week to benefit from the deeper things Jehovah has for us to learn.

12 min: Concluding comments. Encourage all to finalize assembly plans, also to obtain ‘Know Jehovah’ book for book study if do not already have it. Song 107.

WEEK STARTING JUNE 8

Elders can arrange own program or adjust June service meeting schedule to allow for attending district assembly.

low. No set number of pages must be covered in any one study, but we estimate that it will take about six months to complete this material: p. 35 UI to p. 50 U34; p. 54 Hl to p. 62 !J17; p. 69 U32 to p. 72 V38; p. 74 1J5 to p. 78' H15; p. 81 <122 to p. 82 ^25; p. 85.^29 to p. 91 U44; p. 95 119 to p. 113 1j51; p. 127 <34 to p. 141 1J67; p. 144 1f8 to p. 162 1J47; p. 165 U9 to p. 166 1jl2; p. 173 H27 to p. 176 V33; p. 237 UI to p. 243 U16; p. 250 1|35 to p. 255 U46; p. 278 Ifl to p. 292 U37; p. 293 UI to p. 308 U40; p. 349 UI to p. 406 U17-

⁵ We are sure that you will enjoy studying the ‘Know Jehovah’ book during the coming months.

• ¹ These will soon commence. Are you ready? Have you sent in your room request and volunteer service forms? Will your whole family attend? Are you taking any newly interested persons with you?

• ² The program will begin on Thursday morning at 9:55. Arrange to be there then. Do not miss anything on the program. There will be immersion on Friday for those making a dedication; they should have gone over the eighty questions with the elders before convention time. Bathing suit and towel should be brought from home.

• ³ Arrange your schedule so you do not have to leave the convention prior to 3:50 p.m. on Sunday, when the convention closes. It has been arranged to end earlier this year for your convenience in traveling. Do not miss the public lecture “One World, One Government, Under God’s Sovereignty.” How

Ann o un cements

♦ Offer for May: ‘Know Jehovah’ book along with one booklet, for a contribution of 50c. June: New World Translation of the Holy Scriptures and Is This Life All There is? (or some other small book) for a contribution of 51.25. July: God’s '‘Eternal Purpose” Now Triumphing for Man’s Good, for a contribution of 25c.

O District assembly lapel cards in English and Spanish and celluloid holders should be ordered on the Literature Order Blank. These are cash items.

O The Society is not arranging any convention tours. Those interested in details of assemblies overseas can write to the branch offices (not Brooklyn) for information. Branch office addresses appear in the back of the Yearbook.

O It is important for congregations that are incorporated to make sure that, if it is required by the state authorities that annual reports be made, this is done to ensure the continued existence of the corporation. There may also be a requirement that an annual request be made through some report for continued tax exemption. Lack of being alert as to these matters may cost congregations, not only legal existence of the corporation, but also tax-exempt status.

O There are still congregations unable to cover their assigned territory regularly. Also, in some areas congregations could be started with additional help from elders, ministerial servants and pioneers. We request that any whose circumstances would allow them to go elsewhere for a few weeks or on a permanent basis write the Society, supplying the information requested on page 135 of the Organization book. Please give your letter to the presiding overseer. He, along with the other committee members, will review it, and they will probably recommend that the branch office consider your availability. However, if anyone does not qualify, the service committee will kindly inform the applicant of the reasons why they cannot recommend him and they will not send the letter to the Society’s office. (Same basic arrangement as outlined for pioneers, per page 137 of the Organization book)

O The two Jersey City, N.J., Spanish-language district assemblies, July 10-13 many people can you invite to the public talk? There will be extensive handbill distribution in each assembly city for a few days prior to the assembly, so if you can arrive there early, you may share in this witness work. Talk to people where you stay during the assembly and invite them to come. Bring someone to the public lecture if you can.

• ⁴ Give a good witness by what you say and do. Allow everyone a chance to have a seat. Elderly ones long in the truth cannot always get there early to find a seat. Please do not block off large sections of seating. Consider others and their happiness. Seats not occupied when the program begins should be made available to any who may be standing up.

• ⁵ Good spiritual things are being prepared. Do your utmost to be there.

and 17-20, have been canceled by the management. These have been replaced by one Spanish-language district assembly at Elmont, N.Y., July 3L-August 3, 1975. Please note that all of the district assemblies listed in the February 1, 1975, Watchtower will be held as scheduled with the exception of the above change and that there are only two English-language district assemblies at Elmont, N.Y., August 7-10 and 14-17.

O New Publications Available:

“Make Sure of All Things: Hold Fast to What Is Fine” —Enk, German, Italian Sermon Outlines           —Greek

• <0> Available Again in U.S.A.:

“Your Will Be Done on Earth”

—English

• ♦ Out of Stock in U.S.A.:

The Watchtower bound volumes for 1974           —English, Spanish

AwakeI bound volumes for 1974

—English, Spanish Jehovah’s Witnesses in the Divine Purpose               —Spanish

From Paradise Lost to Paradise Regained                 —Spanish

FEBRUARY SERVICE REPORT

Av Av Av Av Pubs. Hrs'. R.V. Bi.St. Mags.

Sp’l Pios.      530 147.3 60.2 5.8

Pios.        20,666  93.1 35.7 3.1

Temp. Pios. 6,094  79.4 30.1 1.4

Pubs. 501,517   8.9  4.1  .5

TOTAL 528,807

Newly Dedicated Ones Baptized: 5,160

UNITED STATES GOAL FOR 1975

557,004 Publishers

Get the Spiritual Benefits

• ¹ The circuit overseer is coining! When that announcement is made in your congregation it is something special. Everyone—elders and ministerial servants charged with responsibility in the congregation, all Kingdom publishers and the many new ones associated with the congregation—should begin to think of how this provision through Jehovah’s organizational arrangement can be of spiritual benefit personally.

• ² In the first century the Christian congregation and the traveling overseers looked forward to their opportunity to be together. (Rom. 1:11) Such a personal visit meant an opportunity to learn from an older brother in the Lord.

• ³ When the news reaches you that the circuit overseer is coming, it is a good time to think of your spiritual need. Is there something on which you would like to have spiritual help or counsel? In checking your service activity you may find that you have not been in the house-to-house work for several weeks. Is it because of some problem in making a presentation? Do you use the Bible in house-to-house service? The circuit overseer and his wife, if he is married, are doing this kind of work almost every day and have gained wonderful experience. So if you detect a need for improvement in your preaching work, plan on a definite time when you will be able to accompany one of the visitors in the field service.

• ⁴ Are you making return visits? Are you having any difficulties in starting home Bible studies? Especially in the afternoons there are excellent openings for making return visits with the circuit overseer or his wife. You may even enjoy having the circuit overseer or his wife conduct your home Bible study on this visit. This may be just the help you need.

• ⁵ Some of the publishers have found it possible to plan on doing temporary pioneer service at the time of the visit of the circuit overseer, and thus they are able to share in field service on more than one occasion during the visit.

• ⁶ The circuit overseers are older brothers who have some spiritual good things to impart in the meetings. Plan well ahead of time, keeping the dates clear, to be sure these spiritual benefits at meetings will not be missed. The congregation elders particularly have an opportunity to gain benefits from the visiting overseer. A definite (Continued on page 4, col. 1)

  
  
  

With the June Offer

• ¹ Once again we have the pleasure of presenting the New World Translation of the Holy Scriptures to people in our territory. During June we will offer it with the book Is This Life All There Is? for a contribution of $1.25. Here are a few suggestions you may want to try if you feel they would work in your territory.

• ² If highlighting the Bible, you could say, after first identifying yourself: “Life is a very precious thing, isn’t it? [Allow householder to answer.] Yes, we enjoy being alive even though we may have problems. And isn’t it true that the more knowledge we gain about life and handling life’s problems, the happier we are? The best source of counsel on how to cope with life’s problems is God. We have his word in the Bible. But do you realize that God’s Word shows that the right kind of knowledge not only helps us now, but even leads to everlasting life? Note Jesus’ words at John 17:3. [Read.] Also, Jesus illustrated the need for us to put spiritual knowledge ahead of material needs at Matthew 4:4. [Read.] Our purpose is to encourage everyone to get the knowledge that leads to everlasting life. It is found right here in God’s Word. [Show Bible.] We leave this mod-ern-English translation, the New World Translation, along with this Bible study aid Is This Life All There Is?, for a contribution of only $1.25.”

• ³ You may wish to highlight Is This Life All There Is? at some doors. It is easy to present and covers a variety of subjects. But here is a suggestion you could try, Get the Spiritual Benefits (Cont’d) outline of points to be considered should be prepared in advance for the elders’ meeting. If there are any problems to be overcome or things that the elders want to improve in the organization of the congregation or in the field, it will be a good time to raise these questions. Hence elders can wisely arrange time during the meeting for the circuit overseer to comment on points under consideration.

• ⁷ Congregation elders may wish to mention to the circuit overseer after identifying yourself to the householder: “Have you ever longed for good health, even perfect health, that would never leave you? [Allow householder to answer.] With perfect health, life could be so much more enjoyable. And did you know that God,, at Revelation 21:1-4 in the Bible, promises us that the time will come when sickness and even death will vanish? [Briefly comment on verses 1-3 and lead into reading Revelation 21:4 if possible.] This is what people pray for when asking for God’s kingdom to come and his will to be done on earth. Wouldn’t you like to learn more about this wonderful promise? This new Bible study aid [show book] has an entire chapter with the title ‘An Earth Free from Sickness and Death.’ I am sure you will enjoy it. We leave it along with this modern-English Bible translation, both for only $1.25.”

> Of course, you may find other ways to present the offer for June that are successful in your territory, and, if you do, then use them. Also keep in mind other Bibles to offer, such as the Diaglott, The Kingdom Interlinear Translation, Byington’s translation and the large-print edition of the New World Translation. When you make a return visit you may wish to show your own copy to someone who is interested. Also, some have found people who may be satisfied with their own Bible but who are interested in Bible study aids such as “Make Sure of All Things,” the “All Scripture” book or even the Aid book. So any of these excellent publications could be used in connection with the June campaign, on the first day of his visit what they feel is needed in the way of help in their congregation. Thus the circuit overseer can take this into consideration in arranging his work during the week and may be able to aid some of those in the congregation who need it the most.

• ⁸ Use the visit to attract newly interested ones to the Kingdom Hall. The week of the visit should mean blessings to the organization in the field activity and in the congregational meetings. But beyond that, it can mean great per-

THEOCRATIC NEWS

There are 11 English and 1 Spanish Kingdom Ministry School classes currently being conducted in U.S.A., with an average enrollment of 35 students for each two-week class. Since the School began rotating to various cities in May 1974, there are 226 cities where classes have already been held or are scheduled to be held through June 1976. From May 1974 through May 1975, 6,814 elders benefited from this special training. Since the School was started in September 1959, 30,870 persons in this country have been trained.

On April 1, V/atchtower Farms became a branch of the Watchtower B. & T. Society of New York, and now handles the printing of all the magazines that the Brooklyn office used to handle. All correspondence with the Society will continue to be addressed to 117 Adams Street, Brooklyn, N.Y. 11201.

Question (Sox

• What is meant by the expression “qualified to teach” as a qualification for elders?

Teaching is done in a number of ways. Some are skilled speakers, able to teach from the platform. Others stand out for their ability to exhort and counsel individually or with family groups. In either case, the elder must have a good knowledge of the Scriptures, “holding firmly to the faithful word as respects his art of teaching, that he may be able both to exhort by the teaching that is healthful and to reprove those who contradict.” This means being able to explain prophecy, teach sound doctrine and point out what the Bible says about morality and living according to Bible principles.—1 Tim. 3:2; Titus 1:9.

Overseers also teach by example. Jesus set the example for overseers during his earthly ministry. As he made disciples, he took them with him, showing them how the teaching work is done. (Matt. 9:35-38) After teaching them how to teach, he put them on their own to go and preach the Kingdom message in many places. (Matt. 10:7, 11-14) So it is a part of the teaching work of overseers to go into the field with members of the congregation and teach them how the work is done. New ones need to learn how to use the Bible from house to house and the teaching methods employed on return visits and in home Bible studies. This takes time.—See also Acts 20:20, 27, 35; 1 Corinthians 4:16; 1 Peter 5:3.

The practical overseer sees his opportunities to teach while in field service. Perhaps while walking between houses with a publisher there will be moments for conversation when questions can be answered or problems solved. Pointers can be given on how to improve in presenting the good news. The overseer has much teaching to do.—2 Tim. 2:2.

-K Attend Every Session of the “Divine Sovereignty” Assembly. *

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