OUR KINGDOM _t MINISTRY

APRIL 1982

Vol. 25, No. 4 FOR UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

Meetings for Field Service

MARCH 29—APRIL 4 Subscription offer

• 1. Review Topic for Conversation.

• 2. What introduction would be appropriate?

• 3. How would you tie in subscription offer?

APRIL 5-11

Offering the magazines

• 1. What talking points are you using?

• 2. How would you use the illustrations?

APRIL 12-18

Being flexible

• 1. What situations call for being flexible?

• 2. How can we be flexible in offering literature that meets householders' needs?

APRIL 19-25 When offering the April 22 “Awake!"

• 1. What would you say to a youth?

• 2. To a housewife?

• 3. To a man?

APRIL 26-MAY 2 Listening to householders

• 1. Why is it necessary to listen?

• 2. How can we use their comments?

Schedule for congregation studies in the book “Let Your Kingdom Come”:

April 4: Pages 103¹ to 110¹

April 11: Pages 110¹ to 116

April 18: Pages 117 to 123

April 25: Pages 124 to 131

• ¹ What a privilege it is to be commissioned by Jehovah God as public announcers of his kingdom! As heralds of this grand government, we have the assigned duty to spread the message of its establishment far and wide. (Matt. 24: 14) People must know what the Kingdom is, what its coming means and that now is a time of decision for all.—Compare Mark 1:14, 15.

• ² A marvelous instrument in aiding us to accomplish our work is The Watchtower. Since March 1, 1939, the full title of this magazine has been The Watchtower Announcing Jehovah’s Kingdom. The title describes its priinary purpose and distinguishes it from all other magazines. How appropriate it would be for us to highlight this fact during our subscription campaign.

• ³ Have you been able to obtain subscriptions in the past? What helped you to do so? Many have said that what helped them was a positive attitude, not allowing timidity to hold them back from offering the subscription at every opportunity. During the subscription campaign last May one auxiliary pioneer set for himself the goal of placing one subscription

  Should We Give Away Literature?

  
  

• ¹ The Society has received numerous reports indicating that much of the literature placed in the field is being given away. Apparently some publishers customarily refrain from asking for contributions for the literature they place. While it is certainly commendable that publishers want to get our fine literature into the hands of the public, always giving it away can present problems. For example, publishers living on a very limited income have been disturbed when they see others giving literature away while they cannot afford to do feo. Others have even observed publishers regularly giving away books while in field service. On occasions householders have expressed surprise at the mention of a contribution, stating that previous Witnesses gave a publication to them free of charge.

• ² It is true that there may be some people who really cannot afford to contribute for the literature when you call on them. But in this country such people are few. Have you noticed that many who say they cannot contribute are known to spend money for nonessentials? for each hour of service, that is, 60 subscriptions for the month. That was certainly being subscription-positive! The results? He reported that he was able to obtain 155 subscriptions to The Watchtower, and three persons subscribed to Awake! What will your goals be for this April and May?

• ¹ Something that might help you reach your personal subscription goal would be to write up a list of potential subscribers and then make a special effort to contact each One. Good possibilities might be persons who have taken the magazines before, those on magazine routes, Bible students, relatives, neighbors, workmates, classmates, persons who call regularly at your home and others. Likely you can think of many persons who would profit from a regular flow of Bible information about God’s kingdom. Will you get at least one subscription this month?

“SEEK CONTINUALLY HIS KINGDOM”

• ⁵ Jesus urged his disciples to ‘seek continually God’s kingdom.’ (Luke 12:31) He thus emphasized the need for us to demonstrate a steady, uninterrupted interest and (Continued on page 3, col. 2)

So is it really wise for us to give away literature when going from house to house? Will it help householders to value the literature? If we do meet someone who says he cannot afford to contribute for the literature, we might offer a booklet, a back issue of one of the magazines or a tract with the expressed condition that he promises to read it. Or we may offei-to call back when he would be in a position to contribute for what we are offering.

• ³ Householders who say they have no money to contribute for the publications may be given a copy of a tract such as Is Planet Earth Near the Brink? Then we can follow through on the initial interest by returning to discuss points in the tract and direct attention to additional scripture texts.

BACK ISSUES OF MAGAZINES

• ⁴ Some publishers occasionally leave back issues of magazines at doors when no one is at home, making sure, of course, that the magazines are completely out of (Continued on page 2, col. 3)

Meetings to Help Us Make Disciples

WEEK STARTING MARCH 28

Song 80

10 min: Local announcements. Consider “Bible Reading for Memorial Week.” Remind congregation there will be no Theocratic Ministry School and service meeting next week.

15 min: “Share in Announcing Jehovah’s Kingdom.” Question-and-answer coverage.

20 min: Topic for Conversation. Discussion and demonstration. Review both scriptures with audience and consider possible introductions and points to tie the two scriptures together. Have demonstration of suggested presentation. After short introduction publisher could say: “We are calling on our neighbors because we believe that you are concerned about the future just as we are. As you know, right at this moment the nations have missiles pointed at one another that could virtually wipe all of mankind off the face of the earth in a matter of minutes. Do you think man will eventually find a way to prevent this from happening? Or do you think the Creator of man will need to step in? [Allow for response; be ready to adapt comments.] It is interesting to realize that millions of people have been praying for a solution when they use the words of the well known 'Lord’s prayer’ or the ‘Our Father’ prayer. [Read or quote Matthew 6:10.] This model prayer indicates that the kingdom of God is the real solution to man’s problems. Yet many people do not feel the Kingdom will come in our day. Can you think of a better time for it to come? Jesus prophetically described the critical conditions that exist today and then said these words recorded in Luke 21: 31, 32. [Read.] So this generation that saw the start of the signs in 1914 will see God’s kingdom come and put an end to these distressing conditions. But who will rule in this kingdom? Will it have subjects on the earth? People have many questions in their minds about the Kingdom, and these need Bible answers. That is why this magazine has been published. Note its title, The Watchtower Announcing Jehovah’s Kingdom.” Then highlight a particular point in one of the articles and offer the subscription. Conclude part by encouraging all to share in first Sunday of the month activity, using Topic for Conversation in house-to-house work, and making calls to invite Seople to the Memorial on Thurs-ay, April 8.

Song 105 and prayer.

WEEK STARTING APRIL 4

Memorial

WEEK STARTING APRIL 11

Song 22

5 min: Local announcements and accounts report.

15 min: “Presenting the Good News—With Magazines.” Question-and-answer discussion of first three paragraphs. Demonstrate presentations in ’paragraphs 4, 5 and 6. Keep presentations brief and practical for use in your territory. Analyze presentations with audience as time permits.

15 min: Comments from audience as to last week’s Memorial program. Then, talk on need to make return visits on those who attended the Memorial so they can be helped to appreciate need for further association with congregation. If they are not already subscribers to The Watchtower they should be encouraged to subscribe and to attend Watchtower study. Give general encouragement for all to attend all meetings regularly.

10 min: Cover local needs, or give talk based on “Questions from Readers” in January 15, 1982, Watchtower, noting the difference between disassociated and inactive persons.

Song 36 and prayer.

WEEK STARTING APRIL 18

Song 9

10 min: Local announcements. Also appropriate Announcements from Our Kingdom Ministry.

15 min: “Should We Give Away Literature?” Question-and-answer coverage.

20 min: “Giving Them a Helping Hand.” Talk by service overseer. Include demonstration of discussion between service overseer and a brother or sister who is being asked to handle study with inactive one. Encourage all to bring January 15, 1982, Watchtower next week to consider three articles dealing with honesty.

Song 43 and prayer.

WEEK STARTING APRIL 25

Song 38

5 min: Local announcements.

25 min: “Why Be Honest?” Based on first three articles in January 15,1982, Watchtower. Use “Why So Much Dishonesty?” on page 3 for introduction. Question-and-answer coverage of second article, “Why Be Honest?” (pp. 4, 5) Highlight scriptures. As time allows, consider an experience or two from “They Made It—In Honesty.” (pp. 6, 7) 15 min: Interview auxiliary and regular pioneers who have had interesting experiences in field service during April. Line up some ahead of time so they will be prepared. Encourage auxiliary pioneering in May. Since there are five weekends during May, many more may be able to schedule their affairs to share.

Song 62 and prayer. ________

Give Literature?               (Cont’d)

sight of passersby. This is not objectionable. However, in congregations where the territory is worked often, people might reason that the magazines are always free if we were to leave magazines at not-at-homes indiscriminately or each time the territory is worked. If another item, such as printed advertising material, is found at a door, it may not be good to leave our magazine on that occasion. So it is good to use discretion in this matter.

⁵ Each time free magazines are left, an effort should be made to call again. When using the back issues in such a way, some have found it effective to fold the magazine open to an article they feel would be of particular interest to the householder. This provides a fine opening for conversations when calling on those who were not at home previously.

^G Jehovah does not want any persons to be destroyed; so we should take advantage of every opportunity to spread the “good news.” (2 Pet. 3:9) Some time ago an elder in England was going from house to house and left a copy of The Watchtower under a door where no one was at home. The householder was so interested in the contents of the magazine that he phoned Jehovah’s Witnesses. A study was started and he made rapid progress, recognizing the truth.

WHEN WITNESSING INFORMALLY

7 It is understandable that when witnessing informally to relatives or other acquaintances we may wish to present them with a giftcopy of a publication and not ask (Continued on page 4, col. 2)

Giving Them a

• ¹ Many of us remember vividly the times when we were given a helping hand by friends or family members. We appreciate what they did in our time of need. Giving a helping hand to fellow Christians is an obligation we may be called upon to fulfill.—3 John 5-8.

• ² It was gratifying to learn in January that a 'concerted effort will now be made to aid those who have become inactive. In this connection, the May 1 Watchtower carries an article entitled, ‘Return to the Shepherd of Your Souls.’ If it is arranged for you to make calls on inactive persons, why not invite them to read through this article with you? Then, in cooperation with the service overseer’s direction you may be asked to conduct a regular study with such persons. But how should we go about conducting these studies?

PURPOSE OF THE STUDY

• ³ Our main purpose in conducting a Bible study with an inactive person is to help him to regain his spiritual strength. We want to help him appreciate that Jehovah, out of loving concern for him, has arranged for this additional help through his organization. Lasting results will be achieved only if the individual’s relationship with Jehovah is strengthened. If this is done, it will be evident by his renewing his appreciation for Jehovah’s organization.

• ⁴ The individuals that we will be studying with in this special program are persons who have been baptized as Jehovah’s Witnesses. In most eases the study will not be conducted in the Truth book. They likely know the basic doctrines of the Bible.

• ⁵ The elders will discuss with you what publication might be best to aid the person you are asked to help. It may be that his appreciation for Jehovah’s organization needs to be enhanced. The elders may suggest using ‘‘Let Your Kingdom Come” or some other book that would provide such needed assistance and encouragement.

CONDUCTING THE STUDY

^c No doubt you can remember when you conducted your very first Bible study. You felt the need to prepare well for it. No matter how many times you may have conducted a study since then, you know you will do a better job if you prepare thoroughly ahead of time. (Prov. 25:11) This is especially true regarding studies conducted with inactive brothers and sisters. Paul urged his fellow minister Titus to continue reminding

Announcements

• Literature offer for April and May: Watchtower subscription for S3.50. Sixmonth subscriptions are 52.00. June and July: “Let Your Kingdom Come” on contribution of 75c.

• Starting In July the book Hawwiess —How to Find It will be used in the congregation book studies. No study is scheduled for the week of July 4 to allow for attending the "Kingdom Truth" District Convention, The schedule may be adjusted so that the open week falls at the time your congregation actually attends the convention.

* District convention lapel cards (1c each) In English 'and Spanish, and the plastic holders (10c each) should be ordered by the congregations on the Literature Order form (S-J4). Orders may be sent to the Society after April 1 1982. Lapel cards will not be available at the convention.

• New Publications Available:

Sty Book of Bible Stories

—Swahili, Tamil

• New Cassette Recordings Available: “Jehovah's Name to Be Declared in All the Barth”—(Drama) (single cassette)             —Portuguese

To the Romans (single cassette)

—French

To the Ephesians, Philippians. Colos-sians (single cassette)   —Spanish

The First to the Thessalonians through To Philemon (single cassette)                   —Spanish

* Out of Stock in U.S.A.:

New World Translation of the Holy Scriptures (Large-print bi8)

—English Organization for Kingdom-preaching and Disciple-making

—English, Spanish

TOPIC FOR CONVERSATION Is God's Kingdom Near?

Ma ft. 6:10—We proy for it. Luke 21-.31, 32—Nearness of Kingdom.

With Magazines

• ¹ When you read the April and May issues of The Watchtower and Awake! you surely will agree that they deserve a wide distribution. The Watchtower of April 15 focuses on the often repeated but little understood “Lord’s prayer,” while the April 22 Awake! contains a series of articles dealing with the desperate plight of young people in this modern world.

• ² Although millions routinely pray the Lord’s model prayer, how many really grasp its vital significance? For many sincere ones it would be a thrilling revelation to learn that God’s name is Jehovah, that the kingdom for which they pray is today a reality and that God’s will for the earth includes a restored earthly paradise and a resurrection of the dead. We certainly would not want to hold back such vital information as is presented in the April 15 issue of The Watchtower.

• ³ Surely our hearts go out to the millions of young people described in the April 22 Awake! Some of them are like ‘sheep without a shepherd,’ maybe forsaken, unloved and lost in this chaotic and sick world. Given an opportunity to see the Bible’s solution for today’s problems, might not thousands of these young folks be helped into a secure, happy relationship with Jehovah? We have good reason to show our concern by being enthusiastic and energetic in helping to give these timely magazines wide distribution.

• ⁴ In offering these magazines, there is no need to give a long and involved presentation. Just one strong reason for reading a selected article will generally be sufficient to stimulate the householder’s interest, and then you can make the offer. For example, note this simple presentation: “Good morning. My friends and I are talking with our neighbors about prayers to God. Many of us still use the prayer we learned as children, that is, the ‘Lord’s prayer’ or ‘Our Father’ prayer. Although having repeated it many, many times, however, some are finding that there is really more to that prayer than what they had previously understood. That is why this special article entitled 'The Model Prayer’ has been prepared. The meaning of each phrase in the ‘Lord’s prayer’ is explained from the Scriptures. This is your copy along with Awake! for 30 cents.”

⁶ Another approach might be:

Courf, N.S.W., March 1. They are grateful to have these new facilities for expanding the Kingdom work and appro-elate the volunteer help and financial support of the brothers.

For December 1981 Japan reported 65,840 publishers. This, was their 36th consecutive peak beginning with January 1979.

♦ The Korea branch moved into newly-constructed facilities at Kongdo during March.

♦ Mexico branch reports a new peak of 103,290 publishers for December.

Bible Reading for Memorial Week

We would like to suggest that during the week leading up to the Memorial, you read the portions of Scripture outlined below. These Bible readings cover the last six days of Jesus’ life on earth. We recommend that you read them as a family, but if that is not possible, be sure to read them personally.

Saturday, April 3 (Nisan 9)

John 12:12-19

Mark 11:1-11 (19 verses)

Sunday, April 4 (Nisan 10) John 12:20-50 (31 verses)

Monday, April 5 (Nisan 11) Luke 21:1-36 (36 verses)

Tuesday, April 6 (Nisan 12) Mark 14:1-11 (11 verses)

Wednesday, April 7 (Nisan 13) Matt. 26:17-19 Mark 14:12-16

Luke 22:7-13 (15 verses)

Thursday, April 8 (Nisan 14) John 19:1-42 (42 verses)

JANUARY SERVICE REPORT

Av.      Av. Av. Av.

Pubs. Hrs. Maes. R.V. Bl.St.

Sp'l Pios.      420 128.9  86.3 51.5

Pios.       20,203  80.5  53.6 32.3

Aux. Pios.  15,354  57.6  38.5 20.0

Pubs.     534,271   7.9   7.4  3.7

TOTAL 570,248

Newly Dedicated Ones Baptized: 1,713

4

¹

⁸ Recognizing that we are speaking for God and Christ should make us conscious of the need to represent them in a fine way. This means that we will want to prepare carefully so that we will present the Kingdom message clearly and understandably. We should not be like employees of political governments who work for a salary, but our labors should spring from a heartfelt faith and desire to honor Jehovah God. We also want to help others to gain salvation. Thus, as we share in announcing Jehovah’s kingdom we will not merely be speaking out a message in a formal way. We will seek to use reasoning and persuasion to reach the hearts of our hearers so they also may come to believe and exercise faith.—Acts 28:23.

⁹ Before the Kingdom puts an end to “all these kingdoms,” let us make every effort to announce Jehovah’s kingdom and notify people in our territory of the opportunity they now have to come under its security and protection.—Dan. 2: 44, 45. ture to the householder. There is no reason for anyone to feel he is selling literature just because he asks for a small contribution to cover printing and distribution costs.

⁸ May all of us continue to value the Society’s publications highly and aid those we meet in our ministry to do the same, for the knowledge our literature provides can lead to everlasting life.—-John 17:3.