OUR KINGDOM MINISTRY V         v

DECEMBER 1982

Vol. 26, No. 12 FOR UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

Meetings for Field Service

DECEMBER 6-12

Bible studies

• 1. How could you get one started?

• 2. How do you prepare each week?

• 3. How do you encourage the student to prepare?

DECEMBER 13-19

Stimulating interest

• 1. How can you use Topic for Conversation to stimulate interest in current offer?

• 2. What do you say to arouse interest?

• 3. Why is adaptability important?

DECEMBER 20-26

Tactfully presenting the good news

• 1. How can we tactfully handle the holiday greetings?

• 2. What do you do when householder has guests? Is busy?

• 3. How can being tactful help householder?

DECEMBER 27-JANUARY 2

Offering Live Forever book

• 1. When would you use chapter 7? Pages 161, 162? Chapter 4?

• 2. How can questions at the bottom of page help?

TOPIC FOR CONVERSATION

Earth’s Future—Secure!

Luke 21:26—Many fear for earth’s future.

Ps. 119:90—God’s sure promise gives hope.

• ¹ Time is a very valuable asset of each Christian. How are you using this asset"! During December we should set aside regular times to engage in the house-to-house ministry, offering the New World Translation and any 192-page book for a contribution of $3.75. Time, like money, can be wasted, even squandered, or it can be used wisely. As Christians, our love for Jehovah, Jesus Christ and our fellowman should impel us to use our time wisely, “buying out the opportune time.”—Eph. 5:16.

• ² In so doing the Christian’s course is far different from the one pursued by those who love this old system. Paul foretold that people living in the last days would be “lovers of pleasures," and how true that is! (2 Tim. 3:4) Most people today spend many hours each week just watching TV or going to movies. Others become involved in sports, video games, excessive vacation trips, music and hobbies, all of which can take much time.

SPIRITUAL THINGS FIRST

• ³ Does this mean that a Christian should not enjoy relaxation in some form of wholesome recreation? Certainly not! Even Jesus enjoyed banquets and special meals. He also

  Conduct Progressive Bible Studies

  
  

• ¹ Conducting a Bible study is one of the most satisfying aspects of our Christian ministry. It is a matter of writing op hearts. {2 Cor. 3:2, 3) How rewarding it is to see people with whom we study take in knowledge, apply Bible principles and bring their lives into harmony with Jehovah’s righteous requirements!

• ² But, suppose you do not see the desired progress—the students do not make changes as quickly as you think they should and their interest may even wander. There may be a need to examine your own ability to teach. Could the study be conducted in a more interesting and progressive manner? The following suggestions may prove to be helpful.

PRACTICAL TEACHING SUGGESTIONS

• ³ Preparation in advance is essential. Involved in this is having the main points of the lesson clearly outlined in your own mind with the Scriptural support at your fingertips.

• ⁴ Knowledge should be conveyed to the student in a simple, logical manner. If this is done in a warm, friendly and informal way, it creates an atmosphere in which the student is relaxed and able to learn. It is imtook time for needed rest. However, Jesus did not make eating, drinking or personal pleasures the big thing in his life. Rather, he took delight in doing his Father’s will. (John 4: 34) He warned us that the physical pleasures of life should not take precedence over Jehovah’s service. (Luke 21:34; Matt. 6:31-33) So we do well to follow Jesus’ example in making wise use of our time.

• ⁴ In order to help us accomplish this it is good to view time as an asset to be used wisely. We should not use time selfishly, just for our own pleasure. Rather, we should continue to ‘buy out the time’ and support the preaching and disciple-making activity of the congregation, “always having plenty to do in the work of the Lord.”—-1 Cor. 15:58.

• ⁵ There are some practical things we can do so as to make wise use of time. One suggestion is to have a reasonable, workable schedule of activities. While at times this schedule may allow for relaxation or recreation, spiritual interests should he highlighted. It should include attendance at all congregation meetings, field service on a regular basis and taking time for personal Bible study

(Continued on page 2, col. 2)

portant, too, to make sure he learns practical points of personal value each visit. A student should feel that his life has been enriched and that he has been brought into a closer relationship with God.

• ⁵ Teaching the student how to study may be helpful. This may involve helping him to pick out the main points in the material and underline key words or phrases. Help him express himself from the heart, putting answers in his own words, rather than just reading the printed material. If you build up in your student a desire for more knowledge of the subject to be discussed on the next visit, he will be more likely to prepare in advance and thus make more rapid progress.

* Reaching the heart of the individual will enable him to see how the material' studied applies to his own life. To reach hearts Jesus used questions that made his listeners think. Note examples of this at Matthew 16:13-16; 17:24-27 and Luke 10:25-27. Wise use of illustrations, as demonstrated by Jesus, is also most beneficial. Observe how illustrations

(Continued on page If, col. 8)

Meetings to Help Us Make Disciples

WEEK STARTING DECEMBER 5 Song 5

7 min: Local announcements. Enthusiastically encourage all to attend the Congregation Book Study as we begin to study the book Man's Salvation out of World Distress at Hand! Also encourage support for second Saturday magazine activity.

13 min: Talk on subject “Why Admit It When You Are Wrong?" from September 1, 1982, Watchtower. Elders and publishers alike need to acknowledge their own mistakes with humility and honesty, not taking themselves too seriously. This can work for the upbuilding of all.

10 min: Discuss Question Box. Speaker should emphasize our loving concern for the spiritual welfare of all and the need to give no cause for stumbling.

15 min: “Presenting the Good News —With Effective Introductions.” Question-and-answer discussion of material. Ask audience for introductions they have found particularly helpful. Encourage making use of such introductions in weekend field service activity. Remind all to bring their October 1, 1982, Watchtower to the meeting next week.

Song 18 and prayer.

WEEK STARTING DECEMBER 12

Song 11

10 min: Local announcements and Announcements. Discuss how the congregation did in field activity during November, including the number of auxiliary pioneers, if any. Accounts report.

15 min: “Making Wise Use of Our Time.” Question-and-answer discussion of material. From paragraph 9 demonstrate briefly how street work may be done effectively by talking with people regarding specific articles rather than simply holding up magazines.

20 min: “Bring Your Heart Back to Jehovah.” Well-developed talk by a qualified elder on material from October 1, 1982, Watchtower. Audience participation. Allow time for a brief demonstration to show how a parent could tactfully bring the article to the attention of his child who has become inactive. Emphasize that parents may wish to mail a copy of the article to their children if they cannot give it to them directly. It is designed to help all who were reared in the truth but have drifted away from it. (Note: This part should be rescheduled if meeting is not held because of a circuit assembly or for other reasons.)

Song 82 and prayer.

WEEK STARTING DECEMBER 19

Song 90   ¹

10 min: Local announcements. Discuss with audience the value of making wise use of time off by sharing in the field service during worldly holidays.

15 min: “Adjustment in Theocratic Ministry School.” School overseer should discuss with audience the new adjustments in counseling for 1983. Stress the need for each student to prepare well and accept with appreciation the loving counsel given in the school.

20 min: Use time for local needs or have an elder give a talk on the article “Cast Your Anxieties Upon Jehovah” in the September 15, 1982, Watchtower. Remind publishers to share in field service on fourth Saturday, which is part of the holiday weekend.

Song 87 and prayer.

WEEK STARTING DECEMBER 26

Song 7

10 min: Local announcements. Re

Time                      (Cont’d)

to keep abreast of the truth. Now you will be able to use the new calendar to help schedule your time.

• ⁶ Parents, of course, have the additional responsibility of helping their children to be active in spiritual things. So they may find it advisable to sit down and work out a reasonable schedule of theocratic activity for the whole family, including their own personal schedules as Christian parents. Thus, they show a personal interest in their children's welfare and their wise use of time.—Eph. 6:4.

• ⁷ It is often helpful to have personal goals in connection with our field ministry. Such should be reasonable, attainable goals. We may decide to spend a certain number of hours in field service each month. If we really work toward our goal we wall seldom fail to meet it and may often surpass it. Many have found either auxiliary or regular pioneering to be a reasonable goal.

• ⁸ Improving the quality of service is also a worthy goal. Can you think of ways in which you can make better use of your time in the ministry? For example, could you improve your teaching ability at the doors by using more effective introductions? (See “Presenting the Good News.”) Could you be more effective in conducting Bible studies or improve the way you direct interested persons to Jehovah’s Word and his organization? In doing so you can truly mind brothers of new public talks scheduled for January. Encourage all to attend and bring their Live Forever book along to mark in it particular points that they may use in field sendee.

20 min: “Conduct Progressive Bible Studies.” Cover material by questions and answers, except paragraph 7. It should be handled as a demonstration showing how to prepare an interested person for opposition from family members, workmates, and so forth.

15 min: “Make Plans Now." Discussion. Show how January Topic for Conversation may be used in placing new book. Pick out points from Live Forever book that will be particularly appealing to interested ones. Start with very first weekend of the new year by sharing in the field service. January 2 is first Sunday of the month. Outline specific arrangements for holiday witnessing.

Song 92 and prayer.

make wise use of your time in the service.

• ⁹ What can be done if you find very few people at home? Why not call at a different time of day or another day. Some publishers have good success in speaking to people walking along the sidewalk, thus possibly reaching some who were not at home. While engaging in street work it is not good to walk along in twos or threes talking with one another. Rather, separate and approach people so as to start conversations with them. Thus, time is used more effectively and more joy is derived from service.

• ¹⁰ It is good to remember that our time is a wonderful asset that Jehovah has given us. Let us always use it wisely, not selfishly. Personally consider how you might improve in your own use of time, especially the time set aside for spiritual activities. Continue to walk “not as unwise but as wise persons, buying out the opportune time” in these last days of Satan’s old system of things.—Eph. 5:15, 16.

Schedule for congregation studies in the book Man’s Salvation out. of World Distress at Hand!

December 5: Pages 90 to 99

December 12: Pages 100 to 110

December 19: Pages 111 to 118¹

December 26: Pages 118¹ to 125#

Our Kingdom Ministry (USPS 295-360) is published monthly by Watchtower Bible and Tract Society of New York, Inc., 25 Columbia Heights, Brooklyn, N.Y. 11201. Second-class postage paid at Brooklyn, N.Y. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to Watchtower. 25 Columbia Heights, Brooklyn, N.Y. 11201.                       Printed in U.S.A.

Announcements

• Literature offer for December: New World Translation and any 192-page book for $3.75. January and February: You Can Live Forever in Paradise on Earth, for a contribution of $2.50. March: One of the older 192-page books for 75e.

• Presiding overseer or someone designated by him should audit congregation accounts on December 1 or as soon as possible thereafter.

• Bound volumes of The Watchtower and Awake! for 1982: Publishers and pioneers, please order your volumes through your congregation. Congregations should begin accepting requests for these volumes now. Then on January 1, 1983, or as soon as possible thereafter, send this order to the Society using the regular Literature Order form (S-14). Order only the number of volumes for which you have requests. The volumes will be available in English, Dutch, French, German, Italian, Japanese, Portuguese and Spanish at $4.00 each. (Please order the Dutch, German, Italian and Japanese after February 1, 1983.) There is no pioneer rate. Payment should not accompany the congregation order sent to the Society. (See Cost List, paragraph 21.) Please announce to the congregation when the volumes are received so that all who ordered can obtain their copies.

• • It is suggested that all congregations display the new yeartext by January 1, 1983.

• • New Publications Available:

Aid to Bible Understanding (Volume 3, Es-Gr)                —German

Aid to Bible Understanding (Volume 7, Be-Ca)                   —Italian

Aid to Bible Understanding (Volume 8, Ca-Ce)                    —Italian

Aid to Bible Understanding (Volume 9, Ce-Co)                    —Italian

Aid to Bible Understanding (Volume 10, Co-Cr)                  —Italian

Aid to Bible Understanding (Volume 1, A-Da)               —Portuguese

Choosing the Best Way of Life

—Hungarian Good News—To Make You Happy

—Malagasy Happiness—How to Find It

—Cebuano, Croatian "Let Your Kingdom Come"

—Dutch, Portuguese, Swedish My Book of Bible Stories

—Lingala, Yapese True Peace and Security—From What Source*                —Icelandic

You Can Live Forever in Paradise on Earth            —Danish, Dutch,

Finnish, German, Japanese, Norwegian, Swedish

Enjoy Life on Earth Forever!

—Cibemba, Citonga, Danish, Dutch, Greek, Hiri Motu, Japanese, Kaonde, Kikamba, Luvale, New Guinea Pidgin, Norwegian, Papiamento, Shona, Solomon Islands Pidgin, Swahili, Swedish, Thai

Watch Tower Publications Index for 1981                   —French

• New Cassette Recordings Available: The Good News According to Luke (set of two)         —Dutch, Japanese

The Good News According to Luke (set of three)                 —Finnish

• ¹ In the October issue of Our Kingdom Ministry we received the Theocratic Ministry School Schedule for 1983. Under the heading “Counsel and Remarks” you will note it says: “The school overseer will give specific counsel, not necessarily following the program of progressive counsel outlined on the Speech Counsel slip. Rather he should concentrate on those areas where the student needs to improve." This means that in 1983 the school overseer will exercise his own discernment in determining the points on which to counsel.

• ² A new student would need encouragement, and so commendation can be given for the effort he has put forth in connection with his first assignment. After the new student’s second talk, the school overseer can offer commendation on some speech quality that was good and then offer counsel on a point on which the student can work. When a student has a reading assignment, the counsel will not necessarily follow the progressive Speech Counsel slip but may deal with points such as volume, sense stress, pausing or accuracy of statement where explanatory statements are made on texts in the reading assignment. In the case of more experienced students, after offering commendation on an outstanding quality displayed in the presentation, the school overseer may draw attention to a quality that was

Question SBox

• What should be done when notes are placed in territory envelopes stating not to call on certain homes?

Occasionally we meet householders in our territory who are very opposed to our work and message. Some have even threatened us. If some adamantly request that none of Jehovah’s Witnesses call at their homes again, such requests should be respected. A note with the name lacking or that needed more attention. Otherwise, the quality shown next on the counsel slip may be referred to and the school overseer would show why it was good.

• ³ The school overseer will want to give commendation before offering his observation or counsel on a point that needs to be improved or worked on to achieve further progress. A student’s presentation may be so effective that the counselor will simply offer commendation on two speech qualities, showing why they were good.

• ⁴ In counseling, the school overseer will have in mind the immediate need of the student. Depending on whether the slips were marked with a “W" or an “I” following the last assignment, students will know whether to work on developing some particular speech quality or to strive to further improve on that point. In the case of experienced students, if their slips were marked “G” on two points following their last presentation, they may want to have in mind a point that has not yet been marked “G” on the counsel slip when preparing for their next assignment.

• ⁵ It is hoped that this new -arrangement will help us all to make even greater advancement so that we will be more effective in sharing the truth with others.—1 Tim. 4:15, 16.

and address of such a person should be given to the brother assigned to care for the territory. He should also date the note and state on it the specific nature of the difficulty. Thereafter, each publisher who is asked to work this territory should be especially careful to avoid irritating the Householder and not call at his home.—Review Kingdom Ministry of June 1974, Question Box.

However, from time to time people move or perhaps experience a change of attitude. Depending on the circumstances, tactful inquiry can be made periodically by a capable publisher to determine the current situation.

We should not hastily conclude that such notations are required merely because an individual is disturbed or somewhat angry as a result of our calling at an inopportune time. However, where there is a request that we not call again or a need for caution, matters can be handled as outlined above. In this way we protect our brothers and ‘give no cause for stumbling or basis for finding fault with our ministry.’—2 Cor. 6:3.

With Effective Introductions

• ¹ Through theocratic education and experience in the Christian ministry, Jehovah gives us “the tongue of the taught ones.” (Isa. 50:4) This enables us to be more discerning in what we say to stimulate interest in the Kingdom message. Whether engaging in house-to-house work or street work, our initial expressions must be choice, reflecting an understanding of people and their varied circumstances.—1 Cor. 9:22, 23.

HOUSE TO HOUSE

• ² Unique challenges confront us in the door-to-door ministry as we share Kingdom truths with ‘deserving ones.’ (Matt. 10:11) First of all, approaching a total stranger may be difficult. Behind the doors are persons of differing personalities, circumstances and viewpoints. These factors may have a bearing on our introductory expressions.

• ³ If your introduction is to carry sufficient impact, advance preparation is required. Several different simple and pointed approaches will allow you to be more flexible. Be discerning, confident and adaptable. Is there anything that shows that the householder may be religiously inclined? Are there indications that children are in the home? Prayerful concentration on these features may aid in determining the direction of your opening remarks.

• ⁴ Many publishers have enjoyed encouraging results using any one of the following suggested introductions:

“In view of the insurmountable problems society is facing, some feel that man’s future on earth is doomed. Despite the increase in family breakdowns, the constant threat of war and other problems, we’re calling this morning to share good news with all persons who would like to have a secure future.”

“Many families today do not feel confident about their future. Increased crime, unemployment and inflation have given rise to extreme depression and insecurity. We have made a special effort to visit you this morning to explain briefly how you and your family can have a bright outlook for the future.”

“We have found that many in our neighborhood welcome the opportunity to discuss the Bible. That is why I am at your door now to discuss the hope it offers.”

You may find these suggestions effective in your territory.

• ⁵ Our approach to people should . be friendly and conversational. Many publishers choose to begin by offering a free tract or handbill. Using this approach, one overseer said, “This method holds their attention just long enough to get into a Bible conversation.” Why not see if some of these methods will work for you!

STREET WORK

• ⁶ Street work also calls for both friendly and conversational introductions. People are busy and on the move. In large cities, fear of strangers may be a factor to overcome. There may also be a reluctance to speak in public about religious matters. Keep these things in mind in making your approach.

• ⁷ Some publishers make effective use of pointed, thought-provoking questions to get the attention of passersby: “Our streets—will they be safe again?” Or, perhaps, “Will the earth be destroyed?” Keep in mind the need to tailor your question to fit the person and his circumstances. Does his appearance indicate that he is a student, businessman, laborer, and so forth? Try to determine wherein the person’s interest may lie and shape your introduction accordingly.

• ⁸ Each week many publishers use the early morning hours before work and the lunch hour to share in the witnessing activity. In visiting one local college the publishers pointedly address the students, seeking “opinions on man’s future in the next 5 to 10 years.” Many purposeful discussions have been enjoyed and one brother has already started four studies.

• ⁹ We seek Jehovah’s blessing on our efforts to spread the Bible’s comforting message effectively. As we give thoughtful attention to our method and manner of approach, we can confidently expect his spirit to teach us “how to answer the tired one with a word.”—Isa. 50:4.

Make Plans Now

• ¹ We are looking forward with eagerness to offering the new book You Can Live Forever in Paradise on Earth to the public during January and February 1983. Make your plans now to have a full share in the house-to-house work during this campaign. All congregations will want to cover as much of their territory as possible with this outstanding Bible study aid.

• ² In order to be enthusiastic in presenting it, we must first appreciate its value ourselves. Therefore, if we have not already read this publication through, we will want to do so as soon as possible. In addition, plan to attend each of the five public talks based on the new book that are scheduled for January. Have your personal copy with you and make notes of points that can be used in the field ministry.

• ³ Prepare for the campaign now and resolve to have a full share in offering the Live Forever book, starting with the very first day in January.

SEPTEMBER SERVICE REPORT Av Av Av Av

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

Sp’l Pios. 398 131.8 99.1 52.2 5.4

Pios.       22,400  85.3  56.5  31.6

Aux. Pios.  25,202   60.3  37.7  17.6

Pubs.     545,165    8.6   7.2   3.5

TOTAL   593,165

Newly Dedicated Ones Baptized: 2,341

We rejoice in the new all-time peak of regular pioneers reporting for September.

have endured.—Job 1:20-22; Prov. 27:11.

⁸ Before you can conduct a progressive study, you need to find someone who wants to study. If you are not presently conducting a Bible study, why not talk with those who are and learn from them how to start one. You might go along on. a study to see how the publisher conducts it. This may aid you in conducting a study in a progressive manner, using good teaching methods. Go to Jehovah in prayer, ask him for assistance in starting a study and then follow through in harmony with your prayers. Follow up all the interest you find. Some in the congregation who are particularly adept at starting studies may wish to help by turning some of their studies over to others. Very likely with our new Live Forever book, which we will begin placing with the public next month, many studies can be started. If we make practical use of the suggestions given here, those with whom we study may make rapid progress toward serving Jehovah.

¹

Bible Studies              (Cont’d)

can make a point very clear.—See You Can Live Forever in Paradise on Earth, page 36, paragraph 5.

i Sometimes a factor that can block the progress of a Bible student is opposition. (2 Tim. 3:12) Often this comes from members of his own family or his work associates. It is vital that you prepare the student for such persecution. Show him that this was prophesied to happen. (Matt. 10:34-39; Luke 21:16-19) Help him to have the right attitude toward his persecutors. (Matt. 5:43-48; Rom. 12:17) If the persecution continues, help him to endure by pointing out Scriptural examples of those who