OUR KINGDOM MINISTRY

NOVEMBER 1983

Vol. 26. No. 11

FOR UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

Meetings for Field Service

OCTOBER 31-NOVEMBER 6 How has The Watchtower helped fulfill

• 1. John 17:3?

• 2. Proverbs 9:5, 6?

• 3. Revelation 9:16, 17, 19?

NOVEMBER 7-13 In service today how can you use

• 1. Illustrations in The Watchtower?

• 2. The teaching box?

• 3. The circulation and language figures?

NOVEMBER 14-20 Discuss advantages of 1. Showing householder several issues.

• 2. Householder subscribing to both magazines.

• 3. Featuring large-print magazines where appropriate.

NOVEMBER 21-27 Why is it not good to 1. Prejudge a householder’s response?

• 2. Feel negative about the subscription cost?

• 3. Be shy about offering subscriptions?

NOVEMBER 28-DECEMBER 4 Offering the New World Translation

• 1 Review topic for conversation.

• 2. What text comparisons will you make?

• 3. What other features will you highlight?

TOPIC FOR CONVERSATION

Can You Live Forever in Paradise?

Ps. 37:29—The Bible says you can.

Rev. 21:4—What God will do.

• ¹ Few, if any, of us get through life without facing momentous decisions. Some decisions seriously affect our future and our happiness, perhaps even our relationship with God. For example: The doctor insists that if you do not have a blood transfusion you will die. Or you are ordered to compromise and break your Christian neutrality. That “nice” worldly boy at school asks you for a date. The coach wants you on the team. Friends invite you to pioneer with them. You. face serious decisions indeed!

• ² When confronted with serious decisions, people react in different ways. Some procrastinate. Others want someone else to shoulder the responsibility of making the decision—perhaps mother, father, a friend, the elders or the Society. Some become physically ill from indecision! But there are others who are prepared to make proper decisions, having had “their perceptive powers trained to distinguish both right and wrong.” (Heb. 5:14) Paul says these are “mature people.” They have reached the point where they can make mature decisions on serious matters without having others tell them what to do.

  NEW PUBLISHER PEAK FOR AUGUST—643,170!

  “It is good to give thanks to Jehovah,” wrote the inspired psalmist. (Ps. 92:1) We have added reason for doing this in view of the fine August service report that closes out the outstanding 1983 service year. The total of 643,170 publishers represents a 10.5-percent increase over last year’s average. The 23,943 regular pioneers for August is a new peak, the ninth during the past service year. Along with the many, many memorable events and blessings of the 1983 service year, the August report strengthens our resolve to keep on declaring the Kingdom good news with even more determination so as to produce fruitage to God's glory.—Phil. 1:11.

  
  

Use New Book

• ¹ We were all thrilled this past summer to receive the new book, United in Worship of the Only True God, when it was released at the “Kingdom Unity” District Conventions. On page 2 of that book the statement is made: "Millions of persons have a knowledge of basic Bible teachings. But to experience to the full the joy of sharing in united worship of the true God, they need to press on to Christian maturity. This book has been prepared to help all such persons to broaden and deepen their understanding of God’s Word and to apply it more fully in their lives.” Since we received this book have we put it into the hands of someone who could benefit from it in that way?

• ² It would be a kindness to offer it to anyone with whom you are conducting a home Bible study. Even if some will not be ready to

How have they been able to do so? Two phrases used by Paul in Hebrews 5:14 that give the clue are: “through use” and “solid food.”

TRAINING NEEDED

• ³ Our perceptive powers are trained through use as we feed our minds regularly on the solid spiritual nourishment found in the Bible. In addition, we are helped to make right decisions if we take full advantage of the wholesome provisions from the “discreet slave.” Experience in making right decisions on a day-to-day basis trains us to make proper decisions on more important issues that involve the doing of God’s will.

BIBLICAL EXAMPLES

• ⁴ Can you think of individuals mentioned in the Bible who relied on the solid food of God’s Word to aid them in making right decisions? What about Jesus when faced with three temptations at a time when he was weak from 40 days of fasting? In each case Jesus demonstrated that his perceptive powers had been trained to distinguish right and wrong. His ready response to (Continued on page 2, col. 1}

to Help Others

study a second book for a number of months, their having the book may whet their appetite. It may also stimulate them to do additional reading, and that can hasten their spiritual growth. You have something good. Do not hold back from sharing it with them.—Prov. 3:27.

³ We suggest that you also carry a copy of the bbok when sharing in your regular field ministry. Why? Because tens of millions of copies of the Live Forever book and the Truth book have been placed with interested persons. With many, home Bible studies have been conducted. If they continue to show some interest, present this new book, and then offer to study it with them. This is appropriate at any time, regardless of what our regular literature offer for the month may be.

(Continued on page 3, col. 1)

Meetings to Help Us Make Disciples

WEEK STARTING OCTOBER 30 Song 77

5 min: Local announcements.

30 min: What Is Your Goal in Life? This part is to cover the first two subjects in the School brochure, "Our Purpose in Life” and “Our View of the Future,” pages 4-7. Handle by questions and answers, with questions directed primarily to the school-age children. Use some viewpoint questions to determine true thinking of the children. Look up cited scriptures. Use young qualified brother to read selected paragraphs as time permits.

10 min: Conclude meeting with local experiences related to October subscription offer. Encourage continued zealous presentation of subscriptions during November. Refer to announcement on theocratic calendar for November 6, encouraging all to share in field service on first Sunday of month.

Song 73 and concluding prayer.

WEEK STARTING NOVEMBER 6 Song 63

10 mln: Local announcements and appropriate Announcements from Our Kingdom Ministry. Include financial report. Remind all to bring Our Ministry book to Service Meeting next week.

23 min: “Have Your ‘Perceptive Powers Trained.’” Talk. Include 5-minute demonstration on paragraph 7. Teenage daughter asks her father if she can attend cousin’s wedding, to be held in a church. Asks if Society would approve. Suggests father call or write. Father helps her see it is Jehovah’s approval we want. Society has already given guidelines. Gets 1971-1975 Index. Subject “Weddings, attending worldly” refers to December 15, 1974, Watchtower, pages 766-7. Asks her to read the material and later tell him if she still wants to attend. Speaker concludes

Perceptive Powers       (Cont’d)

the Tempter Satan was based on God’s Word.—Matt. 4:1-11.

• ⁵ There was also the time when the first-century governing body was faced with the question of circumcision. Through use of the spiritual guidance at Amos 9:11, 12, the disciple James was helped to convince all concerned that circumcision is not a Christian requirement.—Acts 15:7, 13-19.

A REAL HELP WHEN NEEDED

• ⁶ We are living at a time when pressures from Satan’s doomed system abound. Decisions must be made on many matters due to the vicious assaults of the angry god of this system of things. But our God Jehovah has provided us with with comments on value of The Watchtower. Help our neighbors see value of subscribing during November. One-minute closing scene where daughter comments that Society does not say can’t go, but after seeing all dangers involved has decided not to go.

12 min: “Use New Book to Help Others." Questions and answers. Conclude meeting with brief comment about announcement on theocratic calendar on November 12.

Song 85 and concluding prayer.

WEEK STARTING NOVEMBER 13

Song 49

5 mln: Local announcements.

18 min: Discussion of Our Ministry book, pages 55-9. This should be a discussion between two or possibly three elders. In addition to mentioning the qualifications of ministerial servants, tell who the local servants are and what responsibilities they are caring for. Build appreciation for these spiritual men and encourage other men to reach out for such responsibility in the congregation.—1 Tim. 3:13.

10 min: “Improving Our Teaching Ability—By Making Key Points Stand Out.” Talk. Illustrate points from current book study material or Sunday’s Watchtower lesson.

12 min: Do We Celebrate National Thanksgiving Day? Group discussion between elder and several children. Cover pertinent points from November 22, 1976, Awake.’, pages 9-13. Children’s comments include material from School brochure, page 21. Song 111 and concluding prayer.

WEEK STARTING NOVEMBER 20 Song 25

5 min: Local announcements. Bring Our Ministry book next week. 20 min: “Presenting the Good-News —Calling Back on Subscribers.” Questions and answers. In paragraphs 4 and 5 give specific points from current magazines or demonstrate briefly.

the needed help. There is hardly a question that could be raised that has not been dealt with in The Watchtower at some time or other during its 104 years of publication. By using handy indexes, we can tap this great source of solid spiritual food to help us meet the challenge of Satan’s temptations. The Watch Tower Publications Index volumes from 1930 through 1982 contain 1,568 pages of references for our help!

⁷ Do you have personal subscriptions to both Awake! and The Watchtower? Does your home theocratic library contain these valuable helps? Many old-timers can point to volumes of these magazines that they have received over

15 min: Use time for local needs or entertain expressions from longtime subscribers to The Watchtower on how particular truths or articles changed their lives or helped them make important decisions in life. Assign some in truth for number of years to give advance thought to point. Stress how subscriptions will help interested persons do the same.

5 min: Talk. Brothers throughout the world will be observing point made on date of November 26 on theocratic calendar. Encourage congregation to join international brotherhood and thus help render “sacred service dav and night.”—Rev. 7:15.

Song 9 and concluding prayer.

WEEK STARTING NOVEMBER 27

Song 19

5 min: Local announcements. Refer to comment on theocratic calendar for December 4.

12 min: “Finding Joy in Personal Study." Talk.

20 min: Consideration of Our Ministry book, page 60 to subheading on page 65. Discuss first two paragraphs with audience. Material under subheading “Kingdom Hall” should be presented as a talk. Include comments from information presented at district conventions about fund established to assist in the building of more Kingdom Halls where needed. Encourage support. Discuss material under subheading “Congregation Meetings” with audience, building appreciation for Jehovah’s provisions.

8 min: Discuss December offer of New World Translation and either Did Man Get Here by Evolution or by Creationf or any other older 192-page book. Review talking points about Bible, older book and brochure, Enjoy Life on Earth Forever! Prepare now to use new Topic for Conversation. See December Our Kingdom Ministry. Song 99 and concluding prayer.

the years. They have kept 'their personal copies for future reference along with other literature provided by the Society.

⁸ Knowing the value of these trustworthy journals, The Watchtower and Awake!, we can convincingly recommend them to our neighbors. Having already become familiar with the subscription presentation during October, we can present it with even greater skill and enthusiasm now during November. Your neighbors also need to have their perceptive powers trained to distinguish both right and wrong if they are to survive. So, present this vital spiritual food to them, as their lives depend upon it!—1 Tim. 4:16.

Announcements

• Literature offer for November: Subscription for either A wake! or The Watchtower, for S3.50 each for a one-year subscription; six-month subscription, $2.00. December: The New World Translation and either Did Man Get Here by Evolution or by Creationf or any other older 192-page book, for $3.75. If 192-page books unavailable, can offer the New World Translation and the brochure Enjoy Life on Earth Forever! for $3.25. January and February: You Can Live Forever in Paradise on Earth, for $2.50.

• New Publications Available:

Common Swedish Bible of 1982 (congregation and public: $3.00; pioneers: $1.50)        —Swedish

Holy Scriptures (bi2; Common Swedish Bible Hebrew Scriptures combined with New World Translation of the Greek Scriptures; congregation and public: $3.00; pioneers: $1.50)                —Swedish

Commentary on the Letter of James —Arabic

"Let Your Kingdom Come”

—Indonesian

Making Your Family Life Happy

—Samoan You Can Live Forever in Paradise on Earth          —Chinese, Hausa,

Hiri Motu, Thai, Yoruba A Secure Future—How You Can Find It                 —Vietnamese

Enjoy Life on Earth Forever!

—Gouro, Igala, Indonesian, Isoko, Kirundi, Kisii, Maragoli, Masai, Sranan Is There a God Who Caresf —Welsh Jehovah's Witnesses in the Twentieth Century            —Hungarian

Kingdom News No. 32    —Chinese

• New Cassette Recordings Available:

The First to the Corinthians (single cassette)               —Swedish

The Second to the Corinthians, (Continued on page If, col. 3)

New Book               (Cont’d)

• ⁴ As you have observed, the chapters in the new book are each just seven or eight pages in length. That is about right for a Congregation Book Study. But it may prove to be more than you can cover effectively in an hour at a home Bible study. When using this book for study, do not rush through the material. Allow time for the student to look up the scriptures personally and to reason on them. Some paragraphs have a number of scriptures cited; all of them are valuable. If answers given to the study questions are superficial, use auxiliary questions to direct attention to important points that might otherwise be missed. Be sure that the student really understands what is being studied and its value to him personally.

• ⁵ May our use of this fine publication enable many, more persons to share with us the real joy that comes from unitedly worshiping Jehovah, the only true God.

  Improving Our Teaching Ability —By Making Key Points Stand Out

  
  

• ¹ “You ought to be teachers,” Paul wrote to the Hebrews. (Heb. 5:12) That is no less true today as the great teaching assignment given by Jesus reaches its climax. One thing that will help us to be more effective teachers is discernment as to the overall meaning of the material we read and teach others. This applies to the entire publication being studied as well as to a particular chapter and individual paragraphs therein.

• ² The title of a book presents the main theme that is developed. When teaching from that book, the teacher should learn to relate each chapter title to the book title. Help the student to see the relationship between the two. Usually the subject considered in a particular chapter qualifies or deals with a particular aspect of the overall subject. For example, the chapters “Getting Along With One Another in Love" and “Making a Success of Family Life” help the student to see what is required before you can live forever in Paradise on earth.

• ³ Subheadings throughout an article or a chapter are helpful in isolating the key points. Each paragraph in a chapter is related in some way to the chapter title. Learn to look for the specific point in each paragraph that is most closely related to the chapter theme. This will be the key point you will want to impress on your student when teaching. Note subheading in Live Forever book,

Finding Joy in

• ¹ The psalmist has pronounced “happy” the one whose “delight is in the law of Jehovah" and who reads it “in an undertone day and night.” (Ps. 1:1, 2) Do you regularly experience that joy of heart, yes, true happiness, that comes with taking in accurate knowledge of our loving God Jehovah? Many do. But why is it that some find study and meditation a chore, truly hard work that brings great benefits, yes, but not necessarily joy during the process? What can be done to turn this seeming chore into a joyful experience?

HOW CAN WE INCREASE OUR JOY?

• ² First we must appreciate that taking in such knowledge actually means life for us. (John 17:3) So important is this that The Watchtower once stated: “If you ‘cannot find time’ for Bible study, then you are, in effect, saying that you do not want life.” But should the gaining of everlasting life be the sole motive of our Bible study? Note Jesus’ an-page 120 and paragraphs 4 and 5 that follow.

• ⁴ When teaching from a publication with printed questions, you will usually find that the answer is to be found in one simple phrase, and sometimes in a single word. Teach your student to confine his underlining to that single word or phrase. This has several advantages. He can spot the answer quickly without having to reread much of the paragraph. Encourage him to phrase answers in his own words rather than reading from lengthy portions he may have underlined. By looking at the few underlined words, he can quickly formulate a mental outline of what the material is all about.

• ⁵ Of special value to the teacher and to the student is the use of italics, which highlight key words and phrases in a paragraph or key portions of Scripture texts. Be sure your student understands the application that is made of the italicized material. This will be helpful to him when explaining his beliefs to others.

• ⁸ These basic ideas dealing with key points are applicable whether one is teaching as the Watchtower Study conductor, as a Book Study conductor or on a home Bible study, as well as when teaching children. Jesus said we should ‘make disciples, teaching them.' (Matt. 28:19, 20) Learning to make the key points stand out will help us to carry out that commission.

Personal Study

swer to those Jewish leaders seeking to kill him: “You are searching the Scriptures, because you think that by means of them you will have everlasting life; . . . but I well know that you do not have the love of God in you.” (John 5:39, 42) Yes, our personal study must be motivated by a love for God and a desire to help others.—Acts 20:35; 1 Cor. 8:1.

³ For instance, by preparing thoroughly for all congregation meetings, we will be more inclined to participate, and our comments will be more meaningful. In this way we can encourage and incite others to love and fine works. (Heb. 10:24, 25) And how will this affect our field ministry? Our advance preparation for meetings will impress more deeply upon our minds the spiritual truths we learn at the Kingdom Hall, and thus we will be able to recall these points when witnessing to others. We will be better equipped in all (Continued on page if, col. I)

Calling Back on Subscribers

• ¹ November is now the second month of our current Awake! and 'Watchtower subscription campaign. Undoubtedly many individuals became new subscribers during October, and it is good for us to follow up and see if a Bible study might be started. How may we do this?

• ² Most of these new subscribers will not be receiving their magazines in the mail as yet, so we could call back with the latest issues. After several of such visits a friendship begins to develop. A good conversation can often be started on the basis of one or two articles that may appeal to the new subscriber. The key is to know the magazines well and make the visit a friendly one. Let the subscriber see that you are interested in him and that the information you have is vital to his welfare and happiness.

• ³ Remember, our objective with subscribers is to start a Bible study. Their having information is not enough. The eunuch had the book of Isaiah but he needed Philip to explain it. (Acts 8:27-36) Philip used the direct approach, and a productive Bible study was held immediately. Why not try the same with subscribers? Whether this initial effort is successful or not, make a definite offer to return and study the Bible with the individual. Here is one way it could be done:

• ⁴ As subscribers, we will know approximately when the issues are received through the mail. So we could call within a few days and point out interesting articles in the

Personal Study           (Cont’d}

features of service to offer to others 'a reason for the hope within us,’ and our ministry will be much more effective.—r Pet. 3:15.

FINDING THE TIME

• ⁴ Is finding study time a problem? If we appreciate that Bible study actually means our life, and if we sincerely desire to use what we learn to benefit others, we will be moved to ‘buy out time’ from less important activities. (Eph. 5:15, 16) It may require limiting our television viewing or our reading of nonessential material. Perhaps we could make better use of some time in the evening just before retiring, or we could rise a little earlier in the morning. Even 15 or 20 minutes each day used in this way is beneficial, especially when latest issues. Sometimes it is good to sit down with the subscriber and read a few paragraphs together, where this is possible. Such friendly discussions can often lead to a home Bible study’s being developed in time. In making such a call, one could greet the fellow subscriber warmly and then say something like this: “I know you must have just received your [issue date] Watchtower [or Awake!] in the mail, as I have just received mine, and I thought of you when I read this article. [Show title.] If you have your copy nearby, I would like to show you a point that really interested me.” Such calls, while brief, could be made longer and include further discussion as a friendship builds up. Eventually the householder is looking forward to his weekly Bible discussion with your help. When the time is appropriate a study may be started in the Live Forever book.

• ⁵ We hope you will have good success in obtaining subscriptions and then in starting studies with these individuals who show interest in God’s Word. Remember, we want to help them become true disciples of Jesus Christ. (Matt. 28:19, 20) Be friendly on your calls; let people know you are genuinely interested in them and their family. Help them to she how the Watchtower and Awake! magazines they receive will further improve their knowledge of God and his purposes. At the appropriate time offer to study with them and then be dependable in making your calls to assist them in taking in the knowledge that leads to everlasting life. —John 17:3.

done regularly. Just 15 minutes of personal study every day adds up to more than 91 hours in a year’s time!

• ⁶ But for us to reap the fullest joy from our periods of study, we must use the time well. We should avoid daydreaming or letting our mind wander, but, rather, focus our thoughts on a specific subject. By setting a goal and removing ourselves from distractions such as the television or a noisy room, we will be more productive. Real personal study requires thoughtful meditation on the practical value of what we are learning. If we follow Paul’s advice to “ponder over these things; be absorbed in them,” we will feel satisfied with what we are able to accomplish and will find real joy in personal study.—1 Tim. 4:15.

Announcements         (Cont’d)

To the Galatians (single cassette)                  —Swedish

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

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

The First of Peter through The Letter of Jude (single cassette)—Swedish A Revelation to John (single cas> sette)                   —Swedish

• Out of Stock in U.S.A:

Lapel cards (for circuit assemblies)

—English, Spanish • 198!f Yearbook of Jehovah’s Witnesses: Publishers and pioneers, please order your Yearbooks through your congregation. Congregations should begin collecting requests for these Yearbooks now. Then on November 1, 1983, or as soon as possible thereafter, send this order to the Society using the regular Literature Order form (S-14). The Yearbooks will be available in English, Dutch, Finnish, French, German, Greek, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Portuguese and Spanish. Until the Yearbooks are available and shipments are made, these will appear as “Back Ordered” on congregation invoices. Congregations should order only the number of Yearbooks for which there are requests. Payment should not accompany the congregation order. The Yearbooks are controlled stock items and will be charged to the literature account at $1.00 each, which is the rale for publishers and the public. (See the 1983 Cost List, paragraphs 22-24.) Regular and special pioneers on the list before July 1, 1983, may receive a free copy for which the congregation may request credit on the Remittance and Credit Request (S-20). Pioneers may obtain additional copies at 25c each. (Note to secretary: Please have announcement made to the congregation when the Yearbooks are received so that all who ordered can obtain their copies.)

• The Society has begun publishing Awake! in the Hebrew and Russian languages as quarterly (four issues per year) editions. Congregations may order distributor copies of these magazines. We will not take subscriptions for them since they are quarterly editions. The’ cost will be the same as for other magazines.

AUGUST SERVICE REPORT

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

Sp'l Pios. 243 127.1 86.6 52.6 5.6 Pios.       23,943  64.8 39.9  25.0

Aux. Pios. 24,760  60.4 35.2  16.4

Pubs.     594,224   9.2  7.3   3.5

TOTAL   643,170

Newly Dedicated Ones Baptized: 731

Schedule for congregation studies in the book You Can Live Forever in Paradise on Earth:

November 6: Pages 191 to 200¹

November 13: Pages 200¹ to 207

November 20: Pages 208 to 216

November 27: Pages 217 to 224

4

¹

To or from subheading.