OUR KINGDOM MINISTRY V          J

JUNE 1986

Vol. 29, No. 6

PCJR UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

Meetings for Field Service

JUNE 2-8

Offering Live Forever book

• 1. How will you introduce offer?

• 2. How can illustrations be used? (Examples: pages 12-13 and 156-7)

JUNE 9-15

How can you lead into a home Bible study

• 1. On the initial call?

• 2. On a return visit?

• 3. Using a tract or a brochure?

JUNE 16-22

How would you respond to

• 1. An angry householder?

• 2. Householder who says he is already a Christian? (See Reasoning book, p. 19.)

JUNE 23-29

In local territory

• 1. What are common objections?

• 2. What subjects appeal to householders?

• 3. How might the Reasoning book be used?

TOPIC FOR CONVERSATION

Where Can You Find True Peace?

Ps. 146:3—Men cannot bring lasting peace.

Rom. 16:20—Jehovah is the source of true peace.

¹ Growth and progress are desirable qualities to observe and experience. The farmer anxiously watches seedlings grow into fruit-producing plants. Parents take delight in seeing their children develop into responsible adults. In like manner, Jehovah is keenly interested in seeing us make spiritual progress in our ministry. His Word encourages us to make our advancement manifest, that is, observable.—1 Tim. 4: 15,16; Phil. 3:13, 16.

² Paul’s letter to the Hebrews indicates that some had failed to be progressive in their ministry. He likened them to babes; before they could make progress as teachers of God’s Word, someone had to teach them the fundamentals. (Heb. 5: 12-14) Does not their experience and the counsel they received emphasize that we ought to see progress in our Christian course? How can we work toward improving the quality of our field ministry?

IMPROVING OUR PRESENTATIONS

³ Possibly your first experience in field service was accompanied by nervousness and feelings of inadequacy. You may have memorized a presentation and used it over and over until you felt more comfortable at the doors. As we increase in knowledge, however, our presentations should become more flexible,

• ¹ Many good things we enjoy are associated with Jehovah’s gift of summertime. (Jas. 1:17) Are we resolved to use this summer to his praise? Of course, our theocratic activities should remain in first place during all seasons of the year. Surely we will have this in mind as we plan our summer activities.

USING EVERY OPPORTUNITY

• ² Many of us have had faithstrengthening experiences as a result of keeping active in preaching while on vacation. Tactfully initiating informal conversations with others in restaurants and motels or while traveling brings many blessings to brothers who take this initiative in speaking to others about the good news. While traveling, a brother spoke to a young man who was reading a book on politics and sparked his interest in the Kingdom hope. The young man obtained literenabling us to speak with greater confidence on a variety of Bible topics. How are you progressing in this regard? Are you still expressing yourself at the doors as you did when you started publishing? Or have you made advancement in your door-to-door presentations?

¹ Many of Jehovah’s Witnesses who began publishing at an early age were taught a brief magazine presentation by their parents. In the course of time, these have progressed to using the current Topic for Conversation with the regular literature offer. Parents, we encourage you to help your children to improve their presentations as they grow physically and spiritually.

• ⁵ Of vital importance to our being progressive in the ministry is the training offered at congregation meetings. Do we pay close attention at the Service Meeting? There we receive current instruction that can help us to meet effectively the challenges we face in our ministry. Are we taking advantage of this excellent provision? Our presentations will be greatly improved if we take all this valuable training to heart and put it to use.

USING THE LIVE FOREVER BOOK

• ⁶ The Live Forever book is a remarkable teaching aid, a timely (Continued on page 3, col. 1) ature from the Society, and within a few months, he was moved to resign from his church and began teaching others what he had learned.

³ Advance preparation is necessary if you are to get the best results. Be sure to have your Bible and a supply of literature with you. Plan on attending meetings and working in field service with the local congregation where you visit.

¹ The upcoming “Divine Peace” District Conventions will provide excellent opportunities to preach while traveling. Wearing our lapel cards often arouses the curiosity of others, affording us the opportunity of starting conversations.

OPPORTUNITIES TO PIONEER

⁵ During school vacation periods, young dedicated publishers who qualify can auxiliary pioneer. In (Continued on page 4, col. 1)

♦ OUTSTANDING MARCH REPORT INCLUDES NEW PEAK OF 723,881 PUBLISHERS! ♦

Meetings to Help Us Make Disciples

NOTE: Our Kingdom Ministry will schedule a Service Meeting for each week during the summer. Congregations may make adjustments as needed to allow for attending the district convention and then for a 30-minute review of the program highlights at the Service Meeting the following week. Review may be divided into three 10-minute portions. Following brief introduction, chairman could review Thursday and Friday program highlights. Second brother would review Saturday program, and third brother would focus attention on Sunday highlights. Any experiences used or occasional comments from audience should be brief and to the point. A well-prepared review will help the brothers to remember key points for personal application and use in the field.

WEEK STARTING JUNE 1

Song 148

10 min: Local announcements and Announcements from Our Kingdom Ministry. The June 22 Awake! has two helpful articles on tipping. Brothers are encouraged to read these articles before going to convention cities or visiting other places.

20 min: “Be Progressive in Your Ministry.” Question-and-answer discussion of article. Read paragraphs and cited scriptures as time permits. Present one or two well-prepared, pointed demonstrations showing how to offer the Live Forever book in local territory. Note use of Romans 16:20 as second scripture in Topic for Conversation. Adapt material to local needs.

15 min: Family Preparation for Field Service. Family-group discussion. Family head takes lead in discussion with wife and children, including one preteen child and one in late teens. Father cadis attention to information on page 11 in Reasoning book under “FAMILY/CHILDREN.” Suggests that these introductions will blend in very nicely with current Topic for Conversation. Wife can express agreement. Is asked how she plans to use these introductions along with topic and offer of the Live Forever book. She believes this presentation will be effective in local territory where there are many families with young children. She enjoys having one of the children accompany her from house to house and read one of the scriptures to be used. Father asks older son or daughter how this material could be used effectively by young person in house-to-house ministry. After greeting householder, young one may inquire whether there are children in the family and ask householder what he thinks future holds for his children or for other young ones today. Young publisher could then state that although many young people are discouraged because of what the future seems to hold for them, he is optimistic because of what his parents have helped him to learn from the Bible. This would lead into the current topic. Preteen child could then be helped with preparation of brief presentation to be used in offering the Live Forever book or current magazines, or shown how to offer a tract or an invitation when working with parent. Chairman should encourage parents to take time to help family members prepare for meaningful house-to-house service.

Song 126 and concluding prayer.

WEEK STARTING JUNE 8

Song 14

12 min: Local announcements, including accounts report. Commend congregation for material support of Kingdom work. If congregation has received a contribution acknowledgment letter from Society, it can be read. Encourage all who can to participate in magazine work this Saturday. Briefly discuss highlights of current magazines that would have local appeal. Demonstrate an appropriate presentation featuring The Watchtower and one featuring Awake! Presentations should be pointed and of a minute’s duration or less.

20 min: “Presenting the Good News —By Following Up Interest Promptly.” Question-and-answer consideration. When considering paragraph 4, have a demonstration of publisher on initial call making arrangement for a return visit later the same week. After considering paragraphs 6 and 7, demonstrate a householder declining literature offer and the publisher continuing with brief Bible discussion. As publisher and companion leave the door, they talk about why they should call back.

13 min: “Can You Accept Discipline?” Talk to congregation based on article beginning on page 26 of May 1, 1986, issue of The Watchtower.

Song 138 and concluding prayer.

WEEK STARTING JUNE 15

Song 133

12 min: Local announcements,

Theocratic News, and local field service report. Service overseer or other capable brother commends congregation for progress in field ministry, highlighting strong points in the report. May offer appropriate suggestions for continued improvement, stressing congregation’s commission to preach “this good news of the kingdom.” (Matt. 24:14) Call attention to highlights of March service report for country and local congregation’s part in it.

18 min: “Keep Active in Preaching During Summer Months.” A talk with a few pointed questions directed to audience. Outline any special field service activities the local congregation has arranged for the summer months. Encourage family heads to make arrangements for field activity during vacation period or when attending “Divine Peace” District Convention. May include appropriate experience regarding successful arrangements carried out by some last year or a brief interview with family head or group regarding plans for this summer.

15 min: Local needs or “Praying Before Others With a Humble Heart.” Talk based on article beginning on page 21 of May 15,1986, Watchtower. Song 31 and concluding prayer.

WEEK STARTING JUNE 22

Song 144

10 min: Local announcements. Give report on progress of current service campaign with Live Forever book. Have publisher(s) relate one or two selected brief experience(s) in placing current offer. Have any Bible studies been started? Encourage full participation in field service this weekend, including magazine work this Saturday.

20 min: “Keep Faith Strong Through Personal Study.” After brief introduction based on paragraph 1, conduct question-and-answer discussion of remaining paragraphs. Read paragraphs and cited scriptures cis time permits. When considering paragraph 6, include practical suggestions that have worked for local brothers. May have a publisher relate briefly what has helped him to improve his study habits and strengthen his faith.

15 min: Local needs or time may be used for portion missed while attending convention. Otherwise, have consideration of “Questions From Readers” in May 1,1986, Watchtower. Song 202 and concluding prayer.

Announcements

• Literature offer for June and July: You Can Live Forever in Paradise on Earth, for contribution of $2.50. Smallsize books are $1.25. August: One of the following 32-page magazine-size brochures: Enjoy Life on Earth Forever!, The Divine Name That Will Endure Forever, or The Government That Will Bring Paradise, for contribution of 30e. September: Life—How Did It Get Here! By Evolution or by Creation! for contribution of $2.50.

• The presiding overseer or someone designated by him should audit congregation’s accounts on June 1 or as soon as possible thereafter.

• • One of the dramas to be presented at the “Divine Peace" District Convention is based on Genesis chapters 37, 39-45. It is suggested that everyone read that material in preparation for the drama.

• • New Publications Available:

Life—How Did It Get Here! By Evolution or by Creation! (Small size)

—German

(Continued on page if, col. 8)

Progressive Ministry       (Cont’d)

provision from Jehovah’s progressive organization. During the months of June and July we can have a full share in the distribution of this excellent publication. However, as progressive ministers, we want to do more than merely place books. A careful record of all placements should be kept. Why? Because in placing the Live Forever book, we are providing the householder with a principal textbook for Bible study. Our ultimate goal is to make disciples, so a conscientious effort should be made to return within the week, if possible, to develop the interest even further.

• ⁷ Progressive ministers learn to take advantage of every opportunity to offer a Bible study. Some publishers are able to start studies on the first call. When directing the householder’s attention to the book, use paragraphs that you have selected in advance. These should be directly related to the subject under discussion and have questions that are likely to arouse interest. Publishers who carefully prepare to do this are more successful in starting studies than are those who show the householder portions of the book at random.

• ⁸ We have come to be part of Jehovah’s progressive organization, and Jehovah lovingly assists us to keep pace with it. Let us all respond to that help by being progressive in our ministry. By taking advantage of the abundant direction and training he provides, “let us by love grow up in all things into him who is the head, Christ.”—Eph. 4:15.

Keep Faith Strong Th

• ¹ Study of the Bible is to spiritual health and strong faith what proper diet is to physical well-being. You cannot be strong spiritually without regular personal study of the Bible. Furthermore, good study habits enable us to maintain strong faith and thus ward off successfully Satan’s fiery darts of persecution, materialism, and temptations to do what is bad.—Eph. 6:16.

BENEFITS OF PERSONAL STUDY

• ² Personal study enriches our understanding of the Scriptures. It helps us to build a strong faith and to grasp the breadth and length and height and depth of the love of the Christ. (Rom. 11:33; Eph. 3:16-19) As a fruit of the spirit, faith becomes a motivating force in our lives. We are helped to put on the new personality and to conduct ourselves as spiritual persons. (Gal. 5: 22, 23; Eph. 4:24) We arc better equipped to deal with personal problems. We are enabled to overlook the shortcomings of others and to promote peace and unity in the congregation. (Col. 3:10, 13, 14) All of this can be refreshing to us and to others.

• ³ Personal study also better equips us to help interested persons we contact in the field ministry. Confidently we will be able to ‘make a defense before everyone that demands of us a reason for the hope in us.’ (1 Pet. 3:15) Like our Exemplar, Christ Jesus, we can speak as one having authority, accurately knowing Jehovah’s will and able to point out clearly and logically what the Scriptures teach.—Matt. 7: 28, 29.

HOW AND WHEN TO STUDY

■* Our aim should be to do more than just read over study material. It takes time to reflect on what we read. Ask yourself: How does the material apply to me? What does it reveal about Jehovah, his qualities, and his ways? How might I use this information to help others? How does it relate to what I already know about the subject? By doing research to answer questions raised, we will gain a broadened understanding of the study material and see how it fits into the overall pattern of truth. This is how understanding is acquired.—Prov. 4:5.

• ⁵ Developing a good study routine requires setting aside and holding to specific times for study. (Compare Philippians 3:16.) Some may find this difficult to do, but it becomes easier with time and effort.

Personal Study

And how rewarding! Perhaps you could study before retiring at night. Some prefer rising a little earlier in the morning to make use of this period of quietude. Lunch breaks from secular work can be used. Whenever the time, seek out the environment most conducive to study. This will enable you to concentrate and will contribute to retention. The heart can thus be motivated in the way of righteousness. —Prov. 15:28.

WHAT TO STUDY

• ⁶ Preparation for our five weekly meetings should occupy a prominent place in our personal study program. In addition to preparing for the 'Watchtower Study and Congregation Book Study, are you benefiting fully from the rich spiritual food outlined for the Theocratic Ministry School? Be sure to keep up with the scheduled Bible reading and take time to research Bible highlights in the Society’s publications. If you review ahead of time the material of talks 1, 3, and 4, you will find the presentations in the school more interesting. Important Bible instruction will be more deeply impressed on your mind.

• ⁷ Preparing for the Service Meeting does not require a major portion of our personal study time, but this, too, should be included in our schedule. If you use just a few minutes each week to go over the program that is outlined in Our Kingdom Ministry, this will help keep your faith strong and help you to express your faith to others in the field ministry.

• ⁸ A balanced program for personal study will help toward your being “made mighty in the man you are inside.” (Eph. 3:16) Yes, a strong faith, deepened love for Jehovah and Christ Jesus, broader knowledge, and greater effectiveness in the ministry—all these benefits and more—make personal study worthwhile. Do you have a good program for personal study?

Schedule for congregation studies in the book United in Worship of the Only True God:

June 1: Page 152 (third and fourth sections)

June 8: Pages 153, par. 14 to 156, par. 6

June 15: Pages 156, par. 7 to 161, par. 2

June 22: Pages 162, par. 3 to 170, par. 4

June 29: Pages 170, par. 5 to 172, par. 8

By Following Up Interest Promptly

• ¹ The apostle Paul encouraged Timothy: “Preach the word, be at it urgently ... do the work of an evan-gelizer, fully accomplish your ministry.” (2 Tim. 4:2, 5) That counsel well applies today.

• ² There is an urgent need to find those remaining ones who are “sighing and groaning” over the corruption prevailing in Christendom. (Ezek. 9:4) Indeed, “the whole world is lying in the power of the wicked one,” so that people everywhere need the Kingdom. (1 John 5:19) We can help them by making effective return visits. Following up interest promptly can save lives.

CALL BACK SOON

• ³ When you make a return visit soon after the initial call, the householder is more likely to remember the subject you discussed. You will be in a good position to pick up the conversation where you left off and develop the interest further. You may be able to increase the interest before others. can—mtW-duce negative thoughts into the householder’s mind.

• ⁴ While working in field service one Monday, a sister met and witnessed to a young mother who was despondent and without hope. She made a return visit on Thursday and started a Bible study. The woman commented that she had never had her questions answered so clearly from the Bible. Another call was made on Friday to 3raw attention to the subject oLthe Watchtower Study, for Sunday. The woman attended that first Si^lnday and continued making spiritual progress. If we wait too long before calling back

Keep Active               (Cont’d)

some cases, the entire family can share in this privilege, resulting in greater joy and unity in the family circle. An increasing number of family members have set a goal of sharing in the auxiliary pioneer work every summer.

• ⁶ Then there are those who are planning to begin regular pioneering on September 1, 1986. Thousands who started pioneering last September are now looking forward to attending the Pioneer Service School later this year. If you begin serving as an auxiliary pioneer during the summer months, you will be able to build up your return visits and start Bible studies. This will on interested people, the initial interest may soon fade away and be difficult to rekindle.

• ⁵ On the initial call, a specific appointment can be made for a return visit. This may be done effectively by raising a thougHt-provoking question and offering to return with the answer. Make an appointment for a specific time the following week, later in the same week, or even the next day if appropriate.

FOLLOW UP ALL INTEREST

• ⁶ As Christians we are all encouraged to make disciples. (Matt. 28: 19) In addition to those who accept Bible literature, others may be interested in the good news. Some who decline to accept literature may be~willing to discuss Bible subjects. If you detect interest, whether literature is placed or not, by all means call back and try to cultivate the interest. We are looking for people who are interested in the good news.

• ⁷ A special pioneer in Korea sensed latent interest in a woman who always refused to accept the magazines. The pioneer put the magazines aside, and the woman was willing to discuss a few parasister cqjn^p hark thrpp days later for a second discussion. After a few more calls, the woman was having a Bible study twice a week. In four months she was able to overcome serious family opposition and began preaching To others.

* If you really want to stimulate interest and start Bible studies, it is very important that you follow up all interest promptly. Doing so will bring you many blessings from Jehovah’s hand.

provide you with a good foundation for beginning the regular pioneer work in September. Even if your present circumstances will not allow you to share in the regular pioneer work, you can still work toward increasing the time you normally spend in field service. You may be able to make arrangements to accompany the pioneers in the ministry, encourage them, and share in their joy.

⁷ Many distractions can interfere with our summer preaching activity. But the wise ones will keep their priorities straight, putting Kingdom interests first. Staying busy in the preaching work at all times shows that we recognize the urgency of these last days.

THEOCRATIC NEWS

• ♦ Bolivia's 4,393 publishers averaged 14 hours in the field ministry for the month of January.

• ♦ Dominican Republic had new peaks of 9,289 publishers and 16,044 Bible studies In January. Zone overseer's talk was attended by 14,492.

• ♦ Ecuador reports a new peak of 9,847 publishers for January. They have tine prospects for Increase as indicated by a new peak of 17,113 Bible studies.

• ♦ France passed the 90,000 publisher mark, with a new peak of 90,199 reporting for January.

• ♦ French Guiana had a new peak of 405 publishers In January, a 14-percent increase.

• ♦ In January, Ghana reached a new peak of 2,224 regular pioneers. To take care of the many interested ones, the publishers averaged 13 hours and one Bible study.

• ♦ Kenya had a new peak of 3,600 publishers for January. Congregation publishers there are averaging 16.5 hours in the service and thus were able to report a new peak of 5,716 Bible studies.

• * South Africa reported a new peak of 38,291 publishers for January, along with a new peak of 2,522 regular pioneers.

• ♦ Sweden's peak of 1,291 regular pioneers is a 22-percent Increase compared with January one year ago. A new peak of 20,339 publishers was also reached.

Announcements           (Cont’d)

Reasoning From the Scriptures

—Afrikaans, Sepedi, Tswana, Xhosa You Can Live Forever in Paradise on Earth (Small size)

—German, Kwanyama The Time for True Submission to God

—Italian

• • New Cassette Recordings Available: Exodus (set of three; congregation and public: $4.50; pioneers: $3.75)

—Italian

e If some congregations find it advisable to cancel the Congregation Book Study for their convention week, half the assigned material may be considered during the study for the previous week and half with the study following the convention.

• The Vietnamese-language sessions previously scheduled for the Montreal, Quebec, convention, July 24-27, 1986, will not be held.

MARCH SERVICE REPORT

Newly Dedicated Ones Baptized: 2,752

Our March report is outstanding. We all rejoice in the new peak of 723,881 publishers. For this service year, we had our sixth peak in regular pioneers. The 62,558 auxiliary pioneers is the highest for any month of March thus far, surpassing the fine number reporting in March 1985 by 17,227. There was also a new peak in return visits. And, for the first time, we passed the half-million mark in home Bible studies, the actual number being 513,179, a new peak. What a tremendous witness to Jehovah’s praise! In thankfulness to Jehovah, our desire is to praise him more fully.—Ps. 100:1-5.

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