OUR KINGDOM MINISTRY

AUGUST 1987

Vol. 30. No. 8

FOR UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

Meetings for Field Service

AUGUST 3-9

Working with the brochures

• 1. Which ones have you used, how, and why?

• 2. What illustrations do you use?

• 3. What key points do you read to the householder?

  Do the Work of an Evangelizer

  
  

• ¹ Paul encouraged Timothy to keep his senses in all things, do the work of an evangelizer, and fully accomplish his ministry. (2 Tim. 4:5) Whether youryjpj old, pew in the truth or well-dxperienced in the preaching work, we too want to share fully in the evangelizing work.

• ² While declaring the good news during the month of August, we will offer the Society’s recent brochures: The Divine Name That Will Endure Forever, The GovermaePi That Will Bring Paradise, Enjoy Life on Earth Forever! and "Look! I Am Making AU_ Things New.” If we take time to become familiar with these four brochures, we should be able to present them effectively to the people in our territory.

HOW TO USE THE BROCHURES

• ³ The Divine Name brochure: If you are using the current Topic for Conversation, you can easily tie in John 17:3 with the question. What is the name of the only true God? After asking that question, you might say, “John 17:3 speaks of two persons. One is named Jesus, but the other is referred to only by the title “God.” Now, notice what is stated in this brochure on page 4, . . . here under the subheading ‘What Is God's Name?’” You can then read the paragraph following the subheading and refer to Psalm 83:18 where Jehovah^Ts name appears. After that, you may turn to pages 8 and 9 in the brochure and show the various wavs the divine name is translated into different languages, as well as how it looks in Hebrew. Then you can offer the householder this informative brochure for 30e.

• ⁴ The Government brochure: After you read John 1713 and point out that knowledge of God and of Jesus means everlasting life, ask the householder if he has given thought tn enjoying life on earth forever. Allow for a response. Then turn to page 3 of the brochure and read a portion of the model prayer, emphasizing that God’s will is to be done on earth. Thereafter, read the rest of paragraph 1 showing that the Kingdom is the means God will use to solve the problems that make life so difficult today. At this point the brochure (Continued on page 2, col. 1)

AUGUST 10-16

How would you start a study in

• 1. The Government brochure?

• 2. The "Look!" brochure?

AUGUST 17-23

How can you teach by

• 1. The way you read scriptures?

• 2. Asking questions?

• 3. Illustrations and repetition?

AUGUST 24-30

What can be done when a person says he

• 1. Is busy?

• 2. Is not interested?

• 3. Has his own religion?

TOPIC FOR CONVERSATION Why Study the Bible?

2 Tim. 3:16,17—It is God’s Word.

John 17:3—Provides knowledge that leads to everlasting life.

• ¹ With the new school year close at hand, parents, elders, and youths should all give serious thought to the challenges that Christian youths will encounter. What will help them to get the most out of their educational opportunities while setting a fine example of godly conduct and maintaining Christian integrity?

• ² When faced with a term of secular education, Daniel and his three teenage companions made diligent preparation. Their ‘determination in heart’ to maintain integrity brought them Jehovah's favor and blessing. Similar steadfast determination to remain ioyal to Jehovah during this coming school year will bring rich rewards to Christian youths today. —Dan. 1:8, 17; Prov. 10:22.

REVIEW SCHOOL BROCHURE

• ³ Parents play a key role in helping children to be spiritually prepared for the new school year. Motivated by love, parents should take the initiative and the time necessary to review the School brochure thoroughly with their children. Make definite arrangements to get a copy into the hands of classroom teachers as well as other school officials. Some youths can be encouraged personally to present the brochure to their teachers. However, parents should rehearse with them not only what to say but also how to say it. When situations arise at school, parents and children should review appropriate sections of this brochure before making final decisions. (Phil. 1:10) Parents can do much to bring honor to Jehovah’s name by teaching their children how to take a firm stand for the truth and then helping school authorities to understand our Christian position.

• ⁴ Elders also can help young ones to be well prepared spiritually. Be sure the congregation has a sufficient supply of School brochures on hand. Congregation Book Study conductors can inquire of parents and youths to see if some assistance is needed. Many elders express ongoing interest in the Christian conduct and scholastic grades of young ones, and in this way they are able to offer practical help as needed. Such heartfelt concern by the older men of the congregation gives moral support and can be “a strengthening aid” to young ones.—Col. 4:11, 12.

• ⁵ Youths, are you prepared to uphold Christian principles in school? Your desire and ability to do so will benefit not only yourself and any other Witness youths who are presently in your school but also those who will follow you in years to (Continued on page 2, col. 3)

Meetings to Help Us Make Disciples

WEEK STARTING AUGUST 2

Song 26

10 min: Local announcements and appropriate Announcements from Our Kingdom Ministry. Encourage all to share in magazine witnessing on second Saturday of August. Suggest appropriate presentations for current magazines.

20 min: “Do the Work of an Evange-lizer.” Question-and-answer discussion. Encourage brothers to keep accurate house-to-house record of placements and interest shown. Have purpose of calling back and endeavoring to start studies. Remind brothers about successful results enjoyed last August when brochures were featured. Briefly demonstrate suggested presentation of each brochure when corresponding paragraphs are considered. Remind publishers that brochure placements are to be counted as booklets.

15 min: “What Are Your Spiritual Goals for the Future?” Talk by elder based on Our Ministry book subhead-ing beginning on page 116. This should be presented in a warm, encouraging manner.

Song 51 and concluding prayer.

WEEK STARTING AUGUST 9

Song 37

10 min: Local announcements, “Magazine Price Increase," and ac

Evangelizer                 (Cont’d)

could be offered. Or you may wish to turn to pages 28 and 29, show some of the blessings that God’s Kingdom government will bring to mankind, and then offer the brochure for 30e.

⁵ The Life on Earth brochure: When offering this brochure, the regular Topic for Conversation can be used, or you may wish to use a simplified presentation. After introducing yourself, ask the householder if he thinks the day will ever come when there will be plenty of food for everyone^. Will there be a time when all families of the earth will have their own home and be able to live in peace and happiness? After the householder’s reply, turn to illustration 47 in the brochure. Explain the wonderful conditions depicted there and show how these wilT $00n~prevail here on earth. If you have the opportunity, invite the householder to consider the scriptures at illustration 47. You can fell him that this brochure shows what we must do in order to enjoy life on earth forever. Offer a copy for 30e. counts report. Encourage all to share in field service this weekend. -

25 min: “Use the Index to Grow Spiritually.” Question-and-answer discussion of article, followed by demonstration of newer one approaching experienced brother and asking how to overcome the common objection, “I’m busy.” Experienced brother covers “How to Find Information” section starting on page 5 of Index. Refers to pages 7 and 8. To answer question, they turn to main heading “Field Ministry” and go to “objections” on page 309. They look down the column to “busy.” Briefly comment on points found in Reasoning book, pages 19 and 20 and page 7 of May 1985 Our Kingdom Ministry.

10 min: “New Circuit Assembly Program.” Enthusiastic talk about new circuit assembly program starting in September.

Song 203 and concluding prayer.

WEEK STARTING AUGUST 16

Song 127

10 mln: Local announcements and consideration of the day’s text. Encourage family participation in magazine activity on fourth Saturday.//?

20 min: “Be Spiritually Prepared for School.” Question-and-answer consideration of article. When considering paragraph 5, have two demonstrations. In first demonstration,

⁶ The “Look!” brochure: Throughout the world there are millions of people who do not recognize the Bible as the inspired Word of God. This brochure is designed to help such persons. After introducing yourself, ask the householder if he knows that the Bible is the only religious book that truly explains Paradise. Allow for his reply. Tnen invite him to read Revelation 21r4_ with you and see what Paradise will be like. Consider paragraph 1 on page S.along with the picture on the cover. Invite the householder to accept this brochure for 30c and learn more about Paradise.

⁷ During August all can offer brochures as we share in the evangelizing work. Parents can help their chil-dren-orepare a simple presentation. Ngw-ones can start out by selecting a presentation that is brief and with which they feel comfortable. May we zealously do the work of evangeliz-ers, reaching as many people as possible with the satisfying information published in the brochures.—1 Tim. 2:3,4.

have parent of small child present brochure to school principal. In second demonstration, have teenager present a copy to teacher. Discuss some of the specific problems that youths must deal with in school. As time permits, audience can relate interesting experiences enjoyed in talking with school officials.

15 min: “Helping a Child to Grow in Godly Wisdom.” Elder discusses February 15, 1987, Watchtower article with a married couple and a single parent. Make local application.

Song 10 and concluding prayer.

WEEK STARTING AUGUST 23

Song 130

10 min: Local announcements and Theocratic News.

20 min: “Presenting the Good News —With Good Teaching Methods.” Question-and-answer discussion. Highlight the need to teach when preaching the good news. When discussing paragraph 3, suggest questions that would stimulate conversation with local householders. Encourage all to learn how to use questions appropriately, and how to emphasize specific points when reading scriptures.

15 min: Local needs or “Christian Women—Maintaining Integrity in the Workplace.” Talk based on article in March 15,1987, Watchtower.

Song 134 and concluding prayer.

Spiritually Prepared        (Cont’d)

come. Will you be able to resist the peer pressure exerted to induce you to engage in wrong conduct? Can you courageously maintain Christian neutrality, even in the face of ridicule? Are you prepared to make good use of the School brochure and the Reasoning book to explain your Bible-based view of holidays and worldly celebrations? Will extracurricular activities and recreational pursuits lure you into the snare of bad association? Whether you have read and studied the School brochure previously or not, review it now and ‘determine in your heart’ the course you will follow. If you do this, your actions will be consistent with the fine conduct of other devoted Witnesses in school.

⁰ May parents and youths alike be spiritually prepared to apply the information in the School brochure during the coming school year, and may Jehovah bless your faithfulness in this regard.

Copyright © 1987 by Watchtower Bible and Tract Society of New York, Inc., and International Bible Students Association. Our Kingdom Ministry (USPS 295-3G0) 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., and at additional mailing offices. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to Watchtower, 25 Columbia Heights, Brooklyn, N.Y. 11201. Printed in U.S.A.

Announcemen ts

• Literature offer for August: One of the following 32-page magazine-size brochures may be offered for a contribution of 30c: Enjoy Life on Earth Forever!, "Look! I Am Making ATI Things New," The Divine Name That Will Endure Forever, and The Government That Will Bring Paradise. September: Life—How Did It Get Here? By Evolution or by Creation! for a contribution of $2.50. October: One-year subscription for Awake! or The Watchtower or both, for contribution of $5.00 each. November: New World Translation and “Let Your Kingdom Come" for a contribution of $4.50.

• During the week of August 31 to September 5,1987, the Society will be taking an inventory of all literature on hand in Brooklyn. Because of this inventory, no congregation literature orders will be processed for shipment or for pickup during that week.

• Each congregation will receive three Literature Inventory forms and should take an actual count of campaign literature. Please fill out the forms completely and send the original to us no later than September 6, 1987. Keep a carbon copy for your flies. We are sending a third copy for use as a work sheet.

• 1988 Calendar of Jehovah’s Witness-; es: Publishers and pioneers, please ordeir your calendars through your congregation. Congregations should begin collecting requests for these calendars now. Then on September 1,1987, or as soon as possible thereafter, send this order to the Society, using the regular Literature Order form (S-14). Calendars in other languages should be listed under “Other Language Publications,” showing the quantity for each language separately as well as the year 1988. The calendars will be available in Chinese, Danish, Dutch, English, Finnish, French, German, Greek, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Portuguese, Spanish, and Swedish. Calendars are controlled stock items and will be charged to the literature account at $1.00 each, which is the rate for publishers, pioneers, and the public. Do not send the remittance with the order. (See the Cost List, paragraphs 23-25.) Until the calendars are available and shipments are made, these will appear as “Back Ordered” on congregation invoices.

• • Publishers should submit personal requests for literature to the congregation literature servant rather than ordering them directly from the Society. The presiding overseer should arrange for an announcement each month before the congregation literature order is sent to the Society so that all interested in obtaining personal literature items may advise the brother handling literature in time. (Literature servants, please see the Cost List, paragraph 10.)

• • New Publications Available:

You Can Live Forever in Paradise on Earth (Small size)          —Thai

“Look! I Am Making All Things New" (Brochure)

—Indonesian, Papiamento (Continued on page 4, col. 1)

• ¹ From 1930 to 1985 the Society produced an abundant variety of Bible study aids that together comprise a unique library of indispensable information. This spiritual food has been provided progressively as “food at the proper time” to help sincere people to “go on growing in the . . . knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.” (Matt. 24:45; 2 Pet. 3:18) Now we have the Watch Tower Publications Index 19311-1985 that makes it relatively easy for us to locate specific points of information. It can aid us greatly in our endeavors to make further spiritual advancement. —Prov. 4:18; 9:9.

• ² Knowing how to use the In^ex will facilitate finding information needed fp|preparing talks, field service presentations, reports, and compositions, or tor answering questions related to our Christian faith. This can be of immense value in our personal and family study, in preparing for Christian meetings, and for preaching and teaching the good news to others. ( Col- 4:6) We need to acquaint ourselves with its various features.

FEATURES

• ³ A helpful innovation in this new Index is that regular features of 77ig Watchtower and Awake! have been indexed under their respective headings, such as “Questions From Readers,” “Young People Ask . . . and “The Bible’s Viewpoint.” Also, “Question Box” items from Our Kingdom Ministry have been listed separately under that heading. In this way specific information is made readily ac

  New Circuit Assembly Program

  
  

• ¹ What a grand privilege it is for us to serve Jehovah! There is no better way of life. Do we not say to Jehovah, as did the faithful sons of Ko-rah: “A day in your courtyards is better than a thousand elsewhere”? (Ps. 84:10) We will rejoice, then, in the circuit assembly program for the 1988 service year, starting in September, which emphasizes the theme “The Excelling Value of Serving Jehovah.”—Phil. 3:7, 8.

• ² The purpose of the program is to help us appreciate more fully the unique privilege of serving Jehovah at this particular time. Jesus Christ set the perfect example of singleminded service to God. Christians must not only acquire his mental attitude but also maintain it. (Phil. 2: 5-8) The circuit assembly program will help us to analyze our individual service to God, to identify the posicessible to fill the particular needs of parents, overseers, and publishers, or to facilitate personal Bible study and research.

¹ Another fine feature of this Index is the section under “Dates," with its subheadings “B.c.h..,'' “C.E.,” and “Clarification of Beliefs.” Also, the scripture index with |t_y referene^s-to Aid to Bible. Understanding has been revised so as to list only those references that provide meaningful explanations about the verses cited. p

⁵ The Index helps us to appreciate J the progressive development of our understanding of many scriptures and Bible subjects. (See page 5, paragraph 6 of Index.) The indexing of information on the term “parneia” illustrates this well. Under “meaning of word,’* as with all subheadings, current references appear first. Further information on the subject can be found under other subheadings such as “Scriptural ground for divorce” and “sexual practices within marriage not.”—See Index, page ⁶⁶⁹‘ 4,7 c e «a

fVALUABt'E TOOL /

⁶ PjX>verb§_2:4, 5 encourages us to keep searching for knowledge of God just as we would search for hid treasure. We need to sg&k out Jehovah’s sayings and commandments, and search for wisdom, discernment, and understanding. This searching je-K’ /effort and perseverance~Tt

tor much digging. What a useful tool “the faithful and discreet slave” class has made available for our use in doing that! Let us use the Index to good advantage.

tive qualities that are so vital to wholehearted worship, and to see wherein we can make progress.

³ We have often heard the expression “pioneer spirit.” What is the pioneer spirit? How can all of Jehovah’s servants show they have it? These and other similar questions will be answered. Scriptural counsel will be provided on how we should view opposition to our ministry and how we can cope with it. Youths will receive encouragement and will be helped to examine their sense of values in matters related to sports, motion pictures, and television programs. In addition, the many opportunities for wholehearted service open to older persons will be discussed along with a consideration of what some of them are actually doing.—Isa. 48: 17, 18.

(Continued on page 4, col. 3)

With Good Teaching Methods

• ¹ An important goal in preaching the good news is to make disciples. To this end, we need to teach interested ones to observe the things Jesus commanded us. (Matt. 28:19, 20) The apostles set a fine example in this regard as “every day in the temple and from house to house they continued without letup teaching-” (Acts 5:42) Paul did the same in his ministry. (Acts 18:11; 20:20) We want to imitate the fine example of these faithful teachers of the good news.—1 Cor. 11:1.

• ² Two excellent teaching methods used effectivelv_4?y Jesus and his apostles were: «1> the use of questions, and K2) efhphasizing specific points when~we read or quote the Scriptures. How can we use these methods in our house-to-house work and when conducting Bible studies?

FROM HOUSE TO HOUSE

• ³ When we have an opportunity to speak with a householder, it is good to get his viewpoint on the subject so that our presentation can be tailored to meet his particular needs. Appropriate viewpoint questions can be helpful in doing this. The householder’s answers to questions relative to present world conditions can provide us with useful information' for our discussion. In fact, questions that invite the householder to comment have made some householders more inclined to listen to what we have to say.

' But how can we know what questions to ask? As part of our field service preparation, it is good to take a few minutes to think about the kind of people in the territory, their general opinions, and matters that concern them. Then think of viewpoint questions that could be asked to draw them into a conversation.—See School Guidebook, pages 51-2.

⁵ Our house-to-house ministry also provides the opportunity to read scriptures that can convey God’s thoughts on a specific subject. How we read the scriptures is important.

• New Cassette Recordings Available:

Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, The Song of Solomon (set of three; congregation and public: $4.50; pioneers: $3.75)

—Spanish

My Book of Bible Stories (set of four in album; congregation and public: $8.00; pioneers: $6.00)

—Norwegian

MAY SERVICE REPORT

Av     Av    Av

Pubs.  Hrs.  Mags.  R.V. Bl.St.

Sp'l Pios.      273 127.7  95.1  53.0

Pios.      51,660  81.8  44.9 28.5

Aux. Pios.  60,858  58.8  34.5 16.2

Pubs.    622,631  10.0   7.3  3.8

TOTAL   735,422

Newly Dedicated Ones Baptized: 2,975

Schedule for congregation studies in the book Worldwide Security Under the "Prince of Peace”:

• Chapter 19

• Chapter 20

• Chapter 21

• Chapter 22

Review entire book

THEOCRATIC NEWS

4 In March, Botswana had more than 500 publishers for the first time, with 504 reporting. New peaks were also reached in hours, magazines, return visits, and Bible studies.

♦ Brazil becomes the third country to report over 200,000 publishers, with 205,577 reporting in March. Continued growth is evident in that 238,990 Bible studies were conducted.

♦ Guadeloupe passed the 5,000 mark for the first time, with 5,038 publishers reporting in March, a 15-percent Increase. Congregation publishers averaged 12.9 hours, 7.1 return visits, and 1.1 studies.

♦ The Leeward Islands branch reported new peaks of 807 publishers and 1,010 studies.

♦ Norway rejoices over their new peak of 8,415 publishers in March, a 6-percent increase over last year's average.

Magazine Price Increase

Beginning with the September 1987 issues, the price of distributors’ magazines to the congregation and the public will increase from 20e to 25«. The price to pioneers will increase from 10<t to 15c. The September 1 and September 8 issues should be charged for and placed at the new rates, even though received and distributed in August. There will be no change in the requesting of pioneer credit for magazines, as the amount of credit per magazine remains the same.

The new subscription rate effective September 1 will be $5.00 for each one-year subscription or $2.50 for a six-month subscription. The rate for magazines published monthly will be $2.50 for each one-year subscription. Pioneers will pay one half the subscription rate.

Circuit Assembly           (Cont’d)

⁴ A portion of the assembly program will give specific attention to family matters. It is entitled “Building Up a Household That Serves Jehovah.” The need for discernment and good communication within the family will be discussed and demonstrated. Questions about secular education for children in Christian households will receive attention.

⁵ This assembly program deals with problems that must be faced now. Answers that are workable will be presented realistically. We should all make definite plans to attend this circuit assembly and pay more than the usual attention to the things we hear. (Heb. 2:1) The result will be a fuller realization of the excelling value of being a servant of our Grand Creator, Jehovah.