OUR KINGDOM MINISTRY

FEBRUARY 1988

Vol. 31, No. 2

FOR UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

Meetings for Field Service

FEBRUARY 1-7

Using older publications

• 1. How will you tie in offer with Topic for Conversation?

• 2. Why should literature be well arranged in our witnessing cases?

• 3. Should wrinkled literature be offered?

FEBRUARY 8-14

Keeping house-to-house records

• 1. Why should they be kept?

• 2. How can they be used when doing group witnessing?

• 3. Why keep a separate record of not-at-homes?

FEBRUARY 15-21

Using the Bible

• 1. How do you introduce scriptures in Topic for Conversation?

• 2. How can you use a scripture when householder is busy?

• 3. When especially can we use the pocket Bible?

FEBRUARY 22-28

Proper appearance for the ministry

• 1. Why is proper dress and grooming important?

• 2. How should our children be dressed?

TOPIC FOR CONVERSATION

Religion That Has Real Value.

2 Tim. 3:1,2, 5—A mere form of worship is not enough.

John 4:23—Religion that God approves.

• ¹ A farmer prepares the land and sows the seed, and then what joy and satisfaction he feels when the seed has sprouted! Even though much effort is required on his part, he will joyfully work hard with the hope of reaping a One harvest. Jesus likened “the word of God” to seed that is sown. (Luxe «: 11) Therefore, we will want to have a full share in sowing Kingdom seed. thaUs, “the word of the kingdom.” with the hope that it will reach persons whose hearts prove to be like “the fine soil" described in Jesus’ illustration.—Matt. 13:19, 23; Luke 8:15.

• ² Did you have the privilege of placing some of the older books last month, or did you have fine Scriptural discussions with persons in your territory? Can you do more to cultivate their interest in the Kingdom message? Return visits are an effective way to care for the interest shown. These can often be made within a day. or two of the initial contact.

• ³ During the month of February, we have further opportunities to offer the older publications. Something contained in one of them may be just what the interested person needs to arouse his desire to progress spiritually. Also, be prepared to share some points about the blessings that the Kingdom will bring to those with receptive hearts.

• ⁴ Auxiliary pioneering will provide

  Help the Elderly and the Infirm

  
  

• ¹ Most congregations have publishers who are getting along in years or those who have physical limitations. They may need help getting to meetings or out in field service.

• ² Some have served faithfully for many years, and they desire to continue participating in congregation activities despite their limitations. One sister in her late 80’s said: “I love Jehovah so much that I simply have to share in the service and attend meetings in order to prove this to him.” (1 Cor. 15:58) Do you not agree such ones deserve our help?

FIELD SERVICE

• ³ Although many of the elderly and infirm find joy in serving their Creator, some do not feel they can contribute much. “At present I feel my service isn’t much, but it is a great joy to serve my Creator,” said a 93-year-old pioneer. After working with her, a circuit overseer said: “She was more of an encouragement to me than I was to her. She more than adds to the pioneer spirit.” Is there something we can do to let such ones know how much we value them? some with opportunity to expand their service, making return visits, and perhaps starting new studies. Each year many brothers and sisters seize the opportunity to auxiliary pio-neer in March and April. This year April has five Saturdays, a marked advantage for those who may hold full-time secular jobs. Young publishers may be able to use the world’s Easter holiday period to engage in the field ministry.

⁵ In a number of congregations, the entire body of elders, the ministerial servants, and their wives have set a fine example by auxiliary pioneeriry. Last April one congregation had 83 auxiliary and 12 regular pioneers. What a source of encouragement for all the congregation! May Jehovah bless your careful planning!

RETURN VISITS COULD BECOME STUDIES

^G In order tp be effective when making return visits, you will need to have made appropriate notations on your house-to-house record. These will help you to determine the subject to discuss when you call hack. Some publishers like to let the householder do most of the talking on the first call and in that way find out what is on ni§" mind and what sUbjeCTS afb Of IhtSh-est to him. Should the person express wrong ideas, it may be wise to avoid focusing on such commenfs at the (Continued on page 2, col. 1)

• ⁴ An invitation to join us in field service is often greatly appreciated. If some have difficulty walking, could we take them along in a wheelchair when doing street work? (Prov. 17: 17) Could we take such publishers into territory that has apartments with elevators or residential areas without steps? Could they go with us on return visits or Bible studies? Or are we studying the Bible with someone who would be willing to go to the elderly person’s home for the study?

• ⁵ Is there anything we can do to help those confined to their home to have a meaningful share in field service? What about suggesting that they make use of the telephone? (See November 1985 Our Kingdom Ministry, pages 5-6.) Perhaps we could also provide names and addresses of people who live in restricted areas, those not at home, or interested persons to whom letters may be written. One infirm pioneer wrote: “I am very crippled with arthritis all over my body and am not able to walk. But... I can still talk, write, phone, and send out (Continued on page 2, col. 3)

Meetings to Help Us Make Disciples

WEEK STARTING JANUARY 31

Song 133j,-o

8 min: Local announcements. Encourage all to share in field service on first Sunday of February.

J 15 min: “Caring for Kingdom Seed." Question-and-answer consideration.

15 min: Preparing for Return Visits. Discussion: Elder and two or three qualified publishers have a practice session to consider what they will say when making return visits on persons who have shown interest.

7 min: Literature offer for February. Discuss talking points that can be used effectively by younger and newer publishers as well as by those with more experience.

Song 211 and concluding prayer.

WEEK STARTING FEBRUARY 7

, Song 180

10 min: Local announcements. Accounts report. Include Society’s acknowledgments of contributions. Encourage brothers to support the magazine-day activity on second Saturday of the month.

15 min: “Presenting the Good News —By Using the Bible.” Cover by discussion with audience pertinent points in paragraphs 1-5. Thereafter, have well-prepared publisher demonstrate how we may be able to use the Bible effectively even when a person is busy and, depending on circumstances, make the literature offer, leave a tract, or pave the way for making a return call as outlined in paragraph 6. Sum up with warm and concerned advice that brothers seriously consider making greater use of the Bible in their field ministry.

Kingdom Seed            (Cont’d)

outset but, rather- highlight the promises of the Kingdom.

⁷ The Bible study work is the foremost means by which persons are helped to learn of Jehovah’s purposes. You might use something in the publications that you feel would be of particular interest to the person. Ask a question, and then show how the literature readily provides the Bible’s answer. Consider several paragraphs if time permits. A positive attitude shq^vs we -are sincerely convinced that what we have is good. By keeping your objective in view, you too should soon be able to start fine Bible studies. You can use the book you

by elder from Reasoning book, pages 389-93. Apply material to needs of local congregation, highlighting importance of avoiding this world’s un»-healthy spirit.

Song 174 and concluding'ffrayer.

WEEK STARTING-FEBRUARY 14

ural announcements, Theo's, and selected Announcements/rc/m Our Kingdom Ministry.

15 min:/“Help the Elderly and the Infirm.’/Question-and-answer coverage of qrticle.

10 mln:. How Are We Doing Locally? Discussion with audience on helping the elderly and the infirm in your congregation. Make practical suggestions to fit local needs.

10 min: How Can You Make True Friends? Talk based on September 15,1987, Watchtower, pages 5-7. Song 115 and concluding prayer.

WEEK STARTING FEBRUARY 21

Song28

12 rfirm^Local announcements. Include one or two 30- to 60-second demonstrations featuring offer of current magazines for fourth Saturday of month. Review information in “Blood Booklet to Be Studied.” Important for all to save insert for use in Congregation Book Study.

18 min: “Makfel Meetings More Instructive.” Question-and-answer consideration of article by elder. Discuss scriptures cited in article. After considering paragraph 5, include five-minute discussion between two placed with the householder^? another one that he already h^s. The transition to the Line Forever book can be made as soon as vou feel it is appropriate

⁸ Is it not fascinating to sow literal seed and then watch the plants grow as we care for them? We will have even greater satisfaction when we see “the word of the kingdom" taking root and growing in the hearts of individuals with whom we are studying. As these come into the truth, they_ become a source of praise and honor to Jehovah. May he bless abundantly our efforts as we sow Kingdom seed and then care for what it produces, to his praise!

close attention and cultivate art of

good listening. Note information in School Guidebook, pages 25-7, paragraph^- 14.           z

Ts wffi: Local /heeds. Or talk with some audience participation on “Are You Looking for a Partner in Life?” _ in November 15, ^.986, Watchtower. * Song 117 and concluding prayer.

Elderly and Infirm          (Cont’d)

magazines.” She thanks her faithful brothers and sisters for helping her have a full share in the ministry. —Heb. 6:10-12.

GETTING TO MEETINGS

⁶ Ephesians 4:25 says: “We are members belonging to one another.” We therefore want to help our older and infirm brothers to get to meetings. (Phil. 2:4) How can this be done? If some are fearful about driving after dark, can we pick them up in our car? Others may be able to use public transportation or even walk as long as they have someone to accompany them. Could you help in this way?

• ⁷ Some older ones who are housebound have benefited from the meetings by telephone. For others, the meetings have been recorded and then played for them at another time. One sister was asked to visit an incapacitated sister each week to review the main points of the meetings. “I spend a few minutes bringing her up-to-date with announcements and happenings in the congregation. I also take the current Theocratic Ministry School review paper. We thoroughly enjoy this time together. It enables her to keep up with the congregation even though she is absent."

INCLUDE THEM IN OUR SCHEDULE

• ⁸ Can you take the initiative to offer assistance to older brothers and sisters? Look for ways to be of help. Offer yourself willingly. Are there other ways that you can help, such as by shopping for them or taking them to appointments? Our older brothers and sisters will be most appreciative for our concern and loving assistance.

• ⁹ Helping the elderly and infirm can prove to be very enriching. Older ones have experienced much in life and have often learned to live with difficult circumstances; thus, their views and recollections can be of great value to us. (Prov. 16:31) Enjoy the pleasure and personal benefit of helping the elderly and the infirm. —Acts 20:35; Rom. 1:12.

Copyright C 1988 by Watchtower Bible and Tract Society of New York, Inc., and International Bible Students Association. 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., and at additional mailing offices. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to Watchtower, 25 Columbia Heights, Brooklyn, N.Y. 11201. Printed in U.S.A.

Jehovah’s Witnesses and the QUESTION OF BLOOD

First Week

3 ¹ What fact about blood is being better understood?

3 ² What is an accepted therapeutic method, but who disagree?

3 ³¹⁴ What Bible view do Jehovah’s Witnesses hold regarding life, and what questions does this raise?

• 3 ⁵ What is the purpose of this publication, and how will the matter be handled?

• 4 ¹ To whom is this subject of interest?

• 4 ² What are some views as to the use of blood, and on what basis do Jehovah’s Witnesses take a stand on blood?

• 5 ¹ In view of the position taken by Jehovah’s Witnesses, what question logically arises?

5 2,3 what shows that the Bible has much to say about blood, and what command regarding blood did God give early in mankind’s history?

• 6 ¹ What shows that in the killing of animals more is involved than just the matter of diet?

6 ²-¹ What did the Creator attach to the use of blood, and how do we know that not just the blood of animals is involved?

• 7 ’■² What was the nature of the command to Noah regarding blood, and what comments by a rabbi are pertinent here?

8 ¹¹² What law to Israel showed that God’s ban on blood still applied, and what was the only way Israelites could use blood?

8 ¹-⁴ (a) What precaution were Israelite hunters required to take when they killed animals for food, and why? (b) By heeding this command, they showed recognition of what fact?

9 ¹ (a) What penalties show that violating God’s law on blood was a serious offense? (b) Which scriptures show that eating flesh with the blood in it resulted in guilt?

9 ² Which Scriptural example shows that God’s law on blood could not be set aside in emergencies?

Second Week

10 ¹ Why is it reasonable to conclude that God’s law regarding animal blood also applies to human blood?

10 ² What effect did the Messiah’s sacrificial death have on the dietary restrictions of the Mosaic law?

10 ¹ When dealing with the question of circumcision for Gentile Christians, what was decided regarding blood?

11 ¹ This decision of the apostolic council became a part of what?

11 ²-¹ What did that decision explicitly state, and how do we know that it was not merely the apostles’ opinion?

12 ¹ According to Professor Walther Zimmerli, what distinction did that decree make?

12 ² What indicates that the command to abstain from blood was a moral requirement and not merely a dietary one?

12 ¹'⁴ What shows the binding nature of the prohibition of blood and that it was not merely a temporary requirement?

13 ¹¹² What does Eusebius say as to the prohibition of blood being recognized in his day?

13 ³ to 14 ² What did Tertullian and Minucius Felix say as to Christians not eating blood in their day?

14 ³-⁴ What statements did a bishop and a Catholic Biblical scholar make on the subject of blood?

15 ¹ What did the Quinisext Council state regarding blood, and what did Otto of Bamberg say to new converts regarding blood?

15 ² What did Martin Luther write regarding Acts 15:28, 29?

15 ³ What comment did a Baptist theologian make on Genesis 9:3, 4?

16 ¹ What answer did clergyman William Jones give to those who would ignore the Bible’s prohibition of blood?

16 ² What is the determination of Jehovah’s Witnesses regarding blood, based on which facts and scriptures?

Third Week

17 ¹ What three points have been established, and what is the Scriptural basis for each?

17 ²¹³ What question now presents itself, and what modern medical techniques may Bible principles be said to cover?

17 ⁴ to 18 ¹ What distinction is not made at Acts 15:29, and for what reasons?

18 ² What firm position do Jehovah’s Witnesses take, and of what are they convinced?

19 *•² What is at stake in the issue of blood, and to what words of the psalmist do we wholeheartedly subscribe?

19 ³-⁴ What stand did the early Christians take and at what cost to themselves?

20 ¹ What responsibility do Jehovah’s Witnesses shoulder?

20 ²¹³ (a) What objection is raised to refusing blood transfusions? (b) Why can Witnesses not be accused of suicide, as seen by the testimony of others?

21 ¹ Why is refusing blood transfusions not an exercising of one’s right to die?

21 ² Which rights have the courts given individuals, and why logically so?

22 ¹¹² (a) Of what is the patient the final arbiter? (b) The right and duty of a physician is limited by what freedom of man?

22 ³ What is the attitude of some persons regarding the preservation of life, but what question does this raise?

23 ¹ According to N. L. Cantor, what shows that the sanctity of life is not the supreme value, and how might this be illustrated?

23 ² What position of the Witnesses precludes anyone from trying to force a treatment upon them that violates their principles?

24 ¹ In one medical journal, what statement was made about doctors who try to force a certain treatment that violates the conscience of the patient?

Fourth Week

24 2.3 why might a doctor find it distressing to deal with a Witness who refuses a blood transfusion?

25 ¹¹² According to what medical and legal principles may a surgeon not follow his own convictions if they violate a patient’s conscience?

26 ¹¹² Instead of abandoning a case, what should a doctor do when faced with a patient’s refusal to accept a blood transfusion?

27 ¹ What can be said about the moral obligations of both patient and doctor as regards “extraordinary” treatment?

27 ² What stand do Witnesses take as to medical treatment in general, but with what exception?

27 ³ What facts do Witnesses appreciate relative to their stand on blood?

28 ¹ Of what fact are Witnesses aware, and what are they willing to face?

28 ² What conclusion was reached in an extreme case after a successful operation without blood?

29 ¹ Why need doctors not fear malpractice suits by Witnesses because of their stand on blood?

29 ² What is the gist of the form the AMA recommends that patients who refuse blood transfusions should sign?

30 ¹ How do the Witnesses show they are willing to accept personal responsibility for refusing blood transfusions?

30 ² What has been said as to the likelihood of a physician’s being sued for not forcing a blood transfusion on a patient?

30 ³ What is the position in England when a patient dies because of having refused a blood transfusion?

31 ¹¹² What moral obligation does a doctor have, but what moral obligation does he not have?

31 ³ What charge could a doctor be liable for if he forced a blood transfusion upon a Witness patient?

32 ¹¹² Which course by a doctor would be “most distasteful ethically,” and why is this so?

32 ³ to 33 ¹ (a) What did West Germany’s Medical Tribune have to say about giving a patient a blood transfusion while he was unconscious? (b) What ruling by a court underscored this position, leading to what conclusion?

Fifth Week

33 ²¹³ (a) What aspect of this subject is highly charged with emotion? (b) How do Witnesses feel about it, and why?

34 ¹ (a) What has resulted from a lack of parental teaching? (b) In contrast, what do Witness parents do?

35 ¹¹² Why should a doctor not feel that he must give a child a blood transfusion in spite of the resolute wishes of the parents against such?

35 ³ Why is it fundamentally inconsistent to force a blood transfusion on a child of Witness parents?

36 ¹ Name a gross inconsistency that prevails in some hospitals. .

36 ² What did a Scottish college lecturer have to say about forcing blood transfusions on adults and children?

37 ¹¹² How does the principle of choice in medical treatment argue against forced blood transfusions?

37 ³ What fact regarding the nature of medical knowledge further argues against forced blood transfusions?

37 ⁴ What bearing does the principle of treating the whole person have on forced blood transfusions?

38 ¹¹² What can be said about healing the body while breaking the spirit of a person?

38 ³ to 39 ² Which facts argue that the stand of the Witnesses regarding blood transfusions is not unreasonable?

39 ³¹⁴ Why do some doctors fail to view blood transfusions objectively, and why have some judges recommended alternative treatment?

40 ¹¹² Which fact about blood has a strong bearing on the value of blood transfusions?

40 ³ to 41 ¹ What other characteristics of blood have a bearing on the risk factor in blood transfusions?

41 ²-⁴ What testimony is there to show that blood transfusions involve risks?

42 ¹’³ Why can knowledgeable doctors not dismiss the dangers of blood transfusions as being exaggerated?

43 ¹ Is there a likelihood of relief from blood transfusion problems? If not, why not?

Sixth Week

43 ²¹³ What various kinds of risks are associated with blood transfusions?

44  ² What are some of the immediate

harmful reactions to blood transfusions?

44 ^3-5 To what extent is the danger of transmitting disease associated with blood transfusions?

45 ¹¹² What can be said about the incidence of serum hepatitis?

45 ³ Why is the possibility of a Witness getting serum hepatitis more than a justifiable risk?

46 ¹¹² What facts argue against a patient’s being reasonably assured that he will survive an attack of serum hepatitis?

46 ’•⁴ To what extent have modern techniques eliminated the risks of getting serum hepatitis from a blood transfusion?

47 ¹ What dilemma does syphilitic contamination of blood pose?

47 ² to 48 ¹ What other infections may be transmitted by blood transfusions?

48 ² What is another danger associated with blood transfusions, and how serious is it?

48 ³ Because of the dangers associated with blood transfusions, what do some hospitals require of patients?

48 ⁴ What is the primary reason why Witnesses will not accept blood transfusions?

49 ¹*^s In elective surgery, what alternatives are there to blood transfusions?

50 *•² Just what is the prime need when there is a great loss of blood?

51 ¹ Which is the fluid of choice when there is a great loss of blood?

51 ²-³ To what extent can one sustain the loss of blood, and why are alternative solutions not blood substitutes?

Seventh Week

52 ¹¹² What have facts shown as to a safe hematocrit or hemoglobin content for surgery?

53 ¹¹² What has been learned as to a blood transfusion’s immediately enhancing the blood’s oxygen-carrying capacity?

53 ³ What are some of the fluids used as alternatives to blood transfusions?

54 ¹ Which other plasma volume expanders have been used with good results?

54 ² What can be said about the use of various expanders in the acute stage of blood-volume crisis?

54 ³ to 55 ¹ What evidence shows that blood is not the only effective replacement for blood loss?

55 ²-³ Name some of the advantages that plasma expanders have over blood.

55 ⁴ What interesting facts has the experience of Dr. Denton Cooley revealed? 56 ¹ What have been the long-term effects of bloodless heart surgery on Witness adults and children?

57 ¹¹² What have been the results where Witnesses have had to undergo operations where blood is normally considered essential?

57 ³ What has been the experience of Dr. Philip Roen?

58 ¹¹² What facts show that the position of the Witnesses regarding blood transfusions can be accommodated medically?

59 ¹¹² (a) In view of all the foregoing facts, what should a doctor appreciate about Jehovah’s Witnesses? (b) What does this mean in his actual practice?

60 ¹¹² What counsel is given the Witnesses when they are faced with the question of a blood transfusion?

60 ³ By their stand on blood, what do the Witnesses manifest, in keeping with which example of early Christians?

Announcemen ts

• Literature offer for February: Any two of the older pocket-size books the congregation has in stock for a contribution of $1.00. May include Choosing, Commentary on James, "Eternal Purpose," Evolution (old edition). Good News, Holy Spirit, Peace and Security (old edition), This Life, Truth, and World Government. March: Life—How Did It Get Here? By Evolution or by Creation? for a contribution of $2.50. Smallsize books are $1.25. April and May: Watchtower subscription for one year for a contribution of $5.00. If subscription is not taken, offer two magazines and a brochure for 80e.

• On Saturday, May 7, the Brooklyn Bethel home and factory and Watchtower Farms buildings will be closed for spring cleaning. There will be no arrangements for tours or for congregations to pick up literature on that day.

• The Memorial celebration will be held Friday, April 1, 1988. Although the talk may start earlier, please remember that the passing of the Memorial bread and wine should not begin until after sundown. Check with local sources to determine when sundown occurs in your area. No other meetings are to be conducted on that date. If your congregation normally has meetings on Friday, you may want to switch those to another time of the week if the hall is available. If your Service Meeting is affected, it may be possible to incorporate into another Service Meeting any parts scheduled for that week that are particularly applicable to your congregation.

• New Publications Available:

New World Translation of the Holy Scriptures—1987 Edition (Deluxe; DLbilZ with marginal references; black)                  —Dutch

New World Translation of the Holy Scriptures—With References (Rbi8)

—Italian

My Book of Bible Stories      —Gun

Survival Into a New Earth

—Romanian United in Worship of the Only True God               —Romanian

Is There a God Who Cares? —Tongan “Look! I Am Making All Things New" (Brochure)             —Yoruba

Watch Tower Publications Index 1984

—Italian

Tract No. 13             —Finnish

Tract No. 14              —Finnish

Tract No. 15     —Finnish, German,

Greek, Japanese, Korean, Norwegian, Swedish

Tract No. 16             —Finnish

• New Cassette Recordings Available: Joshua (set of two; congregation and public: $3.00; pioneers: $2.50)

—Danish

Judges, Ruth (set of two; congregation and public: $3.00; pioneers: $2.50)

—Danish

\yOne thing that impressed me was that young and old at the Kingdom Hall shared in the meetings by giving comments and looking up the scriptures.’’) Have you ever heard anyone say that about the first meetings of Jehovah’s Witnesses he attended? (1 Cor. 14:25b) Many of us have heard such expressions And how happy we were to have attended those meetings and to have shared in commenting!

• ² When we prepare in advance, our comments become more meaningful, and the meetings are more jnstmc. tive and "beneficial for all in attendance. (He6710:24, 25) This should impress on our minds and hearts the importance of works that are consistent with faith. That will help us to make improvements in Christian living and activity.—Jas. 1:25.

WHEN WE ARE ON THE PLATFORM

• ³ A variety of subjects are covered in the Theocratic Ministry School. Sisters receive assignments in the Live Forever and Reasoning books, both of which we use regularly in our field ministry. Those who have these assignments can make the school more instructive by using practical setting-s-to present the key points in the material. This will help the audience appreciate the information and see how they can use it in the field ministry. Brothers who have talks based on the Reasoning hook can likewise emphasize points that will be particularly helpful when witnessing in local territory, Brothers who handle Bible reading assignments can make their introductions, remarks in connection with the reading, and conclusions meaningful by highlighting points of practical value. Perhaps in one of these ways you "can make the school even more instructive for all in attendance.

• ⁴ We may be asked to share in a demonstration on the Service Meet

The Second of Kings (set of two; congregation and public: $3.00; pioneers: $2.50)          —German

Album of Hebrew Scriptures—Volume 2; The First of Samuel to Psalms (set of 21 tapes in an album; congregation and public: $33.25; pioneers: $21.50)       —German

Listening to the Great Teacher (set of five tapes and a book in an album; congregation and public: $11.25; pioneers: $9.50)        —German

(This item is not yet available in English.) ing. If so, preparation is vital. What we say should be audible, so we need to use the microphones properly. (Compare 1 Corinthians 14:9.) When sharing in demonstrations, do not turn your hack to the audience. Always facejhose in attendance. Thus, when Showing the contents of a publication to a householder, the audience will see the cover of th? publication. When we face the audience, they can hear us more clearly and note the expression on our face.

AS AN AUDIENCE

• ⁵ Those of us who are in attendance can make the meetings more instructive for ourselves by paying close attention. (1 Tim. 4:16; Heb. 2:1) All need~to cultivate the art of listening, not letting our minds wander. Whispering to others seated near us is distracting. Getting up unnecessarily to go to the rest room or the water fountain will also interfere with our getting the most from the meetings and will distract others as well.                                   '

• ⁶ If we have small children and they are restless, we may want to sit near an aisle toward the rear of the Kingdom Hall so that they will disturb as few as possible. If they misbehave or make noise, it is proper for / the parents to take them out of the / main seating area of the Kingdom \ Hall. Otherwise, they will continue r-to interfere with the concentration \ of others who are trying to pay at- ' tention to the meetings.—Prov. 22: 6, 15.

• ⁷ If we put forth effort to make the meetings more instructive for ourselves as well as for others, we will all be helped to grow spiritually. Then it will be said of us, as it was of the Christians in Thessalonica, that our (“faith is growing exceedingly and the love of each and all of [us]x is increasing one toward the other.” ) —2 Thess. 1:3.

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

February 7: Pages 111 to 116

February 14: Pages 117to 119, par. 6

February 21: Pages 120 to 122, par. 12

February 28: Pages 123, par. 13

to 126, par. 3

By Using the Bible

• ¹ “The word of God is alive and exerts power.” (Heb. 4:12) To exert its power to the full and come alive, it must be read and applied. To accomplish this further, Jehovah’s organization, beginning principally in 1954, encouraged us to use the Bible in our door-to-door ministry. We were trained to give three- to eightminute sermons in house-to-house visitations and to bring to the attention of the householders what the Bible has to say on important subjects.

• ² In more recent years, Our Kingdom Ministry has regularly carried the Topic for Conversation, outlining two or three scriptures on a subject to use in the field service. For example, currently the Topic for Conversation is on the theme “Religion That Has Real Value.” The scriptures to be used highlight the difference between false and true religion.

• ³ To use the Bible effectively takes practice and the desire to assist people to realize that it is indeed God’s Word and is alive and powerful. While we are encouraged to use short, to-the-point presentations in magazine-day activity, we do not want to become neglectful in the matter of using the Bible in other features of the field ministry. After all, we are students of the Bible, and what better way is there to give evidence that we are such than by endeavoring to show people from the Word of God itself what Jehovah has in store for mankind and this earth?

HELP FROM THE REASONING BOOK

• ⁴ In addition to the Topic for Conversation in Our Kingdom Ministry, we have the book Reasoning From the Scriptures. As you review the introductions listed on pages 9-15, you will find references to Bible verses that can be used in introducing the Kingdom message. We have a great variety of ways in which to go to the Bible to show people what it has to say.

• ⁵ For example, if some householders are concerned about the elderly, it may be helpful to follow what is suggested in the Reasoning book on page 14 under the subject “Old Age/ Death.” How appropriate the question would be: “Have you ever wondered why we grow old and die? I would like to point out to you what an inspired Bible writer said at Romans 5:12.” Then you could say: “But while the Bible points out why we grow old and die, it also offers us a most wonderful hope for the future, as found in Revelation 21: 3, 4.” The current literature offer could then be featured.

• ⁶ So often these days people say, “No, I’m busy.” Many truly are, and we must appreciate that this may be so in their case. Even then, if the circumstances are right, you could say: “I know the feeling, for these are very busy times. I would like to leave you with just this one thought, however,” and turn to one of the scriptures in our current Topic for Conversation. After reading it, you could quickly state what literature you are offering, leave an appropriate tract, or say you will be in the area again soon and will drop by to share some further information about the interesting possibility of living without dying.

• ⁷ How good it is when people see that we are students of the Bible, adept at using God’s Word in our ministry! It helps them to identify the people today who rely on God’s Word and use it in their daily lives. So, apart from magazine day, be prepared to use the Bible when making the regular literature offer. Our efforts to use the Bible will bring Jehovah’s blessing on our ministry and highlight in the minds of many that God’s Word is indeed alive, exerts power, and can affect their lives.

Blood Booklet to Be Studied

• ¹ The booklet Jehovah’s Witnesses and the Question of Blood will be considered at the Congregation Book Study for the weeks of June 26 through August 7,19§ST Study questions to be used are found in this month’s Our Kingdom Ministry insert.

• ² This booklet, first published in 1977, contains information that is of vital interest to Jehovah’s Witnesses as well as to others who wish to adhere to what God’s Word has to say about the sanctity of blood. Consideration of the Blood booklet at this time will be of particular benefit to the many new ones in the congregation who may not have studied this information previously. It will help everyone to be better equipped to face any emergency situation ' that may arise as a challenge to our Scriptural stand on the continuing issue of blood transfusions.

• ³ Very likely your congregation

THEOCRATIC NEWS

• ♦ Chad reported a new peak of 204 publishers for August. The congregation publishers there averaged 18.4 hours in the field service.

• * A new peak of 12,161 publishers was reported by Ecuador for the first month of the new service year, a 9-percent increase over last year’s average. A new peak of 22,854 Bible studies was also reported.

• ♦ France began the new service year with peaks of 97,032 publishers and 3,938 regular pioneers.

♦ Italy passed the 150,000 mark in publishers, with a new all-time peak of 150,364 reporting for September. Congregation publishers averaged 13.4 hours in the field service.

* The Netherlands Antilles branch reported new peaks of 1,425 publishers in Curacao and 404 in Aruba in September.

♦ Reunion had a new peak of 1,352 publishers for a 9-percent increase in September. Their district convention was attended by 2,935, and 48 were baptized.

has on hand sufficient booklets to provide a copy for each one attending the study. If not, the service overseer should immediately eff-deavor tn obtain additional copies. from nearby congregations rather than order from the Society. Many congregations have a large supply of the Blood booklet, and these can be transferred to other congregations in the area by using the Transfer of Literature form (S-19) as explained in paragraph 40 of the Cost r.ixt. Circuit overseers may be in a position to help the brothers in this regard. Of course, it the booklets are not available locally, they may be ordered from the Society along with other literature. Please do not order in excess of your needs for the scheduled book studies.

⁴ All publishers are encouraged to prepare well and to be present each week for the consideration of this important information. Be sure to invite newly interested ones to attend also, and arrange for them to have their own copy of the Blood booklet for this consideration.

NOVEMBER SERVICE REPORT

Av. Av. Av. Av. Hrs. Mags. R.V. Bl.St.

128.7 85.8 53.9 5.6

81.4 38.0 27.3 2.8

58.7 28.1 16.8 1.5

9.6   6.5   3.7 0.5

8

¹

OUR KINGDOM MINISTRY, FEBRUARY 1988