Our Kingdom Ministry

• ¹ Today the “good news” is being preached throughout the earth. (Matt. 24:14) This is being accomplished primarily by means of the house-to-house ministry—Acts 20:20, 21.

• ² Our presentations must have real meaning to the people we meet. Men. women, and youths differ in their fields of interest. So it would be good to be prepared with a variety of Scriptural subjects that are likely to appeal to the people in our territory.

• ³ Make Good Use of the Publications: The Live Forever book covers a wide range of subjects that should appeal to many people everywhere. The illustrations, both visual and verbal, are effective aids. The book appeals to the heart, and it helps people see the need to make decisions, yes, to change their beliefs, conduct, attitude, and way of life. Being thoroughly familiar with the contents of the Live Forever book will enable us to converse effectively with people on a wide variety of topics. This will help us discern the extent of the householder’s interest.

’ To be effective in the ministry, we need to show genuine personal interest. (Phil. 2:4) Endeavor to focus the conversation on a Kingdom theme that involves the person and his needs. Seek to understand the person’s thinking by drawing him out with pertinent questions. Listen attentively to his answers. His comments may help you discern what subject will interest him. We want to help people see the value of the Kingdom message and show them how to learn more about it. One couple explained that they accepted a Bible study because the brother who called on them projected a sincere personal interest in them.

• ⁵ In Frequently Worked Territory: Developing effectiveness is especially important in territory that is worked frequently. A more effective ministry helps us to expand our territory. (u>88 7/15 pp. 15-20) Rather than acting as though we have never called at that home before, we can acknowledge the householder's past attitude and use it to our advantage. We can allude to our previous visit and then build on what was said at that time. Presentations suggested in past issues of Our Kingdom Ministry and in the Reasoning book can be adapted to the needs of the territory.

• ⁶ Jehovah is patiently keeping the door open for more people to benefit from Kingdom blessings. Jesus’ ministry was effective because of his love for people. (Mark 6:34) Are we doing our utmost to follow his example? (1 Pet. 2:21) Let us not hold back from sharing fully and effectively in the house-to-house ministry.—2 Tim. 4:5.

  The Challenge of Making Return Visits

  
  

• ¹ As ministers of the good news, we are commanded to make disciples. (Matt. 28:19, 20) This involves making return visits. Do you have a positive view of this vital part of our Christian ministry? Becoming skillful in making return visits can be a stimulating challenge—Prov. 22:29.

• ² Each dedicated Christian should feel a responsibility to share in the disciple-making work. This may require that we set aside a measure of personal convenience in order to share the Kingdom hope with others. Return visits afford us the opportunity to help sincere ones satisfy their spiritual needs.

• ³ Follow Up All Interest: Return visits should be made on all who express interest in the Kingdom message, even though they may decline our publications. There are many people who show interest by their willingness to discuss Bible subjects with us. Jesus and the apostles showed how interest in the Kingdom message can be cultivated by engaging people in pointed Scriptural discussions.—Mark 10:21; Acts 2:37-41.

’ Our purpose in calling back should be to start a Bible study. We may be able to demonstrate to the householder how a home Bible study is conducted. You can be sure that Jehovah will respond to your prayer for help in finding an honesthearted person to teach. Jehovah will bless your earnest efforts in his service. Why not seek Jehovah’s help and make it a goal to start a Bible study?

• ⁵ Make Good Use of Tracts: Tracts can be used effectively in starting Bible studies. Many have been able to get a conversation started simply by discussing the picture on the cover. Read one paragraph at a time with the householder. When a question is asked, stop and invite the householder to express himself. Look up the scriptures and show how they apply. The conversation can then be directed to the publication in which the study can be conducted.

• ⁶ Use Reasoning Book: Effective return visits can be made with the Reasoning book. Reviewing the listing of principal subjects or the index can help you select appropriate information to discuss when following up previous conversations. The section “Scriptures Often Misapplied" can be useful in dealing with objections that may arise. Pioneers report much success starting Bible studies by using information such as is found in the Reasoning book on page 204 under “How do Jehovah’s Witnesses arrive at their explanation of the Bible?” They show the interested person how we let the Bible provide its own explanation. This works well and has resulted in starting a number of Bible studies.

’Like Jesus and the apostles, we need to demonstrate a sincere interest in Jehovah’s sheep. (Luke 9:11) Love for people will help us to reach out to them with the Kingdom truths. (2 Cor. 2:17) When we place the greater emphasis on giving of ourselves In behalf of the spiritual welfare of others, we are able to meet the challenge of making return visits.

Week Starting August 3

Song 162

10 min: Local announcements and . selected Announcements from Our

Kingdom Ministry. Discuss talking points from the current magazines. Encourage all to share in held service this weekend.

15 min: “Introductions to Stimulate Interest.” Question-and-answer consideration. Demonstrate points outlined in paragraph 5.

20 min: “Positive Action Toward Further Progress.” Develop first two paragraphs of insert as a talk. Cover rey mainder of article by questions ancr answers. Emphasize points for local application. Conclude with brief summary.

Song 155 and concluding prayer.

Week Starting August 10

Song 133

io min: Local announcements, in> eluding accounts report and donation acknowledgments. Commend congregation for financial support of local congregation, as well as Society’s worldwide work.

20 min: Developing Interest on Return Visits. Discussion by service overseer. Many find it enjoyable to speak with people and leave literature, (om pp. 87-8) Our responsibility includes cultivating interest in the hearts of those with whom we speak. Present a brief demonstration of how a tract can be used to develop interest on a return visit where no literature was placed initially. Highlight only one or two points. Present a brief demonstration showing how information found in the index of the Reasoning book can also be used. Emphasize concise and direct points made in publication that can be used to develop interest in Bible. Show how to arrange for further visits.

15 min: “Babylon the Great.” Discussion of Reasoning book, pages 49-53. Demonstration: Publisher discusses Bible student’s progress with him. Stresses need to be viewed by Jehovah as holy, worthy of His help and blessing. (1 Pet. 1:15,16) Emphasize the importance of now fleeing Babylon and associating with Jehovah’s holy organization. Chairman concludes by encouraging brothers to use publications to direct students to the organization and take advantage of help the elders offer.

Song 129 and concluding prayer.

Week Starting August 17

Song 113 It p ft p

15 min: Local announcements. Theocratic News. Discussion of article “Living With SouEdhess of Mind and Righteousness." Encourage brothers to make advance plans for attending the special assembly day program during 1993 service year. Announce date and place if known. Also, encourage narUeipation in weekend field activity. ^0 ^iin: “The Challenge of Making Return Visits." Questions and answers. After considering paragraphs 5 and 6, have two_dejmonstrat.ions. (1) Show how a tract can be used to start a Bible study. (2) Select a subject from Reasoning book and show how it can be used to answer a question on a return visit. Highlight value of practice sessions. Encourage following up all interest, x ’

10 min: Discussion of article “DoYou Remember?" in the April 15, 1992, Watchtower. Encourage all to maintain a good schedule for reading the magazines. Give practical suggestions. Song 130 and concluding prayer.

Week Starting August 24

Song 72 ftp

5 min: Locarannouncements. t-ffl 15 min: “Effectively Working From House to House.” Question-and-answer discussion. Encourage auxiliary pioneering in September. Mention that those who auxiliary pioneer usually maintain a higher level of activity in thefpUpyWmonths^£

15 mini Bend YoqrChildren tcrSchool With God’s Thoughts in Their Hearts. Talk by elder. We live in a world that is bent Oh trying to squeeze us into its mold. And this is especially true of our young people. Parents need to be sensitive to their needs and problems. (Prov. 20:5) Inculcate God’s laws and love along with parents’ love for their children. Demonstration: Family discusses how to use~School brochure. One child is going to school for the first time, whereas the other two children have been in school for a few years. Choose a point that will be applicable to the circumstances of each one. Have children express themselves in their own words to parent playing role of teacher. Make sure children understand principles involved: Brother handling part encourages family Bible study and emphasizes need for parents txi'have a close, intimate relationship £ with their children.

10 min: “Using the Live Forever BooicJ?. on Return Visits." Briefly discuss¹'' points in first two paragraphs. Then demonstrate a return visit using the direct approach to start a Bible study. Song 126 and concluding prayer.

Week Starting August 31

^Song30j$x*             -T,

5 min: Local announcements. ' 15 min: Are You Making SpiritualT* Advancement? Discussion by elder.' Have those in the congregation met specific goals during the past service year? If not, why? Suggest possible goals. Progress necessary to safeguard spirituality. (Phil. 3:16) Brief demoastration of a family, during family study, reviewing their own ministry to

determine where they can make spiritual advancement.     pp

10 min: Local needs or discussion of / congregation field service activity by* elder.                               P

15 min: Feature the Creation book in j September. Talk with demonstration.

• “Creation” can be used where applicable. Perhaps material in chapters 16 and 19 on “Why Would God Permit Suffering?” and “An Earthly Paradise Soon to Come” would appeal to householder. Have qualified publisher demonstrate offer, using Proverbs 2:21, 22 . and the picture on page 197, high-/Jighting that God’s original reason for creating the earth will soon be fulfilled.

Song 109 and concluding prayer.

CONGREGATION BOOK STUDY

Schedule for congregation studies in the book Revelation—Its Grand Climax At Hand!

Positive Action Toward Further Progress

• ¹ By now most of us have finished reading the 1992 Yearbook. Learning about the 1991 worldwide peak of more than four-and-a-quarter-million Kingdom publishers in 211 lands—a 6.5-percent Increase—thrilled our hearts! Certainly, Kingdom increase now taking place around the world gives striking evidence of the fulfillment of Isaiah 2:2-4 and Micah 4:1-4.

• ² Although the report for the 1992 service year is not complete, the evidence is clear that Jehovah is crowning this service year with outstanding increases. The invitation to join our vast international brotherhood continues to go forth. Memorial and district convention attendance figures show that millions of people are turning a hearing ear to the Kingdom message. From all nations, they are responding to the inspired invitation that calls out: “Come, you people, and let us go up to the mountain of Jehovah, to the house of the God of Jacob; and he will instruct us about his ways, and we will walk in his paths.”

• ³ Be Determined to Progress: Jehovah’s organization is on the move. With so many new ones streaming up to the mountain of Jehovah’s true worship, it is vital that each one take positive action toward further spiritual progress and then reach out to help still newer ones do the same. The need for such progress is implied in the statement that those responding to the invitation to come up to Jehovah’s mountain say to others, “Come.” The apostle John reported something similar at Revelation 22:17: “And the spirit and the bride keep on saying: ‘Come!’ And let anyone hearing say: ‘Come!’”

• ⁴ Jesus demonstrated how this invitation is to be given. When people responded to his teaching, he invited them to share in his ministry and taught them how to do so. (Matt. 4:19; 10:5-7, 11-14) His disciples learned the effective methods he used by accompanying him and observing how he did things. They then patterned their ministry after his. They learned his methods so well that their bold witnessing drew the attention of opposers who clearly recognized that they were disciples of Jesus. Acts 4:13 reports: “Now when they beheld the outspokenness of Peter and John, . . . they began to recognize about them that they used to be with Jesus.”

• ⁵ Before returning to heaven, Jesus gave the command that his disciples should perpetuate the Christian ministry by making new disciples, teaching them just as they themselves had been taught. At Matthew 28:19, 20, Jesus commanded: “Go therefore and make disciples of people of all the nations,... teaching them to observe all the things I have commanded you." And indicating that he meant for this to continue down to our day, he gave this added assurance: “Look! I am with you all the days until the conclusion of the system of things.”

• ⁶ The true disciples of Jesus Christ have not failed to obey his instructions to teach new disciples all the things he commanded. However, the outstanding growth in the worldwide congregation of Jehovah’s Witnesses requires that we consider the special needs of newly baptized members of the congregation and unbaptized publishers as well as people who are studying the Bible with us and who perhaps are starting to attend congregation meetings with some degree of regularity.

• ⁷ At the beginning of the 1992 service year, approximately 1 out of every 9 publishers had been active in the ministry only one year. In addition, 1 out of 6 had been publishing three years or less; and 1 in 4 had been sharing in the ministry for no more than five years. Although many newer ones have made fine progress since becoming members of the congregation, further assistance in some respects would undoubtedly help speed up their spiritual progress.

’Hebrews 6:1 encourages all to “press on to maturity.” Christian maturity goes far beyond just putting in a service report. It involves progressing in personal study and regular meeting attendance as well as zealous participation in the field ministry. Helping others to come to a knowledge of the truth for salvation is also Involved. We must work at sharpening our skills in ‘reasoning from the Scriptures.’ (Acts 17:2) Growing to maturity requires time, and it depends to a great extent on our godly devotion and on our gaining practical experience in the field. Although we have control over the depth of our own godly devotion, it is the course of wisdom to allow other mature brothers and sisters to help us gain practical experience. We can learn from their experience, especially in the field ministry. We do not have to learn everything on our own by trial and error.

• ⁹ Help for Those Lacking Experience: The pattern for giving assistance was set at the beginning of the Christian congregation. Jesus instructed his disciples. (Mark 3:14; Luke 9:1; 10:1) In turn, they taught others. Timothy received special encouragement and help from the apostle Paul, and the disciple Apollos progressed with personal assistance from the more experienced Aquila and Priscilla. (Acts 18:24-27; 1 Cor. 4:17) Mature members of the Christian congregation follow those examples today, teaching and encouraging the less experienced, especially newer ones and youths. As Romans 15:1, 2 says. “We, though, who are strong ought to bear the weaknesses of those not strong.”

• ¹⁰ Parents are responsible for taking positive action to help their children progress spiritually. This involves family study, teaching the children how to study personally, regular meeting attendance and participation, and experience in applying what they learn. (Eph. 6:4; 1 Tim. 5:8) Congregation Book Study conductors especially should take the lead in making arrangements to help all in their book study and field service groups to progress in a spiritual way. The service overseer and other elders as well as ministerial servants and other members of the congregation also can help.

• ¹¹ Provide What Is Needed: The need may be for assistance with only a certain aspect of Christian activities, such as personal study. A person may need suggestions for establishing a practical study schedule. Someone else could need help preparing comments or assignments. Others perhaps need to learn how to research Bible subjects.

• ¹² Many new ones need help in the field ministry. A publisher may want to become more effective in the house-to-house work, making return visits, or starting and conducting a Bible study. A few practice sessions using suggested introductions and presentations from the Reasoning book or from Our Kingdom Ministry may suffice. At other times, suggestions for a practical schedule for field service and help to stick with it may be all that is needed. Making definite arrangements to work with a person who needs assistance will enable him or her to progress toward specific objectives.

• ¹³ God’s Word encourages us to let our spiritual advancement be manifest to others. This was the counsel Paul wrote to his fellow worker Timothy. (1 Tim. 4:15) In harmony with that encouragement, the apostle emphasized the need to be training ourselves as for competing in an athletic contest or for successfully engaging in spiritual warfare. (1 Cor. 9:24-27; 2 Cor. 10:5, 6) We should be quick to apply all that we learn about God’s will so that observers will see in us living examples of true Christian faith. Likewise, we should be progressing in the art of teaching others to become dedicated disciples of Jesus Christ.—Jas. 1:22-25; 1 Tim. 4: 12-16.

• ¹⁴ Progress Involves Enduring Trials: Even Jesus Christ learned valuable lessons from the things he suffered. (Heb. 5:8) So can we. Accordingly, spiritual advancement is enhanced when we take the positive attitude recommended at James 1:2, 3; “Consider it all joy, my brothers, when you meet with various trials, knowing as you do that this tested quality of your faith works out endurance.” Thus, whether we have to cope with the challenge of chronic illnesses, economic difficulties, living in a divided household, opposition in the territory, or any number of other adverse circumstances, we have Jehovah’s assurance that with his help we can overcome and continue to progress in our worship of him. (1 Cor. 10:13; 2 Cor. 12:9; 1 Pet. 5:8-11) Success is achieved by steadfastness under all circumstances, ‘speaking the sacred pronouncements of God and ministering as dependent on the strength that God supplies, so that in all things God may be glorified through Jesus Christ.’—1 Pet. 4:11.

• ¹⁵ Accept Help Toward Further Progress: If you are one who needs assistance in order to make further spiritual progress, be willing to accept help from a more experienced member of the congregation. Even if you have not been approached with an offer of help, you need not allow shyness to rob you of your opportunity to get help. Ask for assistance. Feel free to seek the help of any of the experienced ones in the congregation. Or you may ask your Congregation Book Study conductor, the service overseer, or any of the other elders for needed assistance.—Compare Genesis 32:26; Matthew 7: 7,8.

• ¹⁶ Certainly, it is a wonderful privilege to be included in the ever-increasing international “great crowd” streaming up to Jehovah’s mountain of pure worship. (Rev. 7:9) It is also a privilege to invite others to come with us in this ascent. With heartfelt appreciation, may we continue taking positive action toward further progress, building spirituality in ourselves and doing what we can to help others progress along with us in Jehovah’s service.

THEOCRATIC MINISTRY SCHOOL REVIEW

Closed-book review on material covered in Theocratic Ministry School assignments for the weeks of May 4 to August 24, 1992. Use a separate sheet of paper to write down answers to as many of the questions as you can in the time allotted.

[Note: During the written review, only the Bible may be used to answer any question. References that follow the questions are for your personal research. Page and paragraph numbers may not appear on all references to The Watchtower.]

Answer each of the following statements True or False:

' 1. In public reading, well-placed pauses are a vital part of emphasis, [sty p. 30 par. 6]

^2. We should study with a view to remembering the material for later application, whether in our own lives or in the field ministry, [sgf p. 36 par. 10]

3. The purpose of an enlarged vocabulary is to impress upon worldly people that Jehovah’s Witnesses are well-informed and capable, [s# p. 55 par. 7]

" 4. The strongest testimony in support of the authenticity of Deuteronomy is archaeology, [si p. 37 par. 8 (1983 ed., p. 37 par. 8)] 'C

I'^-'5. When Numbers 35:16 says, “Now if it was with an instrument of iron that he < has struck him,” it means that the instrument was deliberately used as a weapon. [Weekly Bible reading; see p78 12/22 p. 27.]

6. “The great one” at Deuteronomy 1:17 would be seemingly great because of his material means, educational background, or major accomplishments. [Weekly Bible reading; see w77 p. 148.] s'

/ 7. We must conclude from Deuteronomy 19:21 that capital punishment for deliberate murder was part of divine law. [Weekly Bible reading; see p74 7/22 p. 28.]

8. “The things revealed” at Deuteronomy 29:29 came to involve all the information recorded in the Bible. [Weekly Bible reading; see w87 5/15 p. 31.]

S

• •" 9. Jehovah arranged for the tribe of Judah , to ‘instruct Jacob in God’s judicial decisions and Israel in God’s law.’ (Deut. 33: 10) [Weekly Bible reading; see w88 8/15 p. 11 par. 7.]       „

^0. The Gibeonites foreshadowed the remnant. (Josh. 10:1-11) [Weekly Bible reading; see w86 12/15 p. 22.pa£. 8,J

Answer the following questions:

• 11. What is the main difficulty to overcome

when delivering a manuscript talk? [sjy p. 31 par. 9]

• 12. How can the theme of a talk be detey-4- mined? [so p. 44 par.,2]

• 13. What is the meaning of the name Deu

teronomy, and to what did the book ex-

• 14. What was The purpose" of the Urim and Thummim at Deuteronomy 33:8? [Weekly Bible reading; see w86 1/3-5

• 15. Hoyv would God’s Law “serve as a frontlet band between your eyes” for the Israelites? (Deut. 6:8) [Weekly Bible reading; see w73 p. 192.]

• 16. How can Jehovah’s utterances nourish us? (Deut. 8:2, 3) [Weekly Bible reading; see u>85 6/15 p. 17 par. 15.] xSTzut—j

• 17. Why did God s law at Deuteronomy 22: 28, 29 say that an Israelite man who had sex relations with an unengaged virgin had to marry her and could never divorce her? [Weekly Bible reading; see w89 11/15 p. 31.]

  18. When we consider the confederation that faced Israel, what corresponding situation do we see today? (Josh. 9:1, 2) [Weekly Bible reading; see w86 12/15   ₂7.

  p. 22 par. 5.]                       ?

  19y Instead of a scientific statement about J- planetary motion at Joshua 10:13, what 28.

  did Joshua intend to give? [Weekly Bible^

  
  

reading; see w8110/1 p. 5.]

• 20. The opening sentences of a talk

serve what two purposes? [sg p. 46

par. 91

Provide the word or phrase needed to complete each of the following statements:

• 21. When you are finished with the Bible reading, it would be appropriate to take some time to do x (,i,■ /i if points are not clear, [sg p. 35 par. 7]

• 22. When preparing a talk, you should exclude points that do not truly contribute to your             . [sg p. 41 par. 10]

• 23. By doing a good job of preparation for /each assignment in the Theocratic Min,   ' -istry School, we allow ourselves to be

by this program of education that Jehovah has provided, [sg p. 43 par. 18]

• 24. The “soul that he is seizing” would amount to seizing one’s            .

(Deut. 24:6) [Weekly Bible reading- sea; m?84 7/15 p. 25.] V-MW"

• 25. The Bible provides a definition of .y-y: -Numbers 35:20, 21. [Weekly Bible reading; see g74 5/8 P. 27.]

Select the correct answer in each of the following statements:

• 26. It is good to ask questions of householders because this (makes them more in- , dined to listen; causes them to see that they do not know the answer; helps them appreciate that false religion has not taught them properly), [sg p. 52 par. 12]

The copper serpent pointed forward to (Satan; King David; Jesus). (Num. 21: 8, 9) [si p. 35 par. 34 (p. 35 par. 34)]

Peter quotes from (Leviticus; Numbers; Deuteronomy) in clinching his argument that Jesus is the Christ and the Prophet greater than Moses, [si p. 40 par. 31 (p. 40 par. 31)] •'« /sT-zf -

The book of Joshua covers the period from (1513-1473; 1473-c. 1450; 1473-c. 1100) B.C.E. [si p. 42 par. 5 (p. 43 par. 5)]

To “act wisely” would mean to act (according to all the accumulated knowledge of Egypt; with insight; in a cautious manner). (Josh. 1:8) [Weekly Bible reading; see w89 3/15 p. 13 par. 10.]

Match the following scriptures to the statements listed below:

Num. 21:5, 6; 23:23; 32:23; Deut. 12:24;

Matt. 28:19, 20

• 31. In view of these instructions, every Christian has the need to improve his teaching ability, [sg p. 49 par. 2]

• 32. In warning against murmuring, Paul referred to this scripture, [si p. 35 par. 36 (p. 35 par. 36)] ' ■

• 33. Because of this prohibition, Jehovah’s Witnesses do not allow the procedure of having their own blood stored and later put back into them. [Weekly Bible reading; see w89 3/1 p. 30.]       /L: l-j

• 34. The principle here is similar to that of Galatians 6:7: “For whatever a man is sowing, this he will also reap.” [Weekly Bible reading; see w72 p. 392.] if Z . 3

• 35. Jehovah’s Witnesses have no fear of witchcraft or spells if they reject anything connected with witchcraft, including charms or “medicine” prepared by a witch doctor. [Weekly Bible reading; see g70 8/22 p.          ; u

Announcements

■ Literature offer for August: You Can Live Forever in Paradise on Earth. September: Life—How Did It Get Here? By Evolution or by Creation? October: Subscriptions for either Awake! or The Watchtower or for both magazines. When genuine interest is found, subscriptions may be obtained for one year or six months. There is no arrangement for subscriptions to quarterly editions of the magazines. Multiyear subscriptions will not be accepted. November: New World Translation with the book The Bible —God’s Word or Man’s? NOTE: Congregations that have not yet requested the above-mentioned campaign items should do so on their next monthly Literature Request Form (S(d>-14).

■ Everyone associated with a congregation should send all new and renewal subscriptions for The Watchtower and Awake!, including their personal subscriptions, through the congregation.

■ The Society will no longer be filling requests for literature made by individual publishers. Those desiring a given item may advise the literature servant, who will promptly Include it in the congregation's monthly request for literature.

■ Congregations should begin requesting the 1993 Calendar of Jehovah’s Witnesses with their September literature request. The calendars will be available in Chinese. Croatian. Czech, Danish. Dutch, English. Finnish. French, German. Greek. Hungarian, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Norwegian, Polish, Portuguese, Romanian, Russian. Serbian, Spanish, Swedish, and Ukrainian.

■ The Society is now accepting requests for reprinted Watchtower bound volumes in SPANISH for the years 1980 through 1985. Any Interested In obtaining the reprinted Spanish Watchtower bound volumes should request them through the congregation on the next Literature Request Form (S(d)-14). Since the volumes are being reprinted one time only, we urge all to consider their needs carefully. Please bear in mind that these bound volumes are special-request items.

■ From August 28 through September 2. the Society will be taking an inventory of all literature on hand in Brooklyn Bethel. Because of this inventory, no congregation literature requests will be processed for shipment or for pickup during those days.

■ 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 6,1992. Keep a carbon copy for your files. We are sending a third copy for use as a work sheet.

■ An adequate supply of forms for use during the 1993 service year is being sent to each congregation. These forms should not be wasted. They should be used only for their Intended purpose.

■ A packet of legal materials is available when publishers are involved in lawsuits over child custody and visitation. The packet contains court decisions and other materials designed to assist an attorney who is representing a publisher whose parental fitness is being challenged because of his or her religious beliefs or practices. The Society’s Legal Department should be contacted by the body of elders if (a) court papers or legal documents indicate that the publisher’s religion is going to be attacked; (b) apostate literature, a religious expert, or a former Witness will be used to testify against the publisher; (c) a pretrial deposition of the publisher will be taken; or (d) a psychological examination or home study is scheduled. The packet offers no assistance in cases involving secular issues such as support and property.

■ Beginning the week of October 12, 1992, The Greatest Man Who Ever Lived will be considered in the Congregation Book Study.

■ New Publications Available: Chinese: “All Scripture Is Inspired of God and Beneficial.” Czech: Happiness —How to Find It; Organized to Accomplish Our Ministry, lloko: Theocratic Ministry School Guidebook. Italian: Our Problems—Who Will Help Us Solve Them? (for Hindus). Norwegian: New World Translation of the Christian Greek Scriptures (bi7). Portuguese: Insight on the Scriptures, Volume 2 (Escritura-Misia). Turkish: My Book of Bible Stories. Vietnamese: Bible Topics for Discussion.

• ¹ We live in a world that exerts a strong influence toward ungodliness. The standards of this system continue to deteriorate. (2 Tim. 3:3) As Christians. we must take a stand for what is right and understand why we must continue to do so. But what direction and guidance is available? What standards should we follow? “Living With Soundness of Mind and Righteousness” is the encouraging theme selected for our special assembly day program for the 1993 service year—Titus 2:12.

• ² By means of talks, demonstrations, and experiences, we will learn how we can strengthen ourselves to resist ungodliness and to repudiate worldly desires. We will also see how it is possible to live with soundness of mind and righteousness amid this wicked system. Provisions for helping us safeguard our mental powers will be outlined. (1 Pet. 4:7) Parents and youths will especially want to give attention to the talks and interviews on the afternoon program. These will stress the need to gain godly wisdom and experience and to work together to build for a happy theocratic future.

^! Though surrounded by an ungodly world, God’s Word instructs us in the best course to follow. The benefits of heeding Bible counsel will be highlighted in the talk “Cherish Your Blessings Amid a Joyless World.” As we prepare to attend, we want to keep in mind that paying close attention to the program and applying the counsel will enable us to be more effective in our service to Jehovah.—Phil. 3:15,16.

Grenada: A new peak of 493 publishers was reported in March. This was a 10-percent increase over March 1991.

Rwanda: Good news! Registration of the Jehovah’s Witnesses Association in Rwanda was granted on April 13, 1992. There was a new peak of 1,502 publishers in March.

May Service Report

MEMORIAL REPORT FOR 1992 1992       1991 Difference

Total

Attendance: 1,939,220 1,910,194 +29,026(1.5%)

Number ot

Partakers:      3.602     3.666     -64 (-1.7%)

• ¹ Jesus was masterful in his use of introductions. Whether speaking to a large group or to a single individual, Jesus captured the attention of his audience by getting them personally involved. He showed his listeners the value of his subject—Matt. 5:3-12; John 4: ■T307

• ² Advance Preparation Necessary: In order to stimulate interest in our message, we need to tailor our intro_? ductions so that they involve the individual, relate to his concerns, and show that?the Kingdoln message will help him personally.

“’"In preparing for the ministry, review the immediate concerns of people in the community. Has a recent news item captured the attention of everyone? What will be of interest to a young person? To an older one? To husbands, wives? or parents? Rather than using tfiesame introduction at each door, it is usually more effective to prepare several different introductions and be ready to adjust them as you observe the response of householders. Some publish

• ¹ The apostle Paul knew the importance of being diligent in caring for those who showed an interest in the truth. He likened them to tender plants, which need regular watering and cultivation. (1 Cor. 3:6-9) Likewise today, interested ones need the tender care we give when we make return visits to cultivate their spiritual growth.

• ² It is good to keep in mind that Individuals we call on will often need reminders to help them recall the points made in our previous discussion. Therefore. on each return visit it may be advisable to review briefly what you discussed on the previous call, focusing on the points the householder especially appreciated. Involve the householder in the discussion and readily discern his interests and needs.

• ³ In making a return visit, whether the “Live Forever" book was placed or not, you may want to use this direct approach for starting a study:

■ “Many people we speak to have found answers to their Bible questions with the use of this book.” Then turning to ers have had good success in preparing and using various introductions from the Reasoning book each time they go in the house-to-house ministry, (rs pp. 9-15) This keeps tjielr approach fresh and interesting. iZa- Zs~-c

'During the month of August, you might wish to use a presentation like this:

■ “Good morning. We have been talking with some of the neighbors about what qualities they would like to see in a person who governs others. Could I ask what one or two qualities you think are most important? [Allow response. Acknowledge points. Agree if appropriate.] Did you know that the Bible describes the qualifications of The One whoTias beerf approved to be mankind’s ruler? It is here in Isaiah 9: 6 JJRead.] What do you think it would be like to live undersuch a ruler?” Allow response and then direct attention to Psalm 146:3, 4 and tfiematerial in the Reason;zip book on pages IfhM aboqt the guaranteed quail ty oTJesus’ ruiefOr the table of contents in the Live Forever book, you could ask: “Which subject here interests you the most?” Turn to the chapter in which he expressed interest and show the householder how the numbered paragraphs are coordinated with the questions at the bottom of each page so that he can grasp the most significant points from each paragraph. Cover just a few points and make definite arrangements to call again.

• ⁴ Another approach could be:

■ “I really enjoyed our discussion last week. Many people have expressed concern as to why we keep calling at their homes. I thought the comment made on page 29 of this book, You Can Live Forever in Paradise on Earth, would be of interest to you. [Read paragraph 11.) Based on what we read here, what would you say is required if our worship is to be acceptable to God? [Allow response and then commend the householder.) Back in Jesus’ day, there were those who thought their religion was acceptable to God. Notice what was stated about them in paragraph 2 of the LiveJ'orever book on pagesJ12and 113 can be used to stimulate further discussion. If genuine interest is discerned, you may want to offer the publication.

• ⁵ If you are talking with family-oriented individuals, the following presentation may work well when featurIng the Live Forever book.

After local greeting, you might say:

■ “Have you observed that daily pressures and problems present a real challenge to families today? [Allow response.) Do you have any thoughts about where families can turn lor sound advice? [Allow response.) We have been directing attention to what the Bible has to sav about this subject. Note what the Originator of marriage stated to the first human pair.” Read Genesis 1:28 and then turn to page 238 in the CweTorever book and continue your discussIonTusing selected points from chapter 29.

• ⁶ By imitating Jesus’ methods of capturing interest and involving listeners in discussions, we show honesthearted ones the value of spiritual things.

this chapter.” Read and comment on statements.

• ³ Following up a previous visit where the “Live Forever” book was placed, you could say:

■ “The last time I visited, we discussed world conditions that need changing. Have you ever wondered why God permits wickedness?" Allow response and turn to page 99, paragraph 2, noting the study questions. Read and discuss this paragraph, looking up the scriptures. You could add to the discussion by turning to selected illustrations in the book, for example, pages 78, 84-5, 119, 147,149-53, and 156-8.

• ⁶ Where a Tract Was Left: Sometimes a tract is left on the initial call. In making return visits, you could discuss one or two paragraphs from the tract along with the scriptures cited. Then show how one of the scriptures cited in the tract is discussed in greater detail in the Live Forever book. If the individual manifests interest, you may want to offer the Live Forever book and make arrangements to continue the discussion on your next visit.

• ⁷ As we faithfully care for watering the tender plants of Christian faith in our care, God will make it grow to his own praise and glory.—1 Cor. 3:7.

® 1992 Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society of Pennsylvania. All rights reserved. Our Kingdom Ministry (USPS 295-360) is published monthly by Watchtower Bible and Tract Society of New York. Inc., and International Bible Students Association. 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

8