Our kingdom ministry

“Keep on the Watch”

’When Jesus spoke the words recorded at Matthew 26:38-41, he was approaching the most critical time of his human existence. It would prove to be the most Important time in all human history. The salvation of all mankind was at stake. Jesus’ disciples needed to “keep on the watch."

¹ Today we stand at the threshold of Jesus’ arrival In the dual role of deliverer and executioner. As watchful Christians realizing the urgency of the times, we do not Just fold our arms and wait for deliverance. We know that we must be ready at all times. It is necessary for us to keep “working hard and exerting ourselves” in our service to Jehovah. (1 Tim. 4:10) What about each one of us individually? Are we keeping on the watch?

• ³ Examining Oursalvas: Jesus also warned: “Pay attention to yourselves." (Luke 21:34, 35) We must be attentive to ourselves, making sure that we are “blameless and innocent ... in among a crooked and twisted generation.” (Phil. 2:15) Are we living each day as Christians, Imitating Jesus and walking in harmony with the principles outlined in God’s Word? We must avoid unchristian conduct characteristic of a world that is “lying in the power of the wicked one.” (1 John 5:19; Rom. 13:11-14) When we examine ourselves in the light of the Scriptures, are we truly on the watch as Jesus instructed?

• ⁴ Elders must be alert to be diligent in carrying out their assignments in the congregation, realizing that they will render an account for how they care for the flock. (Heb. 13:17) Family heads have a special obligation to direct their households in the ways of Jehovah. (Gen. 18:19; Josh. 24:15; compare 1 Timothy 3:4, 5.) Also, how vital it is that all of us fulfill the Scriptural command to love one another! It is the mark of true Christianity.—John 13:35.

• ⁵ Be Alert to Warn Others: Keeping on the watch involves more than paying attention to ourselves. We have a commission to make disciples of others. (Matt. 28:19, 20) Love of neighbor should move us to warn others so that they may survive the destruction facing this world. This is a responsibility resting upon all Christians. It is an essential part of our worship. (Rom. 10: 9, 10; 1 Cor. 9:16) Often we encounter apathy or outright opposition to this lifesaving work. We have an obligation to persist, even if the majority ignore our warning. (Ezek. 33:8, 9) Genuine love for God and neighbor will move us to persevere.

• ⁶ This is no time for complacency. We should neither allow the everyday anxieties of life to distract us nor become so involved in the pleasures of this system that they prove to be a snare. (Luke 21:34,35) If there ever was a need for a sense of urgency, it is now. The time is rapidly approaching for Jesus Christ to execute Judgment against this wicked system. Only those who are awake, alert, and watchful will survive. If we obey Jesus’ instructions and “succeed in escaping all these things," how thankful we will be!—Luke 21:36.

  Are Jehovah’s Reminders Rousing Us Spiritually?

  
  

• ¹ The psalmist lauded Jehovah, saying: “Your reminders are a concern to me.” (Ps. 119:99) The Hebrew word for “reminders" conveys the thought that Jehovah calls back to our minds what is stated in his laws, his orders, his regulations, his commandments, and his statutes. If we respond, they will rouse us spiritually and make us happy—Ps. 119:2.

• ² As Jehovah’s people, we regularly receive admonition and counsel. Much of it we have heard before. Although we appreciate this encouragement, we are inclined to forget. (Jas. 1:25) Jehovah patiently provides loving reminders. The apostle Peter recorded some of these reminders in order to ‘arouse our clear thinking faculties that we should remember the commandments of the Lord.’—2 Pet. 3:1,2.

’Again and again we are reminded about the importance of personal study and meeting attendance. This is done because these activities are so vital to our spiritual well-being.—1 Tim. 4:15; Heb. 10:24, 25.

’ The greatest challenge for some is fulfilling the Christian commission to preach. It takes effort, determination, and perseverance. Even though it requires much of us, we are helped to “stand firm” by having our “feet shod with the equipment of the good news." —Eph. 6:14,15.

• ⁵ Our service has to be motivated by more than just mental awareness of Jehovah’s requirements. The apostle Paul reminds us that the heart provides the motivation we need to make “public declaration for salvation." (Rom. 10:10) If we have strong faith and if our heart is inclined toward Jehovah’s reminders, we will be compelled to speak out in giving praise to his name.—Ps. 119:36; Matt. 12:34.

• ⁶ When we work hard in performing good works, we rightly expect that this will bring us joy. (Eccl. 2:10) Paul identifies Joy as a fruit of Jehovah's spirit, and we should seek to abound in displaying it. (Gal. 5:22) Peter added that an “earnest effort” will be rewarded with a fruitful ministry, which produces joy—2 Pet. 1:5-8.

¹ When we are faced with a challenge, we should remember the apostles’ firm stand as they declared: “We cannot stop speaking about the things we have seen and heard." (Acts 4:20) We are strengthened to carry on when we remember that ’by doing these things, we will save both ourselves and those who listen to us.’—1 Tim. 4:16.

⁸ We do not chafe or feel resentment because of receiving constant reminders. Rather, we deeply appreciate their excelling value. (Ps. 119:129) In these critical times, we are thankful that Jehovah keeps sending us reminders to rouse us up spiritually and to motivate us to be zealous in fine works!—2 Pet. 1:12,13.

Week Starting July 3

Song 194

10 mln: Local announcements. Call attention to outstanding April field service report.

17 mln: “Keep on the Watch.” Questions and answers.

18 mln: “Use a Variety of Brochures in Your Ministry.” Discuss with audience the suggested presentations. Make brief comments about Interesting features of the brochures. Have two or three brief demonstrations to show how they can be offered.

Song 213 and concluding prayer.

Week Starting July 1O

Song 110

1O mln: Local announcements and selected Announcements from Our Kingdom Ministry.

1S mln: “Are Jehovah’s Reminders Rousing Us Spiritually?” Questions and answers.

20 mln: Making Opportunities to Witness. During the summer months, many of us have opportunity to travel in connection with conventions and vacations, and fine opportunities for informal witnessing arise. Using the School Guidebook, pages 80-2, paragraphs 11-16, review suggestions on how to initiate conversations with strangers. Show how advance preparation helps to get better results. Have three different publishers briefly demonstrate how to start a conversation with a gas station attendant, a passenger on public transportation, and a person standing in line at the supermarket. Remind all to keep record of those who show interest and arrange to have someone contact them later. Song 154 and concluding prayer.

Week Starting July 17

Song 192

10 mln: Local announcements. Accounts report.

20 mln: “Make Return Visits on All Brochure Placements.” Brother assigned this part will discuss with three other publishers why it is important to follow up all interest and placements. They review the suggested presentations and demonstrate to one another how they can be used.

15 mln: Conducting a Home Bible Study. A talk by elder who conducts progressive Bible studies. Encourage a greater effort to start Bible studies. Review suggestions offered in Organized to Accomplish Our Ministry, pages 89-91. May include brief local experiences.

Song 164 and concluding prayer.

Week Starting July 24

Song 126

10 mln: Local announcements. Review “New Circuit Assembly Program." 15 mln: Local needs. Or give a talk on “Showing Christian Love to the Elderly,” based on August 1, 1994, Watchtower, pages 27-30.

20 min: What Will the Neighbors Think? Talk and demonstration based on April 1, 1974, Watchtower, pages 201-3. Give a talk on why we are often pressured by our worldly neighbors. (Cover page 201 and first paragraph on page 202.) Then have a demonstration showing an experienced couple at a Bible study with a newly interested family that is being intimidated by worldly neighbors who oppose studying the Bible with Jehovah’s Witnesses. (Review main points in remainder of the article.) Stress reasons why newly interested family should not be discouraged or give up.

Song 169 and concluding prayer.

Week Starting July 31

Song 136

io mln: Local announcements. Theocratic News.

15 mln: “Be Upbuilding.” Discussion and talk by an elder.

20 min: Review Literature Offer for August. Mention 32-page brochures that may be used. Invite publishers to relate interesting experiences offering brochures during July. Demonstrate how to start a Bible study using the brochure Does God Really Care About Us ? Raise question posed in paragraph 1 of Part 1. Get reaction of householder to thoughts expressed in paragraphs 2-4. Explain that the brochure shows that God really does care and that we can enjoy a life free from suffering in his coming new world. Offer to return for further discussion.

Song 179 and concluding prayer.

• ¹ Beginning in September, the theme for circuit assemblies will be “Listen and Learn to Carry Out God’s Word.” This theme, based on Deuteronomy 31:12, 13, provides a fitting basis for the entire program to highlight lessons we need to learn and apply.

• ² Although most people today listen to misleading inspired expressions, there is a vital need for each of us to listen to God’s Word and learn to carry it out. (Luke 11:28; 1 Tim. 4:1) With this in mind, the circuit assembly program has been designed to provide encouragement and help for publishers, families, elders, and pioneers. On Saturday, there will be a four-part symposium on the subject “Coping With Our Problems—By Paying Attention to God’s Word.” And on Sunday morning, there will be a symposium entitled “How the Scriptures Discipline in Righteousness.” The entire program will present spiritual encouragement that you and your family should not miss.

’On both Saturday and Sunday, practical suggestions for the field ministry will be offered and demonstrated. Encouraging and instructive experiences and interviews will also be presented. Thus, by being present and listening with a view to putting into practice what you learn, you will be in a better position to carry out fully the commands of God’s Word.

• ⁴ One of the highlights of the circuit assembly will be the baptism of newly dedicated brothers and sisters. Well before this public declaration of their dedication, the candidates should express their desire for baptism to the presiding overseer so that he can arrange for the elders to meet with them.

• ⁵ The public talk for this circuit assembly series is entitled “Why Be Guided by the Bible?” Invite interested persons to attend. In anticipation of the much-needed encouragement and assistance you and your family will receive, make definite plans to be present for the entire program.

Announcements

■ Literature offer for July and August: Any of the following 32-page brochures may be used: Does God Really Care About Us?, Enjoy Life on Earth Forever!, “Look! I Am Making All Things New," Should You Believe in the Trinity?, The Divine Name That Will Endure Forever, The Government That Will Bring Paradise, What Is the Purpose of Life—How Can You Find It?, and When Someone You Love Dies. September: The Live Forever book will be used, and efforts should be made to start home Bible studies. October: Subscriptions for either Awake! or The Watchtower. Make special effort to place copies of the magazines. Subscriptions may be offered on return visits. NOTE: Congregations that have not yet requested the abovementioned campaign items should do so on their next monthly Literature Request Form (S-14).

■ Circuit overseers are currently giving the public talk entitled “Divine Teaching Triumphs Worldwide"—a slide presentation highlighting the special International “Divine Teaching” Conventions held recently. Circuit overseers will continue to give this talk until it has been presented in all the congregations in the circuit. When that is completed, they will give the talk “Trust In the God of All Comfort" until the first week in March, when the next new talk is scheduled to begin.           .

■ The Society is producing ENGLISH bound volumes of The Watchtower for the years 1951 to 1959. Any new publishers or new congregations that desire these publications may now request them through the congregation. These items will not be permanently stocked by the Society. Bound volumes

TOTAL 935,727 Baptized: 2,957

Jehovah has richly blessed our united efforts in the field during the month of April. The 19,340,511 hours reported is a new peak and represents an increase of 3.5 percent over the previous peak of April 1989. The 5,910.318 return visits is also a new peak and represents an increase of 2.1 percent over the previous peak of April 1992. Our diligent efforts have resulted in congregation publishers averaging 11.2 hours in the ministry. We pray that Jehovah will bless our continued efforts to follow up the interest shown by those we contacted during the month of April.

are special-request items and should not be stocked by the congregations.

■ New Publications Available:

Happiness—How to Find It  —Chinese

(Simplified), Vietnamese

Watch Tower Publications Index 1986-1990              —German

■ New Videocassettes Available:

You Can Live Forever in Paradise on Earth, (Volume 2) —American Sign Language

Congregation book Study

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

Theocratic News

Cyprus: A new peak of 1,626 publishers was reached in February. Their special assembly day attendance was 2,249.

Philippines: A new peak of 119,549 publishers reported in February.

Rwanda: The “Godly Fear” District Convention was recently held in small groups with a total attendance of 6,062, and 178 were baptized.

Be Upbuilding

• ¹ Since we live in “critical times hard to deal with,” all of us need encouragement. (2 Tim. 3:1) Keenly aware of this need even in his day, Paul was anxious to use contacts with his brothers as opportunities for “an interchange of encouragement.” He urged his brothers to “pursue the things ... that are upbuilding to one another.” (Rom. 1: 11, 12; 14:19) These efforts succeeded in “strengthening the souls of the disciples, encouraging them to remain in the faith." (Acts 14:22) We sorely need that kind of encouragement today.

• ² We can be upbuilding to others by what we say. When used properly, our words can be “as apples of gold in silver carvings." (Prov. 25: 11) By participating in the meetings, we are “encouraging one another.” (Heb. 10:25) Our tongue can be used In a positive way when we share experiences, give commendation, or discuss spiritual matters. Such wholesome use of the tongue ‘is good for building up. Imparting what is favorable to the hearers.’—Eph. 4:29.

• ³ Talk About Thing* That Ara Upbuilding: At Philippians 4:8, Paul provided hejpful guidelines for our speech. He said we should consider whatever things are true, of serious concern, righteous, chaste, lovable, well spoken of, virtuous, and praiseworthy. We can always be sure that what we say will be true and beneficial to others if it is based on God’s Word. (John 17:17) Our Christian dedication, what we learn at the congregation meetings, the way we fully accomplish our ministry, and other such matters are things of serious concern. Positive conversations about the standards and principles of God’s Word are sure to help us become “wise for salvation.” (2 Tim. 3:15) We can express our appreciation for the chaste conduct practiced by those in Jehovah’s clean organization. We can extol the lovable acts of kindness by our brothers. (John 13:34,35) Things that are well spoken of include the wholesome Christian qualities of faith, joy, peace, and long-suffering that we observe in our brothers. Conversation about such virtuous and praiseworthy things is ‘good for the upbuilding’of others.—Rom. 15:2.

• ⁴ Every day, we are confronted by the discouraging anxieties of the world. How refreshing to lay these things aside and share loving association with our brothers! The precious time we are able to spend together is a treasure to be cherished. If we are always encouraging and upbuilding, others will truthfully say of us: “They have refreshed my spirit.”—! Cor. 16:18.

  Use a Variety of Brochures in Your Ministry

  
  

• ¹ People today are Interested in a variety of subjects. As you engage in field service during July, you could have with you several different brochures, using a specific one that would appeal to people in the territory. Perhaps you would like to try one of these presentations:

• ² In offering the brochure “The Government That Will Bring Paradise,” you could ask:

■ “What do you think the world would be like if God were the only ruler? [Allow for response.] Having God take over the rulership of the earth is exactly what we are asking for when we pray the Lord’s Prayer, or Our Father, that Jesus Christ taught us. [Turn to page 3, and read the first paragraph, which quotes Matthew 6:10.] If you would like to live in a world like that, you should read this brochure." Offer to leave it.

• ³ “When Someone You Love Dies” could be featured in this way: ■ “Do you think the day will ever come when none of us will have to lose a loved one in death? [Allow for response.] This beautifully written brochure has comforted millions with the Bible’s sure promise that such a day is coming in the near future. [Turn to page 5, and read the fifth paragraph, including 1 Corinthians 15:21,22. Then turn to the illustration on page 30.] Here the artist has captured the Joy we may experience in welcoming back our dead loved ones in the resurrection. But where will that happy scene take place? This brochure will show you the Bible's answer to that question.” If the brochure is accepted, you might add: “I would like to return later and discuss this subject further."

* You might feature the brochure “Look! I Am Making All Things New," using this direct approach to start a Bible study:

■ "Many people have questions about the Bible. You may have wondered about the answer to one of these. [Open to page 30.] This last question has stirred the interest of many: ‘How may you prepare for everlasting life in Paradise?’ ” If you discuss paragraphs 57-8 on pages 29-30 and read Revelation 21:3, 4, you will have laid the groundwork for starting a Bible study. Conclude by leaving the brochure and arranging for a return visit when you can discuss some of the other questions.

• ⁵ You might like to try this simple presentation with the brochure “The Divine Name That Will Endure Forever”:

■ “One of the first things I learned from the Bible was God’s name. Do you know what it is? [Allow for response.] Let me show you. It’s here in the Bible at Psalm 83:18. [Read.] This brochure shows how God’s name, Jehovah, appears in many different languages. [Show the box on page 8.] If you would like to learn more about Jehovah and his purposes, you should read this brochure.” Hand the brochure to the householder.

• ⁶ With such a variety of fine brochures to use, we certainly are well equipped “to tell good news to the meek ones.”—Isa. 61:1.

  Make Return Visits on All Brochure Placements

  
  

• ¹ The apostle Paul commended the Philippians because they ’revived their thinking in his behalf.’ (Phil. 4:10) If we use their example as a model for the field ministry, we will ‘revive our thinking’ in behalf of those to whom we witness and be prompted to make return visits.

• ² If you placed the brochure “The Government That Will Bring Paradise,” you might say something like this:

■ “I was thinking about the conversation we had the other day. and two scriptures came to mind that I would like to share with you. You may recall that we talked about God taking over the rulership of the earth. In the Bible, Jehovah God has promised that this will take place. [Read Daniel 2:44.] Do you believe that could really happen? [Allow for response.] Listen to what God says about his ability to fulfill his promises. [Read Isaiah 55:11.] Shouldn't that encourage us to put our trust in God’s Kingdom? But when will God fulfill his promises?" Explain that you will answer that question on your next visit.

• ³ You might take this approach tvhen making a return visit on a person who took the brochure “When Someone You Love Dies”:

■ “I made a special effort to return, in view of our discussion about losing someone in death.” Show illustration on page 30 as you say: “Remember this happy scene of people being resurrected and reunited with their loved ones? I left you with the question about where this is to take place, in heaven or on earth. Perhaps you found the Bible’s answer on page 26 of this brochure." Discuss the main points in the third through the fifth paragraphs, and read John 5:21. 28, 29. As time permits, read any of the remaining scriptures on the page.

* Did you start a study in “Look! I Am Making All Things New”? On the return visit, you could do this:

■ Refer again to page 30, and point to the question: “In what ways is the Bible outstanding?" Turn to pages 3 and 4. and review paragraphs 1-4 as well as the illustration on the cover of the brochure. Read one or two scriptures cited in the footnote on paragraph 4. Explain that the Bible is the only book that offers such a marvelous hope. Make arrangements for your next visit. After the third session, if it looks like the study will continue, you can start reporting a new study!

⁵ You might resume a discussion on “The Divine Name That Will Endure Forever” this way:

■ “Previously, I was able to show you God’s name in the Bible. Knowing and using the name Jehovah is a vital part of our worship." Turn to page 31, review the main points in the last four paragraphs, and read John 17:3 and Micah 4:5. Explain that we provide a Bible study program that can show how God’s name will be sanctified in a proper way and how we can enjoy the blessings of a paradise earth.

⁸ So, revive your thinking in behalf of those you have contacted. Be persistent in going back, and prepare something beneficial to share. You can be one “who really does bear fruit" in mak ing new disciples—Matt. 13:23.

© 1995 Watch Tower Bible and Trad Society ot Pennsylvania. All rights reserved Our Kingdom Ministry (USPS 295-360) is published monthly by Watchtower Bible and Tract Society ol New %rk. Inc., and International Bible Students Association. 25 Columbia Heights. Brooklyn. NY 11201-2483. Second-class postage paid at Brooklyn. NY, and at additional mailing offices. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to Watchtower. 25 Columbia Heights. Brooklyn. NY 11201-2483.                  Printed in U.S.A

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