OUR KINGDOM MINISTRY

• ¹ At various times throughout mankind’s history, it was necessary for Jehovah to execute judgment upon his enemies. However, because of his mercy, he provided rightheart-ed ones with an opportunity for salvation. (Ps. 103:13) Their response determined their destiny.

• ² For example, prior to the Flood, in 2370 B.C.E., Noah was “a preacher of righteousness.” The ones who perished were those who ignored the divine warning. (2 Pet. 2:5; Heb. 11:7) Before the destruction of Jerusalem In 70 C.E., Jesus clearly outlined the action that would be needed for anyone to escape the devastation that was to befall the city. All who rejected his warning message suffered dire consequences. (Luke 21:20-24) Such divine warnings and judgments were repeated many times throughout history.

• ³ A Modern-Day Warning Work: Jehovah long ago declared that his anger would be unleashed against today’s wicked system and that only the meek ones would survive. (Zeph. 2:2, 3; 3:8) The time for preaching this warning message is fast running out! The “great tribulation” is just ahead, and meek ones are now being gathered. Indeed, the “fields” are “white for harvesting.” Hence, no other work can compare with this as to importance and urgency.—Matt. 24:14, 21, 22; John 4:35.

’We must share in sounding the modern-day warning to others, “whether they will hear or will refrain.” This is a God-given assignment, which we dare not ignore. (Ezek. 2:4,5; 3:17,18) Our having a full share in this work provides a convincing demonstration of our deep love for God, our genuine concern for our neighbors, and our unshakable faith in our Savior, Jesus Christ.

⁵ Now Is ths Time to Act: After past judgments by Jehovah, wickedness always sprang up anew because Satan and his demons were still active. However, this time It will be different. Satanic influence will be eliminated. A global warning about an impending “great tribulation” will never again be needed. (Rev. 7:14; Rom. 16:20) We have the special privilege of being part of a never-to-be-repeated work. Now is the time for us to make the most of this opportunity.

⁶ About his preaching activity, the apostle Paul, with great conviction, stated: “I am clean from the blood of all men.” (Acts 20:26) He did not feel bloodgullty through any failure to sound the warning. Why not? Because he could say of his ministry: “To this end I am indeed working hard, exerting myself.” (Col. 1:29) Let us enjoy the same satisfaction of sharing to the fullest extent possible in the work that will never be repeated!—2 Tim. 2:15.

• ¹ Most of us have a number of relatives who are not in the truth. How we long for such loved ones to join us on the road to life! Our concern for their everlasting future may be greater when they are members of our own household. Although we have tried for years to Interest them in the truth, we should not conclude that the situation is hopeless.

• ² When Jesus did his preaching, “his brothers were, in fact, not exercising faith in him.” (John 7:5) At one point, his relatives thought he was insane. (Mark 3:21) Yet, Jesus did not give up on them. In time, his brothers accepted the truth. (Acts 1:14) His half brother James became a pillar In the Christian congregation. (Gal. 1: 18, 19; 2:9) If you would like to have the joy of seeing your relatives embrace the truth, do not stop trying to reach them with the Kingdom good news.

• ³ Ba Refreshing, Not Overwhelming: When Jesus preached to others, his listeners felt refreshed, not browbeaten. (Matt. 11:28, 29) He did not overwhelm them with teachings that they could not grasp. To refresh your relatives with the waters of truth, give them a cup at a time, not a bucketful! A traveling overseer observed: “The best results are achieved by those who awaken curiosity in their relatives by witnessing in measured doses.” In this way, even opposers may begin to ask questions and eventually develop a thirst for the truth. —1 Pet. 2:2; compare 1 Corinthians 3: 1, 2.

’ Many married Christians have effectively witnessed to their unbelieving mates by leaving literature open to material that might Interest them. One sister who did this also conducted a study with her children within the hearing of her husband, giving explanations that would benefit him. Sometimes she would ask him: “I learned such and such in my study today. What do you think about it?” Her husband finally accepted the truth.

• ⁵ Be Respectful, Not Impatient: One publisher commented that “even relatives have a right to their own views and opinions.” So we should show respect when they voice their thoughts or when they specifically ask us not to speak to them about the truth. (Eccl. 3:7; 1 Pet. 3:15) By being patient and loving and by being good listeners, we can look for appropriate opportunities to give a subtle witness. Such patience can be rewarding, as was seen in the case of a Christian husband who patiently endured his unbelieving wife’s mistreatment for 20 years. Once she began to change, he said: “How grateful I am to Jehovah that he helped me to cultivate long-suffering, because I can now see the result: My wife has started to walk on the path of life!”

• ⁶ What about your relatives? It may be that through your good Christian conduct and your prayers in their behalf, “you may win them to Jehovah.” —1 Pet. 3:1, 2, footnote.

  Service Meetings for February

  
  

Week Starting February 3

Song 27

to mln: Local announcements. Selected Announcements from Our Kingdom Ministry. Theocratic News.

15 min: “Share In the Work That Will Never Be Repeated." Questions and answers. As time permits, Include points from “Keeping on the Watch —How?” on pages 714-15 of the Prociaimers book.

20 mln: “Presenting the Good News With a Sense of Urgency.” (Paragraphs 1-5) After brief comments on paragraph 1, chairman discusses paragraphs 2-5 with two or three publishers. They review highlights of the suggested presentations and comment on why these or similar presentations may be effective in the local territory. Publishers take turns practicing the presentations. Chairman gives commendation, suggests ways to make them more effective, and offers reminders on the need to mention the donation arrangement. He then asks audience about ways the goal of starting studies can be reached. Gives specific ideas of how eventually to get a study started in the Knowledge book. Song 34 and concluding prayer.

Week Starting February 10

Song 29             '

5 min: Local announcements. Accounts report.

io mln: “Presenting the Good News With a Sense of Urgency.” (Paragraphs 6-8) Demonstrate presentations in paragraphs 6-7. Emphasize the need to make a return visit where Interest is shown.

30 mln: “Wanted—100,000 Auxiliary Pioneers.” Questlon-and-answer coverage by the service overseer. Highlight the box on page 3. Review the sample schedules on page 6. Each baptized publisher ought to consider personally and prayerfully whether he is able to enroll for one or more months. Unbaptized publishers can expand their share In the ministry by setting their own goal of hours each month.

Song 43 and concluding prayer.

Week Starting February 17

Song 30

10 mln: Local announcements. Mention Interesting talking points in the current magazines that can be used In service this week.

13 min: “The Memorial—An Event of Great Importance!” Questions and answers. Offer encouragement to make the entire month of March special by auxiliary pioneering. Highlight use of Memorial invitations.

22 mln: Starting Home Bible Studies. In recent months, hundreds of thousands of bound books have been placed. This provides a basis for starting many more home Bible studies. Review what was accomplished locally in placing books and other literature. Encourage publishers to follow up on all Interest. Have several publishers relate specifically the effort required on their part to start new home Bible studies. Emphasize that an Integral part of our commission Is to make disciples. (Matt. 28:19, 20) This can be done effectively If we endeavor to apply suggestions set out in the June 1996 Our Kingdom Ministry insert.

Song 47 and concluding prayer.

Week Starting February 24

Song 32

is mln: Local announcements. Announce the names of all who are auxiliary pioneering In March. Explain that it is not too late to submit an application. Encourage all to have a full share in field service on Saturday, March 1. Outline the additional arrangements that are being made locally for meetings for service during the month. Carefully review the Question Box.

12 mln: “What About Your Relatives?” Husband and wife discuss the article together and decide on how to approach unbelieving relatives with the good news.—See February 15, 1990, Watchtower, pages 25-7.

15 mln: Review literature Offer for March—The Secret of Family Happiness. Briefly discuss the reasons behind family breakdown in modern society. (See October 15,1992, Watchtower, pages 4-7.) Review the book’s contents, on page 3. Invite audience to pick out chapters that could provide the basis for a presentation. Point out the helpful teaching box that appears at the end of each chapter. Have a capable publisher demonstrate how to present the book. Remind all to pick up copies for use this weekend and to mention the donation arrangement when placing them.

Song 48 and concluding prayer.

The Memorial —An Event of Great Importance!

• ¹ On Sunday, March 23, after sundown, we will celebrate the Memorial of Christ’s death. (Luke 22:19) This Is truly an event of great Importance! By keeping his integrity to Jehovah until death, Jesus proved that it is possible for a human to maintain perfect godly devotion even under severe stress, thus upholding the rlght-fulness of Jehovah’s sovereignty. (Heb. 5:8) Additionally, Christ’s death provided the perfect human sacrifice needed to ransom mankind, making it possible for those who exercise faith to five everlastingly. (John 3:16) By toeing present at the Memorial, we can demonstrate our heartfelt appreciation both for Jehovah's love and for Jesus’ sacrifice for us.

• ² All are encouraged to follow the Bible-reading program that is scheduled for March 18-23, as noted on the 1997 Calendar of Jehovah’s Witnesses. Also, a family discussion of chapters 112-16 of the book The Greatest Man 'Who Ever Lived will help to focus our attention on the most Important week in human history.

• ³ Can you Increase the time you spend in the field ministry during the MemorieTseason? Many publishers will take full advantage of the five weekends in March to serve as auxlllary _pioneers. Why not be among them? All of us can have a full share in emphasizing the Importance of attending the Memorial. Since it falls on a Syn-day, it will be easier for many to attend. Be sure to Invite all Bl-ble students and other interested ones to Join with us. Share with them what is stated ofT page 127, paragraph 18, in the Knowledge book regarding the one day of the year that is to be specially observed.

• ⁴ Approach this greatest event of 1997 with deep appreciation for all that Jesus’ death means for us. Be present on the evening of March 23, when true Christians everywhere faithfully observe the Memorial.

Wanted—100,000 Auxiliary Pioneers

Can You Auxiliary Pioneer in March? April? May?

• ¹ “Wanted 1,000 Preachers” was the title of an article published in the April 1881 issue of the Watch Tower. It contained an appeal to all dedicated men and women, “to whom the Lord has committed a knowledge of His truth,” to use whatever time they could to share in spreading Bible truth. Those who could give half or more of their time exclusively to the Lord’s work were encouraged to volunteer as colporteur evangelizers—the forerunners of today’s pioneers.

• ² Although times have changed since the 1800’s, one fact remains the same—God’s dedicated servants want to continue using as much time as possible in spreading the good news. Serving as auxiliary pioneers enables congregation publishers to improve their effectiveness as they put forth extra time in the Kingdom ministry.—Col. 4:17; 2 Tim. 4:5.

• ³ Ever since its inception, auxiliary pioneering has been enjoyed by hundreds of thousands of brothers and sisters. Enthusiasm for this feature of the pioneer ministry grew to the extent that a peak of more than 100,000 auxiliary pioneers was reached in the United States branch territory in April 1985! Three times since then, more than 100,000 publishers have shared as auxiliary pioneers during the month of April—in 1988, 1989, and 1992. The potential certainly exists to repeat this fine effort during the spring of 1997.

• ⁴ We encourage you to have the goal of auxiliary pioneering during one or more of the months of March, April, and May. Why, include March? Because this year the Memorial of Christ’s death falls on Sunday, March 23. There is no better way that we could spend the weeks preceding the Memorial than to share zealously in the Kingdom-preaching work that our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, instituted. With a great heap of witness being given in March, we can invite many interested persons to join us in the commemoration of Christ’s death. March will also be special in that, for the first time, we will be featuring the new book, The Secret of Family Happiness. Additionally, the month of March contains five Saturdays and five Sundays, allowing for intensive weekend activity in the field service. Of course, during the months of April and May, a continued zealous effort in the ministry will allow us to follow up on the interest found and start new home Bible studies, using the brochure What Does God Require of Us? We will also cover our territory thoroughly, particularly on weekends, with the current timely issues of The Watchtower and Awake!

• ⁵ Who Qualify to Auxiliary Pioneer?: Organized to Accomplish Our Ministry, page 114, explains: “Whatever your personal circumstances, if you are baptized, are of good moral standing, can arrange to meet the requirement of spending 60 hours a month in the field ministry and believe you could serve one or more months as an auxiliary pioneer, the congregation elders will be pleased to consider your application for this privilege of

How to Succeed as an Auxiliary Pioneer

• ■ Be positive about your prospects

■ Pray to Jehovah to bless your efforts

■ Invite another publisher to pioneer with you

■ Work out a practical service schedule

■ Order an ample supply of magazines

■ Support congregation arrangements for service

■ Seek opportunities for witnessing informally service.” Can you make room for this privilege in March? April? May?

• ⁶ A positive attitude on the part of the bodies of elders along with the wholehearted support of the rest of the publishers should make the response to this call for 100,000 auxiliary pioneers a resounding success. (Heb. 13:7) All family heads are encouraged to ascertain how many within their household can join the ranks of the auxiliary pioneers during one or more of the coming months.—Ps. 148:12, 13; compare Acts 21:8, 9.

• ⁷ Do not be quick to conclude that auxiliary pioneering is beyond your reach because of your full-time secular work, school schedule, family responsibilities, or other Scriptural obligations. For some it may not be easy to take part; nevertheless, with good organization and Jehovah’s blessing, they can succeed. (Ps. 37:5; Prov. 16:3) Let the desire to share in pioneer service control your circumstances; do not let your circumstances control your desire to pioneer. (Prov. 13:19a) Hence, with a strong love for Jehovah and for fellow humans, many are able to adjust their weekly routine of life so as to expand their ministry a month at a time. (Luke 10:27, 28) Many blessings are in store for those who exert themselves vigorously in the Kingdom service.—1 Tim. 4:10.

• ⁸ What Auxiliary Pioneering Accomplishes: The whole-souled effort that thousands of God’s servants put forth to auxiliary pioneer results in a great shout of praise to Jehovah. As these Kingdom proclaimers exert themselves to spread the good news to more people, they are drawn closer to Jehovah personally because they learn to be more dependent upon him for his spirit and blessing.

• ⁹ Having auxiliary, regular, and special pioneers active in our midst produces a fresh spirit of vitality in the congregation. Their enthusiasm is contagious as they talk about their field experiences. This motivates others to reevaluate their own priorities and potential for having an expanded share in the all-important work of the ministry. A sister who was baptized at the age of 70 immediately began auxiliary pioneering on a continuous basis. When asked some years later why, at her age, she was still exerting herself so much in the ministry as an auxiliary pioneer every month, she said she felt as though the first 70 years of her life had been wasted, and she did not want to waste any of her remaining years of life!

• ¹⁰ Each participant in the auxiliary pioneer work develops an improved skill in the ministry. One young witness admitted: ‘During early childhood I used to accompany my parents in their preaching activities. Field service was really fun. However, in time, it dawned on me that at school I stood out from the rest of the crowd. It then became awkward for me to speak to fellow students about the truth. When preaching from house to house, I began to dread the thought of meeting up with someone I knew from school. In my case I think the problem was fear of man. [Prov. 29: 25] After getting out of school, I decided to try pioneering on a temporary basis. As a result, preaching took on an appeal that it never had before. No longer did I view it as a fun activity, nor was it a heavy burden. On seeing my Bible students progress in the truth, I enjoyed a sense of deep satisfaction at the evidence that Jehovah God was backing my efforts.’ This youth went on to serve as a regular pioneer.

• ¹¹ From a practical standpoint, when many serve as auxiliary pioneers in the congregation, a thorough coverage of the territory results. The brother who handles the assigning of territories can ask the auxiliary pioneers for their assistance in covering the seldom-worked sections. Packing a lunch and putting in a whole day of service will make it possible to work even the distant comers of the territory.

• ¹² Elders to Make Advance Preparations: Throughout the next three months, arrangements should be made to schedule different kinds of witnessing activity at various times of the week, including late afternoon and early evening, so that as many as possible can take part. In addition to doing regular house-to-house work, include periods for street witnessing, working business territory, and calling on not-at-homes. By so doing, elders help those who are pioneering to share in service with the congregation at a time that will be most practical and convenient for the pioneers. The congregation should be well informed of all field service arrangements. The handling of meetings for service should be well organized. Additionally, adequate territory should be made available and ample magazines and other literature supplies should be ordered promptly.

• ¹³ Plan Your Personal Service Schedule: One brother, who at first was apprehensive about auxiliary pioneering, said: “It really is a lot easier than I thought it was going to be. It just takes a good schedule.” On the back page of this insert, do you see a sample auxiliary pioneer schedule that would be practical for you? Fifteen hours each week for the ministry is all the time that is required of auxiliary pioneers.

• ¹⁴ In order to serve as auxiliary pioneers, housewives and second-shift workers can often schedule their mornings for the field service. Schoolchildren and third-shift workers can generally devote late afternoons to the preaching work. Full-time secular workers have found it possible either to take off one day of work a week or to devote full weekends to the ministry, in addition to doing evening witnessing. Many whose field service is mostly limited to weekend activity choose months that contain five full weekends. This year, that is true of March, as well as August and November. Using the blank schedule on page 6 that is provided as a guide, give careful and prayerful thought to what will be a practical personal service schedule for your individual situation.

• ¹⁵ One advantage of the provision to auxiliary pioneer is its flexibility. You can choose the months that you will pioneer, and you can serve as often as you desire. If you would like to auxiliary pioneer on a continuous basis but cannot do so, have you thought of enrolling every other month throughout the year? On' the other hand, some are able to serve continuously as auxiliary pioneers for extended periods of time.

• ¹⁶ A Warm-Up for Full-Time Pioneering: Many who have the pioneer spirit would like to serve as regular pioneers, but they wonder if they have the time, the circumstances, or the stamina for it. Undoubtedly most of those who are now regular pioneering first used auxiliary pioneer service as a warm-up for the full-time work. By increasing one’s auxiliary pioneer schedule just one hour each day, or one full day each week, it is possible to fulfill the regular pioneer schedule. To see if that is possible for you, why not try to devote 90 hours in the ministry during one or more months of auxiliary pioneering? At the same time, you will be developing return visits and Bible studies, which will allow you to enjoy a well-rounded pioneer ministry.

• ¹⁷ One sister enjoyed six years of continuous auxiliary pioneering. All that time it was her goal to enter the regular pioneer service. To that end, she tried four different secular jobs in hopes of creating a situation that would put the 90-hour requirement for regular pioneers within her grasp. Each month, she drew up one or two schedules in order to calculate whether it might be possible. But on examining them, she felt the full-time ministry wets beyond her reach. Still, she continued to ask Jehovah for his direction. Then one day while preparing for the Service Meeting, she read an article in the September 1991 Our Kingdom Ministry that stated: “Rather than placing undue emphasis on the hour requirement, why not focus attention on the increased opportunity to share in the ingathering work? (John 4: 35,36)” She relates: “I reread this sentence five or six times, and I was quite sure that this was Jehovah’s answer. At that moment I made the decision to enter the regular pioneer service.” Although her part-time secular work schedule was far from ideal, she submitted her application to regular pioneer. A week later her schedule was changed, and she was given secular working hours that were just right for her. She concluded, “Is this Jehovah’s hand, or not?,” and added: “When you ask Jehovah for guidance and you receive it, do not run away from it—accept it.” If it is your earnest desire to regular pioneer, perhaps by the end of three months of auxiliary pioneering this March, April, and May, you will be convinced that you too can succeed in the full-time ministry.

• ¹⁸ We are certain that Jehovah will bless the zeal and will support the efforts of his people as they publish the good news of salvation during this special springtime period of activity. (Isa. 52:7; Rom. 10:15) Will you answer the call for 100,000 auxiliary pioneers by having a share in March? April? May?

Auxiliary Pioneer Schedules

Sample Ways to Schedule 15 Hours of Field Service Each Week

Mornings—Monday through Saturday

Sunday may be substituted for any day

Two Full Days

Any two days of the week may be selected

Weekday Afternoons and Saturday

Sunday may be substituted forany day

Two Evenings and the Weekend

Any two weekday evenings may be selected

My Personal Service Schedule

Decide on the number of hours foreach period

Announcements

■ Literature offer for February: Revelation—Its Grand Climax At Hand! March: The Secret of Family Happiness. April and May: Individual copies of The Watchtower and Awake! For midweek service and in territory that Is covered frequently, the new brochure, What Does God Require of Us?, may be used.

■ The secretary and the service overseer should review the activity of all regular pioneers. If any are having difficulty meeting the hour requirement, the elders should arrange for assistance to be given. For suggestions, review Society’s letters (S-201) of October 1,1993, and October 1,1992. Also see paragraphs 12-20 of the August 1986 Our Kingdom Ministry insert.

■ Publishers who wish to serve as auxiliary pioneers in March, April, and May should make their plans now and turn in their application early. This will help the elders to make necessary field service arrangements and have sufficient magazines and other literature on hand. The names of all who are approved to auxiliary pioneer should be announced to the congregation.

■ On Saturday, May 10, 1997, the Society’s facilities in Brooklyn, Patterson, and Wallkill, New York, will be closed for spring cleaning. There will be no arrangements for tours or for congregations to pick up literature on that day.

■ New Publications Available:

How to Improve Your Speaking and

Teaching Ability        —Samoan

The Secret of Family Happiness

—Cebuano, Iloko, Japanese, Tagalog, Tamil, Thai

Walch Tower Publications Index 1986

1995                   — English

What Does God Require of Us? —Cebuano, Doko, Japanese, Laotian, Tagalog, Thal

■ New Audiocassettes Available:

What Does God Require of Us? (single cassette)                 —Italian

■ New Videocassettes Available:

The Bible—Accurate History, Reliable

Prophecy               —Polish

The Bible—Its Power in Your Life (Volume 3 of the series The Bible—A Book of Fact and Prophecy)    —English

The New World Society in Action

—Arabic, French, Greek

Theocratic News

Benin: This small country reached Its 45th consecutive peak of publishers In September, with 4,843 reporting.

Bolivia: A new peak of 12,823 publishers reported in October. This was an 8-percent Increase over last year's average. Congregation publishers averaged 13.1 hours in field service.

Question box

■ What should be done when a disaster strikes that directly affects our brothers?

If a Disaster Strikes in Your Area: Do not panic. Keep your composure, and concentrate on what is truly valuable—life, not possessions. Care for your family’s immediate physical needs. Then notify the elders about your circumstances and present location.

The elders and ministerial servants play a crucial role in providing relief assistance. If advance warning of a disaster is given, as with some major storms, these brothers should ensure that everyone is In a safe location, and if time permits, should obtain and distribute supplies that may be needed.

Afterward, book study conductors should locate each family and inquire of their well-being. The presiding overseer or another elder should be notified of the situation of each household, even if all is well. If someone has been ipjured, the elders will try to arrange for medical treatment. They will also provide any material things such as food, clothing, shelter, or household supplies that are needed. (John 13:35; Gal. 6: 10) The local elders will give spiritual and emotional support to the congregation and will arrange as quickly as possible to resume congregation meetings. After a thorough evaluation has been made, an elder should contact the circuit overseer on behalf of the body'of elders to apprise him of any injuries, damage to the Kingdom Hall, or damage to the homes of the brothers, as well as of any special needs. The circuit overseer will then telephone the branch office with a report of the situation. The branch office will coordinate any large-scale relief measures that are needed.

If a Disaster Strlkas Elsewhere: Remember the brothers and sisters in your prayers. (2 Cor. 1:8-11) If you wish to provide monetary assistance, you may send your donations to the Society, where a relief fund Is set aside for this purpose. The address is: Watchtower, 25 Columbia Heights, Brooklyn, NY 11201-2483. (Acts 2:44, 45; 1 Cor. 16:1-3; 2 Cor. 9:5-7; see the December 1, 1985, Watchtower, pages 20-2.) Do not send materials or supplies to the disaster area unless specifically requested by the brothers in charge. This will assure an orderly relief effort and the proper distribution of goods. (1 Cor. 14:40) Please do not telephone the Society unnecessarily, as this can tie up phone lines that are needed to handle Incoming calls from the disaster area.

After a proper assessment has been made, the Society will determine if a relief committee should be formed. Responsible brothers will be notified. All should cooperate with the elders taking the lead so that the critical needs of all the brothers are adequately met.—See Jehovah’s Witnesses—Proclaimers of God's Kingdom, pages 310-15.

Presenting the Good News With a Sense of Urgency

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- ¹ show our deep appreciation for God’s Kingdom promises byCshayng wholeheartedly in the Christian ministry. We neecfropartlcipate in this work with a sense of urgency. Why? Because tlpyworkers are few, theend of this^wicked system of thirfgs is drawing neaiySndThe ^lives of those in our territory are at stake. (Ezek. 3:19;

Matt. 9:37, 38) Such a weighty responsibilitVAtalls for our j best effort in the ministry. Korean we show a sense of • urgency regarding our field service activity? By preparing good presentations-in advance, by being diligent in searching out people wherever they may be found, by keeping a^rerfkurate record of all who show interest, by promptly/gturning to follow up that interest, and by re-membermg that sine^dyes are involved, we should take our ministry serlousfyTThe following suggestions may be helpful as we prepare to present the godffUew's with a sense of urgency during February. The offer will be the book Revelation—Its Grand Climax At HdffitT

² You might be able to start a conversation by briefly mentioning some problems being faced . in the community, and then you £ could say:

t ■ “Many people believe that there is a God, but they wonder: ‘What kind of future does he want for ns?^r How would you answer .that? [Allow for response ! Did you know that tfie Bible clearly explains God’s will for mankind and the steps h6Ts taking to accomplish it?” Turn to page 301 in the Revelation Climax book. Read Reyel^pft_21Tin pajagrfiphl. and Cfienread the explanationjffiT??! for it in theTast half of paragraph 2. Turn to the picture on page 302 to illustrate what this means for our future. Read Revelation 21:4 in paragraph 6. If there is good respontfor-oSer-ttie book. Be sure to explain how our worldwide work is supported by donations. Arrange a convenient time to return to continue the conversation.

I ³ You could foljttw ifct> the previous discussion of Revelation 21: 1,4 with this brief presentation:

■ “On my last visit, we talked about God's promise to prepare a.new earthly society for mankind. [Draw attention again to the Jiicture on page 302 in the Revelation Climax book.] Would you like to see youxtam-ilK_enipy such conditions'? LAllow for response.] The question jgfHow reliable are God’s promises? Pibase note what he himself says." Read R^ye.-latiPijoSiA^Ga in paragraph 8 on ijflga 3Q3 ^sk the printecTTiuestion for paragraph?) on page 304, and read the answer, including the last sentence of the paragraph. Mention the oftor-eFa-fcaeglbla^tudy. Arrangeto demonstrate it later.

- U/!'-IM'*-*'

• ⁴ Since many are concerned about the growing problems facing mankind, you might say something like this on the initial call: ■ ‘‘Nearly everyone is concerned about the problems we face In our community. [Mentionji fewj For decades politiciahshave promised to bring about permanent solutions, and some have tried to do so.'What do you think causes conditions to continue to worsen? [Allow for response.] The Bible offers an expranatidn' that most people have never considered. The book of Revelation describes a war that took place in heaven. Notice the outcome, as stated at Revelation lg]9." Read the verse., then turn to page 182 in the Revelation Climax book. Use the picture to explain Satan’s involvement in earth’s atfaTrs~If genuine interest is shown, offer the book and mention the donation arrangement. Make plans to return and discuss how God will solve mankind’s problems.

• ^s If you promised to return to explain God’s solution'for "today’s problems, you might try this approach:

■ “I made a special effort to come back so that we could continue our discussion on the real solution for the problems facing mankind. On my last visit,'we saw that the Bible iden-tifles Satan the Devil as the one mis-le'ading the entire inhabited earth. Since he is a superhuman spirit creature, do you think there is a wav for his influence to be removed? [AlloW tor response.] Flease note”what the Bible says.” Read and explain Revel5TIon~2p71-3. By using the picture on pages 4-5 of the Knowledge book, show what conditions will be like without Satan’s influence. Offer a

Bible study and endeavor to start it on thespdt.

• ⁶ With'so many people interested in the environment, you could say something like this to open a conversation:

■ “We have found that almost everyone is concerned about the pollution of our air, water, and food. In some countries the condition of the environment is already life-threatening. Since God is the Creator of the earth, what do you think he will do about this? [Allow for response.] The Bible says that God is going to call for an accounting of the way we use the planet. [Read Revelation 11:18b.] Imagine living on an earth that is free of all pollution!” Point out God’s promise of a paradise, as indicated at Revelation 21:3, 4. Show the picture on page 302 in the Revelation Climax book. If the degree of interest warrants, offer the book and arrange to call back. Give the person an opportunity to make a donation.

• ⁷ When returning to someone who showed interest in the Paradise earth, you might say:

■ “On my last visit, we agreed that to solve the problem of a polluted earth, God will have to intervene in man’s affairs. But the question is, What must we do to survive into the righteous new world of God’s making?” Read John 17:3. Invite the householder to take advantage of our free Bible study course to gain this special knowledge.

• ⁸ What a privilege it is to be used as modern-day harvest workers and to do a lifesaving preaching work! May all of us keep busy presenting the good news with a sense of urgency, 'knowing that our labor is not in vain.’—1 Cor. 15:58.

© 1997 Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society ol Pennsylvania. All rights reserved. Our Kingdom Ministry (ISSN 1067-72591 is published monthly by Watchtower Bible and Tract Society of New Mirk, Inc., and International Bible Students Association. 25 Columbia Heights. Brooklyn. NY 11201-2483. Periodicals Postage Paid at Brooklyn. NY, and at additional mailing offices. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to Our Kingdom Ministry, c/o Watchtower. 25 Columbia Heights. Brooklyn. NY 11201-2483.                     Printed in U SA

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