Our Kingdom Ministry

June 1997                         For United States of America                         Vol. 40, No. 6

“Do Your Utmost”

• ¹ When we dedicated ourselves to Jehovah, we promised to give our very best to him. Appropriately, the apostle Peter encouraged first-century Christians to do their utmost in making sure of their standing before Jehovah. (2 Pet. 1:10) We surely want to do our utmost to please Jehovah in serving him today. What does this entail? As our relationship with Jehovah deepens and we meditate on all that he has done for us, our heart moves us always to do our best in his service. We want to improve the quality and, where possible, increase the quantity of our ministry. —Ps. 34:8; 2 Tim. 2:15.

• ² A young brother who wanted to do more in the ministry found that a regular study of God’s Word deepened his appreciation for Jehovah and instilled in him greater zeal. This motivated him to apply for the pioneer service. A sister who found it hard to talk to strangers practiced some of the presentations in the Reasoning book and soon began to enjoy greater success in her ministry. She was able to conduct a Bible study with a couple who accepted the truth.

• ³ Rejoice in What You Can Do: Some of us experience difficult circumstances such as poor health, family opposition, poverty, or unresponsiveness in the territory. Many other problems that are common in these last days may hinder our service. (Luke 21:34, ftn.; 2 Tim. 3:1) Does this mean we have failed in our dedication to Jehovah? Not if we are serving him to our utmost.

• ⁴ It is not wise to judge ourselves based on what others are able to accomplish. Instead, the Scriptures encourage us to “let each one prove what his own work is.” Giving of ourselves fully to the extent that we are personally able pleases Jehovah and gives us “cause for exultation.”—Gal. 6:4; Col. 3:23, 24.

• ⁵ May we heed Peter’s words to ‘do our utmost to be found finally by God spotless and unblemished and in peace.’ (2 Pet. 3:14) That spirit will make us feel secure and will bring us the peace of mind that only Jehovah can give.—Ps. 4:8.

  Youths—What Are Your Spiritual Goals?

  
  

• ¹ Jehovah knows how important meaningful work and attainable goals are in bringing happiness. (See Genesis 1:28; 2: 15, 19.) Today, Jehovah has given his people the assignment to preach and to teach. We also have the ultimate goal of attaining everlasting life in Paradise. Along the way, we need to set progressive spiritual goals if we are to avoid misdirecting our energies and resources.—1 Cor. 9:26.

• ² Realistic Goals for Young People: Youths ought to have theocratic goals that are within reach according to their individual capabilities. (1 Tim. 4: 15) Some very young ones have achieved the goal of reciting the books of the Bible even before they learned to read. Through the family study, children learn to prepare for meetings so that they can meet the goals of making meaningful comments and enrolling in the Theocratic Ministry School. When children accompany their parents in field service, they learn to have a part in giving d witness as they progress toward the goal of becoming unbaptized publishers. Parents should keep before their young children the goal of dedication and baptism.

• ³ If you are a teenager, what do your spiritual goals include? “Remember, now, your Grand Creator” by focusing on the really important goals in life. (Eccl. 12:1; Ps. 71:17) Why not auxiliary pioneer during the months you have time off from school? Have you thought about taking up the ministry fulltime as a regular pioneer? What about learning a new language so that in the future you could assist a foreign-language group or congregation in your area or somewhere else? Many who are now serving at Bethel or as traveling overseers or missionaries set special full-time service as their goal when they were still in school. Why not do the same yourself?

• ⁴ While still of tender age, strive to imitate Jesus’ example. Even at the young age of 12, he spoke freely about spiritual matters. (Luke 2:42-49, 52) Setting beneficial goals for yourself to do personal study, to read the Bible daily, and to fellowship regularly with mature Christians at meetings and in service will help you acquire the skill to teach others about God’s Kingdom the way Jesus did.

  Service Meetings for June

  
  

Week Starting June 2

Song 181

8 min: Local announcements. Selected Announcements from Our Kingdom Ministry. Comment on March field service report for the country and for the local congregation.

15 min: “DoYour Utmost.” Questions and answers—See also April 15, 1993, Watchtower, pages 28-30.

22 min: “Knowledge From God Answers Many Questions.” Chairman discusses article with two or three publishers, including a youth. Comment on paragraph 1,- stressing why the Knowledge book is so effective in helping us answer questions. Demonstrate a practice session, and suggest improvements after each presentation.

Song 200 and concluding prayer.

Week Starting June 9

Song 189

10 min: Local announcements. Accounts report.

15 min: Summertime Reminders. Talk and audience discussion. Most of us plan extra activities during summer months, and these may include vacationing, visiting relatives, or enjoying recreation. How can we organize things so that theocratic activities are not neglected? Discuss the following: (1) Attending all three days of the district convention. (2) Maintaining regular attendance at the meetings, whether at home or away. (3) Arranging to have a regular share in the ministry, and if away from home, sending field service reports to the congregation. (4) Taking along a supply of literature for informal witnessing when traveling. (5) Doing more evening witnessing during the longer daylight hours. (6) Enrolling as an auxiliary pioneer for one or more months of the summer. (7) Elders keeping congregation activities well organized and making sure that each one’s assigned duties are cared for when someone is absent.

20 min: Teaching Others—An Urgent Need. Talk by an elder. Review the 1996 worldwide service report on page 33 of the 1997 Yearbook. The intensified effort to witness to people wherever they can be found is bearing fruit. The urgent need now is to follow up placements and teach people the truth. When we contact them in public places, tactfully request their name and address so that a return visit can be made. We need to do more than just plant Kingdom seed; we must also water it. (1 Cor. 3:6-8) When seed is sown in fine soil, good teaching can help the person to get the sense of it. (Matt. 13:23) We ought to share as fully and skillfully as possible in the teaching work. (Heb. 5: 12a) Incorporate points from the June 1996 Our Kingdom Ministry insert, paragraphs 25-6. Emphasize endeavoring to start studies in either the Require brochure or the Knowledge book.

Song 204 and concluding prayer.

Week Starting June 16

Song 192

10 min: Local announcements. Suggest talking points in current magazines.

15 min: Local needs.

20 min: Identifying Your Religion as True or False. An elder leads a discussion with two or three capable publishers, based on the December 22,1989, Awake!, page 18. Many apparently sincere people are being called on repeatedly. However, they have never accepted a Bible study. Discuss how points in this Awake! article could be used to make them aware of the need to act in harmony with accurate knowledge. Refer to key points in the Knowledge book, chapter 5: “Whose Worship Does God Accept?” Read paragraph 20. Return visits can be made on such individuals to encourage them kindly and tactfully to accept a study and to attend meetings.

Song 201 and concluding prayer.

Week Starting June 23

Song 193

10 min: Local announcements. Outline special field service arrangements for July 4.

15 min: What Are They Saying About Us? A talk based on the information found in the Watch Tower Publications Index 19861995, pages 341-3. Select outstanding “Statements by Others” about Jehovah’s Witnesses—our conduct and our work. Show how others have been favorably impressed by what they see in us. Explain why this should motivate us always to conduct ourselves properly and to persevere in our work. Point out how to use such favorable comments when talking to acquaintances and interested persons who want to know more about us.

20 min: “Parents—Train Your Children to Preach.” Questions and answers. Include the direction in the Our Ministry book, pages 99-100, under the subheading “Helping Young People.” Song211and concluding prayer.

Week Starting June 30

Song 197

10 min: Local announcements. Remind all to turn in field service reports for June.

20 min: “Youths—What Are Your Spiritual Goals?” Two fathers discuss the article together. They consider how to help their children appreciate why it is essential to set theocratic goals, which will bring spiritual blessings, rather than to pursue materialistic interests.—See also Our Ministry book, pages 116-18.

15 min: Preparing for July Literature Offer. Pick out one or two brochures that have been well

(Continued on page 3, col. 3)

ANNOUNCEMENTS

■ Literature offer for June: Knowledge That Leads to Everlasting Life. Concentrate on starting home Bible studies. July and August: Any of the following 32-page brochures: Does God Really Care About Us?, Enjoy Life on Earth Forever!, Should You Believe in the Trinity?, 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 Secret of Family Happiness.

Service Meetings (.Cont’d)

received in the local territory, and review some of the outstanding points about each. Suggest ways that these could be incorporated into a presentation. Remind all to mention the donation arrangement, to keep a record of placements, and to return and cultivate the interest.

Song 109 and concluding prayer.

■ Since the Gilead graduation will be held on Saturday, September 6, 1997, no tours will be conducted that day at the Society’s facilities at Brooklyn, Patterson, and Wallkill, New York. Any who have planned to visit on that Saturday should reschedule their visit to another convenient time.

■ The presiding overseer or someone designated by him should audit the congregation’s accounts on June 1 or as soon as possible thereafter. Make announcement to congregation when this has been done.

CONGREGATION BOOK STUDY

Schedule for congregation studies in the book The Greatest Man Who Ever Lived.

June 2:  Chapter* 103-105

June 9:  Chapter* 106-107

June 16:  Chapter* 108-110

June 23:   Chapter 111 to subheading

'The Wise and the Foolish Virgins’

June 30: Chapter 111 Iron subheading "The Wise and the Foolish Virgins’ to end of chapter

■ New Publications Available:

“All Scripture Is Inspired of God

and Beneficial” —Arabic

A Peaceful New World—Will It Come? (for Jews) (Tract No. 17)

—Romanian

MARCH SERVICE REPORT

’Wanted—100,000 Auxiliary Pioneers’ was the call in the February insert of Our Kingdom Ministry. There were 116,335 auxiliary pioneers in March, which was the most ever tor that month! In fact, the total of 186,986 who auxiliary, regular, and special pioneered exceeded by more than 4,000 the all-time peak of pioneers that was set in April 1989. This increased activity in March also prompted new peaks of 20,401,454 hours and 6,257,046 return visits! We pray Jehovah’s blessing on our efforts to continue answering the call to proclaim his Kingdom with great intensity.

• ¹ Our congregations are blessed with many children who have a sincere desire to serve God. (Eccl. 12:1) They are included among those invited by Jehovah to share in praising him. (Ps. 148:12-14) Hence, the day-to-day training that parents give their children should include instruction in how to sHaretheir faith with others in the Kingdompreaching work.—Deut. 6:6,7.

• ² Train Children in Progressive Steps: Children deserve to be trained at a very early age to accompany their parents in the ministry. Before going in service, prepare your children to participate in a meaningful way* Determine in advance what you expect them to do at the door. Very young children can give out tracts and handbills and invite people to the Kingdom Hall. Young ones who read well can be invited to read scriptures, at the door. They can offer the magazines, using a brief presentation. As they gain experience, train them to use the Bible in their presentation. Many young publishers have started their own magazine route and regularly make return visits. It is best for a child to work With an adult gather than with another youngste^The adult can explain to the householder that the ypung one is being trained in the ministry.

• ³ One little girl asked the elders for thfeir help~~so that she could qualify as a Kingdom publisher. Even though she was only five years old at the time and did not know how to read, she could present the Kingdom message effectively at the doors. She memorized the location of the scriptures, turned to them, asked the householder to read them, and then she gave the explanation.

• ⁴ Children should also be taught by parental example the value of having a good schedule for shying regularly in the min-istry.Tarents need to establish a consistent weekly routine for service and stick to it, so that the children know what portion of the week is always set aside for the preaching work.

• ⁵ When children are trained from a tender age to love and enjoy the ministry, they will be motivated to reach out for greater privileges in the future, perhaps including the pioneer service. (1 Cor. 15:58) All of us should encourage the children in our midst to make good progress as praisers of Jehovah.

Knowledge From God Answers Many Questions

• ¹ Before you came to an accurate knowledge of the truth, likely you had many questions about life that you were unable to answer. How happy you were to receive Bible-based answers to those questions! Now you are able to help others find those same answers. (Compare 2 Timothy 2:2.) You can share with them the knowledge of God that leads to everlasting life. (John 17:3) But how can you help someone appreciate the value of this knowledge? Well, think of the questions that the truth answered for you. What is it that truthseekers desire to know? Thinking along these lines can help you to offer the book Knowledge That Leads to Everlasting Life. The following suggestions may help you when preparing for witnessing during June.

• ² Since many people wonder why there is so much suffering in the world, this approach might get a good response:

■ “When disaster strikes or when acts of crime and violence are on the increase, people often ask why such terrible things happen. What would be your answer?” Allow for and acknowledge the person’s response. Then turn to chapter 8 in the Knowledge book, and call attention to what is stated in paragraph 2. Explain that this book presents the Bible’s explanation as to why bad things happen, and say: “If you promise to read it, I would be pleased to leave this copy with you.” If the book is accepted, explain the donation arrangement.

• ³ When calling back where you placed the “Knowledge” book, you could say:

■ “I am interested in the conclusion you reached about why there is so much suffering in the world. Do you agree with the Bible’s answer as outlined in the book?” Allow for response. Read paragraph 17 on page 77 in the Knowledge book, and offer to read Romans 9:14 from the householder’s Bible. Then say: “The good news is that God does not unjustly cause us pain and suffering. He has promised to give us everlasting life in peace and happiness. The first chapter in this book is entitled ‘You Can Have a Happy Future!’ I’d like to explain how that can be true for you and your loved ones.” Turn to chapter 1, and demonstrate our study method. Cover as much of the chapter as is appropriate under the circumstances.

• ⁴ You might choose to use the introduction that appears on page 14 in the “Reasoning” book, under the heading “Old Age/Death”:

■ “Have you ever asked, ‘Is death the end of it all? Or is there something else after death?’ [Allow for response.] The Bible clears up any question we might have about death. [Read Ecclesiastes 9:5,10.] It also shows that there is a real hope for those who have faith. [Turn to paragraph 13 on page 84 in the Knowledge book; read and explain Jesus’ words found at John 11:25.] This entire chapter is devoted to answering the question, What happens to our dead loved ones? If you would like to read it, I can leave this copy with you.” Allow the householder the opportunity to make a donation.

• ⁵ When making the return visit, you could renew acquaintance and then say:

■ “Previously we talked about what happens when a person dies. Many people believe that any life after death will be in either heaven or hell. But have you ever thought about the possibility of the dead living again right here on earth? [Allow for response.] According to the Bible, resurrected ones will be among the meek who inherit the earth. [Read Psalm 37:11, 29, then discuss paragraph 20 on page 88 in the Knowledge book.] That hope has given comfort to millions of people who lived in fear of death. This book will help you understand the matter better. May I demonstrate how?”

• ⁶ If you prefer a simplified presentation, you might try this one:

■ “I would like to show you an illustration in this book, Knowledge That Leads to Everlasting Life. Isn’t this a beautiful picture?” Open the book so that the householder can see pages 4-5. Allow for his response. Then read the words on page 5. Conclude by saying: “You may have this book to read for yourself. There is no charge for it, but we do accept small donations for our worldwide work.” Find out what would be a good time to return to follow up any interest that is shown.

• ⁷ We have the knowledge from God that answers fife’s important questions. Prepare diligently, and Jehovah will bless your efforts to share this life-giving information with those who are seeking the truth.

© 1997 Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society of Pennsylvania. All rights reserved. Our Kingdom Ministry (ISSN 1067-7259) is published monthly by Watchtower Bible and Tract Society of New M)rk, 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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