Our Kingdom Ministry

• ¹ A precious privilege of sacred service—the Christian ministry—has been entrusted to all of Jesus’ disciples. (Matt. 24:14; 28: 19, 20) But human imperfection and the pressures of this system of things may at times cause us to view ourselves as being quite inadequate.

• ² When this happens we can be comforted by the apostle Paul’s letter to anointed Christians in Corinth. He wrote: “We have this treasure in earthen vessels.” (2 Cor. 4:7) Paul was confident: “Since we have this ministry.... we do not give up.” (2 Cor. 4:1) True, it is a challenge for every one of us, whether anointed or of the “other sheep,” to keep on declaring the good news and “not give up.” We need strength from God, who supplies “the power beyond what is normal.”—John 10:16; 2 Cor. 4:7b.

• ³ Encouragingly, many Witnesses are zealous evangeliz-ers despite having to contend with bitter opposition, serious health problems, or limited finances. All of us must realize that our assignment to preach has Jehovah’s backing. Rather than let discouragement or apprehension weaken our resolve to preach, let us “go on acquiring power in the Lord and in the mightiness of his strength.” —Eph. 6:10; Prov. 24:10.

• ⁴ How to Acquire God’s Power: Persevere in prayer, asking for God’s help and strength. (Rom. 12:12; Phil. 4:6, 7) Then, with all your heart, trust in Jehovah to provide power beyond what is normal. (Prov. 3:5) Read the modern-day life stories in our magazines, for they give evidence that Jehovah is helping his servants today to endure trials. Keep close to the brothers in the congregation, and do not forsake the congregation meetings.—Rom. 1:11, 12; Heb. 10: 24, 25.

• ⁵ May we do all that we can to put ourselves in line to receive Jehovah’s power—a power that is beyond what is normal and that will help us not give up in the all-important work of Kingdom preaching.

  Show Respect for Jehovah’s Place of Worship

  
  

• ¹ When we are guests in someone’s house, we show respect for that person’s property, not doing anything to damage it, and we do not disrupt the orderly routine of the household. How much more should this be true when we are Jehovah’s guests! We ought to know how to conduct ourselves in his household. (Ps. 15:1; 1 Tim. 3:15) Whether our Christian meeting is held in the Kingdom Hall, a private home, or a public facility, the vast majority of us always show respect for our place of worship as if it were the house of Jehovah, whose “dignity is above earth and heaven.”—Ps. 148:13.

• ² Some brothers show a lack of respect at the meetings by being noisy or acting as if the information presented were unimportant. A few adults carry on needless conversations in the foyer, lobby, rest room, or outside of the Kingdom Hall while the meeting is in progress. When an older child is left to supervise a younger one, sometimes the two begin playing and derive little benefit from the program. Some youths have been seen outside the Kingdom Hall after meetings, playing, being excessively noisy, even making karatelike movements toward one another. In some cases they have disturbed the neighbors or interfered with traffic in the parking lot or street.

• ³ How to Avoid Being Disrespectful: Appreciating the dignity and sacredness of our worship, undoubtedly we would not want to distract others by whispering, eating, chewing gum, rustling papers, making unnecessary trips to the rest room, or habitually arriving late for meetings. Respectful and appreciative parents do not allow their children to soil the carpet, upholstery, or walls of the Kingdom Hall or the home where the book study is held. And doubtless all of us agree that there certainly is no place for any kind of shameful conduct, foolish talking, or obscene jesting at our meetings.—Eph. 5:4.

• ⁴ If we always remember the purpose of our Christian meetings, we will make sure that we and our children show due respect for Jehovah’s worship in the place where we “have chosen to stand.”—Ps. 84:10.

  Service Meetings for January

  
  

Week Starting January 5

Song 10

8 mln: Local announcements. Selected Announcements from Our Kingdom Ministry.

17 min: “Take Delight in Giving a Thorough Witness." Audience discussion of article. Highlight essentials of an effective presentation: (1) Give a friendly greeting, (2) comment on or raise a question about a subject of current interest, (3) refer to an appropriate Scripture text, and (4) direct interest to the publication being offered. Have a capable publisher demonstrate a suggested initial presentation and corresponding return visit.

20 mln: Prepare Now to Uphold God’s Law on Blood. Qualified elder discusses Importance of filling out both the Advance Medical Directive/ Release cafcHprtythe Society’s healthcare power of attorney form. Inspired direction at Psalm 19:7 shows that Acts 15:28, 29 is an expression of God’s perfect law on blood. Loyal worshipers strive to uphold that law. These documents make known your determination to do so and speak for you when you are unable to speak for yourself. (Compare Proverbs 22:3.) A new card provides a current deciaration of your refusal to take blood. Following this meeting, baptized Witnesses who desire to have a new card will be given one, and those with unbaptized minor children will receive an Identity Card for each child. These cards are not to be filled out tonight. They should be fiiiea out carefully at home but NOT signed. Signing, witnessFng, ancl dating of all caTffSVill be done after the next Congregation Book Study, under the supervision of the book study conductor. This will ensure that all assigned to his group who want to execute this medical directive have the needed assistance. Those signing as witnesses should actually see the cardholder sign the (Inrumenf,. Anyone missing at that time and who desires to fill out and sign a card will be assisted by conductors/elders at the next Service Meeting until all baptized publishers have their cards properly completed. (Review letter of Qc-tober 15, 1991.) By adapting language fr<Ml this card to their own circumstances and convictions, unbaptized publishers may write out their own directive to use for themselves and their children. The durable power of attorney form on the other hand is a more comprehensive document and, since it is based on state statutory law, is respected by medical and legal personnel. (Refer as needed to the January 1997 sheet entitled “Information About the Society’s Health-Care Durable Power of Attorney Forms" and the Question Box in the December 1995 Our Kingdom MinistruVFor the best legal protection, it is recommended that both documents be filled out. On the fronTof the Advance Medical Dlrectlve/Release card write, preferably in your own hand: “I have also executed a health-care power of attorney.”

Song 142 and concluding prayer.

Week Starting January 12

Song 125

1O min: Local announcements. Accounts report. Outline field service arrangements for January 19.

15 mln: “Make Good Use of Handbills.” Audience discussion. Include experience in December 1, 1996, Watchtower, page 13, paragraph 15.

20 mln: “Jehovah Gives Power Beyond What Is Normal.” Questions and answers. (See u>90 7/15 19, paragraphs 15-16.) Arrange for some to relate encouraging experiences showing how Jehovah has strengthened them. Song 81 and concluding prayer.

Week Starting January 19

Song 1

1O mln: Local announcements.

15 min: Local needs.

20 min: Family Study That Brings Joy. Married couple discuss spiritual needs of their family. Concerned about worldly influences affecting their children in a negative way, they feel a need to strengthen the spirituality of their children but acknowledge that their family study has been sporadic and often ineffective. Together, they review recommendations on how to conduct a meaningful family study that were given In the August 1,1997, Watchtower, pages 26-9. Both are determined to follow through in safeguarding the spiritual well-being of their children.

Song 146 and concluding prayer.

Week Starting January 26

Song 187

12 mln: Local announcements. Review literature offer for February. Mention one or two points from the Revelation Climax book that will be helpful when offering it.

15 mln: “Show Respect for Jehovah’s Place of Worship." Questions and answers. To be handled by an elder, who should make kindly local application.

18 mln: Reporting Our Share in the Worldwide Witnessing Work. (Based on Our Ministry book, pages 100-2, 106-10) Talk and discussion handled by the secretary. After showing the Scriptural precedent for regularly reporting our activity, he Invites two ministerial servants to review the subheading “Why We Report Our Field Service.” The secretary then stresses the importance of promptly turning in accurate reports. He points out reasons why setting personal goals is beneficial, concluding with encouraging comments about the blessings that come to those who have a full share in the witness work.

Song 189 and concluding prayer.

CONGREGATION BOOK STUDY

Schedule for congregation studies in the book The Secret of Family Happiness.

January 5:    Pages 90-95'

January 12:    Pages 95*-102

January 19:    Pages 103-110’

January 26:    Pages 11O’-115

* To or from subheading.

October Service report

Av Av Av. Av

Number of:             Hrs. Mags. R.V Bi.St.

Sp'IPioS. 166 122.0 77.0 47.8 4.1

Pios 73,794 83.1 37.5 21.9 1.7

Aux.Pios. 28,645 59.6 27.1 12.8 0.9

Pubs. 831,446 10.2 5.9 3.2 O.3

TOTAL 934,051          Baptized: 3,115

O 1998 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 ol New tttrk. Inc. and International Bible Students Association. 25 Columbia Heights. Brooklyn. NY 11201-2483. Periodicals Postage Paid al 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

1998 “God’s Way of Life” District Convention of Jehovah’s Witnesses

• ¹ Year after year Jehovah’s modern-day worshipers throughout the earth eagerly anticipate gathering in large numbers at district conventions. In this, they reflect the spirit of Jehovah’s faithful servants in ancient Israel who joyfully sang the words of Psalm 122 while en route to worship Jehovah at Jerusalem. Verse 1 of that psalm reads: “I rejoiced when they were saying to me: ‘To the house of Jehovah let us go.”’ On such occasions we also see increasing evidence that the inspired words of Isaiah 2:2, 3 are being fulfilled.

• ² This year we have special reason to rejoice in view of the international flavor that will be added by thousands of delegates from countries around the earth attending some of the larger conventions. Missionaries returning to visit family and friends will be at many of the conventions. Therefore, the convention program at each location will feature field experiences and reports on the progress of the Kingdom-preaching work in other lands.

• ³ Of course, only invited congregations in the general area of the international conventions will be able to attend those gatherings. It is vital for everyone to respect these limitations in order for all conventions to be held in an orderly manner. The international flavor will be evident at all district conventions in some program parts and reports, as well as by the presence of missionaries who may be attending.

• ⁴ As preparations continue for our 1998 “God’s Way of Life” District Convention, we would like to review some information you will need in order to obtain hotel rooms for the convention. Your full cooperation will show your personal appreciation for all the arrangements made in your behalf.

• ⁵ Making a Hotel Reservation: When this insert is considered at the Service Meeting, your district convention assignment letter will be read to the congregation. The Recommended Lodging List for your convention will be posted on the congregation information board after the meeting that night. No reservation calls to ANY hotels, by the elders or anyone else, are to be made until after the Service Meeting when the district convention assignment letter is read. Hotels available for the upcoming convention have been placed on the first Recommended Lodging List. Only if these hotels are filled will new hotels be added and a revised list be sent to your congregation. If at all possible, make your reservation during January from the first Recommended Lodging List.

• ⁶ If the hotel you have selected is full, call another until you have a reservation. If you have called all the hotels on the list and no rooms are available, inform your congregation secretary. He will contact the Rooming Department at the telephone number shown at the top of the Recommended Lodging List. Hotels will

Making Your Hotel Reservation

• 1. Call hotel during regular business hours.

• 2. Ask reservation clerk for a confirmation number.

• 3. Make your deposit. Write the confirmation number on your check or money order. Do NOT send cash.

• 4. If you pay by check or money order, contact hotel in two weeks to verify that your deposit has been received. be added, and a revised list will be mailed to your congregation. Please wait for the new list rather than make your reservation from hotels not on the list. Because of fire and safety regulations, you should arrange for no more than four persons in each room. If the hotel will allow more than four persons to a room, this will be indicated on the Recommended Lodging List. When you make a reservation, always ask for a confirmation number from the hotel.

• ⁷ Sending Deposits to Hotels: The only way to guarantee a room reservation is if your deposit is received by the hotel. Without a deposit, the hotel has the right to give your room to someone else. For each room reserved, a one-night deposit must be made within ten days of making your reservation. Your deposit may be by credit card, check, or money order. Please do not send cash. If you send a check or a money order, write your confirmation number on the front of it and contact the hotel about two weeks later to confirm that your deposit was received. If you provide a credit card number for your deposit, you should tell the reservation clerk that you want the deposit to be charged to your credit card immediately.

• ⁸ Changing Hotel Reservations or Making Reservations at More Than One Hotel: Before the convention the Rooming Department calls each hotel on the list to find out how many rooms have been reserved by our delegates. Because of the large number of brothers and sisters needing rooms, we are asking that, once you make a reservation, please keep that reservation. Do not switch your reservation to another hotel, even if one that is closer or more desirable appears on a subsequent list. That hotel has been added because there are brothers and sisters who still need rooms. It was not added to provide upgrades for those who already have rooms reserved. Also, please reserve only the hotel rooms you will actually use during the convention. Do not reserve rooms for other delegates unless they have personally requested that you make their reservation. Double booking rooms is not fair and creates more work for the Rooming Department and the hotels.

• ⁹ If you experience a problem with a hotel during the convention, please bring this to the attention of the local Rooming Department at the convention. For any difficulties experienced before or after the convention, you can contact the Rooming Department, using the address and telephone number shown at the top of the Recommended Lodging List.

• ¹⁰ Using Only Those Hotels on the Society’s Recommended Lodging List: The Society is making an effort to arrange conventions in locations that are more convenient for our brothers and sisters. Although the convenience of our convention locations permits many brothers to commute to and from the convention site, hotel accommodations remain a necessity. Last year, 1,095 hotels were used at the 194 conventions held in 66 different cities. For 1998, the Society is attempting to obtain blocks of rooms at hotels closer to each convention site. Each year, we appeal to the brothers to make reservations only at hotels on the Society’s Recommended Lodging List. What is accomplished by heeding this direction?

• ¹¹ Saves money for our brothers and sisters: When hotels cooperate with the Society’s arrangement, room rates are lower for our brothers. Instead of our resources going to the hotels, they can be put to better use supporting the families of our brothers and sisters and the worldwide work. Even if we personally can afford more expensive accommodations, we should support the efforts of the Rooming Department by using only hotels from the Recommended Lodging List. This spirit of concern for others is described at 1 John 3:17 and is the principle behind 1 Corinthians 10:24.

• ¹² Demonstrates obedience to the Society’s directions: This point should be one of our main concerns. Hebrews 13:17 says: “Be obedient to those who are taking the lead among you and be submissive, for they are keeping watch over your souls as those who will render an account; that they may do this with joy and not with sighing, for this would be damaging to you.” Our cooperation in this matter is requested only two or three days each year. Even if our personal choice is different, our good example, as seen by our brothers, promotes a loving, united, and supportive spirit.—See 1 Corinthians 16: 16; Philippians 2:1-4.

• ¹³ Special Needs: The elderly, the infirm, those in full-time service, or others may require assistance in attending the convention. Relatives, the elders, and others in the congregation who are aware of the unique circumstances of those with special needs can lovingly make the necessary arrangements, not shifting the responsibility of family and congregation to the convention organization.—Compare 1 Timothy 5:4.

• ¹⁴ For those who cannot be cared for in this way, the Society’s Special Needs Room Request form outlines the qualifications for submitting a Special Needs form. This provision is only for publishers in good standing, including those with well-behaved children, who have been approved by the Congregation Service Committee. Before filling out a Special Needs Room Request form, carefully read the information at the bottom of the fqrm. These requests should be sent to the Rooming Department as soon as possible. Please use the convention address shown on the reverse side of the Special Needs form.

• ¹⁵ Attending Another Convention: Each congregation is assigned to the nearest convention location. Taking into account the number of publishers assigned to each convention, the Society estimates the attendance in order to arrange for

Do’s

• ■ DO make your reservation during January.

• ■ DO identify yourself as one of Jehovah’s Witnesses or as a delegate attending the Watchtower convention.

• ■ DO make your deposit as soon as your reservation is made.

• ■ DO reserve only the room(s) you will personally use.

• ■ DO keep your first reservation.

sufficient seating, rooming, literature, and so forth. If you plan to attend another convention, you may need information regarding rooming and parking tickets, among other things. The congregation secretary can provide you with the address of the convention headquarters for the convention you will be attending. This can be found on the reverse side of the Special Needs Room Request form. Be sure to enclose a stamped, self-addressed envelope with your request for the current Recommended Lodging List or for any additional information you may need. If there is more than one convention held in that city, be sure to indicate the dates for the convention you will be attending.

• ¹⁶ Conclusion: Comments from hotel personnel show that you brothers and sisters are to be commended for demonstrating godly qualities. The managers at one hotel said Jehovah’s Witnesses are “the nicest and best behaved group that we host.” Another said: “I felt I needed to say thank you on behalf of the hotel staff. Your delegates are to be praised as one of the most pleasant, congenial, and courteous groups we have had the pleasure of serving. It is a true reflection of your organization’s values and sincere respect for humankind. We look forward to hosting you again.” While making her room reservation for last year’s convention, a sister was told the following by the

Program Times

Friday and Saturday 9:30 a.m. -   5:00 p.m.

Sunday

9:30 a.m. -   4:00 p.m.

reservation clerk: “I can immediately tell when one of Jehovah’s Witnesses is on the phone. You are always so polite, warm, and conversational. This Baptist is always impressed, and you are all to be commended.” Comments like these are good to hear, are they not? The conduct of the brothers and sisters that prompted these comments surely makes Jehovah’s heart glad.

• ¹⁷ The Society receives many letters from brothers and sisters expressing their appreciation for the arrangements made for them. A family from Illinois said: “We just want you to know that we did not take the district convention for granted. We realize it did not happen by chance but was the result of much hard work on the part of many brothers. We wrote to thank you.” A sister from Michigan wrote: “I want to express heartfelt thanks to all my brothers involved with the rooming arrangements. My husband and I appreciate the reduced rates, as we are subsisting on one income so that I may continue pioneering. These arrangements help us benefit so much more from the convention.”

• ¹⁸ It is clear to all of us that Jehovah is supporting the arrangement of annual conventions. Since many of the brothers traveling to district conventions require rooms, we can be assured that Jehovah will adequately provide for these needs as well. Proving that we are “faithful in what is least” puts us in line for receiving the grand blessings that await those whom Jehovah loves.—Luke 16:10.

  NEW PUBLICATIONS AVAILABLE

  
  

■ New Publications Available:

A Book for All People     —Albanian,

Arabic, Bulgarian, Croatian, Czech, Dutch, East Armenian, Finnish, German, Hungarian, Latvian, Lithuanian, Macedonian, Norwegian, Polish, Punjabi, Romanian, Russian, Serbian, Sinhalese, Swedish, Tamil, Tigrinya, Ukrainian

Enjoy Life on Earth Forever!

—Assamese

How Can Blood Save Your Life?

—Persian

Jehovah’s Witnesses—Proclaimers of God's Kingdom

—Hungarian, Romanian “Look! I Am Making All Things New"

—Amharic

The Divine Name That Will Endure Forever              —Vietnamese

The Greatest Name (Tract No. 72)

—Russian

The Secret of Family Happiness

—Macedonian

Watch Tower Publications Scripture Index 1956-1995           —Chinese

What Does God Require of Us?

—Faeroese, Hebrew, Tigrinya What Is the Purpose of Life—How Can

You Find It?           —Amharic

When Someone You Love Dies

—Indonesian

■ New Compact Discs Available:

Kingdom Melodies Volume 7

■ New Braille Publications Available:

A Book for All People (one volume) -Grade-two English, Grade-one Spanish

Comfort for the Depressed (Tract No. 20; one volume)

-Grade-one Italian

Enjoy Family Life (Tract No. 21; one volume)         —Grade-one Italian

Examining the Scriptures Daily—1998 (four volumes) —Grade-two English

Knowledge That Leads to Everlasting Life (two volumes)

—Grade-two French Knowledge That Leads to Everlasting

Life (three volumes)

—Grade-one French

Life in a Peaceful New World (Tract No. 15; one volume)

-Grade-one Italian

The Greatest Man Who Ever Lived (four volumes)    —Grade-two German

The Greatest Man Who Ever Lived (five volumes)    -Grade-one French,

Grade-one Italian

Theocratic Ministry School Schedule for 1998 (one volume)

—Grade-two English The Secret of Family Happiness (two volumes) -Grade-two French, Grade-two German

The Secret of Family Happiness (three volumes) -Grade-one French, Grade-one Italian

What Does God Require of Us? (one volume)     -Grade-one French,

Grade-two French, Grade-two German, Grade-one Italian

What Do Jehovah’s Witnesses Believe?

(Tract No. 14; one volume)

-Grade-one Italian What Hope for Dead Loved Ones?

(Tract No. 16; one volume)

—Grade-one Italian Who Really Rules the World? (Tract No. 22; one volume)

—Grade-one Italian Why You Can Trust the Bible (Tract No. 13; one volume)

—Grade-one Italian Will This World Survive? (Tract No. 19;

one volume) —Grade-one Italian Please mark requests for Braille publications ATTENTION: BRAILLE DESK. Include name and address of the person who will use the Braille material.

Announcements

■ Literature offer for January: Any 192-page book published prior to 1985 that the congregation may have in stock. Congregations that do not have a supply of such books may offer You Can Live Forever in Paradise on Earth. February: Revelation—Its Grand Climax At Hand! March: Knowledge Thai Leads to Everlasting Life. Concentrate on starting home Bible studies. April: Individual copies of The Watchtower and Awake!

■ All baptized publishers present at the Service Meeting the week of January 5 will be given the Advance Medical Dlrective/Release card and the Identity Card for their children.

■ Starting in February, and no later than March 1, the new public talk for circuit overseers will be “Do You Share God’s View of Life?”

■ Congregations should make convenient arrangements to celebrate the Memorial this year on Saturday, April 11, after sundown. Although the talk may start earlier, the passing of the Memorial emblems should not begin until after sundown. Check with local sources to determine when sundown occurs in your area. Although it is desirable for each congregation to hold its own Memorial celebration, this may not always be possible. Where a number of congregations normally use the same Kingdom Hall, perhaps one or more congregations can obtain the use of another facility for that evening. The Memorial should not start so late that newly Interested people And It Inconvenient to attend. Nor should the schedule be so tight that there is no time before or after the celebration to greet visitors, make arrangements for continued spiritual assistance for interested ones, or enjoy a general interchange of encouragement. After thoroughly considering all factors, the elders should decide what arrangements will best help those who attend the Memorial to benefit fully from the occasion.

■ The special public talk for the 1998 Memorial season will be given on Sunday, March 29. An outline will be provided. Those congregations having the visit of the circuit overseer, a circuit assembly, or a special assembly day that weekend will have the special talk the following week. No congregation should have the special talk before March 29,1998.

■ The body of elders should be aware that the following adjustments are needed when the congregation attends local assemblies: When a special assembly day program is scheduled, the congregation should have all the normal meetings throughout the week, except that the Public Meeting and the Watchtower Study are canceled. When scheduled to attend a circuit assembly, the congregation will also cancel the Theocratic Ministry School and the Service Meeting; only the Congregation Book Study will be held locally during that week.

■ U.S. Selective Service regulations require that all men register at the post office when reaching 18 years of age. All those required to do so should take care of the matter promptly, viewing it as a Christian's obligation to the superior authorities. Elders will want to have this in mind and give appropriate reminders to young brothers nearing the age of 18. Questions as to the young Christian’s responsibilities in this regard may be answered by the elders.

■ Starting the week of May 4, 1998, and continuing through the week of September 14, 1998, The Bible—God's Word or Man’s? will be considered at the Congregation Book Study.

• ■ New Audiocassettes Available:

The Secret of Family Happiness (four cassettes in an album)    —German

• ■ New Videocassettes Available: Jehovah’s Witnesses Stand Firm Against

Nazi Assault —Japanese, Korean, Polish, Portuguese

Purple Triangles           —Russian

• ¹ Congregation handbills are useful for informing people in the community of the Kingdom Hall address and the correct time of the meetings. It would be good to leave one with every person you contact. To that end, each congregation should keep an ample supply of handbills in stock. For congregations that change meeting times annually, in January, new handbills should be ordered during the preceding October each year so that a supply with current meeting times will always be on hand. The Handbill Request form is to be used for this purpose. Once you have them, how can handbills be used to best advantage?

• ² Many publishers find that handing one to a person is an effective way to introduce themselves and start conversations. Pointing out the meeting schedule or the message on the reverse side can open the way to a discussion about our work and its purpose. Parepts can involve their young children in the ministry by having them offer a handbill at the door. Publishers who share in letter-writing witnessing should enclose a handbill in their letter and invite the person to attend the meetings. It may be that handbills can be left at not-at-homes, provided that care is taken to put them under the door so that they are completely out of sight.

• ³ Handbills have been instrumental in directing honest-hearted ones to the truth. One experience tells of a woman who, thanks to a handbill, was able to fulfill her lifelong desire to understand the Bible. After she had spent a night in prayer to God, a Witness couple rang her doorbell in the morning. Looking through the peephole, she called out that she could not open the door. The Witnesses pushed a handbill under the door. It read: “Know Your Bible.” She saw it and opened the door. A study was started immediately, and she was later baptized. Never underestimating the power of God’s spirit, may we regularly make good use of handbills as we fully accomplish our ministry.—See also February 1994 Our Kingdom Ministry, page 1.

Take Delight in Giving a Thorough Witness

• ¹ All of us enjoy doing the things we do well. Mark 7:37 says that the multitudes declared regarding Jesus: “He has done all things well.” No wonder that Jesus took delight in doing Jehovah’s will! (Compare Psalm 40:8.) By giving thought to the following suggestions, we likewise will And joy as we obey Jesus' order “to preach to the people and to give a thorough witness.” (Acts 10:42) In January we are offering any 192-page book published prior to 1985 that the congregation may have in stock or the Live Forever book. How may we use these publications to give a thorough witness?

• ² Since people are often concerned about health issues, yoti might say this: ■ “Despite significant accomplishments made in the field of medicine, there is much suffering because of Illness. In your opinion, why is this? [Allow for response.] Jesus Christ said that pestilence would be a feature of the last days. (Luke 21: 11) Yet the Bible also describes a time when sickness will be no more. [Read Isaiah 33:24.] Notice how this handbook inspires hope in that basic Bible teaching.” Highlight appropriate comments in the book that you are featuring, and offer it. Explain that we.will accept a modest donation toward our worldwide ministry.

• ³ When witnessing informally near shopping areas, you could offer a greeting and then ask:

■ “Does it seem to you that things are getting so expensive these days that it is difficult to make ends meet? [Allow for response.] Do you think a time will ever come when there will be true economic security?” Allow for response. Then feature an appropriate Scripture quotation from the book you are offering. Continue by saying: “This book shows how, by means of his Kingdom, God will solve the problems that make life so difficult today.” Offer the book, and if it is accepted, give the person an opportunity to support the worldwide work with a small voluntary donation. You might state how much you enjoyed the conversation and then ask: “Is there any way we can continue this conversation at another time?” In this way you may be able to obtain the person’s telephone number or home address.

• ⁴ You may have opportunity to try this presentation about world peace, using the “Live Forever” book:

■ “Why, in your opinion, is world peace so hard to attain? [Allow for response, then show illustration on pages 20-1.] This is a picture of a Bible event described in Revelation. [Read Revelation 12:7-9, 12 directly from paragraph 17. Then read the caption that goes with the picture.] The world’s lack of peace is one of the effects of the Devil’s being cast down to the earth. This book answers many important questions, and I am happy to make it available to you if you will read it."—To find other effective ways of presenting the Live Forever book, see the back page of the September 1995, February 1995, September 1994, September 1993, and August 1992 issues of Our Kingdom Ministry.

• ⁵ When returning to see those who show interest, you could endeavor to start a Bible study by adapting this approach:

■ “The last time we spoke, you made a very interesting observation. [Mention a comment the individual made.] I have been thinking about that, and I would like to share the results of some research I did on the subject. [Share an appropriate scripture.] We offer to conduct a free study course that has enabled millions of people to explore the basic teachings of the Bible in a short period of time. Such an examination can build your confidence in the certain fulfillment of God’s promises.” Highlight some questions that will be answered. If the person declines the offer of a Bible study, explain that we also have a special accelerated course that only takes 15 minutes a week for 16 weeks. Show the Require brochure, turn to lesson 1, and ask if you may demonstrate the first lesson.

• ⁶ Remember to Use Handbills: They could be used effectively in your introduction to stimulate interest in spiritual matters, or they may be left if no literature is accepted. Where there is interest, use the printed message on the back of the handbill to encourage the person to accept a home Bible study and to come to our meetings.

• ⁷ Be skillful at your work, and you will be joyful in it. Pay constant attention to giving a thorough witness, and take delight in performing all facets of the ministry well.—1 Tim. 4:16.

1/98 km-t Us

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