For United States of America

km-E Us 4/99 Vol. 42, No. 4

• ¹ “I am longing to see you . . . There is eagerness on my part to declare the good news also to you.” This is how the apostle Paul expressed himself at the beginning of his letter to the brothers in Rome. Why was Paul eager to visit them? He said: ‘Tn order that I might acquire some fruitage also among you ... For I am not ashamed of the good news; it is, in fact, God’s power for salvation.”—Rom. 1:11-16.

• ² Paul reflected this same eagerness in speaking to the older men of Ephesus. He reminded them: “From the first day that I stepped into the district of Asia ..., I did not hold back ... from teaching you publicly and from house to house. But I thoroughly bore witness both to Jews and to Greeks.” (Acts 20:18-21) In all his assigned territory, Paul was intent on spreading the good news of salvation and gaining Kingdom fruitage. What a fine spirit to imitate!

• ³ We might ask ourselves: ‘Do I show that same eagerness in declaring the good news in my community? Rather than viewing the preaching work as just a duty, am I eager to share the good news with as many people as possible? Have I prayerfully considered my personal circumstances? Have I explored all the possibilities that exist in our territory, such as preaching from door to door, on the street, in business districts, by telephone, and informally?’

• ⁴ Share Eagerly During April: The month of April is a good time to intensify our personal share in the preaching work. The reduced hour requirement should make it possible for more to auxiliary pioneer. Perhaps your circumstances will allow you to serve as an auxiliary pioneer during April and May. Or you may be able to enroll as a regular pioneer, in view of the adjusted hour requirement. If you are a congregation publisher, can you spend more time than usual in the service this month and next, lending support to those who are able to pioneer? That would make Jehovah’s heart glad!

• ⁵ Kingdom publishers should, like Paul, continue to manifest an eagerness by reaching out in the preaching work. Doing all we can in the ministry will bring us real joy. Paul had this joy in his sacred service. We do well to imitate his excellent example. —Rom. 11:13; 1 Cor. 4:16.

  
  
  

• ¹ The harvest season is a joyful time. It is also a time for hard work. There is only a limited time to gather the crops. The workers dare not loiter at their business.

• ² Speaking figuratively, Jesus compared “a conclusion of a system of things” to a harvesttime. (Matt. 13:39) We are living in the conclusion of this system of things, with a limited time left for giving a witness “in all the inhabited earth.” (Matt. 24: 14) As the end draws ever nearer, we need to intensify our share in the ministry. Why? Jesus explained: “The harvest is great, but the workers are few.”—Matt. 9:37, 38; Rom. 12:11.

• ³ Be at It Urgently: When Jesus started his grand preaching work, he had only three and a half years to accomplish what he was assigned to do. He preached with a sense of urgency, saying: “I must declare the good news of the kingdom of God, because for this I was sent forth.”—Luke 4:43.

• ⁴ Jesus instilled in his disciples a similar sense of urgency. (Mark 13:32-37) That is why “every day in the temple and from house to house they continued without letup teaching and declaring the good news about the Christ, Jesus.” (Acts 5: 42) Less important activities did not take priority in their lives. As few as they were, they succeeded in preaching the good news “in all creation that is under heaven.”—Col. 1:23.

• ⁵ There is even greater reason for us to cultivate that same sense of urgency now, as “the end of all things has drawn close.” (1 Pet. 4:7) Jehovah has set a day and hour for the end of this system of things. (Matt. 24: 36) The preaching work will be finished in the time that is left. That is why we continue to step up our efforts to reach more and more people with the good news.

• ⁶ By intensifying our share in the witness work as the end draws near, we will have the satisfaction of saying to Jehovah, as did Jesus: ‘We have finished the work you have given us to do.’ —John 17:4.

Week Starting April 5

Song 55

10 mln: Local announcements. Selected Announcements from Our Kingdom Ministry. Review “May We Offer the Creator Book?” Invite all interested ones to attend the special public talk on April 18. The talk is entitled “True Friendship With God and Neighbor."

15 mln: “Eagerly Preach the Good News.” Introduce the article in less than a minute, and follow with a questlon-and-answer discussion. Conclude with encouragement based on the School Guidebook, pages 191-2, paragraphs 12-13.

20 min: “How Family Members Cooperate for a Full Share—In the Ministry.” Discussion by a family group. Consider reasons why the family should view field service as a regular weekly routine in which all participate. Review encouragement given in September 1, 1993, Watchtower, pages 17-19, paragraphs 9-12. Invite parents in the audience to relate how they successfully organize weekly service activity for their family.

Song 67 and concluding prayer.

Week Starting April 12

Song 112                  •

10 mln: Local announcements. Accounts report.

15 min: Local needs.

20 mln: “Intensifying the Witness as the End Nears.” Questions and answers. Interview one or two publishers who at one time could never have imagined that they would be sharing in the preaching work but who are now doing so regularly because they have come to appreciate the urgent need to spread the Kingdom message. As time permits, Include brief experiences from the 1997 Yearbook, pages 42-8, showing how publishers have intensified their witnessing efforts by going where the people are.

Song 93 and concluding prayer.

Week Starting April 19

Song 79

5 mln: Local announcements.

10 mln: “Do You Have a Standing Order?" A talk, preferably by the elder or ministerial servant who handles the magazines. Let the congregation know how many magazines are received each month and the average number that are reported as placed. We should not let magazines go to waste. Offer suggestions showing how older copies can be distributed.—See July 1993 Our Kingdom Ministry, page 1.

30 mln: “Pioneering—Wise Use of Our Time!” Questions and answers. Assign three different individuals to relate the experiences presented in paragraphs 5-7. Conclude by Inviting all who can to consider applying for auxiliary or regular pioneer service. Applications are available from any member of the Congregation Service Committee. Mention that It is not too late to submit an application to auxiliary pioneer in May.

Song 165 and concluding prayer.

Week Starting April 26

Song 70

io min: Local announcements. Remind all to turn in field service reports for April. Announce the names of those who will auxiliary pioneer in May, and encourage others to apply. Give some helpful suggestions for presenting the current magazines.—See October 1996 Our Kingdom Ministry, page 8.

17 mln: “What Should I Do?" After a brief review of the article with the audience, look in on a teenager talking to his or her parent about plans for the future after graduation from high school. They review together the July 1998 Our Kingdom Ministry, page 4. Parent gives advice in harmony with encouragement provided in The Watchtower of February 1, 1996, page 14, and December 1, 1996, pages 17-19. Now that the pioneer hour requirements are reduced, teenager considers the possibility of pioneering while completing a secular education. 18 mln: Interview Auxiliary Pioneers. Service overseer Interviews some publishers who are auxiliary pioneering this month as well as others who have done so in the past. Invite them to relate some of the blessings they have enjoyed, what they have accomplished, and why they look forward to auxiliary pioneering again at least one or two months each year.

Song 69 and concluding prayer.

Last year we all rejoiced to receive the book Is There a Creator Who Cares About You? It is a book uniquely designed for those'whoTaTthough well educated in secular matters, may^J not believe inJ3oxirTTfis book fills an ever-increasing need.

For practical reasons the monthly literature offer ,usu-ally features publication^ that have wider appeal. Does this mean that we should refrain from offering the Creator book? Not at all! This book may be offered at any time throughout' the year to individuals who do not believe in God and who may benefit from it. It may also be offered to individuals who believe in God but have no real concept of who he is or what his qualities and purposes are. So you are encouraged to carry a copy in yotir witnessing bag^affd you think will be interested in reading it.

January Service Report

An all-time peak of 78.034 regular pioneers was reached in January! Additionally, 28,903 enrolled as auxiliary pioneers—the highest number ever reported in the month of January. The reduced hour requirement for regular and auxiliary pioneers, announced in the January 1999 Our Kingdom Ministry, has made it possible for many of Jehovah's dedicated people to seize the opportunity to have a greater share in the Kingdom-preaching work.

© 1999 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 Mork. Inc., and International Bible Students Association. 25 Columbia Heights, Brooklyn. NV 11201-24 8 3. 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 USA

• ¹ ‘I’m already overloaded! Would it really be wise for me to take on pioneering at this time?’ So thought a sister as she listened to a pioneer-elder present a circuit assembly part entitled “Pressing Ahead With the Pioneer Ministry.” A young brother in the same audience thought, ‘How does he make room for pioneering? I’m not an elder, but my life is already packed with activity!’

• ² As the elder continued to discuss the blessings of pioneering, he interviewed several pioneers from the circuit who told of the adjustments that they had made in order to pioneer and how Jehovah richly blessed their efforts. One was disabled, one had an unbelieving mate, and one had given up a worldly career but was able to live within his means. Hearing how these pioneers were succeeding with Jehovah’s help, the brother and the sister in the audience began to reexamine their own thinking and circumstances. We invite you to do that too, especially since the reduced hour requirements for pioneers are now within the range of many more publishers of the good news.

• ³ We know that Jehovah is the Creator and Universal Sovereign ano that we owe our lives to him. (Dan. 4:17; Acts 17:28) It is clear to us that Jehovah is using just one organization. We are privileged to serve loyally with it, supporting “the faithful and discreet slave” in giving the Kingdom witness before the end comes. (Matt. 24:45; 25: 40; 1 Pet. 2:9) Living far along in “the last days,” we realize that the time in which to preach is running out. (2 Tim. 3:1) Meanwhile, we need to support our families materially. (1 Tim. 5:8) A person’s income does not seem to stretch as far as it did in the past. Perhaps our health is not what it used to be. And to be honest, we want to have a little time and some resources to spend on ourselves. (.Eccl. 3:12,13) So we may wonder if responding to the invitation to pioneer is really wise.

• ⁴ It is up to each one of us to examine our own circumstances carefully and to decide whether we can pioneer. (Rom. 14:12; Gal. 6:5) It is encouraging to note the increasing numbers who have responded to the call to pioneer. Despite the pressures and problems of these last days, the service report published in the 1999 Yearbook shows that close to 700,000 of Jehovah’s people worldwide are pressing ahead in the pioneer ministry. Whether serving under difficult economic conditions, lacking transportation, experiencing health problems, or encountering other difficulties and hardships, these brothers and sisters are not tiring out in doing what is fine, and this is commendable. (Gal. 6:9) They have accepted Jehovah’s offer to put him to the test. (Mal. 3:10) They feel that pioneering is a very wise use of their limited time and resources and that Jehovah has truly blessed them for making the necessary adjustments to enter and remain in the pioneer work.

• ⁵ Pioneers Are Being Blessed: A sister in Cameroon who has a very young daughter explains: “Since her birth, my daughter has always accompanied me in the ministry. Even before she learned to walk, I carried her on my back, securely attached with a length of cloth. One morning in the ministry, I stopped at a roadside stand. My child left my side, taking with her several magazines from my bag. She toddled over to the next stand. Although she could not say much, she attracted the attention of a woman and presented a magazine. The woman was simply amazed to see such a young child sharing in this activity. She readily accepted the magazine as well as a home Bible study!”

• ⁶ In response to the call for more auxiliary pioneers, an elder and family head in Zambia who has a full-time secular job decided to auxiliary pioneer despite his tight schedule. He wanted to set an example for the congregation and for his family. On some occasions, he would park his car by the roadside and play The Secret of Family Happiness on audiocassette and invite passersby to come over and listen to what was being read aloud. In that way, he was able to place 16 Family Happiness books and 13 Knowledge books, and he started two Bible studies.

• ⁷ A fine pioneer spirit was also noted in the neighboring country of Zimbabwe. During April 1998, one congregation with 117 publishers reported 70 auxiliary and 9 regular pioneers. Another congregation with 94 publishers had 58 auxiliary pioneers reporting. Still another, with 126 publishers, reported that 58 decided to auxiliary pioneer along with the 4 regular pioneers. Last service year proved to be an outstanding one in Zimbabwe. Even though the brothers there were very busy with family matters, congregation activities, and branch construction, they concentrated on spending their time wisely in the ministry.

• ⁸ Pioneers realize that getting started in the pioneer work and persevering in it are not dependent on their own strength. They are the first to admit that whatever they are able to do is possible because they are “dependent on the strength that God supplies.” (1 Pet. 4:11) Their faith enables them to carry on their ministry from day to day. Rather than seeking their own convenience and comforts, successful pioneers realize that to press ahead, “a great deal of struggling” may be required, but they receive many blessings as a result.—1 Thess. 2:2.

• ⁹ Paul’s Example Bears Imitating: The Bible records the apostle Paul’s accomplishments in the ministry and the fine help he gave so many people. Yet, if anyone was overloaded, Paul was. He endured persecution and physical hardships in order to preach the good news and to strengthen the congregations. He also had to put up with a severe health problem. (2 Cor. 11:21-29; 12:710) He was determined to spend his time wisely. He acknowledged that he did all his work with Jehovah’s help. (Phil. 4:13) None of those whom Paul assisted would have reason to conclude that his time and efforts in Jehovah’s service were wasted or could have been better spent. Why, we are still benefiting today from Paul’s wise use of his time! How we appreciate his inspired counsel to help us sort out our priorities and stick with the truth in these difficult times!

• ¹⁰ Now as never before, ‘the time left to preach the good news is reduced.’ (1 Cor. 7: 29; Matt. 24:14) Therefore, it is appropriate to ask ourselves, ‘If my life were to end unexpectedly tomorrow, could I tell Jehovah today that I have used my time wisely?’ (Jas. 4:14) Why not talk to Jehovah in prayer now, assuring him of your desire to use your time wisely as one of his Witnesses? (Ps. 90:12) Pray for Jehovah’s help to simplify your life. Even though you might have ruled it out before, could it be that you now find that pioneering can be fitted into your life?

• ¹¹ Make the Most of Your Circumstances: Understandably, because of circumstances not all who so desire can schedule 70 hours a month to serve as regular pioneers. However, many publishers do arrange to devote 50 hours a month in the ministry as auxiliary pioneers as often as possible or continuously. If your circumstances are such that you presently cannot auxiliary or regular pioneer, take heart. Continue to pray that your circumstances will change. In the meantime, if adjustments are simply not possible, take comfort in knowing that Jehovah is well pleased with whatever you are able to do whole-souled in his service. (Matt. 13:23) He notes that you are standing firmly on his side and that you are striving hard to be a faithful publisher who never allows a month to go by without seizing opportunities to give a witness. Perhaps you can progress by sharpening your witnessing skills, working to excel as a preacher and teacher of the good news.—1 Tim. 4:16.

• ¹² With “the great and fear-inspiring day of Jehovah” so near, we need to use the remaining time wisely if we are to finish the work we have been commissioned to do. (Joel 2:31) Satan knows that his time is short, and as never before, he is trying everything in his power to complicate our lives and make it difficult for us to concentrate on the truly important things. (Phil. 1: 10; Rev. 12:12) Never underestimate God’s interest in you. Jehovah can help you simplify your life and reach your full potential in the ministry. (Ps. 145:16) Happily, many are finding, in reexamining their circumstances, that they can join the ranks of the auxiliary or regular pioneers. Indeed, pioneers find deep satisfaction in using their time wisely. Will you be one of them?

THEOCRATIC MINISTRY SCHOOL REVIEW

Closed-book review on material covered in Theocratic Ministry School assignments for the weeks of January 4 to April 19,1999. Use a separate sheet of paper to write down answers to as many of the questions as you can in the time allotted.

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

Answer each of the following statements True or False:

• ^r~ 1. Jehovah did not always dictate word for word what is recorded in the Bible. (2 Tim. 3:16) [w97 6/15 p. 5 par. 3]

• ** 2. Family harmony and the spiritual development of children depend entirely on the parents. (Prov. 22:6) [fy p. 85 par. 19]

' 3. Because sin was “crouching at the entrance,” there was no way for Cain to avoid committing serious wrongdoing. (Gen. 4:7) [Weekly Bible reading; see w94 6/15 p. 14 par. 11.]

' 4. As a teenager gets older, he should automatically be allowed more latitude in his choice of recreation, [fy p. 73 par. 20] ■

5. The desire to please our Creator provides the best motivation to tell the truth at all times. (Prov. 6:17) [097 2/22 p. 19 par. 4]

' 6. In order to make ‘the sayings of our mouth and the meditation of our heart pleasurable to Jehovah’ in prayer, we should strive to be as eloquent as possible. (Ps. 19:14) [w97 7/1 p. 29 pars. 4-5]

- 7. The commands, statutes, and laws of Jehovah mentioned at Genesis 26:5 refer to those of the Law covenant. [Weekly Bible reading; see w92 7/1 p. 10 par. 8.]

‘ 8. When Jesus said “your faith has made you well,” as recorded at Luke 8:48, he meant that the sick woman needed to declare her faith in him as the Messiah before being cured. [w97 7/1 p. 4 pars. 2-4]

S-97   #297   4/99                                    5

• 9. Genesis 11:1 is one of several Bible texts that use the term “earth” to refer to mankind in general, or human society. [0971/8 p. 27 par. 3]

• 10. Even if there was no measure of consent by Dinah, she still bore some responsibility for losing her virginity. (Gen. 34:1, 2) [Weekly Bible reading; see w85 6/15 p. 31 par. 4.]

Answer the following questions:

• 11. What did Satan suggest by the reasoning presented at Genesis 3:1-5? [Weekly Bible reading; see w95 7/15 R. 5 par. 1.]/ <7^                       fa.

• 12. At Revelation 19:15, what is represented by the “sharp long sword” that protrudes out of Jesus’ mouth? [Weekly Bible reading; see w90 5/15 p. 4 par. 4.]

  13.

  
  

  14.

  
  

  15.

  
  

  16.

  
  

  17.

  
  

What is emphasized by the fact that Moses provides specific dates in connection with the Flood of Npah’s day? [097 2/8 p. 26 par. 4]

How did Abraham “call on the name of Jehovah”? (Gen. 12:8) [Weekly Bihle reading; see w89 7/1 p. 20 par. 9.]

In the context, what did Jehovah mean when he told Paul: “My undeserved kindness is sufficient for you”? (2 Cor. □ 12:9)[w97 6/1 p. 25 par. 3] -wKat ev^fently motivated Lot’s wife^ to look back, causing her to become a, pillar of salt? (Gen. 19:26) [Weekly Bi-f ble reading; see w90 4/15 p. 18 par. 10.] <4 How do Christians view the purchasing of stolen goods? (Ex. 22:1; Jer. 17:11) [Weekly Bible reading; see w92 6/15 p. 30 par^3; p. 31 pars.

• 23. The examples of Rehoboam and Eli can help parents appreciate the consequences of being too          or too

in child rearing. \fy pp. 80-1 pars. 9-13]

• 24. Taking in             an important

step in developing a godly          .

[w97 8/1 p. 4 par. 5]

Select the correct answer in each of the following statements:

• 26. (Strict; Mild; Proper) discipline is a proof of a parent’s love for his child. (Heb. 12:6,11) \fy p. 72 par. 18]

It is vital for parents to make sure that their children wholeheartedly believe in the importance of living aanoral and clean life. \fy p. 67 par. 8] W 2 t>. //

Confidential talk between parents and their teenage children is vital to keep the lines of communication open. \fy p. 65 par. 4]

The key to improved singing at congregational meetings is having the right heart attitude. [w97 2/1 p. 27 par. 3] Having an understanding of the teach- ‘ ings of God’s Word, the Bible, is a requirement for everlasting life. [w97 8/15 p. 6 par.           '{ /C

To avoid the temptation of immorality, we must recognize that it is wrong and that it has disastrous and bitter consequences. \fy p. 93 par. 9] fay '■

■ Literature offer for April and May: Individual copies of The Watchtower and Awake! Have Require brochure available for interested people, and endeavor to start home Bible studies. Juna: Knowledge That Leads to Everlasting Life. July and August: Any of the following 32-page brochures may be used: Does God Really Care About Us?, Enjoy Life on Earth Forever!, Should You Believe in the Trinity?, The Government That Will Bring Paradise, What Happens to Us When We Die?, What Is the Purpose of Life —How Can You Find It?, and When Someone You Love Dies. The brochures A Book for All People, Our Problems -Who Will Help Us Solve Them?, Spirits of the Dead—Can They Help You or Harm You? Do They Really Exist?, and Will There Ever Be a World Without War? may be offered where appropriate.

■ When working unassigned territory, publishers may offer the Knowledge book or the Require brochure. Any other publication may be offered if the householder already has these two publications. All should carry a variety of tracts for not-at-homes or Individuals who do not accept literature. Efforts should be made to follow up interest, especially where unassigned territories may be worked by special pioneers or are accessible to nearby congregations.

■ Beginning in April, district convention badge cards for 1999 in Chinese, English, French, Greek, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Polish, Portuguese, Spanish, and Vietnamese will automatically be Included with literature shipments. It will not be necessary to request these. Cards will be shipped in lots of 25, according to the size of each congregation. If additional badge cards are needed by the congregations, these should be requested on a Literature Request Form (S-14). Plastic badge card holders may be requested for any in the congregation who desire them.

■ It is necessary for the Society to maintain an up-to-date record of addresses and telephone numbers for all presiding overseers and secretaries. If there is a change at any time, the secretary should complete and send a Presiding Overseer/Secretary Change of Address (S-29) form to the Society promptly. This includes any changes in area codes.

■ Congregation secretaries should maintain an adequate supply of the following pioneer forms: Regular Pioneer Changes (S-204), Application for Regular Pioneer Service (S-205), Application for Auxiliary Pioneer Service (S-205b), and Notification for Discontinuing Regular Pioneer Service (S-206). These can be ordered on the Literature Request Form (S-14). Maintain at least a one-year supply. Review the regular pioneer application form to make sure It Is complete. If applicants cannot recall the exact date of their baptism, they should estimate the date and keep a record of it.

■ New Publications Available:

A Book for All People —Gujarati, Hindi Enjoy Life on Earth Forever! —Cree How to Improve Your Speaking and

Teaching Ability —Vietnamese Is There a Creator Who Cares About

You? —Albanian, Croatian, Czech, East Armenian, German, Hungarian, Japanese, Romanian, Russian, Serbian, Turkish. Ukrainian

Jehovah—Who Is He? (Tract No. 23) —Cambodian, Palauan, Spanish, Vietnamese

My Book of Bible Stories (Small size)

—Tlgrlnya

Questions Young People Ask—Answers That Work             —Hebrew

The Greatest Man Who Ever Lived

—Persian

Watch Tower Publications Index 1998

—English

Watch Tower Publications Index 1986-95

—Dutch, Finnish, German What Does God Require of Us?

—Azerbaijani

What Happens to Us When We Die?

—Amharlc, Arabic, Armenian, Cebuano, Croatian, Czech, East Armenian, German, Iloko, Japanese, Persian, Polish, Romanian, Russian, Tagalog, Thal, Ukrainian, Urdu

■ Beginning with the April 1,1999, Issue, The Watchtower will be available In Punjabi as a semimonthly edition.

• ¹ Have you ever gone to a meeting for field service and discovered that you had no magazines in your witnessing bag? Well, recall the September 1995 Our Kingdom Ministry insert entitled “Make the Best Use of Our Magazines.” It told us to “have a definite magazine order,” stating: “Place a realistic order with the brother handling magazines for a definite number of copies of each issue. In this way, you and your family will have a regular and adequate supply of magazines.” Have you done this?

• ² Why not place a standing order for magazines? You will feel a greater responsibility to distribute the magazines week by week, and you will experience Increased Joy in doing so. If you already have a standing order, reevaluate whether you are obtaining the amount that you need for an average month in the ministry. Of course, we want to be faithful in picking up our order every week and should feel an obligation to do so. If you are going to be away from the congregation for an extended time, let the magazine servant know whether you want him to release your magazines to someone else until you return.

’The same insert quoted above also said that we should “schedule a regular magazine day.” Can you support the weekly Magazine Day? As shown on the 1999 Calendar of Jehovah’s Witnesses, this is every Saturday of the year! Do not underestimate the importance of distributing The Watchtower and Awake! When we make an effort to share fully in magazine activity, we are “bringing good news of something better” to our neighbors. —Isa. 52:7.

• ¹ As a youth approaching adulthood, you might ask, ‘What should I do with my life?’ Christian youths want to expand their service to Jehovah in the ministry. But how can you do this while taking on the responsibilities of adulthood, which include providing for your own material needs? Finding the answer may not be easy.

• ² Some youths become anxious when they look at the world’s economic situation and the forecasts for the future. They wonder: ‘Should I pursue additional secular education? Should I enter the full-time service right away?’ In order to make the right decision, a person needs to answer this question honestly, ‘What is my foremost interest in life?’ He must examine his motives.

• ³ What have you cultivated as your prime concern during your youth? Are you mainly interested in seeking financial advantage, or do you really want to use your life to advance Kingdom interests? A university degree does not guarantee success in the job market. As an alternative, many have acquired marketable job skills by means of apprenticeship programs, some vocational or technical school education, or short-term college courses that require a minimum of time and involvement.

• ⁴ Take Jehovah at His Word: An all-important fact to consider is the assurance from Jehovah God that he will provide for those who put Kingdom interests first in life. (Matt. 6:33) This is not an idle promise. Many brothers attending the Ministerial Training School earned college degrees prior to learning the truth. But what were they doing for secular work? Very few were pursuing the career for which they had been educated. Many were working in service-oriented fields, caring very well for their financial needs while pioneering. By expanding their activity in the ministry, they are receiving blessings far beyond anything monetary.

• ⁵ In deciding what you should do after graduation from high school, weigh all the factors and examine your motives carefully. For a balanced view of your choices, consider such information as appeared in Awake! of March 8, 1998, pages 19-21. Speak with your parents, the elders, your circuit overseer, and successful pioneers in your area. That will help you make a wise decision about what you should do with your life.—Eccl. 12:1, 13.

  
  
  

• ¹ What could be more heartwarming than seeing husbands and wives, parents and children working together in the Christian ministry, publicly praising the name of Jehovah? (Ps. 148: 12,13) All families should have a good routine for regular participation in the field service. Does your family have a set day each week to spend in the ministry? If so, then everyone knows exactly what to plan for and can have a full share.—Prov. 21:5a.

• ² In advance of a family service day. why not make it a joint project to prepare the presentations that your family will use? Practice sessions can be most helpful, and they can engender a true spirit of family cooperation. How rewarding it is when the field ministry is a family affair and all members are well prepared!

• ³ A traveling overseer accompanied an entire family in the magazine activity. While he was working from house to house with one of the daughters, she inquired: “How long are you going to work with me?” Then she explained that she was going to work with her father next. It was obvious that she and her father really enjoyed their service together. What a fine family spirit!

• ⁴ Some families may be able to auxiliary pioneer together one month during the year. Or it may be possible for at least one member of the family to serve continuously as an auxiliary pioneer or even to enroll as a regular pioneer. With good organization and cooperation, perhaps all members of the household would be able to increase their personal share in the service by giving support to the one who is pioneering. The family will certainly be blessed by this increased activity and by the good experiences that are enjoyed in the ministry. —Mal. 3:10.

• ⁵ Having a full share in the evangelizing work will help keep families close, zealous, productive, and happy in Jehovah's service!—Compare Philip-pians 2:1, 2.

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