Our Kingdom Ministry

November 2000

For United States of America

of men should be saved and come to an accurate knowledge of truth.’9(1 Tim. 2:4) For this reason, he ha's giveirus the assignment to preach the good news. (Matt. 24:14) If we appreciate wftjz we should keep on pTeachingf any~cliscouragement or~pbtential distraction tHat comes our way wffTnot'deter us.

² Why Persist? There are many distractions in the world tEat cause peojgle to forget (Sfjto take lightly what we tell them. So we must keep reminding them of God’s message of salvation. (Matt. 24:38^^ VVddi-tionally, circumstances fn the lives of peoplh are always changing. EivefFworld conditions can change drastically overnight. week, or next month, the people to whom we preach may face new problems or concerns that cause them to give serious consideration to the good news that we bring them. Are you not thankful that the Witness who brought you the truth was per-

’s Mercy: Je-tiently allowed before executon the wicked.

us he has continued to rightheartetj

to him and get saved.

nt

(2Pet.~iL9) We would be blood-guilty if we did not keep God’s merciful message before the people and warn them about the coming execution of God’s

ceived, we must never slack bff from making every effort toheip sincere ones appreciate God’s great mercy.—Acts 20:26, 27?’) Rom. 12:11.-4             A

⁴ To Demonstrate Our Love:

It is Jehovah God, through Jesus Christ, who commanded that the good news be preached in all the earth. (Matt. 28:19, 20) Even when people refuse to listen, we have an opportunity jo

keep on preaching! Let us do so zealously while it is yet Jehovah’s “day of salvation.”—2 Cor. 6:2.    --------------------

• ¹ Is sharing the message of life with others a challenge for you? Do you feel that you must say something profound to impress your listeners? When Jesus sent forth his disciples, he told them: “As you go, preach, saying, ‘The kingdom of the heavens has drawn near.’” (Matt. 10:7) The message was uncomplicated and easy to share. It is no different today.

• ² Often just a few words are needed to start a conversation. When Philip met the Ethiopian eunuch, he asked him: “Do you actually know what you are reading?” (Acts 8:30) What a rewarding discussion resulted from “a word spoken at the right time”!—Prov. 25:11.

• ³ You can use a similar approach in your ministry. How? By being observant and choosing words that are appropriate to the circumstances. Ask a question, and listen to the response.

• ⁴ Some Basic Questions: To initiate a conversation, you might try any of these questions:

■ “Do you use the Lord’s Prayer (or, Our Father) in your worship?” (Matt. 6:9, 10) Recite a portion, and then state: “Some people ask, ‘What is God’s name that Jesus said is to be sanctified (or, hallowed)?’ Others ask, ‘What is the Kingdom for which Jesus said we should pray?’ Have you found satisfying answers to these questions?”

■ “Have you ever wondered: ‘What is the meaning of life?”’ Show that it relates to a knowledge of God.—Eccl. 12:13; John 17:3.

■ “Do you think that death will ever be done away with?” Use Isaiah 25:8 and Revelation 21:4 to give a trustworthy answer.

■ “Is there a simple solution to the turmoil in the world?” Show that God teaches “love your neighbor.”—Matt. 22:39.

■ “Will a cosmic disaster destroy our earth someday?” Share the Bible promise that the earth will remain forever. —Ps. 104:5.

• ⁵ Present the good news in a simple, direct manner and with a kind approach. Jehovah will bless your efforts to share even “a word” of the truth with others.

  Service Meeting Schedule

  
  

Week Starting November 13

Song 4

10 min: Local announcements. Selected Announcements from Our Kingdom Ministry. Outline special field service arrangements for November 23.

13 min: Question Box. Talk by an elder.

22 min: “Cultivating Interest Stimulated by Kingdom News No. 36.” Question-and-answer discussion of paragraphs 1-5. Outline local arrangements for covering any territory not yet worked. Review the presentations in paragraphs 7 and 8 for making return visits, and have each one demonstrated. Emphasize the importance of following up all interest and endeavoring to start Bible studies. Conclude by discussing paragraph 9 and the cited scriptures.

Song 63 and concluding prayer.

Week Starting November 20

Song 111

10 min: Local announcements. Accounts report.

15 min: Experiences Distributing Kingdom News No. 36. Report success in covering the territory. Did any in the congregation share in service for the first time? Relate favorable comments made by householders. Were some publishers able to start Bible studies? If so, have them explain or reenact how they did it. Remind all to cultivate the interest found.

20 min: “Keep On Preaching!” Talk and interview. Some have been associated with Jehovah’s organization and have persisted in the preaching work all their lives. With a positive attitude, they have found joy in doing so. (See Knowledge book, page 179, paragraph 20, and the May 1, 1992, Watchtower, pages 21-2, paragraphs 14-15.) Invite a publisher who has been active for many years to relate the reasons why he has persisted in the preaching work.

Song 141 and concluding prayer.

Week Starting November 27

Song 153

10 min: Local announcements. Remind publishers to turn in field service reports for November. The literature offer for December is the Knowledge book with the New World Translation. Explain how Jehovah’s Witnesses have played a major role in producing the Bible in many languages.—See the October 15, 1997, Watchtower, pages 11-12.

20 min: Make Good Use of the Reasoning Book. Question-and-answer discussion of pages 7-8. Show how this book is designed to help us prepare for a more effective share in the ministry. Explain how the book can be used when doing telephone witnessing. Demonstrate how to find helpful information to answer a question. Urge all to become familiar with this book, keep it in their witnessing case, and make regular use of it.

15 min: How Can I Control My TV Viewing Habits? An elder talks to a young brother who spends several hours a day watching TV. At first, the brother insists that there is no harm in it. He says that it is simply a form of relaxation and that he is not adversely affected. Elder reviews main points in chapter 36 of the Young People Ask book. He explains that excessive TV viewing consumes valuable time that might otherwise be spent doing personal study, going in the ministry, or helping with congregation needs. The young brother expresses appreciation for the counsel and says that for his spiritual benefit, he will change his TV-viewlng habits.

Song 175 and concluding prayer.

Week Starting December 4

Song 189

10 min: Local announcements. “What Do You Say to an Answering Machine?”

15 min: Local needs.

20 min: “A Word Spoken at the Right Time.” Audience discussion and demonstrations. Many feel inadequate when trying to start conversations, wrongly assuming that they need some special skill to get results. Explain how all of us, including new and younger publishers, can initiate discussions with reasonable effort. Review the suggested presentations, highlighting their simplicity, and have two or three publishers demonstrate them. Refer to the March 1998 Our Kingdom Ministry, page 8, for additional presentations that can be used. Urge all to be positive so that they will find more joy in their ministry.

Song 218 and concluding prayer.

What Do You Say to an Answering Machine?

The telephone is an effective means of witnessing to people who cannot be found at home or who live in territories that are inaccessible. However, more and more people do not answer the phone—an answering machine does it for them. When this happens, what can you do? Do not hang up. Instead, have a well-prepared response written out that you can read over the phone. Practice doing so in a pleasant, conversational voice. What can you say?

You could extend a warm invitation to the householder to attend the next Public Meeting at the Kingdom Hall. You might say: “I am sorry that I did not find you at home. If you would like to hear a Biblebased discussion of [title of public talk], please come to the Kingdom Hall of Jehovah’s Witnesses. The public is invited. No collections are ever taken.” Then state clearly the day and time of the meeting, and give the street address or describe the location of the Kingdom Hall.

Be alert to any new ones who may attend the meetings, introduce yourself to them, and make them feel welcome. Do not forget to offer a free home Bible study!

Announcements

■ Literature offer for November: Distribution of Kingdom News No. 36 will continue. Congregations that complete their territory by reaching householders in each dwelling with a copy of Kingdom News No. 36 may offer the Require brochure or the Knowledge book. If people already have these, either the Live Forever book or the Creation book may be used. December: Knowledge That Leads to Everlasting Life with the New World Translation. January: Any 192-page book published in or prior to 1986 that the congregation may have in stock. Congregations that have on hand Mankind’s Search for God may also offer it. February: Life—How Did It Get Here? By Evolution or by Creation?, Revelation—Its Grand Climax At Hand!, or any older 192-page book that the congregation has in stock.

■ After the Kingdom News campaign is completed, congregations that still have a supply of Kingdom News No. 36 may encourage publishers to offer these in the same manner that they offer tracts—both from door to door and elsewhere. If advisable, publishers may leave one at each not-at-home, making sure that it cannot be seen by passersby. Efforts should be made to distribute all remaining copies of this important message.

■ The presiding overseer or someone designated by him should audit the congregation’s accounts on December 1 or as soon as possible thereafter. When this has been done, make an announcement to the congregation after the next accounts report is read. ■ Congregations should begin requesting the 2001 Yearbook of Jehovah’s Witnesses with their November literature request. The Yearbook will be available in Albanian, Arabic, Chinese, Croatian, Czech, Danish, Dutch, English, Finnish, French, German, Greek, Hungarian, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Norwegian, Polish, Portuguese, Romanian, Russian, Serbian, Slovak, Spanish, and Swedish. Until the Yearbook is available and shipments are made, it will appear as “Pending” on congregation packing lists. Yearbooks are special-request items.

■ New Publications Available:

Bible        —East Armenian, Urdu

Is There a Creator Who Cares About

You?                  —Slovak

Jesus Christ—Who Is He? (Tract No. 24)

—Lithuanian, Macedonian, Swahili Pay Attention to Daniel’s Prophecy!

—Igbo, Macedonian

The Greatest Man Who Ever Lived

—Amharic, Armenian, Tongan

The Secret of Family Happiness

—Laotian, Myanmar, Serbian,

Shona

The Time for True Submission to God (for Muslims) —Macedonian, Wolof

AugustService Report Av. Av. Av. Av. Number of:              Hrs. Mags. R.V. Bi.St.

Sp'l Pios. 94 121.8 99.2 54.0 4.5

Pios 90,927 55.5 36.5 17.8 1.5

Aux.Pios. 18,215 49.6 36.7 12.9 0.9

Pubs.   877,574   9.0 8.0 3.3 0.3

TOTAL   986,810 Baptized: 1,380

Question box

■ How can a person who has been inactive for a long time be helped to qualify again as a publisher of the good news?

When an inactive person gives evidence that he has a heartfelt desire to serve Jehovah, this is a cause for rejoicing. (Luke 15:4-6) Likely, the individual allowed opposition or pressures of life to crowd out HiS-personal study, meeting attendance, and participation in the field ministry. How can personaTassistance best be given so that he will make spiritual progress?

All of us should take the initiative to reassure this one of our genuine”Uhristian love for hifhTThe elders win be’ quick to assess his specific spiritual needs. (Jas. 5:14,15) If the inactivity lasted for a short time, a helping hand from an experienced publisher might be all that is needed to reactivate the individual in the field service. However, if the inactive one has not associated with the congregation for a long time, more help will probably be necessary. To build up faith and appreciatioiL_a_per-sofiaTTSble study in an appropriate publication may be advisable. In that caseTtheser-vice overseer wifi arrange for a qualinea publisher to conduct the study. (Heb. 5:12-14; see the November 1998 Our Kingdom Ministry Question Box.) If you know of someone who needs such help, talk to the service overseer in your congregation.

Before inviting a longtime inactive one to share again in the ministry, it is advisable for two elders to meet with him to see if he qualifies as a Kingdom publisher. They will follow a procedure similar to that used when meeting with new ones who are seeking to qualify as publishers of the good news. (See the November 15, 1988, Watchtower, page 17.) The inactive one should have an earnest desire to share the good news with others. He also needs to meet the basic requirements outlined on pages 98-9 in the Our Ministry book and to be consistent in attending congregation meetings.

Having a good spiritual routine will do much to help the returning one to strengthen and maintain his precious relationship with Jehovah and to keep walking on the road to everlasting life. (Matt. 7: 14; Heb. 10:23-25) His putting forth “all earnest effort” and developing Christian qualities that endure will prevent him from ever again becoming “inactive or unfruitful” as a Christian disciple.—2 Pet. 1:5-8.

Cultivating Interest Stimulated by

Kingdom Nows No. 36

¹ Have you completed distribution of your allotment of

Kingdom News No. 36? It asks a timely question for all to con-template\“The New Millennium —What Does the Future Hold for You?’AAs the year 2000 approached; expectations of what the new millennium would bring varied greatly. Kingdom News No. 36 considers some of those expectations Sidy reminds us that world^- conditions do not provide a basis for optimism. _.Thg^bh^~ millennium that will bring the peace and security that most people seek is the Millennial Reign of Christ Jethe maioritv'bf those who show initial interest in the subject of

the millennium are not likely to take action until one of Jehovah’s Witnesses calls back. All who have shown interest_should be visited again. When,would be a good time to do this? The follow-up should be as soon as possible.

⁵ Note these experiences that resulted from returning on placements of Kingdom News No. 35. A pioneer in Ireland left Kingdom News with the' owner of a restaurant. The woman was impressed with the message and invited the sister back. The sister returned in two days, and a Bible study was started. In Denmjrk. a copy of Kingdom Ntnoswas left at a house where no one was at home. That same day the woman who lived there sent the coupon to the branch office, which forwardable part o£_our ministry. When doiiw^dfit would be advis-ablevMr "arrv with you a copy of Kingdom News No. 36, since the householder may not have his cdpy. You might try these suggestions.

• ⁷ After you have reminded the householder of who you are, you could sau:

■ left a foldet&mtitled ‘The New Millennium—What Does the Future Hold for You?’ Wasn’t it encouraging to read that soon the Millennial Reign of Christ Jesus will begin, bringing Paradise conditions to the earth? [Show illustrations of Paradise in Kingdom News No. 36.] On the back page, you are invited to request a copy of the'brochure What "Does God Require of Us?” Show the brochure, turn to lesson 5- read the first question ^Subparagraphs 1 and 2, aHZTask the householder to commenT^Read and discuss a scripture or_two. IFpossible, consider another' question and paragraph, then arrange to return and continue the discussion.

• ⁸ Since the follow-up of-fer-lor November will T>e the “Require” brochure or the “Knowledge” book, you might say:

■ “When I recently visited you,_I left a copy, of ‘The New Millem nium—What Does the Future Hold for You?’ It contains an offer of a free home Bible study^-! have returned to show you the study aid that we use" [Show t'Ke" Require brochure, and turn to the back coverup^{1 2 3 4} show the Knowledge¹' book, and turn to pages 188-9.]" The Millennium spoken of in the Bible will bring conditions such as you see in this illustration. To qualify for life in Paradise, we need to take in accurate knowledge of God. Please allow me to demonstrate briefly how we study the Bible ”

• ⁹ The distribution of Kingdom News No. *36 has motivated us to intensify our jshare'm the ministry, producing a grand witness. Likely this has stimulated the Interest of many individuals in the territory. Our united, effort to cultivate tms interestwill, with Jehovah’s help, result?in our joyfully locating more sheeplike ones.—Matt. 10: 11; Acts 13:48, 49, 52.

¹

sus. Our confidence ipjhe reality of his Kingdom hasumoelled us to distribute Kingdom News No. 36 to everyone we can.

²

Responses to Kingdom

News: Previous distributions of Kingdom News have proved to be a fine stimulus to us in

³

The current Kingdom News? campaign is scheduled to end on November 17, 2000. Has all of the territory assigned to your congregation been covered? If not, themlders may ask you to continuethe campaign until the end of November.

⁴

What has been the reaction thus far to the distribution off Kingdom News No. 36 in your lo/ cality? A few people will fill oyt the coupon and request a cWy of the Require brochure and)jor a home Bible study. Howevlr,