Our Kingdom Ministry

November 2004                    For United States of America km-E Us 11/04 Vol. 47, No. 11

‘Jesus knew that the time he had on earth to accomplish his Father’s work was limited. (John 9:4) Hence, he carried out his ministry with a sense of urgency, and he trained his disciples to do the same. (Luke 4: 42-44; 8:1; 10:2-4) Material comforts were of secondary importance to him. (Matt. 8:20) Thus, he was able to finish the work Jehovah had given him to do. —John 17:4.

• ² Limited Time: The time to preach the good news in “all the inhabited earth” is also limited. (Matt. 24:14) Bible prophecy reveals that we are living deep in the time of the end. Soon “those who do not know God and those who do not obey the good news about our Lord Jesus ... will undergo the judicial punishment of everlasting destruction.” (2 Thess. 1:6-9) That judgment will arrive with striking suddenness. (Luke 21:34,35; 1 Thess. 5:2, 3) People need to wake up to their perilous situation. It is our responsibility to help them to seek Jehovah’s favor while there is yet time. —Zeph. 2:2, 3.

• ³ Doing All We Can: Recognizing that “the time left is reduced,” God’s servants give priority to the preaching work. (1 Cor. 7:29-31; Matt. 6:33) Some have forgone economic opportunities or other personal pursuits in order to increase their share in the ministry. (Mark 10:29, 30) Others continue to have “plenty to do in the work of the Lord” despite enduring trials. (1 Cor. 15:58) Many have been publicly declaring the good news for decades without wavering. (Heb. 10:23) Jehovah highly values all such sacrifices in support of Kingdom interests.—Heb. 6:10.

• ⁴ Centering our lives on the worship of Jehovah, which includes the preaching work, helps us to keep Jehovah’s day close in mind. It protects us from becoming distracted by Satan’s world and fortifies our resolve to maintain holy conduct. (2 Pet. 3:11-14) Indeed, carrying out our ministry with a sense of urgency can be lifesaving, both for ourselves and for those who listen to us. —1 Tim. 4:16.

  Can You Extend a Helping Hand?

  
  

‘Jehovah is always looking for ways to extend a helping hand to his loyal servants. (2 Chron. 16:9; Isa. 41:10, 13) Likening him to a caring shepherd, Isaiah wrote: “With his arm he will collect together the lambs; and in his bosom he will carry them. Those giving suck he will conduct with care.” (Isa. 40:11) Consider some ways in which we can imitate Jehovah’s loving concern.

• ² Reach Out to New Ones: We can extend a helping hand by inviting new ones to enjoy upbuilding association with us. (Prov. 13:20) Recalling how others reached out to him when he began associating with the congregation, one brother said: “On several occasions, a family included me in their family study. As I progressed, a young pioneer couple regularly invited me to join them for full days in the ministry. We always had great spiritual conversations.” He added: “Before becoming a Christian, I used to go out on Friday and Saturday nights. But the time I spent with the brothers filled my need for association.” The loving interest of the congregation helped this brother to become well rooted and stabilized in the faith, and he now serves as a member of the Bethel family.—Col. 2:6, 7.

• ³ Build One Another Up: We may discern an opportunity to extend a helping hand when our brothers face challenging circumstances. Could you arrange to do telephone witnessing with an infirm publisher or invite him to accompany you on a Bible study, perhaps even bringing the student to his home? Might a parent with small children appreciate a helping hand when sharing in the ministry? Are there timid ones who would welcome your assistance when making return visits or when engaging in some other facet of the ministry? Loving interest in our brothers will move us to look for ways to build them up. —Rom. 14:19.

• ⁴ As we imitate Jehovah’s tender concern for his servants, we strengthen one another, help draw the congregation together in love, and glorify our heavenly Father. —Eph. 4:16.

  Service Meeting Schedule

  
  

Week Starting November 8

Song 180

10 min: Local announcements. Selected Announcements from Our Kingdom Ministry. The special campaign to distribute Keep on the Watch! will conclude on November 14. For the remainder of November, we will offer Learn From the Great Teacher. Briefly review the suggested presentations from the May 2004 Our Kingdom Ministry, page 3.

15 min: Benefit Fully From the Service Meeting. Audience discussion based on the Our Ministry book, pages 71-2. In what five areas does the Service Meeting help us improve as Christian ministers? Cite examples from current month’s program. What are the benefits of preparing beforehand? Why attend regularly? What Scriptural precedent is there for this meeting?

20 min: “Keep a Sense of Urgency!”* Include comments on the January 15, 2000, Watchtower, pages 12-13.

Song 19 and concluding prayer.

Week Starting November 15

Song 170

10 min: Local announcements. If the suggestions on page 4 are practical for your congregation territory, use them to demonstrate how to present the November 15 Watchtower and the November 22 Awake! Other realistic presentations may be used.

15 min: Do You Know the Happiness That Comes From Giving? Talk based on the November 1,2004, Watchtower, pages 19-23.

20 min: Cultivate Interest Using the New Brochure. Talk and audience discussion to be handled by the service overseer. We should return to cultivate the interest of each person who accepted a copy of Keep on the Watch! Using the table of contents on page 2, give a brief overview of the brochure, drawing attention to the concise highlighted sections (listed in regular type under the bold headings). This material can be used for short, meaningful follow-up discussions. For example, if pages 3-4 were featured on the initial call, the highlighted section “Does God Really Care?” on page 5 could be used to make a return visit. Discuss how that could be done. Review other highlighted sections, such as those on pages 6-8 and 1718 or others appropriate for the local territory. Demonstrate a return visit, using one of the highlighted sections. One or more of the cited scriptures should be read and discussed. Publisher concludes by drawing attention to another highlighted section that could be discussed on the next visit.

Song 66 and concluding prayer.

Week Starting November 22

Song 199

1O min: Local announcements. Accounts report.

15 min: Local needs.

20 min: Starting Bible Studies With Those Who Accepted the New Brochure. Talk and audience discussion to be handled by the service overseer. Briefly review the return visit demonstrated on the previous Service Meeting, noting especially the highlighted section that was mentioned at the conclusion of that visit. Have the same publishers (if possible) use that material to demonstrate the next return visit. Publisher then uses back cover of the brochure to offer a Bible study, and arrangements are made to consider lesson 1 of the Require brochure on the next visit. Encourage all to focus on starting Bible studies with those who accepted a copy of Keep on the Watch!

Song 58 and concluding prayer.

Week Starting November 29

Song 23

10 min: Local announcements. Remind publishers to turn in field service reports for November. Demonstrate how to present the December 1 Watchtower and the December 8 Awake!

10 min: Question Box. Talk by an elder.

25 min: “Conducting Progressive Bible Studies—Part 3.”* Use the questions that are provided. After discussing paragraph 3, include a brief demonstration of a Bible study in the Require brochure, lesson 5, paragraph 1. The paragraph has already been read and the question answered. The conductor and student read and discuss Isaiah 45:18 and Ecclesiastes 1:4. The conductor uses simple questions to prompt the student to explain how each text bears on the point under consideration.

Song 178 and concluding prayer.

Week Starting December 6

Song 96

10 min: Local announcements. Mention literature offer for December. Demonstrate one or two presentations that could be used when offering the Greatest Man book.

20 min: “Can You Extend a Helping Hand?”* Interview one or two publishers who appreciated assistance or encouragement that was extended by others.

15 min: Local experiences. Invite audience to relate experiences enjoyed in following up placements of Keep on the Watch! Arrange in advance to reenact outstanding experiences. Commend all for their support of the special campaign.

Song 101 and concluding prayer.

* Limit introductory comments to less than a minute, and follow with a question-and-answer discussion.

Announcements

■ Literature offer for October 18-November 14: Special campaign distribution of Keep on the Watch! November 15-30: Learn From the Great Teacher. If individuals say they have no children, offer the Require brochure. When using the brochure, concentrate on starting home Bible studies. December: The Greatest Man Who Ever Lived. As an alternative offer, you may use My Book of Bible Stories, The Bible-God’s Word or Man’s?, or You Can Live Forever in Paradise on Earth. January: Any book published prior to 1990 that the congregation may have in stock. If you do not have any of these in stock, please check if nearby congregations have a surplus of older publications on hand that you can use. Congregations that do not have older books may offer Worship the Only True God. February: Draw Close to Jehovah. If this publication is not available, you may use the Creation book (large or small size) or the Revelation Climax book as an alternative offer.

■ The presiding overseer or someone designated by him should audit the congregation’s accounts on December 1 or as soon as possible thereafter. If a separate checking account is maintained, such as for maintenance or construction, arrangements should also be made to audit this account. When the audit(s) have been completed, this should be announced to the congregation with the next accounts report.

■ Congregations should begin requesting bound volumes of The Watchtower and Awake! for 2004 with their next literature request. A listing of the languages in which these items are available will appear in the “Announcement to All Congregations,” which is mailed each month. Until the bound volumes are available and shipments are made, these will appear as “Pending” on congregation packing lists. Bound volumes are special-request items.

■ Beginning the week of May 23, 2005, we will study Keep on the Watch! at the Congregation Book Study.

■ It is necessary for the branch office 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 Congregation Service Committee should complete, sign, and send a Presiding Overseer/Secretary Change of Address (S-29) form to the branch office promptly. This includes any changes in telephone area codes. ■ The secretary of each congregation holding title to property should review paragraphs 42-4 in the form entitled Information Regarding Ownership of Kingdom Halls (T-36). Even after real-estate tax exemption has been obtained, an annual filing is required in some states. Check carefully with your local tax assessor’s office to confirm whether any action is required. All taxes and assessments are to be paid within the time provided. If any tax or assessment is questioned, promptly follow through on the matter so that either it is removed or a proper challenge is filed within the applicable time limit.

■ Donations made by check and put in the local Kingdom Hall contribution boxes for the worldwide work and the Kingdom Hall Fund should be made payable to “Jehovah’s Witnesses.” Donations made by check at district conventions and those sent to the branch office should be made payable to “Watch Tower.” The branch office financial address is Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society of Pennsylvania, c/o Office of the Secretary and Treasurer, 25 Columbia Heights, Brooklyn, NY 11201-2483.

Question box

■ How should we care for congregation assignments?

The orderly functioning of a congregation of Jehovah’s people is the result of united effort. (1 Cor. 14:33, 40) Think of what is involved with just one congregation meeting. Besides the program itself, there is much activity before and after the meeting as brothers and sisters care for various assignments. Other duties that are cared for out of public view are also important. How can each of us contribute to this arrangement?

Make yourself available. Those with a willing spirit will find plenty of things to do. (Ps. 110:3) Show concern for the sick and elderly. Assist with the cleaning of the Kingdom Hall. We can perform many beneficial deeds without a special invitation. We simply need a desire to help.

Serve modestly. Modest people are happy serving others. (Luke 9:48) Modesty will prevent us from taking on more than we can realistically handle. Further, modesty will keep us from exceeding the limits of our authority.—Prov. 11:2.

Be trustworthy. Moses was encouraged to select “trustworthy men” to handle positions of responsibility in ancient Israel. (Ex. 18:21) This same quality is needed today. Conscientiously care for each assignment you receive. (Luke 16:10) If you are unable to fulfill an assignment, make sure that appropriate arrangements are made for someone to care for it in your absence.

Give your best. Christians are exhorted to work whole-souled even in secular matters. (Col. 3:22-24) There is greater reason to do so when working to advance true worship. Even if a task appears to be lowly or insignificant, it is a blessing to the congregation when it is done well.

Each assignment provides us with an opportunity to demonstrate our love for Jehovah and our brothers. (Matt. 22:37-39) May we faithfully care for whatever duties are entrusted to us.

Conducting Progressive Bible Studies

• Part 3: Effective Use of the Scriptures

  What to Say About the Magazines

  
  

• ¹ Our purpose in conducting Bible studies is to “make disciples” by helping people to understand and accept the teachings of God’s Word and apply them in their lives. (Matt. 28: 19, 20; 1 Thess. 2:13) Therefore, the study should center on the Scriptures. At first, it may be helpful to show students how to find specific texts in their own copy of the Bible. How, though, can we use the Scriptures to help such ones to progress spiritually?

• ² Select Texts to Read: In your preparation, determine how each cited scripture in the lesson applies to the point under consideration, and decide which ones you will look up and discuss during the study. Generally, it is good to read those that show the Scriptural basis for our beliefs. Texts that provide background information may not need to be read. Take into consideration the needs and circumstances of each student.

• ³ Use Questions: Instead of explaining Bible texts to the student, have him explain them to you. You can prompt him to do this by the skillful use of questions. If the application of a scripture is obvious, you might simply ask how the text supports what is stated in the paragraph. In other cases, a more specific question or se-

• 1 . Why should we emphasize the Scriptures when conducting Bible studies?

• 2 . How do we decide which Bible texts to read and discuss?

• 3 . What is the benefit of using questions, and how can we do this? ries of questions may be needed to direct the student to the proper conclusion. If further explanations are needed, these can be made after the student has responded.

• ⁴ Keep It Simple: A skilled archer often needs just one arrow to hit a target. Similarly, a skilled teacher does not require many words to make a point. He can convey information simply, clearly, and accurately. At times, you may need to do research in Christian publications to understand a scripture and explain it correctly. (2 Tim. 2:15) But avoid trying to explain every aspect of each scripture in the study. Include only what is needed to make the point under consideration.

• ³ Make Practical Application: When appropriate, help the student to see how Bible texts apply to him personally. For example, when considering Hebrews 10:24, 25 with a student who is not yet attending Christian meetings, you might discuss one of the meetings and invite him to attend it. But avoid pressuring him. Allow God’s Word to motivate him to take the action needed to please Jehovah—Heb. 4:12.

• ⁶ As we carry out the commission to make disciples, may we “promote obedience by faith” through our effective use of the Scriptures.—Rom. 16:26.

• 4. How much explanation is needed for the scriptures we read?

• 5, 6. How can we help students to apply God’s Word in their life, but what should we avoid?

-Watchtower Nov. is

Announcing Jehovah's Kingdom

“Most people desire good health and a long life. But if it was possible, would you want to live forever? [Allow for response. Then read John 17:3.] This magazine discusses the Bible’s promise of everlasting life. It also examines what life will be like when that promise becomes a reality.”

Awake! Nov. 22

“In the past 20 years, much progress has been made in the understanding and treatment of AIDS. Yet, many people are still misinformed. [Show the box “Myths About AIDS,” and allow for comment.] This magazine discusses how parents can protect their children.” Read Deuteronomy 6:6, 7.

-Watchtower Dec. 1

Announcing Jehovah'S Kingdom

“One trait that distinguishes humans from animals is the ability to tell right from wrong. Sadly, many people do bad things. Why do you think that is? [Allow for response. Then read Jeremiah 17:9 or Revelation 12:9.] This magazine discusses what can help us to know and to do what is right.”

Awake! Dec. 8

“Advances in technology have not changed the basic human need for friendship. But have you noticed that changes in society can make it a challenge nowadays to cultivate close friendships? [Allow for response. Then read Proverbs 18:24.] This magazine discusses how we can make and keep real friends.”

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