Our Kingdom Ministry

March 2005                       For United States of America km-E Us 3/05 Vol. 48, No. 3

More Emphasis on the Bible!

• ¹ On October 1,1919, the first issue of the magazine The Golden Age was published. It proved to be a most valuable tool in the preaching work. Why? Because it was specially designed for the public. That was not the case with The Watchtower, which for many years was viewed as a magazine largely for the “little flock.” (Luke 12:32) Kingdom publishers responded with such enthusiasm to the new publication that for many years the circulation of The Golden Age was far in excess of that of The Watchtower.

• ² The magazine The Golden Age was published to show people that the real solution to mankind’s problems is Christ’s Millennial Reign, which will truly usher in a golden age for humankind. In succeeding decades a number of adjustments were made to The Golden Age to meet the changing needs of the times. In 1937 its name was changed to Consolation. In 1946 it became Awake!, the name we know it by today.

• ³ From its beginning, this magazine has contributed mightily to the great witness that has been given since 1919. (Matt. 24:14) However, in view of the urgency of our times, it seems wise to make further adjustments to Awake!

• ⁴ Millions of people enjoy reading Awake! because it covers a wide variety of secular topics in an appealing way. No doubt the majority of those who attend the Memorial each year are regular readers of Awake! Still, if anyone hopes to be concealed in “the day of Jehovah’s anger,” he will need help to do more than be a regular reader of our publications.—Zeph. 2:3; Rev. 14: 6, 7.

• ⁵ Hence, from January 2006, Awake! will place

• 1. Originally, for whom was The Watchtower primarily published, and for whom The Golden Age?

• 2. What is the name of The Golden Age today, and what has been its purpose from the beginning?

• 3. Awake! has been a powerful tool in the fulfillment of what prophecy?

• 4. (a) What does a person need to do if he is to be concealed in “the day of Jehovah’s anger”? (b) According to Revelation 14:6, 7, what does the “angel flying in midheaven” call on all to do?

• 5. (a) Starting with the Awake! of January 2006, what will be featured more prominently? (b) What may many be moved to do, and in fulfillment of what prophecy?

greater emphasis on God’s Kingdom. It will encourage readers more straightforwardly to look to the Bible for the solutions to their problems and will highlight more prominently the Bible’s explanation of current events. In this way, readers will get a better understanding of current events and perhaps be moved by what they read to learn more about Jehovah.—Zech. 8:23.

• ⁶ Awake! will continue to feature topics of general interest. However, more emphasis will be laid on the Bible. (1 Thess. 2:13) Since The Watchtower contains deep Biblical information and Awake! will feature more material that is Scriptural in nature, it does not seem necessary to continue publishing Awake! twice a month. Therefore, beginning with its January 2006 issue, Awake! will be published as a monthly magazine. This will result in considerable simplification in the preparation, translation, and shipping of our literature.

• ⁷ This change will affect about 40 percent of the languages in which Awake! is published. In most languages, Awake! is already a monthly or a quarterly publication. There will be no change in the publication of The Watchtower.

• ⁸ Publishers may offer each month’s Awake! with either issue of The Watchtower for that month. Those who feature Awake! will be able to use the same issue all through the month without having to change their presentation in the middle of the month, as at present.

• ⁹ Since its first issue back in 1919, the magazine successively known as The Golden Age, Consolation, and now Awake! has played a major role in the preaching work. We pray that Jehovah will continue to bless the distribution of the magazine in its revised format and that it will help many more people out of “all nations and tribes and peoples and tongues” to turn to God’s Kingdom as their only hope.—Rev. 7:9.

• 6, 7. (a) How will Awake! seek to help many to apply 1 Thessalonians 2:13? (b) How frequently will Awake! be published, and how many languages will be affected by the change?

• 8. How may publishers use Awake! along with The Watchtower?

• 9. What role will Awake! continue to play?

  Service Meeting Schedule

  
  

Week Starting March 14

Song 132

10 min: Local announcements. Selected Announcements from Our Kingdom Ministry. Encourage everyone to watch the video David —He Trusted in God in preparation for the Service Meeting the week of April 4. Use the suggestions on page 4 (if appropriate for your territory) to demonstrate how to present the March 15 Watchtower and the March 22 Awake! Other realistic presentations may be used. In one of the presentations, demonstrate making a return visit on a magazineroute call. When concluding the presentation, use the back cover of the March 15 Watchtower to remind the householder of the upcoming Memorial observance.

20 min: “More Emphasis on the Bible!”*

15 min: A Provision to Strengthen Us. Following an introduction of less than a minute, conduct an audience discussion of the 2005 Yearbook. Meditating on Jehovah’s marvelous activity in modern times draws us close to him and to our brothers worldwide. (Ps. 77:12-14) It fortifies us to take our stand against the Devil, “solid in the faith.” (1 Pet. 5: 8, 9) It helps new ones develop appreciation for Jehovah’s organization. Invite audience to relate points they appreciate from their reading of the 2005 Yearbook. Arrange in advance for one or two to comment on how they schedule their personal reading of the Yearbook.

Song 137 and concluding prayer.

Week Starting March 21

Song 140

10 min: Local announcements.

15 min: “Conducting Progressive Bible Studies—Part 7.”* When preparing this part, consult the July 15,2002, Watchtower, page 27, paragraphs 5-6.

20 min: What Is Armageddon? Following an introduction of less than a minute, conduct a question-and-answer discussion based on pages 44-9 of the Reasoning book. Invite the audience to comment on the questions in bold type, using the quoted and cited scriptures. Discuss how we can use this information in the field ministry.

Song 109 and concluding prayer.

Week Starting March 28

Song 144

10 min: Local announcements. Read accounts report and donation acknowledgments. Remind all to watch the video David—He Trusted in God in preparation for next week’s Service Meeting. Encourage all to invite interested ones to attend the special public talk on April 10. Mention the literature offer for April and May.

15 min: Local needs.

20 min: Feature The Watchtower and Awake! Review the suggestions for increasing magazine placements in the February 2005 Our Kingdom Ministry, page 8. Discuss talking points in the current issues of the magazines. Using the suggestions on page 4 (if appropriate for your territory), demonstrate how to present the April 1 Watchtower and the April 8 Awake! Other realistic presentations may be used. In each of the presentations, explain how our worldwide work is financed.—See The Watchtower, p. 2, or Awake! p. 5.

Song 116 and concluding prayer.

Week Starting April 4

Song 119

5 min: Local announcements.

15 min: Have Love Among Yourselves. (John 13:35) Talk by an elder based on the February 1, 2003, Watchtower, pages 15-18, paragraphs 10-21. As mentioned in the literature offer for April and May, we are encouraged to try to start Bible studies with those who have already studied the Knowledge book and the Require brochure. Highlight how publishers can work in cooperation with the elders in assisting those who are weak.

25 min: “A Video With a Timeless Message.” Read Psalm 91:2 and 31:14, making a very brief comment on each. Then get right into an audience discussion of the quiz for the David video, using all the questions listed in the second paragraph as well as the question posed in the third paragraph. Afterward, ask families to relate how they have benefited from participating in the suggested “Learning Activities” on the DVD. Conclude by reading Psalm 56:11.

Song 36 and concluding prayer.

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

December Service report

Av. Av. Av. Ay.

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

Sp'l Pios.       230  97.4 83.1 45.2

Pios      96,052 62.9 38.8 20.1

Aux PioS.   17,732  48.7 32.4 13.3

Pubs.    883,236   8.9  7.4 3.5

TOTAL 997,250 Baptized: 1,923

We are happy to report a new peak in regular pioneers! The total of 96,052 regular pioneers reporting is an increase of 292 over the previous peak of 95,760 in October 2004.

ANNOUNCEMENTS

■ Literature offer for March: Keep on the Watch! Where genuine interest is shown, offer the Knowledge book, making a special effort to start Bible studies. April and May: The Watchtower and Awake! magazines. When making return visits on interested people, including those who attended the Memorial or other theocratic events but who are not actively associated with the congregation, concentrate on placing the Worship God book. The objective should be to start a home Bible study, especially with individuals who have already studied the Knowledge book and the Require brochure. June: Learn From the Great Teacher. If individuals say they have no children, offer the Family Happiness book or the Knowledge book and make an effort to start Bible studies.

■ In the United States, any direction you write on the DPA card, including medical options, should be in English. This will help to ensure that medical personnel fully understand your wishes. Book study overseers in non-English-language congregations should see that all are given assistance in this matter as needed.

■ Congregations should release the latest issues of The Watchtower and Awake! as soon as they are received. That will allow publishers to become familiar with the contents before offering the magazines in field service. Our Kingdom Ministry also should be released to the publishers as soon as it arrives. It may be distributed through the Congregation Book Study arrangement.

■ Congregation secretaries should maintain an adequate supply of the forms Application for Regular Pioneer Service (S-205) and Application for Auxiliary Pioneer Service (S-205b). These can be ordered on the Literature Request Form (S-14). Maintain at least a one-year supply. ■ The Memorial will be held on Thursday, March 24, 2005. If your congregation normally has meetings on Thursday, these are to be switched to another day of the week if the Kingdom Hall is available. If this is not possible and your Service Meeting is affected, the parts that are particularly applicable to your congregation may be incorporated into another Service Meeting.

■ A number of publishers have telephoned the branch office regarding certain recordings of Kingdom songs sung in a popular style that are presently being circulated among Jehovah’s Witnesses. They wonder if these recordings have the organization’s approval. We are aware of these recordings and would like to inform you that they do not have our approval. Please do not circulate or download these recordings from the Internet. We trust this information will clarify matters.

■ U.S. Selective Service regulations require that all men register at the post office within 30 days after reaching 18 years of age. A male noncitizen under the age of 26 who takes up residency in the United States must also register with Selective Service within 30 days of becoming a resident. All of those required to do so should comply with this law, viewing it as a Christian’s obligation to the superior authorities. From the time he registers until the year he turns 26, a brother must notify Selective Service of any change of address within ten days of the change. Elders should be aware of young brothers nearing the age of 18 and new alien residents between the ages of 18 and 26 and remind them of their duty to register with the Selective Service System.

What is the message in the video David—He Trusted in God? That we, like David, must trust in Jehovah. (Ps. 91:2) Seeing major events in David’s life portrayed will help children and adults to learn from the example he set. (Ps. 31:14) For our added benefit, this DVD includes a “Video Quiz” and several “Learning Activities.”

Watch the video, and then quiz yourself: (1) Why did Jehovah choose a better king? (1 Sam. 15:10, 11; 16:1) (2) Why did he not choose any of David’s brothers? (1 Sam. 16: 6, 7) (3) Why did Saul like David to play the harp? (1 Sam. 16:14-23) (4) Who was Goliath? (1 Sam. 17:4-10) (5) Why did David want to fight Goliath? (1 Sam. 17:23, 24, 36, 37) (6) Who was Jonathan? (1 Sam. 14:1) (7) At what point did Saul become David’s worst enemy? (1 Sam. 18:25-29) (8) Why did David not kill Saul? (1 Sam. 26:7-11) (9) How did Saul die? (1 Sam. 31:1-6) (10) What was David’s reaction to Jonathan’s death? (2 Sam. 1:11, 12) (11) What promise did Jehovah make to David? (2 Sam. 7:12, 13, 16) (12) What serious mistake did David make? (2 Sam. 11:1-5, 14-17) (13) How did David show that he was very sorry for what he had done? (Ps. 51) (14) What lessons did David share with young Solomon? (1 Ki. 2:1-4; 1 Chron. 22:6-13; 28:9, 10) (15) How will Jesus’ rule benefit David, Jonathan, and you?—Isa. 11:6-9; John 11: 25,26.

Now reflect: How can you personally imitate the trust in God that David displayed?

Parents, impress upon your children the timeless importance of trusting in God, as David did.—Ps. 56:11.

'In order for Bible students to make spiritual progress, Jehovah’s blessing is essential. (1 Cor. 3:6) Therefore, it is proper to open and close an established study with prayer. We can often do this from the very first study with people who are religiously inclined. With others, we may need to discern the appropriate time to introduce prayer. You might use Psalm 25:4,5 and 1 John 5:14 to help the student see why prayer should be offered and also use John 15:16 to explain the importance of praying to Jehovah through Jesus Christ.

² Who should offer prayer at a Bible study? If a baptized brother accompanies a sister on a study, he would offer prayer, although the sister might conduct the study while wearing a head covering. (1 Cor. 11:5, 10) On the other hand, if an unbaptized male Kingdom publisher accompanies a sister on a study, she would offer prayer. In such a situation, she should wear a head covering when praying as well as when conducting.

• 1. (a) Why is it proper to open and close a Bible study with prayer? (b) How can we introduce prayer at a Bible study?

• 2. If a sister is accompanied on a Bible study by a baptized brother or by an unbaptized male publisher, who would offer prayer?

• ³ What the Prayer May Include: Prayers at a Bible study need not be lengthy, but they should be specific. Besides seeking God’s blessing on the study and giving thanks for the truths learned, it is fitting to give praise to Jehovah as the Source of instruction. (Isa. 54:13) We can also include expressions that reflect our sincere interest in the student and our appreciation for the organization that Jehovah is using. (1 Thess. 1: 2, 3; 2:7, 8) Our asking for Jehovah’s blessing on the student’s efforts to apply what he is learning can help him to see the importance of being a ‘doer of the word.’—Jas. 1:22.

• ⁴ Many are the benefits of prayer. It brings God’s blessing. (Luke 11:13) It emphasizes the seriousness of studying God’s Word. As the student listens to our prayers, he is learning how to pray. (Luke 6:40) Moreover, prayers that spring from a heart filled with love for God and gratitude for his matchless qualities can help the student to develop a personal relationship with Jehovah.

• 3. What are appropriate matters to include in the prayers offered at a Bible study?

• 4. Opening and closing a Bible study with prayer brings what benefits?

What to Say About the Magazines --

"Watchtower Mar. 15

Announcing Jehovah'S Kingdom

“People around the globe praise Jesus’ teachings. [Read quote on page 3, paragraph 1.] But do you think that those teachings, such as the example found in this scripture, are practical today? [Read Matthew 5: 21, 22a. Then allow for response.] This magazine considers what Jesus taught and how we can benefit from it.”

Awake! Mar. 22

“Many people love the mountains for their beauty, but did you know that they are vital for life on earth? [Allow for response.] This magazine discusses why we need mountains and what is happening to them today. It also mentions how the Creator will save this important resource.” Read Psalm 95:4.

"Watchtower Apr. 1

“Have you heard it said that science and the Bible contradict each other? [Allow for response.] This magazine examines the history of conflict between science and religion. But it also presents evidence to show that true science harmonizes with the Bible.” Show pages 6-7. Then read Ecclesiastes 1:7.

Awake! Apr. 8

“How do you think parents can help their children avoid problems during the difficult teenage years? [Allow for response. Then read Isaiah 48:17, 18.] This magazine shows how applying Bible counsel can help parents to promote good communication with their children and to set reasonable limits for them.”

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