OUR KINGDOM MINISTRY

March 2006                       For United States of America        km-E Us 3/06 Vol. 49, No. 3

Help Others to Benefit From the Ransom

Memorial of Christ’s Death to Be Observed on April 12

• ¹ “Thanks be to God for his indescribable free gift.” (2 Cor. 9:15) Those words well express how we feel about the goodness and loving-kindness that God extends to his people through his Son, Jesus Christ. Such appreciation will be especially evident as we gather together on April 12 to observe the Memorial of Christ’s death.

• ² Along with Jehovah’s servants, some ten million others attend the Memorial observance each year. In so doing, they demonstrate a measure of appreciation for Christ’s sacrifice. However, to benefit from the ransom, they need to exercise faith in it. (John 3: 16, 36) How can we help them to develop such faith? During this Memorial season, we can encourage them to have a personal Bible study and to attend the weekly congregation meetings. Consider the following suggestions.

• ³ Bible Studies: When you invite interested ones to the Memorial, why not try to start a Bible study with them in the Bible Teach book? Offer to explain the Memorial observance to the person by opening to pages 206-8 and considering the topic “The Lord’s Evening Meal—An Observance That Honors God.” You may be able to consider that information in one or two visits, perhaps as a Bi ble study at the doorstep. When you have completed that material, the person may be willing to discuss chapter 5, “The Ransom —God’s Greatest Gift.” Once a regular Bible study has been established, go back and consider the opening four chapters of the book.

• ⁴ With whom can we start a Bible study

• 1. What is one way that God’s people express their appreciation for the ransom?

• 2. Who along with Jehovah’s servants attend the Memorial observance, and what do they need to do in order to benefit from the ransom?

• 3. How might we start a Bible study when extending an invitation to the Memorial?

• 4. With whom can we start a Bible study during this Memorial season?

using this approach? Perhaps some of your workmates, schoolmates, or neighbors would agree to such discussions. Brothers might approach the unbelieving husbands of sisters in the congregation. And do not overlook your own non-Witness relatives. In addition, we will want to make a special effort to extend a Memorial invitation to those who were once actively associated with the congregation. (Luke 15:3-7) May we seek to help all such ones to benefit from the ransom.

• ⁵ Congregation Meetings: The Memorial is the first meeting that many Bible students and other interested ones attend. How, though, can we encourage them to benefit from our other congregation meetings? The April 2005 Our Kingdom Ministry, page 8, offered the following suggestions: “Mention the title of the next public talk. Show them the material that will be considered at the Watchtower Study and at the Congregation Book Study. Describe the Theocratic Ministry School and the Service Meeting. When you have an assignment in the school, perhaps you could rehearse it with them. Share outstanding points that were presented at the meetings. Use photographs in our publications to help them visualize what takes place. From the very first study, invite them to attend.”

• ⁶ When honesthearted ones have a regular Bible study and attend congregation meetings regularly, they often make rapid spiritual progress. May we, therefore, encourage others to take advantage of these spiritual provisions and to benefit from God’s greatest gift—the ransom.

• 5. How can we encourage Bible students and other interested ones to attend the weekly congregation meetings?

• 6. In what two ways can we help honesthearted ones to benefit from the ransom?

  Service meeting Schedule

  
  

Week Starting March 13

Song 41

to min: Local announcements. Selected Announcements from Our Kingdom Ministry. Using the suggestions on page 4 or other presentations appropriate for your territory, demonstrate how to offer the March 15 Watchtower and the March Awake.’ At the con -elusion of each presentation, have the publisher invite the householder to the Memorial, using the back cover of the magazine that is being featured.

15 min: “Help Others to Benefit From the Ransom.”* The part that follows this one will further consider how we can use pages 206-8 of the Bible Teach book when inviting people to the Memorial.

20 min: The Lord's Evening Meal —An Observance That Honors God. Question-and-answer discussion based on pages 206-8 of the Bible Teach book. In an introduction of less than one minute, show how the subject can be introduced to the householder by reading the opening paragraph. Then invite the audience to comment on the following questions without having the paragraphs read: (par. 2) When did Jesus institute the Memorial of his death? (par. 3) How often should the Lord's Evening Meal be observed? (par. 4) How does the Bible describe the Memorial observance? (par. 5) How do we know that Jesus did not turn the bread into his literal flesh and the wine into his blood? (par. 6) What does the unleavened bread symbolize? (par. 7) What does the red wine represent? (par. 8) Who only should partake of the bread and the wine? (par. 9) When is the Memorial held each year, and why should we attend? Highlight key scriptures as time permits. Encourage all to consider this information with Bible students and others whom they invite to the Memorial by reading the paragraphs, discussing the main points, and using simple questions, such as those provided in this part.

Song 134 and concluding prayer.

Week Starting March 20

Song 18

10 min: Local announcements. Review main points from the box “Memorial Reminders.”

23 min: Christ’s Role in God’s Arrangement. A talk based on Organized to Do Jehovah’s Will, pages 10-13. When discussing the first two paragraphs under the subheading “What Christ’s Role Is,” use three or four minutes to suggest and demonstrate ways to use the Memorial invitation. Review suggestions in the February 2006 Our Kingdom Ministry, page 3, paragraph 3.

12 min: Fortified by Examining the Scriptures Dally. Talk and demonstration based on the foreword of Examining the Scriptures Daily- -2006. Arrange a demonstration of a family considering today’s text and comments.

Song 103 and concluding prayer.

Week Starting March 27

Song 44

15 min: Local announcements. Remind publishers to turn in field service reports for March. Read accounts report and donation acknowledgments. Using the suggestions on page 4 or other presentations appropriate for your territory, demonstrate how to offer the April 1 Watchtower and the April Awake! Also show how to use the printed invitation to invite interested ones to the Memorial.

1O min: Is God Still in Control? Talk and demonstration based on the back cover of the April 1, 2006, Watchtower. Take advantage of every opportunity to invite people to the special public talk. Be sure to invite every Bible student as well as members of his family who may not be sitting in on the Bible study. All known interested persons and others whom we meet in field service should be given this special invitation. Demonstrate how to use the April 1 Watchtower when extending an invitation to one who has become inactive or has stopped attending meetings.

20 min: Local experiences. Invite audience to relate experiences enjoyed in offering the Bible Teach book during March. Highlight Bible studies that were started. One or two outstanding experiences may be reenacted.

Song 170 and concluding prayer.

Week Starting April 3

Song 199

15 min: Local announcements. Briefly review the article “Enjoy Our Study of What Does the Bible Really Teach?” which appears on page 6 of the February 2006 Our Kingdom Ministry. Draw attention to the study schedule for the Bible Teach book. Also show how to use the printed invitation to invite interested ones to the Memorial.

1O min: Local needs.

20 min: "Teach Meek Ones to Walk in God's Way."* Include comments based on the July 1, 2004, Watchtower, page 16, paragraph 9.

Song 93 and concluding prayer.

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

Announcements

■ Literature offer for March: What Does the Bible Really Teach? Make 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 starting Bible studies using the Bible Teach book. June: Learn From the Great Teacher. If Individuals say they have no children, offer the Family Happiness book.

• ■ Since April has five full weekends, it would be an excellent month to auxiliary pioneer.

• ■ The Memorial will be held on Wednesday, April 12, 2006. If your congregation normally has meetings on Wednesday, 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.

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

• ■ The video program Noah—He Walked With God will be considered at a Service Meeting in May. If needed, copies should be requested through the congregation as soon as possible.

■ The branch office does not fill individual publishers’ requests for literature. The presiding overseer should arrange for an announcement to be made each month before the congregation monthly request for literature is sent to the branch so that all interested in obtaining personal literature items may advise the brother handling literature. Please keep in mind which publications are specialrequest items.

• ■ Publishers displaced from their homes by Hurricane Katrina or Hurricane Rita should call the Houston, Texas, Relief Committee at (713) 334-1914 if they have not already done so. Elders should follow through with those who have relocated to their area to make sure they have called as instructed above.

• ■ It is important that groups of 20 or more planning to visit the United States branch office facilities at Brooklyn, Patterson, and Wallkill first correspond by mail with the Central Tour Desk at 100 Watchtower Drive, Patterson, NY 12563-9204. You may also use the following fax number: (845) 306-0200. At least two weeks prior to visiting, please send information on the number coming and the dates and times for visiting each location. Lodging information may be obtained from the congregation secretary. Before your visit, please review the June 2002 Our Kingdom Ministry Question Box regarding proper dress and grooming when visiting Bethel homes.

• ■ For those who wish to make donations to the worldwide work electronically, a set of instructions is available to explain this arrangement. For further information, call (718) 560-5000 or write to Watchtower, Attn: Treasurer’s Office, 25 Columbia Heights, Brooklyn, NY 11201-2483.

• ■ Whenever personal travel plans include attending congregation meetings, an assembly, or a district convention in another land, your request for information regarding dates, times, and locations must be directed to the branch office that oversees the work in that land. Addresses of branch offices are listed on the last page of the current Yearbook.

Memorial Reminders

The Memorial observance this year falls on Wednesday, April 12. The elders should give attention to the following matters.

• ■ In setting the time for the meeting, make sure that the emblems will not be passed until after sundown.

• ■ Everyone, including the speaker, should be informed of the exact time and location of the observance.

• ■ The appropriate type of bread and wine should be obtained and made ready.

—See the February 15, 2003, Watchtower, pp. 14-15.

• ■ Plates, glasses, and a suitable table and tablecloth should be brought to the hall and put in place in advance.

• ■ The Kingdom Hall or other meeting place should be thoroughly cleaned ahead of time.

• ■ Attendants and servers should be selected and instructed in advance about their duties, the proper procedure to be followed, and the need for dignified dress and grooming.

• ■ Arrangements should be made to serve any of the anointed who are infirm and unable to be present.

• ■ When more than one congregation is scheduled to use the same Kingdom Hall, there should be good coordination among congregations so as to avoid unnecessary congestion in the lobby or entryway, on the public sidewalks, and in the parking lot.

Teach Meek Ones to Walk in God’s Way

¹ First-century disciples of Christ were spoken of as belonging to “The Way.” (Acts 9:2) True Christianity involves a person’s entire way of life. (Prov. 3:5, 6) When conducting Bible studies, therefore, we need to do more than impart accurate knowledge of Bible doctrine. We must also help Bible students to walk in Jehovah’s way.—Ps. 25:8, 9.

• ² Love for Jehovah and for Jesus: What a challenge it is for imperfect people to bring their thinking, attitudes, speech, and conduct into harmony with God’s will! (Rom. 7:21-23; Eph. 4:22-24) However, love for God and his Son motivates meek ones to undertake this challenge. (John 14:15; 1 John 5:3) How can we help our Bible students to cultivate this love?

• ³ Help your student to get to know the kind of person Jehovah is. One brother explained, “People cannot love a person they don’t know, so from the very beginning of the study, I teach them God’s name from the Bible, and I look for opportunities to emphasize Jehovah’s qualities.” Highlighting Jesus’ example is an excellent way to do this. (John 1:14; 14:9) In addition, make use of the review box at the conclusion of each chapter of the Bible Teach book to help the student reflect on the marvelous qualities of God and his Son.

• 1 . What is involved in making disciples?

• 2 . What can motivate a Bible student to observe God’s commands?

• 3 . How can we help students to cultivate love for Jehovah and for Jesus?

• ⁴ Teach by Example: As teachers and guides, we show others by our actions what it means to walk in God’s way. (1 Cor. 11:1) For example, most Bible students are not accustomed to approaching strangers in order to share their beliefs. Therefore, it may require patience and skill to help them to develop the love, faith, and courage needed to participate in the work of preaching and making disciples. (2 Cor. 4:13; 1 Thess. 2:2) Our desire to guide our students will move us to be at their side when they take their first steps in the Christian ministry.

• ⁵ Your example can instruct students in other important aspects of Christian living. When you visit the sick or warmly greet others at congregation meetings, they see love in action. (John 15:12) When you share in cleaning the Kingdom Hall or do helpful things for others, you are teaching them how to serve. (John 13:12-15) When they observe that you maintain a simple lifestyle, they see what it means to ‘keep on seeking first the kingdom.’—Matt. 6:33.

• ⁶ The work of teaching others from God’s Word and of making disciples involves much effort. But what a joy it is to see meek ones “go on walking in the truth”!—3 John 4.

• 4. (a) Why do many students find preaching to be a challenge? (b) How can we help our students to take their first steps in the Christian ministry?

• 5. How does a good example help students to observe what is involved in following God’s commands?

• 6. What results from helping meek ones to serve Jehovah?

-Watchtower® Mar. 15

announcing Jehovah'S Kingdom

“Most of us have had the sad experience of losing a loved one in death. Are you familiar with this comforting promise? [Read Acts 24: 15. Then allow for response.] Many wonder, though, Who will be resurrected? When will it happen? Where will it take place? This magazine gives the Bible’s answers to those questions.”

Awake! Mar.

“Many people believe that Jesus is God. Interestingly, Jesus’ disciple Peter identified him as God’s Son. [Read Matthew 16:16.] Do you think it is possible for Jesus to be both God and Son of God? [Allow for response.] The article here on pages 12-13 examines this question, giving the Bible’s viewpoint.”

-Watchtower® Apr. i

announcing Jehovah's Kingdom

“This well-known saying highlights the importance of taking in knowledge of God. [Read Matthew 4:4,] Many people, though, find it challenging to understand God’s Word. Have you found that to be so? [Allow for response.] This magazine offers practical suggestions that can help you to understand the Bible.”

Awake! Apr.

“Many people strive to achieve happiness, but few seem to find it. Do you think that any of the things listed here would help people to have happier lives? [Show box on page 9. Then read one of the cited scriptures.] This issue of Awake! discusses the Bible-based recipe for true happiness.”

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