Our Kingdom ministry

September 2006                   For United States of America km-E Us 9/06 Vol. 49, No. 9

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“Let the Will of Jehovah Take Place.” (Acts 21:14) This was the title of a symposium presented to the United States Bethel family by Governing Body and Branch Committee members on the evening of Monday, December 26, 2005. It was explained that as a result of the simplification of certain branch operations, some Bethel family members would be invited to serve in the United States field in various assignments where the excellent training they have received at Bethel could be put to good use.

Improved technology has made our shipping and printing facilities more efficient. This has reduced the need for volunteers in the Bethel home. On the other hand, there is a growing need for more “workers [in the] harvest.” (Luke 10:2) As one member of the Governing Body observed: “We can buy machines to do our printing for us, but machines cannot preach the good news.” Therefore, mature, experienced brothers and sisters who have benefited from Bethel training are being assigned to the field where they will be able to contribute much to the preaching and disciple-making work. A number of congregations in the United States branch territory will benefit from their help.

We are confident that Jehovah will richly bless the adjustments being made to balance the need for faithful workers at Bethel with the needs in the field.

Your brothers,

I/ruled Staten d&ranc/e Office

• ¹ “The End of False Religion Is Near!” That is the title of Kingdom News No. 37, which will be distributed around the world beginning next month. During the first half of October, we will offer the Watchtower and Awake! magazines. Starting Monday, October 16, through Sunday, November 12, we will engage in an intensive distribution of Kingdom News No. 37. On weekends during the campaign, we will offer it along with the current magazines.

• ² Who Can Share: All who are actively publishing the good news will want to have a full share. Some will be able to auxiliary pioneer. Do you have children or Bible students who are making spiritual progress? Help them to approach the elders to see if they qualify as unbaptized publishers. Elders should take the initiative to speak with inactive publishers in order to encourage them to participate, perhaps, by working along with experienced publishers.

• ³ A supply of Kingdom News No, 37 is being sent to all congregations so that publishers and pioneers can obtain at least 50 copies. Interested ones who are not yet publishers may receive five copies to distribute to family members and friends. All should keep track of the number they place and note this on the back of their field service reports at the end of October and November. The secretary will tabulate the total for the congregation and report it to the branch office at the end of each month. Any copies of the Kingdom News that are remaining after the campaign concludes may be used in any feature of the ministry.

• ⁴ What to Say: Keep your presentation brief, as this will allow for a wider distribution of the message. You could say: “As a public service, I am sharing in an earth-wide distribution of this important message. This is your free copy. Please read it,” It may be advantageous not to carry a witnessing case to the doors. Be sure to keep a record of the interest found.

• ⁵ How to Cover Your Territory: Rather than distributing the Kingdom News in street work, focus on covering as much of your house-to-house and business territory as possible. Keep track of not-at-homes, and try to return at a different time or day of the week. Beginning Monday, November 6, a copy may be left at not-at-homes. However, if the congregation has more territory than can be covered during the allotted time, the elders may determine that the Kingdom News should be left at not-at-homes during the entire campaign.

• ⁶ The destruction of “Babylon the Great” is fast approaching. People need to get out of her before she is completely destroyed. (Rev. 14:8; 18:8) Make plans now to have a full share in this worldwide campaign to let all know that the end of false religion is near!

Week Starting September 11

Song 20

10 mln: Local announcements. Selected Announcements from Our Kingdom Ministry. Encourage everyone to view the video Young People Ask—How Can I Make Real Friends? in preparation for the discussion that will be held at the Service Meeting the week of September 25. Using the suggestions on page 8 or other presentations appropriate for your territory, demonstrate how to offer the September 15 Watchtower and the September Awake! In one of the demonstrations, show how to handle the potential conversation stopper "I have my own religion.”—See Reasoning t>ook, pp. 18-19.

20 min: Benefit From the Service Meeting and the Theocratic Ministry School. Talk and audience discussion based on Organized to Do Jehovah’s Will, from the subheading on page 64 to the subheading on page 69.

15 min: Branch Letter. Talk and audience discussion based on the letter appearing on the front page of this issue of Our Kingdom Ministry. Include comments on the Organized book, page 109, paragraphs 1-3. Song 126 and concluding prayer.

Week Starting September 18

Song 213

5 min: Local announcements.

15 min: How Did We Do Last Year? Service overseer reviews the past service year, focusing on the good things accomplished in the ministry. Give appropriate commendation. Mention one or two areas that need attention in the coming year. Comment on the activity of the pioneers, commending them for their good work. Relate the good results achieved from efforts to assist inactive ones.

25 min: “Special Campaign October 16-November 12!” Enthusiastic discussion by an elder. After reading the announcement provided in the letter to the body of elders dated June 6, 2006, distribute one copy of Kingdom News No. 37 to each person in attendance. Then proceed with a question-and-answer discussion of the article. Outline local arrangements for complete coverage of the territory. Encourage all publishers to share fully in this campaign. Demonstrate a brief presentation. Song 50 and concluding prayer.

Week Starting September 25

Song 94

10 min: Local announcements. Read accounts report and donation acknowledgments. Remind publishers to turn in field service reports for September. Using the suggestions on page 8 or other presentations appropriate for your territory, demonstrate how to offer the October 1 Watchtower or the October Awake! while engaging in street witnessing, 25 min: “A Video That Deserves Serious Thought."* While discussing paragraph 1, ask the congregation to make some brief personal expressions about the video Young People Ask—How Can I Make Real Friends? Then get right into a discussion of each question presented in paragraphs 2-7. In conclusion, encourage families also to watch together in the near future the video on DVD entitled Young People Ask—What Will I Do With My Life?

io min: Local experiences. Invite audience to relate experiences enjoyed while placing the special Issue of Awake! or while starting Bible studies on the initial call using the Bible Teach book. One or two outstanding experiences may be reenacted.

Song 183 and concluding prayer.

Week Starting October 2

Song 36

1O min: Local announcements. Review Question Box.

15 min: Local needs.

20 min: “Witnessing From House to House.”* As time permits, invite audience to comment on the cited scriptures.

Song 127 and concluding prayer.

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

■ Is it appropriate to compile material that will be featured in the Theocratic Ministry School and distribute it to others?

It is permissible to do this for the personal use of family members and a few close friends. However, such material should not be made available for general distribution or be provided in exchange for money, as this would be a violation of copyright laws.—Rom. 13:1.

For certain assignments in the Theocratic Ministry School, only a theme is provided; no references are indicated as source material. Would it be beneficial for someone to work up a list of references or to compile source material that could be used by those who receive such assignments? No. Neither would it be proper to compile the answers to the questions in the Theocratic Ministry School Review for use by others, as this would not help them to fix important points in mind. Students should do their own research. This is an important aspect of the training that Jehovah provides by means of the school to help us speak with “the tongue of the taught ones.”—Isa. 50:4.

May Service Report Av. Av. Av. Ay. Number of:               Hrs. Mags. R.V Bi.St.
Sp'l Pios.	218 104.2 78.8 44.5 4.5
Pios.	95,017	65.9 40.0 20.6 2.0
Aux. Pios.	36,830	49.7 33.5 12.4 1.1
Puts.	879,459	9.6 7.8 3.5 0.4
TOTAL 1,011,324		Baptized: 2,478

© 2006 Christian Congregation of Jehovah’s Witnesses. All rights reserved. Our Kingdom Ministry (ISSN 1067-7259) is published monthly by Christian Congregation of Jehovah’s Witnesses; W. L Van De Wall President; W. H. Nonkes, Secretary-Treasurer; 2821 Route 22, Patterson, NY 12563-2237. Periodicals Postage Paid at Brooklyn, NY, and at additional mailing offices. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to Our Kingdom Ministry, 1000 Red Mills Road, Wallkill, NY 12589-3299.                         Printed in U SA

Adjustments for the Book Revelation—Its Grand Climax At Hand!

Listed below are the key adjustments to the book Revelation—Its Grand Climax At Hand! which was published in 1988. This list does not include, for example, certain statistical adjustments, which can be found in the latest Yearbook and in other publications.

CHAPTER 4

p. 19,114, delete last citation: Matthew 25:31-33 CHAPTERS

p. 24, H3, replace footnote with: * For a detailed explanation, see the book What Does the Bible Really Teach? pages 88-92, 215-18, published by Jehovah’s Witnesses.

CHAPTERS

p. 30, fill, lines 8-9, replace “2 Peter 3:1-3” with: 2 Peter 2:1-3

p. 30, U12, replace sixth sentence with: Finally, Roman Emperor Constantine gave state approval to the “Christian” religion, and this led to the development of Christendom, where Church and State joined forces in ruling for a thousand years.

p. 32, box, replace first paragraph with: Jesus was baptized and anointed as King-Designate at the Jordan River about October 29 C.E. Three and a half years later, in 33 C.E., he came to Jerusalem’s temple and threw out those who were making it a cave of robbers. There appears to be a parallel to this in the three-and-a-half-year period from Jesus' enthronement in the heavens in October 1914 until his coming to inspect professed Christians as judgment began with the house of God. (Matthew 21:12, 13; 1 Peter 4:17) Early in 1918 the Kingdom activity of Jehovah’s people met with great opposition. It was a time of testing earth wide, and fearful ones were sifted out. In May 1918 Christendom’s clergy instigated the imprisonment of officials of the Watch Tower Society, but nine months later these were released. Later, the false charges against them were dropped. From 1919 the organization of God’s people, tried and refined, moved zealously forward to proclaim Jehovah’s Kingdom by Christ Jesus as the hope for mankind.—Malachi 3:1-3.

CHAPTERS

p. 40, 1,8, line 6, replace “125 errors” with: 130 errors

p. 40, 1110, replace last sentence with: In the United States Supreme Court alone, Jehovah’s Witnesses have won 50 victories.

• CHAPTER 10

• p. 50, Uli, replace footnote with: * See, for example, the article “Faithful Christian Women —Precious Worshipers of God” in the November 1, 2003, issue of The Watchtower.

• CHAPTER 11

p. 56, 119, replace second half of paragraph with: In this connection, the Watchtower magazine has given encouragement by discussing topics such as “Keep Proving What You Yourselves Are” and “Living No Longer for Ourselves.”* Having such Scriptural help, let us probe our innermost .selves as we try to walk humbly and prayerfully in integrity before Jehovah.—Psalm 26:1-3; 139:23, 24.

• p. 56, j[9, replace footnote with: * See The Watchtower, July 15, 2005, and March 15, 2005-

• CHAPTER 12

p. 61, H14, replace footnote with: ^# The Watchtower magazine, published by the John class, has continued to highlight the urgency of seizing this opportunity and sharing as fully as possible in the preaching work; for example, see the articles “Let All Declare the Glory of Jehovah” and “Into All the Earth Their Sound Went Out” in the January 1, 2004, issue of The Watchtower. In the June 1, 2004, issue, in the article “Blessed Are Those Who Give Glory to God,” emphasis was placed on entering an “opened door” into full-time service. There was a peak of 1,093,552 pioneers reporting such service during one month in 2005.

• CHAPTER 13

p. 69, Illi, replace last sentence with: Almost 40 years ahead of time, they pointed to 1914 as the year marked in Bible prophecy as the end of the times of the Gentiles, accompanied by startling developments on earth.—Revelation 1:10.

p. 69, 7112, column 2, line 10, replace “El Paso, Texas,” with: Pampa, Texas,

p. 71, U14, line 3, replace “in 1988 of more than 20 million” with: in 2006 of more than 59 million

p, 73, H23, lines 12-13, delete citation: Matthew 25:31

• CHAPTER 16

p. 90, H4, replace second footnote with: * For detailed proof that Jesus came into his Kingdom in 1914, see pages 215-18 of the book lF7z«f Does the Bible Really Teach? published by Jehovah’s Witnesses.

p. 90, 7J6, replace paragraph with: Why, though, must the newly crowned King ride forth to war? It is because his kingship is established in the face of bitter opposition from Jehovah’s chief adversary, Satan the Devil, and those on earth who—knowingly or unknowingly—serve Satan’s ends. The birth of the Kingdom itself calls for a major war in heaven. Fighting under the name Michael (meaning “Who Is Like God?”), Jesus overcomes Satan and his demons and hurls them down to the earth. (Revelation 12:7-12) Jesus’ ride of conquest continues through the opening decades of the Lord’s day while sheeplike humans are being gathered. Though the whole world still lies “in the power of the wicked one,” Jesus lovingly continues to shepherd his anointed brothers and their companions, helping each to achieve the conquest of faith.— 1 John 5:19.

p. 92, 1J9, replace last sentence with: Growth has been outstanding in Catholic lands and in countries where persecutions were most bitter —such as Germany, Italy, and Japan, in which the Witnesses are now reporting a total of well over 600,000 active field ministers.—Isaiah 54:17; Jeremiah 1:17-19.

p. 94, 1| 18, replace paragraph with: Could we call this a triumph for military technology? It is, rather, a testimony that the merciless red horse is at the gallop. And where will that gallop end? Some scientists speak of the possibility of an accidental nuclear war—let alone a planned nuclear conflagration! But happily the conquering Rider of the white horse has other thoughts about this.

p. 97, H28, replace paragraph with: Of current importance here is “deadly plague." Following in the wake of the ravages of World War I, the Spanish flu reaped over 20 million human lives in just a few months of 1918-19- The only territory on earth to escape this scourge was the small island of St. Helena. In places where the population was decimated, funeral pyres were lit to burn the piles of bodies. And today there is the frightful incidence of heart disease and cancer, much of which is caused by tobacco pollution. In what was described as “the ugly decade" of the 1980’s, a way of life that is lawless by Bible standards added the scourge of AIDS to the “deadly plague.” In the year 2000, the U.S. surgeon general was reported as calling AIDS “probably the worst health epidemic the world has ever known.” He said that 52 million people around the world had contracted HIV/AIDS, and of them 20 million had died. How thankful Jehovah’s people are that the wise counsel of his Word keeps them away from fornication and misuse of blood, through which so many diseases are transmitted today!—Acts 15: 28, 29; compare 1 Corinthians 6:9-11.

• CHAPTER 17

p. 100, 1J2, line 14, replace “1 Chronicles 23:4” with: 1 Chronicles 24:4

• CHAPTER 18

p. 106, U7, replace paragraph with: World War II brought another wave of upheavals. And smaller wars along with international terrorism continue to shake the earth. The fearful threat of terrorists or states using weapons of mass destruction has many people wondering.

p. 106, replace question numbered 7-9 (b) with: The upheavals in human society during Jesus’ presence would eventually include what situation among mankind?

p. 107, U9, replace third sentence with: The dark days that followed were surely a part of the fulfillment of Jesus’ prophecy about his presence, which would include “anguish of nations, not knowing the way out. .. while men become faint out of fear and expectation of the things coming upon the inhabited earth.” (Luke 21:7-9, 25-31)*

p. 107, U9, replace footnote with: * For more than 35 years, from 1895 to 1931, the words of Luke 21:25, 28, 31 were quoted on the cover of the Watchtower magazine against the backdrop of a lighthouse illuminating stormy skies over raging seas.

p. 107, Uli, replace fourth sentence with: Satan’s world system has been put on notice by this global warning.*

p. 109, 1117, delete second sentence following quote of Revelation 6:12b, 13: It represents the culmination of the catastrophic situation that Jesus had earlier prophesied about at Matthew 24:29.                                      ■

CHAPTER 20

p. 123, UH, replace fourth sentence with: At the time of this printing, various forms of MBPS are used in more than 125 locations around the earth, and this has helped to make possible publication of the semimonthly journal, The Watchtower, in over 130 languages simultaneously.

p. 128, V30, replace last sentence with: Only a minority of mankind, including any of the sealed 144,000 who might still be remaining in the flesh and a great crowd of other sheep who will “stand,” that is, survive with them.—Jeremiah 35:19; 1 Corinthians 16:13.

CHAPTER 22

p. 143, replace subheading with: The Locust Plague Today

p. 146, U16, replace sentences following quote of Revelation 9:10 with: What could this mean? As they go about their Kingdom work, Jehovah’s Witnesses, using the spoken word and printed publications, issue authoritative statements based on God’s Word. Their message has a scorpionlike sting because they warn of Jehovah’s approaching day of vengeance. (Isaiah 61:2) Before the present generation of spiritual locusts lives out its life span, its divinely ordained work of declaring Jehovah’s judgments will be completed—to the hurt of all stiff-necked blasphemers.

p. 147, 1J17, replace footnote with: * This magazine was renamed Consolation in 1937 and Awake! in 1946.

p. 147, 1119, replace lines 7-11 with: (Matthew 24:3-14; Revelation 12:1-10) Thereafter, it quoted the manifesto published in London in 1917 and signed by eight clergymen, who were described as being “among the world’s greatest preachers.”

• CHAPTER 24

p. 160, fi21, line 11, replace “goatlike people” with: opponents

p. 160, H21, line 16, replace “Matthew 25:31-34, 41, 46” with: Philippians 1:27, 28

p. 160, replace question numbered 21 (b) with: Why is the good news bad news for opponents?

• CHAPTER 25

p. 162, 1J4, replace footnote with: * For a full discussion of this great spiritual temple, see the articles “Jehovah’s Great Spiritual Temple” in the July 1, 1996, issue of The Watchtower and “The One True Temple at Which to Worship” in the December 1, 1972, issue.

p. 162, 115, replace third sentence with: In the Hebrew Scripture prophecies, such measuring provided a guarantee that justice would be rendered on the basis of Jehovah’s perfect standards.

p. 162, H7, replace second sentence following quote of Revelation 11:2 with: As we shall see, the reference here is to the literal 42 months extending from December 1914 to June 1918, when all professing Christians were put to a severe test.

p. 164, H12, replace third sentence with: Additionally, at the beginning of the Lord’s day, there was a marked period of three and a half years when the hard experiences of God’s people matched the events prophesied here—starting in December 1914 and continuing to June 1918.

p. 165, replace picture caption with: The rebuilding work by Zerubbabel and Joshua indicated that in the Lord’s day small beginnings would be followed by great increase among Jehovah’s Witnesses. Facilities such as the ones shown above, which are in Brooklyn, New York, have had to be greatly expanded in order to help meet their needs

p. 165, 1J15, line 8, replace “(Matthew 17:1-3; 25:31)” with: (Matthew 17:1-3)

• CHAPTER 26

p. 175, 1J12, replace footnote with: * Roman historian Tacitus reports that when Jerusalem was captured in 63 B.C.E. and Cneius Pompeius entered the temple sanctuary, he found it was empty. There was no ark of the covenant within. —Tacitus History, 5.9.

• CHAPTER 27

p. 185, box, replace sixth paragraph with: In Spain homes were invaded and Christians lined and imprisoned for the “crime” of talking about God and holding Christian meetings. This persecution finally ended in 1970, when, as a result of the government’s change of policy toward nonCatholic religions, Jehovah’s Witnesses were allowed to become legally registered.

p. 185, 1J28, replace first two sentences with: This vicious flood of persecution reached a high point during World War II. In Europe some 12,000 Witnesses were incarcerated in Nazi concentration camps and prisons, and about 2,000 died.

• CHAPTER 28

p. 187,1)4, replace footnote with: * For further details, please see pages 165-79 of the book Pay Attention to Daniel’s Prophecy! published by Jehovah’s Witnesses.

p. 190, 1[15, replace first three sentences with: For the dominant seventh head of the wild beast, that war was a major disaster. Along with other European nations, Britain lost its young men in traumatic numbers. In one battle alone, the Battle of the River Somme in 1916, there were 420,000 British casualties along with some 194,000 French and 440,000 German—more than 1,000,000 casualties!

p. 192, fi22, column 2, replace line 1 with: Their trials came to a climax in June 1918,

• CHAPTER 29

p. 202, H14, replace lines 1-3 with: The 144,000 are “bought from the earth,” “bought from among mankind.” They are adopted as sons of God, and after their

• CHAPTER 30

p. 206, 1]3, replace second sentence with: Well, what resulted after 539 B.C.E. when ancient Babylon fell?

p. 209, H10, replace line 1 with: By the 1870’s anointed Christians began

p. 209, replace question numbered 10 with: What took place by the 1870’s, and how did Babylon the Great react to this?

p. 212,1123, replace third, fourth, and fifth sentences with: Immediately, Jesus obeys. First, from 1919 on, he has his angels complete the harvesting of the 144,000. (Matthew 13:39, 43; John 15:1, 5, 16) Next, the harvest ingathering of the great crowd of other sheep takes place. (John 10:16; Revelation 7:9)

• CHAPTER 32

p. 231, 1J27, replace last section of paragraph starting from citation “Matthew 24:42, 44” with: (Matthew 24:42, 44; Luke 12:37, 40) Echoing this warning, the apostle Paul said: “Jehovah’s day is coming exactly as a thief in the night. Whenever it is that they are saying; ‘Peace and security!’ then sudden destruction is to be instantly upon them.” Satan is behind any such false proclamation of “Peace and security!”—1 Thessalonians 5:2, 3-

• CHAPTER 33

p. 243, 1121, replace second to last sentence with: Significantly, the pope gave very little attention to Jesus Christ or to God’s Kingdom in his speech.

p. 245, fl25, line 6, replace “(Revelation 14:8: 17:2)” with: (Revelation 14:8; 17:4)

• CHAPTER 34

p. 246, Hl, replace second to last sentence with: But the vision becomes a startling reality in our day.

p. 249, 1110, replace fourth sentence with: According to a report by the International Peace Research Institute, as many as five million people were killed as a result of wars during 1986 alone!

p. 250,1J12, footnote, replace “1981” with: 1993

p. 251, H14, replace paragraph with: In recent years, politicians have used the phrase “peace and security” to describe various human schemes. Do such efforts by world leaders constitute the beginning of the fulfillment of 1 Thessalonians 5:3? Or was Paul referring only to a specific event of such dramatic proportions that it will claim world attention? Since Bible prophecies are often completely understood only after they are fulfilled or in the course of fulfillment, we will have to wait and see. Meanwhile, Christians know that whatever peace and security the nations may appear to have achieved, basically nothing will have changed. Selfishness, hatred, crime, family breakdown, immorality, sickness, sorrow, and death will still be here. That is why no cry of “peace and security” needs to mislead you, if you remain awake to the meaning of world events and heed the prophetic warnings in God’s Word.—Mark 13: 32-37; Luke 21:34-36.

CHAPTER 36

p. 259, 114, replace last two sentences with: In 1914, Jesus became a heavenly King, and since that time he has been exercising authority over the earth as Jehovah’s associate King and Judge. It is fitting, then, that he should announce the fall of Babylon the Great.

p. 260, 119, replace first four sentences with: Ancient Babylon’s fall in 539 B.C.E. was the start of a long decline that ended in her desolation. Similarly, since the first world war, the influence of Babylonish religion has declined remarkably on a global scale. In Japan, Shinto emperor worship was proscribed following the second world war.

p. 265, H22, delete last citation:—Compare Matthew 24:15, 16.

p. 266, 1J28, replace third and fourth sentences with: She is to receive twice as much as she gave out. There will be no mercy shown because Babylon the Great has shown no mercy to her victims.

• CHAPTER 38

p. 277, H17, replace last two sentences with; If any anointed ones still survive on earth, they will doubtless enter into their heavenly reward soon after Christ completes his conquest and will join their fellow members of the bride class. Then, at God’s due time, the marriage of the Lamb can take place!

p. 277, H18, replace first sentence with: The prophetic account in Psalm 45 describes the order of events.

• CHAPTER 39

p. 281, H10, replace last two sentences with: Further, “all the angels” will attend upon Jesus as he sits on his glorious throne and proceeds to judge the nations and people of earth. (Matthew 25:31, 32) Surely, in the decisive war, when God’s judgments are executed to a finality, Jesus will again be accompanied by his angels.

CHAPTER 41

p. 296, 1J5, replace first three sentences with: Who are left to be judged after the old earth and the old heaven flee away? Not the anointed remnant of the 144,000, for these have already been judged and sealed. If any of the anointed are still alive on earth after Armageddon, they must shortly thereafter die and receive their heavenly reward by resurrection. (1 Peter 4:17; Revelation 7:2-4)

CHAPTER 43

p. 311, 1119, replace sentences after citation “Revelation 11:15; 12:10” with: During the time of the end, the spirit and the bride have been inviting rightly disposed ones to take life’s water free. Water from this river will continue to be available to such ones right up to the end of this system of things and, thereafter, on into the new world, when New Jerusalem ‘comes down out of heaven from God.’—Revelation 21:2.

p. 312, 1]26, replace first two sentences with: Those trees, well watered by the river, may include the 144,000 members of the Lamb’s wife. While on earth these also drink of God’s provision for life through Jesus Christ. Interestingly, these spirit-begotten brothers of Jesus are prophetically called “big trees of righteousness.” (Isaiah 61:1-3; Revelation 21:6)

Announcements

■ Literature offer for September: What Does the Bible Really Teach? Make a special effort to start Bible studies on the initial call. Follow up all placements by making return visits with the objective of starting Bible Studies. October 1-15: The Watchtower and Awake! magazines. Where interest is shown, offer the Keep on the Watch! brochure and seek to cultivate further interest in the Bible. October 16-November 12: Special cam paign distribution of Kingdom News No. 37, “The End of False Religion Is Near!" November 13-30: Learn From the Great Teacher. If individuals say they have no children, offer the tract Would You Like to Know More About the Bible? 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.

■ Congregations should begin requesting bound volumes of The Watchtower and Awake! for 2006 and the Watchtower Library—2006 Edition on CD-ROM 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. Please note that Watchtower Library—2006 Edition is a provision for baptized members of the congregation and is made available only through the congregation.

■ The elders are reminded to follow through on instructions given on pages 21-3 of the April 15, 1991, Watchtower regarding any disfellow-shipped or disassociated ones who may be inclined toward becoming reinstated.

■ The September Our Kingdom Ministry insert, pages 3-6, lists a number of adjustments for each one to make in his personal copy of the Revelation Climax book. This should be done in preparation for the Congregation Book Study starting the week of January 8,2007.

■ If you are admitted to a hospital and want visiting local elders and, in larger cities, elders serving on a Patient Visitation Group to have access to your name, what must you do? When identifying yourself as one of Jehovah’s Witnesses, you should also explain that you are willing to have a minister of Jehovah’s Witnesses visit you. A federal law, the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA), protects your privacy, but with your consent, the law allows for the elders to learn of your admission and provide spiritual encouragement.

■ The Annual Congregation Property Documents Review Work Sheet (TO-33) and Safety Inspection Work Sheet (TO-34) are to be completed each September. Copies of the completed forms should promptly be provided to the body of elders for each congregation meeting in the Kingdom Hall and to the Regional Building Committee. If corrective actions are needed, the elders should care for these. When the circuit overseer visits the congregation, he will review both work sheets.

A Video That Deserves Serious Thought

"This video really makes you think!”

“It went straight to my heart!” “I was overcome with emotion!”

• ¹ Is that how you felt after you first watched the video Young People Ask—How Can I Make Real Friends? Some years ago, a young brother was going through a difficult time in his life, all because of the friends he had chosen. They caused him to lose interest in the truth, and he lost his relationship with Jehovah. Then the Real Friends video was released. He wrote: “As I watched the video over and over again, tears rolled down my face. I thanked Jehovah for the help at the proper time.” The video motivated him to turn his life around and to acquire the right ‘kind of friends. He added: “It is obvious that you are up-to-date with what is affecting young ones.” Parents and youths, why not watch the video again at your next family study? Pause it after each part, and discuss together openly and honestly the questions in the following paragraphs.

• ² Introduction: What is a true friend?—Prov. 18:24.

• ³ Roadblocks to Friendship: How can you overcome the feeling of being left out? (Phil. 2:4) Why must you be willing to improve your personality, and who can help you to do that? What will open up opportunities to make more friends, and where can they be found?—2 Cor. 6:13.

• ⁴ Friendship With God: How can you develop a closer relationship with Jehovah, and why is doing so worth the effort? (Ps. 34:8) Who can best strengthen your friendship with God?

⁶ The Wrong Kind of Friends: Who are bad associates? (1 Cor. 15:33) How can the wrong friends lead one into spiritual ruin? What does the Bible account about Dinah teach you? —Gen. 34:1, 2, 7,19.

• ⁶ A Modern-Day Drama: How did loneliness affect Tara? How did she justify her association with worldly youths? To what dangers did they expose her? Why did her parents fail to see the danger she was in, but with what attitude did they help her to recover spiritually? How did a pioneer sister prove to be a real friend to Tara? Why must Christians heed Proverbs 13:20 and Jeremiah 17:9? What important lesson did Tara learn?

• ⁷ Conclusion: What lessons have you learned from this video? How can you use it to help others?—Ps. 71:17.

Witnessing From House to House

• ¹ “Those experienced in the various ways of spreading the Truth will agree that the house to house canvass with MILLENNIAL DAWN is, in the present time, by far the most effective way of preaching the Truth.” That statement from the July 1, 1893, issue of Zion’s Watch Tower highlighted the value of the house-to-house ministry. People earth wide have come to view it as a trademark of Jehovah’s Witnesses. Is this method still of value, since it is increasingly difficult to find people at home in some lands?

• ² Scriptural and Important: House-to-house witnessing has a Scriptural basis. Jesus instructed 70 disciples to go by twos to the houses of the people. (Luke 10:5-7) Shortly after Jesus’ death, the Bible says of his disciples: “Every day in the temple and from house to house they continued without letup teaching and declaring the good news.” (Acts 5:42) The apostle Paul also zealously taught from house to house.—Acts 20:20.

• ³ Witnessing from house to house continues to be an important method of spreading the good news today. It enables us to “search out” deserving ones in a systematic and orderly way. (Matt. 10:11) People are generally more relaxed at home. Speaking with them face-to-face—hearing their voice, seeing their facial expressions, and observing their surroundings—allows us to discern their interests and concerns. It usually gives us the best opportunity to engage in extended conversation.

• ⁴ Make Personal Adjustments: The apostle Paul was willing to make personal adjustments “for the sake of the good news.” (1 Cor. 9:23) Perhaps we can adjust our schedule to preach when more people are likely to be at home, such as later in the day, on weekends, or on holidays. Keep a record of notat-homes, and try again on a different day of the week or at a different time of the day.

• ⁵ Even those with health limitations may be able to share in preaching from house to house. Perhaps we can make it a point to take such ones with us to homes that are easily accessible, allowing them to work at a comfortable pace. One sister’s shortness of breath allowed her to call at only one house every half hour. Yet, how happy and satisfied she felt after being included in the group!

• ⁸ Many sheeplike ones continue to be found in the door-to-door work. One publisher knocked on a door and was told: “Come in. I know who you are. I have been praying for God to send someone to help me, and then I heard the knock at the door. He heard me and sent you." The results give evidence that Jehovah is blessing this method of preaching. (Matt. 11:19) Be determined to make house-to-house witnessing a regular feature of your ministry.

"Watchtower sept, is

Announcing Jehovah's Kingdom

Mention a current news item of local concern. Then ask: “Do you think that this Bible verse accurately describes the times in which we live? [Read 2 Timothy 3:1, and allow for response.] This article examines the evidence that we are living in the last days and shows what we should do.”

Awake! Sept.

“Many feel we were created. Others feel we evolved. Do you have an opinion? [Allow for response.] Notice this suggestion to help us reach the right conclusion. [Read Job 12:7, 8.] This special issue of Awake! discusses what we can learn from the wisdom and design evident in nature.”

-WEcHTOWERj Oct. 1

Announcing jehovah’J Kingdom

“Biologists are trying to eliminate disease and lengthen our life span. Do you think that it will eventually be possible to live forever? [Allow for response.] Notice the reason we dream of living longer. [Read Ecclesiastes 3:11.] This magazine explains why God created us with the desire to live forever.”

Awake!^{1 2 3 4 5 6} Oct.

“Almost everyone enjoys watching television. But do you think that we should be selective in what we watch? [Allow for response. Then read Proverbs 13:20.] This magazine discusses how television influences us, and it gives suggestions on how to control our viewing.”

8

¹

What question arises in connection with the house-to-house ministry, and why?

²

What is the Scriptural basis for witnessing from house to house?

³

What are some advantages of witnessing from house to house?

⁴

How can we make house-to-house witnessing more productive?

⁵

How might those with health limitations be included in the house-to-house work?

⁶

Why should we make house-to-house witnessing a regular feature of our ministry?