Our Kingdom hi ry

September 2007

For United States of America km-E Us 9/07 Vol. 50, No. 9

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We rejoice to see the progress of the work in the United States branch territory during the 2007 service year! We reached an all-time peak of 103,648 regular pioneers in December. A number of Beth-elites have been reassigned to the field as special and regular pioneers, and they are having a positive effect on the preaching work. The branch office also oversees the work in the Turks and Caicos is-, lands. The 161 publishers and pioneers reporting there in March conducted 307 Bible studies.

Nearly 51 million copies of Kingdom News No. 37, “The End of False Religion Is Near!” were distributed throughout the United States branch territory. After receiving and reading a copy, an inactive sister had trouble sleeping. The next Sunday, she attended the meeting and requested a Bible study. Interested ones used the coupon on the back of the Kingdom News to request 2,286 copies of the Keep on the Watch! brochure and 1,087 Bible studies.

The objective of such campaigns is to help honestheart-ed ones to learn what the Bible really teaches. (Matt. 28:19, 20) As you preach, remember to take note of any interest found, and return with the goal of starting a Bible study. We are happy to be working shoulder to shoulder with you in this important activity, and we send our warm Christian love.

Your brothers,

United <Slate& QUanc/t Office,'

¹ The apostle Paul admonished Christians to walk in God’s way and to “keep on doing it more fully.” (1 Thess. 4:1) What does this involve for us? One thing is that we should continually look for ways to reach out for more spiritual activity, endeavoring always to be ‘fully accomplishing our ministry.’ —2 Tim. 4:5.

• ² Motive: Reaching out in our ministry stems from our desire to serve our Creator more fully. We want to grow spiritually and look for ways to improve our ministry. A good routine with proper motive will help us attain theocratic goals.—Ps. 1:1, 2; Phil. 4:6; Heb. 10:24, 25.

• ³ Working at expanding our ministry requires that we cultivate a giving, selfsacrificing spirit. Such a spirit can be cultivated by prayerfully meditating on Jesus’ fine example. (Matt. 20:28) Jesus received great joy from serving others throughout his ministry. (Acts 20:35) We can imitate Jesus by showing personal interest in people and being alert to opportunities to reach out in our ministry. —Isa. 6:8.

• ⁴ Role of Parents: A desire to serve others and expand our ministry can be instilled in children at an early age. Young ones will take note of the diligence of family members and their active participation in expanding their ministry. One brother was motivated to reach out as a young boy as a result of working along with his grandfather on theocratic projects. Seeing his grandfather’s diligence and joy moved him to seek opportunities to serve his brothers. He is now a ministerial servant.

• ⁵ Need for Brothers: “If any man is reaching out..., he is desirous of a fine work.” (1 Tim. 3:1) These words encourage brothers to reach out to qualify for further service privileges in Jehovah’s organization. Doing so does not require special skills or outstanding natural abilities. A brother reaching out will seek first the Kingdom and have a zealous share in the ministry. (Matt. 6:33; 2 Tim. 4:5) He will endeavor to be a good example for others.

³ Worldwide: Jehovah is speeding up the ingathering. (Isa. 60:22) There is an urgent need for all those following Jesus’ example to work at their ministry more fully. The worldwide report for the 2006 service year shows that 248,327 were baptized. That represents an average of over 680 new ones every day! May we all continue to look for ways to work at our ministry more fully.

Week Starting September 10

Song 225

10 min: Local announcements. Using the suggestions on page 4 or other presentations appropriate for your territory, demonstrate how to offer the September 15 Watchtower and the September Awake! In each case, the magazines should be offered as a set, even though only one magazine is featured.

15 min: Question Box. Audience discussion to be handled by an elder. As time permits, read and discuss the cited scriptures.

20 min: “Follow the Example Set by Jesus.”’ Invite audience to relate how they have benefited from the good example of others.

Song 130 and concluding prayer.

Week Starting September 17

Song 60

10 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 during the new service 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.

20 mtn: A United Brotherhood. Talk and audience discussion based on chapter 16 of Organized to Do Jehovah’s Will.

Song 74 and concluding prayer.

Week Starting September 24

Song 162

10 min: Local announcements. Read accounts report and donation acknowledgments.

15 min: Local needs.

20 min: Use the Know the Bible Tract to Start Bible Studies in October. The offer for October is the Watchtower and Awake! magazines. Where interest is shown, the Know the Bible tract may be used to start a Bible study. Briefly discuss the tract after having attendants distribute one copy, if available, to everyone in attendance. Explain that the tract may be considered with the householder in whole or in part either on the initial call or when you return. Using the suggestions on page 4 or other presentations appropriate for your territory, demonstrate how to offer the October 1 Watchtower and the October Awake! In one demonstration, the publisher leaves the tract after the householder refuses the magazines. In the other demonstration, after the householder accepts the magazines, the publisher gives him the tract, discusses page 5 with him, refers to the coupon for the Bible Teach book on page 6, and offers to return with the book.

Song 222 and concluding prayer.

Week Starting October 1

Song 88

10 min: Local announcements. Selected Announcements from Otir Kingdom Ministry. Remind publishers to turn in field service reports for September.

15 min: Branch Letter. Talk and audience discussion based on the letter appearing on the front page of this issue of Our Kingdom Ministry. Invite audience to relate local experiences from the recent campaign to invite people to attend the “Follow the Christ!” District Convention.

20 min: “Reaching Out in Our Ministry.”* Include comments from brothers and sisters who are reaching out, and have them explain how they continue to look for ways to reach out in their ministry. One or two comments may be arranged in advance.

Song 102 and concluding prayer.

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

May Service report

TOTAL 1,037,202 Baptized 3,644

Announcements

■ Literature offer for September: What Does the Bible Really Teach? Make a special effort to start Bible studies on the initial call. When householders already have this publication, show how they can benefit from it by briefly demonstrating a Bible study. October: The Watchtower and Awake! magazines. Where interest is shown, offer the tract Would You Like to Know More About the Bible? with the objective of starting a Bible study. November: Learn From the Great Teacher. If individuals say they have no children, offer the brochure Keep on the Watch! December: The Greatest Man Who Ever Lived. As an alternative offer, you may use Draw Close to Jehovah or The Secret of Family Happiness.

■ Congregations should begin requesting bound volumes of The Watchtower and Awake! for 2007, Walch Tower Publications Index 2007, and Watchtower Library—2007 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—2007 Edition is a provision for baptized members of the congregation and is made available only through the congregation.

■ The video program Jehovah’s Witnesses—Organized to Share the Good News will be considered at a Service Meeting in December. If needed, copies should be requested through the congregation as soon as possible.

■ The presiding overseer or someone designated by him should audit the congregation’s accounts for the months of June, July, and August. When this has been done, an announcement should be made to the congregation after the next accounts report is read.—See Instructions for Congregation Accounting (S-27).

■ 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 be promptly provided to the body of elders for each congregation that meets in the Kingdom Hall as well as 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.

Question box

■ Does “the faithful and discreet slave” endorse independent groups of Witnesses who meet together to engage in Scriptural research or debate? —Matt. 24:45,47.

No, it does not. And yet, in various parts of the world, a few associates of our organization have formed groups to do independent research on Bible-related subjects. Some have pursued an independent group study of Biblical Hebrew and Greek so as to analyze the accuracy of the New World Translation. Others explore scientific subjects related to the Bible. They have created Web sites and chat rooms for the purpose of exchanging and debating their views. They have also held conferences and produced publications to present their findings and to supplement what is provided at our Christian meetings and through our literature.

Throughout the earth, Jehovah’s people are receiving ample spiritual instruction and encouragement at congregation meetings, assemblies, and conventions, as well as through the publications of Jehovah’s organization. Under the guidance of his holy spirit and on the basis of his Word of truth, Jehovah provides what is needed so that all of God’s people may be “fitly united in the same mind and in the same line of thought” and remain “stabilized in the faith.” (1 Cor. 1:10; Col. 2:6, 7) Surely we are grateful for Jehovah’s spiritual provisions in these last days. Thus, “the faithful and discreet slave” does not endorse any literature, meetings, or Web sites that are not produced or organized under its oversight.—Matt. 24:45-47.

It is commendable for individuals to want to use their thinking ability in support of the good news. However, no personal pursuit should detract from what Jesus Christ is accomplishing through his congregation on earth today. In the first century, the apostle Paul warned about getting involved in exhausting, timeconsuming subjects, such as “genealogies, which end up in nothing, but which furnish questions for research rather than a dispensing of anything by God in connection with faith.” (1 Tim. 1:3-7) All Christians should strive to “shun foolish questionings and genealogies and strife and fights over the Law, for they are unprofitable and futile.”—Titus 3:9.

For those who wish to do extra Bible study and research, we recommend that they explore Insight on the Scriptures, “All Scripture Is Inspired of God and Beneficial,” and our other publications, such as those that discuss the prophecies found in the Bible books of Daniel, Isaiah, and Revelation. These provide abundant material for Bible study and meditation, whereby we can be “filled with the accurate knowledge of [God’s] will in all wisdom and spiritual comprehension, in order to walk worthily of Jehovah to the end of fully pleasing him as [we] go on bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the accurate knowledge of God.” —Col. 1:9,10.

Follow the Example Set by Jesus

• ¹ When we participate in the disciple-making work, we must keep in mind that our example can have a powerful effect on those who observe us. Jesus taught by word and deed. Those observing him could see his zeal, his love for people, his focused desire to sanctify his Father’s name, and his determination to accomplish his Father’s will.—1 Pet. 2:21.

• ² While in the House-to-House Ministry: As with Jesus, our example influences those who are working along with us. Newer and less experienced publishers who see us zealously engaging in the ministry will think about the quality of their share in the preaching work. When they observe our joy and genuine interest in others, they will be reminded of the importance of demonstrating such qualities in their ministry. When they notice our diligence in using the Scriptures, in making return visits, and in conducting Bible studies, they will be motivated to do the same.

• ³ When Conducting Bible Studies: Our Bible students will especially observe our conduct. For example, though we may explain to them the importance of preparing for the study, looking up the scriptures, and underlining key points, they will notice whether we are prepared. (Rom. 2:21) If we are punctual for our appointment to study with them, they will be less inclined to let other activities in-

1. What example did Jesus set? 2. In what ways can our example affect those working with us in the ministry?

3, How may our example instruct Bible students, and what may they learn? terfere with their Bible study. They will also no doubt take note of our self-sacrificing disposition for the ministry and our resolute faith. It is not surprising that students of those who closely follow the example of Jesus often become zealous, productive evangelizers.

⁴ When Attending Congregation Meetings: All those forming part of the Christian congregation have a part in teaching by example at congregation meetings. Interested ones who begin attending meetings benefit from the good example they observe in the congregation. They will notice the warm brotherhood, Christian unity, and modest dress and grooming. (Ps. 133:1) Our example of loyal attendance at congregation meetings and our public declaration of our faith while there will also be noticed. A visitor at one of our meetings observed how quickly a small girl was able to And a cited verse in her own Bible and how attentively she followed the reading. Her example moved him to request a Bible study.

⁶ The Scriptures encourage us to imitate the positive example of one another. (Phil. 3:17; Heb. 13:7) Therefore, we should remember that if we closely follow the example set by Jesus, it will be observed by others and can influence them in a positive way. Realizing this, may we take to heart the words found at 1 Timothy 4:16: “Pay constant attention to yourself and to your teaching.”

4. When we attend congregation meetings, what is taught by our example?

6. Why should we never underestimate the value of our example?

"-Watchtower® sept, is

Announcing Jehovah's kingdom         ■

“I would like to have your opinion on what this says. [Read Deuteronomy 32:4.] Have you ever wondered why there is so much suffering and wickedness in the world if God is allpowerful and just? [Allow for response.] This magazine explains why God has allowed wickedness to continue until our day.”

Aamalfltf * Sept.

“Most of us desire good health and a long life. Do you think that keeping a positive outlook can improve our health? [Allow for response. Then read Proverbs 17:22.] This article discusses why an optimistic attitude is worth cultivating.” Feature the article on page 26.

' 'Wvrci rrowF.R Oct. i announcing Jehovah'S kingdom

“Have you ever said to yourself, ‘I wish I had done things differently!’? [Allow for response.] Notice what this says about why we all sometimes make choices that we later regret. [Read Jeremiah 10:23.] This magazine explains how the practical advice found in the Bible helps us to make good choices.”

Awake! Oct.

“Do you think that it is more dangerous for children today than in the past? [Allow for response.] Many feel that we are living during the time described here. [Read 2 Timothy 3:1-5.] This magazine gives some practical suggestions on how parents can protect their children from sexual predators.”

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