Our Kingdom 1 •— nr

• ¹ At times, we may feel that our territory has been worked repeatedly and thoroughly with minimal response. Yet, there are compelling reasons for us to keep preaching.—Matt. 28: 19, 20.

• ² For a Witness: Jesus foretold that Kingdom preaching would be a significant part of the composite sign of “the conclusion of the system of things” and that it would be done “for a witness to all the nations.” (Matt. 24:3,14) When people observe us engaging in preaching the Kingdom good news, a powerful witness is given. After we leave the area, some people may talk about our visit for hours or for days, even if they did not listen to the message. Appreciating the reasons for our ministry helps us to persevere. We are pleasing Jehovah by having a share in fulfilling Bible prophecy by giving a witness and sounding a warning message.—2 Thess. 1:6-9.

• ³ Perseverance Needed: Because people have so many distractions and so many demands on their time, perseverance is required of us when we endeavor to further their interest. One woman was called on every week for a year before she decided to invite the Witnesses into her home for a Bible discussion. She liked what she heard so much that she accepted a Bible study, began attending meetings, and soon expressed a desire to get baptized.

• ⁴ World conditions are changing rapidly, and so are people. Many who rejected our visit in the past may now embrace the refreshing hope we share. If only one person responds favorably to the Kingdom message, our perseverance will have been worth it.

• ⁵ Worldwide, more and more people are “sighing and groaning over all the detestable things that are being done.” (Ezek. 9:4) Kingdom fruitage proves that those who are righteously disposed are responding to the Kingdom message. (Isa. 2:2, 3) Therefore, let us continue to preach without letup by lovingly persevering in “bringing good news of something better.” —Isa. 52:7; Acts 5:42.

  Is Your Family Preparing for Survival?

  
  

• ¹ Fulfilled Bible prophecy gives convincing evidence of the fast-approaching end of this wicked world. We now live in critical times very similar to those before the Flood. (Matt. 24:37-39) Noah survived the destruction of that ancient world because he “walked with the true God.” (Gen. 6:9) Noah must have taught his family Jehovah’s ways because they too were preserved alive. In what way can we imitate Noah and prepare as a family to survive the end of this present wicked system of things?

• ² Preacher of Righteousness: Noah persevered for some 40 to 50 years as “a preacher of righteousness.” (2 Pet. 2:5) His neighbors, whether under the influence of rebellious materialized angels or not, must have scoffed at his preaching. Our ministry is often met with apathy and ridicule, proving that this system of things is near its end. (2 Pet. 3:3, 4) However, unlike people in Noah’s day, many are responding to our efforts and ‘streaming’ to Jehovah’s worship. (Isa. 2:2) We will save ‘ourselves and those who listen to us’ only if we persevere. (1 Tim. 4:16) How vital it is for parents to teach their children about the urgency of the preaching work both by word and by example!—2 Tim. 4:2.

• ³ He Did “Just So”: The survival of Noah and his family depended on their carefully following Jehovah’s instructions. (Gen. 6:22) It is also important for us today to be “ready to obey” direction from the Bible and the faithful slave. (Jas. 3: 17) Adult children in one family recall how their father applied suggestions received from Jehovah’s organization. For example, he conducted a family study every week and took the family in the ministry every weekend as recommended. He endeavored to have one of his children accompany him in the ministry each week. His steadfastness in doing “just so” made a deep impression on his children, and all six of them grew up to be loyal servants of Jehovah.

• ⁴ The end of this system will come suddenly. (Luke 12:40) By imitating Noah and exercising faith for salvation, we and our family will surely be ready! —Heb. 11:7.

  Service Meeting Schedule

  
  

Week Starting June 9

Song 121

10 min: Local announcements. Using the suggestions on page 4 or other presentations appropriate for your territory, demonstrate how to offer the June 1 Watchtower and the June Awake! 20 min: How to Prepare to Conduct a Bible Study. Talk based on the August 2004 Our Kingdom Ministry, page 1. At the end of the discussion, have a demonstration of a publisher who hastily tries to get ready to conduct a Bible study. Then have another publisher who prepares by taking into consideration some of the suggestions presented in Our Kingdom Ministry.

15 min: “Preach Without Letup.”* As time permits, invite audience to comment on the cited scriptures.

Song 201

Week Starting June 16

Song 90

10 min: Local announcements. Selected Announcements from Our Kingdom Ministry. Remind audience to bring the July 1 Watchtower and the July Awake! to the Service Meeting next week and to be prepared to discuss appropriate presentations they plan to use.

15 min: Highlight the Practical Value of the Good News. Talk and audience discussion based on the Ministry School book, page 159. Invite audience to comment on issues that are presently of concern to people in the local territory. Ask for suggestions on how we may address such concerns in our presentations.

20 min: “Is Your Family Preparing for Survival?”* As time permits, invite audience to comment on the cited scriptures.

Song 54

Week Starting June 23

Song 140

10 min: Local announcements. Read accounts report and donation acknowledgments. Mention the literature offer for July, and have one presentation demonstrated.

20 min: An Enriched Life Through Regular Pioneering. Talk based on the January 15, 2008, Watchtower, pages 17-19. If available, two regular pioneers, a new one and one who has served for many years, may be interviewed. Have them relate how their lives have been enriched by this precious form of service.

15 min: Prepare to Offer the Current Magazines. Audience discussion. After giving a brief overview of the July 1 Watchtower and the July Awake! ask the audience which articles may appeal to people in the local territory and why. Invite audience to mention specific points in articles they plan to feature. What question could be asked to start a conversation? Which scripture in the article could then be read? Using the sample presentations from Our Kingdom Ministry or a presentation suggested by the audience, demonstrate how each magazine might be offered.

Song 82

Week Starting June 30

Song 97

10 min: Local announcements. Remind all to turn in field service reports for June.

20 min: How to Improve Our Conversation Skills. Talk and audience discussion based on the Ministry School book, from page 62, paragraph 4, to the end of page 64. Tailor the information to the local territory. Briefly interview a publisher who is known for his ability to draw people into conversations when in the door-to-door ministry or when witnessing informally.

15 min: Do You Remember? Audience discussion based on the April 15, 2008, Watchtoioer, page 29.

Song 179

Week Starting July 7

Song 125

10 min: Local announcements.

15 min: Local needs.

20 min: “When a Householder Speaks Another Language.”* To be handled by the service overseer. When considering paragraph 2, inform the congregation of different language groups or congregations that are preaching in the same area as the congregation. Outline any specific arrangements put in place to help the language groups or congregations involved to cooperate in the preaching activity.

Song 188 * Limit introductory comments to less than a minute, and follow with a questlon-and-answer discussion.

February Service Report

ANNOUNCEMENTS

■ Literature offer for June: What Does the Bible Really Teach? Make a diligent effort to start Bible studies. July: Keep on the Watch! If the congregation does not have this brochure in stock, please check if nearby congregations have a surplus on hand that you can use. If that Is not possible, offer another appropriate brochure that the congregation has in stock. August: Worship the Only True God. If the congregation does not have this book in stock, please check if nearby congregations have a surplus on hand that you can use. If that is not possible, offer an appropriate brochure that the congregation has in stock. If a Bible study is started, it is recommended that the Bible Teach book be studied. 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.

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

■ Someone designated by the presiding overseer should audit the congregation’s accounts for the months of March, April, and Maj'. 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 (8-27).

■ It is recommended that applications for regular pioneer service be submitted to the branch office at least 31) days before the requested start date. The congregation secretary should review the forms to make sure that they are complete. If applicants cannot recall the exact date of their baptism, they should estimate the date and keep a record of it. The secretary should note this date on the Congregation’s Publisher Record (S-21) card.

■ Since January 2008, audio files of The Watchtower and Awake! in English and Spanish have been made available at the Web site wwwjw.org. Many prefer downloading these audio magazines, which become available before the CD or MP3 discs arrive in the congregations. Whenever a download is made, the organization does accrue a charge. However, this distribution is more economical than manufacturing and shipping discs. Therefore, publishers who download the magazines are encouraged to cancel their order for CD or MP3 discs with the magazine servant. Audio programs in additional languages will progressively become available through www.Jw.org.

■ The branch facilities in Brooklyn, Patterson, and Wallkill, New York, will be closed on the following dates: September 13.2008 (Gilead graduation); October 4, 2008 (annual meeting of the Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society of Pennsylvania); March 14. 2009 (Gilead graduation); and May 8-9. 2009 (spring cleaning). There will be no arrangements for tours or for congregations to pick up literature on those dates.

THEOCRATIC MINISTRY SCHOOL REVIEW

The following questions will be considered orally at the Theocratic Ministry School during the week beginning June 30,2008. The school overseer will conduct a 30-minute review based on material covered in assignments for the weeks of May 5 through June 30,2008. [Note: Where there are no references after the question, you will need to do your own research to find the answers.—See Ministry School, pp. 36-7.]

SPEECH QUALITIES

• 1. What can we do to ensure that the illustrations we use are understood? [be p. 242 par. 3-p. 243 par. 1]

• 2. Why are uncomplicated illustrations that are drawn from familiar situations effective? [be p. 245 pars. 2-4]

• 3. How important is effective use of visual aids, and how did Jehovah use them to teach vital lessons? (Gen. 15:5; Jer. 18:6; Jonah 4:10,11) [be p. 247 pars. 1-2]

• 4. How might we employ visual aids to enhance our teaching? [be p. 248 pars. 1-3]

• 5. How can we use maps as effective visual aids when teaching Bible students? [be p. 248 par. 4]

ASSIGNMENT NO. 1

• 6. With the aid of God’s holy spirit, what will a study of the Bible help us to discern? [be p. 32 pars. 3-4]

• 7. How might we use the Bible itself to research the meaning of a scripture? [be p. 34 par. 4-p. 35 par. 2]

• 8. How is Jesus’ role as Jehovah’s channel of blessings to mankind stressed in John’s Gospel? [si p. 198 par. 32]

• 9. What is the Scriptural basis for crediting the physician Luke with writing the book of Acts? [si p. 199 par. 3; p. 200 pars. 5-7]

• 10. In general, how might one proceed when making up an outline for a talk? [be pp. 39-41]

WEEKLY BIBLE READING

• 11. Which temple “was built in forty-six years”? (John 2:20) [w08 4/15 “Jehovah’s Word Is Alive —Highlights From the Book of John”]

• 12. Who are those ‘passing over from death to life’? (John 5:24, 25) [w08 4/15 “Jehovah’s Word Is Alive—Highlights From the Book of John’’]

• 13. When referring to the helper, or the spirit of the truth, why is the pronoun “it” used at John 14:16, 17, whereas “him” and “he” are used at John 16:7, 8,13,14? [w08 4/15 “Jehovah’s Word Is Alive—Highlights From the Book of John”]

• 14. Why did Jesus tell Mary Magdalene to stop clinging to him? (John 20:17) [w08 4/15 “Jehovah’s Word Is Alive—Highlights From the Book of John”]

• 15. What is the meaning of Jesus’ coming “in the same manner” as he ascended to heaven? (Acts 1:9-11) [rs p. 342 par. 4; it-1 p. 186 par. 8]

When a Householder Speaks Another Language

• ¹ More and more frequently, Kingdom publishers around the world are finding interested people who speak a language other than that of the congregation. In order to assist such ones spiritually, many branches are finding it necessary to form language groups and congregations. Since a number of languages may be spoken in one area, several congregations of different languages may preach in the same territory. How may the congregations cooperate in order to make sure that the preaching work is carried out in an orderly manner?—1 Cor. 14:33.

• ² Good Cooperation: When doing street work or when witnessing informally, a publisher should feel free to approach anyone, including those who may speak another language, and offer literature in the language that the person prefers to read. However, when going from house to house in neighborhoods that are also worked by some other language group or congregation, a publisher should generally focus on the homes of those who speak the language of the congregation that the publisher attends. When different congregations preach in the same neighborhood, good record keeping is paramount. The

• 1. Why is there an increasing need for cooperation when working the territory?

• 2. When preaching from door to door, how may we cooperate with a different language group or congregation in our area? service overseers should communicate with each other and coordinate matters in a mutually agreeable way. (Prov. 11: 14) However, if someone who speaks another language is encountered while going from door to door and there are no congregations of that language nearby, the publisher should endeavor to give a witness and to care for the interest.

• ³ The Same Work: How should matters be handled when publishers from different congregations happen to be preaching in the same neighborhood on the same day? Of course, Christian love will transcend any language barrier, and all will be primarily concerned about the needs of the territory. (John 13:34, 35) Therefore, those taking the lead will demonstrate reasonableness and love in deciding whether one group should temporarily move to a different territory.—Jas. 3: 17, 18.

• ⁴ The Bible prophesied that people of different tongues would hear the good news. (Rev. 14:6, 7) By close cooperation among all involved, unnecessary duplication of effort can be avoided and many new ones will be reached with the good news, including those who speak another language. —Eph. 4:16.

• 3. How should we react when we encounter publishers from a different language group or congregation working in the same territory as we are?

• 4. What prophecy is being fulfilled today?

■ "Watchtower June 1

ANNOLNCtNCjlHOVAH** KINGDOM

“Do you think that all religions are acceptable to God? [Allow for response.] It is interesting how God reacted when ancient Israel adopted the religious practices of nations around them. [Read Ezekiel 6:6.] This article answers the question, ‘Does It Matter How We Worship God?’” Feature the article that begins on page 9.

Awake! June

“No doubt you would agree that the teenage years are especially challenging for teens and their parents alike. Do you think that following this advice would enhance parenting skills? [Read James 1:19. Then allow for response.] You will enjoy the practical, Bible-based suggestions in this magazine.”

-Watchtower. July 1

ANNOUNCING JkHOVAlt'l KINGDOM           ^v

“All of us experience the pain of losing loved ones in death. At such times, do you think the Bible can help? [Allow for response. Then read Psalm 55:22.] This magazine considers some of the practical coping skills discussed in the Bible.”

Awake! July

“Married people are under increasing pressure, and many marriages end in divorce. Do you think that following this advice would contribute to success in marriage? [Read Proverbs 12:18. Then allow for response.] This magazine discusses other Bible principles that can help married people strengthen their relationship.”

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