Our kingdom m~.

MARCH 2009

WEEK STARTING MARCH 9

Song 202

□ Congregation Bible Study:

/v chap. 21)1-11

□ Theocratic Ministry School:

Bible reading: Genesis 40-42

No. 1: Genesis 40:1-15

No. 2: We Need to Resist Temptations (/rchap. 9)

No. 3: Beware of an Independent Spirit!

□ Service Meeting:

Song 41

5 min: Announcements. Invite publishers in the audience to relate one or two brief experiences that demonstrate how the magazines were presented and with what results.

15 min: When Others Demand an Explanation. Talk and audience discussion based on the subheading beginning on page 177 of the Ministry School book. Demonstrate how a publisher might answer a workmate or a schoolmate who asks a question about our beliefs. The publisher calmly answers with "a mild temper and deep respect."—1 Pet. 3:15.

15 min: "Be Thoroughly Prepared for the Memorial." Talk and audience participation. Outline local arrangements for the Memorial.

Song 192

Be Thoroughly Prepared for the Memorial

What a joy and a privilege it is for followers of the Christ to prepare thoroughly for the night when we commemorate the death of Jesus Christ! (Luke 22:19) What practical steps should be taken to prepare for the Memorial? ■ Time and Location: Everyone should clearly understand the hour and the exact location that the Memorial will be held. If more than one congregation will be meeting at the Kingdom Hall, it is important to arrive on time and depart in an orderly fashion, since the time allotted between meetings is limited. Efforts should be made to avoid unnecessary congestion in the entryway, in the lobby, on the public sidewalks, and in the parking lot.

■ Invitations: Do all the publishers have their supply of invitations, and are they familiar with the contents? Have you rehearsed how you will present this invitation? To whom will you give an invitation? Efforts should be made so that all invitations are placed.

■ Transportation: Some interested ones as well as a number of brothers and sisters may need transportation or other personal assistance. What arrangements have been made to care for their needs?

■ Emblems: Make sure that the emblems will not be passed until after sundown. Arrangements should be made to serve any of the anointed who are infirm and unable to be present. The appropriate type of bread and wine should be obtained and made ready. —See the February 15, 2003, Watchtower, pages 14-15, paragraphs 14, 17.

■ Kingdom Hall: The hall should be thoroughly cleaned ahead of time. Plates, wine cups or wineglasses, and a suitable table and tablecloth should be brought to the hall and put in place in advance. If another meeting place is used, ensure that there will be a suitable sound system so that all in attendance will be able to hear the speaker. 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.

On this most important occasion, the Memorial of the death of Jesus Christ, we want to be thoroughly prepared individually and as a congregation. Certainly, Jehovah's rich blessing will be upon all who demonstrate heartfelt appreciation for all that Jehovah has provided for mankind through the sacrifice of his beloved Son, Jesus Christ.

□ Congregation Bible Study:

/v chap. 2H12-21, box on p. 24

□ Theocratic Ministry School:

Bible reading: Genesis 43-46

No. 1: Genesis 44:1-17

No. 2: Jesus' Power Over the Demons (/rchap. 10)

No. 3: Bible Prophecies Have Proved Completely Reliable (rs p. 1551J2-5)

□ Service Meeting:

Song 130

5 min: Announcements.

10 min: Jehovah Identified by His Name. Enthusiastic talk based on the Ministry School book, page 274, paragraphs 2-5.

10 min: Make Good Use of the 2009 Yearbook. Talk and audience discussion. Discuss "A Letter From the Governing Body" on page 3 of the Yearbook. Arrange in advance for publishers to relate a few brief experiences from the Yearbook that have been encouraging to them. Invite audience to comment on outstanding aspects of the worldwide report. Conclude by encouraging all to complete their reading of the Yearbook.

10 min: "How to Use the 'Cod's Love' Book to Conduct Bible Studies." Limit introductory comments to less than a minute, and follow with a question-and-answer discussion.

Song 97

How to Use the "God's Love" Book to Conduct Bible Studies

¹ How thrilled we were at our "Guided by God's Spirit" District Convention to receive the new book "Keep Yourselves in God's Love"! As announced, this publication is designed to help us know and love Jehovah's standards of conduct and not for teaching basic Bible doctrines. We will not be offering this book from door to door.

• 1. What is the purpose of the “God's Love" book?

• ² This book will serve as the second publication to be studied with Bible students after completing the Bible Teach book. Keep in mind that people have different rates of spiritual growth. Each study should be conducted at a pace comfortable to the student. Make sure that the material considered is clearly understood. In most cases, this book should not be used to start Bible studies with people who may have already studied several books in the past but who are not attending congregation meetings and clearly are not interested in conforming their lives to the Bible truths they were taught.

* If you are presently conducting a study in the Worship God book and are in the last few chapters, you may decide to complete that publication and to encourage the student to read the "God's Love" book on his own. Otherwise, it would be best to transfer to the new book and start from the beginning. As with the Bible Teach book, discussion of the topics in the appendix is optional.

•* If a student gets baptized before completing both books, then the study should continue until the "God's Love" book is finished. Even though the student is baptized, you may report the time, the return visit, and the study. A publisher who accompanies you and participates in the study may also count the time.

• ⁵ If you are assigned by a member of the Congregation Service Committee to conduct a Bible study with someone who has become inactive in the preaching work, you may be asked to consider specific chapters in the "God's Love" book. Such studies need not be conducted for a prolonged period of time. What a fine provision we have in this new book, which has been designed to help us remain "in God's love"!—Jude 21.

• 2. How will this publication be used, and with whom? 3. What should we do if we are currently conducting a study in the Worship God book?

• 4. What should we do if our student gets baptized before completing the Bible Teach and "God's Love" books? 5. How may the "God's Love" book be used to assist publishers who have not shared in the ministry for some time?

  © 2009 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; C. I. Woody, 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.S.A.

  
  

• □ Congregation Bible Study:

/vchap. 3 5J1-7, box on p. 29

• □ Theocratic Ministry School:

Bible reading: Genesis 47-50

No. 1: Genesis 48:1-16

No. 2: Should We Fear the Devil?

No. 3: Help From God's Angels (/rchap. 11)

• □ Service Meeting:

Song 118

5 min: Announcements.

10 min: Prepare to Offer the April 1 Watchtower and the April Awake! Audience discussion. After giving a brief overview of the magazines, ask the audience which articles they plan to feature in the territory and why. What questions and scriptures could be used to introduce the articles? Demonstrate how each magazine might be offered. In one of the demonstrations, show how a study might be started on the return visit.

10 min: Local needs.

10 min: Demonstrate Respect by Listening Attentively and Considering the Householder's Viewpoint. Talk and audience discussion based on the Ministry Schoo! book, pages 186-187. Demonstrate application of the counsel therein provided. Afterward, invite the audience to comment on why the publisher's approach was effective.

Song 89

WEEK STARTING MARCH 30

Song 217

• □ Congregation Bible Study:

/vchap. 31J8-15, box on p. 30

• □ Theocratic Ministry School:

Bible reading: Exodus 1-6

No.1: Exodus 1:1-19

No. 2: |esus Teaches Us to Pray (/rchap. 12) No. 3: Is Healing Today Done by God's Spirit? (rs pp. 156-1571)3)

• □ Service Meeting:

Song 128

5 min: Announcements. Include any final announcements regarding the Memorial.

15 min: Be Prepared to Help Interested Ones Who Attend the Memorial. Talk by the service overseer reminding publishers of their role in assisting Bible students, inactive publishers, and others who attend the Memorial, such as acquaintances and family members. (See March 2008 Our Kingdom Ministry, page 4.) Include a brief demonstration showing how a Bible study may be started with an interested person who was present. Remind all of the Memorial Bible reading, which is to begin on Sunday, April 5. Practical suggestions may be provided on how this may be done.

15 min: "The Bible-A Book of Fact and Prophecy." Limit introductory comments to less than a minute, and follow with a question-and-answer discussion.

Song 213

The Bible—A Book of Fact and Prophecy

Mankind's Oldest Modern Book is the first of three separate video presentations found on the DVD The Bible—A Book of Fact and Prophecy. After watching this video, answer the following questions:

(1) In what ways does the Bible agree with modern science? (2) How can we be sure that our modern Bibles accurately represent the original writings? (3) What is an outstanding textual feature of ancient Bible manuscripts? (4) In what ways did John Wycliffe, Johannes Gutenberg, William Tyndale, John Hus, Martin Luther, Casiodoro de Reina, and Charles Taze Russell contribute to the spreading of God's Word around the world, and how did the church fiercely oppose the Bible? (5) How has the Bible's practical counsel helped people deal with problems of health (Ps. 34:8), compulsive gambling (1 Tim. 6:9, 10), marital separation and infidelity (1 Cor. 13:4, 5; Eph. 5:28-33), and preoccupation with material riches (Matt. 16:26)? (6) What evidence is there that applying Scriptural principles can overcome national, ethnic, and racial hatred (Luke 10:27)? (7) In what ways has adhering to Bible principles brought you greater happiness? (8) How can you use this video to help others?—See the February 2006 Our Kingdom Ministry, page 8.

WEEK STARTING APRIL 6

Song 37

□ Congregation Bible Study:

fvchap. 3U16-21

□ Theocratic Ministry School:

Bible reading: Exodus 7-10

No. 1: Exodus 9:1-19

No. 2: Those Who Became Jesus' Disciples

(/r chap. 13)

No. 3: How Can We Harmonize Galatians 6:2 With Galatians 6:5?

□ Service Meeting:

Song 52

5 min: Announcements.

10 min: How to Give Sound Arguments. Enthusiastic talk and audience discussion based on the Ministry School book, pages 255-257.

20 mln: Youths-What Will You Do With Your Life? Elder conducts audience discussion of the Your Life tract. Warmly commend baptized youths who are seeking to put Kingdom interests first. Briefly interview someone who has pursued fulltime service from youth. 'What influenced your decision to do so? What blessings have you enjoyed?'

Song 72

Announcements

■ Literature offer for March: What Does the Bible Really Teach? Make a diligent effort to start Bible studies. April and May: The Watchtower and Awake! magazines. When making return visits on interested people, including those who attend the Memorial or other theocratic events but who are not actively associated with the congregation, concentrate on starting studies using the Bible Teach book. June: What Does the Bible Really Teach? If householders already have the book, publishers may offer any 192-page book printed on paper that discolors or any book published prior to 1992, with the exception of Creation, Greatest Man, Mankind's Search for God, and Young People Ask.

■ New issues of The Watchtower and Awake! are to be distributed as soon as they are received. That will allow publishers to become familiar with the contents before offering the magazines in field service. ■ Immediately after the Memorial, the total attendance and number of partakers should be submitted to the branch office using the jw.org Web site. If this is not possible, a letter may be sent. When multiple congregations meet together, only one congregation should submit the total attendance figure.

Field Service Highlights

United States: November saw 50,940 auxiliary pioneers respond to the special campaign distribution of the tract WouldYouLiketoKnowtheTruth? This was a 55.1 percent increase over the same month last year! Also, the total of 19,478,064 hours devoted to the ministry was an increase of 10.6 percent over the same period last year.

What to Say About the Magazines

"Watchtower March i

ANNOUNCING J 8H OVA HI KINGDOM

"It can be a real challenge to do the right thing when people pressure us to do otherwise. What do you think can help us to avoid caving in? [Allow for response. Then read Proverbs 29:25.] This helpful article outlines five reasons to fear displeasing God rather than man." Feature the article that begins on page 12.

Awake! March

"All of us appreciate having good friends. What qualities do you value in a friend? [Allow for response.] Notice this description in the Bible. [Read Proverbs 17:17.] This article contains suggestions for choosing good friends and for being a good friend to others." Feature the article that begins on page 18.

"•Watchtower April i

"1 would like to have your opinion on this statement of Jesus. [Read John 3:3.] What do you think it means to be born again? [Allow for response.] Having an accurate understanding of Jesus' comments will affect our life and our expectations for the future. This magazine explains why."

Awake! April

"Many schoolchildren seem to be under stress. Do you th^: ik things have changed since their parents' day? [Allow for response.] Undue stress can have bad effects. [Read Ecclesiastes 7:7a.] This magazine discusses how adults can help young ones to cope."

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