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OUR KINGDOM MINISTRY

SEPTEMBER 2009

WEEK STARTING SEPTEMBER 14

Song 117

□ Congregation Bible Study:

/vchap. 10JJ1-8

□ Theocratic Ministry School:

Bible reading: Numbers 26-29

No. 1: Numbers 27:1-14

No. 2: What Is Mental-Regulating, and Why Is It Important? (Eph. 6:4)

No. 3: Jesus Can Protect Us (/rchap. 33)

□ Service Meeting:

Song 33

5 min: Announcements.

10 min: Making Return Visits. Audience discussion of three paragraphs under subheading on page 97 of the Organized book. Include a demonstration showing how to make a return visit on someone who accepted the literature offer for the current month.

10 min: Starting Bible Studies. Relate experiences, or interview publishers about what has been accomplished locally when Bible studies were offered on the day designated for this special activity. Using the offer for September, include demonstration to show how a Bible study might be started on the initial call.

10 min: "How Will You Answer?" Question-and-answer discussion.

Song 56

How Will You Answer?

• ¹ To this day, humans marvel at the effective manner in which Jesus handled inquiries and requests. When faced with various types of questions while in our ministry, we do w^Tell to imitate Jesus in this regard.—1 Pet. 2:21.

• ² Listen First: Jesus considered the viewpoint of the questioner. At times this requires asking questions to ascertain what the person really means. Someone who asks, "Do you be-

Ty should wt look to Jesus' example when asked a question?

2   ."-jt may help us to provide an effective answer to a

United States of America lieve in Jesus?" may really w’onder why you do not celebrate Christmas. If you discern the questioner's real concern, you can reason with him more effectively.—Luke 10:25-37.

• ³ Respond With God's Word: It is usually best to show how the Bible answers the question. (2 Tim. 3:16, 17; Heb. 4:12) The Reasoning book and "Bible Topics for Discussion" in the New World Translation of the Holy Scriptures have proved to be helpful in giving just the right answer. Even if the questioner does not accept the Bible as an authority, you may be able to share tactfully what the Scriptures teach. Encourage the person to give serious consideration to the time-tested wisdom found in the Bible. By your imitating Jesus, your answers will be "as apples of gold in silver carvings"—dignified, beautiful, and valuable.—Prov. 25:11.

• ⁴ Should We Answer Every Question? If you do not know the answer to a question, do not feel embarrassed to say: "I don't know, but 1 can do research on your question and come back w^Tith the results of my research." Such modesty and personal interest may move the householder to invite you to return. If you discern that a question comes from opposers who may be trying to start an argument, imitate Jesus by limiting your response. (Luke 20: 1-8) Similarly, if someone with no genuine interest in the truth tries to engage you in debate, politely discontinue the conversation and use your time searching for those who are sincere.—Matt. 7:6.               •

• ⁵ Jesus knew that reliance on Jehovah was vital to fulfilling his assignment to "bear witness to the truth," which included answering sincerely motivated questions. (John 18:37) What a privilege we have to imitate Jesus in giving an answer to those who are "rightly disposed for everlasting life"!—Acts 13:48.

• 3. What do we have available to help us find satisfying Scriptural answers?

• 4. At what times is it best not to try to answer every question?

• 5. What model did Jesus set for answering questions?

km09 09-E Us Vol. 52, No. 9

WEEK STARTING SEPTEMBER 21

Song 69

J Congregation Bible Study:

• chap. 10^r9-15, box on p.114

_1 Theocratic Ministry School:

Bible reading: Numbers 30-32

No. 1: Numbers 32:1-15

No. 2: What Will Happen if We Die?

(/rchap. 34)

No. 3: Is Heavenly Life the Hope for All Christians? (rs p. 164^1-3)

□ Service Meeting:

Song 141

5 min: Announcements.

10 min: Prepare to Offer the October 1 Watchtower and the October special issue of Awake! Briefly review the contents of the magazines. Ask audience which articles of the special October Awake! may have greater appeal locally. Interview a pioneer experienced in developing effective presentations and have him demonstrate one suggestion with the special issue of Awake!

10 min: If Someone Says, 'I'm Not Interested.'Audience discussion based on page 16 of the Reasoning book. Arrange for a publisher to demonstrate one or two of the published suggestions.

10 min: "Skillfully Use the Bible." Question-and-answer discussion.

Song 107

Skillfully Use the Bible

¹ Skillful use of God's inspired Word enables us to proclaim and teach the truth clearly and expose the false teachings and traditions of men.—2 Tim. 2:15; 1 Pet. 3:15.

Increase Your Familiarity: As with using any tool, skill comes with increased familiarity. Reading the Bible from cover to

• 1. Why is the Bible so useful?

• 2. What will help us locate scriptures with greater skill?

cover gives you an overall picture of the Bible’s theme. This also helps you to remember scriptures and to find them more easily. As your familiarity with the Scriptures increases, you will speak with greater zeal and conviction when witnessing to others informally and in the field ministry. -1 Thess. 1:5.

’ Make it a practice to open your Bible and follow along during congregation meetings. When engaging in personal study and in preparation for congregation meetings, look up the cited Scriptural texts and meditate on their application. Many find that reading Bible texts directly from the Bible rather than from a computer monitor or printout makes it easier to locate them later when needed in the ministry.—John 14:26.

• ⁴ Some families have arranged for a time to memorize Bible texts. This may be done by using flash cards that have the scripture citation on one side and the text itself on the other side. They take turns using these to see if they can quote the scripture or recall where it is located. Practicing field presentations and answering an objection or a question using the Bible also increases our skill.

• ⁵ No other book can measure up to the Bible. It contains the only writings that are able to make people "wise for salvation.” (2 Tim. 3:15) Since most people in our territory are not familiar with the precious treasures found in the Bible, we have good reason to increase our skill at showing them what the Bible truly has to offer. —Prov. 2:1-5.

3, 4. (a) What are some ways for increasing our familiarity with the Bible? (b) Have you used other ways to become more familiar with the Scriptures?

5. Why do we want to increase our skill with the Bible?

: 7009 Chr ‘tian Congregation o* Jehovah's Witnesses. All rights reserveef. Our Kingdom MiniiUy (ISSN 1067-7259) is published monthly by Christian Congregation . _       , , , , I'-.-ri.-rnt- W. H. Nonkes, Secretary Treasurer. 2B21 Route 22, Patterson, NV 12563-2217 Periodicals Postage Paid at

and at additions ma: ing offices, postmaster: Send address changes to Our Kingdom Ministry. 1000 Red Mills Road. Wallkill, NY 12589-3299. Printed in U S A

WEEK STARTING SEPTEMBER 28

Song 186

□ Congregation Bible Study:

/vchap. 101J16-24

□ Theocratic Ministry School:

Bible reading: Numbers 33-36

No. 1: Numbers 33:1-23

No. 2: We Can Wake Up From Death!

(/rchap. 35)

No. 3: Ways That God's Kingdom Is Superior to All Human Governments

□ Service Meeting:

Song 21

5 min: Announcements.

10 min: Use Illustrations to Teach. Talk based on applicable information on pages 240-243 of the Ministry School book.

20 min: "Search Out Deserving Ones." Question-and-answer discussion. Interview one or two publishers who set a good example in working all types of territories.

Song 126

Search Out Deserving Ones

• ¹ During Jesus' ministry he went to great lengths to provide comforting good news to the meek. (Isa. 61:1, 2) As ambassadors and envoys substituting for Christ, we today have the cherished privilege of imitating him in our untiring and thorough search for the deserving ones in our territory.—Matt. 10:11; 2 Cor. 5:20.

• ² Be Adaptable: The apostle Paul was accustomed to going first of all to the synagogue to preach to the Jews and

• 1. How do we show appreciation for the privilege to serve in the ministry?

• 2. How was Paul's adaptability manifested, and with what results?

proselytes. (Acts 14:1) In Philippi, he and Silas went to look for people where 'they thought there was a place of prayer.' They began witnessing to a group of women, and one of them, Lydia, quickly embraced the truth.—Acts 16:12-15.

• ³ In addition to your house-to-house territory, could you also preach to people found at transportation hubs, parks, employment offices, busy street corners, business places, and shopping centers in your territory? Perhaps you could witness to those in gated communities and restricted apartments by means of letters or the telephone. Being observant and adaptable to changing needs in your territory will allow you to have "plenty to do in the work of the Lord."—1 Cor. 15:58.

• ⁴ Many publishers have had the opportunity to expand their ministry by moving to another congregation either in their own land or abroad. Others have learned a new language in order to preach to people who have come from another country.

• ⁵ All of us must keep in mind that "the field is the world." (Matt. 9:37; 13:38) In view of the nearness of the end of this wicked system of things, each one must seriously consider his own situation, talents, opportunities, and possibilities for expanding his ministry. Jehovah gives us the assurance that if we put Kingdom interests first, he will bless our genuine efforts to expand our ministry.—Matt. 6:33.

• 3. What opportunities of service might we enjoy in addition to our house-to-house territory?

• 4. What other options do we have if our congregation has limited territory?

• 5. What should be our view of the times in w^rhich we live, and what should we be resolved to do?

WEEK STARTING OCTOBER 5

Song 173

• □ Congregation Bible Study:

Ivchap. 11 fll -9

• □ Theocratic Ministry School:

Bible reading: Deuteronomy 1 -3

No. 1: Deuteronomy 2:1-15

No. 2: What Does the "New Testament"

Say About Eternal Life on Earth? (rs p. 165 H1-p. 1661[2)

No. 3: Who Will Be Resurrected? Where Will They Live? (/rchap. 36)

• □ Service Meeting:

Song 42

5 min: Announcements.

10 min: Would Vou Like to Know the Truth? Audience discussion. Ask audience to relate which questions in the tract have been most effective in the local territory. Include a demonstration showing how this tract might be used to start a Bible study.

10 min: Local needs.

10 min: Preach to Those Who Speak Another Language. Audience discussion. Review the three steps outlined on page 2 of the booklet Good News for People of All Nations, and have a publisher demonstrate how the booklet might be used in the local territory.

Song 100

Announcements

■ Literature offer for September: What Does the Bible Really Teach? Endeavor to start Bible studies on the initial call. Show how householders can benefit from the book by briefly demonstrating a Bible study. October: The IVuh hfoww and Awake! magazines. Where interest is shown, present and discuss the tract Would You Like to Know the Tfuth? If householders already have the tract, endeavor to start a Bible study. November: What Does the Bible Really Teach? If householders already have the book, publishers may offer any 192-page book published prior to 1992. December: The Greatest Man Who Ever Lived. If there are children in the household, offer Learn From the Great Teacher.

■ The special public talk for the 2010 Memorial season will be given during the week of April 12, 2010. The subject of the talk will be announced later. Those congregations having the visit of the circuit overseer or an assembly that weekend will have the special talk the following week. No congregation should have the special talk before April 12.

Field Service Highlights

We are happy to report a new peak in Bible studies in the Turks and Caicos Islands for the second consecutive month. The total of 541 Bible studies conducted in the month of May is an increase of 41 over the previous peak of 500 set in April 2009. Truly, the islands are adding to jehovah's praise.—Isa. 42:10

What to Say About the Magazines

-Watchtower September i

"Many feel that the Genesis account of Adam and Eve is fiction. Others believe that Adam and Eve were real people. What do you think? [Allow for response.] Notice how Jesus referred to them. [Read Mark 10:6-9.] This article examines the evidence and explains why it matters what we believe.” Highlight the article that begins on page 12.

Awake! September

Read 1 John 4:8. Then say: "Some believe that God torments the wicked forever in a burning hell. Others feel that such an idea is inconsistent with what we just read. What do you think? [Allow for response.] This article shows what the Bible teaches on the subject.” Feature the article that begins on page 10.

-Watchtower October i

"All of us experience challenges in life. [Outline some that are common in your territory.] Do you think that God can help us with these? [Allow for response.] In this verse Jesus identifies one way that God helps us. [Read Luke 11:13.] This magazine explains what holy spirit is and how it can benefit us."

Awake! October

"Problems are certain to arise in every family. Where do you think families can go to get reliable and practical advice? [Allow for response. Then read Psalm 32:8.] This special issue of Awake! outlines several specific Bible principles that, when applied, will help families."

Monday, October 18, 2010 AOL: Towerwatcher710