Our kingdom ministry

JUNE 2010

WEEK STARTING JUNE 14

Song 115

Q Congregation Bible Study:

cf chap. 6 fl1-9

Q Theocratic Ministry School:

Bible reading: 2 Samuel 22-24 No.1: 2 Samuel 22:1-20

No. 2: How Was the Law a Tutor Leading to Christ? (Gal. 3:24)

No. 3: How Should We Feel About Any Images That We May Formerly Have Venerated? (rs p.186 fl3-5)

Q Service Meeting:

Song 101

5 min: Announcements.

10 min: What Did We Accomplish? Audience discussion. Commend the congregation for its activity during the Memorial season, and outline what was accomplished. Invite audience to relate experiences enjoyed while auxiliary pioneering.

10 min: Good Teaching Provides Application. Talk based on the Ministry School book, page 60.

10 min: “Is Your Eye Simple?” Question-and-answer discussion.

Song 7

Is Your Eye Simple?

¹ What our eyes focus on influences our actions. How appropriate are Jesus’ words: “If, then, your eye is simple, your whole body will be bright”! (Matt. 6:22) When our eye is spiritually “simple,” it is focused on a single purpose—the doing of God’s will. We put the Kingdom first and are not distracted by unnecessary material things

• 1. What does it mean to have a ‘simple eye’? or activities that interfere with the ministry.

• ² Need for Self-Examination: Our perception can be distorted by what the advertising media tells us we need or by what others have. Before pursuing an endeavor or a purchase that will require an investment of considerable time, money, or energy, it would be good to “calculate the expense” by asking ourselves, ‘Will this improve my service to Jehovah or hinder it?’ (Luke 14:28; Phil. 1:9-11) It is also wise to consider periodically how we could further simplify our life so as to do more in the ministry.—2 Cor. 13:5; Eph. 5:10.

• ³ When one sister began regular pioneering, she chose to keep her full-time job although part-time employment would have provided sufficient funds to care for her needs. She eventually concluded: “No one can slave for two masters. I had to sacrifice my wants to take care of my needs. I realized that material things just get old and I would wear myself out trying to get them.” Her circumstances permitted her to make adjustments to simplify her life and to change employment, allowing her to continue in the pioneer ministry.

• ⁴ The urgency of our times makes it even more important that we maintain a simple eye. Every day that passes brings us one day closer to the end of this system of things and the start of God’s new world. (1 Cor. 7: 29, 31) By focusing on the preaching work, we can save both ourselves and those who listen to us.—1 Tim. 4:16.

• 2. What could distort our view, but what will help us?

• 3. What do we learn from one sister who made adjustments to simplify her life?

• 4. Why is it urgent that we maintain a simple eye now?

WEEK STARTING JUNE 21

Song 52

Q Congregation Bible Study:

cf chap. 6 V10-18

Q Theocratic Ministry School:

Bible reading: 1 Kings 1-2

No. 1: 1 Kings 1:1-14

No. 2: What Effect Could Use of Images in Worship Have on Our Own Future? (rs p. 187 V1-4)

No. 3: Why Is Obeying God Good for Us Both Physically and Spiritually?

Q Service Meeting:

Song 130

5 min: Announcements.

15 min: The Offer for July. Audience discussion. Briefly outline features of the literature offer for July, then have one or two presentations demonstrated.

15 min: “Be Bible-Study Conscious.” Question-and-answer discussion. Include a demonstration showing how the Know the Truth tract may be used to start a Bible study when returning to visit someone who accepted the publication offered during July.

Song 92

Be Bible-Study Conscious

• ¹ Jesus gave us a commission to “make disciples . . . , teaching them.” (Matt. 28:19, 20) Therefore, we want to be Bible-study conscious at all times, not just on the one weekend day that is specially set aside to offer Bible studies. The following suggestions may be helpful.

• ² Offer It: The more we offer a Bible study, the more opportunities we will have to obtain one. (Eccl. 11:6) Have you tried the direct approach? One congregation in the United States made a concerted effort to do this for

• 1. What is involved in fulfilling Jesus’ commission at Matthew 28:19, 20?

• 2. To whom may we offer a Bible study? an entire month. How thrilled they were to start 42 new Bible studies! Do not assume that interested ones you call on know that you give Bible lessons. When you return the next time, why not offer a study? If they turn you down, no harm is done. You can continue to cultivate the interest. Have you asked your neighbors, relatives, workmates, and schoolmates if they would like to study the Bible with you? You can also ask your Bible students if they have friends or relatives who would enjoy a study of the Bible.

• ³ Helpful Tool: A valuable tool for starting Bible studies is the tract Would You Like to Know the Truth? You may give it to householders whether they accept other literature or not. It may be used when working business territory, when doing street work, when sending letters, and when making return visits. It may also be left at not-at-homes. Why not carry it with you when using public transportation, when shopping, and while at work? The back page briefly explains our Bible study arrangement and introduces the Bible Teach book.

• ⁴ After handing the tract to the person, you might point out the questions on the front page and ask him, “Which of these questions are you most interested in?” Then consider together the answer from the tract, and read or paraphrase the back page, which explains our Bible study arrangement. You could then show him where more information on the subject is found in the Bible Teach book, offer the book, and make arrangements to return and continue the discussion.

• ⁵ Our territory still contains those yearning to learn what the Bible really teaches. By being Bible-study conscious, we will have increased opportunities to experience the joy of helping others onto the road to life.—Matt. 7: 13, 14.

• 3. What helpful tool for starting studies do we have, and when may we use it?

• 4. How may we use the Know the Truth tract to start a study?

• 5. Why should we be Bible-study conscious?

  © 2010 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.

  
  

WEEK STARTING JUNE 28

Song 62

Q Congregation Bible Study:

cf chap. 6 ^19-25, box on p. 65

Q Theocratic Ministry School:

Bible reading: 1 Kings 3-6

Theocratic Ministry School Review

Q Service Meeting:

Song 90

5 min: Announcements.

15 min: Prepare to Offer the Magazines During July. Audience discussion. Take one to two minutes to review the contents of the magazines. Then choose two or three articles, and invite audience to suggest questions and scriptures that could be used in a presentation. Demonstrate how each issue may be offered. Conclude with another demonstration showing how a Bible study may be started on the return visit.—See km 8/07 p. 3.

15 min: Trained From Infancy. Audience discussion. Timothy was known as a zealous and skillful evangelizer. (Phil. 2:20-22) This was due, in some measure, to the spiritual foundation he received from his mother and grandmother from the time he was an infant. (2 Tim. 1:5; 3:15) The following Scriptural suggestions will help parents to train their children to become good evangelizers.

(1) Takeyourchild in the ministry as soon as possible; train him to participate according to his age and ability. (Prov. 22:6) (2) Set a good example in making the ministry a priority. (Phil. 1:9,10) (3) Instill love and appreciation for the preaching work during Family Worship and on otheroccasions. (Deut. 6: 6, 7) (4) Be positive about the ministry in your attitude and speech. (Phil. 3:8; 4:8;

1 Tim. 1:12) (5) Share regularly as a family, making the ministry a habit. (Acts 5:41, 42) (6) Associate with those who are zealous ministers. (Prov.13:20) Invite the audience to comment on specific things their parents did to help them to develop an enjoyable and effective ministry.

Song 88

Theocratic Ministry School Review

The following questions will be considered at the Theocratic Ministry School during the week beginning June 28, 2010. The school overseer will conduct a 20-minute review based on material covered in assignments for the weeks of May 3 through June 28, 2010.

• 1. What can we learn from David’s mourning over Abner? (2 Sam. 3:31-34) [w05 5/15 p. 17 par. 6; w06 7/15 p. 21 pars. 9-10]

• 2. What mistake did Nathan make, and why was he not rejected as Jehovah’s prophet? (2 Sam. 7:3) [rs p. 134 par. 8]

• 3. How was 2 Samuel 7:14 fulfilled? [it-1 p. 273 par. 3; it-2 p. 818 par. 2]

• 4. How were David’s actions toward Mephibosheth an expression of loving-kindness, and how should this affect us? (2 Sam. 9:7) [w02 5/15 p. 19 par. 5]

• 5. What lessons can we learn from the relationship between Ittai the Gittite and King David? (2 Sam. 15:19-22) [w09 5/15 pp. 27-28]

• 6. From the Scriptures, how can we reason that Ziba’s accusation against Mephibo-sheth was false? (2 Sam. 16:1-4) [w02 2/15 pp. 14-15 par. 11, ftn.]

• 7. When David asked 80-year-old Barzillai to be a part of his court, why did Bar-zillai recommend Chimham? (2 Sam. 19:33-37) [w07 6/1 p. 24 par. 13]

• 8. How did Jehovah’s humility make David great? (2 Sam. 22:36) [w07 11/1 p. 5 par. 2; w04 11/1 p. 29]

• 9. Why did Adonijah try to seize the throne while David was still alive? (1 Ki. 1:5) [w05 7/1 p. 28 par. 5]

• 10. Why did Jehovah answer Solomon’s prayer for wisdom and discernment? (1 Ki. 3:9) [w05 7/1 p. 30 par. 2]

WEEK STARTING JULY 5

Song 43

Q Congregation Bible Study:

cf chap. 7 ^1-8

Q Theocratic Ministry School:

Bible reading: 1 Kings 7-8

No.1:1 Kings 8:14-26

No. 2: Why Are We Warned About Becoming Wise in OurOwn Eyes? (Isa. 5:21)

No. 3: When People Cast Aside the Bible Standard on Sexual Morality, DoThey Really Gain Freedom? (rs p.187 fl5-p.188 fl2)

Q Service Meeting:

Song 59

5 min: Announcements.

10 min: Local needs.

10 min: Ways to Expand Your Ministry—Part 1. Talk based on the Organized book, page 111, paragraph 1, to page 112, paragraph 2. Interview one or two publishers who have moved or learned another language in order to expand their ministry. What challenges did they have to overcome? How did their family or the congregation assist them? What blessings have they enjoyed?

10 min: Help Your Students to Make a SelfExamination. Audience discussion based on the Ministry School book, page 261, paragraph 2, to the end of page 262.

Song 47

Announcements

■ Literature offer for June: What Does the Bible Really Teach? If householders already have the book, publishers may offer Draw Close to Jehovah, Knowledge That Leads to Everlasting Life, Worship the Only True God, or any other field service publication that the congregation has in stock. July and August: Keep on the Watch! or What Does God Require of Us? If the congregation does not have a supply of these brochures, offer any 32-page brochures that are in stock except How Can Blood Save Your Life?, Jehovah’s Witnesses and Education, and Jehovah’s Wit-nesses—Who Are They? What Do They Believe? September: What Does the Bible Really Teach? Endeavor to start Bible studies on the initial call.

■ The video programs The Bible—Its Power in Your Life and The Bible—Accurate History, Reliable Prophecy will be considered at Service Meetings beginning in September. If needed, copies of The Bible—A Book of Fact and Prophecy—On DVD, which contains these programs, should be requested through the congregation as soon as possible.

Field Service Highlights

In the United States, the first half of the service year has seen a 6.2 percent increase in Bible studies over the same time period last year. Also of note, 103 congregations have been formed in the United States since September 2009, an average of more than 17 new congregations per month.

What to Say About the Magazines

>41567 June 1

Announcing Jehovah’s Kingdom "

WATCHTO6ER July 1

Announcing Jehovah’s Kingdom *    *

“Many people consult their horoscope before making decisions. Do you think the stars influence our life? [Allow for response.] Interestingly, the Bible refers to the constellations of the zodiac. [Read 2 Kings 23:5.] This article gives the Bible’s view.” Feature the article that begins on page 18.

!wa#e! June

“Churches often charge for baptisms, weddings, and funerals. Do you think this is proper? [Allow for response.] Look at these instructions Jesus gave to his disciples. [Read Matthew 10:7, 8b.] This article shows what the Bible says about charging for religious services.” Feature the article that begins on page 22.

“Many people refer to the Almighty simply as God. Did you know, though, that the Bible tells us God’s name? [Allow for response. Then read Isaiah 42:8a.] This magazine explains why God’s name has been removed from some Bible translations and what it means to know God by name.”

!wa#e! July

“This economy has caused much anxiety. Those out of work are stressed, and those who are working worry about losing their job. Do you think this is good advice to help us cope? [Read Matthew 6:34. Then allow for response.] This magazine gives practical tips on how to manage our finances and our emotions.”

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