Our kingdom ministry

SEPTEMBER 2010

WEEK STARTING SEPTEMBER 13

Song 63

Q Congregation Bible Study:

cf chap. 10 ^11-17

Q Theocratic Ministry School:

Bible reading: 2 Kings 16-18

No.1: 2 Kings 17:1-11

No. 2: Is Jehovah in the “Old Testament” the Same as Jesus Christ in the “New Testament”? (rs p. 197 V8—p. 198 W

No. 3: Does the Bible Require That We Blindly Believe in God?

Q Service Meeting:

Song 47

5 min: Announcements.

10 min: The Honor of Being a Minister of the Good News. Enthusiastic talk based on the Organized book, page 77 to page 78, paragraph 2.

20 min: “The Bible—Its Power in Your Life.” Questions and answers.

Song 114

The Bible

—Its Power in Your Life

The Bible has empowered millions of people to change their lives for the better. What are some Bible principles, when applied, that will help us deal with modern-day problems? You will no doubt enjoy finding the answer to this question by considering The Bible—Its Power in Your Life, the second of three video presentations found on the DVD The Bible—A Book of Fact and Prophecy. After watching this video, can you answer these questions?

(1) How is the Bible more than just a literary masterpiece? (Heb. 4: 12) (2) If the Bible can help people imp rove their lives, why do so many problems plague mankind? (3) What is the Bible’s central theme? (4) Which Bible texts were cited that can help marriage mates (a) improve their communication and (b) control their temper? (5) How does the Christian view of marriage change family life for the better? (Eph. 5:28, 29) (6) How has Jehovah set a perfect example for parents? (Mark 1:9-11) (7) How can parents make family study interesting? (8) Besides Bible study, what else does God’s Word motivate parents to provide for their children? (9) How can the Bible’s advice help families to survive economically? (10) When applied, what Scriptural principles regarding cleanliness, drug and alcohol abuse, and stress will help minimize health problems? (11) What Bible promises can sustain us? (Job 33:25; Ps. 145:16) (12) How have the teachings in God’s Word made a difference in your own life? (13) How can you use this video to help others?

WEEK STARTING SEPTEMBER 20

Song 37

Q Congregation Bible Study:

cfchap.10fl18-23, boxon p.107

Q Theocratic Ministry School:

Bible reading: 2 Kings 19-22

No.1: 2 Kings 20:1-11

No. 2: Why Be Mild-Tempered? (Matt. 5:5) No. 3: How Can a Person Love Jehovah if He Is Also to Fear Him? (rs p.198 ^4-p.199 fl1)

Q Service Meeting:

Song 105

5 min: Announcements.

10 min: How Did We Do Last Year? Talk by the service overseer. Review the congregation’s activity during the past service year, focusing on the good things that were accomplished, and give appropriate commendation. Interview one or two publishers who enjoyed outstanding experiences. Mention one or two aspects of the ministry that the congregation can workon during the coming year, and offer practical suggestions for improvement.

10 min: “Instructions forThose Handling Service Meeting Parts.” Talk by an elder.

10 min: Help Your Child to Become a Publisher. Discussion based on page 82 of the Organized book. Interview an exemplary parent who has ayoung child who is an unbaptized publisher. Howdid heorshe help the child to progress and qualify to become a publisher?

Song 41

Instructions for Those Handling Service Meeting Parts

Beginning with this issue of Our Kingdom Ministry, the wording of the Service Meeting schedule is being simplified. The following instructions and reminders will update and clarify what was stated in the article “How to Prepare for the Service Meeting,” which appeared in the May 2009 Our Kingdom Ministry.

■ Talk: This refers to a discourse based on the assigned material with no audience participation. The speaker should focus on what will be most helpful to the congregation.

■ Questions and Answers: Much like the Watchtower Study, this part has a very brief introduction and conclusion, and questions are asked on all the paragraphs. The conductor should avoid commenting excessively. Key scriptures may be read as time allows. Paragraphs are not to be read unless instructions are given to do so.

■ Discussion: This is a talk that includes some audience participation. It is not simply a talk, and it is not all questions and answers.

■ Demonstrations and Interviews: Instr uctions to demonstrate mean that the brother assigned the part is responsible for including a demonstration; he personally does not have to give the demonstration. Those he chooses to help him should be capable and exemplary, and he should make arrangements with them well in advance if possible. It is best not to use new and inexperienced publishers to demonstrate how the work is to be done simply to give them the opportunity to be on the platform, although some can be used as householders. Publishers demonstrating a presentation should take care to face the audience. Those used in an interview are to give their comments from the platform rather than from their seat. Demonstrations and interviews should be rehearsed. If the meeting is running overtime and a brother must shorten his part, he will avoid deleting demonstrations or interviews. Ministerial servants should check with the coordinator of the body of elders or another elder before selecting participants.

If a unique part has special instructions, these should be carefully followed. By delivering Service Meeting parts as outlined above, brothers will contribute to Service Meetings that “take place decently and by arrange-ment.”—1 Cor. 14:40.

WEEK STARTING SEPTEMBER 27

Song 92

Q Congregation Bible Study:

cf chap. 11 fl1-7

Q Theocratic Ministry School:

Bible reading: 2 Kings 23-25 No.1: 2 Kings23:1-7

No. 2: What Beliefs of Jehovah’s Witnesses Set Them Apart as Different From Other Religions? (rs p. 199 fi2-p. 200 fl7) No. 3: In What Ways CanTrue Christians Let Their Light Shine? (Matt. 5:14-16)

Q Service Meeting:

Song 93

5 min: Announcements.

15 min: Prepare to Offer the October Magazines. Discussion. Take one or 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.

15 min: “Will You Start a Bible Study During October?” Questions and answers. Include one or two demonstrations.

Song 101

Will You Start a Bible Study During October?

• ¹ The offer for October is the Watchtower and Awake! magazines. To follow up interest, we are encouraged to present the tract Would You Like to Know the Truth? and endeavor to start a Bible study. How can we do that on the return visit?

• ² How to Use the Tract: We might say: “The magazines I left you encourage people of all backgrounds and religions to ex-

• 1. What is the offer for October?

• 2. How might we use the Know the Truth tract to start a Bible study when making a return visit on someone who accepted magazines? amine the Bible. [Hand the householder the Know the Truth tract, and point to the questions on the front.] Here are some intriguing questions to which the Bible gives satisfying answers. Have you ever asked any of these?” After getting the householder’s response, consider together from the tract the answer to one of his questions, and read one of the cited scriptures. Then explain that this is just a sampling of what the Bible teaches, and hand him a Bible Teach book. We could then discuss the opening paragraphs of a chapter that he selects from the table of contents. Or we may choose to turn to where more information is found on the subject we discussed from the tract. Here are references that we might use:

• • Does God really care about us? (pp. 9-11, pars. 6-10)

• • Will war and suffering ever end? (p. 12, pars. 12-13)

• • What happens to us when we die? (pp. 59-60, pars. 7-8)

• • Is there any hope for the dead? (p. 71, pars. 13-15)

• • How can I pray and be heard by God? (pp. 166-167, pars. 5-8)

• • How can I find happiness in life? (p. 9, pars. 4-5)

³ Of course, if circumstances do not allow us to start and demonstrate a study in the Bible Teach book on the initial return visit, we can always make arrangements to return and continue our discussion. And depending on the person’s interest, we may even choose to discuss more than one question in the tract on several visits before introducing the book. May we make good use of this versatile tract during October to start a Bible study and help honesthearted ones to “know the truth.” —John 8:31, 32.

3. How may we vary our approach depending on the circumstances?

WEEK STARTING OCTOBER 4

Song 10

Q Congregation Bible Study:

cf chap. 11 ^8-14

Q Theocratic Ministry School:

Bible reading: 1 Chronicles 1-4

No.1:1 Chronicles 1:1-27

No. 2: What It Means to Be Peaceable

(1 Pet. 3:10-12)

No. 3: Are Jehovah’s Witnesses an American Religion, and How Is Their Work Financed?

(rs p. 201 fl1-6)

Q Service Meeting:

Song 11

5 min: Announcements.

10 min: Why We ReportOur Field Service. Talk by the secretary based on the Organized book, page 88, paragraph 1, to page 90, paragraph 1. 10 min: Local needs.

10 min: Make Disciples, Teaching Them. (Matt. 28:19, 20) Discussion based on the 2010 Yearbook, page 8, paragraph 3, to page 10, paragraph 2. After discussing each experience, invite audience to comment on the lessons learned.

Song 112

Announcements

■ Literature offer for September: What Does theBi-ble Really Teach? Endeavor to start Bible studies on the initial call. October: The Watchtower and Awake! magazines. Where interest is shown, present the tract Would You Like to Know the Truth? and endeavor to start a Bible study. November: The Bible—What Is Its Message? 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 2011 Memorial season will be given during the week of April 25, 2011. 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 25.

■ Starting the week of March 14, 2011, the book “Bearing Thorough Witness” About God’s Kingdom will be considered at the Congregation Bible Study. Congregations needing a supply of these books should request them on their next literature request.

Field Service Highlights

How thrilling it was to see over 20 million hours reported in the United States for May 2010! This eclipsed the total for May 2009 by half a million. Also during May 2010, nearly 12.6 million magazines were distributed. In the Turks and Caicos Islands, an all-time peak of 719 Bible studies was reported. May we all continue to ‘buy out the opportune time’ for the never-to-be-repeated preaching work!—Eph. 5:16.

What to Say About the Magazines

WAT4HTO6ER September 1

Announcing Jehovah’s Kingdom        ■

WA4HT06E7® October 1

Announcing Jehovah’s Kingdom

“People sometimes do bad things because of misguided religious zeal. What do you think causes them to be so deceived? [Allow for response.] Notice what the Bible encourages. [Read 1 John 4:1.] This article explains why it’s important to compare our beliefs with what God’s Word says.” Feature the article that begins on page 10.

!"#e$ September

Read Matthew 5:39. Then say: “Do you think Jesus meant that we’re to suffer in silence when being wronged? [Allow for response.] This article shows what the Bible says about self-defense and seeking legal protection.” Feature the article that begins on page 10.

“People around the world of all different religions pray. Do you think that God really hears and answers prayers? [Allow for response.] The Bible encourages us to pray. [Read Philippians 4:6, 7.] This magazine gives the Bible’s answer to seven commonly asked questions about prayer.” !wa#e! October

“We often hear about people being betrayed by their marriage mate, by politicians, and by others. Do you think it’s becoming harder to find trustworthy people? [Allow for response.] Many feel that this scripture is being fulfilled. [Read 2 Timothy 3:1-5.] This magazine explains where trustworthy people can still be found.”

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