Our kingdom ministry

JUNE 2011

WEEK STARTING JUNE 13

Song 45 and Prayer

Q Congregation Bible Study:

bt chap. 5 ^1-8, box on p. 39 (25 min.)

Q Theocratic Ministry School:

Bible reading: Psalms 38-44 (10 min.) No. 1: Psalm 41:1-42:5 (4 min. or less) No. 2: Bible Examples of Close Friendships and Qualities That We Can Imitate (5 min.)

No. 3: Among Whom Do the Prophecies About Restoration of Israel Have Fulfillment Today?—rs p. 224 fl3-p. 225 ^3 (5 min.)

Q Service Meeting:

Song 87

5 min: Announcements.

10 min: Methods of Preaching the Good News—Conducting Home Bible Studies. Discussion of Organized book, page 98, paragraph 1, to page 99, paragraph 1. Invite audience to comment on the joy they have experienced teaching someone the truth and seeing him make spiritual progress. One or two comments may be arranged in advance.

10 min: What Is the Christian Standard for Marriage, Divorce, and Separation? Talk by an elder based on the Organized book, pages 194-195, questions 1-3.

10 min: “Our Ministry—Characterized by Patience.” Questions and answers.

Song 103 and Prayer

Our Ministry—Characterized by Patience

¹ Patience is a hallmark of God’s dealings with mankind. (Ex. 34:6; Ps. 106:41-45; 2 Pet. 3:9) One of the foremost examples of his lov-

• 1. How has Jehovah demonstrated patience with mankind?

ing patience can be seen in connection with the worldwide Kingdom-preaching work. Jehovah has worked with mankind for almost 2,000 years, and yet he continues to draw hon-esthearted ones to himself. (John 6:44) How can our ministry mirror Jehovah’s patience?

• ² House-to-House Ministry: We imitate Jehovah’s patience by preaching “without letup” in territory where individuals have not yet demonstrated interest. (Acts 5:42) We patiently endure indifference, ridicule, and opposition to our ministry. (Mark 13:12, 13) We also demonstrate patience by persisting in our efforts to water seeds of truth even when it is difficult to find interested ones at home.

• ³ Bible Studies: Growing a plant requires patience. We can nurture it, but we cannot rush its growth. (Jas. 5:7) Similarly, spiritual growth occurs gradually and in stages. (Mark 4:28) Those we study with may find it hard to abandon false religious beliefs or unscriptur-al customs. We should not try to speed up growth by pressuring our students to make changes. Patience is required to allow a reasonable amount of time for God’s spirit to work on the heart of the student.—1 Cor. 3: 6, 7.

• ⁴ Unbelieving Relatives: Although we strongly desire that our unbelieving relatives learn the truth, we show patience by waiting for the right time to share our faith with them, being careful not to overwhelm them with too much information. (Eccl. 3:1, 7) In the meantime, we let our example speak for us, and we remain ready to express our faith with a mild temper and deep respect. (1 Pet. 3:1, 15) Indeed, a ministry characterized by patience will be more effective and will please our heavenly Father.

• 2. How may we show patience when working our territory?

• 3. Why is patience needed when making return visits and conducting Bible studies?

• 4. How can patience help us to witness effectively to unbelieving relatives?

WEEK STARTING JUNE 20

Song 63 and Prayer

Q Congregation Bible Study:

bt chap. 5 ^9-16, boxes on pp. 41-42 (25 min.)

Q Theocratic Ministry School:

Bible reading: Psalms 45-51 (10 min.) No. 1: Psalm 48:1-49:9 (4 min. or less) No. 2: Is God’s Kingdom a Real Government?—rs p. 226 fl1-2 (5 min.)

No. 3: Since Life Is a Gift, Why Must We Work Out Our Own Salvation?—Rom. 6:23; Phil. 2:12 (5 min.)

Q Service Meeting:

Song 88

5 min: Announcements.

10 min: The Offer for July. Discussion. Briefly outline features of the new brochure Was Life Created?, then have one or two presentations demonstrated, including the sample presentation on page 4.

10 min: Out of the Mouth of Babes. (Matt. 21:15, 16) Discussion based on the 2011 Yearbook, page 53, paragraph 3, and page 58, paragraphs 1-2. After discussing each experience, invite audience to comment on the lessons learned.

10 min: “Street Witnessing That Is Effective.” Questions and answers by the service overseer. Adapt the material to local circumstances. Briefly demonstrate one or two points from the article.

Song 107 and Prayer

Street Witnessing That Is Effective

¹ During his earthly ministry, Jesus did not hesitate to speak with people he met on the road and in other public places. (Luke 9:5761; John 4:7) He wanted to share his important message with as many people as possible. Today, street witnessing is an excellent way to help people obtain godly wisdom.

• 1. What is one way we can imitate Jesus?

(Prov. 1:20) Our success will be enhanced if we take the initiative and use discernment.

• ² Take the Initiative: It is generally better to approach individuals rather than to stand or sit in one place waiting for passersby to approach you. Smile, make eye contact, and have a calm, friendly manner. If you are working with other publishers, it is usually best to approach people separately. Initiative is also needed to follow up on the interest that you find. If appropriate, at the end of the conversation, kindly ask how you may contact the person again. Some publishers do street work regularly at the same location, enabling them to speak to the same people repeatedly and further their interest.

• ³ Use Discernment: Use good judgment in deciding where to stand on the street and whom to approach. It is not necessary to witness to every passerby. Be observant. If the person is in a hurry, for example, it may be best to let him pass. When witnessing in front of a business place, be discreet so as to avoid causing undue concern to the manager. It is often better to witness to people as they leave the business rather than as they enter. Approach people in a way that will not frighten or startle them. Also, be discerning when offering literature. If individuals display little interest, you may offer a tract instead of the magazines.

• ⁴ Street witnessing enables us to scatter many seeds of truth in a short period of time. (Eccl. 11:6) Some people we meet may even be those we are unable to find at home when working from house to house. Why not make arrangements to engage in street witnessing, an enjoyable and effective form of field service?

• 2. How is initiative involved when doing street work?

• 3. How may we use discernment when doing street witnessing?

• 4. Why is street witnessing a beneficial and enjoyable form of witnessing?

  © 2011 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 Patterson, NY, and at additional mailing offices. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to Our Kingdom Ministry, 1000 Red Mills Road, Wallkill, NY 12589-3299.           Printed in Canada

  
  

WEEK STARTING JUNE 27

Song 123 and Prayer

Q Congregation Bible Study:

bt chap. 5 ^17-22 (25 min.)

Q Theocratic Ministry School:

Bible reading: Psalms 52-59 (10 min.) Theocratic Ministry School Review (20 min.)

Q Service Meeting:

Song 106

10 min: Announcements. “How Much Time Should I Count?” Talk by an elder. Following the talk, use the sample presentation on page 4 to demonstrate how a study may be started on the first Saturday in July. Encourage all to have a share.

10 min: Prepare to Offer the Magazines in July. Discussion. Take one or two minutes to review some of 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: Demonstrate Tactfulness When Preaching. Discussion based on the Ministry School book, pages 197-199. Have a demonstration showing a publisher responding to a common objection without tact. Then have another demonstration of the publisher replying to the same objection in a tactful manner.

Song 92 and Prayer

“How Much Time Should I

Count?”

Have you ever asked that question? General guidelines are found on pages 86-87 of the Organized book. Additional direction is occasionally provided, such as in the Question Box of the September 2008 Our Kingdom Ministry. Since circumstances vary, we have not been given a long list of rules. Therefore, it would not be appropriate for elders or others to set forth additional guidelines.

If a question arises and there is no published direction on it, each publisher can consider: Was the time spent in the ministry? Or was it spent doing something else that is not actually part of that work? What we write on our personal field service report each month should give us joy and not pangs of conscience. (Acts 23:1) Of course, our primary concern is, not how to count time, but how to make our time count by being industrious in the ministry.—Heb. 6:11.

Theocratic Ministry School Review

The following questions will be considered at the Theocratic Ministry School during the week beginning June 27, 2011. The school overseer will conduct a 20-minute review based on material covered in assignments for the weeks of May 2 through June 27, 2011.

• 1. What lesson can we learn from Jehovah’s requiring Job to pray for those who sinned against him? (Job 42:8) [w98 8/15 p. 30 par. 5]

• 2. What are “the sacrifices of righteousness” that Christians offer today? (Ps. 4:5) [w06 5/15 p. 18 par. 9]

• 3. How did David’s kidneys correct him? (Ps. 16:7) [w04 12/1 p. 14 par. 9]

• 4. How is it that “the heavens are declaring the glory of God”? (Ps. 19:1) [w04 10/1 p. 10 par. 8]

• 5. Psalm 27:14 suggests what connection between hope and courage? [w06 10/1 pp. 26-27 pars. 3, 6]

• 6. How should Psalm 37:21 affect our dealings with our brothers? [w88 8/15 p. 17 par. 8]

• 7. What lesson in appreciation can be learned from the case of a certain Levite in exile? (Ps. 42:1-3) [w06 6/1p.9par.3]

• 8. What can help us to cultivate love of righteousness and hatred for wickedness? (Ps. 45:7) [cf pp. 58-59 pars. 8-10]

• 9. With whose “willing spirit” did David ask to be supported? (Ps. 51:12) [w06 6/1 p. 9 par. 10]

• 10. How can we be like an olive tree in God’s house? (Ps. 52:8) [w00 5/15 p. 29 par. 6]

WEEK STARTING JULY 4

Song 85 and Prayer

Q Congregation Bible Study:

bt chap. 6 ^1-8, box on p. 44 (25 min.)

Q Theocratic Ministry School:

Bible reading: Psalms 60-68 (10 min.) No. 1: Psalm 62:1-63:5 (4 min. or less) No. 2: How Are We Involved in the Fulfillment of Haggai 2:7? (5 min.)

No. 3: Who Are the Rulers in the Kingdom?—rs p. 226 ^3-5 (5 min.)

Q Service Meeting:

Song 59

5 min: Announcements.

10 min: If Someone Says—‘I Have My Own Religion.’ Discussion based on the Reasoning book, page 18, paragraph 2, to page 19, paragraph 4. Invite audience to relate other responses that they have used with success. Have one or two suggestions demonstrated.

10 min: What Do We Learn? Discussion.

Have Luke 9:57-62 and Luke 14:25-33 read. Consider how these verses can help us in our ministry.

10 min: Local needs.

Song 124 and Prayer

Announcements

■ June: What Does the Bible Really Teach? Endeavor to start Bible studies on the initial call. If householders already have the book, congregations that have a stock of Knowledge That Leads to Everlasting Life and Worship the Only True God may offer either of these books. Otherwise, offer any older field publications on hand in the congregation. July: Was Life Created? August: Any 32-page brochures that are in stock except How Can Blood Save Your Life?, Jehovah’s Witnesses and Education, Jehovah’s Witnesses—Who Are They? What Do They Believe?, and The Origin of Life—Five Questions Worth Asking. September: What Does the Bible Really Teach? Endeavor to start Bible studies on the initial call. If householders already have the book and do not accept the offer of a Bible study, offer an older magazine or any brochure that addresses the person’s interest.

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

Sample Presentations

To Start Bible Studies on the First Saturday in July

“Many have repeated these words from the Lord’s Prayer: ‘Let your kingdom come. Let your will take place, as in heaven, also upon earth.’ What do you think that Kingdom is? [Allow for response.] This Bible verse gives us a clue.” Read Daniel 2:44. Then hand the householder a copy of the July 1 issue of The Watchtower and read and discuss together the material under the first subheading on page 16. Offer the magazines, and arrange to return and consider the answer to the next question.

WAT4HTO6I7 July 1

Announcing Jehovah's Kingdom    *    *

“Because life is short and filled with problems, many wonder about the meaning of life. Have you ever thought about that? [Allow for response.] The Bible promises that life will not always be like this. [Read Revelation 21:4.] This magazine discusses God’s purpose for the earth and lists some things we can do to find real meaning in life even now.”

!"#$ July

Mention a tragedy that is in the news. Then say: “Why do you think God allows such things to occur? [Allow for response.] According to the Bible, God feels compassion for those who suffer. [Read Exodus 3:7.] The Bible also tells us why God allows suffering and that he will soon end it forever. This magazine explains.”

Was Life Created?

“In this modern world, many individuals assume that evolution is established fact. What are your thoughts? [Allow for response.] Many others, after examining the facts, have found that faith in creation is based on solid evidence. [Read Hebrews 11:1, refer to page 2, and offer brochure.] I would like to return and discuss the question posed on page 29: ‘Does it matter what you believe?’”

Field Service Highlights

The Turks and Caicos Islands reached new peaks in Bible studies, return visits, regular pioneers, and literature placements in January 2011. Also, when compared with the first five months of the previous service year, Bermuda saw a 4.9 percent increase in publishers and a 3.3 percent increase in Bible studies while the United States had a 7 percent increase in regular pioneers and an 8.8 percent increase in auxiliary pioneers. Let us continue to ‘fully accomplish our ministry’!— Tim. 4:5.

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