Our kingdom ministry

SEPTEMBER 2011

WEEK STARTING SEPTEMBER 12

Song 80 and Prayer

Q Congregation Bible Study:

bt chap. 9 ^8-18 (25 min.)

Q Theocratic Ministry School:

Bible reading: Psalms 120-134 (10 min.) No. 1: Psalm 124:1-126:6 (4 min. or less) No. 2: God’s Kingdom Will Provide a World of Love and Harmony—rs p. 231 ^4-6 (5 min.)

No. 3: How Can We Keep a ‘Simple Eye’?

—Matt. 6:22, 23 (5 min.)

Q Service Meeting:

Song 57

5 min: Announcements. Discuss “Field Service Highlights” from page 4. Commend the congregation for their contribution to the excellent report for April.

10 min: Howto Reach the Heart—Part 1. Talk based on the Ministry School book, page 258 to page 261, paragraph 1. Briefly demonstrate one or two points from the material.

10 min: You Are Not Knowing Where This Will Have Success. (Eccl. 11:6) Discussion based on the 2011 Yearbook, page 96, paragraphs 1-2, and page 113, paragraph 2, to page 114, paragraph 3. Invite audience to comment on the lessons learned.

10 min: “Treasure Your Privilege of Service.” Questions and answers.

Song 22 and Prayer

Treasure Your Privilege of Service

¹ Many in Satan’s world consider our preaching work to be “foolishness.” (1 Cor. 1:18-21) If we are not careful, this distorted view can cause discouragement and diminish our zeal. (Prov. 24:10; Isa. 5:20) What reasons

1. How do many in the world view our preaching work?

are there to treasure our privilege of being Jehovah’s Witnesses?—Isa. 43:10.

• ² A “Holy Work”: The apostle Paul referred to the ministry as a “holy work.” (Rom. 15: 15, 16) How is the ministry a “holy work”? Engaging in it makes us “fellow workers” with “the Holy One,” Jehovah, and contributes to the sanctification of his name. (1 Cor. 3:9; 1 Pet. 1:15) Jehovah views our preaching as “a sacrifice of praise,” so the ministry is a vital aspect of our worship.—Heb. 13:15.

• ³ Preaching the good news is a great honor that relatively few enjoy. The angels would gladly care for such an assignment and would no doubt do it extremely well. (1 Pet. 1:12) However, Jehovah has chosen us imperfect humans, “earthen vessels,” for this awesome privilege!—2 Cor. 4:7.

• ⁴ A Priority: Because we truly treasure our privilege, we view the ministry as one of “the more important things” in our life. (Phil. 1: 10) Therefore, we schedule time each week to share in it. A musician who treasures his privilege to play in a world-renowned orchestra would prepare for each performance and work at developing his skill. Similarly, we will prepare before going in the ministry so that we can ‘handle the word of truth aright,’ and we will work at improving our “art of teach-ing.”—2 Tim. 2:15; 4:2.

• ⁵ Do not let the view of most people discourage you. Remember that there are still many in our territory who appreciate our visits. However, it is not the approval of humans that we seek. Far more important is how Jehovah feels, and he highly values our diligent efforts.—Isa. 52:7.

• 2. Why can the ministry be called a “holy work”?

• 3. What makes preaching the good news a great honor?

• 4. How can we show that we treasure the ministry?

• 5. Our ministry is appreciated by whom?

WEEK STARTING SEPTEMBER 19

Song 78 and Prayer

Q Congregation Bible Study:

bt chap. 9 ^19-24, box on p. 73 (25 min.)

Q Theocratic Ministry School:

Bible reading: Psalms 135-141 (10 min.) No. 1: Psalm 137:1-138:8 (4 min. or less) No. 2: Why We Find Comfort in Paul’s Words at Romans 14:7-9 (5 min.)

No. 3: God’s Kingdom Will Make the Earth a Paradise—rs p. 232 fl1-3 (5 min.)

Q Service Meeting:

Song 60

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 fine experiences. Mention one or two aspects of the ministry that the congregation can work on during the coming year, and offer practical suggestions for improvement.

10 min: Can You Explain? Discussion based on the Organized book, page 198, questions 12-13.

10 min: “Jehovah Is Training Us for This Work.” Questions and answers.

Song 117 and Prayer

Jehovah Is Training Us for This

Work

¹ When Jehovah gives humans an assignment, he also gives them the help they need to carry it out. For example, when Jehovah told Noah to build an ark, something Noah had never done before, He also told him how. (Gen. 6:14-16) When the meek shepherd Moses was assigned to approach the older men of Israel and Pharaoh, Jehovah assured him:

• 1. When Jehovah gives humans an assignment, what does he also do?

“I myself shall prove to be with your mouth and I will teach you what you ought to say.” (Ex. 4:12) When it comes to our assignment to preach the good news, Jehovah has not left us on our own. He is training us for this work by means of the Theocratic Ministry School and the Service Meeting. How can we benefit from this training?

• ² The Theocratic Ministry School: Consider the scheduled material before attending each meeting. Then as you see how the students develop this information in their talks, your understanding of how to teach will be sharpened. (Prov. 27:17) Bring your Ministry School book to the meeting and use it as a workbook. When the school overseer refers to it after each student talk, underline key points that you want to apply, and use the margins to make notes. The best way to benefit from this school, however, is to participate. Are you enrolled? When you receive a talk assignment, prepare well and apply the counsel you receive. When in the ministry, use what you have learned.

• ³ The Service Meeting: We will better remember the suggestions presented during this meeting by reading over the material in advance and preparing to comment. If we keep our comments brief, more will be able to have a share. Pay close attention to the demonstrations, and use any suggestions that you feel will make your ministry more effective. Keep a copy of key articles from Our Kingdom Ministry for future reference.

• ⁴ Like the assignments given to Noah and Moses, our commission to preach the good news in all the inhabited earth is challenging. (Matt. 24:14) We can be successful if we rely on Jehovah, our Grand Instructor, and make good use of the training he provides.—Isa. 30:20.

• 2. How can we benefit from the Theocratic Ministry School?

• 3. What will help us to benefit from the Service Meeting?

• 4. Why should we make good use of theocratic training?

  © 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 SEPTEMBER 26

Song 101 and Prayer

Q Congregation Bible Study:

bt chap. 10 fl1-9, box on p. 79 (25 min.)

Q Theocratic Ministry School:

Bible reading: Psalms 142-150 (10 min.)

No. 1: Psalm 144:1-145:4 (4 min. or less)

No. 2: Did God’s Kingdom Begin to Rule in the First Century?—rs p. 232 ^4-6 (5 min.)

No. 3: Why Must We Avoid “Acts of Favorit-ism”?—Jas. 2:1-4 (5 min.)

Q Service Meeting:

Song 56

10 min: Announcements. Discuss “One Way to Use the Bible’s Message Brochure.” Using the sample presentation on page 4, demonstrate how a study may be started on Saturday, October 1. Encourage all to share.

10 min: Question Box. Discussion. Include comments on the March 2005 Our Kingdom Ministry, page 4.

15 min: Prepare to Offer the Magazines in October. Discussion. Use one to two minutes to point out some of the articles that may have appeal in your territory. Then, one article at a time, consider how two or three of them could be presented. Do this by inviting the audience to give suggestions on an interestarousing question to ask and then asking for suggestions on a scripture to read. Since the October Awake! is a special issue, invite comments on whom this issue may appeal to and how we can give it wide distribution. Demonstrate how each issue may be offered.

Song 41 and Prayer

One Way to Use the Bible’s Message Brochure

Many in our territory, especially those who belong to non-Christian religions, are not acquainted with the Bible. When studying with such ones out of the Bible Teach book, some publishers have also used the Bible’s Message brochure to help their student gain an overview of the Bible. For example, one brother introduces section 1 of the brochure when considering chapter 3 of the Bible Teach book. Thereafter, he considers another section at the end of each study. Are you studying with someone who has had little or no exposure to the Bible? To help him learn ‘the holy writings, which are able to make him wise for salvation,’ consider supplementing the material in the Bible Teach book with the Bible’s Message brochure.—2 Tim. 3:15.

QUESTION BOX

■ Should prayer be offered at a doorstep Bible study?

There are many benefits to opening and closing a Bible study with prayer. By means of prayer, we ask Jehovah for his holy spirit on our discussion. (Luke 11: 13) Prayer also emphasizes to our student the seriousness of his Bible study and teaches him how to pray. (Luke 6:40) Therefore, it is good to introduce prayer as soon as possible. However, since circumstances vary, the conductor needs to use discernment in deciding whether to offer prayer at a doorstep Bible study.

One important factor to consider is the setting in which the study is held. If there is a measure of privacy, a brief prayer might be discreetly offered to open and close an established study. However, if doing so would draw the attention of onlookers or make the student feel uncomfortable, it may be better to wait until the study can be held in a setting that affords more privacy. Regardless of where the study is held, we should use good judgment to determine when to introduce prayer.—See the March 2005 Our Kingdom Ministry, page 4.

WEEK STARTING OCTOBER 3

Song 133 and Prayer

Q Congregation Bible Study:

bt chap. 10 ^10-21 (25 min.)

Q Theocratic Ministry School:

Bible reading: Proverbs 1-6 (10 min.) No. 1: Proverbs 6:1-19 (4 min. or less) No. 2: How Are We Assured of God’s Love for Us at Romans 8:26, 27? (5 min.)

No. 3: Must the Coming of God’s Kingdom Await the Conversion of the World?—rs p. 233 fl1-2 (5 min.)

Q Service Meeting:

Song 61

5 min: Announcements.

10 min: What Do We Learn? Discussion. Have Luke 5:12, 13 and Luke 8:43-48 read. Consider how these accounts can help us in our ministry.

10 min: Local needs.

10 min: Display Good Manners in the Ministry. (2 Cor. 6:3) Discussion using the following questions as a basis: (1) Why is it important that we display good manners when preaching? (2) How may we show good manners when (a) our group arrives in the territory? (b) we are walking from house to house? (c) we are standing at the door? (d) our companion is giving a witness? (e) the householder is speaking? (f) the householder is busy or the weather is inclement? (g) the householder is rude?

Song 16 and Prayer

Announcements

■ Literature offer for 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. 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 or My Book of Bible Stories.

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

• ■ The special public talk for the 2012 Memorial season will be given during the week of April 2. The subject of the talk will be announced later. No congregation should have the special talk before the Memorial.

• ■ Publishers auxiliary pioneering during March 2012 will have the option of working toward a 30-hour or a 50-hour requirement for the month. Additionally, if the circuit overseer is visiting the congregation in March, all who are serving as auxiliary pioneers, whether with a 30-hour or a 50-hour requirement, are invited to attend the entire meeting the circuit overseer has with the regular pioneers.

■ In September, circuit overseers began giving the public talk entitled “Unite With God’s Happy People.”

Sample Presentations

To Start Bible Studies on the First Saturday in October

“In these difficult times, we all face challenges that place stress on families. Where do you think we can find reliable guidance to help us make our family life happy?” Allow for response. Then hand the householder a copy of the October 1 Watchtower, and consider together material under one of the subheadings on pages 16 and 17 and at least one of the cited scriptures. Offer the magazines, and arrange to return to discuss one of the other questions.

WA4HT06E7® October 1

Announcing Jehovah's Kingdom

Show the cover of the magazine, and ask, “How would you feel if you learned that you had been lied to about God? [Allow for response.] Notice what Jesus said about the way to distinguish the truth from lies. [Read John 17:17.] So the Bible alone tells us the truth about God. This magazine discusses five common lies about God that the Bible exposes.”

!"#$ October

“We’re calling today as a public service to families. What would you say is the biggest challenge parents face today when raising children? [Allow for response.] Many parents rely on the Bible for advice. For example, these wise words are helpful when disciplining children. [Read Ephesians 4:31.] This magazine shows how the Bible’s advice can help parents at each stage of their child’s growth, from infancy through adolescence.”

Field Service Highlights

The outstanding report for April 2011 included an alltime peak of auxiliary pioneers. A total of 501,091 enrolled as auxiliary pioneers in the United States branch territory. Also, the following all-time peaks were reached: The United States reported 1,184,249 publishers, 32,337,305 hours, 7,835,612 return visits, and 755,247 Bible studies. A total of 2,563,518 gathered for the Memorial on April 17. The Turks and Caicos Islands reported 94 auxiliary pioneers, 9,732 hours, 3,456 return visits, 751 Bible studies, and a Memorial attendance of 1,441. Bermuda reported 234 auxiliary pioneers and 16,396 hours spent in the ministry. What a joy to behold the tremendous response to this special month of activity, as reflected in these all-time peaks!—Ps. 110:3.

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