Our kingdom ministry

OCTOBER 2011

WEEK STARTING OCTOBER 10

Song 44 and Prayer

Q Congregation Bible Study:

bt chap. 11 ^1-4, boxes on pp. 84, 86-87 (25 min.)

Q Theocratic Ministry School:

Bible reading: Proverbs 7-11 (10 min.)

No. 1: Proverbs 8:1-21 (4 min. or less)

No. 2: If Someone Says: “God’s Kingdom Won’t Come in My Lifetime”—rs p. 233 fl4-p. 234 fl1 (5 min.)

No. 3: Why the Scriptures Warn Against Becoming “Righteous Overmuch”—Eccl. 7: 16 (5 min.)

Q Service Meeting:

Song 134

5 min: Announcements.

15 min: Have You Tried It? Discussion. By means of a talk, briefly review information from these recent articles in Our Kingdom Ministry: “Could You Share in the Ministry on Sundays?” (km 5/11) and “Street Witnessing That Is Effective” (km 6/11). Invite audience to comment on how they have tried to apply the suggestions in these articles and how they have benefited.

15 min: “Help the Householder to Reason.” Questions and answers. After considering paragraph 3, have a demonstration showing a publisher responding to a common question or objection in a dogmatic way. Then show him responding to the same question or objection by reasoning with the householder.

Song 102 and Prayer

Help the Householder to Reason

¹ Which approach in the ministry is more effective—one that is dogmatic or one that helps the householder to reason and draw the correct conclusions? The apostle Paul used the latter when speaking to Jews in

• 1. Which approach in the ministry is the best?

Thessalonica, and “as a result some of them became believers.” (Acts 17:2-4) What is involved in reasoning with others?

• ² Consider Feelings and Background: A reasoning approach takes into account the feelings of those in the territory. Paul started a discourse to unbelieving Greeks at the Areopagus by mentioning things they likely knew and accepted. (Acts 17:22-31) Therefore, when preparing your presentation, consider the common beliefs and prejudices of people in your territory. (1 Cor. 9:19-22) If the householder raises an objection, try to find common ground, and build your conversation on that.

• ³ Use Questions Skillfully: We cannot give a traveler directions to help him reach his destination unless we know his current location. Similarly, we cannot help a householder to reach the proper conclusion unless we know his current opinion. Before reasoning with a listener, Jesus often asked questions to find out the person’s thinking. For example, when someone asked Jesus, “By doing what shall I inherit everlasting life?,” Jesus sought the man’s viewpoint before answering. (Luke 10:25-28) On another occasion, when Peter gave a wrong answer, Jesus skillfully used questions to correct his thinking. (Matt. 17:24-26) Therefore, if the householder asks a question or expresses a wrong opinion, we can use questions to help him to reason on matters.

• ⁴ When we help the householder to reason, we imitate the Great Teacher, Jesus, as well as other skillful evangelizers in the first century. We dignify the householder and show him respect. (1 Pet. 3:15) As a result, he may be more inclined to allow us to return.

• 2. How may we imitate the example of Paul when we share the good news?

• 3. How can we reason more effectively with others by the skillful use of questions?

• 4. Why should we try to help the householder to reason?

WEEK STARTING OCTOBER 17

Song 85 and Prayer

Q Congregation Bible Study:

bt chap. 11 ^5-12, box on p. 89 (25 min.)

Q Theocratic Ministry School:

Bible reading: Proverbs 12-16 (10 min.) No. 1: Proverbs 15:1-17 (4 min. or less)

No. 2: How Are Acceptable Prayers Like Sweet-Smelling Incense to Jehovah?—Ps. 141:2; Rev. 5:8 (5 min.)

No. 3: What Sign Indicates That We Are Living in the Last Days?—rs p. 234 ^2 (5 min.)

Q Service Meeting:

Song 12

5 min: Announcements.

10 min: What Do We Learn? Discussion. Have Matthew 5:11, 12, 14-16, 23, 24 read. Consider how these verses can help us in our ministry.

10 min: Let the Householder See It With His Own Eyes. Discussion based on the Ministry School book, page 145. Have a brief demonstration showing a publisher returning to visit an interested person whose Bible translation has eliminated God’s name.

10 min: “Do Not Hold Back.” Questions and answers. Invite adults and children to relate experiences they had witnessing while in school.

Song 80 and Prayer

Do Not Hold Back

• ¹ Have you ever held back from witnessing at school because you were afraid that you would be ridiculed? It certainly takes courage to speak up, especially if you are shy. What will help you?

• ² Use Good Judgment: Although school can properly be viewed as your person-

• 1. What takes courage, and why?

• 2. When it comes to witnessing at school, how is good judgment involved? al territory, remember that you are not expected to initiate spiritual conversations with everyone as you would when preaching from house to house. Use good judgment to determine when to speak. (Eccl. 3:1, 7) The subject of a class discussion or school assignment may give you an opportunity to express your faith. Or a fellow student may ask you why you do not participate in certain activities. Some Christians have informed their teachers at the beginning of the school year that they are Jehovah’s Witnesses and given the teachers literature that explains our beliefs. Others have left literature out on their desk so as to prompt questions from schoolmates.

• ³ Be Prepared: If you prepare, your confidence will increase. (1 Pet. 3:15) So try to anticipate questions that may arise, and think about how you could respond. (Prov. 15:28) If possible, keep your Bible and a few publications, such as the Reasoning book, Young People Ask books, and material on creation at school, so that you can refer to them when needed. Ask your parents to include practice sessions during your family worship.

• ⁴ Be Positive: Do not assume that your schoolmates will always ridicule you when you mention the truth. Some will likely admire you for your courage and may even listen. But do not be discouraged if no one responds. Jehovah will be pleased that you tried. (Heb. 13:15, 16) Continue asking him to help you to ‘keep speaking with all boldness.’ (Acts 4:29; 2 Tim. 1:7, 8) Imagine how thrilled you will be when someone does listen. That person may even end up becoming a fellow servant of Jehovah!

• 3. How can you prepare to give a witness at school?

• 4. Why should you continue witnessing at school?

  © 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 OCTOBER 24

Song 75 and Prayer

Q Congregation Bible Study:

bt chap. 11 ^13-19 (25 min.)

Q Theocratic Ministry School:

Bible reading: Proverbs 17-21 (10 min.) No. 1: Proverbs 17:21-18:13 (4 min. or less)

No. 2: How Are Wars and Food Shortages a Part of “the Sign”?—rs p. 234 fl3-p. 235 V4 (5 min.)

No. 3: Those Who Praise Creation but Not the Creator Reveal What About Themselves?—Rom. 1:20 (5 min.)

Q Service Meeting:

Song 15

10 min: Announcements. Mention the literature offer for November, and have one or two presentations demonstrated.

25 min: “Are You Learning All You Can From Jehovah?” Questions and answers. Briefly interview someone who received specialized training through Jehovah’s organization.

Song 105 and Prayer

Are You Learning All You Can From Jehovah?

• ¹ Jehovah, our “Grand Instructor,” wants us to be educated. (Isa. 30:20) He began teaching after he created his firstborn Son. (John 8:28) After Adam’s rebellion, Jehovah did not stop teaching, but he lovingly provided instruction for imperfect humans.—Isa. 48:17, 18; 2 Tim. 3:14, 15.

• ² Today, Jehovah is directing the greatest educational campaign in history. As prophesied by Isaiah, millions around the globe are streaming to the figurative “mountain of the house of Jeho-

• 1. How does Jehovah feel about education?

• 2. What educational campaign is now under way?

vah.” (Isa. 2:2) Why stream there? To be instructed in God’s ways, yes, to be taught by Jehovah! (Isa. 2:3) During the 2010 service year, Jehovah’s Witnesses spent over 1.6 billion hours witnessing and teaching people Bible truth. Additionally, each week spiritual instruction is imparted in more than 105,000 congregations earth wide, and educational Christian publications are produced by the faithful and discreet slave in well over 500 languages.

• ³ Benefit Fully: How we have benefited from divine education! We have learned that God has a name and that he cares about us. (Ps. 83:18; 1 Pet. 5: 6, 7) We have learned the answers to some of life’s most important questions: Why do people suffer and die? How can I find real happiness? What is the purpose of life? Jehovah has also given us moral guidance that enables us to ‘make our way successful.’—Josh. 1:8.

• ⁴ In addition, Jehovah makes available specialized education to help a number of his servants expand their service to him. Pages 4-6 list opportunities that are available to some. Even if our circumstances prevent us from receiving the training that is listed, are we taking full advantage of the divine education that is available to us? Are we encouraging young ones, who are often steered by schoolteachers and others to pursue the world’s higher education, to set spiritual goals instead and pursue the highest education—divine education? Learning all we can from Jehovah will help us to enjoy a happy life now and an everlasting future.—Ps. 119:105; John 17:3.

• 3. How have you personally benefited from the education Jehovah provides?

• 4. What are some educational opportunities that are available to God’s servants, and why should we learn all we can from Jehovah?

Some Educational Opportunities Available Through Jehovah’s Organization

Literacy Classes

• • Purpose: To teach people how to read and write in order for them to engage in personal Bible study and to teach others the truth.

• • Duration: According to the need.

• • Location: Local Kingdom Hall.

• • Who May Attend: All publishers and interested persons.

• • How to Apply: Congregation elders organize literacy classes according to the local need, and they encourage all who can benefit to attend.

Theocratic Ministry School

• • Purpose: To train publishers to be effective preachers and teachers of the good news.

• • Duration: Continuous.

• • Location: Local Kingdom Hall.

• • Who May Enroll: All publishers. Also, others who are actively associating with the congregation, who agree with the teachings of the Bible, and whose lives are in harmony with Christian principles.

• • How to Apply: Speak to the Theocratic Ministry School overseer.

Foreign-Language Classes

• • Purpose: To teach publishers how to preach the good news in another language.

• • Duration: Four or five months. The classes are usually held on Saturday mornings for one or two hours.

• • Location: Generally, a nearby Kingdom Hall.

• • Who May Enroll: Publishers in good standing who wish to preach in a foreign language.

• • How to Apply: Classes are arranged by the branch office in accord with the need.

Kingdom Hall Construction

• • Purpose: To construct and renovate Kingdom Halls. This is not a school, but under this arrangement volunteers are taught various skills so that they can assist with building projects.

• • Duration: According to the circumstances of the volunteer.

• • Location: Anywhere within the Regional Building Committee’s assigned region. Some volunteers may be invited to assist in relief work in a more distant location affected by a disaster.

• • Qualifications: Brothers and sisters must be baptized and approved by the body of elders. They may be either skilled or unskilled.

• • How to Apply: Fill out a Kingdom Hall Volunteer Worker Questionnaire (S-82) supplied by the local elders.

Pioneer Service School

• • Purpose: To help pioneers ‘fully accomplish their ministry.’—2 Tim. 4:5.

• • Duration: Two weeks.

• • Location: Decided by the branch office; usually a nearby Kingdom Hall.

• • Qualifications: Those who have been a regular pioneer for at least one year.

• • How to Enroll: Eligible pioneers are enrolled automatically and informed by their circuit overseer.

Bethel Entrants’ School

• • Purpose: This school is designed to help new arrivals to make a success of their Bethel service.

• • Duration: One hour each week for sixteen weeks.

• • Location: Bethel.

• • Qualifications: Must be permanent members of the Bethel family or longterm temporary volunteers (a year or longer).

• • How to Enroll: Eligible members of the Bethel family are enrolled automatically.

Kingdom Ministry School

• • Purpose: To train elders and ministerial servants to care for their oversight and organizational responsibilities. (Acts 20: 28) This school is held every few years as decided by the Governing Body.

• • Duration: In recent years it has been conducted for one and a half days for elders and one day for ministerial servants.

• • Location: Usually at a nearby Kingdom Hall or Assembly Hall.

• • Qualifications: Must be elders or ministerial servants.

• • How to Enroll: Eligible elders and ministerial servants are invited by the circuit overseer.

School for

Congregation Elders^{1 2}

• • Purpose: To help elders to care for their responsibilities in the congregation.

• • Duration: Five days.

• • Location: Decided by the branch office; usually at a nearby Kingdom Hall or Assembly Hall.

• • Qualifications: Must be elders.

• • How to Enroll: Eligible elders are invited by the branch office.

School for Traveling Overseers and Their Wives²

• • Purpose: To enable circuit and district overseers to be more effective in serving congregations and to “work hard in speaking and teaching” and to shepherd those in their charge.—1 Tim. 5:17;

1 Pet. 5:2, 3.

• • Duration: Two months.

• • Location: Determined by the branch office.

• • Qualifications: Must be circuit or district overseers.

• • How to Enroll: Eligible traveling overseers and their wives are invited by the branch office.

Bible School

for Single Brothers²

Bible School

for Christian Couples³

• • Purpose: To give married couples specialized training so that they can be used more fully by Jehovah and his organization. Most of the graduates will be assigned to serve where there is a need in their home country. A few may receive an assignment in another country if they make themselves available.

• • Duration: Two months.

• • Location: The first few classes are being held at the Watchtower Educational Center in Patterson, New York, U.S.A. Thereafter, this school will be held at locations decided by the branch office, generally at an Assembly Hall or a Kingdom Hall.

• • Qualifications: Married couples between 25 and 50 years of age and in good health who have the circumstances to serve wherever there is a need and who have the attitude: “Here I am! Send me.” (Isa. 6:8) Further, they must be married for at least two years and be currently in full-time service at least two years without interruption.

• • How to Apply: If this school is available in your branch territory, a meeting for those interested in enrolling is held at the special assembly day. Further information is supplied during this meeting.

Watchtower Bible School of Gilead speak English, be married for at least two years, and be currently in full-time service at least two years without interruption. Applicants must be in good health. Pioneers serving in a foreign country (including those with missionary status); traveling overseers; Bethel family members; and past graduates of the Ministerial Training School, the Bible School for Single Brothers, and the Bible School for Christian Couples may also apply if they meet the qualifications.

• • How to Apply: In selected branches, a meeting for those interested in this school is held at the district convention. Further information is supplied during this meeting. If there is no meeting at conventions in your land and you would like to apply, you may write your branch office for further information.

School for Branch Committee Members and Their Wives

• • Purpose: To help those serving on Branch Committees to care better for the work of supervising Bethel homes, giving attention to service matters affecting congregations, and overseeing circuits and districts in their respective territories, as well as translating, printing, and shipping literature and overseeing various departments.—Luke 12:48b.

• • Duration: Two months.

• • Location: Watchtower Educational Center, Patterson, New York, U.S.A.

• • Qualifications: Branch Committee or Country Committee members or being assigned as such.

• • How to Enroll: Eligible brothers and their wives are invited by the Governing Body.

* Currently this school is not available in every country.

WEEK STARTING OCTOBER 31

Song 104 and Prayer

Q Congregation Bible Study:

bt chap. 12 ^1-8, box on p. 96 (25 min.)

Q Theocratic Ministry School:

Bible reading: Proverbs 22-26 (10 min.) Theocratic Ministry School Review (20 min.)

Q Service Meeting:

Song 28

10 min: Announcements. “What Condition Is It In?” Talk. Following the talk, use the sample presentation on page 8 to demonstrate how a study may be started on the first Saturday in November.

15 min: The Value of Good Personal Appearance in the Ministry. Discussion by an elder based on the Ministry School book, pages 131-134.

10 min: Prepare to Offer the Magazines in November. Discussion. Take one to two minutes to point out a few of the articles that may have appeal in your territory. Next, using the cover series of The Watchtower, invite the audience to give suggestions on an interest-arousing question to ask, and then invite suggestions on a scripture to read. Do the same for the cover series of Awake! and, if time allows, for one other article. Demonstrate how each issue may be offered.

Song 90 and Prayer

What Condition Is It In?

ing case, they do so carefully so as to avoid causing damage. Some publishers keep their literature in folders or clear plastic bags. Regardless of the system we use, we do not want to give someone a legitimate reason to find fault with our ministry by giving him damaged literature.—2 Cor. 6:3.

Theocratic Ministry School Review

The following questions will be considered at the Theocratic Ministry School during the week beginning October 31, 2011.

• 1. Why cleave to Jehovah’s reminders? (Ps. 119:60, 61) [w00 12/1 p. 14 par. 3]

• 2. What lesson can be learned from Psalm 133:1-3? [w06 9/1 p. 16 par. 3]

• 3. In what way had Jehovah “searched through” David and “measured off” his “journeying” and “lying outstretched”? (Ps. 139:1, 3) [w06 9/1 p. 16 par. 6; w93 10/1 p. 11 par. 6]

• 4. Through what sort of difficulties will Jehovah ‘give support to’ or ‘raise up’ his servants? (Ps. 145:14) [w04 1/15 p. 17 par. 11]

• 5. What behavior causes the man mentioned at Proverbs 6:12-14 to be viewed as good-for-nothing? [w00 9/15 p. 26 pars. 5-6]

• 6. Why can a wise person “accept commandments”? (Prov. 10:8) [w01 7/15 p. 26 par. 1]

• 7. How do the wise differ from the foolish in the way they respond to insults or unjust criticisms? (Prov. 12:16) [w03 3/15 p. 27 pars. 3-4]

• 8. How does a positive attitude make it possible for us to enjoy “a feast constantly”? (Prov. 15:15) [w06 7/1 p. 16 par. 6]

• 9. What is involved in “acquiring heart,” and in what sense is the one who does so “loving his own soul”? (Prov. 19:8) [w99 7/1 p. 18 par. 4; it-1 p. 1059 par. 1]

• 10. How can discernment benefit a household? (Prov. 24:3) [w06 9/15 p. 27 par. 11; be p. 32 par. 1]

WEEK STARTING NOVEMBER 7

Song 131 and Prayer

Q Congregation Bible Study:

bt chap. 12 ^9-13, box on p. 97 (25 min.)

Q Theocratic Ministry School:

Bible reading: Proverbs 27-31 (10 min.) No. 1: Proverbs 28:19-29:10 (4 min. or less) No. 2: How Does Reasoning on Romans 8:32 Assure Us That All of God’s Promises Will Be Fulfilled? (5 min.)

No. 3: How Has Luke 21:11 Been Undergoing Fulfillment Since 1914?—rs p. 236 ffl-3 (5 min.)

Q Service Meeting:

Song 55

5 min: Announcements.

10 min: Answering Questions About Blood Transfusions. Discussion based on the Reasoning book, page 74, paragraph 1, to page 76, paragraph 2. Include a brief demonstration of a pioneer being asked one of the questions in the door-to-door work and using the Reasoning book to answer it.

10 min: Local needs.

10 min: Jehovah Will Not Forsake His People. (Ps. 94:14) Discussion based on the 2011 Yearbook, page 215, paragraphs 1-2, and page 221, paragraph 3, to page 222, paragraph 5. Invite audience to comment on the lessons learned.

Song 110 and Prayer

Announcements

three weeks prior to visiting, please send information on the number coming and the dates and times for visiting each location. Lodging information may be obtained from the congregation secretary. Before your visit, please review the March 2008 Our Kingdom Ministry Question Box and the brochure Dress and Grooming for Visitors Touring Bethel.

Sample Presentations

To Start Bible Studies on the First Saturday in November

“Do you think people who try to obey God are happier? [Allow for response.] This article makes some interesting points.” Hand the householder a copy of the November 1 issue of The Watchtower, and read and discuss together the material under one of the subheadings on pages 16-17. Read at least one of the scriptures. Offer the magazines, and arrange to return and to consider the answer to the next question.

WA4HT06E7® November 1

Announcing Jehovah's Kingdom

“Some feel that the Bible’s view of sex is old-fashioned and needlessly restrictive. Others agree with the Bible. What do you think? [Allow for response.] Notice what this says about the source of Bible standards. [Read 2 Timothy 3:16.] This magazine shows how the Bible answers ten commonly asked questions about sex. It also explains how Bible standards benefit us.”

!"#$ November

“If we take a close, objective look at the universe around us, to what conclusion do you think it leads—that there is a Creator or that everything came about by chance? [Allow for response.] Here is what one Bible writer concluded when he looked at the universe. [Read Romans 1:20.] This magazine explains what scientists have discovered about the human cell that sheds light on this issue.”

Field Service Highlights

The Turks and Caicos Islands reported a new peak of 769 Bible studies in May 2011, representing an increase of 14 percent for the past nine months. Bermuda and the United States also saw fine increases of 10 percent and 4 percent, respectively, in their Bible study activity during the same time period. What a joy to share in the spiritual harvest work!—Luke 10:2.

8

¹

• Purpose: To prepare unmarried elders and ministerial servants for additional responsibilities. Most of the graduates will be assigned to serve where there is a need in their home country. A few may receive an assignment in another country if they make themselves available.

• Duration: Two months.

• Location: Decided by the branch office; usually at an Assembly Hall or a Kingdom Hall.

²

Qualifications: Single brothers between 23 and 62 years of age and in good health who want to serve the brothers and Kingdom interests wherever there is a need. (Mark 10:29, 30) They must be serving for a minimum of two continuous years in an appointed capacity.

• How to Apply: If this school is available in your branch territory, a meeting for those interested in enrolling is held at the circuit assembly. Further information is supplied during this meeting.

• Purpose: To train pioneers and other full-time servants for missionary service.

• Duration: Five months.

• Location: Watchtower Educational Center, Patterson, New York, U.S.A.

³

Qualifications: Married couples who are baptized for three years and are between 21 and 38 years of age when submitting their first application. They must That is a good question to ask about any piece of literature we plan to offer. Anything that is dog-eared, discolored, soiled, or torn will reflect badly on our organization and could distract the householder from the beautiful, lifesaving message the literature contains.

How can we keep our literature neat? Many find it helpful to organize their witnessing case so that similar items are together. For example, they have a place for books, another for magazines and brochures, still another for tracts, and so forth. Whenever they return their Bible and any literature to their witness-■ Literature offer for 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. January: 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, publishers may offer an older magazine or any brochure that addresses the person’s interest.

■ Groups of 20 or more planning to visit the United States branch office facilities at Brooklyn, Patterson, and Wallkill should first correspond with the Central Tour Desk at 100 Watchtower Drive, Patterson, NY 12563-9204, or at fax number (845) 306-0200. At least