Our kingdom ministry

FEBRUARY 2012

WEEK STARTING FEBRUARY 13

Song 7 and Prayer

Q Congregation Bible Study:

bt chap. 16 ^13-18 (25 min.)

Q Theocratic Ministry School:

Bible reading: Isaiah 52-57 (10 min.)

No. 1: Isaiah 56:1-12 (4 min. or less)

No. 2: How Does Peter’s Example of Loyalty Benefit Us?—John 6:68, 69 (5 min.)

No. 3: Does the Bible Condone Polygamy?

—rs p. 250 ^1-p. 251 ^2 (5 min.)

Q Service Meeting:

Song 117

5 min: Announcements.

10 min: Develop Ability as a Teacher —Part 1. Talk based on the Ministry School book, page 56, paragraph 1, to page 57, paragraph 2.

10 min: God Makes It Grow. (1 Cor. 3:6) Discussion based on the 2011 Yearbook, page 55, paragraphs 1-2, and page 138, paragraphs 3-4. Invite audience to comment on the lessons learned.

10 min: “Plan Now to Expand Your Ministry.” Questions and answers. When considering paragraph 3, invite the service overseer to outline local arrangements for meetings for field service during March, April, and May. Song 107 and Prayer

Plan Now to Expand

Your Ministry

¹ Each Memorial season gives us new opportunities to “laud Jehovah very much.” (Ps. 109:30) Will you expand your ministry during March as one way to show appreciation to the ransom Provider? Now is the time to begin making plans.—Prov. 21:5.

• 1. What is something significant about the Memorial season, and how can we prepare for it?

• ² Auxiliary Pioneering: Last year congregations were abuzz with excitement when they learned of the provision to auxiliary pioneer in April with a reduced hour requirement. One brother wrote: “I am still in high school, and I have not found it possible for me to regular pioneer. But I am going to apply for 30 hours and strive for 50 hours in the month of April.” A sister who works full-time wrote: “Thirty hours—that is so very achievable!” When this provision was announced, one former pioneer, now in her 80’s, said: “This is the moment I’ve been waiting for! Jehovah knew pioneering was the best time of my life!” Others who could not auxiliary pioneer set goals to do more in the ministry.

• ³ March will be an excellent month to auxiliary pioneer because we will again have the option of a 30- or a 50-hour requirement. In addition, beginning Saturday, March 17, we will participate in a special campaign to invite others to join us for the Memorial on April 5. Many will enjoy their enlarged share in the ministry so much that they will want to auxiliary pioneer in April and May too, with a 50-hour requirement.

• ⁴ During your next Family Worship evening, why not discuss how each one in the family can expand his ministry during the Memorial season? (Prov. 15:22) Ask Jehovah to bless your efforts. (1 John 3:22) As you enlarge your share in the ministry, not only will you add to your praise of Jehovah but you will also increase your joy.—2 Cor. 9:6.

• 2. How did you and others respond to the provision of a reduced hour requirement for auxiliary pioneers last April?

• 3. What reasons are there to consider auxiliary pioneering during March, April, and May?

• 4. How can we enlarge our share in the ministry, and with what result?

WEEK STARTING FEBRUARY 20

Song 37 and Prayer

Q Congregation Bible Study:

bt chap. 17 fl1-7 (25 min.)

Q Theocratic Ministry School:

Bible reading: Isaiah 58-62 (10 min.)

No. 1: Isaiah 61:1-11 (4 min. or less)

No. 2: Why Is Dedication an Act of Love and Faith? (5 min.)

No. 3: What Is God’s View of Marital Separation?— rs p. 251 ^3 (5 min.)

Q Service Meeting:

Song 87

10 min: Announcements. Mention the literature offer for March, and have one presentation demonstrated.

10 min: What Do We Learn? Discussion. Have Psalm 63:3-8 and Mark 1:32-39 read. Consider how these verses can help us in our ministry.

15 min: “The Campaign to Advertise the Memorial Begins March 17.” Questions and answers. Give all in attendance an invitation, if available, and discuss its contents. When considering paragraph 2, have a brief demonstration showing how the invitation could be offered. When considering paragraph 3, invite the service overseer to outline how the local territory will be covered.

Song 8 and Prayer

The Campaign to Advertise the Memorial Begins March 17

¹ The Memorial observance each year serves to proclaim the death of Jesus. (1 Cor. 11:26) Therefore, we want others to attend with us and hear about Jehovah’s loving gift of the ransom. (John 3:16) This year our campaign to invite people to come to the Memorial will begin on Saturday, March 17. Are you looking forward to having a full share?

• 1. What campaign will begin on March 17?

• ² What We Could Say: It is best to have a brief presentation. We might say: “Hello. We’re here to give your family this invitation to an important annual observance that will be held worldwide on April 5. A free Bible talk will be given that explains what Jesus’ death accomplished and what he is doing now. This invitation shows the address and time of the meeting being held in our community.” When sharing in the distribution on the weekends, we should also offer the magazines when appropriate.

• ³ Invite as Many as Possible: Our goal is to invite as many people as possible. So make sure to invite your Bible students, return visits, relatives, workmates, schoolmates, neighbors, and other acquaintances. The local elders will provide direction on how to cover your territory. Our annual campaign to invite people to the Memorial produces results. When a woman walked into the auditorium last year, an attendant offered to help her find the publisher who invited her. However, the woman said that she did not know anyone there and that she received her invitation from someone going from house to house earlier that day.

• ⁴ Perhaps someone in attendance at your Memorial will be there because of an invitation left by you. Whether someone responds or not, your diligent efforts will still provide a witness. The invitations you distribute will proclaim that Jesus is now a powerful King. Your zealous participation will demonstrate to all observers—those in the territory, fellow publishers, and most importantly, Jeho-vah—that you deeply appreciate the gift of the ransom.—Col. 3:15.

• 2. What could we say to present the invitation?

• 3. How may we invite as many people as possible?

• 4. What reasons are there to have a zealous share in the campaign?

  © 2012 Christian Congregation of Jehovah’s Witnesses. All rights reserved. Our Kingdom Ministry is printed monthly by Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society of Britain,

  The Ridgeway, London NW7 1RN. (Registered in England as a Charity.)

  
  

WEEK STARTING FEBRUARY 27

Song 135 and Prayer

Q Congregation Bible Study:

bt chap. 17 ^8-14, box on p. 137 (25 min.)

Q Theocratic Ministry School:

Bible reading: Isaiah 63-66 (10 min.)

Theocratic Ministry School Review (20 min.)

Q Service Meeting:

Song 114

10 min: Announcements. Using the sample presentation on page 4, demonstrate how a study may be started on the first Saturday in March.

20 min: Help Those Who Lack Faith in the Bible. Discussion based on the Reasoning book, pages 64-68. Include one or two demonstrations.

5 min: “Would You Benefit From the Simplified Edition?” Talk. The brother assigned this part should print out two copies of the simplified edition from the jw.org Web site. [This may be found under “Latest Magazines (English).” He should select “Watchtower (Simplified)” in the PDF format.] These should be displayed for several weeks at the magazine counter for publishers to examine.

Song 100 and Prayer

Would You Benefit From the

Simplified Edition?

The study edition of The Watchtower is now available in a simplified English edition. This edition is provided for (1) English-speaking publishers who would benefit from simplified wording, perhaps because of limited education; (2) publishers whose first language is not English; (3) young people, including those in elementary and middle school; and (4) Bible students who need simpler, more direct language to understand spiritual matters.

The paragraph numbers, questions, and headings correspond to the standard edition. The material is exactly the same, but the wording is simpler. Although the Watchtower Study conductor and reader will use the standard edition unless most in the audience are using the simplified edition, those using the simplified edition will see the same cited scriptures and the same illustrations and will be able to follow the reading of the paragraphs and to share in commenting.

Any who feel they would benefit should place a standing request with the magazine servant.

Theocratic Ministry School Review

The following questions will be considered at the Theocratic Ministry School during the week beginning February 27, 2012. The date when each point is scheduled for discussion is included so that research can be done when preparing for the school each week.

• 1. Is it correct to say that Jehovah’s mercy tempers his justice? (Isa. 30:18) [ Jan. 9, w02 3/1 p. 30]

• 2. What lesson can we learn from the dismissal of Shebna as Hezekiah’s steward? (Isa. 36:2, 3, 22) [Jan. 16, w07 1/15 p. 8 par. 6]

• 3. What can we learn from the account at Isaiah 37:1, 14-20 about dealing with distress? [Jan. 16, w07 1/15 p. 9 pars. 1-2]

• 4. How does the illustration used at Isaiah 40: 31 provide encouragement for Jehovah’s servants? [ Jan. 23, w96 6/15 pp. 10-11]

• 5. In view of what impending attack are Jehovah’s words recorded at Isaiah 41:14 particularly encouraging today? [ Jan. 23, ip-2 p. 24 par. 16]

• 6. How do we show Jehovah that we are “pursuing after righteousness”? (Isa. 51:1) [Feb. 6, ip-2 p. 165 par. 2]

• 7. Who are “the many” mentioned at Isaiah 53:12, and what heartwarming lesson do we learn about Jehovah from the way he deals with them? [Feb. 13, ip-2 p. 213 par. 34]

• 8. What have Jehovah’s people experienced during the last days that was symbolically described in Isaiah 60:17? [Feb. 20, ip-2 p. 316 par. 22]

• 9. What is the significance of “the year of goodwill” that Jesus and his followers were commissioned to proclaim? (Isa. 61:2) [Feb. 20, ip-2 pp. 324-325 pars. 7-8]

• 10. What marvelous quality of Jehovah is highlighted by the words of Isaiah 63:9? [Feb. 27, w03 7/1 p. 19 pars. 22-23]

WEEK STARTING MARCH 5

Song 103 and Prayer

Q Congregation Bible Study:

bt chap. 17 ^15-19 (25 min.)

Q Theocratic Ministry School:

Bible reading: Jeremiah 1-4 (10 min.) No. 1: Jeremiah 3:14-25 (4 min. or less)

No. 2: Why We Proudly Bear Jehovah’s Name—Isa. 43:12 (5 min.)

No. 3: What Is the Bible’s View of Divorce and Remarriage?—rs p. 252 fl1-4 (5 min.)

Q Service Meeting:

Song 94

5 min: Announcements.

10 min: Benefit From Examining the Scriptures Daily—2012. Briefly consider the foreword by means of a talk. Then invite audience to relate when they have set aside time to consider the text and how they have benefited. Conclude by discussing the yeartext for 2012.

10 min: Local needs.

10 min: Ideas for Offering the Magazines in March. 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 interestarousing 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 from either magazine. Demonstrate how each issue may be offered.

Song 75 and Prayer

Announcements

■ Literature offer for February: Publishers may offer one of the following, if available: Is There a Creator Who Cares About You?, The Secret of Family Happiness, or The Bible—God’s Word or Man’s? March: What Does the Bible Really Teach? April and May: The Watchtower and Awake! magazines. ■ The special talk will be given on the weekend after the Memorial and is entitled “Is It Later Than You Think?”

■ Whenever personal travel plans include visiting a land that is not listed separately in the current service year report or whose address is not listed on the last page of the latest Yearbook, please contact your branch office to ascertain what precautions or special instructions may need to be followed. The Kingdom work in that area may be under certain restrictions. (Matt. 10:16) In some lands it may not be advisable for visitors to make contact with local Witnesses or congregations. Other direction may be provided to you regarding informal witnessing or carrying supplies of literature. Your cooperation with the direction provided will prevent unnecessary problems for you or for the Kingdom work in the country you visit.—1 Cor. 14:33, 40.

Sample Presentations

To Start Bible Studies on the First Saturday in March

“Many people celebrate Jesus’ birth, but do you think it’s important to remember Jesus’ death?” Allow for response. Then hand the householder the March 1 Watchtower, and consider together the material under the first subheading on page 16 and at least one of the scriptures. Arrange to return to discuss the next question.

WA4HT06E7® March 1

Announcing Jehovah's Kingdom

“There are many churches and denominations with various beliefs and practices. Do you think that everyone who claims to be Christian is really a Christian? [Allow for response.] According to Jesus, this is one identifying mark of true Christians. [Read John 13:34, 35.] This magazine discusses five statements of Jesus that help us to identify his true followers.”

!"#$ March

“We’re talking to our neighbors about a disturbing trend. It seems that people today are increasingly angry and quick to lose their temper. What do you think is the cause? [Allow for response.] Notice something the Bible says about anger. [Read Psalm 37:8.] This magazine outlines some of the reasons for increased anger today as well as ways we can keep our anger under control.”

Field Service Highlights

Both Britain and Ireland had new peaks of regular pioneers in October, 10,502 and 577 respectively. It is also pleasing to note that 58,331 home Bible studies were conducted in Britain and 3,277 in Ireland.

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