Our kingdom ministry

NOVEMBER 2012

WEEK STARTING NOVEMBER 12

Song 66 and Prayer

Q Congregation Bible Study:

jr chap. 1 V8-14 (30 min.)

Q Theocratic Ministry School:

Bible reading: Amos 1-9 (10 min.)

No. 1: Amos 3:1-15 (4 min. or less)

No. 2: Does the “New Testament” Refer to a Future Earthly Paradise, or Is That Only in the “Old Testament”?—rs p. 285 V1-3 (5 min.)

No. 3: How Can We Benefit From an Understanding of Psalm 51:17? (5 min.)

Q Service Meeting:

Song 68

10 min: If Someone Says, ‘You Don’t Believe in Jesus.’ Discussion based on the Reasoning book, page 219, paragraphs 1-3. Have one brief demonstration.

10 min: What Do We Learn? Discussion. Have Mark 1:16-20 read. Consider how this account can help us in our ministry.

10 min: “See Good for Your Hard Work.” Questions and answers.

Song 98 and Prayer

See Good for Your Hard Work

• ¹ Man was designed to “see good because of his hard work.” (Eccl. 2:24) However, when we fail to see good results from our ministry, discouragement can rob us of joy and dampen our zeal. What can help us to maintain a positive attitude?

• ² Have Realistic Expectations: Remem-

• 1. What could dampen our zeal for the ministry?

• 2. Why should we have realistic expectations about the response to our ministry? ber that although those who responded to Jesus were few, his ministry was unquestionably a success. ( John 17:4) In his illustration of the sower, Jesus foretold that most hearts would ultimately not be receptive to the seedlike Kingdom message. (Matt. 13:3-8, 18-22) Nonetheless, our diligent efforts still accomplish much.

• ³ How We Bear Much Fruit: According to Jesus’ illustration, those who accept the message would “bear fruit.” (Matt. 13:23) After a wheat stalk sprouts and matures, the fruit it produces is not little wheat stalks, but new seed. So the fruitage that successful Christians produce is, not necessarily new disciples, but the many-fold duplication of Kingdom seed—our expressions about the Kingdom. This results in much “good” from which we can obtain satisfaction, regardless of whether people respond. We are contributing to the sanctification of Jehovah’s name. (Isa. 43:10-12; Matt. 6:9) We are enjoying the privilege of being God’s fellow workers. (1 Cor. 3:9) And such “fruit of lips” delights Jehovah.—Heb. 13:15, 16.

• ⁴ In addition, our hard work may be having results that we do not see. It is possible that some who heard Jesus preach did not become his disciples until after he finished his earthly ministry. Similarly, Kingdom seed that we sow may not take root and grow in a person’s heart until later, and he may come into the truth without our knowing. Indeed, our ministry accomplishes a great deal of good. Therefore, may we “keep bearing much fruit” and prove ourselves Jesus’ disciples.—John 15:8.

• 3. How may we “bear fruit” even ifwe see little response to our preaching?

• 4. What results, unknown to us, may our ministry have?

WEEK STARTING NOVEMBER 19

Song 81 and Prayer

Q Congregation Bible Study:

jr chap. 1 ^15-21 (30 min.)

Q Theocratic Ministry School:

Bible reading: Obadiah 1-Jonah 4 (10 min.)

No. 1: Jonah 2:1-10 (4 min. or less)

No. 2: How True Worship Unites People of Different Backgrounds—Ps. 133:1 (5 min.) No. 3: Why the Paradise Referred to at Luke 23:43 Cannot Be a Part of Hades or of Heaven—rs p. 286 ^1-p. 287 fl1 (5 min.)

Q Service Meeting:

Song 95

15 min: Serving Where the Need Is Greater Brings Many Blessings From Jehovah. Discussion based on the 2012 Yearbook, page 114, paragraph 1, to page 116, paragraph 1; page 151, paragraph 3;page 153, paragraphs 1 and 2;and page 170, paragraph 1, to page 171, paragraph 3. Invite audience to comment on the lessons learned.

15 min: “Do Not Limit Yourself—Overcom-ing Feelings of Inadequacy.” Questions and answers. Briefly interview someone with limited secular education or a timid personality who has shared in the Bible study work.

Song 26 and Prayer

Do Not Limit Yourself —Overcoming Feelings of Inadequacy

¹ Do you hold back from offering a Bible study because you are not confident in your ability to conduct one effectively? At times faithful servants in the past, such as Moses and Jeremiah, felt unqualified for their assignments. (Ex. 3:10, 11; 4:10; Jer. 1:4-6) Therefore, such feelings are not uncommon. How can they be overcome?

• 1. Why do some hold back from offering a Bible study?

• ² We should remember that Jehovah never asks us to do something that is beyond our ability. (Ps. 103:14) So our commission to “make disciples,” “teaching them,” is one that we can fulfill. (Matt. 28:19, 20) It is not a privilege that Jehovah has bestowed upon only the most experienced or the most talented among us. (1 Cor. 1:26, 27) Therefore, we should not be content to limit our ministry to the door-to-door preaching work and leave the Bible study activity for others.

• ³ Jehovah Qualifies Us: Our qualifications to make disciples issue from Jehovah. (2 Cor. 3:5) Through his organization he has taught us Bible truths that even the most educated people in this world do not know. (1 Cor. 2:7, 8) He has preserved a record of the teaching methods of the Great Teacher, Jesus, for us to imitate, and he gives us ongoing training through the congregation. In addition, Jehovah has not left us to formulate our own curriculum for teaching the Bible. He has provided tools, such as the Bible Teach book, that outline the truth in a logical and easy-to-understand way. Conducting a Bible study may be less challenging than we think.

• ⁴ Moses and Jeremiah were able to fulfill their assignments with Jehovah’s help. (Ex. 4:11, 12; Jer. 1:7, 8) We too can ask Jehovah to help us. After all, when we conduct a Bible study, we are teaching someone the truth about Jehovah, which is pleasing in God’s eyes. (1 John 3:22) Therefore, make it your goal to share in the Bible study work, a most enjoyable and rewarding feature of the ministry.

• 2. Why should we not be content to limit our ministry to the door-to-door preaching work while leaving the Bible study activity for others?

• 3. How has Jehovah qualified us for the Bible study work?

• 4. Why can we have confidence that Jehovah will help us?

  © 2012 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 NOVEMBER 26

Song 62 and Prayer

Q Congregation Bible Study:

jr chap. 2 fl1-6, chart on p. 19 (30 min.)

Q Theocratic Ministry School:

Bible reading: Micah 1-7 (10 min.)

No. 1: Micah 3:1-12 (4 min. or less)

No. 2: What Points to the Paradise Referred to at Luke 23:43 as Being Earthly?

—rs p. 287 fl2-p. 288 V2 (5 min.)

No. 3: Why We Know That Jehovah Is the Hearer of Prayer—1 John 5:14 (5 min.)

Q Service Meeting:

Song 56

5 min: Start a Bible Study on the First Saturday. Using the sample presentation on page 4, demonstrate how a study may be started on the first Saturday in December. Encourage all to have a share.

10 min: Their Surplus Offset a Deficiency. Talk by an elder based on the November 15, 2012, Watchtower, pages 8-9.

15 min: “Do Not Limit Yourself—Dealing With a Busy Schedule.” Questions and answers. Briefly interview someone who has shared in the Bible study work despite having a busy schedule.

Song 73 and Prayer

Do Not Limit Yourself

—Dealing With a Busy Schedule

¹ Some hesitate to offer a Bible study because they have a busy schedule. Caring for a Bible student takes time. Time is needed to prepare for the study, to conduct it, and to help the student overcome personal obstacles. The apostle Paul said that he imparted his soul to help those in Thessalonica come to know Jehovah. (1 Thess. 2:7, 8) How can we conduct a Bible study even if we have a full schedule?

• 1. Why do some hesitate to offer a Bible study?

• ² Worship Takes Time: The simple truth is that worship requires time. For example, we regularly take time to attend the meetings, to share in the ministry, to read the Bible, and to pray. A busy married person will happily make time to spend with his or her mate. How much more should we gladly ‘buy out’ time to worship Jehovah because we love him. (Eph. 5:15-17; 1 John 5:3) According to Jesus, a vital part of our worship is the disciple-making work. (Matt. 28:19, 20) Reflecting on this will help us not to hold back from accepting the responsibility of conducting a Bible study.

• ³ But what if our schedule is disrupted by employment, chronic health problems, or theocratic assignments? Some publishers who must occasionally be away conduct their Bible study over the phone or by computer conference. Those whose schedule is disrupted by chronic health problems have arranged for the student to come to their home for the study. Some have arranged for a reliable publisher to be their back-up and conduct the study when they are not available.

• ⁴ Paul got much joy from giving of his time and energy to help others learn the truth. (Acts 20:35) When he contemplated the fruitage of his labor in Thessalo-nica, he was moved to thank Jehovah. (1 Thess. 1:2) Our joy and satisfaction in the ministry can be increased if we do not let a busy schedule limit us from participating in the Bible study work.

• 2. How does love for Jehovah affect how we use our time?

• 3. How can we care for a Bible study even if circumstances disrupt our schedule for the ministry?

• 4. What blessings come from participating in the Bible study work?

WEEK STARTING DECEMBER 3

Song 128 and Prayer

Q Congregation Bible Study:

jr chap. 2 ^7-13, box on p. 20 (30 min.)

Q Theocratic Ministry School:

Bible reading: Nahum 1-Habakkuk 3 (10 min.)

No. 1: Habakkuk 2:1-14 (4 min. or less)

No. 2: Why Speak the Truth With Convic-tion?—2 Tim. 1:7, 8 (5 min.)

No. 3: How Can Any of Us Acquire True Knowledge and Wisdom?—rs p. 288 fl3-p. 289 ^2 (5 min.)

Q Service Meeting:

Song 106

10 min: Ideas for Offering the Magazines in December. Discussion. Take 30 to 60 seconds to relate why the magazines will have appeal in your territory. Then, 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 from either magazine. Demonstrate how each issue may be offered.

10 min: Local needs.

10 min: Experiences Offering Tracts. Discussion by the service overseer. Invite audience to relate experiences they enjoyed while offering tracts during November. Have two publishers who had success demonstrate how they presented the tracts from house to house.

Song 96 and Prayer

Announcements

■ Literature offer for November and December: Feature one of the following tracts: All Suffering Soon to End!, Jehovah—Who Is He?, Jesus Christ—Who Is He?, or Would You Like to Know the Truth? If there is interest, demonstrate a Bible study using the Bible Teach book or one of the brochures Listen to God or Listen to God and Live Forever. January and February: Feature one of the following 32-page brochures: Does God Really Care About Us?, When Someone You Love Dies, or You Can Be God’s Friend! When making return visits, introduce the Bible Teach book or if more appropriate to the person’s needs, one of the brochures Listen to God or Listen to God and Live Forever, and try to start a Bible study.

■ Donations for the worldwide work that are sent directly to the branch office should be made payable to “Watchtower.” The branch office’s financial address is Watchtower, c/o Treasurer’s Office, 25 Columbia Heights, Brooklyn, NY 11201-1300.

Sample Presentations

To Start Bible Studies on the First Saturday in December

“This time of year, many people are thinking about Jesus. In your opinion, what was Jesus’ biggest accomplishment? [Allow for response.] Notice the title of this article on page 16.” Hand the householder the December 1 issue of The Watchtower, and consider together the material under one of the subheadings and at least one of the cited scriptures. Offer the magazines, and arrange to return to discuss the next question.

WA4HT06E7® December 1

Announcing Jehovah's Kingdom

“During this season, many people get into what is called the Christmas spirit. Which of these points, do you think, is the most important part of that spirit? [Show the list on page 3 and allow for response. Then turn to the corresponding article and read the theme scripture.] This magazine outlines practical ways that we can remember Jesus throughout the year, not just during Christmastime.”

!"#$ December

“We are visiting because many feel stressed and under pressure. Does it seem to you that people tend to lose their patience more quickly these days? [Allow for response.] Some people believe that we are living during the stressful time prophesied about here at 2 Timothy 3:1. [Read] This magazine explains why impatience is harmful and gives suggestions on how to be more patient.”

Field Service Highlights

During the month of June, the Turks and Caicos Islands reported two new all-time peaks of 309 publishers and 3,532 return visits. Also, when comparing this month with the same month last year, the number of Bible studies increased by 4 percent in the Bahamas and by 8.5 percent in Bermuda, and the total number of publishers in the United States increased by 2.1 percent. We rejoice to see so many responding to the invitation to be instructed by Jehovah.—Mic. 4:2.

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