Our kingdom ministry

JANUARY 2013

WEEK STARTING JANUARY 14

Song 52 and Prayer

Q Congregation Bible Study:

jr chap. 4 ^1-8 (30 min.)

Q Theocratic Ministry School:

Bible reading: Matthew 7-11 (10 min.) No. 1: Matthew 10:24-42 (4 min. or less) No. 2: Be Discerning, and Avoid Following Unrealities—1 Sam. 12:21; Prov. 23:4, 5 (5 min.)

No. 3: What Are Proper Matters About Which to Pray?—rs p. 294 fl4-p. 295 ^3 (5 min.)

Q Service Meeting:

Song 73

10 min: Give Practical Assistance. Talk based on the Ministry School book, page 188, paragraph 4, to page 189, paragraph 4. Briefly interview someone who was helped to make progress because of the personal interest shown by others.

10 min: What Do We Learn? Discussion. Have Matthew 4:1-11 read. Consider how this account can help us in our ministry.

10 min: “Give a Thorough Witness.” Questions and answers.

Song 92 and Prayer

“Give a Thorough Witness”

¹ “Do your service thoroughly.” (2 Tim. 4:5, Byington) The apostle Paul certainly had freeness of speech in giving this admonition to Timothy. In fact, between the years 47 and 56 C.E., Paul completed three missionary journeys. The book of Acts makes repeated mention of Paul’s bearing “thorough witness.” (Acts 23:11; 28:23) How can we do so in our day?

• 1. What fine example did the apostle Paul set in the ministry?

• ² From House to House: In an effort to contact householders who have never heard the good news, we may need to call at a different time of the day. The man of the house may be at home in the evening hours or on the weekend. We should endeavor to speak with someone at each residence, calling repeatedly at not-at-homes. What if your efforts to reach someone are unsuccessful? Let us never forget that Jehovah is using the ‘angels in midheaven’ to direct the work.—Rev. 14:6.

• ³ Publicly and Informally: Jehovah’s servants today make known “true wisdom” to all who will listen. Sometimes this occurs “in the very street” or “in the public squares.” (Prov. 1: 20, 21) When going about our daily routine, are we conscious of giving a witness? Can it be said that we are “intensely occupied with the word”? (Acts 18:5) If so, then we are fulfilling our obligation to “give a thorough witness.” —Acts 10:42; 17:17; 20:20, 21, 24.

• ⁴ At times, though, because of personal weakness or inherent shyness, we may hold back from giving a witness. For a certainty, Jehovah understands our limitations. (Ps. 103: 14) Nevertheless, when such occasions arise, we can pray to him for courage to speak up. (Acts 4:29, 31) Also, when doing personal study and meditating on God’s Word, we can focus on deepening our appreciation for the excelling value of the good news. (Phil. 3:8) This will move us to declare it with zeal!

• ⁵ The prophecy of Joel foretold that before the coming of the great and fear-inspiring day of Jehovah, God’s people would “keep going” and not let anything deter them from preaching. (Joel 2:2, 7-9) May we be fully involved in this never-to-be-repeated witnessing work!

• 2. How can we give a thorough witness when preaching from house to house?

• 3. What opportunities do you have to witness publicly and informally?

• 4. How do prayer and meditation contribute to our giving a thorough witness?

• 5. How can we share in the fulfillment of Joel’s prophecy?

WEEK STARTING JANUARY 21

Song 61 and Prayer

Q Congregation Bible Study:

jr chap. 4 ^9-14 (30 min.)

Q Theocratic Ministry School:

Bible reading: Matthew 12-15 (10 min.) No. 1: Matthew 14:23-15:11 (4 min. or less) No. 2: If Someone Says, ‘Pray With Me First, Then Give Me Your Message’—rs p. 295 ^4-5 (5 min.)

No. 3: What Can We Learn From Isaac’s Example as a Peacemaker?—Gen. 26:19-22 (5 min.)

Q Service Meeting:

Song 32

10 min: Declare the Good News Without Letup. (Acts 5:42) Interview one or two publishers who are known as zealous evangeliz-ers. What helps them to view the ministry as a priority? What do they do to prepare for the ministry? How has the ministry strengthened them spiritually?

10 min: Our Fine Conduct Gives a Witness. (1 Pet. 2:12) Discussion based on the 2012 Yearbook, page 106, paragraph 1; page 133, paragraph 2; and page 146, paragraph 3. Invite audience to comment on the lessons learned.

10 min: “Would You Benefit From Having a Personal Territory?” Questions and answers. Song 96 and Prayer

Would You Benefit From Having a Personal Territory?

¹ What is a personal territory? Available in congregations where territory is plentiful, it is a territory of your own, perhaps one near where you live. The Organized book, page 103, explains: “Having a conveniently located personal territory will enable you to make the most of the time you

• 1. What is a personal territory?

can devote to field service. Also, you may wish to invite another publisher to work with you in your personal territory.”

• ² To Supplement Group Witnessing: If you obtain a personal territory near your work, you can share in the ministry during your lunch break or before returning home, perhaps with another publisher who works nearby. If you obtain a territory near your home, you and your family can conveniently use it for evening witnessing. Of course, if you do not attend a meeting for field service, it is appropriate to pray for Jehovah’s direction before you start preaching. (Phil. 4:6) In addition, you should balance the time you work in a personal territory with the time you support the congregation’s group witnessing arrangements. Especially on the weekends, when many meet for field service, it is generally best to support your field service group.

• ³ Benefits: If you have a personal territory, you have somewhere to preach whenever your schedule allows. You can devote more time to preaching and spend less time on travel. The increased flexibility allows some to auxiliary or regular pioneer. Since the householders who show interest are in the same neighborhood, it is easier to make return visits and conduct Bible studies. Many find that preaching in a personal territory helps them to get acquainted with the householders and cultivate their trust, especially if the territory can be worked more than once before turning it in so that others may request it. Would working a personal territory help you and your family to accomplish your ministry more fully? —2 Tim. 4:5.

• 2. How may a personal territory be used to supplement group witnessing?

• 3. What are the benefits of having a personal territory?

  © 2013 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 JANUARY 28

Song 29 and Prayer

Q Congregation Bible Study: jr chap. 4 ^15-20 (30 min.)

Q Theocratic Ministry School:

Bible reading: Matthew 16-21 (10 min.) No. 1: Matthew 17:22-18:10 (4 min. or less) No. 2: What “Good Words” of Jehovah Did Joshua See ComeTrue?—Josh. 23:14 (5 min.) No. 3: What Are Some of the Outstanding Bible Prophecies That Are Yet to Be Fulfilled?—rs p. 296 fl2-p. 297 ^3 (5 min.)

Q Service Meeting:

Song 134

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 February. Encourage all to have a share.

25 min: “Have Love for the Whole Association of Brothers.” Questions and answers. Use the information in the first and last paragraphs for a brief introduction and conclusion.

Song 53 and Prayer

“Have Love for the Whole Association of Brothers”

The inspired words of this title were written down nearly two thousand years ago. (1 Pet. 2:17) But we need to apply them now more than ever! How can we love something as vast as a global brotherhood? And in this loveless world, how can we make sure that our love never fades? (Matt. 24:12) See if you can answer the following questions while watching the video Our Whole Association of Brothers.

(1) When did we formally become part of our Christian brotherhood? (2) What three activities do we share in common with our worldwide brotherhood? (3) How are our brothers showing their determination to preach (a) in the Alaskan wilderness, (b) in the vast harbors of Europe, and (c) in the dense forests of Peru? (4) Why should we never feel that preaching is just an ordinary work? (5) Give examples of how Jehovah’s Witnesses have comforted and supported one another (a) after an earthquake, (b) after a hurricane, and (c) during civil war? (6) In what practical ways can all of us demonstrate the great identifying mark of our Christian brotherhood? (John 13:35) (7) What are the benefits of working together to build our own Kingdom Halls? (8) How did our brothers in Eastern Europe and Russia survive spiritually when the work was under ban? (9) What extraordinary effort do many Witnesses put forth to attend conventions, and why? (10) How has this video strengthened your determination (a) to worship Jehovah at Christian meetings in unity with your brothers, (b) to help others in times of need, and (c) to preach faithfully whenever and however you can? (11) How and when can we use this video in the ministry?

Our main reason for being a part of our Christian brotherhood is our love for Jehovah. So we love to learn about him and to teach others about him. And we love the people whom Jehovah loves. When we help them in times of need, we do not expect God to thank us. Instead, we thank God because we view our Christian brotherhood as a precious gift from him. As the last days of this loveless world are winding down, may we continue to demonstrate love for the whole association of brothers!

Field Service Highlights

The 2012 service year closed with a new peak of 10,801 regular pioneers. We rejoice to welcome 2,556 new brothers and sisters who symbolized their dedication by water baptism during the year. Ireland had a new peak of 6,085 publishers, with 137 being baptized during the year.

WEEK STARTING FEBRUARY 4

Song 70 and Prayer

Q Congregation Bible Study:

jr chap. 5 ^1-6, box on page 55 (30 min.)

Q Theocratic Ministry School:

Bible reading: Matthew 22-25 (10 min.) No. 1: Matthew 23:25-39 (4 min. or less) No. 2: Why Should Christians Be Keenly Interested in the Bible’s Predictions?—rs p. 297 ^4-8 (5 min.)

No. 3: What Bible Examples Illustrate the Wisdom Recorded at Proverbs 3:5? (5 min.)

Q Service Meeting:

Song 37

10 min: Ideas for Offering the Magazines in February. Discussion. Take 30 to 60 seconds to relate why the magazines will have appeal in your territory. Then, using the cover subject of The Watchtower, invite the audience to suggest interest-arousing questions to ask and then invite suggestions on a scripture to read. Do the same for Awake! and, if time allows, for one other article from either magazine. Demonstrate how each issue may be offered.

10 min: If Someone Says, ‘I Don’t Believe in God.’ Discussion based on the Reasoning book, page 150, paragraph 3, to the end of page 151. Include one brief demonstration.

10 min: Local needs.

Song 95 and Prayer

Announcements

■ Literature offer for January and February: Use one of the following 3 2-page brochures: Was Life Crea ted? or A Book for All People. 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. March and April: The Watchtower and Awake! magazines. When making return visits please follow the suggestions above.

• ■ The title of the public talk to be given by the circuit overseer during the second half of the 2013 service year is “Good News . . . to Every Nation and Tribe and Tongue.”

• ■ Advance Decision to Refuse Specified Medical Treatment document: We recommend that publishers whose Advance Decision document is four years old should complete a new one. Supplies should be available from the literature counter.

■ Vacation Witnessing Campaign 2013: We would like to thank the 1,123 brothers and sisters who spent their vacation time in Ireland and the British Isles during the last service year. Two families spent three months working on Scottish islands and thoroughly enjoyed the experience. All those wishing to participate working territories in Scotland, Ireland (north and south), Wales and the rest of the U.K. during the 2013 service year, are invited to request an information letter and questionnaire from their congregation s ecretary. There is no need to contact the branch office. Having filled in the questionnaire, it should be given to the Congregation Service Committee for approval. The service committee will then send it to the branch office and an assignment letter will be issued by the branch. Having territories near and far, we encourage as many as possible to assist us in this campaign which is open all the year round.

Sample Presentations

To Start Bible Studies on the First Saturday in February

“Many people feel that the Devil is behind the evil in the world. But they wonder: ‘Where did the Devil come from? Did God create him?’ What do you think? [Allow for response.] Notice what we read here.” Show the article on the back of the February 1 Watchtower, and consider the first paragraph and the cited scripture. Offer the magazines, and arrange to return to discuss the next question.

WAT4HTO6I7 February 1

Announcing Jehovah's Kingdom

“We’d like to get your opinion about someone who is highly respected by Christians, Jews, and Muslims alike. That person is Moses. What’s the first thing you think of when you hear his name? [Allow for response.] Although he made mistakes, it is interesting how the Bible describes Moses. [Read Deuteronomy 34:10-12.] This magazine considers three of his good qualities and how we can imitate him.”

!"#$ February

“It is common these days for people to immigrate to another country in search of a better life. Do you think that they always find what they are looking for? [Allow for response.] Immigration is not something new. Notice this example from the very first book of the Bible. [Read Genesis 46: 5, 6.] This magazine examines these questions.” Show the householder the questions at the end of page 6.

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