Our kingdom ministry

JULY 2014

WEEK STARTING JULY 14

Song 1 and Prayer

Q Congregation Bible Study:

cl chap. 10 fl1-7 (30 min.)

Q Theocratic Ministry School:

Bible reading: Leviticus 21-24 (10 min.)

No. 1: Leviticus 23:1-14 (4 min. or less)

No. 2: Universal Salvation Is Not Scriptural—rs p. 356 ^3 (5 min.)

No. 3: Acceptable Time—Use Wisely the Opportune Season for God’s Favor—it-1 pp. 37-38 (5 min.)

Q Service Meeting:

Song 45

10 min: Get Ready for the Special Campaign in August. Distribute a copy of the new tract Where Can We Find Answers to Life’s Big Questions? to anyone who does not have a copy. Using the sample presentation on page 4, have two demonstrations. First show how the tract will be offered to most householders. Then demonstrate how it may be offered when the householder shows interest or desires to talk. Encourage all to have a full share in the campaign.

5 min: Benefit From Examining the Scriptures Daily. Discussion. Invite the audience to comment on when they consider the text each day and how their use of Examining the Scriptures Daily has benefited them.

15 min: “Improving Our Skills in the Ministry —Initiating a Conversation in Order to Witness Informally.” Discussion. Include a demonstration.

Song 107 and Prayer

Improving Our Skills in the Ministry—Initiating a Conversation in Order to Witness Informally

Why I m portant: When sharing in the house-to-house ministry, we often find that many people are not at home. However, we may come in contact with them when using public transportation, when waiting in a doctor’s office, when taking a break at work or at school, and so forth. It is Jehovah’s will that everyone has an opportunity to hear the Kingdom message. (1 Tim. 2:3, 4) Often, in order to give a witness, we must take the initiative to start a conversation.

How to Do It:

• • Be selective. Does the person seem friendly and willing to talk? Do the circumstances allow for relaxed conversation? Some publishers first make eye contact with the person and then smile. If the person smiles back, they try to start a conversation.

• • Say a brief, silent prayer if you lack the courage to speak.—Neh. 2:4; Acts 4:29.

• • Start with a simple comment, perhaps a greeting. Jesus did not begin his conversation with the Samaritan woman by talking about the Kingdom. (John 4:7) Sometimes a conversation can be initiated by giving commendation: “Your children are so well-behaved!” Asking a question is another possible conversation starter: “Did you see that news report last night?”

• • Once the conversation has started, look for an opportunity to introduce the good news, but do not be in a hurry. Allow the conversation to develop naturally. Perhaps you can make a statement that arouses the person’s curiosity and prompts an inquiry. For example, if the conversation is about family matters, you might say, “I found some reliable advice on raising children.” If you are discussing a news item, you could say, “I recently enjoyed reading some good news for a change.” Do not be discouraged if the conversation ends before you can give a witness.

• • Carry tracts or other literature that you can give to someone who shows interest.

Try This During the Month:

• • Each weektryto start at least one conversation with the goal of witnessing informally.

WEEK STARTING JULY 21

Song 73 and Prayer

Q Congregation Bible Study:

cl chap. 10 ^8-17 (30 min.)

Q Theocratic Ministry School:

Bible reading: Leviticus 25-27 (10 min.) No. 1: Leviticus 26:1-17 (4 min. or less) No. 2: Will All Humans Eventually Be Saved?—rs p. 357 fl1 (5 min.)

No. 3: Accident, Accidental—Ways in Which the Scriptures Differentiate Between Accidental and Intentional Occurrences —it-1 p. 38 (5 min.)

Q Service Meeting:

Song 67

10 min: Respected for Our Good Conduct and Christian Neutrality. Discussion based on the 2014 Yearbook, pages 120 and 149. Invite audience to comment on the lessons learned.

10 min: Will You Auxiliary Pioneer in August? Talk. Interview two or three publishers who plan to auxiliary pioneer in August despite being infirm or having a busy schedule. What adjustments are they making in order to auxiliary pioneer? Invite the service overseer to review the arrangements for the meetings for field service during August.

10 min: “How Do I Appear to Jehovah?” Questions and answers.

Song 65 and Prayer

How Do I Appear to Jehovah?

¹ How often do you look into a mirror? Most of us do so daily because this helps us see aspects of our physical appearance that need attention. The Bible has been likened to a mirror. Reading God’s Word enables us to see our inner self, the person whom Jehovah sees. (1 Sam. 16:7; Jas. 1:22-24) God’s Word can “discern thoughts and intentions of the heart.” (Heb. 4:12) How can reading and meditating on the Bible every day help

• 1. How is the Bible like a mirror? us to see areas that we should strengthen in order to be more successful evangelizers? —Ps. 1:1-3.

• ² Use the Bible as a Mirror: Bible accounts of faithful servants of Jehovah teach us what qualities are beautiful to him. For example, David demonstrated zeal for God’s name. (1 Sam. 17:45, 46) Isaiah courageously volunteered to preach in difficult territory. (Isa. 6:8, 9) Jesus’ deep love for his heavenly Father caused him to view the ministry as a source of refreshment and satisfaction rather than an unpleasant burden. (John 4:34) First-century Christians preached with zeal, relied on Jehovah, and were determined not to give up. (Acts 5:41, 42; 2 Cor. 4:1; 2 Tim. 4:17) Meditating on such examples helps us to look at ourselves with the objective of improving the quality of our sacred service.

• ³ Act to Correct Defects: Of course, it does us no good to look in a mirror and then ignore a defect. We can ask Jehovah to help us see ourselves objectively and then to help us make needed adjustments. (Ps. 139:23, 24; Luke 11:13) Because the time left is reduced and lives are involved, we must not procrastinate about making necessary chang-es.—1 Cor. 7:29; 1 Tim. 4:16.

• ⁴ A person’s inner self—what Jehovah takes note of—is far more important than his outward appearance. (1 Pet. 3:3, 4) What happens to the man who peers into God’s Word and then acts on what he discovers? He “has become, not a forgetful hearer, but a doer of the work; and he will be happy in what he does.” (Jas. 1:25) Yes, we will be happy and effective ministers because we “reflect like mirrors the glory of Jehovah.”—2 Cor. 3:18.

• 2. How can the Bible help us to make a selfexamination?

• 3. Why should we not procrastinate in making needed adjustments?

• 4. What happens to the man who peers into God’s Word and acts on what he discovers?

  © 2014 Christian Congregation of Jehovah’s Witnesses. 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 JULY 28

Song 58 and Prayer

Q Congregation Bible Study:

cl chap. 10 ^18-21, box on p. 106 (30 min.)

Q Theocratic Ministry School:

Bible reading: Numbers 1-3 (10 min.) No. 1: Numbers 3:21-38 (4 min. or less) No. 2: “All Sorts of Men” Will Be Saved—rs p. 357 ^2 (5 min.)

No. 3: Accusation—How Were Accusations Handled Under Hebrew and Roman Law?—it-1 p. 39 ^4-8 (5 min.)

Q Service Meeting:

Song 89

10 min: Are You Prepared for the New School Year? Discussion. Invite audience to outline some of the challenges Christian youths face at school. Explain how parents can use our Web site and other theocratic tools to prepare their children. (1 Pet. 3:15) Choose one or two common challenges, and relate some of the helpful information provided by the organization. Invite audience to comment on how they were able to give a witness while at school.

10 min: Interview the Secretary. What does caring for your assignment involve? How can group overseers and publishers help you to compile a congregation service report that is accurate and on time? How does an accurate report help the elders, the circuit overseer, and the branch office to provide needed encouragement?

10 min: “Take as a Pattern the Prophets —Zephaniah.” Questions and answers.

Song 70 and Prayer

Take as a Pattern the Prophets —Zephaniah

¹ It was the mid-seventh century B.C.E., and Baal worship was being openly practiced in Judah. Bad King Amon had recently been murdered, and now young King Josiah was reigning. (2 Chron. 33:21-34:1) During that time, Jehovah raised up Zephaniah to declare His judgment message. Although Zephaniah may have been a member of Judah’s royal house, he did not water down Jehovah’s message of

1. In what setting did Zephaniah serve as a prophet, and how is he a good example for us today? condemnation to Judah’s leadership. (Zeph. 1:1; 3:1-4) Similarly, we strive to imitate Zephaniah’s courage and avoid allowing family ties to impact our worship of Jehovah in a negative way. (Matt. 10:34-37) What message did Zephaniah declare, and with what results?

• ² Seek Jehovah: Only Jehovah can save individuals in the day of his anger. Thus, Zephaniah urged the people of Judah to seek Jehovah, seek righteousness, and seek meekness while time still remained. (Zeph. 2:2, 3) The same is true in our day. Like Zephaniah, we encourage others to seek Jehovah, but we too must act, being determined never to “turn away from following Jehovah.” (Zeph. 1:6) Rather, we seek Jehovah by carefully studying his Word and by praying for his guidance. We seek righteousness by living a morally clean life. We seek meekness by cultivating a submissive attitude and by readily responding to direction from Jehovah’s organization.

• ³ Positive Results: Zephaniah’s judgment message struck a responsive chord with at least some in Judah but likely most notably with young Josiah, who started to search for Jehovah while he was still a boy. Josiah later carried out a vigorous campaign against idolatry in the land. (2 Chron. 34:2-5) Today, although some Kingdom seed falls alongside the road, on ro cky ground, or among the thorns, some also falls on the fine soil and yields fruit. (Matt. 13:18-23) We are confident that Jehovah will continue to bless our efforts as we stay busy spreading Kingdom seed.—Ps. 126:6.

• ⁴ Some in Judah felt that Jehovah would never act. However, Jehovah assured all that his great day was near. (Zeph. 1:12, 14) Salvation would come only to those who took refuge in him. (Zeph. 3:12, 17) As we ‘keep ourselves in expectation of Jehovah,’ may we find delight in serving unitedly with fellow worshippers of our great God!—Zeph. 3:8, 9.

• 2. What action must we take to be concealed in the day of Jehovah’s anger?

• 3. Why should we maintain a positive attitude in the ministry?

• 4. Why should we ‘keep ourselves in expectation of Jehovah’?

WEEK STARTING AUGUST 4

Song 51 and Prayer

Q Congregation Bible Study:

cl chap. 11 fl1-8 (30 min.)

Q Theocratic Ministry School:

Bible reading: Numbers 4-6 (10 min.) No. 1: Numbers 4:17-33 (4 min. or less)

No. 2: Does the Bible Say That Some Will Never Be Saved?—rs p. 358 fl1-3 (5 min.)

No. 3: Accusation—Jehovah Overrules Bad Laws, and He Judges Those Who Make False Accusations—it-1 p. 39 fl9-p. 40 fl1 (5 min.)

Q Service Meeting:

Song 85

10 min: Offer the Magazines During August. Discussion. Using the sample presentations on this page, demonstrate how the magazines may be offered to someone when engaging in the special campaign on the weekends. Then invite comments from the audience on these questions: Why should we offer the magazines on the weekends in August when it is appropriate to do so? What are some occasions when this would be appropriate?

10 min: Local needs.

10 min: How Did We Do? Discussion. Invite publishers to comment on how they benefited by applying points from the article “Improving OurSkills in the Ministry—Initiating a Conversation in Order to Witness Informally.” Ask the audience to relate good experiences.

Song 75 and Prayer

Announcements

■ Literature offer for July: Good News From God! or one of the following 32-page brochures: Does God Really Care About Us?, A Book for All People, The Bible—What Is Its Message?, or What Is the Purpose of Life? How Can You Find It? August: Special campaign distribution of the new tract Where Can We Find Answers to Life’s Big Questions? September and October: The Watchtower and Awake! magazines.

■ On Saturday, March 8, 2014, 12 couples graduated from the 7th class of the Bible School for Christian Couples. All 195 in attendance at the Dublin, Tallaght Kingdom Hall were thrilled to hear of the students’ new assignments to serve in congregations across the British Isles.

Sample Presentations

Where Can We Find Answers to Life’s Big Questions?

Hand the tract to the householder so that he can see the title and say: “Hello. We are sharing in a worldwide campaign to distribute this important message. This is your copy.”

If you are leaving the tract at not-at-homes, place it out of sight and avoid folding it unnecessarily.

If the householder expresses interest or desires to talk, you might ask his opinion on the multiplechoice question on the front. Open the tract, and show him what Psalm 119:144, 160 says. Explain that the tract contains information about a Web site that can help him find satisfying answers in the Bible. Perhaps you can show him a sample by playing the video Why Study the Bible? Before you leave, point out the three questions on the back page of the tract and ask which one concerns him the most. Offer to return so that you can show him how to find the Bible’s answer to that question by using jw.org. When you return, discuss the answer by looking under BIBLE TEACHINGS > BIBLE QUESTIONS ANSWERED.

If you are also distributing invitations to your regional convention, hand the householder the invitation at the same time you give him the tract and add, “In addition, we have given you an invitation to an upcoming free public event.”

WAT4HTO6I7 August 1

Announcing Jehovah's Kingdom

On weekends, when appropriate, say this to feature The Watchtower: “We would also like to offer you our current magazines. This issue of The Watchtower answers the question, Is God interested in you?”

!"#$ August

On weekends, when appropriate, say this to feature the Awake! magazine: “We would also like to offer you our current magazines. This issue of Awake! answers the question, How can people make peace?”

Field Service Highlights

For the month of February, Ireland had all-time peaks of 752 regular pioneers and 3,506 Bible studies. In Britain, 59,308 Bible studies were reported, so the basis is there in both countries for future increase. Jehovah is certainly blessing the fine evangelizing spirit manifest in both countries.

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