Our kingdom ministry

AUGUST 2015

monthly theme: “As for me and my household, we will serve Jehovah.” —Josh. 24:15.

WEEK STARTING AUGUST 10

Song 61 and Prayer

Q Congregation Bible Study:

cl chap. 28 ^18-21, box on p. 289 (30 min.)

Q Theocratic Ministry School:

Bible reading: 1 Kings 21-22 (8 min.) No. 1: 1 Kings 22:13-23 (3 min. or less) No. 2: How Can You Draw Close to God?—nwt p. 32 ^1-4 (5 min.)

No. 3: Delilah—Theme: The Love of Money Can Lead to Betrayal—it-1 pp. 608-609 (5 min.)

Q Service Meeting:

Song 41

10 min: “As for Me and My Household, We Will Serve Jehovah.” Talk based on the monthly theme. Read and apply Deuteronomy 6:6, 7; Joshua 24:15; and Proverbs 22:6. Emphasize that husbands and fathers must take the lead spiritually. Highlight various tools provided by the organization to help families. Mention some of the Service Meeting parts for the month and how they relate to the theme.

20 min: “Improving Our Skills in the Ministry —Training New Ones.” Discussion. Ask the audience how parents can apply the principles mentioned in the article when helping their children to make spiritual progress. Have a demonstration of a father preparing a presentation with his young son or daughter.

Song 93 and Prayer

Improving Our Skills in the Ministry—Training New Ones

Why Important: New disciples of Jesus must learn to observe “all the things” he commanded, which includes teaching the truth to others. (Matt. 28:19, 20) Many new ones have already qualified to join the Theocratic Ministry School and may have witnessed informally to family members or friends. However, as they grow in appreciation for what they are learning and come to know that Jehovah wants all people to hear the good news, they may express a desire to share in the field ministry. (Rom. 10:13, 14) After new ones are approved as unbaptized publishers, good training will help them be more confident as they take this necessary step in their spiritual prog-ress.—Luke 6:40.

How to Do It:

• • Helpthe new publisher obtain the publications he will need for preaching and teaching. Show him how you organize your witnessing case, and explain the purpose of each publication you carry.

• • Together, select a sample presentation from Our Kingdom Ministry and practice it. Encourage the new one to put the presentation in his own words. Rehearse settings from the Ministry School book, page 82, that are common in your territory. Emphasize the importance of modest dress and grooming.—2 Cor. 6:3, 4.

• • Provide progressive training. Show the new publisher a territory card, and teach him how to use a house-to-house record. Demonstrate how to make a record of interested ones. Teach him how to use jw.org in the ministry as well as the booklet Good News for People of All Nations. Help him cultivate the interest he finds.

—1 Cor. 3:6.

• • Be patient, and offer commendation. (Prov. 25:11) Set a good example.

Your zeal and the personal interest you show will have a positive effect for years to come.

Try This During the Month:

• • Work in the house-to-house ministry with your student, and take him on a return visitor a Bible study. If you do not have a student, invite a less experienced publisher to work with you.

WEEK STARTING AUGUST 17

Song 5 and Prayer

Q Congregation Bible Study: cl chap. 29 ^1-10 (30 min.)

Q Theocratic Ministry School:

Bible reading: 2 Kings 1-4 (8 min.) No. 1: 2 Kings 1:11-18 (3 min. or less) No. 2: Dinah—Theme: Bad Associations Can Lead to Tragedy—it-1 p. 627 (5 min.)

No. 3: Things We Must Do to Draw Close to God—nwt p. 32 fl5-p. 33 ff3 (5 min.)

Q Service Meeting:

Song 52

30 min: “These Words . . . Must Be on Your Heart.” Questions and answers. Use the information in the first and last paragraphs for a brief introduction and conclusion.

Song 88 and Prayer

“These Words . . .

Must Be on Your Heart”

Parents are like shepherds. They must take good care of their children, who could easily stray and become vulnerable to attack. (Prov. 27:23) How can parents fulfill this role? They must spend time each day communicating with their children in order to know what is in their minds and hearts. (Prov. 20:5) Also, parents must build with fire-resistant materials to fortify the faith of their children. (1 Cor. 3:10-15) The video “These Words . . . Must Be on Your Heart” underscores the importance of regular family worship. View it as a family, and then discuss the following questions.

(1) What led to the Roman family’s lack of spiritual focus? (2) Why was Brother Roman’s initial attempt at family worship unsuccessful? (3) What Scriptural formula leads to the best chance of success in raising children? (Deut. 6:6, 7) (4) What can contribute to better communication in the family? (5) What kind of sacrifices do children need their parents to make? (6) How were Brother and Sister Barrow a positive influence on the Roman family? ( Prov. 27:17) (7) What must a family head do in advance in order to make family worship successful? (8) How did Brother Roman begin to turn things around in his family? (9) Why is consistency vital for family worship? (Eph. 6:4) (10) What are some practical ideas for family worship? (11) How was Brother Roman calm but firm when helping Marcus to appreciate the importance of doing what is right? (Jer. 17:9) (12) How did Brother and Sister Roman reason with Rebecca to help her make the right decision regarding her relationship with Justin? (Mark 12:30; 2 Tim. 2:22) (13) How did Brother and Sister Roman manifest faith when making adjustments in their lives? (Matt. 6:33) (14) How does this video emphasize the need for family heads to provide spiritually for their families? (1 Tim. 5:8) (15) What is your determination as a family head?

NOTE TO FAMILY HEADS: This modernday drama was presented at the regional conventions in 2011. At that time, did you detect a need for improvements in your family worship? What about now? If further adjustments are needed, please prayerfully make changes for the everlasting benefit of your family.—Eph. 5:15-17.

WEEK STARTING AUGUST 24

Song 21 and Prayer

Q Congregation Bible Study:

cl chap. 29 ^11-15 (30 min.)

Q Theocratic Ministry School:

Bible reading: 2 Kings 5-8 (8 min.)

No. 1: 2 Kings 6:20-31 (3 min. or less)

No. 2: What Is Contained in the Various Books of the Hebrew Scriptures?—nwt p. 34 (5 min.) No. 3: Doeg—Theme: Beware of Those Who Love What Is Bad—it-1 p. 644 (5 min.)

Q Service Meeting:

Song 40

15 min: Local needs.

15 min: How Can You Improve the Quality of Your Family Worship? Discussion based on the January 2011 Our Kingdom Ministry, page 6. Draw attention to the various Family Worship projects that appear on jw.org. (Look under BIBLE TEACHINGS > CHILDREN.) Emphasize that family worship should be tailored to the needs of one’s family and should build faith in Jehovah and his promises.

Song 130 and Prayer

WEEK STARTING AUGUST 31

Song 42 and Prayer

Q Congregation Bible Study:

cl chap. 29 ^16-21, box on p. 299 (30 min.)

Q Theocratic Ministry School:

Bible reading: 2 Kings 9-11 (8 min.)

Theocratic Ministry School Review (20 min.)

Q Service Meeting:

Song 95

10 min: Offer the Magazines During September. Discussion. Start by having a demonstration, using the sample presentations provided. Then analyze each presentation.

10 min: Are You Receiving “Food at the Proper Time”? Talk based on the article in the August 15, 2014, Watchtower, pages 3-5. Encourage all to make good use of the spiritual food available to them.

10 min: What Are Your Spiritual Goals for the 2016 Service Year? Discussion based on the Organized book, page 118, paragraph 3. Have a demonstration of a couple discussing their spiritual goals for the new service year.

Song 10 and Prayer

Theocratic Ministry School

Review

The following questions will be considered at the Theocratic Ministry School during the week beginning August 31, 2015.

• 1. What faith-strengthening truths about Jehovah God do we find in Solomon’s prayer, and how will meditating on those truths benefit us? (1 Ki. 8:22-24, 28) [ July 6, w05 7/1 p. 30 par. 3]

• 2. How can David’s example of walking “with integrity of heart” encourage us to do the same? (1 Ki. 9:4) [ July 13, w12 11/15 p. 7 pars. 18-19]

• 3. What vital lesson can we draw from the account about Jehovah sending Elijah to the widow of Zarephath? (1 Ki. 17:8-14) [July 27, w14 2/15 p. 14]

• 4. How can meditating on the account at 1 Kings 17:10-16 strengthen our determination to have complete confidence in Jehovah? [ July 27, w14 2/15 pp. 13-15]

• 5. How can we benefit from the example that Elijah set in coping with feelings of desperation? (1 Ki. 19:4) [Aug. 3, ia pp. 102-103 pars. 10-12; w14 3/15 p. 15 pars. 15-16]

• 6. How did Jehovah react when he saw his faithful prophet Elijah in despair, and how can we imitate our loving God? (1 Ki. 19:7, 8) [Aug. 3, w14 6/15 p. 27 pars. 15-16]

• 7. What wrong view did King Ahab have, and how can Christians today avoid making a similar mistake? [Aug. 10, lv pp. 164165, box; w14 2/1 p. 14 pars. 3-4]

• 8. What can we learn from the request that Elisha made of Elijah, and how can this help us when we receive a new assignment in Kingdom service? (2 Ki. 2:9, 10) [Aug. 17, w03 11/1 p. 31 pars. 5-6]

• 9. How can young ones imitate the faith and courage of the little Israelite girl mentioned at 2 Kings 5:1-3? [Aug. 24, w12 2/15 pp. 12-13 par. 11]

• 10. What qualities of Jehu should all servants of Jehovah strive to emulate during this time of the end? (2 Ki. 10:16) [Aug. 31, w11 11/15 p. 5 par. 4]

WEEK STARTING SEPTEMBER 7

Song 3 and Prayer

Q Congregation Bible Study:

cl chap. 30 fl1-9 (30 min.)

Q Theocratic Ministry School:

Bible reading: 2 Kings 12-15 (8 min.) No. 1: 2 Kings 13:12-19 (3 min. or less) No. 2: Dorcas—Theme: Genuine Christians Abound in Good Works—it-1 p. 646 (5 min.) No. 3: What Is Contained in the Various Books of the Christian Greek Scriptures?—nwt p. 35 (5 min.)

Q Service Meeting:

Song 89

10 min: How Did We Do? Discussion. Invite publishers to comment on how they benefited by applying points from the article “Improving Our Skills in the Ministry—Training New Ones.” Ask the audience to relate positive experiences.

10 min: Families, Is Congregation Meeting Attendance Your Custom? Talk based on Hebrews 10:24, 25. Interview a family with children. How does the family head ensure that meetings are a priority? How does each person contribute to the family’s regular attendance? When do they prepare comments? What sacrifices do they make to be present? Conclude by encouraging all to attend and participate regularly.

10 min: Can You Sow Seeds of Bible Truth With Your Relatives? (Acts 10:24, 33, 48) Discussion based on the 2015 Yearbook, page 87, paragraphs 1-2;and page 90, paragraphs 1-3. Invite audience to comment on the lessons learned.

Song 118 and Prayer

■ Starting in September, circuit overseers will give the public talk entitled “Are God’s Ways Really Beneficial?”

Sample Presentations “34HTO6E7® September 1

Announcing Jehovah’s Kingdom        ■

“Have you ever wondered where the name Jehovah’s Witnesses originated? [Allow for response.] The answer is found in the Bible, where God reveals his personal name. [Read Psalm 83:18.] As Witnesses for Jehovah, we make known the good news about him and his purpose for mankind. This issue of The Watchtower clears up many common misconceptions about us.”

!"#$ September

“Most people agree that we need money in order to live. But do you think it is dangerous to be obsessed with money? [Allow for response.] Notice the Bible’s warning. [Read 1 Timothy 6:9.] This magazine explains how we can develop a balanced view of money.”

Field Service Highlights

When comparing February 2015 with the same month last year, Puerto Rico increased in regular pioneers by 7.9 percent, the Turks and Caicos Islands by 5.6 percent, and the United States by 4.1 percent. Having rested our hope on the living God, let us continue working hard and exerting ourselves in the ministry.—1 Tim. 4:10.

Announcements

■ Literature offer for August: Good News From God!, Listen to God, or Listen to God and Live Forever. September and October: The Watchtower and Awake! magazines. November: What Does the Bible Really Teach? or one of the following tracts: Can the Dead Really Live Again?, How Do You View the Bible?, How Do You View the Future?, What Is the Key to Happy Family Life?, What Is the Kingdom of God?, Who Really Controls the World?, Will Suffering Ever End?

150428

4