Our kingdom ministry

SEPTEMBER 2015

monthly theme: “Bear thorough witness to the good news.”

—Acts 20:24.

WEEK STARTING SEPTEMBER 14

Song 50 and Prayer

Q Congregation Bible Study:

cl chap. 30 ^10-18 (30 min.)

Q Theocratic Ministry School:

Bible reading: 2 Kings 16-18 (8 min.) No. 1: 2 Kings 17:12-18 (3 min. or less) No. 2: How Can You Get the Most out of Your Bible Reading?—nwt p. 36 (5 min.) No. 3: Ebed-melech—Theme: Be Fearless, and Honor Jehovah’s Servants—it-1 pp. 672673 (5 min.)

Q Service Meeting:

Song 23

10 min: “Bear Thorough Witness to the Good News.” Talk based on the monthly theme and the Bearing Witness book, chapter 1, paragraphs 1-11.—Acts 20:24.

20 min: “Improving Our Skills in the Ministry—Witnessing in Business Territory.” Discussion. Include a brief two-part demonstration. First, show a publisher using poor judgment when attempting to witness to a businessperson. Then, demonstrate the situation again, but this time with the publisher using good judgment. Afterward, invite comments on why the second approach is more effective.

Song 96 and Prayer

Improving Our Skills in the Ministry—Witnessing in Business Territory

Why Important: Since many people work long hours, often the best way to reach them with the Kingdom message is by witnessing to them at their workplace. Witnessing in business territory can be enjoyable and productive because there are no not-at-homes and workers tend to be polite to those they view as potential customers. In order to be effective, publishers must use good judgment and be exemplary in their dress and grooming. (2 Cor. 6:3) Therefore, the service overseer should carefully monitor how often business territories are worked and by whom.

How to Do It:

• • Prepare a presentation that is brief. If we take too much of the worker’s time, we may not be given opportunities to speak to him in the future.

• • Choose a time to visit when the businesses are less busy, such as when they first open.

• • Endeavor to speak first with the person in charge. Be warm and friendly. You might say, “We are visiting people briefly at their workplace because it is difficult to find them at home.” Give him a brief presentation, and offer a tract, the magazines, or another piece of literature. So that we will not be confused with salesmen, it is best not to mention the donation arrangement unless we are asked how our work is financed.

• • If the person in charge is friendly, ask for permission to speak briefly to the other workers. At some businesses, it may be better to ask if you can leave some reading material in the break room.

• • Use good judgment, and be flexible. For example, if a worker is talking to a customer or is busy, wait until he is free before approaching him.

Try This During the Month:

• • During your next Family Worship evening, practice a brief presentation you might use if you work in business territory.

WEEK STARTING SEPTEMBER 21

Song 53 and Prayer

Q Congregation Bible Study:

cl chap. 30 ^19-23, box on p. 309 (30 min.)

Q Theocratic Ministry School:

Bible reading: 2 Kings 19-22 (8 min.)

No. 1: 2 Kings 20:12-21 (3 min. or less)

No. 2: Ehud (No. 2)—Theme: Jehovah Delivers His People—it-1 p. 700 (5 min.)

No. 3: What Does the Word “Amen” Mean?

—Glossary, nwt p. 1692 (5 min.)

Q Service Meeting:

Song 97

10 min: How Did We Do Last Service Year? Talk by the service overseer. Review the congregation’s activity during the pastyear. Focus on the good things that were accomplished, and give appropriate commendation. Mention one or two aspects of the ministry that the congregation can work on this year, and offer practical suggestions.

10 min: Bearing Thorough Witness Gets Results. Discussion based on the 2015 Yearbook, page 54, paragraph 1;page 56, paragraph 2, to page 57, paragraph 1;and page 63, paragraph 2, to page 64, paragraph 1. After discussing each experience, invite audience to comment on the lessons learned.

10 min: “Imitate Their Faith.” Questions and answers.

Song 81 and Prayer

Imitate Their Faith

¹ During the week of October 19, 2015, we will begin consideration of the Imitate Their Faith book at the Congregation Bible Study. This publication examines the Biblical accounts of 14 men and women of faith. It does so in such a way that these faithful ones come to life in our mind, helping us to see them as real people who faced challenges as they served Jehovah. The book also draws les-

1. What will we consider at the Congregation Bible Study starting the week of October 19? sons from those accounts to help us make personal application today.—Heb. 6:12.

• ² Features: The book includes a time line and maps to help us determine when and where each character lived. Additionally, each chapter has a feature entitled “To Think About . . . ,” which will help us to meditate on the accounts and apply the practical lessons we have learned. The book is also richly illustrated with colorful, detailed, and carefully researched artwork, which helps bring the accounts to life.

• ³ How You Can Benefit: The opening letter from the Governing Body encourages us with these words: “Use your imagination; get your senses involved. Try to feel what those Bible characters felt, to see what they saw. Compare how they reacted in a given situation with the way you would likely have responded.” Of course, to use our imagination does not mean to speculate wildly but, rather, to picture what the inspired account says and to empathize with the people involved. Doing so requires time and meditation. (Neh. 8:8) If the lesson begins in the middle of a chapter, the conductor will start with a 30- to 60-second review of the previous lesson. One or two questions may be asked as a concluding review if the lesson does not include the feature “To Think About . . .”

• ⁴ We live in a world that seeks, every day, to erode or weaken our faith in one way or another. This book—as well as the ongoing series in The Watchtower on which it is based—is a gift from Jehovah to help us strengthen our faith. (Jas. 1:17) Let us take full advantage of it by attending the Congregation Bible Study regularly and having as full a share in commenting as possible while we study this publication together!

• 2. Explain some features of the Imitate Their Faith book.

• 3. What can we do to benefit from our study of this publication?

• 4. Why do we need to study the Imitate Their Faith book?

  © 2015 Christian Congregation of Jehovah’s Witnesses. 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 SEPTEMBER 28

Song 73 and Prayer

Q Congregation Bible Study:

cl chap. 31 fl1-12 (30 min.)

Q Theocratic Ministry School:

Bible reading: 2 Kings 23-25 (8 min.) No. 1: 2 Kings 23:8-15 (3 min. or less)

No. 2: What Roles Do Angels Play in God’s Purpose?—Glossary, nwt pp. 1692-1693 (5 min.)

No. 3: Eleazar (No. 1)—Theme: Steadfastly Serve Jehovah—it-1 p. 705 (5 min.)

Q Service Meeting:

Song 93

10 min: Paul and His Companions Bear Thorough Witness in Philippi. Discussion. Have Acts 16:11-15 read. Consider how this account can help us in our ministry.

20 min: “Teaching With the Good News Brochure.” Questions and answers. After considering paragraph 3, have a well-prepared demonstration showing a publisher offering the Good News brochure and discussing one paragraph.

Song 114 and Prayer

Teaching With the Good News Brochure

¹ As discussed in the July issue of Our Kingdom Ministry, one important tool in our teaching toolbox is the brochure Good News From God! Cited scriptures are not quoted so that householders can enjoy learning directly from the Bible itself. While many of our study publications are written in such a way that the reader can learn on his own, this publication was designed to be discussed with an instructor. Therefore, when we offer it, we should try to demonstrate the study so that the householder can see how thrilling it is to learn good news from the Bible.—Matt. 13:44.

1. How is the Good News brochure designed?

• ² On the Initial Call: You might say: “I’m here because people are concerned about where this world is heading. Do you think conditions will ever improve? [Allow for response.] The Bible contains good news that can give us hope. Here are some of the questions that the Bible answers.” Hand the householder the brochure, and invite him to choose a question from the back cover. Then demonstrate the study using the first paragraph of that lesson. Another option is to ask the householder an interest-arousing question based on a lesson you chose and then demonstrate how the brochure can help him find the Bible’s answer. If that lesson has a corresponding video on jw.org, some publishers play it during their presentation.

• ³ How to Conduct the Study: (1) Read the numbered question in bold print to help the householder focus on the main point. (2) Read the paragraph that follows. (3) Read the italicized scriptures, and use tactful questions to help the householder to see how the scriptures answer the numbered question. (4) If there is another paragraph under the question, repeat steps 2 and 3. If a video matches the question and you have not yet played it for the householder, do so at some point in the discussion. (5) Finally, ask for the householder’s answer to the numbered question to make sure he understands.

• ⁴ Get familiar with this valuable tool. Use it on every appropriate occasion. Before each study, think about the student and the best way to reason with him, using the scriptures in the lesson. (Prov. 15:28; Acts 17:2, 3) As you gain experience and skill, you may very well view this brochure as one of your favorite tools to use in teaching people the truth!

• 2. How can we use the Good News brochure on the initial call?

• 3. Explain how to conduct a study using the Good News brochure.

• 4. What will help us to use this valuable tool with skill?

WEEK STARTING OCTOBER 5

Song 13 and Prayer

Q Congregation Bible Study: cl chap. 31 V13-20 (30 min.)

Q Theocratic Ministry School:

Bible reading: 1 Chronicles 1-4 (8 min.) No. 1:1 Chronicles 1:28-42 (3 min. or less) No. 2: Eli, I—Theme: Permissiveness Dishonors God—it-1 pp. 706-707 (5 min.) No. 3: To Whom Does the Term “Antichrist” Refer?—Glossary, nwt p.1693 (5 min.)

Q Service Meeting:

Song 82

10 min: Offer the Magazines During October. Discussion. Start by having two demonstrations, using the sample presentations provided. Then analyze the sample presentations from beginning to end.

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 Our Skills in the Ministry —Witnessing in Business Territory.” Ask the audience to relate positive experiences.

Song 98 and Prayer

Announcements

■ Literature offer for September and October: The Watchtower and Awake! magazines. November and December: 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?

■ The special public talk for the 2016 Memorial season will be give n during the week of March 28. The subject of the talk will be announced later. Those congregations having an assembly that weekend or the visit of the circuit overseer will have the special talk the following week. No congregation should have the special talk before March 28.

Sample Presentations

3A4HTO6E7® October 1

Announcing Jbhovah’S Kingdom

“We’re showing everyone in the neighborhood this interesting issue of The Watchtower. [Show the cover.] Some people think that prayer is just a waste of time, that no one is listening. Others believe that God hears their prayers. What’s your opinion? [Allow for response.] Notice what the Bible says about prayer. [Read Isaiah 30:19.] This magazine provides evidence that God hears and answers prayers that are made in the right way and for the right things.”

!"#$ October

“We are making brief visits on our neighbors because many wonder why God allows suffering. Do you think it is disrespectful to question God about such things? [Allow for response.] The righteous man Job expressed a desire to question God. [Read Job 23:3-5.] This magazine considers three questions that many people would like to ask God, if given the chance, and the satisfying answers that the Bible provides.”

Field Service Highlights

In the United States a total of 170,798 publishers served as auxiliary pioneers during the month of March 2015. This is over 1,000 more than the previous March. Additionally, there were increases of 6.1 percent in auxiliary pioneers in the Cayman Islands and 12.1 percent in the Turks and Caicos Islands when compared with March 2014. No doubt, such increased activity brings joy to our heavenly Father.—Prov. 27:11.

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