OUR KINGDOM SERVICE

JANUARY 1979

Vol. 22, No. 1 FOR UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

Meetings for Field Service

JSANUARY 8-14

Current Topic for Conversation

• 1. Go over paragraphs three and four of Presenting the Good News, discussing how to use Matthew 6:9, 10.

• 2. What adjustments in this conversation might be advisable for our territory?

JANUARY 15-21

Introductions

• 1. How can we show friendliness to householders?

• 2. What subjects interest householders in our territory?

• 3. How do you determine what interests a specific person?

JANUARY 22-28

Coping with Indifference

• 1. Why do we keep going in field service even though many householders are indifferent? (Ezek. 2:7)

• 2. How do you keep from letting householders' indifference affect your joy?

• 3. With whom should we leave the judgment of individuals we meet? (Acts 10:34, 35, 42)

JANUARY 29-FEBRUARY 4

Keeping House-to-House Record

• 1. Why is it of value for us to keep a house-to-house record?

• 2. What do you write on your house-to-house record? Why?

• 3. What is the value of keeping one record of those not at home and a separate one for placements and return visits?

God's Kingdom

• ¹ Do you remember how you felt when you first grasped the significance of God’s kingdom? It is, indeed, glorious good news! As you have read accounts of Jesus’ life you have observed that the Kingdom is the message that he kept to the fore. Zealously he preached it and he urged his followers to do the same. At Matthew 10:7, he said: “As you go, preach, saying, ‘The kingdom of the heavens has drawn near.’ ” Have 19 centuries of time diminished the power and force of God’s kingdom? Not at all!

THE MESSAGE HAS NOT CHANGED

• ² Over the centuries, governments of all kinds have come and gone. The inadequacy of human governments has been eloquently underscored, but one thing remains firm, real and brimming with hope, namely, God’s kingdom backed by the irresistible power of the Sovereign Lord of the Universe. How grateful we can be to have the privilege of sharing that hope with all who will listen!—Rom. 15:13.

• ³ We are now more than 64 years into the “time of the end.” How should this affect us? For one thing, more than ever before, we can see that the Kingdom is the

  Are We Allowing God's Spirit to Operate Freely?

  
  

• ¹ To Christians in Rome, Paul wrote: “Do not loiter at your business. Be aglow with the spirit. Slave for Jehovah. Rejoice in the hope.” (Rom. 12:11, 12) How does one become “aglow with the spirit”? Is it just a matter of asking God? It is true that God must give the spirit before one can “be aglow” with it, and Luke 11:13 speaks of God as giving “holy spirit to those asking him.” But it is not automatic, is it? It is somewhat like getting electric power from the power company or water from the water company. The supply is there, usually in abundance, but they will provide it only for those who meet certain qualifications. So it is with God’s holy spirit. There is no shortage, but we must qualify for it by cultivating a right heart condition and by learning and conforming to God’s requirements. (Acts 15:8; 5:32) Diligence in meeting these qualifications is needed if we are truly going to be “aglow with the spirit.”

HOW GOD’S SPIRIT OPERATES FREELY

• ² As a person can draw on electric power by putting a plug into

Is the Solution

only solution to man’s ills. And we know that only those who put their full confidence in it will survive the “great tribulation.” Thus, it is more urgent than ever before that people have the opportunity to hear about God’s kingdom and be encouraged to take their stand on its side.—Rom. 10:13-15.

ANNOUNCING JEHOVAH’S KINGDOM,

• ⁴ Of course, when talking with people we want to be adaptable and converse with them on topics that interest them. But no matter what we might use to catch their interest, the real solution is God’s kingdom and this is the thought we want to leave with them. Now, how might we do this to the best advantage?

• ⁵ Many of us may elect to start our conversation by inquiring how the householder feels about the high cost of living, family problems, unemployment, crime and violence, and so forth. Likely, we will get a ready response that these are difficult times for many. Or, suppose we choose to ask: “Do you think the time will come when we will not need locks, alarm systems, security forces, and so forth, to

(Continued on page 4, col. 3)

Talk About the Kingdom

• ¹ God’s kingdom is the only solution to the world’s problems. Yet literally millions upon millions of people do not know this, even though many of them at one time or another have heard that kingdom mentioned. What can we do to help them appreciate the significance of God’s kingdom in their lives?

• ² Perhaps one of the more simple approaches we can make to people is to help them to reason on something that many of them already know. What is that? The Lord’s Prayer. In Matthew 6:9, 10, we find the model prayer Jesus gave, asking for God’s will to be done on earth as in heaven. Just how might we present the matter? Maybe something along the following lines will be appealing. After a short introduction of yourself to the householder, say:

• ³ “I’m sure you are interested in the security of your family and home, especially in today’s world where there are so many things that undermine that security. Most people look to some means of protection. They may have extra locks on their doors, or alarms, or a dog to sound a warning when strangers approach. [Get .householder’s reaction.] The Bible promises the best possible means of security for all mankind. You may have asked God in prayer many times for this means of security without knowing it. [Read Matthew 6:9, 10.] Have

• • M°J<e Disciples, , (Cont d) points gleaned from material discussed at the meetings. They may use it in making a personal decision, in informal witnessing or when going from house to house or on return visits. We would like to hear their experiences on this program. This should not be a review of the meetings but should highlight how material from the meetings has actually been used.

Chairman should select points from the Watchtower material, book study material and public talk material that COULD be used but perhaps was not, and work this into the three 10-mlnute parts as time permits. Ask friends: "How COULD we have used this point in field service, In making decisions, in helping our children, in informal witnessing, and so forth?” Tell congregation that we are going to do this again next month.

5 min: Song 64 and prayer.

TOPIC FOR CONVERSATION God's Kingdom Is the Solution, u .n t r\ y r\ you ever thought of the Lord’s Prayer as holding the answer to the need for real security for mankind? Really, the kingdom of God is the solution to the problems mankind faces.” From that point on, depending on the reception you have received, you can proceed with the conversation, or make an offer of the Watchtower subscription or other publications to the householder.

• ⁴ A briefer approach could be along the following lines. After you introduce yourself, say: “We are calling because of a common concern we share as to one of mankind’s most pressing needs—for peace and security. The solution is found in the familiar words of the Lord’s Prayer at Matthew 6:9, 10. [Read.] I’m sure that this Godgiven solution is of interest to you.” From there proceed with the conversation or the offer you may wish to make to the householder.

• ⁵ It is good to remember that in advocating God’s kingdom as the solution to mankind’s problems, your conviction and sincerity will go a long way toward helping the honest-hearted ones you meet to take seriously what you say. If their hearts are drawn toward God, it can be your happy privilege to assist them to take the necessary steps to become disciples of Jesus Christ, our King. Why not try using this scripture during the coming months as you seek to help others know that God’s kingdom is the solution.

Announcements              fuont a)

• • Please note that starting January 1, 1979, congregations will be charged $1.90 for each one-year subscription submitted at publisher rate. This is the rate shown in the Cost List and on the Weekly Subscriptions form (M-203).

• • Literature offer for February and March: The book Making Your Family Life Happy for 35c. ¹

• The price for Watchtower and Awake! binders has been Increased to $2.50 each. This will be the price for the public, congregations and pioneers. • Effective immediately, the Byington translation, known as The Bible in Living English, will/cost $8.00 for the public. $7.75 for congregation publishers, and $4.00 for pioneers.

• In the future, the secretary of the congregation will be responsible for keeping the meeting attendance records for the congregation, instead of the Bible study overseer. If the secretary keeps these records, it is felt that there will be easier access to these records both by other elders and by

think the solution to this problem is?” Or, “Is God going to do anything about this? What do you think?” These questions can help to steer the conversation in the right direction.

• ⁶ By i^entS^rng ^oJ^s^ingdom as the real solution, we focus attention not merely on social problems, but on the permanent solution to these problems. While it is fitting to start out with something that puts us on a common level with the householder, we should always try to finish with the real solution, God’s kingdom. If we were to discuss at great length some social issue and what we and others might do to improve the situation, we would be missing the mark; we would be talking about temporary relief when we know the permanent cure.

• ⁷ So, as we offer the Watchtower subscription during January (with a free 384- or 416-page book or the “Eternal Purpose” book), we should stress the real solution for all of man’s ills, as The Watchtower itself does. Appropriately, the new topic for conversation centers around Matthew 6:9, 10, but you may use another text if your territory seems to require it. Try it, using the suggestions in Presenting the Good News. “God’s Kingdom Is the Solution” will be our topic for conversation for the next four months. Our being upbuilding and positive in the way we discuss God’s kingdom will no doubt appeal to the hearts of many householders who long for a real solution to problems that face us all.

OCTOBER SERVICE REPORT Av. Av. Av. Av.

Pubs. Hrs. R.V. Bi.St. Mags.

Sp’l Pios.       663 116.0 39.5 4.0 116.7

Pios.         14,171  85.7 32.7 3.2

Aux. Pios.    22,259  61.0 18.5 1.3

Pubs.       496,688   8.3  3.6  .4

TOTAL 533,781

Newly Dedicated Ones Baptized: 1,761

Schedule for congregation studies in the book Life Does Have a Purpose:

January 7: Pages 5 to 12*

January 14: Pages 12 to 22*

January 21: Pages 22 to 30

January 28: Pages 31 to 37