OUR KINGDOM MINISTRY

MARCH. 1982

Vol. 25, No. 3

FOR UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

Meetings for Field Service

MARCH 1-7

Prepare for book offer

• 1. Which book do you plan to offer in March?

• 2. Why carry several different books in service?

• 3. What is our objective in placing books?

MARCH 8-14

When offering magazines

• 1. How do you determine which to feature?

• 2. When would you hand them to the householder?

• 3. When might, you show the circulation and language figures?

MARCH 15-21 Handling objections

• 1. Must all objections be overcome?

• 2. What is meant by "absorbing" an objection?

• 3. How do you avoid arguments?

MARCH 22-28

How do you plan to:

• 1. Offer the handbill to the special talk?

• 2. Use the Memorial invitation?

• 3. Help an inexperienced publisher use handbill and invitation?

Schedule for congregation studies in the book “Let Your Kingdom Come”:

March 7: Pages 75¹ to 82

March 14: Pages 83 to 88?

March 21: Pages 89 to 95

March 28: Pages 96 to 103¹

¹ How much do you value the life of Jesus Christ? Judas valued it as worth no more than the price of a slave. On the other hand, Jehovah viewed his only begotten Son as the most precious of all his creation! His human life was so valuable it could be used to purchase all humankind. (1 John 2:2) This was accomplished by his death, one of the most significant events in the history of mankind.

• ² Appropriately, Christians are commanded to remember that event in the manner prescribed by Jesus himself. (1 Cor. 11:23-26) The correct date for this observance has not been lost but is accurately recorded and preserved. This year the Memorial falls on Thursday, April 8, making this the most important day in 1982. What can you do to make it the most important day of the year to you? The importance each of us places on the Memorial of Christ’s death will, to a great extent, indicate the value we place on the redemptive sacrifice he made in our behalf. —1 John 5:13.

DEEPEN APPRECIATION FOR THAT DAY

• ³ In recent years the Society has been suggesting a Bible reading schedule for the week leading up to the Memorial date. The full schedule will appear in the April issue of Our Kingdom Ministry. Why not do more than just read the accounts this year? Some like

  Can We Help More to Attend?

  
  

¹ Last year on Sunday, April 19, there were 1,463,070 present for the Memorial celebration in the United States. No doubt, the fact that it fell on Sunday, when most people are off from work, helped toward the fine attendance. This year it may not be so convenient for some, but can we aid more to attend? If we put forth a concerted and organized effort we can expect Jehovah’s blessing. The following is suggested:

2 Week of March 8-14: Start inviting those with whom you are conducting home Bible studies. Following the study it would be a fine thing to use ten to fifteen minutes to explain why all should be present on April 8. Information about the Memorial celebration, who should partake of the emblems and who should not, along with other fine points could be drawn from the articles “ ‘Born Again’— Man’s Part and God’s Part” and “What Prevents Me from Getting Baptized?” in the February 1 and 15 issues of The Watchtower. to pick a time of day when there will be no distractions so they can truly concentrate and meditate on the events that took place in Jesus’ life just prior to his death. Others have found that they can visualize the happenings by closing their eyes while playing those portions of the Society’s Bible tapes covering the suggested verses. (Ps. 63:6) In this way the action comes to life in our mind’s eye and can make a powerful impression, deepening our appreciation. Also, the Society has prepared a new outline that will be used by most Memorial speakers this year. This will provide the same general spiritual refreshment and reminders for the brothers everywhere.

• ⁴ It is surely an appropriate time also to take stock of our own life course. Has your evaluation of Christ’s sacrifice for you moved you to make the necessary changes in your life to gain his approval? The apostle Peter said of Jesus: “He himself bore our sins in his own body upon the stake, in order that we might be done with sins and five to righteousness.” (1 Pet. 2:24) As we reflect on our life course we may note certain adjustments for the good that need to be made.

• ⁵ What about the day we celebrate the Memorial? Some have found they can devote the entire {Continued on page 4, col. 2)

Other points from the articles could be considered in succeeding weeks.

a Week of March 15-21: Invite relatives to attend the Memorial with you. There are many of our relatives who have never attended a meeting of Jehovah’s Witnesses. Explain to them that Jesus encouraged his relatives to hear what he had to say and some of his immediate family became believers such as Mary and his brothers Jude and James.—Acts 1:14; Gal. 1:19; Jude 1.

4 W⁷eek of March 22-28: Invite Watchtower and Awake! subscribers and those on our magazine routes. Have you obtained subscriptions to The Watchtower or Awake! during the past year? If so, no doubt you know where you obtained those subscriptions. Do you have those who take magazines from you regularly on a magazine route? These people as well as subscribers have had the oppor-(Continued on page 2, col. 3)

Meetings to Help Us Make Disciples

WEEK STARTING FEBRUARY 28  ,

Song 39

5 min: Introduction and local announcements. Encourage all to be out in field service first Sunday of the month. Turn in all service reports for February.

20 min: “Can We Help More to Attend?” Have each paragraph read by an assigned brother who reads well. Following the reading of each paragraph discuss with audience how following scriptures relate to points in paragraph. Paragraph 1—Rev. 5:13. Paragraph 2—1 Cor. 11:27. Have February 1 and 15 issues of The Watchtower with you and share selected points that could be used. Paragraph 3—Gal. 1:19; Jude 1; Acts 1:14. Paragraph 4—Acts 20: 35. Paragraph 5—Rom. 15:1, 2. Paragraph &—Heb. 10:24, 25.

15 min: “Will You Be an Auxiliary Pioneer in April?” Questions and answers.

5 min: One or two experiences from auxiliary pioneers or regular pioneers that' would motivate others to want to share.

Song 63 and prayer.

WEEK STARTING MARCH 7

Song 97

8 min: Local announcements. Announcements and Theocratic News. Remind publishers that next Saturday, second Saturday of month, is magazine day. Encourage full participation.

12 min: “The Only Cure for Sick Mankind.” Questions and answers. When considering paragraph 3 show special talk and Memorial handbills if on hand.

12 min: Briefly review points from paragraph 2 of the article “Can We Help More to Attend?” Have demonstration of publisher speaking with Bible student following home Bible study. Publisher discusses appropriate points from February 1 and 15 issues of The Watchtower on meaning of Memorial. Uses handbill for special talk and Memorial invitation to invite Bible student. Conclude with encouragement for all to share with their students the points learned. 13 min: Arrange locally or discuss value of new Awake! series “Young People Ask...” and relate field experiences with these articles. Song 55 and prayer.

WEEK STARTING MARCH 14

Song 83

5 min: Local announcements and accounts report.

15 min: Briefly review points on helping relatives to attend special talk and Memorial from paragraph 3 of article “Can We Help More to Attend?” How many in audience have relatives who are baptized Witnesses? How many in audience helped those relatives learn truth? Ask some to share their experiences. Have a short demonstration of publisher tactfully speaking with a relative about importance of Memorial celebration. Mentions to relative how many attended last year in 206 lands. (5,987,893) Uses handbills to invite to special talk and Memorial. Relative shows appreciation. As time permits share experiences from yb71 pp. 228, 278-9, 317 on inviting relatives to meetings.

20 min: “The Most Important Day in 1982.” To be handled by an elder. Have a good reader summarize paragraphs and also read the scriptures. Have paragraph read first and discuss points, using the following scriptures as time permits. After text is read ask audience to relate scripture to points in paragraph. Paragraph 1—Matt. 26:14, 15; 1 Pet. 1:18, 19. Paragraph 2—Luke 22:19. Paragraph 3 —Prov. 4:20, 21. Paragraph 4 —1 Pet. 2:21-25. Paragraph 5 —Lev. 23:4, 5; 1 Cor. 5:7. Paragraph 6—Luke 13:24; 1 Cor. 15:58. 5 min: Brother concludes meeting with experience from w76 p. 679 on how invitation to Memorial prevented a murder and resulted in new disciple.

Song 23 and prayer.

WEEK STARTING MARCH 21

Song 109

12 min: Local announcements. Next Saturday is fourth Saturday, magazine day. Give friendly reminder to pick up magazines and prepare. Briefly review points from paragraph 4 of article “Can We Help More to Attend?” and from paragraph 4 of the article “The Only Cure for Sick Mankind.” Have short demonstration of how a Watchtower subscriber or route call could be invited to special talk this coming Sunday and Memorial on April 8, “with entreaty.” Use handbills.

20 min: “Presentingthe Good News —As an Auxiliary Pioneer.” After considering paragraph 1 with audience, ask for show of hands on who plan to be auxiliary pioneers in April. (If none in case of some small congregations, ask those who have been auxiliary pioneers in past to relate experiences and personal impressions of how it helped them.) Were any of those who raised hands housewives with children? If so, interview them on how they plan to get in 60 hours during April and care for their children. If some have older children ask the children how they hope to help parent by doing things at home during month. Will some be taking children along in service or will they be arranging for others to take care of the very young? Do they plan to take a lunch? Let some relate the weekly schedule they plan to follow. Discuss paragraph 3. Are there any who work at a secular job who plan to pioneer in April? What will their schedule be? If there are none, discuss with audience how one who works might manage to spend 60 hours in service. Discuss a tentative schedule. Mention that it is still not too late to enroll for auxiliary pioneering in April. Discuss paragraph 4. Are there any school children who plan to be auxiliary pioneers in April? What schedule do they plan to follow? If no school children have enrolled, discuss a tentative schedule that would allow for 60 hours of service by a student. Also mention there are some regular pioneers still in school who pioneer with parent (s).

13 min: Interview exemplary couple in the congregation on how they got the truth. Highlight part that public talks and other congregational meetings played in their progress toward maturity. Song 25 and prayer.

Will You Be an Auxil

• ¹ It is fitting for us to render our “sacrifice of praise” to Jehovah God at every opportunity. (Heb. 13:15; Ps. 44:8) This is especially true during the season when we observe the Memorial of our Lord’s death. (2 Cor. 5:15; 6:1, 2) Can you increase your praise to Jehovah by serving as an auxiliary pioneer in April?

• ² Annually, many brothers and sisters seize the opportunity to auxiliary pioneer in April. This is one way to show special appreciation for what Jehovah God has done for us and what Jesus Christ did and is doing for us. (Ps. 145:1, 11, 21) April is a fine month for spending additional time in field service. Also, in April many of us have time off from secular work and school because of the world’s holidays. In April of 1979, an all-time peak of 51,008, almost ten percent of the Kingdom proclaim-ers in the United States branch, shared in the auxiliary pioneer work. What a grand witness to Jehovah God we would give this year if at least ten percent, over 55,000 of us, are auxiliary pioneers in April!

WHO CAN BE AUXILIARY PIONEERS?

• ³ Ask yourself, “Can I be an auxiliary pioneer?” Surely you have thought about it before. Have you ever shared in this work? No doubt many brothers and sisters in circumstances similar to yours have served as auxiliary pioneers. With Jehovah’s help, perhaps you can do it too.—Phil. 4:13.

• ⁴ The enrollment requirements are not difficult. To qualify, you must be baptized, have good morals and a reputation as an exemplary Christian. You should also have made plans that will enable you to devote 60 or more hours in the field ministry during the month. If you qualify, why not request an application, fill it out and return it to the service committee in your congregation? April is an especially fine time to auxiliary pioneer. Youthful publishers who are still attending school can take advantage of the world’s Easter holiday period to engage in the field ministry. Try it. We are confident that you will find the experience enjoyable and spiritually stimulating.

EXPERIENCES OF AUXILIARY PIONEERS

• ⁵ Can you be an auxiliary pioneer? Will you be one? These are questions for you to answer. However, the experiences of hundreds of thousands who have been auxiliary pioneers strongly indicate that

  iary Pioneer in April?

  many others could auxiliary pioneer sometime during the year.

  • ⁶ A sister in Florida wrote: “I just wanted to express my appreciation for the auxiliary pioneer arrangement. Although working full-time, I was able to enjoy a fine spiritual boost serving as an auxiliary pioneer. I found witnessing from 5-7 p.m. to be very rewarding as I found many people home and I was able to talk with them, even if only briefly at times. Also, I was thrilled to start a Bible study! The brothers were very supportive and I enjoyed working with many different ones during the month. I hope to benefit from this fine provision again.”

  • ⁷ In a number of congregations entire bodies of elders take the lead as auxiliary pioneers at certain times. In California where one body of elders did this, their wives joined them. So did most of the ministerial servants and their wives. When this was announced to the congregation, 26 other publishers also enrolled as auxiliary pioneers for the same month. Can you imagine the joy these 53 brothers and sisters had in the field service and the good results in the territory from this special effort? Their example heightened the congregation’s spirituality, and good effects were felt for many months thereafter.

  • ⁸ Will you be an auxiliary pioneer in April? Prayerfully consider your circumstances. In this connection, heed Paul’s exhortation: “My beloved brothers, become steadfast, unmovable, always having plenty to do in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labor is not in vain in connection with the Lord.”—1 Cor. 15:58.

  
  

The Only Cure for Sick Mankind

• ¹ This is the striking title of the special public talk to be given in all congregations throughout the United States on Sunday, March 28. What an appropriate subject to hear discussed just prior to the celebration of the Lord’s Evening Meal! Yes, the blessings of Kingdom rule all hinge directly on what was accomplished that Friday afternoon, Nisan 14, 33 C.E. God’s name was sanctified and a ransom was provided for all mankind who wish to take advantage of it. On the basis of this loving arrangement God has provided a cure for sick mankind.

• ² Do you not agree that such a provision merits the attention of all? “However, how will they call on him in whom they have not put faith? How, in turn, will they put faith in him of whom they have not heard? How, in turn, will they hear without someone to preach?” Those pointed questions directed to the Christians at Rome should reach our hearts as well and move us to preach. (Rom. 10:14) And as we preach during the month of March let us use every opportunity to inform people about the special public talk on March 28, followed by the Memorial of Christ’s death on April 8.

• ³ Special handbills have been provided for both of these events. You may want to use the one advertising the public talk in your house-to-house ministry both in magazine work and when presenting the regular offer. But when calling on relatives, making return visits, inviting those with whom you study or extending an invitation to others showing special interest, it would be good to present the two handbills together.

• ⁴ The printed invitations can give the necessary information interested ones need but should be presented along with a warm, personal and sincere request that they attend. So imitate the spirit shown by Lydia when she extended an invitation. Acts 16:15 says she spoke “with entreaty!” To entreat means “to make an earnest request; to persuade.” Did Lydia’s persuading get results? Those who responded said: “She just made us come.” As we display a similar spirit during March and April, encouraging honest-hearted persons to assemble with us, just think of the prospect! No doubt thousands will not only hear but will put faith in Him of whom they have heard and will come in line for the only cure for sick mankind.

  PRESENTING THE GOOD NEWS ] THEOCRATIC NEWS ♦ The first Japanese congregation

  
  

As an Auxiliary Pioneer

• ¹ The month of April will provide many of us with a fine opportunity to serve as auxiliary pioneers. As we thus spend more time in service distributing the special magazines, we will be able to acquaint many persons in the territory with the Kingdom message.

• ² Sisters who are housewives may need to make substantial adjustments in their regular schedules. For example, those with children will have to take them and their needs into consideration. The older children might be able to help in making breakfast or caring for other responsibilities around the home, even doing some of the shopping so that mother can have more time for field service. With pre-school children there is often much greater- flexibility. Can they be taken along in service? What about a number of parents taking turns to care for very young children as there may be a need? If automobiles are available for service, could you take along a lunch and eat it in the car to make for better use of time available during the day? Of course, on weekends children out of school can go along in field service.

• ³ Those who must work full-time at a secular job would have to make good use of time before and/or after work in order to be auxiliary pioneers in April. Would your employer grant you some adjustments in your daily work hours? Why not consult with him on this? Also plan full days of service on weekends. Get an early start and try to work until late in the day, having in mind contacting the greatest number of persons.

• ⁴ For those who are going to school there are many possibilities not only before and after the regular school hours, but possibly during some of the time while at school. What about using recess periods and lunch time for witnessing to others? Some may be able to witness while commuting to and from work or riding on the school bus. Others may strike up conversations ’while waiting for public transportation or walking to school. Again, weekends and eve-

TOPIC FOR CONVERSATION

Mankind's Only Solution—God's Kingdom

Matt. 6:10—We pray for it.

Rev. 11:17_t 18—What it will do. nings should be used to the full. Perhaps arrangements can be made with other publishers of school age to work out a schedule and pioneer together in April.

• ⁵ So regardless of your personal circumstances, strive to have a full share in field service. Utilize those times when you can talk to the greatest number of people. Evenings and weekends are fine times to find people at home. During the daytime on weekdays we may approach them also in business areas or on the streets. Our purpose in spending time in field service is to find and talk to people wherever they may be.

• ⁶ Those who have rural territory may find it best to work things out somewhat differently from those who witness in city territory. If you can enroll as an auxiliary pioneer for April, now is, the time to finalize your plans and turn in your application. May Jehovah bless your careful planning.

<C> The first Japanese congregation in eastern United States was recently formed in New York city. The congregation's first report, November, 1981, showed an average of 19 hours, 10 return visits each and 42 home Bible studies, an average of 1.8 per publisher. Twenty-three publishers reported.

Portugal is having its first subscription campaign in 20 years. Even before the campaign had ended more than 10,000 subscriptions had been received. In addition to those received from the publishers, they were being sent in by doctors, engineers, police stations, priests and others.

0 In the war-torn country of El Salvador more than 30,000 persons recently attended district conventions in three major cities. A busload of brothers returning from the San Miguel convention were caught in the fighting and had to flee in the night. Upon returning to the bus in the morning, they found it riddled with bullet holes but none of their possessions had been taken. All proceeded on their homeward trip. A new peak of 9,087 published in November.

A new peak of 103,181 reported field service in Mexico in November. Their 65 “Kingdom Loyalty" District Conventions were attended by 321,469.

Announcements

• Literature offer for March: Any 192-page book with exception of “Kingdom Come’^{2 3 4 5 6 7 8} and Happiness on contribution of 75c. During March try to distribute books that may be overstocked in your congregation. If you need to order supplies from Brooklyn we suggest you request: Is This Life All There Is?, Holy Spirit or Life Does Have a Purpose. April and May: Subscription for The Watchtower on contribution of $3.50 for a one-year subscription. Six-month subscriptions $2,00 each. June and July: “Let Your Kingdom Come" on contribution of 75c.

O Circuit overseer slide talks from previous years may be scheduled by congregations whenever convenient. They may be used during the running of the current series of public meeting talks.

O New Publications Available In U.S.A.:

Watch Tower Publications Index for 1979                  —German

O Out of Stock in U.S.A.:

Question booklet for “Babylon the Great has Fallen!” God’s Kingdom Rules!                  —English

G The presiding overseer or someone appointed by him should audit the congregation accounts on March 1 or as soon as possible thereafter.

DECEMBER SERVICE REPORT

Av     Av Av Av

Pubs. Hrs’.    Mags. R.V. Bl.St.

Sp’l Pios.      445 131.1  92.4 51.3

Pios.       20,459  83.5  60.0 32.6

Aux. Pios.  16,206  58.7  43.3 19.5

Pubs.     538,847   8.3   8.1  3.7

TOTAL 575,957

Newly Dedicated Ones Baptized: 2,521

4

¹

Can We Help . . . ?         (Cont’d)

tunity to feed regularly on the spiritual food provided through these journals. Theirs is often more than a casual interest in spiritual matters. Let us make a special effort to reach such ones and invite them to the special talk on Sunday, March 28, and the Memorial on April 8.

s Week of March 29-April 4: Call on inactive ones and finalize transportation and other necessary arrangements with those who will attend. The secretary can provide names and addresses of any who were active in the past but no longer are. Those who have been assigned by the elders to study with inactive ones can follow the (Continued on page 3, col. 2)

Can We Help . . . ?         (Cont’d)

suggestions given for the week of March 8-14. It is not good to assume that interested persons will be able to get to the meeting. It is better to inquire and offer assistance. Then the interested ones are sure that we are sincere in wanting them to attend.

⁶ The special invitation provided by the Society may be used on all the occasions outlined above. Additionally, it is good to leave an invitation with interested persons we call back on in the territory. It provides a message that will serve as an incentive to attend, giving the time and address of the meeting. If we follow the above suggestions week by week, we may expect that more will be encouraged to attend.

²

Important Day                (Cont’d)

³

day to theocratic pursuits. They start the day with a family consideration of the day’s text, or do it alone if circumstances so dictate. Heartfelt prayer will surely help us to approach the actual evening celebration in the right frame of mind and with deep appreciation.

⁴

(Eph. 6:18) Some may be able to

⁵

take a half day off from secular work, or even the whole day, and share in sacred service along with many others of God’s people who

⁶

make this a special day of worship.

⁷

April is usually a month when tens of thousands share in full-time service. Last April in the United States there were 41,887 auxiliary pioneers and in April of 1980 there were 43,083! This is more than double the average number who auxiliary pioneer other months. With the Memorial again falling in April this year, would it not be a fine way to show our sincere appreciation for the loving provision of Christ’s ransom sacrifice by sharing in full-time service during April? Now is the time to apply.

⁸

As the world around us continues to sink into greater depths of ungodliness, let us show that we are the sort of persons we ought to be “in holy acts of conduct and deeds of godly devotion.” (2 Pet. 3:11) Let us plan now to make the Memorial season a time to show special appreciation for what Jehovah accomplished through the death of his Son.