OUR KINGDOM MINISTRY

MARCH 1987

Vol. 30. No. 3

FOR UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

Meetings for Field Service

MARCH 2-8

Offering the Live Forever book

• 1. What points will you emphasize in the Topic for Conversation?

• 2. What points will you feature in the Live Forever book?

MARCH 9-15

Use of Doing God’s Will brochure

• 1. What subjects have you found especially helpful on Bible studies?

• 2. How can the material help you in informal witnessing?

MARCH 16-22

Knowing your magazines

• 1. What points did you enjoy in the current issues?

• 2. What specific talking points could interest the householder?

• 3. Demonstrate 30- to 60-second presentation.

MARCH 23-29

Using the Reasoning book

• 1. Which introductions (pp. 9-15) have you found to be effective?

• 2. Which points from "Conversation Stoppers" (pp. 15-24) have you used effectively?

TOPIC FOR CONVERSATION

Peace on Earth a Sure Promise! Ps. 46:8, 9—Only God can end war.

Ps. 72:7—Assurance of unending peace.

• ¹ Jesus is our model in declaring our Kingdom hope. He said/“I have spoken to the world publicly. Yalways taught in a synagogue and in the temple, where all the Jews come togeth-. er; and I spoke nothing in secret.”¹ (Jqhn _lgj2P) How can we imitate

• ² Like Jesus, we want to take advantage of every appropriate occasion to talk to people about the kingdom and about our hope for the future. Paul urgedV’Let us hold fast the public declaration of our hope without wavering.”;(Heb. 10:23) We do this because we want people to knew about the goodness of Jehovah, who gives us our hope. We also do this because we want people to gain salyaii2ⁿ-—Rom. 10:13,14.

• ³ The month of March brings us into the 1987 Memorial season, a time of increased theocratic activities for all of Jehovah’s Witnesses. Many will be auxiliary pioneering. In addition to our regular public ministry offering the Live Forever book and starting home Bible studies, we will have in mind inviting people to hear the special public talk on the subject(2‘What Is Your Relationship With GodT’^jhat will be given in most congregations on March 29, Also, there will be much to do in getting ready for the Memorial celebration on April 12.

  Preparation for a Special Occasion

  • ¹ “Keep doing this in remembrance of me.” (Luke 22:19) Those words are of special significance to Jehovah’s Witnesses. They were spoken by Jesus to his disciples when instituting the Lord’s Evening Meal. This occasion is properly celebrated every year on Nisan 14. In 1987 the Memorial of Christ’s death falls on Sunday, April 12. Are you making plans to be there?

  PREPARATION NEEDED BY ALL

  • ² Planning is necessary if we are to derive full benefit from this most sacred day. What plans should we make? First, we have to prepare ourselves mentallvfAn excellent aid in this is the special Bible reading for April 7-12, as noted on the 1987 calendar of Jehovah’s Witnesses. All are urged to follow the reading schedule closely, taking time to meditate on these passages of Scripture. Doing so will help prepare our minds and hearts for this specjal occasion.

  • ³ Plan to arrive: at the Kingdom Hall sufficiently in advance of the scheduled time of the meeting. This will enable you to welcome new ones. Last year the United States branch reported nearly one million more people present at the Memorial than

  
  

EFFECT OF LIVE FOREVER BOOK

¹ The Live Forever book is one of the flnest books we have ever had to help people understand the Riblp It provides help for effectively declaring our hope, and we should be enthused about using it during March. Thus far 30 million copies have been printed in 71 languages. How many will we be able to place with interested ones? It may help us if we thoughtfully make a list of the opportunities to place this fine publication.

⁵ Ho.use^tn-hniise-work will no doubt be the main way we offer Live Forever books. Can you schedule more time during the month to share in this work? Our success in placing the Live Forever book may be determined to a great extent bv our effectiveness in using the, giirrani. Tnp-1C for Conversation/and^tying this theme, in with the P0ok.~ is there something you can do to improve in this regard? Some will be able to have family practice sessions. What can those who conduct meetings for field service do to assist? Romans 12:8 urges such ones to preside “in real earnest,"

(Continued on page 2, col. 1} there were out in the field ministry on an average each month of the 1986 service year. We may have many more in attendance this year, since the Memorial will be on a Sunday. Planning to be at the meeting early to~grggt new ones and others who do not attend meetings regularly may be just what is needed to prompt their further advancement.

• ⁴ A special day of field service activity should be planned for that Sunday. Why not make plans NOW^to spend time in the ministry? Many will be auxiliary pioneering in April, and this should provide for a greater witness on Uiis special day. Make return visits, on'former Bible students, sub-’* scribers' and others who may come"if f' you remind them. If some Bible students or other interested people will need transportation or someone to accompany them, To what you can to help. Plan to arrive early.

WHAT ELDERS SHOULD PLAN

• ⁵ The body of elders will want to give attention to the many details of advance preparation. What ’do these include? Note the list in the box on page 3.

(Continued on page 3, col. 1)

Meetings to Help Us Make Disciples

WEEK STARTING MARCH 1

Song 151

10 min: Appropriate Announcements from Our Kingdom Ministry and local announcements. Suggest points from the Live Forever book that can be used in field service this weekend. Show how these can be tied in with the Topic for Conversation. Congregations that have a supply of the tract A United, Happy Family —What Is the Key? will use these in the field during March.

20 min: “Publicly Declaring Our Hope.” Discussion with audience participation. Emphasize importance of starting studies in Live Forever book. Interview someone in congregation whose interest was first aroused by study in Live Forever book. Mention what in book kindled the interest.

15 min: “Can You Auxiliary Pioneer?” Talk. Encourage all to give prayerful consideration to being an auxiliary pioneer. Give special encouragement to do so in April. Mention May and August as months that have five full weekends, and encourage all to determine if they could share one or more times in auxiliary pioneering this year.

Song 6 and concluding prayer.

WEEK STARTING MARCH 8

Song 191

10 min: Local announcements. Give accounts report. Call attention to any contribution congregation gave to Society Kingdom Hall Fund and express Society’s thanks for all such contributions that enable congregations in need to build Kingdom Halls. (If other contributions have been acknowledged on a Society statement, mention these too.) Outline field service arrangements, putting special emphasis on this Saturday’s magazine activity.

Declaring                   (Cont’d'i

• ⁶ In what other circumstances might we place the Live Forever book? One truck driver offered the book to people he came in contact with during his travels. His presentation was simple. He showed people the book and explained that he had learned many wonderful tmngs trom if and that what he learned had actually changed his life. During a threemonth period, he placed 200 Live Forever books through this informal method. A brother who worked at an airport placed 120 books simply bv leaving a copy on his desk open to the

20 min: “Presenting the Good News —By Using Features of the Reasoning Book." Questions and answers. In connection with paragraph 4, have a publisher demonstrate how to use the feature “If Someone Says—.”

15 min: “Do You Have an Inquiring Mind?” Talk on article in February 1, 1987, issue of The Watchtower. Make local application of points in accord with needs of congregation.

Song 42 and concluding prayer.

WEEK STARTING MARCH 15

Song 166 C Z?

12 min: Local announcements. Encourage weekend activity offering Live Forever book. A selected recent brief experience placing the Live Forever book may be used. Remind brothers to invite all interested people to hear the special public talk “What Is Your Relationship With God?” to be given in most congregations on March 29. If the talk is to be given at a later date, make appropriate comments regarding local arrangements.

20 min: “Directing Interest to the Organization.” Discussion with audience participation and demonstrations. One publisher can use the first point in paragraph 4 after the study. Then the same publisher can demonstrate the second example in paragraph 4.

13 min: Local needs. Unless there is a more pressing need, develop need in the field service called to congregation’s attention by circuit overseer during last visit.

Song 113 and concluding prayer.

/WEEK STARTING MARCH 22 %£gl05

10 min: Local announcements and Theocratic News. Have a demonstration of a magazine presentation that illustration on pages 12 and 13. People who saw it took the initiative to ask for copies. What can you do to use the Live Forever book in publicly declaring your hope at work, in school, in your travels, or elsewhere?

BIBLE STUDIES IN LIVE FOREVER BOOK

⁷ One publisher who started three home~Bible Studies by following through on Live Forever book placements wrote the Society:(^1 cannot say ‘Thank you’ enough for making Bible studies easy to conduct as well as covering every essential aspect needed by the student for gaining a lasting and heartfelt appreciation for can be used in magazine work this Saturday. Encourage all to arrange to participate in field service this weekend.

20 min: “Preparation for a Special Occasion.” Talk by presiding overseer. Announce time of Memorial and review local arrangements. Mention last year’s attendance and whom especially we might invite in the days remaining.                       —

15 min: Invite People to the Memori-xJ al Celebration. Service overseer to arrange demonstrations of how to invite people to Memorial. Have one publisher demonstrate inviting current Bible student who has not attended before. Stress importance we put on Memorial of Christ's death. Describe how the meeting is conducted, especially explaining that few, if any, partake of the emblems, stating this will be one of the main points explained by the speaker. Have another publisher demonstrate how to invite a close relative to the Memorial. Both demonstrations should use the invitations printed by the Society for this purpose. Service overseer should conclude by stressing that attendance at the Memorial has been just the spiritual uplift some have needed to make progress or to start having a Bible study. All should keep in mind that lives are involved.

—1 Tim. 4:16.

Song 205 and concluding prayer.

Schedule for congregation studies in the brochure “Look! I Am Making All Things New”:

March 1: Paragraphs 20 to 31

March 8: Paragraphs 32 to 41

March 15: Paragraphs 42 to 50

March 22: Paragraphs 51 to 58 and

12 Review Questions

Jehovah and his organization."J It is encouraging to note that our Bible studies in the United States have increased from a monthly average of 344,493 in 1982, the year we received the Live Forever book, to an average of 486,426 each month during the 1986 service year. This is an irv crease of 41 nercent! •

⁸ So let each of us pray for Jehovah’s help so that we can seize every appropriate opportunity to declare our hope publicly. Seek wavs to use the Live Forever book to assist others to take steps to share with us in publicly praising our God. Jehovah । will bless our efforts.

Announcemen ts

• Literature offer for March: You Can Live Forever in Paradise on Earth for a contribution of $2.50. Small-size edition is $1.25. April and May: Watchtower subscription for one year for a contribution of $4.00. Awake! subscription may be offered on same basis. If subscription is not taken, offer two magazines and a brochure for 70e. June: Any combination of five 32-page booklets for 25c. With a view to starting home Bible studies, one of the following booklets should be included in the combination: A Secure Future—How You Can Find It, Is There a God Who Cares!, There Is Much More to Life!, or another booklet appropriate to the territory. Congregations may request credit for booklets placed with publishers for use in this special offer. When the congregation’s supply of booklets runs out, publishers may offer any literature on hand for the regular contribution.

• The presiding overseer or someone assigned by him should audit the congregation accounts on March 1 or as soon as possible thereafter?”" ""

• If a divorce suit is filed against a Kingdom publisher, court decisions and materials on the right of Jehovah’s Witnesses to have custody of their children may be obtained on request from the Society's Legal Department. Upon receiving this information, you may wish to reimburse the Society for mailing charges. The decisions and materials should be given to one’s attorney before the case goes to court so that he may prepare to meet any issues that might arise. (Prov. 22:3) Please do not request this information unless a child-custody dispute is involved.

• The following is a correction of a district convention address listed in The Watchtower of February 1, 1987: DAYTONA BEACH, FLORIDA, Ocean Center, 101 N. Atlantic Ave.

• New Publications Available:

Sing Praises to Jehovah (Large size;

United in Worship of the Only True God —Fijian You Can Live Forever in Paradise on Earth (Large size)   —Vietnamese

• ¹ Your own experience in the truth has no doubt made you aware of how much we need rhe nnngrpgat ion for our proper spiritual growth and stability in the faith. (Heb. 10:24, 25) So it follows that you should be deeply concerned with imparting to your Bible students not only a clear understanding of doctrinal mattersfbuValso a similar deep appreciation Tor the organization Jehovah is using. (Luke 6:40) Our new brochure Jehovah’s Witnesses—Unitedly Doing God’s Will Worldwide can assist you in this.

• ² People who are studying need to appreciate that the structiire(g'nS) methodsused by Jehovah’s organization are rooted in the Scriptures. In order to progress, they must also see that they are gaining insight into Jehovah’s ways, as reflected by his organization. (and not just getting acquainted with another religion.

USE OF NEW BROCHURE

• ³ Early in the study arrangement, the student should pe provided with a copy of the Doing God’s Will brochure and be informed in advance as to what sections will be reviewed as part of his weekly lesson. Thus he can prepare for the study. As you prepare, give thought to the student’s former nr current religious affiliation so you can better show the contrast with Jehovah’s Bible-based organization. Oftentimes a lesson in contrast will help make the distinction in the student’s mind. Look up key cited texts, and use the review questions appearing at the end of most of the 15 sections of the brochure. In this way you will help the individual gain a clearer view of Jehovah’s organization.

"¹ As an example, in covering the section “Congregations for Building Up in Love and Unity," you might asK the student how the religious leaders of his church are put in office and viewed. Iheh YOU t'UUld pfddeed-W examine Scripturally how this contrasts with what is seerv^nd done in Jehovah’s organization. The same approach could be taken in covering the section on how the work is financed, beginning on page 28. This will help the student appreciate Jehovah’s way and motivate him to respond favorably.

• ⁵ Keep in mind also that you do not. have to coyer all the material in any given section on just one studv but, depending on its length, may spread it over several studies. Only five or ten minutes need be taken aiter each study, using the review questions pertinent to the portion of the material covered, as these highlight the main points.

• ⁶ Call attention to the pictures and illustrations that serve to impress the thoughts' of the text on the mind of the student. Many of the pictures portray the jntprnatinnnl sr-npn of .Teho-vah's organization and the unity that exists among God’s people, without regard for race, social background, or nationality. Only such an organization can truly fulfill the commission Jesus gave to preach the good news worldwide.—Matt. 24:14.

hovah’s organization and Satan’s. Their lives are involved. (Acts 26:18) We can help them make the right choice by fully utilizing the fine instruments Jehovah has given us to direct interest to his organization. We should plan on doing this at each Bible study. They can thus “pursue righteousness, faith, love, peace, along with those who call upon the Lord out of a clean heart.”—2 Tim. 2:22.

THINGS TO PREPARE (See w85 2/15 p. 19)

• 1. Has the speaker been informed of the exact time and place of the celebration? Does he have transportation? 7 . :

• 2. Who will provide the emblems?

• 3. Have arrangements been made for someone to bring ' ’ a clean tablecloth and the required number of glasses and '/’ plates?

• 4. What arrangements have been made to clean the Y./> hall?

• 5. Who will meet with the attendants and servers be-Jf, fore the Memorial to go over their duties? When? What will J r. be the procedures to ensure that the audience, speaker.

  and servers are served efficiently?

  • 6. What announcements will be made regarding the time(s) and location(s) of the meeting(s) for field service on the day of the Memorial?

  • 7. Are arrangements complete to help older and infirm brothers and sisters? Are arrangements made to serve any of the anointed who may be confined and unable to attend?

  
  

  <?

  
  

  IPRESENTING THE GOOD NEWS X_____________________________________________________________________

  
  

By Using Features of the Reasoning Book

• ¹ The June 1, 1985, Watchtower promised that the “Integrity Keepers” Convention would provide “what will prove to be long-lasting assistance to reason with others from the Scriptures.” That promise was fulfilled in a grand way with the release of the book Reasoning From the Scriptures. Now that nearly two years have passed, have we become more familiar with the book’s outstanding features? Are we taking it with us in the field service, using it at every opportunity, and training newer and less experienced ones to use it?

• ² To increase our effectiveness in using this fine publication, it will be beneficial to review some of the features of the book and consider how they can be used. Please note the section “How to Use Reasoning From the Scriptures" (p. 7). The first three paragraphs contain motivating material that reminds us to reason with people who have sincere questions or those who are willing to listen to a different point of view. (Acts 17:2, 3) The remaining paragraphs in this section provide a helpful step-by-step outline of how to use the book to the greatest advantage.

HANDLING OBJECTIONS

• ³ For example, suppose the householder makes the observation, “I believe there is good in all religions.” Rather than using a thought or scripture that you have used in the past, often you will find it more tactful and more effective if you tell the householder that you would like to show him something interesting that you have on the subject. Draw the Reasoning book out of your briefcase and open it to the main heading “Religion” on page 322. As you quickly scan the boldfaced questions, you will notice the question on page 323, “Is it true that there is good in all religions?” as the one closely related to the householder’s observation. You could read some of the comments directly from the book.

• ⁴ You could also have turned first to the end of the subject “Religion” (p. 330). There you will find the valuable feature “If Someone Says—.” The comment on page 331, “All religions are good; you have yours, and I have mine,” is closely related to what your householder has said. Then you could read appropriate points under this statement.

• ⁵ The Reasoning book may also help you learn to initiate conversations. Each week before you go into field service, try to review one or two points from the section “Introductions for Use in the Field Ministry” (p. 9). Use a variety of these introductions in the field service. Vary them according to the Topic for Conversation and the territory to be worked. In a short time you may find that you are more versatile and effective in starting conversations.

• ⁶ Have you ever felt ill at ease when a householder used a scripture and misapplied it? Remember, the Reasoning book might help with its feature on page 445, “Scriptures Often Misapplied.” There page references are given for enlightening comments on 85 of the most commonly misapplied passages.

■ ² When those with whom we study ask Bible questions, we can help them find the answers with the aid of the Reasoning book. So if we place a copy of this book with each one, we can help equip them to answer many of their own questions, as well as questions that friends and relatives may ask them. We thank Jehovah for this beautiful treasure that can have such a tremendous impact on our activity in the field ministry. May we use it to the full to praise his glorious name.—Ps. 66: 2, 8.

• ¹ Organized to Accomplish Our Ministry, page 114, states ^“Whatever your personal circumstances, if you are baptized, are of good moral standing, can arrange to meet the requirement expending 60 hours a month in the field ministry and believe you could serve one or more months as an auxiliary pioneer, the congregation elders will be pleased to consider your application for this privilege of service./ So the auxiliary pioneer service is within the reach of most baptized publishers at some time during the year. Can you make room for this privilege?

• ² Do not be quick to rule out the possibility of vour serving. Old. and young—some with good health and others with poor health—have joyfully shared in the auxiliary pioneer work for one or more months. It takes sacrifice and exertion, but thfe blessings to be received make it worth while.—Luke 13:24; 1 Cor. 9:16.

THEOCRATIC NEWS

♦ Austria reached a new all-time peak this service year with 16,569 publishers in October. New peaks of 8,719 Bible studies and 607 regular pioneers were also reported.

♦ Burkina Faso reported a new peak of 325 total publishers for October. They are conducting 651 Bible studies, which averages out to two Bible studies per publisher.

♦ Colombia had new peaks of 29,786 publishers and 47,652 Bible studies during October. Congregation publishers averaged 12.6 hours in the field service.

♦ Kenya's new publisher peak for October was 3,900.

♦ The island of Saipan is happy to report a new peak of 43 publishers, a 34-percent increase over last year's average.

♦ Tanzania reported a new peak of 2,515 publishers for October. During that month over 17 percent of the publishers were pioneering.

♦ Uruguay reports their first peak of publishers this service year with 5,949 In October. Congregation publishers averaged 12.6 hours in the field service.

DECEMBER SERVICE REPORT

Av Av Av Av.

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

Sp’IPIos.     279 129.4  86.2 54.8

Pios.      52,244  82.2  40.0 28.9

Aux. Pios.  28,114  58.9  28.6 17.3

Pubs.    645,309   9.5   6.6   3.7

TOTAL  725,946

Newly Dedicated Ones Baptized: 2,962 ^{3 1 4 5 6}

4

¹

To apply, you can request an application from the presiding overseer of your congregation. This should be done well in advance of the time you wish to serve. If the Congregation

²

The Memorial is a special occasion for all of us. It is a time to recount the love Jehovah showed for us by sending his Soh'to die as a ransom sacrifice, giving us the opportunity to come into a righteous standing with Jehovah. (John 3:16) We would not wantjto allow any activity either before or after the Memorial celebration to detract from this sacred occasion.

³

It is helpful to outline a practical schedule that fits your circumstances and allows you to average at least two hours in service each day. Be sure to take the matter to Jehovah in prayer, and do not hesitate to invite others to work along with you. All of this will help you to meet the 60-hour requirement.

⁴

Service Committee approves your application, your appointment will be

⁵

announced to the congregation. This will alert others to the opportunity of working with you as their circum

⁶

stances permit, and your example can encourage them We heartilyTn-vite you to join the many that share regularly in the auxiliary pioneer work.