OUR KINGDOM MINISTRY

¹ When Jesus commissioned his disciples to be witnesses “to the most distant part of the earth,” he had already set the example for them to follow. (Acts 1:8) Whenever and wherever he found people, he talked about God’s purpose for humankind. In imitation of Jesus, the faithful slave class is using a great variety of ways to make Jehovah’s name “known in all the earth.”—Isa. 12:4, 5.

• ² What Was Done in Former Days: In years gone by, sermons were published in newspapers; the “Photo-Drama of Creation” was produced and shown to millions; sound cars were used; and extensive use was made of the phonograph and, for a time, radio—all to preach the good news. Of course, primary emphasis has always been placed on making personal contact with people so that the interest found can be cultivated. Consequently, the house-to-house ministry has proved to be a very effective means of making Jehovah’s name known everywhere.—Acts 5:42.

• ³ What Is Being Done in Our Day: With changing times the world is moving at a hectic pace, and in many places people are seldom found at home. Few are inclined to spend time reading and meditating on spiritual things. We must therefore adapt our ministry accordingly.

In addition to continually covering the territory from house to house, we have been encouraged to be “always ready” to make a defense for the hope within us. (1 Pet. 3:15) This means endeavoring to preach to workmates, to schoolmates, to people on the street and in the park or parking lot, from store to store, and anywhere else that people may be found. Having Jehovah’s backing, our efforts meet with good success. Are you having a share in reaching people wherever they are?

• ⁴ May we individually leave no stone unturned when it comes to making Jehovah’s name known in our territory. We can find great satisfaction in fully accomplishing our ministry, as we look to Jehovah to draw righthearted ones.—John 6:44.

  Will Kou Be There?

  
  

¹A longtime Witness once saidylf you miss the first day of the convention, why, you have just missed too muchl’JWhy did he feel that way? Because the first day is the beginning of a rich spiritual banquet that Jehovah’s organization has prepared for us. [Isa. 25:6T Gur being there right from the start shows that we agree with the psalmist’s sentiments: “I rejoiced when they were saying to me: ‘To the house of Jehovah let ^is go.’ ”—Ps. 122:1.7

² Last year at some of the “God’s Prophetic Word” District Conventions, however, the attendance on Friday ^was substantially less than on Saturday and Sunday. This means that a large percentage of our broth

dizing one’s employment may be tne reason why someM not attend on Friday. However, many Witnesses have found that their employers are willing to cooperate with them in this matter if they ask for time off well in advance. Qne employer was so im-pressedpy a pioneer sister’s firm determination to attend all congregation meetings and assemblies that he spent an entire day at her convention!

• ⁴ You should not assume that your employer is not disposed to vah’s promises, recognizing that* whatever yofi require materially^ will be provided if you keep spiritual needs foremost in your life.

—Matt. 6:33; Heb. 13&-&

• ⁵ The kgy-factpr^is appreciation for “the more important things.” (Phil. 1:10, 11; Ps. 27:4) This moves histOTnake plans to benefit fully from this vital provision from Jehovah. Start making your definite plans now, and be determined that you will be there all three days!

Week Starting January 10

Song 107

•to min: Local announcements. Selected Announcements from Our Kingdom Ministry.

15 min: “Making Jehovah’s Name Known in All the Earth.” Questlon-and-answer discussion. Include comments on informal witnessing from Our Ministry book, pages 93-4.

20 min: Making a Legal Choice for Nonblood Management of Health Care. (Acts 15:28, 29) Talk by a qualified elder, based on question-and-answer guide that accompanies the Society’s health-care durable power of attorney, or proxy, form and the sheet entitled “Information About the Society’s Health-Care Durable Power of Attorney (DPA) Forms,” both dated January 1997. Following this meeting, baptized Witnesses may obtain a new Advance Medical Directive/Release card, and those with unbaptized minor children may receive an Identity Card for each child. These cards are not to be filled out tonight. They should be filled out carefully at home but NOT signed. Signing, witnessing, and dating of all cards will be done after the next Congregation Book Study, with assistance where necessary from the book study conductor. Before signing, be sure that the cards are filled out completely. Those signing as witnesses should actually see the cardholder sign the document. By adapting language from this card to their own circumstances and convictions, unbaptized publishers may write out their own directive to use for themselves and their children. The durable power of attorney, or proxy, form has been prepared by the Society and is a more comprehensive health-care document that provides primary legal protection. Witnesses who have not already filled out this form and who wish to do so can obtain a copy from the congregation secretary. (If a publisher has moved to another state, he would need to execute a new form in order for it to be effective in that state.) Additionally, if a durable power of attorney, or proxy, form has been executed, you should write on the front of the Advance Medical Directive/Release card, preferably in your own hand: “I have also executed a health-care power of attorney.” Book study conductors should be sure that all assigned to their group have the assistance they desire to fill out the Advance Medical Directive/ Release card and durable power of attorney, or proxy, form. For the best possible legal protection, both documents should be filled out.

Song 155 and concluding prayer.

Week Starting January 17

Song 12

10 min: Local announcements. Accounts report.

15 min: Local needs.

20 min: “Use Tracts to Start Conversations.” Review any four tracts commonly used in the territory. Pose a question that is answered in each tract. Invite audience to suggest how the question could be used to start a conversation and possibly lead into a Bible study. Demonstrate how this might be done with two of the tracts. Song 57 and concluding prayer.

Week Starting January 24

Song 110

10 min: Local announcements and field service experiences.

15 min: “Give Consideration to Jehovah’s Word Every Day!” Talk and audience discussion. Encourage everyone to make good use of Examining the Scriptures Daily—2000. Include comments from the foreword, pages 3-4. Invite publishers to relate how they make a special effort to consider the text and comments each day.

20 min: “Will You Be There?” Talk and experiences, conducted by an elder. Large gatherings have played a major role in strengthening God’s people from Bible times to our day. (See Proclaimers book, page 254, paragraphs 1-3, and Insight, Volume 1, page 821, paragraph 5.) Encourage all to start making preparations now to attend all three days of this year’s district convention. Invite audience to relate experiences showing that their diligent efforts to be present in the past were rewarded spiritually.

Song 157 and concluding prayer.

Song 16

12 min: Local announcements. Remind all to turn in field service reports for January. Mention the literature offer for February: Family Happiness book. Demonstrate how the three questions in the box on page 12 of the book can be used as a basis for engaging someone in conversation.

15 min: The Answer to a Question About ‘Marking.’ Talk by an elder, based on July 15, 1999, Watchtower, pages 29-31.

18 min: How to Help Others Identify the True Religion. Discussion between a qualified ministerial servant and two or three capable publishers about how people may be impressed by Jehovah’s Witnesses but do not understand clearly the difference between other religions and ours. Review the ten points covered on page 20 of the May 8, 1995, Awake! Explain how knowing these factors can help a sincere person see both the distinction between true and false worship and the need to learn from Jehovah’s people and associate with us.

Song 60 and concluding prayer.

Week Starting February 7

Song 113

8 min: Local announcements.

17 min: Review Daniel’s Prophecy Book. Talk and audience discussion. Review highlights of the new book: striking chapter titles, vivid illustrations, boxes with probing questions at the end of each discussion, maps and charts that clarify details. Consider the encouraging explanation of how Michael will “stand up” in a special way (pages 288-90). Discuss the importance of our enduring as teachers of God’s Word (pages 311-12). All of us should read the book carefully and urge interested ones to do the same.

20 min: They Made a Wise Choice. Talk based on October 15, 1997, Watchtower, pages 19-21, paragraphs 3-16. Relate expressions of pioneers, showing why they feel that their lives have been spent in the most rewarding, beneficial way. Encourage all in attendance to evaluate their own prospects for pioneering.

Song 182 and concluding prayer.

Announcements

■ Literature offer for January: Any 192-page book published prior to 1986 that the congregation may have in stock. Congregations that do not have a supply of such books may offer Life—How Did It Get Here? By Evolution or by Creation? or You Can Live Forever in Paradise on Earth. February: The Secret of Family Happiness. March: Knowledge That Leads to Everlasting Life. A special effort will be made to start home Bible studies. April: Individual copies of The Watchtower and Awake! Have Require brochure available for interested people, and endeavor to start home Bible studies.

■ All baptized publishers present at the Service Meeting the week of January 10 may obtain the Advance Medical Directive/Release card and the Identity Card for their children.

■ Starting in February, and no later than March 5, the new public talk for circuit overseers will be “The Real Armageddon—Why? When?”

■ Congregations should make convenient arrangements to celebrate the Memorial this year on Wednesday, April 19, after sundown. Although the talk may start earlier, the passing of the Memorial emblems should not begin until after sundown. Check with local sources to determine when sundown occurs in your area. Although it is desirable for each congregation to hold its own Memorial celebration, this may not always be possible. Where a number of congregations normally use the same Kingdom Hall, perhaps one or more congregations can obtain the use of another facility for that evening. Where possible, we would suggest a minimum of 40 minutes between programs so that all may benefit fully from the occasion, allowing time to greet visitors and encourage newly interested ones. Consideration should also be given to traffic conditions and parking, including the dropping off and picking up of passengers. The body of elders should decide what arrangements would be best locally.

■ The special public talk for the 2000 Memorial season will be given on Sunday, April 16. The subject of the talk will be “Why Mankind Needs a Ransom.” An outline will be provided. Those congregations having the visit of the circuit overseer, a circuit assembly, or a special assembly day that weekend will have the special talk the following week. No congregation should have the special talk before April 16, 2000.

OCTOBER SERVICE REPORT

Av. Av. Av Av Number of:             Hrs. Mags. R.V. Bi.St.

Sp’IPiOS. 140 121.2 105.5 51.4 4.1

Pios.    94,064 67.4 51.4 21.1 1.6

Aux. Pios. 30,722 50.4 42.2 13.4 0.8

Pubs   808,705   9.4   8.7 3.5 O.3

TOTAL 933,631          Baptized: 2,221

This month brought a new peak in regular pioneers! The total of 94,064 regular pioneers reporting is an increase of 3,109, or more than 3 percent over the previous peak of 90,955 in September 1999.

• ¹ Each day presents new challenges to your faith. Perhaps a worldly acquaintance keeps pressuring you to go out on a date. Your teacher wants you to pursue a secular career, or your employer wants you to work longer hours. Your physical health may be declining. Although such trials may confront you at any time, you are not alone. Jehovah is ready to give you the wisdom needed to cope with them. Considering the Bible text and comments in Examining the Scriptures is one means by which you can take in Jehovah’s Word on a regular basis. Do you take advantage of this provision?

• ² Help Is Available: Isaiah 30:20 describes Jehovah as the “Grand Instructor” to whom God’s people can look for help. He supplies you with just what you need to face challenges to your faith. How? The next verse explains: “Your own ears will hear a word behind you saying: ‘This is the way. Walk in it.’” Today, Jehovah sends out his “word” through the Scriptures and the publications of ‘the faithful slave.’ (Matt. 24: 45) There is a wealth of wisdom in past Watchtower articles alone, touching on virtually every aspect of Christian living. Reviewing the ones that are quoted in Examining the Scriptures helps you build a storehouse of knowledge that is invaluable in dealing with trials of all sorts.—Isa. 48:17.

• ³ Make Room for It: Even though mornings were a busy time, one mother made it a point to read and discuss the text and comments with her son while he ate breakfast. These words along with prayer were the last words that he heard each morning before leaving for school. They fortified him to resist sexual advances, to take an uncompromising stand in the face of nationalism, and to give a courageous witness to students and teachers alike. Although he was the only Witness at school, he never felt alone.

• ⁴ Look to Jehovah and his Word for direction and guidance. If you do so, he will be real to you, like a trusted friend. Turn to him every day! Along with millions of others the world over who daily consult God’s Word, may you find that your eyes become “eyes seeing your Grand Instructor.”

Use Tracts to Start Conversations

• ¹ Would you not agree that giving an effective witness depends largely on your taking the initiative to start conversations? The challenge is to say something that captures the person’s interest and gets him involved. But how can this be done effectively?

• ² Many publishers have found that with a few well-chosen words, offering one of our Bible-based tracts can start conversations. The titles are appealing, and the illustrations are colorful and eyecatching. A tract does not overwhelm a person, giving the impression that there is a lot of information to read. Still, the concise messages in tracts are absorbing and can be used to lead into a Bible study.

• ³ This is how one Witness personally felt: “In this hurry-up world, people often do not want to take much time to read, but the tracts are just long enough to give an important message but not so long as to turn people away before they even look at it. I read many of the tracts, and I eventually learned the truth.” Never underestimate the power of God’s Word as explained in these brief, printed messages. —Heb. 4:12.

• ⁴ Four Easy Steps: Many have enjoyed success by using a simple approach. (1) Show a person a few of the tracts and ask him which one would be of interest to him. (2) After the person chooses one, ask a well-prepared question that highlights a main point in the tract. (3) In answer to the question, read an appropriate paragraph or scripture from the tract. (4) If you get a favorable response, continue discussing the contents of the tract or refer to a lesson in the Require brochure or a chapter in the Knowledge book that provides further comments. In this way you may be able to lead right into a Bible study. The following suggestions will help you prepare what to say using four of the tracts.

• ⁵ The title of the tract “Who Really Rules the World?” might he posed as a question.

■ If in answer to it the person with whom you are talking says “God” or “I don’t know,” read the opening two sentences on page 2 and the first paragraph on page 3. Highlight 1 John 5:19 and Revelation 12:9. Whether or not the person doubts the existence of Satan the Devil or acknowledges his hold on the world, you can pursue the line of reasoning found under the subheading “A Clue From World Conditions” to continue the conversation. If interest is shown, offer to explain where the Devil came from, using the points on pages 3 and 4 of the tract.

• ⁶ The tract “What Hope for Dead Loved Ones?” may arouse immediate interest. You might initiate a conversation by asking:

■ “Do you think we will ever see our dead loved ones again?” After the person responds, point to the second paragraph on page 4 of the tract and read John 5:28, 29. Then explain that it helps to understand the information under the first subheading in the tract. Offer to discuss it together.

• ⁷ The “Enjoy Family Life” tract has universal appeal for families. Using it, you could say:

■ “You would probably agree that the family is under attack today. What do you think can be done to strengthen family ties?” After the person responds, direct his attention to the points in the first paragraph on page 6. Pick one of the scriptures quoted on pages 4 and 5 of the tract, and explain what it means. Then offer a free home Bible study.

• ⁸ The tract “Why You Can Trust the Bible” might be used with this presentation: ■ “Most people have heard the story of Cain and Abel, which is found in the first book of the Bible. The account in Genesis also refers to Cain’s wife. Have you ever wondered where she came from?” Use the last paragraph on page 2 of the tract to give the answer. Explain that the tract also discusses the Bible’s important comments about what our future holds. Beginning with the third paragraph on page 5, proceed with the discussion, using the supporting scriptures.

• ⁹ Distributing Bible tracts is a time-tested, effective means of presenting the good news. Because they are easy to carry wherever you go, you can use them effectively in your door-to-door activity and when witnessing informally. Tracts play an important role in fulfilling our ministry. Be sure to carry a variety, and use them liberally to start conversations.—Col. 4:17.

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