Our Kingdom Ministry

'It is the most important work going on in the world at this time. Jehovah God, Jesus Christ, and myriads of angels have fixed their attention on it. What is it, and why is it essential? It is Kingdom preaching, and it helps save lives!—Rom. 1: 16; 10:13,14.

• ² Some people may feel that we could better serve others if we got involved in trying to improve the world around us. Many are consumed with efforts to attain peace, cure diseases, or improve the economy. But what will help people the most?

• ³ An Excelling Work: The Kingdom message alone explains the purpose of life, the cause of human suffering, and the only reliable hope for the future. The good news enables people to become friends of Jehovah and thus receive “the peace of God that excels all thought.” (Phil. 4:7) Only the Kingdom message provides practical guidance to help people to cope with life’s problems now and explains how to be preserved alive when the wicked world is destroyed in the future. (1 John 2:17) Is that not worth all the effort we can put into Kingdom preaching?

• ⁴ To illustrate: What would be the best way to help a sleeping village that is imperiled by a dam that will soon burst? Bailing water from behind the weakening dam? Beautifying the doomed village? No! The villagers must be awakened, warned of the impending disaster, and helped to escape! Those who are spiritually asleep today are in grave danger. (Luke 21:34-36) Since this system of things will be passing away soon, let us endeavor to preach with utmost urgency to all we can!—2 Tim. 4:2; 2 Pet. 3:11,12.

• ⁵ Stick With It: Let us look for ways to reach even more people who are sincere with the good news—at their homes, on the street, over the telephone, and informally. The work Jehovah has given us to do is the most important work we could possibly do. If we carry it out zealously, we ‘will save both ourselves and those who listen to us.’—1 Tim. 4:16.

  An Enthusiastic Response!

  
  

• ¹ Christian families everywhere have expressed their enthusiastic appreciation for the video Young People Ask—How Can I Make Real Friends? A father in the United States said that after viewing it his sons sat silently—they could relate to everything in the video! A report from Malawi says that young brothers and sisters there could also relate to it because they experience the same pressures from their peers at school. A father in Germany said of the video: “I consider it an answer to my prayers.” A youth said: “Thank you for reminding me that Jehovah does care about me.” An elder in New Zealand reported: “It helped one of our teenagers get back on the road to life.” A married adult watched it and said: “How I wish every young person in the truth would see this video and be moved to make the truth his own!” Families, why not watch it again? Afterward, discuss together the following questions.

• ² Introduction: What is a true friend?—Prov. 18:24.

• ³ Roadblocks to Friendship: How can you overcome the feeling of being left out? (Phil. 2:4) Why must you be willing to improve your personality, and who can help you to do that? What will open up opportunities to make more friends, and where can they be found?—2 Cor. 6:13.

• ⁴ Friendship With God: How can you develop a relationship with Jehovah, and why is it worth the effort? (Ps. 34:8) Who can best strengthen your friendship with God?

• ⁵ The Wrong Kind of Friends: Who are bad associates? (1 Cor. 15:33) How can the wrong friends lead one into spiritual ruin? What does the Bible account about Dinah teach you?—Gen. 34:1, 2, 7,19.

• ⁶ A Modern-Day Drama: How did loneliness affect Tara? How did she justify her association with worldly youths? To what dangers did they expose her? Why did her parents fail to see the danger she was in, but with what attitude did they help her to recover spiritually? How did a pioneer sister prove to be a real friend to Tara? Why must Christians heed Proverbs 13:20 and Jeremiah 17:9? What important lesson did Tara learn?

• ⁷ Conclusion: What lessons have you learned from this video? How can you use it to help others?—Ps. 71:17.

  Service Meeting Schedule

  
  

  Week Starting April 8

  Song 39

  13 min: Local announcements. Selected Announcements from Our Kingdom Ministry. Encourage everyone to view the video Young People Ask—How Can 1 Make Real Friends? in preparation for the discussion at the Service Meeting the week of April 22. Using the suggestions on page 8, have two separate demonstrations of how to present the April 15 Watchtower and the April 22 Awake! In each case, show a different way to handle the conversation stopper “I have my own religion.”—See Reasoning book, pages 18-19.

  12 min: Local needs.

  20 min: “Work What Is Good Toward All.”¹ After the question-and-answer discussion, interview one or two publishers who tell how they are expanding their ministry.

  Song 157 and concluding prayer.

  Week Starting April 15

  Song 101

  10 min: Local announcements. Accounts report.

  15 min: Pioneers Keep Assisting Others. Service overseer holds a panel discussion with a Congregation Book Study overseer, a pioneer, and a publisher. The service overseer reviews the Pioneers Assist Others program as outlined in the September 1998 Our Kingdom Ministry, page 4. Then he discusses with each one on the panel his or her role in the program and how it is serving its purpose. What has been done to make it a success? The service overseer invites all publishers to let him know if they want to receive assistance in the ministry. Those who were assisted in the past may be included again to receive further help in another feature of the ministry.

  20 min: “The Joys of Full-Time Service.”¹ Encourage youths to apply for auxiliary pioneering through the spring and summer months.

  Song 199 and concluding prayer.

  Week Starting April 22

  Song 90

  10 min: Local announcements.

  
  

ing the suggestions on page 8, have a ministerial servant demonstrate how to present the May 1 Watchtower and have a sister show how to present the May 8 Awake! After each demonstration, restate the opening sentence or two that was used to arouse the householder’s interest.

10 min: Be on Time! A talk. Activities associated with our worship and service are important affairs, calling for “an appointed time.” (Eccl. 3:1) We want to derive the fullest benefit from theocratic provisions. Congregation meetings and meetings for service should begin promptly at the designated times. Jehovah is never late in carrying out his activities. (Hab. 2:3) Do we need to improve in this regard? Occasionally, individuals may be unavoidably delayed. But with good organization, we need not be habitually late, arriving after the opening song and prayer of a meeting or after field service arrangements have already been made. Discuss practical ways to cultivate better habits that will ensure our being prompt for all spiritual activities—See June 15, 1990, Watchtower, page 29.

25 min: “An Enthusiastic Response!”¹ In paragraph 1, allow the congregation to add some brief expressions about the video Young People Ask—How Can I Make Real Friends? Then get right into an audience discussion of each question presented in paragraphs 2-7. In June we will review the video Our Whole Association of Brothers.

Song 191 and concluding prayer.

Week Starting April 29

Song 162

10 min: Local announcements. Remind publishers to turn in field service reports for April.

15 min: “Kingdom Preaching Helps Save Lives!”¹ Draw comments from the audience on how the scriptures apply.

20 min: Research Using the Reasoning Book. Audience discussion. Questions often arise in the ministry i- about topics that are not listed under “Principal Subjects” (pages 5-6) in the Reasoning book. The “Index” (pages 439-45) is very useful in locating Scriptural support for our beliefs. Invite audience to participate in finding answers to the following questions by looking in the index under each italicized word: What is a Christian’s view of national anthems and flags? Why does God permit disasters? How can you explain the Bible’s view of divorce? Why and when do sisters sometimes need to wear a head covering? What is the origin of Mother’s Day? How do we know that 144,000 is a literal number in the Bible? What does the parable of the rich man and Lazarus mean? Encourage everyone to use the Reasoning book in the ministry.

Song 28 and concluding prayer.

Week Starting May 6

Song 141

10 min: Local announcements. Discuss “Continue Benefiting From The Watchtower and Awake!”

10 min: Planning Ahead for Summer. Talk and audience discussion. Outline activities usually planned for summer: attending the entire district convention, auxiliary pioneering one or more months, making improvements around the house, and perhaps enjoying a vacation or some recreation. Invite a few to relate their summer plans and how they will make sure that they do not neglect their family study, congregation meetings, and field service, even if traveling elsewhere. If the congregation has seldom-worked territory, announce what arrangements are being made for thorough coverage. Remind all to make sure that the Congregation Book Study overseer receives their field service reports, regardless of whether they are at home or away.

25 min: “Spiritually Strong Families —How?”¹ After discussing the article, relate some practical experiences from the February 15, 1999, Watchtower, pages 10-12.

Song 17 and concluding prayer.

© 2002 Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society of Pennsylvania. All rights reserved. Our Kingdom Ministry (ISSN 1067-7259) is published monthly by Watchtower Bible and Tract Society of New York, Inc.; M. H. Larson, President; G. F. Simonis, Secretary-Treasurer; 25 Columbia Heights, Brooklyn, NY 11201-2483. Periodicals Postage Paid at Brooklyn. NY. and at additional mailing offices. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to Our Kingdom Ministry, 1000 Red Mills Road, Wallkill, NY 12589-3299.                Printed in U.S.A.

“Work What Is Good Toward All”

• ¹ “Preach the Word of God Fully” and “Be Rich in Fine Works” were the themes used in the February and March 2002 Our Kingdom Ministry inserts. (Col. 1:25; 1 Tim. 6:18) In those issues we were encouraged to put forth extra effort to help interested ones attend the Memorial, to help inactive ones become involved again in the congregation, and to help our children and qualified Bible students to begin publishing the good news. No doubt we have enjoyed some success as a result of our good efforts. Now, “as long as we have time favorable for it, let us [continue to] work what is good toward all.”—Gal. 6:10.

• ² Invite Them to Attend Again: In the United States branch territory, over a million people who are not publishers of the good news attend the Memorial each year. Since their presence indicates a measure of interest, what must we do to stimulate those who are “rightly disposed for everlasting life” to become “believers”? (Acts 13: 48) Encourage them to return to the congregation meetings as soon as possible.

  Continue to Assist:

  
  

  S' Memorial attendees

  S Reactivated publishers S' New unbaptized publishers

  
  

• ³ Why not invite an interested person to attend the Congregation Book Study to enjoy an interesting discussion of Isaiah’s prophecy? If you are a relative or an acquaintance of the person and you are scheduled to give an upcoming talk on the Theocratic Ministry School, you might invite that one to come and hear your part. Keep him informed of the titles of the public talks that are to be given in the weeks ahead. (An up-to-date schedule should be posted on the information board.) Look for any opportunity to awaken in the person a desire to worship Jehovah. And of course, if he is not already studying the Bible with someone in the congregation, you can kindly offer him a study.

• ⁴ Keep Encouraging the Inactive: A number of those who attend the Memorial have already made a dedication to Jehovah. However, at some point they stopped actively preaching the good news. And yet, Paul exhorted us to “work what is good ... especially toward those related to us in the faith.” (Gal. 6:10) Hence, the inactive ones should be of prime concern.

• ⁵ Perhaps some have already responded to the encouragement from the elders and others to get involved once again in the ministry. If you are assigned by the elders to work with a reactivated publisher, know that your own love for Jehovah and for the field ministry will build confidence in that one. Show him how you engage in the various features of the ministry so that he can find joy in it, will stick with the preaching work, and may experience Jehovah’s blessings.

• ⁶ Give New Publishers a Good Start: When a newly interested woman realized that she had found God’s true organization, she wanted to start in the service right away. After learning what was required of her, she said: “Let’s get busy with it.” If someone with whom you have been studying the Bible is now approved to begin sharing in field service, help him see the need to “get busy with it,” and so get the new publisher off to a good start. Help him develop a routine of preparing for and sharing regularly in the field ministry each week.

• ⁷ If it is your own child who has become a new unbaptized publisher, work with him to make

progress according to his age and ability. With a little help from you, he may surprise you with how well he can engage someone in conversation, read from the Bible, and offer literature. When he has a good call in the field service, train him to make a return visit and follow up the interest.

• ⁸ Expand Your Own Ministry: Do your circumstances allow you to increase your share in the evangelizing work even beyond the Memorial season? Could you add an hour or two each week to what you usually spend in the service? Are you looking ahead on the calendar to when you can auxiliary pioneer again? Or can you arrange your life-style to enter the full-time ministry? All the effort we put forth in the ministry may help someone to accept the truth! (Acts 8: 26-39) As we look to the days ahead, let us “always pursue what is good toward one another and to all others.”—1 Thess. 5:15.

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OUR KINGDOM MINISTRY, APRIL 2002

The Joys of Full-Time Service

^xAs a young person, you have no doubt given some thought to your future. Proverbs 21:5 tells us that “the plans of the diligent one surely make for advantage.” It will be to your advantage to give serious thought to your goals in life. As you make your plans for the future, consider taking up the full-time service. Why?

• ² Ask some adults who pioneered during their younger years what their impressions are and invariably they will say the same thing: “Those were the best years of my life!” A brother who experienced the joys of full-time service from his young manhood on said in later life: “It is a source of deep satisfaction to look back on the time of youth and be able to say that one has heeded the wise counsel: ‘Remember, now, your grand Creator in the days of your young manhood.’ ” (Eccl. 12:1) It takes good planning now, by both you and your parents, to work out a way for you to experience this kind of joy in your young manhood or young womanhood.

• ³ Parents, Encourage Full-Time Service: Jehovah, as a caring Father, shows you exactly which way to go. (Isa. 30:21) In providing such loving guidance, he sets a fine example for you as Christian parents. Instead of leaving it up to your children to choose which way is best for them, wisely train them in the way that they should go so that they will have Jehovah’s blessing. Then, when they grow older, your training will help them “distinguish both right and wrong.” (Heb. 5:14) Adults know from experience that they cannot trust their own judgment; they must rely on Jehovah to make their paths straight. (Prov. 3:5, 6) This need is even greater for youths, who are less experienced in life.

• ⁴ Parents, as your children approach the teen years, or even earlier, talk to them realistically about their career goals. School counselors, teachers, and classmates will try to influence them in favor of worldly, materialistic pursuits. Help your children to choose school courses that provide practical training, equipping them to care for their material needs without sacrificing Kingdom interests. (1 Tim. 6:6-11) In many cases, a high school education along with vocational and/or on-the-job training may be all that is needed to care adequately for one’s necessities while starting out in the regular pioneer ministry.

• ⁵ Encourage youths to pursue the gift of singleness. If they later decide to marry, they will be in a better position to assume the heavier responsibilities of marriage. (See paragraph 19 in the June 2001 Our Kingdom Ministry insert, “Can You Make Yourself Available?”) By speaking in a positive way about pioneering, serving where the need is greater, Bethel service, and missionary activity, instill in young people even at an early age a desire to use their lives in a way that pleases Jehovah, benefits others, and brings joy to themselves.

• ⁶ Youths, Put Full-Time Service First: Young people, you need not wonder what the pioneer work is like. You can try it on a parttime basis by auxiliary pioneering whenever possible throughout the school year and during vacation periods. Then you will know how satisfying the pioneer service really is! Can you see your way clear to auxiliary pioneer between now and the end of summer?

• ⁷ If you are a young brother in God’s organization, also think seriously about reaching out to qualify as a ministerial servant. (1 Tim. 3:810, 12) Additionally, decide whether you want to apply for Bethel service or to attend the Ministerial Training School, once you reach the qualifying age. Your experience in the pioneer ministry will teach you valuable lessons, such as how to live by a schedule, how to improve your personal organization, how to get along with others, and how to develop a sense of responsibility. All of this will prepare you for greater privileges of service later on.

• ⁸ A key factor in succeeding in full-time service is having a spirit of theocratic industriousness. The apostle Paul encouraged such an attitude, and he pointed out the blessings that would result: “Whatever you are doing, work at it whole-souled as to Jehovah, ... for you know that it is from Jehovah you will receive the due reward.” (Col. 3:23, 24) May Jehovah bless you with many joys in the full-time service!

THEOCRATIC MINISTRY SCHOOL REVIEW

Closed-book review on material covered in Theocratic Ministry School assignments for the weeks of January 7 to April 22, 2002. Use a separate sheet of paper to write down answers to as many of the questions as you can in the time allotted.

[Note: During the written review, only the Bible may be used to answer any question. References that follow the questions are for your personal research. Page and paragraph numbers may not appear on all references to The Watchtower.]

Answer each of the following statements True or False:

• 1. At Ecclesiastes 2:2, the point that Solomon makes is that laughter and rejoicing should be avoided. [Weekly Bible reading; see w87 9/15 p. 24 par. 5.]

• 2. Far from being a book of pessimism, Ecclesiastes is studded with bright gems of divine wisdom and shows that calamitous occupations are those that ignore God. [si p. 114 par. 15]

• 3. At Isaiah 1:7, the prophet refers to the desolation of Judah during Ahaz’ reign. [Weekly Bible reading; see ip-1 p. 17 par. 16.]

• 4. “Standing before the throne and before the Lamb,” as mentioned at Revelation 7:9, indicates a heavenly location, [rs p. 167 par. 5]

• 5. Generously ‘honoring Jehovah’ with our resources—our time, talents, strength, and material possessions—results in rich spiritual blessings from Jehovah. (Prov. 3:9,10) [wOO 1/15 p. 25 par. 1]

• 6. The modern-day ‘strange deed and unusual work’ foretold at Isaiah 28:21 refers to the destruction of the nations at Armageddon. [Weekly Bible reading; see ip-1 p. 295 par. 16; p. 301 par. 28.]

• 7. As Matthew 24:38, 39 shows, indulgence in food and drink, along with other human activities, caused the people of Noah’s day to be swept away by the Deluge. [wOO 2/15 p. 6 par. 6]

• 8. Jehovah always grants the requests of his humble servants who unselfishly serve him. [wOO 3/1 p. 4 par. 3]

• 9. The “nations” referred to at Isaiah 60:3 are individual political nations that have been attracted to God-given light. [Weekly Bible reading; see wOO 1/1 p. 12 par. 4.]

• 10. Jehovah “sanctified” Jeremiah before he was born in that He fixed Jeremiah’s eternal destiny. (Jer. 1:5) [Weekly Bible reading; see w88 4/1 p. 10 par. 2.]

Answer the following questions:

• 11. At Ecclesiastes 11:1, what is meant by ‘sending out bread’? [Weekly Bible reading; see w87 9/15 p. 25 par. 11.]

• 12. At Isaiah 6:8, whom does Jehovah include when he says “us”? [Weekly Bible reading; see ip-1 pp. 93-4 par. 13.]

• 13. In fulfillment of Isaiah 9:2, how did “a great light” shine in Galilee? [Weekly Bible reading; see ip-1 p. 126 par. 17.]

• 14. What modern-day parallel can be drawn concerning Babylon’s fall in 539 B.C.E. and her eventual total desolation? (Isa. 13:19,20; 14:22,23) [Weekly Bible reading; see ip-1 p. 188 pars. 30-1.]

• 15. How has “the faithful and discreet slave” acted as the “lookout” described at Isaiah 21:6? (Matt. 24:45) [Weekly Bible reading; see ip-1 pp. 221-2 par. 11.]

• 16. What wise advice for a young man seeking a marriage partner is found at Proverbs 31:10? [wOO 2/1 p. 31 par. 1]

• 17. At Isaiah 43:9, what challenge is issued to the gods of the nations? [Weekly Bible reading; see w88 2/1 p. 16 par. 3.]

• 18. In what way are the feet of those who declare the good news of God’s Kingdom “comely”? (Isa. 52:7) [Weekly Bible reading; see w97 4/15 p. 27 par. 6.]

• 19. What is it necessary for us to do in order to prevent our heart from deceiving us? (Jer. 17:9) [wOO 3/1 p. 30 par. 4]

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• 20. What must those who ‘walk in Jehovah’s way’ do? (Jer. 7:23) [Weekly Bible reading; see w99 8/15 p. 29 par. 6.]

Provide the word(s) or phrase needed to complete each of the following statements:

• 21. “The heart of the wise is at his right hand” in the sense that the “right hand” often denotes a; thus, this indicates that his motivates him to

pursue a good, favorable course. (Eccl. 10:2; Matt. 25:33) [Weekly Bible reading; see w87 9/15 p. 25 par. 8.]

• 22. Among the beneficial lessons that are taught in the Song of Solomon are ,, and to

godly principles, [si p. 117 par. 16]

• 23. The despoiler of the cities of Judah, described at Isaiah 33:1, is           ,

which would itself end up defeated in 632 B.C.E., leaving behind great spoil for the inhabitants of          , who would

‘gather it like the cockroaches.’ (Isa. 33:4) [Weekly Bible reading; see ip-1 p. 343 par. 4; p. 345 par. 6.]

• 24. A comparison of Isaiah 54:1 with Galatians 4:26, 27 reveals that the “barren woman” pictures “”; and “the woman with a husbandly owner,” the [Weekly Bible reading; see w95 8/1 p. 11 par. 8.]

• 25. When we meet with ridicule and rejection in our public ministry, we need to remember that such opposition is really directed, not against, but against, the Source of our message. (2 Cor. 4:1, 7) [wOO 1/15 p. 21 par. 2]

Select the correct answer in each of the following statements:

• 26. When writing about his vision of Jesus’ heavenly glory, Paul refers to himself as one having been “born prematurely,” meaning that (he was newly spirit-begotten; he received an early appointment as apostle to the nations; it was as if he had been granted the honor of being born, or resurrected, to spirit life ahead of time). (1 Cor. 9:1; 15:8) [wOO 1/15 p. 29 par. 6]

• 27. The title “Eternal Father” refers to the Messianic King’s power and authority to give humans (spiritual vitality; immortal life in heaven; the prospect of eternal life on earth). (Isa. 9:6; John 11:25, 26) [Weekly Bible reading; see ip-1 p. 131 par. 26.]

• 28. In the modern fulfillment of Isaiah 66:7, the “male child” that was brought forth represents (Jesus Christ; the Messianic Kingdom; a new spiritual nation in 1919). [Weekly Bible reading; see w95 1/1 p. H par. 3.]

• 29. A careful reading of Matthew 10:28 helps us to see that fiery Gehenna (is a place of conscious torment; represents eternal destruction; denotes estrangement from God), [rs p. 173 par. 3]

• 30. In the modern-day fulfillment, “the nation whose people have not obeyed the voice of Jehovah,” spoken of at Jeremiah 7:28, refers to (Babylon the Great; Christendom; the seventh world power). [Weekly Bible reading; see w88 4/1 p. 18 par. 10.]

Match the following scriptures to the statements listed below:

Prov. 24:16; Eccl. 3:11; Isa. 40:8; Rom. 10:15; 1 Pet. 4:6

• 31. In its own time, the proper place in which each work of God fits into his purpose will be revealed. [Weekly Bible reading; see w87 9/15 p. 24 par. 8.]

• 32. The preaching of the good news to those spiritually dead provides an opportunity for them to repent, [rs p. 163 par. 5]

• 33. Although setbacks in life are unavoidable, the godly individual does not give up in striving to do what is fine. [wOO 2/1 p. 5 par. 1]

• 34. God’s word, or stated purpose, cannot be annulled or hindered from being fulfilled. [Weekly Bible reading; see ip-1 pp. 401-2 par. 10.]

• 35. The apostles of Jesus made good use of Isaiah’s prophecy, applying it to the ministry. [si p. 123 par. 37]

ANNOUNCEMENTS

■ Literature offer for April and May: The Watchtower and Awake! magazines. Where interest is found on return visits, include the person on a magazine route. Offer the Require brochure, with a view to starting Bible studies. June: What Does God Require of Us? or Knowledge That Leads to Everlasting Life. When householders have these publications, offer an appropriate brochure that the congregation has in stock. July: Any of the following 32-page brochures may be used: Does God Really Care About Us?, Enjoy Life on Earth Forever!, “Look! I Am Making All Things New,” Should You Believe in the Trinity?, The Divine Name That Will Endure Forever, The Government That Will Bring Paradise, What Happens to Us When We Die?, What Is the Purpose of Life—How Can You Find It?, and When Someone You Love Dies. The brochures A Book for All People, Our Problems—Who Will Help Us Solve Them?, Spirits of the Dead—Can They Help You or Harm You? Do They Really Exist?, and Will There Ever Be a World Without War? may be offered where appropriate.

■ Beginning in April, district convention badge cards for 2002 in Armenian, Chinese, English, French, Greek, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Polish, Portuguese, Russian, Spanish, and Vietnamese will automatically be included with literature shipments. It will not be necessary to request these. Based on the size of each congregation, cards will be shipped in lots of 25. If additional badge cards are needed by the congregations, these should be requested on a Literature Request Form (S-14). Plastic badge holders must be requested for any in the congregation who desire them.

■ It is necessary for the branch office to maintain an up-to-date record of addresses and telephone numbers for all presiding overseers and secretaries. If there is a change at any time, the Congregation Service Committee should complete, sign, and send a Presiding Overseer/Secretary Change of Address (S-29) form to the branch office promptly. This includes any changes in area codes.

■ Congregation secretaries should maintain an adequate supply of the forms Application for Regular Pioneer Service (S-205) and Application for Auxiliary Pioneer Service (S-205b). These can be ordered on the Literature Request Form (S-14). Maintain at least a one-year supply. Review all regular pioneer application forms to make sure they are complete. If applicants cannot recall the exact date of their baptism, they should estimate the date and keep a record of it.

■ Whenever personal travel plans include attending congregation meetings, an assembly, or a district convention in another land, your request for information regarding dates, times, and locations must be directed to the branch office that oversees the work in that land. Addresses of branch offices are listed on the last page of the current Yearbook.

■ The Watchtower is now available as a large-print edition in Zulu.

■ New Publications Available:

Watch Tower Publications Index 2001

—English

■ New Videocassettes Available:

The Greatest Man Who Ever Lived—On Videocassette, Volume 7 —American Sign Language

Warning Examples for Our Day—On Videocassette           —English

January Service Report

TOTAL 903,764          Baptized. 1,941

Now that mail subscriptions to the Watchtower and Awake! magazines are being discontinued, effort will be required to ensure that we, and those to whom we preach, do not miss even one issue.

Personal Copies: When your personal subscription expires, increase your present order at the magazine counter. Parents should order enough magazines so that each family member has his own copy. Putting your name on your personal copy will ensure that it is not inadvertently placed in the field. When shipments of magazines arrive, the brothers handling them will make each issue available immediately at the Kingdom Hall.

Magazine Routes: Publishers should endeavor to establish a magazine route with all interested ones who desire to receive each issue. Delivering the magazines personally to such ones will provide opportunities to cultivate the interest shown and to start Bible studies.—See Our Kingdom Ministry, October 1998, page 8.

Those With Special Needs:

If an individual displays genuine interest but lives in unassigned territory, an exception can be made to allow him to receive the magazines by mail subscription. If a person living in the congregation’s territory cannot be served by a magazine route but is sincerely interested in receiving the magazines, discuss the case with the Congregation Service Committee. If they approve, a subscription can be turned in for the interested person. The standard subscription forms (M-l and M-101) may be used for this purpose.

We can be confident that Jehovah will continue to bless all our efforts to advertise the Kingdom by means of The Watchtower and Awake!

Spiritually Strong Families—How?

• ¹ Christian families are commended for ‘practicing godly devotion in their own households.’ (1 Tim. 5:4) However, with so many bad influences around us that can weaken our faith, it is vital that families work hard to remain spiritually strong. How can this be accomplished?

• ² Exercise Christlike Headship: Family heads need to imitate Jesus Christ in the way they shoulder their responsibility to strengthen their households. More than giving a onetime demonstration of his love for us through his sacrificial death, Jesus continually “feeds and cherishes” the congregation. (Eph. 5:2529) Loving parents follow this example of tender care by seeing to the day-to-day spiritual needs of their families. This includes holding a family Bible study each week, having rich spiritual discussions whenever possible, and addressing problems as they arise.—Deut. 6: 6, 7.

• ³ In the Field Ministry: All family members should appreciate that witnessing to others about Jehovah and his purposes is an important part of their worship. (Isa. 43:10-12) If you parents want your children to be faithful Witnesses of Jehovah, you must start very early in preparing their heart for the ministry. Discuss the reasons why there is a need to be self-sacrificing in the service and to engage in it each week. (Matt. 22:37-39) Then make arrangements for them to share regularly with you in the field ministry.

• ⁴ Build appreciation for the preaching work by setting aside time during the weekly family study to prepare and rehearse an effective presentation. Give your children individualized training in the ministry, helping them to make advancement according to their age and ability. After spending time together in service, discuss how they saw Jehovah’s goodness firsthand. Relate faith-strengthening experiences. The more that families “have tasted that the Lord is kind,” the closer they will be to Jehovah, fortifying them to resist “all badness.”—1 Pet. 2: 1-3.

• ⁵ At the Meetings: How fine it is when family members help one another to attend all congregation meetings, especially if one of them is feeling tired, discouraged, or overwhelmed! “When my father comes home from work, he is tired,” remarked one young sister. “But I share with him a good point that will be talked about at the meeting that evening, and it encourages him to go. Then when I feel tired, he encourages me to go.”—Heb. 10:24, 25.

• ⁶ Doing Things Together: Families should do things together, such as helping with household duties. Time should also be set aside for well-chosen recreation. Picnicking, hiking, playing games, and traveling to visit relatives or friends can provide happy moments and fond memories to look back on.—Eccl. 3:4.

• ⁷ Stalwart Christian families overcome the daily challenges to their spirituality. By drawing even closer to Jehovah, they experience the power that he supplies.—Eph. 6:10.

™Watchtower Apr. is

“No matter where they live, people are interested in security, such as finding and holding a good job. But have you ever considered that there is a source of permanent security, enabling you to be secure forever? [Read Psalm 16:8, 9.] This issue of The Watchtower examines where genuine security can be found.”

Awake! Apr. 22

“Many today are leaving organized religion to worship God in their own way. How do you feel about that trend? [Allow for response.] The Bible shows that it really matters to God how we worship him. [Read John 4:24.] This issue of Awake! tells about the best way to satisfy your spiritual needs.”

-Watchtower May 1

Announcing Jehovah’s Kingdom

“Do you know someone who is seriously ill or who suffers from a disability? No doubt you agree that such ones need encouragement. But what can we say to support them? The Bible offers words of hope. [Read Isaiah 35:5, 6.] This issue of The Watchtower explains why we can be sure this prophecy will come true.”

Awake! May 8

“During this past year, peace has been threatened as never before. Do you think that it is within the powers of human governments to establish world peace? [After a response, read Isaiah 2:4.] This issue of Awake! shows why we can be certain that world peace will soon be a reality.”

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