Our Kingdom Ministry

June 2006                        For United States of America km-E Us 6/06 Vol. 49, No. 6

• ¹ Jesus observed that the multitudes who listened to his message were “skinned and thrown about like sheep without a shepherd.” (Matt. 9:36) With tenderness and love, he taught them Jehovah’s ways, brought comfort, and compassionately ministered to their spiritual needs. As we meditate upon his ways, we learn to think and feel as Jesus did, and this quality of compassion becomes evident in our ministry.

• ² Just take a moment to think about how Jesus responded when people who were desperate for help approached him. (Luke 5:12, 13; 8:43-48) He was considerate of those with special circumstances. (Mark 7:3135) He was aware of the feelings of others and showed concern. He looked beyond outward appearances. (Luke 7:36-40) Indeed, Jesus perfectly reflected the tender compassion of our God.

• ³ “Moved With Pity”: Jesus did not conduct his ministry out of a mere sense of duty. He was “moved with pity” for people. (Mark 6:34) Similarly today, we are not just delivering a message but trying to save precious lives. Seek to understand why people respond the way they do. Why are they anxious or preoccupied? Have they been neglected and blinded by false religious shepherds? Our genuine interest in others may move them to listen to the good news.—2 Cor. 6:4, 6.

• ⁴ Compassion touches hearts. To illustrate: One woman suffered the tragic loss of her three-month-old daughter. When two Witnesses called at her door, she invited them in with the intention of refuting their arguments about why God permits suffering. However, the woman later said: “They listened to me with great compassion, and when they were leaving, I felt so much better that I agreed to another visit.” Do you strive to show compassion to everyone you meet in the ministry?

• ⁵ Cultivating compassion will help us to share real comfort with others. Doing so, we glorify “the Father of tender mercies,” Jehovah.—2 Cor. 1:3.

  Show Personal Interest —By Offering Commendation

  
  

• ¹ Sincere commendation lifts people’s spirits, motivates them to action, and brings them joy. Many publishers have found that just a brief word of sincere commendation often helps in gaining a listening ear in the ministry. How can we commend people as we seek to share the good news with them?

• ² Be Observant: The glorified Jesus Christ took note of the good deeds of the seven congregations in Asia Minor. (Rev. 2:2, 3, 13, 19; 3:8) Similarly, genuine interest in the people we meet in our ministry will move us to look for opportunities to give commendation. For example, a well-kept yard, a parent demonstrating tender affection toward his children, or a householder’s friendly smile and greeting all give us opportunities to offer commendation. Do you readily observe and take advantage of such opportunities?

• ³ Be a Good Listener: When preaching to others, invite them to express themselves by asking them appropriate questions. Show them honor by paying close attention to what they say. (Rom. 12:10) Likely, you will find something for which you can offer sincere commendation and then be able to build on the common ground you establish.

• ⁴ Use Discernment: What should we do if a householder says something that is not in harmony with Bible truth? Rather than take issue with an incorrect statement, acknowledge the householder’s words and continue with an expression such as “I can see that you have given this subject a lot of thought.” (Col. 4:6) Even if a person is argumentative, we can often commend him for his genuine interest in the subject. Such a mild approach may soften one who seems to be firmly opposed to the good news. —Prov. 25:15.

• ⁵ To be of value, the commendation we offer must be sincere. The use of such upbuilding speech honors Jehovah and may attract others to the Kingdom message.

  Service meeting Schedule

  
  

Week Starting June 12

Song 218

10 min: Local announcements. Using the suggestions on page 4 or other presentations appropriate for your territory, demonstrate how to offer the June 15 Watchtower and the June Awake! In one of the presentations, demonstrate offering the magazines in an informal setting.

20 min: “Our Ministry—A Work of Compassion.”* As time permits, invite audience to comment on the cited scriptures.                             '

15 min: Trusting “the Faithful and Discreet Slave.” Talk and audience discussion based on chapter 3 of Organised to Do Jehovah’s Will.

Song 47 and concluding prayer.

Week Starting June 19

Song 21

10 min: Local announcements. Selected Announcements from Our Kingdom Ministry.

20 min: A Word at Its Right Time Is O How Good! Talk and audience discussion based on the January 1, 2006, Watchtower, pages 16-19. In an introductory talk, highlight the four benefits of commending others, discussed under the subheading “Positive Effects.” Then invite the audience to comment on the following questions: Who is foremost in deserving praise? Why are fellow worshippers deserving of appropriate commendation? What opportunities do we have to offer commendation in the congregation? Why is it beneficial to commend family members, and how can we do so? How have you been encouraged or strengthened by commendation that you have received?

15 min: “Show Personal Interest—By Offering Commendation.”* Include a brief demonstration in which a publisher listens carefully to the householder, offers sincere commendation, and then builds on what the householder said by sharing an appropriate scripture. Song 96 and concluding prayer.

Week Starting June 26

Song 63

15 min: Local announcements. Read accounts report and donation acknowledgments. Using the suggestions on page 4 or other presentations appropriate for your territory, demonstrate how to offer the July 1 Watchtower and the July Awake! At the conclusion of each presentation, the publisher raises a thought-provoking question that can be answered on the next visit using the Bible Teach book,

15 min: Serving With a Foreign-Language Congregation. Talk based on the March 15, 2006, Watchtower, pages 17-20. Include comments on the Organized book, page 112, paragraph 2. Make local application of the material. One or two brief interviews of those who are seeking to expand their ministry by learning another language may be included.

15 min: Presenting the Good News in July. What subjects are of general interest to people in your territory? Briefly interview one or two publishers who have made effective use of the Bible Teach book and perhaps have started a Bible study. Then demonstrate a house-to-house presentation of the offer, using a presentation that has proved effective in your territory.—See the January 2005 Our Kingdom Ministry, p. 8, par. 5. Song 208 and concluding prayer.

Week Starting July 3

Song 111

10 min: Local announcements. Remind publishers to turn in field service reports for June if they have not already done so.

15 min: Local needs.

20 min: “How to Reach Your Spiritual Goals.”* Invite the youths in the congregation to comment on their spiritual goals and what they are doing to reach them. One or two comments may be arranged in advance.

Song 30 and concluding prayer.

* Limit introductory comments to less than a minute, and follow with a question-and-answer discussion.

Announcements

■ Literature offer for June: Learn From the Great Teacher. If Individuals say they have no children, offer the Family Happiness book. July and August: What Does the Bible Really Teach? When householders already have this publication, use an appropriate brochure that the congregation has in stock. September: What Does the Bible Really Teach? Make a special effort to start Bible studies on the initial call. Follow up all placements by making return visits with the objective of starting Bible studies.

■ Since July has five full weekends, it would be an excellent month to auxiliary pioneer.

■ The video program Young People Ask—How Can I Make Real Friends? will be considered at a Service Meeting in September. If needed, copies should be requested through the congregation as soon as possible.

■ The branch facilities in Brooklyn, Patterson, and Wallkill, New York, will be closed on the following dates: September 9, 2006 (Gilead graduation); October 7,2006 (annual meeting of the Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society of Pennsylvania); March 10,2007 (Gilead graduation); and May 11-12,2007 (spring cleaning). There will be no arrangements for tours or for congregations to pick up literature on those dates. ■ U.S. Selective Service regulations require that all men register at the post office within 30 days after reaching 18 years of age. A male noncitizen under the age of 26 who takes up residency in the United States must also register with Selective Service within 30 days of becoming a resident. All of those required to do so should comply with this law, viewing it as a Christian’s obligation to the superior authorities. From the time he registers until the year he turns 26, a brother must notify Selective Service of any change of address within ten days of the change. Elders should be aware of young brothers nearing the age of 18 and new alien residents between the ages of 18 and 26 and remind them of their duty to register with the Selective Service System.

THEOCRATIC MINISTRY SCHOOL REVIEW

The following questions will be considered orally at the Theocratic Ministry School during the week beginning June 26, 2006. The school overseer will conduct a 30-minute review based on material covered in assignments for the weeks of May 1 through June 26, 2006. [Note: Where there are no references after the question, you will need to do your own research to find the answers.—See Ministry School, pp. 36-7.]

SPEECH QUALITIES

• 1. What is modulation, and why is it important? [be p. Ill, boxes]

• 2. How might we vary our pace when giving a talk? [be p. 112 pars. 3-6, box]

• 3. How can we develop enthusiasm for the subject of our talk, and why is this important? [be p. 115 par. 1-p. 116 par. 2, boxes]

• 4. When we teach others, why is the quality of warmth essential, and what can help us to express it? [be p. 118 par. 2-p. 119 par. 5]

• 5. Explain the importance of gestures and facial expressions in communication. (Matt. 12:48, 49) [be p. 121, boxes]

ASSIGNMENT NO. 1

• 6. How does the book of Job exalt Jehovah and magnify his righteous standards for living? [si p. 100 pars. 39, 41]

• 7. What testifies to the authenticity of the Psalms? [si p. 102 pars. 10-11]

• 8, In referring to a shrewd person, is Proverbs 13:16 describing someone who is crafty? Explain. [w04 7/15 p. 28 pars. 3-4]

• 9. How does the holy spirit act as a helper, and what should knowing this encourage us to do? (John 14:25, 26) [be p. 19 pars. 2-3]

• 10. In what general sense does Jesus come, and to what “coming” was Jesus referring to as recorded at Matthew 16:28? [w04 3/1 p, 16 box]

WEEKLY BIBLE READING

• 11. What can we learn from Job’s response to Jehovah mentioned at Job 42:1-6?

• 12. What “empty thing” do the nations keep muttering? (Ps. 2:1, 2)

• 13. What foundations are torn down? (Ps. 11:3)

• 14. How is a haughty person ‘rewarded exceedingly’? (Ps. 31:23)

• 15. What comfort can be drawn from Psalm 40 that can help us to cope with imperfection of the fallen flesh and the various calamities of this system of things? (Ps. 40:1, 2, 5, 12)

How to Reach Your Spiritual Goals

• ¹ As a young Christian, no doubt your goals in life are influenced by your love for Jehovah and by Jesus’ words to all Christians to ‘seek first the kingdom.’ (Matt. 6:33) Your goal may be to expand your ministry by serving as a pioneer or to serve where the need for Kingdom proclaimers is greater. Some may have in mind volunteering for international construction work, for serving in a branch, or for working in the missionary field. What fulfilling and commendable goals these are!

• ² An aid to reaching your spiritual goals is to put them in writing. The July 15, 2004, Watchtower said: “An abstract idea takes on clarity and form when [you] choose words to express it. [You] may therefore wish to commit [your] goals and the strategy for reaching them to paper.” In addition, intermediate goals can help you to measure your progress and maintain your focus as you pursue a long-term goal.

• ³ Short-Term Goals: If you are not yet baptized, consider what you need to do in order to reach that goal. You may need a better understanding of basic Bible teachings. If so, make it your goal to study thoroughly the Bible Teach book, looking up all the cited scriptures. (1 Tim. 4:15) Set a goal also to read the entire Bible from Genesis to Revelation, as Bethelites and Gilead students are required to do. After that, maintain a regular program of daily Bible reading. (Ps. 1:2, 3) Imagine how that would help you to grow spiritually! Open and close each period of Bible reading and study with heartfelt prayer, and always seek to apply what you learn.—Jas. 1:25.

• ⁴ If you are already baptized, what further goals could you pursue? Do you need to improve your preaching skills? For example, could you make it your aim to become more adept at using God’s Word in the field ministry? (2 Tim. 2:15) How might you expand your ministry? Set specific short-term goals that are in accord with your age and circumstances and that will help you to reach your long-term goals.

• ⁵ A Success Story: When 19-year-old Tony visited a branch office of Jehovah’s Witnesses, a desire was awakened within him to serve at Bethel. However, his lifestyle had been wayward, and he had not even made a dedication to God. Tony decided to harmonize his life with Jehovah's ways and made it his goal to qualify for baptism. After achieving that goal, he reached out for auxiliary pioneering and then regular pioneering, writing on his calendar the dates he wanted to start. Imagine his joy when after pioneering for some time, he was invited to serve at Bethel!

• ⁶ You too can reach your spiritual goals as you seek Kingdom interests first. Keep “your works” before Jehovah in prayer and strive diligently to attain them.—Prov. 16:3; 21:5.

-Watchtower® June is

Announcing Jehovah** Kingdom

“Do you think it is possible to be happy despite the problems we face? [Allow for response.] This magazine directs attention to a source of guidance that can help us to deal successfully with the challenges of life. It also discusses the sustaining power of genuine hope.” Read Revelation 21:3, 4.

Awake!^{1 2 3 4 5 6} June

“Wouldn’t you agree that recent disasters have highlighted the importance of heeding warnings? [Allow for response.] This article discusses the lessons learned by survivors of Hurricane Katrina. It also mentions a warning that all of us today need to heed.” Feature the article that begins on page 14.

' W4TCHTOWT.R July 1 ANNOUNCING JEHOVAH'S KINGDOM          “

“In today’s trouble-filled world, many people ask: ‘Why is life so full of problems? If God exists, why doesn’t he do something to eliminate suffering?’ Elave you ever wondered about that? [Allow for response.] This magazine gives the Bible’s enlightening answers to those questions.” Read 2 Timothy 3:16.

Awake! July

“Today, more and more marriages are under stress. Do you think couples would benefit from applying this inspired counsel? [Read Ephesians 4:32. Then allow for response.] This issue of Awake! considers time-tested Bible principles that can help us to build a happy marriage.”

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What spiritual goals do many young Christians have?

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What can help you to reach your spiritual goals?

³

Name some short-term goals that can help one to qualify for baptism.

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What short-term goals might a Christian set who has the longterm goal of Bethel or missionary service?

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How did setting short-term goals help one brother to reach his goal of serving at Bethel?

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What can help you to reach your spiritual goals?