Our kingdom ministry

MARCH 2015

MONTHLY THEME: “Be Ready for Every Good Work.”—Titus 3:1.

WEEK STARTING MARCH 9

Song 44 and Prayer

Q Congregation Bible Study:

cl chap. 21 ^9-15 (30 min.)

Q Theocratic Ministry School:

Bible reading: 1 Samuel 1-4 (8 min.)

No. 1: 1 Samuel 2:30-36 (3 min. or less)

No. 2: What Did the Bible Foretell About the Messiah?—nwt p. 14 (5 min.)

No.3: Asa (No. 1)—Theme: Be Zealous for Pure Worship—it-1 pp. 183-185 (5 min.)

Q Service Meeting:

Song 45

10 min: “Be Ready for Every Good Work.” Talk based on the monthly theme. Read and discuss Proverbs 21:5, Titus 3:1, and 1 Peter 3:15. Explain how good preparation benefits Christians. Briefly preview some of the Service Meeting parts for the month, and discuss how they relate to the monthly theme.

10 min: Interview the Theocratic Ministry School Overseer. What does caring for your assignment involve? How do you prepare to conduct the school each week? Why should students prepare well for their assignments? What benefits will the audience receive from reading over the material before coming to the meeting?

10 min: “Are You Preparing for the Memorial?” Discussion. Briefly review information from page 2 of the March 2013 Our Kingdom Ministry. Include a demonstration showing a publisher welcoming a visitor to the Memorial. Song 8 and Prayer

Are You Preparing for the Memorial?

It was Nisan 13 of 33 C.E. Jesus knew that he had one final evening to spend with his closest associates before his execution. He would celebrate his last Passover with them and then institute a new observance, the Lord’s Evening Meal. Such an important occasion certainly required preparation. Therefore, he dispatched Peter and John to get things ready. (Luke 22:7-13) Every year since then, it has been necessary for Christians who desire to observe the Memorial to prepare for this event. (Luke 22:19) What basic things should we do to prepare for the upcoming Memorial on April 3?

Preparation by the Elders:

• • Make arrangements to use the Kingdom Hall or another suitable facility. It should have sufficient seating, lighting, and ventilation. Arrange to have the venue thoroughly cleaned in advance.

• • Select a qualified speaker, a chairman, and brothers to pray over the emblems.

• • If there will be more than one program at the same facility, coordinate the meeting times as well as the arrangements for entering and exiting the building and parking lot.

• • Select and organize the attendants and servers.

• • Arrange to have the appropriate emblems, as well as plates, wine glasses, a suitable table, and a tablecloth.

Preparation by the Publishers:

• • Arrange to have a full share in the Memorial invitation campaign.

• • Make a list of Bible students, relatives, schoolmates, workmates, and other acquaintances, and invite them.

• • Read and meditate on the Memorial Bible reading.

• • Come to the Memorial ready to welcome visitors.

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WEEK STARTING MARCH 16

Song 65 and Prayer

Q Congregation Bible Study:

cl chap. 21 V16-21, box on p. 217 (30 min.)

Q Theocratic Ministry School:

Bible reading: 1 Samuel 5-9 (8 min.) No. 1: 1 Samuel 6:10-21 (3 min. or less) No. 2: Athaliah (No. 1)—Theme: Beware of the Jezebel Influence—it-1 p. 209 (5 min.) No. 3: Messianic Prophecies That Jesus Fulfilled— nwt p. 15 (5 min.)

Q Service Meeting:

Song 98

10 min: They Offered Themselves Willingly —In Taiwan. Discussion based on the article in the October 15, 2014, Watchtower, pages 3-6. How did the publishers mentioned in the article prepare to move to a foreign land? What blessings have they enjoyed?

20 min: “Improving Our Skills in the Ministry—Developing a Magazine Route.” Discussion. After discussing the article, have a brief demonstration of a publisher offering a Bible study to someone on his route. Then interview a publisher who has a magazine route. How many are on his route? How does he prepare for each visit? Invite him to relate any outstanding experiences.

Song 101 and Prayer

Improving Our Skills in the Ministry—Developing a Magazine Route

Why Important: Many people who enjoy reading our magazines do not wish to study the Bible with us. Perhaps they are happy with their religion, or they feel that they do not have time to study. However, as they regularly read our magazines, they may form a longing for God’s Word. (1 Pet. 2:2) A particular article may strike a responsive chord, or their circumstances may change. Regular, brief visits will make them more comfortable with us and help us learn what their interests and concerns are. Eventually, a Bible study may be started.

How to Do It:

• • Each month, schedule time to bring the individual the latest issues of The Watchtower and Awake! Maybe you can visit at other times during the month to whet his appetite for an article from the magazines you left or to offer the publication being featured that month. Keep good records.—See the January 2014 Our Kingdom Ministry, p. 3.

• • Prepare for each visit. Rather than simply dropping the magazines off, engage the householder in conversation and try to build a rapport with him so that you can cultivate his interest.

• • Be alert for opportunities to start a study. If someone on your route asks you what the Bible says on a certain topic, bring him a study publication that contains the answer, and discuss it together. Before you leave, raise a related question and consider it on the next visit. If you are regularly and systematically having even brief discussions using the Bible or one of our study publications, you are conducting a Bible study. Have you offered the householder the Good News brochure and demonstrated a short Bible study? Have you shown him the videos Why Study the Bible? and What Happens ata Bible Study? Even if the person has not been receptive to a study in the past, circumstances change. Would it be beneficial for you to try again?

Try This During the Month:

• • Make a list of those who could be on a magazine route. Offer them the current issues of the magazines, and tell them that you will bring them the next issue.

  © 2015 Christian Congregation of Jehovah’s Witnesses. Our Kingdom Ministry is printed monthly by Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society of Britain, The Ridgeway, London NW7 1RN (Registered in England as a Charity).

  
  

WEEK STARTING MARCH 23

Song 119 and Prayer

Q Congregation Bible Study:

cl chap. 22 fl1-8 (30 min.)

Q Theocratic Ministry School:

Bible reading: 1 Samuel 10-13 (8 min.) No. 1: 1 Samuel 11:1-10 (3 min. or less) No. 2: What Does the Bible Foretell About Our Day?—nwt p. 16 fl1-4 (5 min.)

No. 3: Azariah (No. 21)—Theme: Strong in Faith From Youth to Manhood—it-1 p. 225 (5 min.)

Q Service Meeting:

Song 20

30 min: “Meetings for Field Service That Accomplish Their Purpose.” Questions and answers.

Song 32 and Prayer

Meetings for Field Service That Accomplish Their Purpose

• ¹ On one occasion, Jesus met with 70 of his disciples before they went on a preaching campaign. (Luke 10:1-11) He gave encouragement by reminding them that they would not be alone and that they were being directed by “the Master of the harvest,” Jehovah. He also gave them instructions that equipped them to do the work, and he organized them “by twos.” Today, the meetings we have prior to going out in the ministry serve a similar purpose—to encourage, equip, and organize us.

• ² Currently, a meeting for field service lasts from 10 to 15 minutes, which includes organizing the groups, assigning territory, and saying a prayer. This is now being adjusted. Beginning in April, a meeting for field service will last from five to seven minutes. However, when it follows another congrega-

1. Meetings for field service have what purpose? 2. How long should a meeting for field service be?

tion meeting, it should be even shorter, since those attending have already enjoyed a fine Scriptural discussion. Having brief meetings for field service will enable all to spend more time in the ministry. In addition, if pioneers or publishers have begun their preaching before the meeting for field service, only a brief interruption of their activity will be necessary.

• ³ Meetings for field service should be arranged so that they will be most helpful to the publishers. In many congregations it is advantageous for field service groups to meet separately rather than to combine at one location. This may make it easier for publishers to travel to the meeting for field service and perhaps to the territory. Publishers can be quickly organized, and it may be easier for group overseers to give close attention to those in their care. The body of elders can consider local circumstances and determine what is best. Before ending the meeting with a brief prayer, all should know where and with whom they are going to work.

• ⁴ Not Less Important Than Other Congregation Meetings: Because meetings for field service are held for the benefit of those who are going out in the ministry, they may not be attended by the entire congregation. However, this does not mean that they should be taken lightly or viewed as less important than other congregation meetings. Like all our meetings, meetings for field service are a provision from Jehovah that enables us to incite one another to love and fine works. (Heb. 10:24, 25) Therefore, the conductor should be well-prepared so that the discussion will honor Jehovah and benefit those in attendance. If it is practical to do so, publishers who are going out in the ministry should make an effort to attend.

• 3. How may meetings for field service be arranged so that they are most helpful to the publishers?

• 4. Why should meetings for field service not be viewed as less important than other meetings?

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  Our Kingdom Ministry, March 2015

  
  

• ⁵ Preparation by the Conductor: In order for someone to be well-prepared to present a meeting part, he needs to receive the assignment in advance. This is no less true with regard to meetings for field service. Of course, when field service groups meet separately, group overseers or their assistants conduct the meeting for their group. However, when the congregation will have a combined meeting for field service, the service overseer will assign someone to conduct. Some service overseers give a schedule to all the conductors and post a copy of it on the information board.

The service overseer should use good judgment when assigning conductors, keeping in mind that the quality of these meetings will also depend on the teaching and organizing ability of those conducting. If no elder, ministerial servant, or other qualified baptized brother is available to be assigned on some days, the service overseer should assign a capable baptized sister to conduct. —See the article “When a Sister Must Conduct.”

• ⁶ When we receive an assignment for the Theocratic Ministry School or Service Meeting, we take it seriously and prepare well. Few of us would wait until we are traveling to the meeting to begin thinking about what we will say. An assignment to conduct a meeting for field service should be viewed the same way. Now that the meeting for field service will be shorter, good preparation is especially important so that the meeting will be meaningful and end on time. Good preparation also includes obtaining territory in advance.

• 5. (a) What is the service overseer’s role in arranging meetings for field service? (b) How should a sister conduct a meeting for field service?

• 6. Why is it important for the assigned conductor to prepare well?

  Meetings for field service should not be taken lightly or viewed as less important than other congregation meetings

  
  

⁷ What to Discuss: Since circumstances vary from territory to territory, the faithful slave has not provided an outline for each meeting for field service. The box “During a Meeting for Field Service, You Might Consider” outlines some possibilities. Generally, the meeting will be handled as a discussion. On occasion, it may include a well-prepared demonstration or an appropriate video from jw.org. When preparing for a meeting for field service, the conductor should think about what will encourage and equip those going out in the ministry that day.

⁸ On Saturdays, for example, most publishers offer The Watchtower and Awake! Many who share in the ministry on Saturdays do not go out during the week, so they may have difficulty remembering the presentation they practiced during their Family Worship evening. Therefore, it may be beneficial for the conductor to review one of the sample presentations from the back of Our Kingdom Ministry. Other options include discussing how to incorporate a local news item, event, or holiday into a magazine presentation or how to lay the groundwork for the next visit if the magazines are accepted. If some at the meeting for field service have already been using the particular magazines being offered, the conductor could ask them to share some brief suggestions or relate encouraging experiences. On Sundays, the conductor might choose to do something similar with regard to the offer for the month. Study publications, such as the Good News and Listen to God brochures and the Bible Teach book may be offered any day, so the conductor could briefly consider how one of these publications may be offered.

• 7. What are some things that the conductor could discuss?

• 8. What might be most beneficial to discuss during meetings for field service on Saturdays and Sundays?

• ⁹ If the congregation is engaged in a special campaign on the weekend, the conductor might consider how to offer the current magazines along with the invitation or the tract, or he could discuss what to do if interest is shown. Another option would be to share experiences that highlight the value of such campaigns.

• ¹⁰ Preparation by Publishers: Publishers also have a part in making a meeting for field service successful. By preparing in advance for service, perhaps during their family worship, they will have something to share with other publishers. Good preparation also includes obtaining magazines and literature supplies before arriving at the meeting for

field service so that all can leave for the territory without unnecessary delay.

• ¹¹ It is also important to plan to arrive at the meeting for field service a few minutes before it begins. Of course, we endeavor to be on time for all congregation meetings. However, it can be especially disruptive when we arrive late for a meeting for field service. How so? The brother taking the lead considers a number of factors before organizing the group. If few publishers are present, he may choose to send everyone to a territory that has been partially worked. If some walked to the meeting for field service and the territory is a distance away, he may pair these publishers with those who drove vehicles. If the territory is in a high-crime area, he may assign brothers to work with or near groups of sisters. Infirm publishers might be assigned to work a street that is level or that has homes with fewer stairs. Newer publishers might be assigned to work with more experienced ones. But, if

• 9. What could be discussed on the weekend when engaged in a special campaign?

• 10, 11. Why is preparation by the publishers important for the success of a meeting for field service?

  When preparing for a meeting for field service, the conductor should think about what will encourage and equip those going out in the ministry that day

  
  

publishers arrive late, the arrangements will often have to be revised or redone in order to accommodate the latecomers. Of course, we may on occasion have a legitimate reason for being late. However, if we are habitually late, we might ask ourselves if it is because we lack appreciation for meetings for field service or because we fail to organize our affairs in advance.

¹² Publishers who meet for service can choose to make their own arrangements before the meeting begins, or they can have a partner assigned to them. If you generally make your own arrangements, could you “widen out” by working with a variety of publishers rather than with the same close friends each time? (2 Cor. 6:11-13, ftn.) Could you occasionally arrange to work with a newer publisher to help him make advancement in his teaching ability? (1 Cor. 10:24; 1 Tim. 4: 13, 15) Listen carefully to any instructions that you are given, including direction regarding where you are to begin preaching. When the meeting concludes, avoid changing the arrangements and depart for the territory promptly.

¹³ After preaching, the 70 whom Jesus organized for the ministry “returned with joy.” (Luke 10:17) No doubt, Jesus’ meeting with them before they began preaching helped them to be successful. Today, meetings for field service can have a similar benefit. If all involved are conscientious and do their part, meetings for field service will encourage, equip, and organize us to accomplish our commission to give “a witness to all the na-tions.”—Matt. 24:14.

• 12. If you generally make your own service arrangements, what might you consider?

• 13. If all involved are conscientious and do their part, how will meetings for field service benefit us?

When a Sister Must Conduct

A sister should wear a head covering and would normally be seated when conducting a meeting for field service. What she chooses to discuss would be similar to what a brother would consider. While she should avoid giving the appearance of instructing those in attendance, she may initiate a group discussion. If she invites another baptized sister to say the prayer, that sister should also wear a head covering. If a baptized brother joins the meeting after it has started, the sister would normally invite him to finish the meeting. The service overseer should try to anticipate unusual situations and give appropriate instructions so as to minimize awkwardness. For example, a very young, perhaps preteen, baptized brother might attend when a sister is assigned to conduct, but the elders feel that he is not yet qualified to conduct the meeting. In such a case, the service overseer can inform those involved that the assigned sister should conduct the meeting, but the brother should say the prayer if the elders feel that he is qualified. Or perhaps there is an adult brother who is restricted from conducting the meeting or offering congregation prayer for reasons known by the elders. Without revealing confidential information, the elders should let the assigned sisters know that they should conduct and pray even if he is in attendance. The elders might also let the brother know which days sisters are scheduled to conduct the meetings for field service.

During a Meeting for Field Service, You Might Consider:

• • A sample presentation from Our Kingdom Ministry.

• • A video about the ministry from jw.org.

• • A certain aspect of a good presentation, such as the introduction, laying the groundwork to return, or reviewing how to react if a donation is offered.

• • An encouraging or instructive scripture that relates to the ministry.

• • A local or published field service experience.

• • Information from an Our Kingdom Ministry article.

• • Information from a recent Service Meeting part.

• • Ministry-related information from The Watchtower.

• • Ministry-related information from such publications as the Ministry School and “Come Be My Follower” books.

• • Afeature of jw.org that can be used in the ministry.

• • A feature of the revised New World Translation that can be used in the ministry.

• • How to start a conversation with someone who may be encountered in your territory, such as an atheist, an evolutionist, a Hindu, or a Buddhist.

• • How to respond to a specific potential conversation stopper.

• • Howto helpyourfield service partner be more effective at the door.

• • How to respond when meeting someone who speaks another language.

• • Howto engage in a specific avenue of the ministry that some will be sharing in, such as the search work, public witnessing, return visits, or Bible studies.

• • A reminder about safety, flexibility, good manners, having a positive attitude, or something similar.

WEEK STARTING MARCH 30

Song 57 and Prayer

Q Congregation Bible Study:

cl chap. 22 ^9-17 (30 min.)

Q Theocratic Ministry School:

Bible reading: 1 Samuel 14-15 (8 min.) No. 1: 1 Samuel 14:36-45 (3 min. or less) No. 2: Balaam—Theme: Greed Can Blind Us to a Wrong Course—it-1 pp. 244-245 (5 min.) No. 3: The Fulfillment of Bible Prophecy About the Last Days—nwt p. 17 fl1 (5 min.)

Q Service Meeting:

Song 37

15 min: Additional Videos on Our Web Site for the Ministry. Discussion. Begin by playing the video What Happens at a Bible Study? Then discuss ways to use this video in the ministry. Afterward, do the same for the video What Happens at a Kingdom Hall? Include a demonstration.

15 min: “Use‘An Introduction to God’s Word’ —To Start a Conversation.” Questions and answers. Invite audience to suggest other ways to use “An Introduction to God’s Word” in the ministry. Include a demonstration.

Song 114 and Prayer

Use “An Introduction to God’s Word”—To Start a Conversation

• ¹ The revised edition of the New World Translation has a section in the beginning called “An Introduction to God’s Word.” How can we use this new tool when preparing presentations for the ministry? Since this section groups scriptures under various Bible topics, similar to the way the Reasoning book does, it can be very useful in starting conversations.

• ² You might use question 8 and say: “We are making brief visits in the neighborhood because many people wonder, ‘Is God to blame for human suffering?’ [In some terri-

• 1. What new tool have we received for the ministry?

• 2. How may we use “An Introduction to God’s Word” in the ministry? tories, it is more effective to show the question to the householder.] What is your opinion? [Allow for response.] The Bible gives a satisfying answer to that question.” Read and discuss one or more of the cited verses directly from the Bible. If the householder expresses interest, you could show him the 20 questions listed in the introduction and ask him to choose one to discuss on the next visit. Or you could offer one of our study publications that has more information on the subject you just considered.

• ³ Questions 4 and 13 through 17 may be especially helpful when preaching in territories where people belong to a nonChristian religion. For example, you might use the information from question 17 and say: “We are making brief visits as a public service to families. Would you agree that families face numerous challenges today? [Allow for response.] Many couples have found these wise words helpful: “The wife should have deep respect for her husband.” [You do not need to mention that this is from Ephesians 5:33. If you are speaking to a woman, you might instead recite the words of Ephesians 5:28.] Do you think that applying that advice would be beneficial in a marriage?”

• ⁴ At the end of your conversation, make arrangements to continue the discussion on another occasion. Perhaps you can plan to talk about one of the other scriptures from the question you used. At an appropriate time, let the householder know that the wise sayings you have been sharing with him are from the Bible. Based on your previous discussions and the person’s view of the Bible, offer a publication that you think would appeal to him.—See the insert in the December 2013 Our Kingdom Ministry.

• 3. How may we use “An Introduction to God’s Word” to start conversations in territories where people belong to a non-Christian religion?

• 4. What might you do at the end of your conversation with someone who belongs to a nonChristian religion?

WEEK STARTING APRIL6

Song 124 and Prayer

Q Congregation Bible Study:

cl chap. 22 V18-22, box p. 228 (30 min.)

Q Theocratic Ministry School:

Bible reading: 1 Samuel 16-18 (8 min.) No. 1: 1 Samuel 18:17-24 (3 min. or less) No. 2: Is God to Blame for Human Suffering?—nwt p. 18 V1-4 (5 min.)

No. 3: Barak—Theme: Be Valiant and Do Not Seek Glory From Men—it-1 p. 255 (5 min.)

Q Service Meeting:

Song 85

10 min: Offer the Magazines During April. Discussion. Start by demonstrating how the magazines may be offered, using the sample presentations provided. Then analyze each sample presentation from beginning to end.

10 min: How Did We Do? Discussion. Invite publishers to comment on how they benefited by applying points from the article “Improving Our Skills in the Ministry —Developing a Magazine Route.” Ask the audience to relate positive experiences.

10 min: Local needs.

Song 106 and Prayer

Announcements

■ Literature offer for March and April: The Watchtower and Awake! magazines. May and June: What Does the Bible Really Teach? or any of the new magazine-size tracts (T-30 to T-37).

■ The Memorial will be held on Friday, April 3, 2015. If your congregation normally has a meeting on Friday, it should be switched to another day of the week if the Kingdom Hall is available. If the Service Meeting must be canceled, the coordinator of the body of elders may make adjustments to the schedule so that parts that are particularly applicable to your congregation are considered during the month.

Sample Presentations

“34HTO6E7® April 1

Announcing Jehovah’s Kingdom       ■

“We’re giving this tract to everyone in the area today. [Hand the householder the tract How Do You View the Bible? and ask him the questions on the front. Show him the Bible’s answer from 2 Timothy 3:16, and encourage him to read the tract when he has time.] Many people are not aware that the Bible gives satisfying answers to questions such as these. [Show the opening questions in the first article of the Watchtower.] This magazine explains how you can find the answers in your own Bible.”

!"#$ April

“We are making brief visits today because many people are concerned about the changes they see in families. In years past, parents were in charge, but now, in some households it seems that the children are. Do you think parents today discipline their children as they should? [Allow for response.] According to the Bible, discipline is important. [Read Proverbs 29: 17.] This magazine discusses the Bible’s balanced instructions on disciplining children.”

Field Service Highlights 972 regular pioneers for October. Both Britain and Ireland reported high placements of magazines, no doubt due, in part, to the various pub-with the Bible’s message. However, the Governing Body reminds us that our desire is to start

Bible studies, thereby assisting rightly disposed individuals to become genuine disciples.—Acts 13:48; 1 Tim. 2:4.

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