Our kingdom ministry

FEBRUARY 2015

MONTHLY THEME: Be “Zealous for Fine Works”!—Titus 2:14.

WEEK STARTING FEBRUARY 9

Song 9 and Prayer

Q Congregation Bible Study:

cl chap. 20 fl1-7 (30 min.)

Q Theocratic Ministry School:

Bible reading: Judges 11-14 (8 min.)

No. 1: Judges 13:15-25 (3 min. or less)

No. 2: Annas—Theme: Hateful Opposition to the Truth Is Futile—it-1 pp. 112-113 (5 min.) No. 3: Is the Bible Scientifically Accurate?—nwt p. 11 fl1-3 (5 min.)

Q Service Meeting:

Song 54

15 min: “Why Be ‘Zealous for Fine Works’?” Discussion. Include comments on the June 1, 2002, Watchtower, page 23, paragraphs 17-19.

15 min: “Improving Our Skills in the Ministry —Witnessing Through an Intercom.” Discussion. Include cited experiences, and invite publishers to relate any local experiences regarding how some householders have responded favorably when witnessed to through an intercom. Have a brief demonstration showing how to apply the suggestions.

Song 33 and Prayer

Why Be “Zealous for Fine Works”?

Are you zealous for fine works? As Kingdom publishers, we have every reason to be. Why? Consider what we read at Titus 2:11-14:

• • Verse 11: What is “the undeserved kindness of God,” and how have we personally benefited from it?—Rom. 3:23, 24.

• • Verse 12: How have we been trained by God’s undeserved kindness?

• • Verses 13 and 14: Now that we have been cleansed, what hope do we have? And for what greater purpose have we been cleansed from the world’s ungodly conduct?

• • How do these verses stimulate you to be zealous for fine works?

Improving Our Skills in the Ministry—Witnessing Through an Intercom

Why Important: Witnessing through an intercom can be intimidating. How can we avoid letting this challenge dampen our zeal for fine works? Keep in mind that witnessing through an intercom may be the only way to reach some people with the good news. (Rom. 10:14) Experience has shown that an effective witness can be given this way. (See the 2011 Yearbook, pp. 65-66, and the 2000 Yearbook, p. 54, par. 3.) Consider the following suggestions.

How to Do It:

• • Prepare a brief presentation, and write it out so that you can read it directly to the householder through the intercom. This can boost your confidence. At the outset, explain the purpose of your visit. Use the householder’s name if it is shown on the directory. Conclude by offering to deliver (or leave in the person’s door) a tract or a magazine that will provide more information.

• • Maintain a positive viewpoint. Smile and gesture as if you were speaking face-to-face with the person.

• • Relax and be conversational. Speak clearly and with good volume. Avoid unnecessary pauses, but do not speak too fast.

• • Use good judgment. In large buildings, there may be many intercoms. Perhaps you could choose just three or so to ring, take note of where you left off, and then leave. Residents of the building may become alarmed ifwe linger in the foyer in order to ring every intercom.

Try This During the Month:

• • During family worship have practice sessions with the participants facing away from each other.

WEEK STARTING FEBRUARY 16

Song 80 and Prayer

Q Congregation Bible Study:

cl chap. 20 ^8-15 (30 min.)

Q Theocratic Ministry School:

Bible reading: Judges 15-18 (8 min.) No. 1: Judges 16:13-24 (3 min. or less)

No. 2: What Is the Bible’s Message?—nwt p. 12 fl1-4 (5 min.)

No. 3: Apollos—Theme: A Man of Humility, Eloquence, and Zeal—it-1 pp.125-126 (5 min.)

Q Service Meeting:

Song 92

15 min: Prepare to Proclaim the Good News Zealously. Discussion. Why is praying to Jehovah the first step in preparing for the ministry? (Ps. 143:10; Acts 4:31) In addition to prayer, what else is needed? (Ezra 7:10) After preparing ourselves spiritually, what practical steps should we take to organize our literature and our service bags? What positive effect does being prepared have on us? (See The Watchtower, July 15, 2008, p. 10, par. 9.) How do you prepare for the ministry? Have a publisher demonstrate how he prepares for the ministry by reviewing the tracts, magazines, or brochures that he will be using. He then organizes his service bag and makes sure that his electronic device is ready to play. Emphasize that all should be well-prepared when going in the ministry. (2 Tim. 3:17)

15 min: “During This Memorial Season, Will You Imitate the Zeal of Jehovah and Jesus?” Questions and answers. Distribute a copy of the Memorial invitation to each person in the audience, and discuss its contents. Have a brief demonstration, using the sample presentation on page 4.

Song 30 and Prayer

During This Memorial Season, Will You Imitate the Zeal of

Jehovah and Jesus?

¹ Jehovah accomplishes his purpose with zeal. Referring to some of the blessings of God’s Kingdom, Isaiah 9:7 says: “The zeal of

• 1. What do Jehovah’s Witnesses make a special effort to do during the Memorial season?

Jehovah of armies will do this.” Similarly, during his earthly ministry, God’s Son demonstrated great zeal for true worship. (John 2:13-17; 4:34) Each year during the Memorial season, millions of publishers around the world make a special effort to imitate the zeal of Jehovah and Jesus by increasing their activity in the ministry. Will you be among them?

• ² Memorial Campaign: This year’s campaign to advertise the Memorial will begin on Saturday, March 7. Plan now to have a zealous share in the ministry. Congregations will be abuzz with excitement as they actively share in covering as much of their territory as possible. Make a concerted effort to invite your Bible students, return visits, workmates, relatives, and schoolmates by giving them an invitation or by using jw.org.

• ³ Auxiliary Pioneer: Zeal will also motivate us to expand our ministry. No doubt many will be able to auxiliary pioneer during March and April, since we will have the option of choosing the 30-hour requirement. During your family worship or personal study, give prayerful consideration to how you can do this. (Prov. 15:22) Your enthusiasm for this campaign can stimulate others to zealous activity. If you make personal adjustments in order to do more, you will be imitating the zeal of Jesus.—Mark 6:31-34.

• ⁴ Our imitating the zeal of Jehovah and Jesus during this Memorial season will bring rich rewards. Many more in the territory will receive a witness. We will experience the joy and satisfaction that comes from serving Jehovah and giving to others. (Acts 20:35) Most important, we will please our zealous God and his Son.

• 2. What will zeal motivate us to do beginning on March 7?

• 3. How can we expand our ministry during March and April?

• 4. What rewards come from imitating the zeal of Jehovah and Jesus?

  © 2015 Christian Congregation of Jehovah’s Witnesses. Our Kingdom Ministry (ISSN 1067-7259) is published monthly by Christian Congregation of Jehovah’s Witnesses; C. I. Woody, President; W. H. Nonkes, Secretary-Treasurer; 2821 Route 22, Patterson, NY 12563-2237. Periodicals Postage Paid at Patterson, NY, and at additional mailing offices. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to Our Kingdom Ministry, 1000 Red Mills Road, Wallkill, NY 12589-3299.                            Printed in Canada.

  
  

WEEK STARTING FEBRUARY 23

Song 21 and Prayer

Q Congregation Bible Study:

cl chap. 20 ^16-21, box on p. 207 (30 min.)

Q Theocratic Ministry School:

Bible reading: Judges 19-21 (8 min.)

Theocratic Ministry School Review (20 min.)

Q Service Meeting:

Song 75

10 min: Local needs.

10 min: Be Zealous for True Worship Like Jesus. Talk based on the May 15, 2013, Watchtower, page 8, paragraph 2, and the December 15, 2010, Watchtower, pages 9-11, paragraphs 12-16. Emphasize how preaching is a ‘fine work’ that Christians are privileged to do. (Titus 2:14) Mention how our knowing the truth moves us to preach the good news zealously and to conduct Bible studies. Commend the congregation for the zeal they have shown for fine works.

10 min: “Proclaim the Truth About Jesus With Zeal.” Discussion. Have a publisher demonstrate “Scenario 1” in The Watchtower of May 15, 2014, on page 8 in paragraph 8, and include the illustration outlined on page 9 in paragraph 13.

Song 5 and Prayer

Proclaim the Truth About Jesus With Zeal

Our zeal increases when we know how to share the truth about Jesus with others. Jesus is the foundation cornerstone on which true faith is built. (Eph. 2:20) Without him, we would have no hope for life. (Acts 4:12) Therefore, it is important that all recognize Jesus’ position in God’s purpose. Many have been misled by unscriptural doctrines. Sadly, they stand to lose out on the promises God’s Word holds out to those who exercise faith in Jesus. Our zeal for the truth will move us to help honesthearted ones to gain a correct understanding of Jesus, his relationship to God, and his role in God’s purpose. During this Memorial season, will you zealously proclaim the truth about Jesus?

Theocratic Ministry School Review

The following questions will be considered at the Theocratic Ministry School during the week beginning February 23, 2015.

• 1. How did the cities of refuge in ancient Israel differ from pagan sanctuaries for fugitive criminals? ( Josh. 20:2, 3) [ Jan. 5, w10 11/1 p. 15 pars. 4-6]

• 2. Why could Joshua say the words recorded at Joshua 23:14 with complete confidence, and why can we have absolute confidence in Jehovah’s promises? [Jan. 12, w07 11/1 p. 26 par. 19]

• 3. Why was Judah designated to be the first tribe to take possession of the land allotted to it? ( Judg. 1:2, 4) [ Jan. 19, w05 1/15 p. 24 par. 5]

• 4. Why did Barak insist that the prophetess Deborah go with him to the battlefield? ( Judg. 4:8) [ Jan. 19, w05 1/15 p. 25 par. 4]

• 5. What is indicated by the name that Gideon gave to the altar he constructed, and what can we learn from this? (Judg. 6:23, 24) [Jan. 26, w14 2/15 pp. 22-23 par. 9]

• 6. What can we learn from Gideon’s response to the quarrelsome Ephraimites? ( Judg. 8:1-3) [Feb. 2, w05 7/15 p. 16 par. 4]

• 7. When making his vow, did Jephthah have a human sacrifice in mind? ( Judg. 11:30, 31) [Feb. 9, w05 1/15 p. 26 par. 1]

• 8. According to Judges 11:35-37, what enabled Jephthah’s daughter to fulfill her father’s vow? [Feb. 9, w11 12/15 pp. 20-21 pars. 15-16]

• 9. When there was no king in Israel and “each one was doing what was right in his own eyes,” did such circumstances foster anarchy? Explain. ( Judg. 17:6) [Feb. 16, w05 1/15 p. 27 par. 8]

• 10. What lesson about persevering in prayer might we learn from the account about the Israelites suffering defeat twice by the wayward tribe of Benjamin? ( Judg. 20:1425) [Feb. 23, w11 9/15 p. 32 pars. 1-4]

WEEK STARTING MARCH 2

Song 5 and Prayer

Q Congregation Bible Study:

cl chap. 21 ^1-8 (30 min.)

Q Theocratic Ministry School:

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

No. 1: Ruth 3:14-4:6 (3 min. or less)

No. 2: Aquila—Theme: Preach With Zeal and Be Hospitable—it-1 p. 138 (5 min.)

No. 3: The Humility and Power of Christ the King—nwt p. 12 fl5-p. 13 ^4 (5 min.)

Q Service Meeting:

Song 121

10 min: Offer the Magazines During March. Discussion. Start by demonstrating how the magazines may be offered, using the two sample presentations on this page. Encourage all to become well-acquainted with the magazines.

10 min: “Zealously Motivate One Another to Fine Works.” Discussion. Highlight how the monthly theme was emphasized during the Service Meetings in February.

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—Witnessing Through an Intercom.” If applicable, ask publishers how they were able to give a witness through an intercom. New song “Jehovah Is Your Name” and Prayer Reminder: Please play the music through once, and then the congregation should sing the new song.

Zealously Motivate One Another to Fine Works

Hebrews 10:24 encourages us to “consider one another so as to incite [“motivate,” ftn.] to love and fine works.” We can motivate our brothers by the example we set and by our expressions of faith. Share your good experiences with others in the congregation. Let them see the joy you feel in serving Jehovah. At the same time, avoid unfavorably comparing them to yourself or others. (Gal. 6:4) Seek to use your strengths to motivate others to “love and fine works,” not guilt and fine works. (See the Ministry School book, p. 158, par. 4.) If we incite to love, then the works—such as doing good to others materially or preaching—will follow.—2 Cor. 1:24.

Announcements

• ■ Literature offer for February: Good News From God! or Was Life Created? March and April: The Watchtower and Awake! magazines. May: What Does the Bible Really Teach? or Would You Like to Know the Truth?

• ■ The special public talk for the 2015 Memorial season is entitled “A Promise of Perfect Family Happiness.”

Sample Presentations

For the Memorial Invitation Campaign

“We’re distributing this invitation to a very important event. On April 3, millions around the world will gather to commemorate the death of Jesus Christ and to hear a free discourse about how his death benefits us. This invitation shows the time and location of the meeting being held in our community.”

3A4HTO6E7® March 1

AnnouncingJbhovah’s Kingdom

“April 3 marks the anniversary of the death of Jesus Christ. Some in our community will meet on this date to commemorate the occasion, but there are others who do not think that Jesus’ death was significant. What’s your opinion? Do you think Jesus’ death and resurrection benefit us? [Allow for response.] Notice what God’s Word says about this. [Read 1 Corinthians 15:22, 26.] This magazine discusses a future benefit of Jesus’ ransom sacrifice —namely, that one day no one on earth will die.”

!"#$ March

“We are making brief visits on our neighbors to show them the current issue of Awake! [Show the cover.] Everyone has his own viewpoint on this first question: ‘Is there a God?’ In your opinion, who has a more positive view of the future—those who believe in God or those who don’t? [Allow for response.] Here is a promise from God that gives many people hope. [Read Psalm 37:10, 11.] This magazine outlines four reasons to inve stigate whether God exists.”

Field Service Highlights

We are thrilled to report four new publisher peaks during the special campaign month of August 2014! The Bahamas reported 1,875 publishers, Bermuda reported 544 publishers, the Turks and Caicos Islands reported 338 publishers, and the United States reported 1,243,387 publishers. Also, the Bahamas had a new peak of 218 regular pioneers, and

Puerto Rico had a new peak of 3,297 regular pioneers. Certainly, Jehovah is ‘speeding up’ the Kingdom-preaching work during this time of the end!—Isa. 60:22.

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