Our kingdom ministry

JUNE 2015

MONTHLY THEME: “Remember the days of old.”—Deut. 32:7.

WEEK STARTING JUNE 8

Song 6 and Prayer

Q Congregation Bible Study:

cl chap. 25 ^17-21, box on p. 259 (30 min.)

Q Theocratic Ministry School:

Bible reading: 2 Samuel 19-21 (8 min.) No. 1: 2 Samuel 19:24-37 (3 min. or less)

No. 2: How Can You Find Happiness?—nwt p. 26 fl1-3 (5 min.)

No. 3: Caiaphas—Theme: Bloodguilty Opposers of the Truth Will Never Prevail—it-1 pp. 385-386 (5 min.)

Q Service Meeting:

Song 90

10 min: “Remember the Days of Old.” Talk based on the monthly theme. Read and discuss Deuteronomy 4:9 and 32:7 as well as Psalm 71:15-18. Explain how modern-day evangeliz-ers can benefit from remembering people and events from our theocratic history. Suggest that publishers occasionally discuss articles in the Watchtower series “From Our Archives” during their Family Worship evening. Preview some of the Service Meeting parts for the month, and discuss how they relate to the theme.

20 min: “Improving Our Skills in the Ministry —Starting a Doorstep Bible Study Using the Good News From God! Brochure.” Discussion by service overseer. Review pertinent figures from the congregation’s field service report that indicate the potential for more Bible studies. Have an experienced publisher demonstrate how a doorstep Bible study can be started using the presentation provided in the box. Encourage all to start a doorstep Bible study.

Song 29 and Prayer

Improving Our Skills in the Ministry—Starting a Doorstep Bible Study Using the Good News From God! Brochure

Why I m porta nt: To make disciples, we must be teachers of God’s Word. (Matt. 28:19, 20) All of us can effectively teach the truth by using the tools that have been given to us. The Good News From God! brochure is specially designed to help us teach the truth to others. In fact, we could use it to start a Bible study with a householder on the initial call right at his doorstep.

How to Do It:

• • Review the presentation in the box.

—See also the March 2013 Our Kingdom Ministry.

• • Put your personal copy of the brochure in yourservice bag. Be sure to have enough brochures to offer.

• • Consider just one or two paragraphs, and stay ten minutes or less.

Try This During the Month:

• • Pray for the desire to conduct a study.

Also, beg Jehovah for his help in starting a Bible study and in becoming an effective teacher of the truth.—Phil. 2:13.

• • During family worship or personal study, take time to embed the presentation in your heart. You can thus speak with conviction and start a doorstep Bible study while in the ministry.

When Going From House to House:

“I’m here because people are concerned about where this world is heading. Do you think conditions will ever improve? [Allow for response.] Many people are surprised to learn that the Bible contains good news that can give us hope. Here are some of the questions that the Bible answers.” Hand the householder a brochure, and invite him to choose a question from the back cover that interests him the most. Then go to the lesson, and demonstrate the study. Make arrangements to return to consider the next question in that lesson.

WEEK STARTING JUNE 15

Song 77 and Prayer

Q Congregation Bible Study:

cl chap. 26 fl1-9 (30 min.)

Q Theocratic Ministry School:

Bible reading: 2 Samuel 22-24 (8 min.) No. 1: 2 Samuel 22:21-32 (3 min. or less) No. 2: Cain—Theme: How We React to Counsel Tells Much About Us—it-1 pp. 386-387 (5 min.)

No. 3: Love and Obedience Bring Happiness

—nwt p. 26 ^4-6 (5 min.)

Q Service Meeting:

Song 88

12 min: Who Is Your Favorite Bible Character? Interview and talk. Begin by interviewing two or three young children in the congregation. Who is their favorite Bible character? According to the Bible, what did he or she do? In what way would they like to imitate the Bible character? Afterward, continue with a talk explaining how children can benefit from the Bible-character cards found on jw.org. (Look under BIBLE TEACHINGS > CHILDREN.) Each Bible-character card includes a profile and illustrations of the character, a map of where he lived, a time line showing when he lived, and three questions and answers about him. Each card is designed to be printed out and collected. Encourage parents with young children to make use of this tool to teach their children about “the days of old.”—Deut. 32:7.

18 min: “Learning From More Experienced Publishers.” Discussion. When considering paragraph two, invite the audience to relate how they benefited from working in the ministry with an experienced publisher.

Song 4 and Prayer

Learning From More Experienced Publishers

We truly treasure the experienced publishers in the congregation. Some have been faithfully serving Jehovah for many years. Others may have acquired good skills in the ministry more recently. These publishers have seen how Jesus has directed the Christian congregation in these last days by expanding the preaching and disciple-making work. (Matt. 28:19, 20) By sharing in this ministry, they have received “the power beyond what is normal” when facing personal challenges and trials. (2 Cor. 4:7) There is a lot to learn from these seasoned publishers. When given the opportunity, they find delight in teaching others what they have learned. (Ps. 71:18) Thus, we should make opportunities to learn from them. How can this be done?

In the Ministry. To be effective in the ministry, new or less experienced publishers need training. A great deal can be learned by observing how mature publishers carry out their ministry. (See the article in the February 15, 2015, Watchtower, “Maintain Your Zeal for the Ministry,” the third paragraph under the subheading “Help Less Experienced Ones.”) How have you benefited by working with such ones in the ministry?

Could you invite a well-qualified publisher to work with you in the ministry? If the publisher is infirm, perhaps you could periodically conduct one of your Bible studies at his home. After the study, ask the publisher for his observations and advice.

Spend Personal Time With Them: Get to know experienced publishers by spending time with them. Invite one of them to your family worship and interview him. If the publisher is infirm, could arrangements be made to enjoy family worship at his home? Find out how he came into the truth. What blessings has he enjoyed? What growth has he seen locally? What joy has he found in serving Jehovah?

Be understanding and balanced in your expectations. Like all of us, long-standing publishers have differing gifts in the ministry. (Rom. 12:6-8) Some are advanced in age, and this may limit the amount of time that they can spend with us. Nevertheless, we can learn much from them because of their experience in serving Jehovah faithfully.

WEEK STARTING JUNE 22

Song 67 and Prayer

Q Congregation Bible Study:

cl chap. 26 ^10-17 (30 min.)

Q Theocratic Ministry School:

Bible reading: 1 Kings 1-2 (8 min.)

No. 1: 1 Kings 1:15-27 (3 min. or less)

No. 2: Why Genuine Christians Are Content and Happy—nwt p. 27 fl1-3 (5 min.)

No. 3: Caleb (No. 2)—Theme: Jehovah Makes Powerful Those Who Follow Him Fully—it-1 pp. 388-389 (5 min.)

Q Service Meeting:

Song 75

15 min: What Did We Accomplish? Discussion by the secretary. Consider what was accomplished during the Memorial season, and commend the congregation for its activity. Invite audience to relate experiences enjoyed while distributing Memorial invitations.

15 min: How Did He Grasp Your Hand? (Isa. 41:13) Interview one or two longtime faithful servants in the congregation regarding how Jehovah has helped them overcome challenges in their service.

Song 107 and Prayer

Theocratic Ministry School Review

The following questions will be considered at the Theocratic Ministr y School during the week beginning June 29, 2015. The date when each point is scheduled for discussion is included so that research can be done when preparing for the school each week.

• 1. What was wrong with the way that Michal spoke to David, and what lesson should married couples take to heart from this account? (2 Sam. 6:20-23) [May 11, w11 8/1 p. 12 par. 1]

• 2. How did the prophet Nathan react when Jehovah corrected him for telling David to go ahead and build a temple for Jehovah? (2 Sam. 7:2, 3) [May 11, w12 2/15 p. 24 pars. 6-7]

• 3. Why did Nathan relate the parable recorded at 2 Samuel 12:1-7 instead of just telling David directly that he was guilty of serious sin? How can this account help us

WEEK STARTING JUNE 29

Song 9 and Prayer

Q Congregation Bible Study:

cl chap. 26 ^18-23, box on p. 269 (30 min.)

Q Theocratic Ministry School:

Bible reading: 1 Kings 3-6 (8 min.)

Theocratic Ministry School Review (20 min.)

Q Service Meeting:

Song 118

• 15 min: The Offer for July. Discussion. Consider features of the literature that will be offered, and have a demonstration of a publisher assisting a newer one with a presentation.

15 min: Benefit From the 2015 Yearbook. Discussion. Briefly review “A Letter From the Governing Body.” Invite comments on outstanding aspects of the worldwide report. Encourage all to complete their reading of the Yearbook.

Song 108 and Prayer

to be better teachers? [May 18, w12 2/15 p. 24 pars. 2-3]

• 4. Why was Absalom able to deceive the Israelites, and how can we protect ourselves from the “Absaloms” of our day? (2 Sam. 15:6) [May 25, w12 7/15 p. 13 par. 7]

• 5. How did Jehovah provide for David during a time of dire need, and what can we learn from this? (2 Sam. 17:27-29) [ June 1, w08 9/15 p. 6 pars. 15-16]

• 6. How can we benefit from David’s example in his dealings with a foreigner named It-tai? (2 Sam. 18:2) [ June 1, w09 5/15 p. 27 par. 7]

• 7. How might older ones in the congregation benefit from the example of Barzil-lai? (2 Sam. 19:33-35) [June 8, w07 7/15 p. 15 pars. 1-2]

• 8. How do David’s words about loyalty assure Jehovah’s servants today? (2 Sam. 22: 26) [ June 15, w10 6/1 p. 26 pars. 6-7]

• 9. How did Nathan display loyalty to God, and how can we imitate that quality today? (1 Ki. 1:11-14) [ June 22, w12 2/15 p. 25 pars. 1, 4-5]

• 10. In what areas of life might a servant of God use imperfect reasoning to get around God’s commands, as Solomon apparently did? (1 Ki. 3:1) [June 29, w11 12/15 p. 10 pars. 12-14]

WEEK STARTING JULY 6

Song 80 and Prayer

Q Congregation Bible Study:

cl chap. 27 fl1-9 (30 min.)

Q Theocratic Ministry School:

Bible reading: 1 Kings 7-8 (8 min.) No. 1: 1 Kings 8:27-34 (3 min. or less) No. 2: Cornelius—Theme: Jehovah God Is Not Partial—it-1 p. 513 (5 min.)

No. 3: How Can You Cope With Anxiety?—nwt p. 28 fl1-3 (5 min.)

Q Service Meeting:

Song 69

10 min: Offer the Magazines During July. Discussion. Start by having a demonstration, using the two sample presentations provided. Then analyze the presentations from beginning to end.

10 min: Local needs.

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—Starting a Doorstep Bible Study Using the Good News From God! Brochure.” Ask the audience to relate positive experiences.

Song 67 and Prayer

Announcements

■ Literature offer for June: What Does the Bible Rea lly Teach? or Would You Like to Know the Truth? July and August: Good News From God!, Listen to God, or Listen to God and Live Forever. September: The Watchtower and Awake! magazines.

■ All tracts and invitations left with individuals or at not-at-homes should be reported in the “Brochures and Tracts” column when filling out your personal field service report at the end of the month. When a person shows interest and accepts literature, even a tract, efforts should be made to call back to further his interest.

• ■ Beginning the week of October 19, 2015, the book Imitate Their Faith will be considered at the Congregation Bible Study. Congregations needing additional copies should ask for them on their next literature request. Those who prefer electronic publications should download a copy from jw.org rather than obtain a printed book.

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

Sample Presentations

3A4HTO6E7® July 1

Announcing Jehovah’s Kingdom    ^r *

“In view of life’s uncertainties, do you think that Jesus’ words about coping with anxieties are practical? [Read Matthew 6:25, and allow for response.] This issue of The Watchtower discusses how applying Bible principles can help to minimize anxiety related to money concerns, family problems, and personal danger.”

!"#$ July

“Many people today are overwhelmed by their circumstances in life. Wouldn’t you agree? [Allow for response.] The Bible indicates that our attitude is important when we face challenges. [Read Proverbs 24:10.] This magazine offers practical suggestions on how to cope with difficult circumstances and provides real-life examples of some who are doing so.”

Field Service Highlights

We are pleased to report that in December 2014 the United States had a 4.4 percent increase in Bible studies compared with the same month of the previous year. There were also increases in Bible studies in the following locations: Bahamas (2.2 percent), Bermuda (6.6 percent), Cayman Islands (29.7 percent), Jamaica (2 percent), and Turks and Caicos Islands (5.3 percent). It is encouraging to see Jehovah’s blessing on the disciple-making work!—Matt. 28:19, 20.

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