Our Kingdom Ministry

July 2002                         For United States of America km-E Us 7/02 Vol. 45, No. 7

• ¹ God’s Word is being fulfilled! People “out of all the languages of the nations” are embracing true worship. (Zech. 8:23) How are Jehovah’s Witnesses helping individuals of all ‘tribes, peoples, and tongues’ to come into a clean standing before Jehovah, with the prospect of surviving “the great tribulation”?—Rev. 7:9,14.

• ² God’s Organization Responds: The Governing Body has arranged for Bible literature to be made available in some 380 languages so that people in all the earth can understand clearly the import of the good news. Preparing and publishing literature in so many languages is a vast undertaking. It involves assembling teams of qualified translators and providing them with the support they need to translate our literature into all these languages, as well as printing and shipping the material. The key role, however, is played by the individual Kingdom publishers, who bring the Bible’s lifesaving message to the people.

• ³ Accepting the Challenge: Sizable foreign-language populations are now found in many places. To reach these people with the good news, more and more of God’s servants are endeavoring to learn Chinese, Russian, Spanish, or some other language common in their area. Others are learning American Sign Language. In the United States alone, there are some 2,900 congregations and 240 groups preaching in 38 languages other than English. Some who never heard of Jehovah or knew nothing about the Bible are accepting the truth of God’s Word.—Rom. 15:21.

• ⁴ Could we exert ourselves more fully in declaring the good news to people in our territory who are from another culture? (Col. 1:25) Many congregations are organizing the preaching work in the local foreign community. Publishers first learn enough of the language to give a simple presentation, such as: “Hello. Here is good news for you. [Then offer a tract or brochure available in that language.] Good-bye.” Jehovah is truly blessing such small beginnings!

• ⁵ The Kingdom message appeals to people of all backgrounds and languages. Let us seize the opportunity to share it with them.

  New Circuit Assembly Program

  
  

^JTo stand firm in the faith in an unstable world, we must trust in Jehovah. What does this mean in practical terms? How does trusting in Jehovah affect our personal and family life? How does it help us resist the influence of Satan’s world? The circuit assembly program for the 2003 service year answers these questions. Its theme is “Trust in Jehovah and Do Good.”—Ps. 37:3.

• ² Our trust in Jehovah is not reserved for special occasions or times of dire need. It permeates our daily lives. This is emphasized in the opening talk, “Trust in Jehovah at All Times.” (Ps. 62:8) The four-part symposium “Manifesting Trust in Jehovah” will show us how to find and apply Bible-based information that can help us to build a successful marriage, to handle problems that arise in the family circle, and to meet our material needs.

• ³ Satan’s world tries to foist on us a twisted view of what is right and wrong and cause confusion as to what is important and unimportant. (Isa. 5:20) The talks “Guard Against the Vanities of Life” and “Shun the Bad —Be Doers of Good” will reinforce our resolve to uphold Jehovah’s lofty standards.—Amos 5:14.

• ⁴ When Jehovah brings an end to the present wicked system of things, God’s servants will need to trust in him fully. This is highlighted in the public address, “Deliverance From World Distress Is Near.” After that, we will be invited to examine ourselves in the part “Will You Be Counted Worthy of the Kingdom of God?” The program concludes with an exhortation to “Trust in Jehovah’s Promises.”

• ⁵ A highlight of every assembly is the baptism talk. Any who wish to be baptized should tell the presiding overseer as soon as possible so that the necessary arrangements can be made.

⁸ In these uncertain times, Jehovah is the only real source of confidence and stability. (Ps. 118:8, 9) May all of us strengthen our trust in him by being present for the entire circuit assembly program.

Week Starting July 8

Song 201

15 min: Local announcements. Selected Announcements from Our Kingdom Ministry. Using the suggestions on page 4, have two separate demonstrations of how to present the July 15 Watchtower and the July 22 Awake! In each demonstration, show a different way to handle the conversation stopper “We are already Christians here.”—See Reasoning book, page 19.

10 min: Question Box. Talk by an elder, making local application of the material.

20 min: Getting Organized to Witness Informally. Audience discussion of Our Ministry book, pages 93-4. Using suggestions on the front page of the January 2002 Our Kingdom Ministry insert, briefly demonstrate two or three ways to witness informally to a stranger, a neighbor, a relative, or an acquaintance.

Song 139 and concluding prayer.

Week Starting July 15

Song 144

10 min: Local announcements. Accounts report.

15 min: Local needs.

20 min: Good Reasons to Use the Bible in Our Ministry. Talk and audience discussion. Jesus knew the Scriptures and referred to them liberally when teaching. (Luke 24:27, 44-47) What he taught was not of his own originality. (John 7:16-18) It is important that we too use God’s Word. It has more power than anything we might personally say. (John 12: 49, 50; Heb. 4:12) Sincere ones are drawn by the comfort and hope the Scriptures offer. Make it your goal to read at least one Bible text in your presentations. Point out that scriptures are incorporated in this month’s suggested magazine presentations. Entertain some comments from the audience on how they have been using the Bible in the ministry and the effect this has had on themselves and on those to whom they preached.

Song 215 and concluding prayer.

Week Starting July 22

Song 47

10 min: Local announcements. A parent and child working together in service demonstrate how to use the suggestions on page 4 to offer the August 1 and August 8 magazines. One features The Watchtower, and the other features the Awake! Encourage parents to train their children progressively in the ministry.

17 min: What Would You Say to a Person Who Asks About Islam? Talk and demonstration. Using the book Mankind’s Search for God, chapter 12, briefly explain the parallel between the Bible and the Koran. (See the box on page 285.) Show the contrast between Islamic teaching on the soul (pages 297-300) and the Bible’s explanation. (See the footnote on page 299.) Using the Reasoning book, pages 375-9, demonstrate how to explain to a newly interested person what the Bible says about the soul.

18 min: How Can I Avoid Dangers on the Internet? Talk and audience discussion based on the January 22, 2000, Awake!, pages 19-21. Point out the pitfalls of unrestricted use of the Internet, and explain how to avoid becoming ensnared. Invite audience to comment on how they have benefited from applying this counsel. Song 61 and concluding prayer.

Week Starting July 29

Song 54

io min: Local announcements. Remind publishers to turn in field service reports for July.

10 min: “New Circuit Assembly Program.” A talk. Announce date of the next circuit assembly. Urge all to be present and attentive to the program. Encourage unbaptized publishers to think about qualifying for baptism. Make a special effort to invite Bible students.

25 min: “Be Harmoniously Joined Together.”* When discussing paragraph 3, include comments on April 22, 2000, Awake!, pages 9-10. With paragraph 4, include comments on April 1,1995, Watchtower, pages 16-17, paragraphs 4-6. Song 81 and concluding prayer.

Week Starting August 5

Song 38

10 min: Local announcements.

20 min: “Gathering People Out of All Languages.”* Include comments on April 1, 2002, Watchtower, page 24. If applicable, briefly explain what is being done to assist those in the local territory who speak foreign languages, and demonstrate the presentation in paragraph 4.

15 min: Local experiences. Invite audience to relate some upbuilding experiences in connection with attending the district convention, auxiliary pioneering, or sharing in other spiritual activities thus far during the summer. Song 184 and concluding prayer.

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

ANNOUNCEMENTS

■ Literature offer for July and August: 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. September: Life —How Did It Get Here? By Evolution or by Creation? October: The Watchtower and Awake! magazines. Where interest is shown, offer the Require brochure, making a special effort to start Bible studies.

■ Beginning the week of September 16, 2002, we will study Isaiah’s Prophecy—Light for All Mankind II in the Congregation Book Study.

■ Starting in September, circuit overseers will give the public talk entitled “Safeguard Your Christian Identity!” ■ The Watchtower in Hiri Motu is being changed from a semimonthly to a monthly edition.

• ■ The Watchtower in Kirundi is being changed from a monthly to a semimonthly edition.

• ■ The Watchtower is now available in Assamese and Mlzo as monthly editions.

• ■ New Publications Available:

“All Scripture”—Authentic and Beneficial, Brochure 2 (Brochure for use in 2002 Theocratic Ministry School)

—Russian Benefit From Theocratic Ministry School Education —Hebrew, Iloko Do You Have an Immortal Spirit? (Tract No. 25) —Palauan, Tamil, Trukese Hellfire—Is It Part of Divine Justice? (for Muslims) (Tract No. 74) —Dutch, Italian

How to Find the Road to Paradise (for Muslims) —Macedonian, Uzbek Isaiah’s Prophecy—Light for All Mankind I           —Gujarati, Hindi

My Book of Bible Stories       —Ewe

The Government That Will Bring Paradise —Kurmanji Kurdish (Roman script)

The Greatest Man Who Ever Lived

—Kinyarwanda The Greatest Name (for Muslims)

(Tract No. 72)            —Dutch

Who Are Jehovah’s Witnesses? (for Mus

lims) (Tract No. 73)       —Dutch

You Can Be God’s Friend!   —Yoruba

• ■ New Audiocassettes Available: A Satisfying Life—How to Attain It

—English Warning Examples for Our Day (Drama, single cassette) —Portuguese ■ New Compact Discs Available: Respect Jehovah’s Authority (Drama, single disc)             —Spanish

• ■ New DVDs Available:

What Does God Require of Us?

—American Sign Language

• ■ New Videocassettes Available: Our Whole Association of Brothers

—Dutch, Hungarian, Thai The Greatest Man Who Ever Lived, Vol

ume 9 —American Sign Language United by Divine Teaching     —Thai

Warning Examples for Our Day

—Spanish Young People Ask—How Can I Make Real Friends? —Chinese, Dutch

Question Box

■ What should we bear in mind when using cellular telephones and electronic pagers?

Such devices can enable us to contact others nearly any place we might be. While this may be useful, we must be careful not to allow the use of cell phones and pagers at inappropriate times to detract from our ministry or Christian meetings. How could this happen?

Consider the effect it would have if our cell phone rang or our pager beeped while we were engaging in the held ministry giving a witness. What would the householder think? What impression might we leave if we stopped to answer the call? We would certainly not want to do anything to hinder others from listening to the Kingdom message. (2 Cor. 6:3) Hence, if we are carrying a cell phone or a pager, we should set it so that it does not interrupt us or others while we are engaging in the field ministry.

What about when we are waiting while others are giving a witness? If we have set aside a period of time for field service, should we not keep our minds on that activity? Out of respect for our sacred service, please care for unnecessary personal business or social interests at another time. (Rom. 12:7) This would not, of course, rule out using a phone to give a further witness or to make an appointment to do so.

We must be especially cautious about using cell phones while driving, since some studies show that doing so greatly increases the risk of having an accident. We should strictly observe any laws that restrict the use of cell phones while driving.

We come to Christian meetings, assemblies, and conventions to worship Jehovah and be taught by him. Should not appreciation for the sacredness of these occasions move us to set cell phones and pagers so that they do not distract us or others? If there is an urgent matter requiring our immediate attention, we should attend to it outside the place of meeting. Otherwise, we should arrange to care for personal and secular matters at times other than those designated for worship.—1 Cor. 10:24.

May the way we use cellular phones or any other electronic equipment always show consideration for others and deep appreciation for spiritual things.

• ¹ How often have you marveled at the masterful design of the human body? (Ps. 139:14) Each member of the body works in concert with the others. God’s Word likens the Christian congregation to a well-coordinated body. Under the Head, Christ, all the members of the congregation are ‘harmoniously joined together and made to cooperate through every joint that gives what is needed.’ (Eph. 4: 16a) Thus, Jehovah is able to use his united people to accomplish wonderful things.

• ² Members of the first-century congregation acted “with one accord” in caring for one another’s spiritual and material needs. (Acts 2:44-47) With Jehovah’s backing, they unitedly faced and overcame fierce opposition. (Acts 4:24-31) They declared the Kingdom message wherever they went, covering the then-known earth with the good news. (Col. 1:23) In modern times, the Christian congregation has unitedly accomplished these same things on an even larger scale. What factors contribute to this oneness?

• ³ Drawn Together by Divine Teaching: Around the globe, we are united by our worship. How is this possible? We recognize Jehovah’s visible channel for providing spiritual “food at the proper time.” (Matt. 24: 45) We also appreciate the “gifts in men” he has given as teachers in the congregation. As we humbly accept Jehovah’s provisions to feed us spiritually, our understanding of God’s Word grows and stirs within us a common desire to imitate Jesus as his disciples. We must go on studying God’s Word, earnestly endeavoring to “attain to the oneness in the faith.” (Eph. 4:8, 11-13) Are you contributing to our spiritual unity by reading the Bible daily?

• ⁴ United by Christian Association: Love draws us together in close association at Christian meetings. At these meetings, we “consider one another.” (Heb. 10:24, 25) This involves looking beyond outward appearances and really getting to know our brothers, seeing them the way Jehovah sees them, as precious. (Hag. 2:7, ftn.) As we listen to their expressions of faith, our love for them deepens and our unity is strengthened. Are you known as one who regularly attends the congregation meetings?

• ⁵ Fellow Workers in the Field: Preaching the good news with fellow believers unites us in doing God’s will. The apostle Paul appreciated his “fellow workers for the kingdom of God.” (Col. 4: 11) Sharing experiences and assisting one another while in the ministry helps us to accomplish our Christian commission and strengthens our bond of unity. —Col. 3:14.

• ⁶ Unifying Influence of Holy Spirit: As we apply ourselves to doing his will, Jehovah blesses us with his spirit. This helps us to smooth over differences and dwell together in unity. (Ps. 133:1) It motivates us “to observe the oneness of the spirit in the uniting bond of peace.” (Eph. 4:3) Each of us can contribute to the harmony that exists among God’s people by manifesting the fruitage of the spirit in our dealings with one another.—Gal. 5:22, 23.

’Serving together unitedly under Christ’s headship “makes for the growth of the body for the building up of itself in love.” (Eph. 4:16b) Moreover, it glorifies Jehovah, “the God who gives peace.”—Rom. 16:20.

What to Say About the Magazines

--

"Watchtower July 15

Announcing Jehovah -s Kingdom

“Do you think that the wicked are punished in hell? [Allow for response.] The Bible clearly shows what the punishment for sin is. [Read Romans 6:23a.] Is hell, then, a fiery place of torment? Is it simply a state of separation from God? This magazine gives Scriptural answers to these questions.”

Awake! July 22

“Many people view gambling as a socially acceptable pastime. Others feel that it harms families and society in general. This issue of Awake! examines gambling in the light of recently published research. You may also be interested in reading how Bible principles relate to this subject.” As an example, read 1 Timothy 6:10.

"Watchtower Aug. 1

Announcing Jehovah's Kingdom

“Many people feel that superstitious ideas and customs are just innocent fun. [Show an item or two from the box on page 5.] Have you ever thought about what is behind such ideas? [After a response, read 2 Corinthians 11:14.] This magazine gives the Bible’s view of superstitions.”

Awake! Aug. 8

“Many people are very concerned about the rising tide of violence and terrorism. Perhaps you agree with the words of Ecclesiastes 8:9. [Read and allow for response.] This issue of Awake! discusses lessons from the past and shows how such domination will soon end.”

4