Our Kingdom ministry

April 2005                         For United States of America km-E Us 4/05 Vol. 48, No. 4

• ¹ Critical times are here. Civil strife, ethnic wars, natural disasters, and other horrific events are commonplace. Now more than ever, the human family needs good news. However, apathy toward spiritual things is widespread. In some areas, it may be difficult to find people at home and even harder to find people who will listen to us or who want to study the Bible. Even so, it is vital that we persist in preaching the good news of God’s established Kingdom.—Matt. 24:14.

• ² Love for People: Our preaching underscores Jehovah’s love for people. “He does not desire any to be destroyed but desires all to attain to repentance.” (2 Pet. 3:9; Ezek. 33: 11) Hence, he has decreed that, as Jesus said, “in all the nations the good news has to be preached first” (Mark 13:10) God appeals to people to turn to him and escape the comingjudgment on Satan’s world. (Joel 2:28, 29, 32; Zeph. 2:2, 3) Are we not grateful that Jehovah extended that opportunity to us?—1 Tim. 1:12, 13.

• ³ The worldwide report shows that during the 2004 service year, an average of 6,085,387 Bible studies were conducted each month, and an average of some 5,000 new disciples were baptized each week! Some of these newly dedicated ones were found as a result of Jehovah’s blessing on the persistent endeavors of publishers who made an effort to speak with everyone in their assigned territories. What joy that has produced in the congregations, and what a privilege it is to be a fellow worker with God in this lifesaving work!—1 Cor. 3:5, 6, 9.

• ⁴ Praising God’s Name: We persist in preaching in order to praise Jehovah publicly and to sanctify his name before all mankind. (Heb. 13:15) Satan has misled “the entire inhabited earth” into believing that God is powerless to solve mankind’s problems, that he is indifferent to human suffering, or that he simply does not exist. (Rev. 12:9) By our preaching, we champion the truth about our magnificent heavenly Father. May we continue to praise his name—now and forever.—Ps. 145:1, 2.

  Do Good and Share With Others

  
  

• ¹ Dorcas “abounded in good deeds and gifts of mercy.” (Acts 9:36, 39) Her generous spirit endeared her both to the people who knew her and to Jehovah God. Hebrews 13:16 says: “Do not forget the doing of good and the sharing of things with others, for with such sacrifices God is well pleased.” How can we do good and share with others today?

• ² One way we can benefit others is by sharing our “valuable things.” (Prov. 3:9) Our contributions to the worldwide work make it possible for Kingdom Halls, Assembly Halls, and branch facilities to be built throughout the world. Our generosity has enabled millions to benefit from theocratic instruction and upbuilding spiritual association.

• ³ Sharing Comfort: When disaster strikes, Jehovah’s people are ready to “work what is good” toward fellow believers as well as toward those who do not share our faith. (Gal. 6: 10) Following an explosion in a chemical plant in France, one couple who lived next to the plant stated: “Our Christian brothers came immediately to help clean up our apartment as well as those of others in the building. Our neighbors were very surprised to see that so many people came to help.” Another sister added: “The elders rallied around us. They came to encourage us. In fact, this was what we needed, more than material help.”

• ⁴ While there are many ways that we can do good to our neighbors, the most beneficial way we can help them is to share the precious knowledge of the truth, which includes the “hope of the everlasting life” promised by Jehovah himself. (Titus 1:1, 2) The Bible’s message brings true comfort to those who are mourning over world conditions and their own sinful state. (Matt. 5:4) May we do good and share with others when it is in the power of our hand to do so. —Prov. 3:27.

  Service Meeting Schedule

  
  

Note: Our Kingdom Ministry will schedule a Service Meeting for each week during the summer months. Congregations may make adjustments as needed to allow for attending the “Godly Obedience” District Convention. Where appropriate, use 15 minutes on the last Service Meeting before attending the convention to repeat counsel and reminders from this month’s insert that apply locally. A month or two following your convention, set aside 15 to 20 minutes on a Service Meeting (perhaps using a local needs portion) for a review of convention highlights that the publishers have found to be helpful in the field ministry. The special Service Meeting part will give us the opportunity to explain how we are using what we learned at the convention and how that has helped make our ministry more effective.

Week Starting April 11

Song 4

15 min: Local announcements. Selected Announcements from Our Kingdom Ministry. Use the suggestions on page 8 (if appropriate for your territory) to demonstrate how to present the April 15 Watchtower and the April 22 Awake! Other realistic presentations may be used. In one of the demonstrations, show the publisher engaging in street witnessing.

15 min: “Persist in Preaching.”* As time permits, invite audience to comment on the cited scriptures.

15 min: “Do Good and Share With Others.”* Make local application of the material, mentioning practical ways that we can assist others.

Song 47 and concluding prayer.

Week Starting April 18

Song 76

10 min: Local announcements.

20 min: “Conducting Progressive Bible Studies—Part 8.”* Include a brief demonstration in which a publisher provides a new Bible student with a copy of the brochure Jehovah’s Witnesses—Who Are They? What Do They Believe? The publisher draws attention to the picture on page 20 of the brochure and briefly describes the Public Meeting. He mentions the title of the next public talk and invites the student to attend.

15 min: Living With Soundness of Mind in an Electronic Age. (Titus 2:11, 12) A talk based on the September 2002 Our Kingdom Ministry, page 8, paragraphs 1-7, and the November 1999 Our Kingdom Ministry, page 5, paragraphs 24-6, and page 6, paragraphs 35-6. As time permits, other points from the November 1999 Our Kingdom Ministry insert may be included if applicable locally.

Song 169 and concluding prayer.

Week Starting April 25

Song 111

15 min: Local announcements. Read accounts report and donation acknowledgments. Remind publishers to turn in April field service reports. Using the suggestions on page 8 (if appropriate for your territory), demonstrate how to present the May 1 Watchtower and the May 8 Awake! Other realistic presentations may be used. In one of the presentations, demonstrate how to handle the conversation stopper “I’m not interested.” (See Reasoning book, p. 16.) Mention articles that may more readily appeal to people in the territory.

30 min: “Laud Jehovah in the Big Congregation.”* To be handled by the congregation secretary. Mention the convention to which the congregation is assigned. Consider the numbered paragraphs in the manner of the Watchtower Study. Have the paragraphs read by an assigned reader. Review the box “District Convention Reminders.”

Song 8 and concluding prayer.

Week Starting May 2

Song 148

10 min: Local announcements. Briefly review the article “Studying the Keep on the Watch! Brochure,” on page 6. Mention that this material outlines the schedule for consideration of the brochure. Encourage all to prepare well for and participate each week in the study, starting the week of May 23.

15 min: Local needs.

20 min: “All Sorts of Men Will Be Saved.”* Make practical application of the material to the local territory.

Song 112 and concluding prayer.

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

© 2005 Christian Congregation ot Jehovah’s Witnesses. All rights reserved. Our Kingdom Ministry (ISSN 1067-7259) is published monthly by Christian Congregation of Jehovah's Witnesses: W. L. Van De Wall, President; W. H. Nonkes, Secretary-Treasurer; 2821 Route 22, Patterson. NY 12563-2237. Periodicals Postage Paid at Brooklyn, NY. and at additional mailing offices. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to Our Kingdom Ministry. 1000 Red Mills Road, Wallkill, NY 12589-3299.                         Printed in U.S.A.

All Sorts of Men Will Be Saved

• ¹ God’s undeserved kindness has opened the way to salvation. It is Jehovah’s will that “all sorts of men should be saved and come to an accurate knowledge of truth.” (1 Tim. 2:3, 4) Our standing with God depends, not on our race, social standing, abilities, or outward appearance, but on our exercising faith in Jesus’ ransom sacrifice. (John 3:16, 36) As God’s fellow workers, we must rid ourselves of any bias, which may incline our hearts to reject people whom Jehovah is willing to accept.

• ² Avoid Judging: Jehovah looks at what people are on the inside, without malice or partiality. (1 Sam. 16:7) He also sees them for what they can be. Thus, he views those wanting to please him as desirable. (Hag. 2:7) Do we view others as God does?

• ³ Some people we meet in the ministry may shock us by their appearance. They may dress shabbily or immodestly, have unkempt beards, or display nose or lip rings. Some may be homeless. Others may treat us harshly. Rather than judging such ones as never likely to become worshipers of Jehovah, we should have a positive attitude, “for even we were once senseless, disobedient, [and] being misled.” (Titus 3:3) Realizing this, we will be eager to preach to everyone, even to those who, from outward appearances, might seem unworthy.

• ⁴ First-Century Examples: Jesus Christ took time to help those whom others may have dismissed as beyond hope. (Luke 8: 26-39) While never condoning wrong prac-

• 1. On what does our standing with God depend?

• 2, 3. What can help us not to judge people by their outward appearance?

4, 5. What do we learn from the examples of Jesus and Paul?

tices, he knew that people could get caught up in a wrong way of life. (Luke 7:37, 38, 44-48) Thus, he showed understanding, being “moved with pity for them, because they were as sheep without a shepherd.” (Mark 6:34) Can we imitate his example more fully?

⁵ The apostle Paul was stoned, beaten, and imprisoned. (Acts 14:19; 16:22, 23) Did such harsh experiences cause him to become bitter and to conclude that he was wasting his time among certain nations and ethnic groups? Not at all. He knew that honesthearted individuals could be found among all ethnic groups, and he was determined to find them. Is that how we view those in our territory who are from different backgrounds and cultures?

• ⁶ Welcoming Others Today: Many of God’s people are happy that they were welcomed into the congregation by brothers and sisters who looked beyond outward appearance. A man with an unkempt beard and shoulder-length hair, dressed in dirty clothes, arrived at a Kingdom Hall in Germany. He had a bad reputation. Nevertheless, he was warmly welcomed at the meeting. He was so impressed that he returned a week later. In a short time, he cleaned up his appearance, stopped smoking, and legalized his relationship with his girlfriend. Before long, they and their children were serving Jehovah as a united family.

• ⁷ In imitation of our impartial God, may we extend the invitation to benefit from God’s undeserved kindness to everyone.

• 6. What effect can our attitude have on new ones at congregation meetings?

• 7. How can we imitate our impartial God?

Laud Jehovah in the Big Congregation

• ¹ Our district conventions each year provide us with a marvelous opportunity to glorify Jehovah. Our feelings are as those of David, who sang: “I will laud you in the big congregation; among a numerous people I shall praise you.” (Ps. 35:18) At the upcoming “Godly Obedience” District Convention, how can we make certain that as a united people, we are a cause for praise to Jehovah?

• ² One way that we can do this is through our conduct. The management of one convention facility said: “Based on your conventions, we have told other religious groups wanting to rent the facility to come and see how Jehovah’s Witnesses put on a convention, as they have a perfect arrangement.” By our appearance, our cooperation, and our conduct, each of us contributes to such glowing expressions of praise, which rightly belong to our God.—1 Pet. 2:12.

• ³ Personal Appearance: To dress and groom ourselves in a manner that brings praise to Jehovah requires modesty. (1 Tim. 2:9) The Ministry School book, page 132, says: “A person who is modest is concerned about not needlessly offending others and not drawing undue attention to himself.” In many lands, immodest clothing has become commonplace. However, Jehovah appreciates the effort we put forth to represent him properly. (Acts 15:14) Although the convention may be held in a sports center or recreational facility, the gathering becomes our “big congregation” during the three days of the convention. Hence, as we assemble before Jehovah, we should dress with the dignity due the highest Personage in the universe.—1 Chron. 29:11.

• ⁴ We also need to give attention to our appearance following the closing session each day. Even though we may desire to wear more comfortable clothes during leisure time or during a meal at a restaurant, it is important that our dress and grooming still befit those

1, 2. With what opportunity does the district convention provide us, and in what ways can we accomplish this?

3, 4. How will modesty help us to dress in a way that befits Christian ministers, both at the convention and following the sessions?

“professing to reverence God.” (1 Tim. 2:10) Acceptable dress is not determined by what is popular in the world. (1 John 2:16, 17) Our Christian publications provide helpful illustrations of modest, well-arranged dress of men and women in various circumstances. Wearing our badge cards while in the convention city will serve as a reminder that we are Christian ministers at all times.—2 Cor. 6:3, 4.

• ⁵ Respect Jehovah’s Table: The Sovereign Lord of the universe has spread before us a feast. (Isa. 25:6; 1 Cor. 10:21) If we highly treasure our place at Jehovah’s spiritual table, our goal will be to attend all three days of the convention. Have you arranged for accommodations, transportation, and time off from secular work? Have you allotted sufficient time for preparation and travel so that you can arrive at the convention site early enough to find seats, to associate with your brothers, and to join them in giving praise to Jehovah in the opening song and prayer? —Ps. 147:1.

• ⁶ Respect for Jehovah’s table will move us to pay close attention to the program and to avoid needlessly talking with others, eating, or walking about in the corridors. Through the faithful and discreet slave class, Jehovah is providing the spiritual food that we need right now. (Matt. 24:45) None of us can afford to miss any of it. Parents should sit with their children and help them to benefit fully. —Deut. 31:12.

• ⁷ It is requested that we bring a lunch rather than leave the convention site to obtain food during the noon break. It was commendable that most delegates carefully followed this direction at last year’s convention. How good it would be if all would do so this year! (Heb. 13:17) This arrangement provides a fine opportunity to enjoy upbuilding fellowship with our brothers and contributes to an atmosphere of unity and peace that brings honor to Jehovah.—Ps. 133:1.

• 5, 6. How can we show respect for Jehovah’s spiritual table?

7. What are we requested to do for the noon meal, and why?

⁸ Witnessing Informally: While traveling to and from the convention site, we have many opportunities to praise Jehovah with our lips. (Heb. 13:15) Whether we are eating at a restaurant or conversing with hotel personnel, let us look for ways to give a witness.

8, 9. What additional opportunity to praise Jehovah does the convention afford us?

Our minds and hearts will be full of spiritual treasures from the convention. Let us share these good things with those we meet informally.—1 Pet. 3:15.

⁹ We look forward with keen anticipation to this opportunity to bless Jehovah “among the congregated throngs.” (Ps. 26:12) May we unitedly laud Jehovah at the “Godly Obedience” District Convention.

District Convention Reminders

• ■ Program Times: The program will begin at 9:30 a.m. all three days. The doors will open at 8:00 a.m. A few minutes before the start of the session, the chairman will be seated on the platform while introductory Kingdom music is played. All of us should take our seats at that time so that the program can begin in a dignified manner. The program will conclude at 5:05 p.m. on Friday and Saturday and at 4:10 p.m. on Sunday.

• ■ Parking: At all convention sites where we have secured control of the parking facilities, the spaces will be made available at no charge on a first-come, first-served basis. Convention badge cards will serve as identification for parking. Only those who have a state-approved disabled license plate or placard will be allowed to park in the parking reserved for the disabled. Since parking space is usually limited, carpooling should be done to the extent possible rather than having only one or two persons per car.

• ■ Seat Saving: Seats may be saved only for those traveling with you in the same vehicle or living with you in the same home.

• ■ Donations: Considerable expense is involved in arranging a district convention. We can show our appreciation by making voluntary contributions to the worldwide work at our Kingdom Hall or at the convention. Any checks contributed at the convention should be made payable to “Watch Tower.”

• ■ Hearing Impaired: The program will be broadcast in the vicinity of the auditorium on an FM radio frequency. An announcement regarding this will be made at the beginning of the first session. To make use of this provision, you will need to bring a small FM receiver with earphones.

• ■ Noon Meal: Please bring a lunch rather than leave the convention site to obtain a meal during the noon break. A small cooler that can be placed under a seat may be used. Large family-size picnic coolers, glass containers, and alcoholic beverages are not permitted in the convention facility.

• ■ Recording: Recorders of any type should not be connected to the facility’s electric or sound system and may be used only in a way that does not disturb others.

• ■ Picture Taking: If you take pictures, no flash should be used during sessions.

• ■ Pagers and Cell Phones: These should be set so as not to cause a distraction.

• ■ Accidents and Emergencies: Emergencyresponse services have complained that they receive many cell-phone calls to 911 over minor matters. If a medical emergency arises at the convention site, please contact a nearby attendant, who will immediately notify the First Aid Department so that our qualified first-aid personnel on site can assess the seriousness of the situation and render assistance. If necessary, 911 will be called.

• ■ Restaurants: In many places it is customary to leave a 15 to 20 percent tip, depending on the service.

• ■ Hotels: (1) Do not reserve more rooms than will actually be needed, and do not have more people stay in your room than allowed. (2) If you must cancel your reservation, notify the hotel immediately. (3) Take a luggage cart only when you are ready to use it. (4) Do not cook in noncooking rooms. (5) Leave a tip for the housekeeper each day. (6) Do not abuse any complimentary breakfast, coffee, or ice provisions that are made available for guests to use while they are at the hotel. (7) Display the fruitage of the spirit in dealing with the hotel staff, especially during very busy check-in and checkout times.

Studying the Keep on the Watch! Brochure

Congregations earth wide will study the brochure Keep on the Watch! during the weeks of May 23 through June 20, 2005, at the Congregation Book Study. Please use the following questions when preparing for and when conducting this meeting. During the study, read the printed material, and read the cited scriptures as time permits.

Week of May 23

• ■ Pages 3-4: Which of the situations listed here have especially affected your life? What indicates to you that these situations are not merely isolated local events?

• ■ Page 5: What convinces you that God truly cares? What may indicate how much we care about God and what he is doing?

■ Pages 6-8: What does Matthew 24:1-8, 14 say about the meaning of present world conditions? As shown by 2 Timothy 3:1-5, in what time period are we now living? Of what are these the last days? What convinces you that the Bible really is God’s Word? What is the Kingdom about which we preach?

■ Pages 9-10: Why should we carefully consider our daily decisions and our priorities in life? (Rom. 2:6; Gal. 6:7) As you review the questions on page 10, what scriptures come to your mind that should have a bearing on what you do?

Week of May 30

■ Page 11: Why should we personally consider the questions raised on this page? (1 Cor. 10:12; Eph. 6:10-18) What do our answers to these questions reveal as to how seriously we take Jesus’ counsel at Matthew 24:44?

■ Pages 12-14: What is “the hour of the judgment” referred to at Revelation 14: 6, 7? What is meant by ‘fearing God and giving him glory’? What is Babylon the Great, and what will become of it? What action regarding Babylon the Great do we need to take now? What else is included in the foretold hour of judgment? What effect does our not knowing “the day nor the hour” for God’s foretold execution of judgment have on us? (Matt. 25:13)

• ■ Page 15: What is the issue of sovereignty, and how does it affect us individually?

• ■ Pages 16-19: What are the “new heavens” and “new earth”? (2 Pet. 3:13) Who promises these things? What changes will the new heavens and new earth bring? Will we personally benefit from them?

Week of June 6

■ Pages 20-1: What warning about fleeing did Jesus give to his first-century followers? (Luke 21:20, 21) When was such flight possible? Why was it urgent to flee without delay? (Matt. 24:16-18, 21) Why do many people ignore warnings? How did thousands of people in China and the Philippines benefit from heeding reliable warnings? Why is it even more urgent to heed the Bible’s warning about the end of the present system of things? In view of this great urgency, we have what responsibility? (Prov. 24:11, 12)

■ Pages 22-3: In Australia in 1974 and in Colombia in 1985, why did many lightly brush aside warnings of disaster, and with what results? How do you think you would have reacted to these warnings, and why? What may indicate whether we would have heeded the warning in Noah’s day? Why did people want to live in and around ancient Sodom? How can we benefit by thinking seriously about what happened in Sodom?

Week of June 13

■ Pages 24-7: Use the “Study Questions” on page 27.

Week of June 20

■ Pages 28-31: Use the “Study Questions” on page 31.

Our consideration of the brochure will help us to “keep on the watch” and prove ourselves ready. May our public ministry always reflect the urgency of the angelic proclamation: “Fear God and give him glory, because the hour of the judgment by him has arrived.” —Matt. 24:42, 44; Rev. 14:7.

Announcements

■ Literature offer for April and May: The Watchtower and Awake! magazines. When making return visits on interested people, including those who attended the Memorial or other theocratic events but who are not actively associated with the congregation, concentrate on placing the Worship God book. The objective should be to start a home Bible study, especially with individuals who have already studied the Knowledge book and the Require brochure. June: Learn From the Great Teacher. If individuals say they have no children, offer the Family Happiness book or the Knowledge book and make an effort to start Bible studies. July: Worship the Only True God. If a Bible study is started, it is recommended that the Knowledge book and the Require brochure be studied before the Worship God book.

■ Beginning in April, district convention badge cards for 2005 will automatically be included with literature shipments. It will not be necessary to request these unless you have a foreign-language group associated with your congregation. Based on the size of each congregation, cards will be shipped in lots of 25. If the congregation needs additional badge cards, these should be requested on the Literature Request Form (S-14). Plastic badge holders must be requested for any in the congregation who desire them.

■ Congregation secretaries should maintain an adequate supply of the forms Application for Regular Pioneer Service (S-205) and Application for Auxiliary Pioneer Service (S-205b). These can be ordered on the Literature Request Form (S-14). Maintain at least a one-year supply. Review all regular pioneer application forms to make sure they are complete.

■ Arrangements for spring cleaning at the branch facilities in Brooklyn, Patterson, and Wallkill, New York, have been adjusted to include Friday afternoon, May 13, in addition to Saturday, May 14, 2005. Those who have already arranged to visit the branch office on May 13 are encouraged to plan to tour in the morning, since tours in the afternoon will be very limited. As was previously announced, there will be no arrangements for tours on Saturday, May 14.

THEOCRATIC MINISTRY SCHOOL REVIEW

The following questions will be considered orally at the Theocratic Ministry School during the week beginning April 25, 2005. The school overseer will conduct a 30-minute review based on material covered in assignments for the weeks of March 7 through April 25, 2005. [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. When preparing a talk, how do we make good use of our assigned material, and why is this important? [be p. 234 pars. 1-3, boxes]

• 2. How much of the assigned material should we attempt to cover in a talk? [be p. 234 par. 4-p. 235 par. 1]

• 3. How might we use questions to encourage conversation in the field ministry? (Acts 8: 30) [be p. 236 pars. 2-5]

• 4. How might we use questions to help Bible students to use their “power of reason”? (Rom. 12:1) [be p. 238 par. 1]

• 5. What is the effect of the questions posed at Romans 8:31, 32 and Isaiah 14:27? [be p. 239 pars. 1-2]

ASSIGNMENT NO. 1

• 6. How do we ‘lay Christ as the foundation’ in our disciple-making work? (1 Cor. 3:11) [be p. 278 pars. 1-2]

• 7. Since Jehovah conferred full ruling authority on his Son in 1914, what is our intent when praying, “Let your kingdom come”? (Matt. 6:9, 10) [be p. 279 par. 4]

• 8. Why should all Christians be interested in the ability to read, and how did Jesus set the example in this regard? [w03 3/15 p. 10 par. 5; p. 12 par. 2]

• 9. How can the examples of Josiah and Jesus help youths to make spiritual advancement? [w03 4/1 p. 8 pars. 3-4; p. 10 par. 3]

• 10. Why can we put our trust in God? (Prov. 3: 5, 6) [w03 11/1 p. 4 pars. 6-7]

WEEKLY BIBLE READING

• 11. Why did Hannah pray that Jehovah “give strength to his king” when there was no human king over Israel? (1 Sam. 2:10)

• 12. What can we learn from the fact that Israel was defeated despite having the ark of the covenant in their midst? (1 Sam. 4:3, 4, 10)

• 13. Why does 1 Chronicles 2:13-15 refer to David as the seventh son of Jesse, whereas 1 Samuel 16:10,11 indicates that he was the eighth?

• 14. What “bad spirit” terrorized Saul? (1 Sam. 16:14)

• 15. Was the prediction made by “Samuel” through the spirit medium in En-dor accurate? (1 Sam. 28:16-19)

Conducting Progressive Bible Studies

• Part 8: Directing Students to the Organization

  What to Say About the Magazines

  
  

• ¹ Our goal in conducting Bible studies is not only to teach doctrinal information but also to help students become part of the Christian congregation. (Zech. 8:23) The brochure Jehovah’s Witnesses—Who Are They? What Do They Believe? can help us to do this. Place a copy with new Bible students, and encourage them to read it. In addition, take a few minutes each week on the study to share a point about Jehovah’s organization.

• ² Congregation Meetings: The principal way in which Bible students come to appreciate God’s organization is by associating with us at congregation meetings. (1 Cor. 14:24, 25) Therefore, you might begin getting them acquainted by describing the five weekly meetings, one meeting at a time. Mention the title of the next public talk. Show them the material that will be considered at the Watchtower Study and at the Congregation Book Study. Describe the Theocratic Ministry School and the Service Meeting. When you have an assignment in the school, perhaps you could rehearse it with them. Share outstanding points that were presented at the meetings. Use photographs in our publications to help them visualize what takes place. From the very first study, invite them to attend.

• ³ When the Memorial, assem-1. Why is it beneficial to share a point about Jehovah’s organization each week on a Bible study? 2. How can you encourage Bible students to attend congregation meetings?

3. What features of the organization might we discuss? blies, and the visit of the circuit overseer approach, take a few minutes to explain and build enthusiasm for these arrangements. Progressively answer questions such as: Why are we called Jehovah’s Witnesses? Why do we refer to our meeting places as Kingdom Halls? What are the duties of the elders and ministerial servants? How are the preaching work and the territory organized? How is our literature produced? How is the organization financed? What are the roles of the branch office and the Governing Body in overseeing the work?

⁴ Instructive Videos: Another way Bible students can see Jehovah’s marvelous organization is by means of our videos. These can take them To the Ends of the Earth, acquaint them with Our Whole Association of Brothers, and show them how we are United by Divine Teaching. A woman who had received our magazines and other literature for five years was moved to tears by the video Jehovah’s Witnesses—The Organization Behind the Name. She had come to trust the Witnesses that visited her, but after watching the video, she felt that she could trust the organization too. A formal study was started with her, and the following week, she attended meetings at the Kingdom Hall.

⁵ By spending a few minutes each week with our students and using the tools that have been provided, we can progressively direct Bible students to the one organization that Jehovah is using today.

4, 5. How can our videos build appreciation for the organization?

Watchtower Apr. 15

“Isn’t there an endless amount of information available today? [Allow for response.] However, there is none more valuable than what is described in this text. [Read John 17:3.]This magazine explains what the term ‘everlasting life’ means and how we can obtain the knowledge that leads to it.”

Awake! Apr. 22

“Although Jesus Christ is perhaps better known than any man who has ever lived, many people wonder who he really is. Did you know that even Jesus’ own apostles pondered over this? [Allow for response. Then read Mark 4:41.] This magazine examines what the Bible says about Jesus’ real identity.”

Watchtower May 1

“When someone we love dies, it’s natural to want to see that person again. Wouldn’t you agree? [Allow for response.] Many have found comfort in the Bible’s promise of a resurrection. [Read John 5:28, 29.] This magazine discusses when the resurrection will occur and who exactly will benefit from it.”

Awake! May 8

“Most parents are selective in what they allow their children to watch. Has it been challenging to find suitable movies for your family? [Allow for response. Then read Ephesians 4:17.] This magazine considers how parents can help their children to choose entertainment that is wholesome.”

8