Our Kingdom Ministry

July 2005                         For United States of America km-E Us 7/05 Vol. 48, No. 7

• ¹ The apostle Paul felt an obligation to preach to people. He knew that Jehovah had made it possible for all sorts of men to be saved by means of the precious blood of His Son. (1 Tim. 2:3-6) Therefore, Paul stated: “Both to Greeks and to Barbarians, both to wise and to senseless ones I am a debtor.” He eagerly and tirelessly labored to discharge his debt to his fellow humans by sharing the good news with them.—Rom. 1:14,15.

• ² Like Paul, Christians today seek to share the good news with their neighbors at every opportunity. With the “great tribulation” fast approaching, our search for honesthearted ones is urgent. May genuine love for people move us to be diligent in this lifesaving work.—Matt. 24:21; Ezek. 33:8.

• ³ Discharging Our Debt: The principal way in which we reach people is by preaching from door to door. In territories where there are many notat-homes, keeping accurate records and returning at different times will enable us to contact more people. (1 Cor. 10:33) We can also reach individuals by witnessing in business territory, on the streets, in parks, in parking lots, and over the telephone. We could ask ourselves, ‘Am I doing my best to pursue all avenues of preaching in order to share the message of life?’ —Matt. 10:11.

• ⁴ One pioneer felt a keen responsibility to reach all the people in her territory. At one house, the blinds were always shut and no one was ever at home. However, one day when the pioneer was not in service, she noticed a car in front of this perpetual not-at-home. Not wanting the opportunity to slip by, she rang the doorbell. A man answered, and the initial conversation led to several return visits by this sister and her husband. Eventually, the man accepted a Bible study, and he is now a baptized brother. He is grateful that this sister felt a debt of responsibility to preach to others.

• ⁶ With time fast running out, now is the time to pay our debt to our fellowman by exerting ourselves vigorously in the preaching work.—2 Cor. 6:1, 2.

Conducting Progressive Bible Studies Part 11: Helping Students to Make Return Visits

• ¹ When a Bible student begins to share in the preaching work, he will meet people who show interest in the good news. How can we help the new publisher to make effective return visits and to cultivate the interest he finds?

• ² Preparation for a return visit begins with the initial call. Encourage the student to take a sincere interest in those with whom he speaks. (Phil. 2:4) Progressively train him to draw them out, to listen to their comments, and to note the things that concern them. When someone shows interest, have the new publisher write down the pertinent information about the call. Use that information to help him plan further discussions.

• ³ Preparing to Return: Review the initial call, and show the student how to select an aspect of the Kingdom message that will appeal to the householder. (1 Cor. 9:19-23) Prepare together a brief presentation that features one Bible text along with a paragraph in a study publication. In addition, prepare a question that can be raised at the conclusion of the discussion to lay the groundwork for the next visit. Show the new publisher how to add to the person’s knowledge of God’s Word with each successive visit.

• ⁴ It is also helpful to provide the student with a simple introduction. After greeting the householder, he might say: “I eryoyed our previous conversation, and I have returned to share further Bible information on [mention the topic].” You may also need to show the new publisher how to respond if a different person answers the door.

• ⁵ Follow Up Diligently: Encourage the student to set a good example in returning promptly on all who show interest. Finding people at home may require persistence in calling back. Teach the student how to make appointments to visit again, and help him appreciate the need to return as promised. (Matt. 5:37) Train the new publisher to be kind, considerate, and respectful as he searches for sheeplike ones and cultivates their interest.—Titus 3:2.

Week Starting July 11

Song 49

10 min: Local announcements. Selected Announcements from Our Kingdom Ministry. Use the suggestions on page 4 (if appropriate for your territory) to demonstrate how to present the July 15 Watchtower and the July 22 Awake! Other realistic presentations may be used. In each demonstration, show a different way to handle the potential conversation stopper “I’m busy.”—See Reasoning book, pp. 19-20.

15 min: Local needs.

20 min: “Reaching as Many People as Possible.”* When discussing paragraph 5, review suggestions in the June 2005 Our Kingdom Ministry, page 4, that apply to the local territory.

Song 88 and concluding prayer.

Week Starting July 18

Song 173

10 min: Local announcements. Briefly consider the August 15, 2000, Watchtower, page 32. Highlight the benefits of maintaining a regular program of daily Bible reading, even during vacation periods and at other times when we are out of our normal routine.

15 min: “Conducting Progressive Bible Studies—Part 11.”* Include a demonstration of a study conductor and a new publisher preparing to make a return visit. They review the initial call and select an appropriate point to share on the return visit. They also prepare a simple introduction and a question that can be raised at the conclusion of the visit. The demonstration concludes as they are about to rehearse the presentation they have prepared.

20 min: Assist Others to Appreciate the Bible. Question-and-answer discussion based on the Worship God book, pages 24-5, paragraphs 3-6. Use the study questions provided in the book. Include comments on the brochure A Book for All People, page 32.

Song 10 and concluding prayer.

Week Starting July 25

Song 138

15 min: Local announcements. Read accounts report and donation acknowledgments. Using the suggestions on page 4 (if appropriate for your territory), demonstrate how to present the August 1 Watchtower and the August 8 Awake! Other realistic presentations may be used. In one of the presentations, demonstrate offering the magazines informally at a market or in some other appropriate public setting.

10 mln: Inculcate the Truth in Your Child’s Heart. (Deut. 6:7) A talk by an elder based on the August 15, 2002, Watchtower, pages 30-1. Highlight Scriptural principles that provide guidance on child training for a Christian parent who has a non-Witness mate.

20 min: “A Debt We Owe to Others.”* Include comments on the July 1, 2000, Watchtower, page 11, paragraph 13. Song 82 and concluding prayer.

Song 187

15 min: Local announcements. Remind publishers to turn in field service reports for July. Invite audience to open to page 70 of the Ministry School book, and by means of an audience discussion, consider paragraphs 1-2 and the box “How to Comment at Meetings.”

15 min: “Help Your Children Progress in the Ministry.” Talk and audience discussion. Include a demonstration of a parent and child using a simplified presentation. Have the parent conclude the presentation by briefly explaining the donation arrangement.

15 min: Have You Tried a Flexible Approach? Talk and audience discussion based on the January 2005 Our Kingdom Ministry, page 6. Review the suggestions provided, and show how a flexible approach can be used with the literature offer for August. Have one or two presentations demonstrated.

Song 218 and concluding prayer.

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

April Service Report Av. Av. Av. Av. Number of:               Hrs. Mags. R.V. Bi.St.

Sp'IPiOS.       244  97.5 90.9 42.1

Pios.      93,836 66.1 45.9 21.0

Aux Pios.   52,817 49.1 40.4 12.2

Pubs.    857,413   9.5  8.6  3.5

TOTAL 1,004,310        Baptized: 2,543

Announcements

■ Literature offer for July and August: 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. September: Knowledge That Leads to Everlasting Life. Before requesting additional supplies from the branch office, congregations should use what is available locally and check if nearby congregations have a surplus on hand. October: The Watchtower and Awake! magazines. Where interest is shown, offer the Require brochure and make a special effort to start Bible studies. ■ Starting in September, circuit overseers will give the public talk entitled “Why Be Guided by the Bible?”

■ It is recommended that applications for regular pioneer service be submitted to the branch office at least 30 days before the requested start date. The congregation secretary should review the forms to make sure that they are complete. If applicants cannot recall the exact date of their baptism, they should estimate the date and keep a record of it. The secretary should note this date on the Congregation’s Publisher Record (8-21) card.

■ Congregation secretaries should make sure that they have a Pioneer Appointment Letter (S-202) for each regular pioneer in the congregation. If they do not, please write the branch office.

■ The branch facilities in Brooklyn, Patterson, and Wallkill, New York, will be closed on the following dates: September 10, 2005 (Gilead graduation); October 1,2005 (annual meeting of the Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society of Pennsylvania); March 11, 2006 (Gilead graduation); and May 12-13, 2006 (spring cleaning). There will be no arrangements for tours or for congregations to pick up literature on those dates.

■ It is important that groups of 20 or more planning to visit the U.S. branch office facilities at Brooklyn, Patterson, and Wallkill first correspond by mail with the Central Tour Desk at 100 Watchtower Drive, Patterson, NY 12563-9204. You may also use the following fax number: (845) 306-0200. Please send information on the number coming and the dates and times for visiting each location. Lodging information may be obtained from the congregation secretary. Before your visit, please review the June 2002 Our Kingdom Ministry Question Box regarding proper dress and grooming when visiting Bethel homes.

■ A packet of legal material is available to assist publishers who are involved in lawsuits over child custody and visitation matters in which our religion is under attack. The packet should be requested by the body of elders only in a case in which it is evident that the publisher’s religious beliefs will be at issue. For those facing secular issues on child custody or visitation, helpful information can be found in Awake! of December 8, 1997, pages 3-12; in Awake! of October 22, 1988, pages 2-14; and on the chart found in Awake! of April 22, 1991, page 9.

• ¹ Christian parents shoulder the serious responsibility of training their children in the ministry from a young age. This may be achieved in a number of ways. Some children are able to recite an appropriate Bible text even before they are able to read. This can have a powerful effect on listeners. As little ones get older, they can do even more in the ministry. How can you parents help your children to share in giving a witness? Perhaps the following suggestions will be of further help.

• ² After a greeting, you might say:

■ “My son, [his name], has a meaningful scripture that he would like to call to your attention.” Your child may say: “This scripture in Psalms taught me God’s name. [Child reads or recites Psalm 83:18.] These magazines talk about what Jehovah God will do for us. May I leave them with you?” You could conclude the conversation by explaining how the worldwide work is supported.

• ³ Or you might try this approach:

■ “Hello. I am training my daughter, [her name], to show concern for others in the community. She would like to share a brief Bible message with you.” She could say: “One way I like to help people is by sharing the Bible’s hope for the future. [Child reads or recites Revelation 21:4.] These magazines explain what God’s Kingdom will do for us. I think you will enjoy reading them.”

• ⁴ Consistently using a simplified presentation allows children to gain confidence in their ability to share the Kingdom message. Practice sessions that focus on speaking clearly and with adequate volume will equip them to speak under a variety of circumstances. Good advance preparation and sincere commendation will help little ones to express their faith.

• ⁵ With such encouragement, many young ones have qualified as unbaptized publishers. What a joy it is to see our children making progress in the Christian ministry!—Ps. 148:12, 13.

  Reaching as Many People as Possible

  
  

• ¹ Jesus’ early followers earnestly sought to spread the Kingdom message. They took practical steps to make the good news available to as many people as possible. Christian Bible writers penned their inspired writings in the common Greek, which was the international language of the Roman Empire. Further, zealous preachers of the second and third centuries C.E. on may have pioneered the use of the codex, which was easier to use than a scroll for looking up references.

• ² Use of Technology: Through the prophet Isaiah, Jehovah foretold: “You will actually suck the milk of nations.” (Isa. 60:16) In the modern-day fulfillment of this prophecy, Jehovah’s servants are making use of valuable resources from the nations to advance the preaching work. For example, in 1914, years before talking motion pictures became successful commercially, the Bible Students began showing the “Photo-Drama of Creation.” This eight-hour-long motion picture and slide presentation, complete with color and sound, gave a powerful witness to millions.

’Today, God’s people make use of high-speed printing presses and computerized tools to publish Bibles and Bible literature in hundreds of languages. Rapid means of transport move Bible literature to distant parts of the earth,

• 1. What did the early Christians do to reach as many people as possible with the good news?

• 2, 3. (a) How is Isaiah 60:16 being fulfilled in modern times? (b) How is technology being used to advance pure worship? reaching people in 235 lands. Through his spirit, Jehovah has impelled his servants to put such technology to practical use, making Bible truth available to more people than ever before in history.

• ⁴ Personal Adjustments: True worshippers have also been motivated to make personal adjustments so as to reach more people with the good news. Many have simplified their lives in order to have a fuller share in the preaching work. Some have moved to serve where there is a greater need for Kingdom pro-claimers. Others have expanded their ministry by learning a foreign language.

• ⁵ In addition, we can reach more people with the good news by preaching when people are at home and where people can be found. If people are often not at home during the day in your territory, could you adjust your schedule to witness during the early evening hours? Are there public places where a witness can be given? Have you tried telephone witnessing and working business territory? Do you look for opportunities to witness informally?

• ⁶ How privileged we are to share in the grand witness being given about Jehovah’s name and Kingdom! May we continue to share the life-giving truth from God’s Word with as many people as possible.—Matt. 28: 19, 20.

4. What adjustments have some made in their lives to reach more people with the good news?

5,6. What can be done to reach as many people as possible in the local territory?

What to Say About the Magazines

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™Watchtower July 15

Announcing Jehovah's Kingdom         ^v

“During the thousands of years of human history, mankind has developed a vast array of beliefs. Do you think it is possible to know which ones are true and which are false? [Allow for response.] This magazine considers where you can find true teachings that please God.” Read 2 Timothy 3:16.

Awake! July 22

“It is heartrending to see the suffering caused by natural disasters. [Mention an example known locally.] Do you think such disasters are on the rise? [Allow for response.] This magazine examines that question. It also offers comfort for those who have lost loved ones in such tragedies.” Read John 5:28, 29.

"Watchtower Aug. 1

Announcing Jehovah's Kingdom        **

“Many people today struggle with feelings of worthlessness. What do you think can be done to help them? [Allow for response.] This magazine discusses how the Bible can help such ones to find true joy.” Highlight the scriptures in bold italics in the article “The Bible Can Help You Find Joy.”

Awake! Aug. 8

“Many people live in constant fear. What do you think is responsible for this climate of fear? [Allow for response.] This magazine offers practical suggestions for protecting ourselves from common dangers. It also discusses the Bible’s promise of a world free from fear.” Read Isaiah 11:9.

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