Our Kingdom I    • iy

September 2008

For United States of America

Q)ear ^Kingdom C^Mx/iecs:

An announcement presented during morning worship on Monday, February 4, 2008, brought enthusiastic applause. It read: “Over the past weekend, presiding overseers have arrived from various congregations throughout the United States. They are now at Patterson to attend the first class of the School for Congregation Elders.”

Students enjoy upbuilding association with the Bethel family. They also attend morning worship each day, as well as the Bethel family Watchtower Study on Monday evening. A highlight of the school occurs on the last day when special lectures are delivered by a member of the United States Branch Committee and a member of the Governing Body.

Many expressions of appreciation have been received from the elders who have attended. One brother commented: “Being at Bethel for a week was so encouraging!” Another wrote: “I now feel heartened to fulfill my responsibilities with a renewed sense of zeal.” The present curriculum covers various aspects of the responsibilities of presiding overseers and will enable them to serve the needs of the congregation more effectively. (Acts 20:28) We rejoice in this loving provision and look forward to meeting the brothers who have yet to attend.

Your brothers, l/nitri/' ffates Lfira/ic/i Office

• ¹ Beginning on Monday, October 20, and continuing for four full weeks, we will engage in a special distribution of a new tract entitled Would You Like to Know the Truth? It is hoped that this earth-wide special campaign will generate increased interest in the only source of truth.—John 17:17.

• ² The tract gives concise Bible answers to six important questions: “Does God really care about us?” “Will war and suffering ever end?” “What happens to us when we die?” “Is there any hope for the dead?” “How can I pray and be heard by God?” and “How can I find happiness in life?” The churches of Christendom have never supplied satisfying answers to these questions. Even many who do not profess to be Christian have wondered about such matters, but they may not be aware that clear answers are found in the Bible. Therefore, this message should have wide appeal.

• ³ Cover Your Territory: Endeavor to cover as much of your house-to-house territory as possible. If you have a large territory, the elders may encourage you to leave a copy of the tract at not-at-homes on the first call. Remember to give a copy to neighbors, relatives, acquaintances at work or school, and others you speak with on a regular basis. Perhaps you can arrange your affairs to auxiliary pioneer in October or November. Do you have a child or a Bible student who is making good spiritual progress and who may qualify to join us in this campaign as an unbaptized publisher? If so, inform the elders.

• ⁴ What to Say: In order to reach more people with the message, it is best to keep your presentation brief. Simply ask householders one of the six questions on the cover and direct them to the answer in the tract. This will allow for all publishers to adapt their presentation to the needs of the territory. If someone indicates interest, make a note of it and call back. On weekends, the current magazines may be offered along with the tract. After the campaign ends on November 16, we will offer the Bible Teach book. Any remaining tracts will be used in the same way as other available tracts.

• ⁸ Start a Bible Study: This tract has been specifically designed to help us start Bible studies. When making a return visit on someone who showed interest, you might ask which Bible truth brought him comfort or relief? Call attention to the back page where our Bible study arrangement is mentioned, and hand him a copy of the Bible Teach book. If possible, briefly consider a paragraph or two from the chapter that has more information on the subject that he selected.

• ⁶ Jehovah is looking for those who will worship him “with spirit and truth.” (John 4:23) May all of us share in this special campaign to help others come to know the truth!

  Service Meeting Schedule

  
  

Week Starting September 8

Song 204

io min: Local announcements. Ask the audience which articles of the current magazines have had more appeal in the local territory. Ask them to relate which questions and scriptures they have used to introduce the articles. Demonstrate how each magazine might be offered.

15 min: Help Bible Students to Become Teachers. Talk based on the January 15, 2007, Watchtower, pages 29-30, paragraphs 14-20. Include a brief demonstration showing a publisher describing the public talk and Watchtower Study to a new Bible student and inviting him to attend.

20 min: Coping With Prejudice in Our Ministry. Talk by elder, based on published information on how prejudice may affect our ministry. Explain how such prejudice may be overcome. At times our own conduct, both in the field ministry and as we go about other activities of life, can do much to overcome the prejudice of observers and open their minds to the truth. So it is vital to watch our speech and conduct at all times. (1 Pet. 2:12; 3:1,2) Relate a few selected local or published experiences that illustrate how prejudice may be overcome.

Song 127

Week Starting September 15

Song 94

10 min: Local announcements. Selected Announcements from Our Kingdom Ministry.

20 min: How Did We Do Last Year? Talk and audience discussion by the service overseer or other qualified elder. Review the congregation’s activity in the ministry during the past service year, focusing on the good things that were accomplished. Give appropriate commendation. Arrange in advance for one or two publishers to relate any outstanding experiences they enjoyed. Mention a point or two that the congregation can work on during the coming year, and consider practical suggestions for improvement.

15 min: How Can I Defend My Belief in Creation? Talk based on published information. Invite the audience to comment on how they have defended their belief in creation while in school, at work, or elsewhere. One or two comments may be arranged in advance.

Song 51

Week Starting September 22

Song 104

10 min: Local announcements. Read accounts report and donation acknowledgments. Discuss the branch letter, which appears on page 1.

20 min: There Exists a Reward for Your Activity. Talk based on the April 15, 2005, Watchtower, from page 28, paragraph 5, to the end of page 29. Include a brief interview of one or two zealous publishers regarding how Jehovah provided them with needed material or emotional support.

15 min: Prepare to Offer the October 1 Watchtower and the October Awake! Give a brief overview of the magazines, and ask the audience which articles may have more appeal in the local territory. What questions and scriptures could be used to introduce the articles? Demonstrate how a sample presentation from Our Kingdom Ministry might be used. Have one of the elders demonstrate a brief presentation that he has prepared based on an article that would fit the local territory.

Song 190

Week Starting September 29

Song 45

10 min: Local announcements. Remind publishers to turn in field service reports for September. Arrange in advance for one or two publishers to relate upbuilding experiences they had while witnessing informally in connection with the district convention, during a vacation, or on other occasions during the summer months.

15 min: Local needs.

20 min: “Special Tract Campaign October 20-November 16!”* If the tracts are available, distribute a copy to everyone in the audience. Briefly review the contents of the tract when considering paragraph 2. When considering paragraph 4, demonstrate how the tract may be placed. When considering paragraph 5. have a demonstration showing a publisher using the tract to start a Bible study when making a return visit.

Song 9

Week Starting October 6

Song 15

10 mln: Local announcements.

15 min: Question Box. Audience discussion. Include comments on the June 15, 2005, Watchtower, pages 20-22, paragraphs 10-16.

20 mln: "Teach Others to Love Jehovah.”* As time permits, invite audience to comment on the cited scriptures.

Song 132 * Limit introductory comments to less than a minute, and follow with a question-and-answer discussion.

MAY SERVICE REPORT

We are pleased to report a new peak in the number of Bible studies reported in the United States! The total of 628,699 Bible studies is an increase of 5,985 over the previous peak of 622,714 set in April 2008.

Announcements

■ Literature offer for September: What Does the Bible Really Teach? Make a special effort to start Bible studies on the initial call. When householders already have this publication, show how they can benefit from it by briefly demonstrating a Bible study. October 1-19: The Watchtower and Awake! magazines. Where interest is shown, present and discuss the tract Would You Like to Know More About the Bible? with a view to starting a Bible study. October 20—November 16: Special campaign distribution of the tract Would You Like to Know the Truth? November 17-30: What Does the Bible Really Teach? Make a diligent effort to start Bible studies. December: The Greatest Man Who Ever Lived. If individuals say they have children, offer Learn From the Great Teacher.

■ Since November has five full weekends, it would be an excellent month to auxiliary pioneer. ■ The special public talk for the 2009 Memorial season will be given during the week of April 20, 2009. The subject of the talk will be announced later. Those congregations having the visit of the circuit overseer or an assembly that weekend will have the special talk the following week. No congregation should have the special talk before April 20.

■ Congregations should begin requesting bound volumes of The Watchtower and Awake! for 2008, Watch Tower Publications Index 2008, and Watchtower Library —2008 Edition on CD-ROM with their next literature request. A listing of the languages in which these items are available will appear in the “Announcement to All Congregations,” which is mailed each month. Please note that Watchtower Library—2008 Edition is a provision for members of the congregation and is made available only through the congregation. Publishers who make extensive use of Watchtower Library and no longer use bound volumes should consider whether they need to request the bound volumes.

■ Someone designated by the presiding overseer should audit the congregation’s accounts for the months of June, July, and August. The same person should not be used for consecutive audits. When the audit is complete, an announcement should be made to the congregation after the next accounts report is read.—See Instructions for Congregation Accounting (S-27).

■ The Annual Congregation Property Documents Review Work Sheet (TO-33) and Safety Inspection Work Sheet (TO-34) are to be completed each September. Copies of the completed forms should be promptly provided to the body of elders for each congregation that meets in the Kingdom Hall as well as to the Regional Building Committee. If corrective actions are needed, the elders should care for these. When the circuit overseer visits the congregation, he will review both work sheets.

■ If you are admitted to a hospital and want visiting local elders and, in larger cities, elders serving on a Patient Visitation Group to have access to your name, what must you do? When identifying yourself as one of Jehovah’s Witnesses, you should also explain that you are willing to have a minister of Jehovah’s Witnesses visit you. A federal law, the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA), protects your privacy, but with your consent, the law allows for the elders to learn of your admission and provide spiritual encouragement.

Question Box

■ May both parents report the time used for the regular family study?

Although fathers have the primary responsibility of bringing their children up “in the discipline and mentalregulating of Jehovah,” both parents share in training their children. (Eph. 6:4) The Bible encourages children: “Listen, my son, to the discipline of your father, and do not forsake the law of your mother.” (Prov. 1:8) One Important aspect of parental training is the family Bible study.

In the past, only the parent conducting a family study with unbaptized children would report the time, even when both parents were involved in the discussion. However, this is being adjusted. If during the family study both parents share together in teaching the children, then both may count a maximum of one hour a week as field service. Of course, parents generally spend much more than one hour a week teaching their children. Training children involves constant effort on the part of both parents. (Deut. 6:6-9) However, the monthly field service report should reflect primarily what is being accomplished in the field. Therefore, no more than one hour a week is to be counted, even if the study lasts longer than an hour, is conducted more than once a week, or separate studies are conducted with the children. Only one parent would report the family Bible study and up to one return visit each week that the study was conducted.

• ¹ Do you recall the first time you heard of Jehovah? What was it that drew you to him? Many honesthearted people will tell you that they were drawn close to our Creator on gaining knowledge of his matchless qualities, especially his compassion and love.—1 John 4:8.

• ² “This Is Our God”: The Bible Teach book underscores Jehovah’s love and the need to have a personal relationship with him. How can we use this publication to teach others to grow in their love for God? When focusing on a new point, we could ask heartsearching questions, such as: “What does this truth reveal about Jehovah?” or “In what way does this point give evidence that Jehovah is the best Father anyone could want?” Teaching in this way can help the student begin a lifelong relationship with Jehovah.

• ³ When we help Bible students appreciate what a privilege it is to be taking in knowledge of the only true and living God, they will come to acknowledge, as in the words of Isaiah, “this is our God." (Isa. 25:9) When explaining God’s Word, we need to emphasize how mankind will be blessed by the fulfillment of Jehovah’s purposes through his royal government under Christ Jesus.—Isa. 9:6, 7.

• ⁴ Evidence of Love for Jehovah: We know that loving Jehovah with one’s whole heart, soul, and mind involves more than simply having strong feelings toward God. We must come to adopt and adhere to his way of thinking. (Ps. 97:10) Love for 1. What draws some to Jehovah? 2, 3. How can we use the Bible Teach book to help Bible students to grow in their love for Jehovah?

4, 5. What does love of Jehovah mean?

God is made manifest by strictly obeying his commandments and continuing to engage in “holy acts of conduct and deeds of godly devotion,” even in the face of trials and opposition. —2 Pet. 3:11; 2 John 6.

• ⁵ Doing God’s will out of love for him is a pleasure. (Ps. 40:8) The Bible student must come to appreciate that all of God’s commandments are designed for the everlasting good of His servants. (Deut. 10:12, 13) By living in harmony with Jehovah’s guidance, a person demonstrates deep appreciation for all His wonderful works. Help the student to understand that walking in Jehovah’s righteous ways will spare a person much pain and heartache.

• ⁶ Blessings for Those Who Love God: Jehovah cares deeply for humble ones who love him, and he reveals to them “the deep things of God.” (1 Cor. 2:9, 10) With such knowledge of Jehovah’s purposes, they have a clear view of the future and a sure hope. (Jer. 29:11) Those who love Jehovah become recipients of his extraordinary kindness. (Ex. 20:6) They cherish the hope of everlasting life because of God’s great love for them.—John 3:16.

• ⁷ The more we come to know about our heavenly Father, the more we have to share with others. (Matt. 13:52) What an inestimable privilege it is to teach others, and especially our children, to love Jehovah! (Deut. 6: 5-7) May we, along with our Bible students, continually bubble over with praise as we experience the ‘abundance of Jehovah’s goodness.’—Ps. 145:7.

• 6. What blessings may one receive for loving Jehovah?

• 7. How do you feel about teaching others to love Jehovah?

What to Say About the Magazines

"■Watchtower, sept. 1

ANNOUNCING JtMOVAH'l Kingdom            ■

“Where do you think we can turn for reliable advice when facing important decisions? [Allow for response. Read Proverbs 3: 5, 6.] This article stresses the divine wisdom of considering the consequences prior to making decisions.” Highlight article on page 8.

Awake! Sept.

“Do you think that God intended for humans to suffer from the food shortages devastating the earth today? [Allow for response.] Notice his purpose to resolve this issue. [Read Psalm 72:16.] This article explains how God will restore Paradise to the earth.” Feature article on page 7.

"WATCHTOWERs Oct. 1

ANNOUNCING JtHOVAWl Kingdom

“In these unstable times, many are anxious about the future. What helps you to maintain a positive outlook? [Allow for response.] Notice this Bible promise. [Read Isaiah 65:17.] This magazine offers valid reasons to be optimistic about the future.”

Awake! Oct.

“The Internet is a useful tool, but it presents unique dangers to children. How do you think we can protect them? [Allow for response.] Please note this thought. [Read and apply Proverbs 18:1.] This is one of six Bible principles that this article highlights to help parents protect their children.” Feature article on page 8.

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