Our kingdom ministry

MARCH 2011

WEEK STARTING MARCH 14

Song 101 and Prayer

Q Congregation Bible Study:

bt chap. 1 fl1-9, letter on p. 2 (25 min.)

Q Theocratic Ministry School:

Bible reading: Job 1-5 (10 min.)

No. 1: Job 3:1-26 (4 min. or less)

No. 2: What Can We Learn From the Example of Zelophehad’s Daughters? —Num. 36:10-12 (5 min.)

No. 3: Do the Miracles Performed by Jesus Prove That He Is God?—rs p. 215 fl3-p. 216 fl1 (5 min.)

Q Service Meeting:

Song 130

5 min: Announcements.

15 min: Riches Come From Serving Jehovah. (Prov. 10:22) Discussion based on the 2010 Yearbook, page 225, paragraph 1, to page 226, paragraph 2; pages 227-228;and page 232, paragraph 1, to page 233, paragraph 1. After discussing each experience, invite audience to comment on the lessons learned.

15 min: “Let Us Show Our Appreciation.” Questions and answers. Outline local arrangements for the Memorial.

Song 8 and Prayer

Let Us Show Our Appreciation

Memorial to Be Observed on April 17

¹ Moved by Jehovah’s many acts of mercy and deliverance, the psalmist asked: “What shall I repay to Jehovah for all his benefits to me?” (Ps. 116:12) Today, God’s servants have even more reason for gratitude. Centuries after these inspired words were penned,

• 1. What sentiment of the psalmist is especially appropriate during the Memorial season? Jehovah gave mankind its greatest gift—the ransom. As we prepare to commemorate Christ’s death on April 17, we have good reason to show ourselves thankful.—Col. 3:15.

• ² Ransom Blessings: By means of the ransom, we are able to receive “the forgiveness of our sins.” (Col. 1:13, 14) This enables us to worship Jehovah with a clean conscience. (Heb. 9:13, 14) We can enjoy freeness of speech with Jehovah when we approach him in prayer. (Heb. 4:14-16) Those who exercise faith in the ransom have the grand prospect of everlasting life!—John 3:16.

• ³ Demonstrate Appreciation: One way to show our deep appreciation is to consider the Memorial Bible reading each day and meditate on it. The February 1, 2011, Watchtower article entitled “Are You Prepared for the Most Important Day of the Year?” was designed to help us do this. We can also tell Jehovah through heartfelt prayer how much we value the ransom. (1 Thess. 5:17, 18) Our being present at the Memorial observance in obedience to Jesus’ command shows thankfulness. (1 Cor. 11: 24, 25) Furthermore, we can imitate Jehovah’s expansive love and invite as many as possible to attend with us.—Isa. 55:1-3.

• ⁴ Appreciative servants of Jehovah will not treat the Memorial observance as just another meeting. It is the most important meeting of the year! As the Memorial approaches, may our determination be like that of the psalmist who wrote: “Bless Jehovah, O my soul, and do not forget all his doings.”—Ps. 103:2.

• 2. What are some reasons why we appreciate the ransom?

• 3. How can we show our appreciation to Jehovah for the ransom?

• 4. What should be our determination?

WEEK STARTING MARCH 21

Song 47 and Prayer

Q Congregation Bible Study:

bt chap. 1 ^10-15, chart on p. 12 (25 min.)

Q Theocratic Ministry School:

Bible reading: Job 6-10 (10 min.)

No. 1: Job 8:1-22 (4 min. or less)

No. 2: Is Believing in Jesus Christ All That Is Required for Salvation?—rs p. 216 fl3 (5 min.)

No. 3: How Can We Apply the Counsel Recorded at Matthew 10:16? (5 min.)

Q Service Meeting:

Song 114

5 min: Announcements.

15 min: Use the Bible When Replying. Discussion based on the Ministry School book, pages 143-144. Have two demonstrations showing a publisher being asked a question that might arise in the local territory. In the first demonstration, he gives the correct answer but without referring to the Bible. In the second demonstration, he uses the Bible to give the answer. Invite audience to comment on why the second approach was better.

15 min: “Distribution of Memorial Invitations Starts April 2.” Questions and answers. Distribute a copy of the Memorial invitation to all publishers, and review the contents. Outline arrangements for covering the local territory. Demonstrate a presentation.

Song 109 and Prayer

Distribution of Memorial

Invitations Starts April 2

¹ From April 2 to April 17, we will distribute invitations to the most important event of the year—the Memorial of Christ’s death. In the past, many interested ones have responded to this annual campaign. For example, on the day of the Memorial, a woman called the

• 1. When will we distribute Memorial invitations this year, and what is the value of this annual campaign?

branch office and said: “I just came home, and there was an invitation under my door. I want to go, but I am not sure of the time.” The brother explained where this information could be found on the invitation. The woman concluded her conversation by promising, “I am going to your event tonight!”

• ² How We Will Do It: Since we have a limited time to cover the territory, it is best to be brief. We might say: “Hello. We want to give your family this invitation to an important annual observance that will be held worldwide on Sunday, April 17. [Hand the invitation to the householder.] That date is the anniversary of Jesus’ death. A free Bible talk will be given that explains how we can benefit from Christ’s ransom. This invitation shows the address and time of the meeting being held in our community.”

• ³ If the congregation has a large territory, the elders may direct you to leave the invitations at not-at-homes, provided that they can be placed completely out of sight. Be sure to invite your return visits, relatives, workmates, schoolmates, and other acquaintances. When sharing in the distribution on the weekends, offer the magazines whenever appropriate. Could you auxiliary pioneer during April and have a greater share in this enjoyable campaign?

• ⁴ What a powerful witness interested at-tenders will receive! They will hear of Jehovah’s great love in providing the ransom. ( John 3:16) They will learn how God’s Kingdom will benefit mankind. (Isa. 65:21-23) They will also be invited to approach the attendants and request a Bible study to learn more. It is our prayer that many honestheart-ed ones will respond to this campaign and join us for the Memorial!

• 2. What could we say when presenting the invitation?

• 3. How can we invite as many people as possible?

• 4. Why do we want interested ones to attend the Memorial?

  © 2011 Christian Congregation of Jehovah’s Witnesses. All rights reserved. Our Kingdom Ministry (ISSN 1067-7259) is published monthly by Christian Congregation of Jehovah’s Witnesses; C. I. Woody, President; W. H. Nonkes, Secretary-Treasurer; 2821 Route 22, Patterson, NY 12563-2237. Periodicals Postage Paid at Patterson, NY, and at additional mailing offices. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to Our Kingdom Ministry, 1000 Red Mills Road, Wallkill, NY 12589-3299.           Printed in Canada

  
  

WEEK STARTING MARCH 28

Song 45 and Prayer

Q Congregation Bible Study:

bt chap. 1 ^16-21 (25 min.)

Q Theocratic Ministry School:

Bible reading: Job 11-15 (10 min.)

No. 1: Job 13:1-28 (4 min. or less)

No. 2: Why Jesus Is “Lord of the Sab-bath”—Matt. 12:8 (5 min.)

No. 3: Did Jesus Have a Heavenly Existence Before He Became a Human?—rs p. 216 fl4-p. 217 fl1 (5 min.)

Q Service Meeting:

Song 2

5 min: Announcements. Mention the literature offer for April, and have one demonstration showing how to start a Bible study when making a return visit on someone who accepted magazines.

10 min: Supporting Kingdom Activity Locally and Worldwide. Talk based on the Organized book, page 127 to page 129, paragraph 2.

10 min: Prepare to Offer the Magazines in April. Discussion. Take one or two minutes to review the contents of the magazines. Then choose two or three articles, and invite audience to suggest questions and scriptures that could be used in a presentation. Demonstrate how each issue may be offered.

10 min: “Were You Once a Regular Pioneer?” Questions and answers. If available, a pioneer who stopped pioneering and then resumed when his or her circumstances changed may be briefly interviewed. What enabled the publisher to pioneer again? What blessings have been enjoyed? Song 6 and Prayer

Were You Once a Regular Pioneer?

¹ Over the years, thousands have enjoyed the privilege of “teaching and declaring the

• 1. What privilege have many enjoyed, but what has become necessary for some?

good news” as full-time ministers. (Acts 5: 42) Some, however, have had to discontinue pioneering for various reasons. If you were once a regular pioneer, have you examined your present circumstances to see if you can rejoin the pioneer ranks?

• ² Circumstances Change: It may be that the situation that caused you to stop pioneering no longer exists. For example, if you discontinued pioneering because you could not meet the requirement of 90 hours a month, could you resume now that the requirement has been reduced to 70? Have your employment needs or family responsibilities lessened since the time you left the pioneer ranks? One sister who stopped pioneering for health reasons was able to resume at age 89. She had not been in the hospital for over a year and felt that her health would allow her to pioneer again!

• ³ Perhaps you are not a former pioneer, but someone in your family stopped pioneering to provide care for a family member, such as an aged parent. (1 Tim. 5:4, 8) If so, could you or others in the family do more to assist? Why not discuss matters together? (Prov. 15:22) When family members cooperate so that one of them can pioneer, all can rightly feel that they are having a share.

• ⁴ Do not be discouraged if your present circumstances do not allow you to start pioneering again. Your readiness to do so pleases Jehovah. (2 Cor. 8:12) Use the skills you acquired as a pioneer in your present ministry. Make your desire a matter of prayer, and be alert for opportunities to adjust your circumstances. (1 John 5:14) Perhaps, in time, Jehovah will open to you “a large door that leads to activity” so that you can once again experience the joys of regular pioneering! —1 Cor. 16:9.

• 2. Why should those who pioneered in the past consider their present circumstances?

• 3. How may family members cooperate to help someone in their family to pioneer?

• 4. What if you are unable to rejoin the pioneer ranks at this time?

WEEK STARTING APRIL 4

Song 116 and Prayer

Q Congregation Bible Study:

bt chap. 2 fl1-7, box on p. 13 (25 min.)

Q Theocratic Ministry School:

Bible reading: Job 16-20 (10 min.)

No. 1: Job 18:1-21 (4 min. or less)

No. 2: Does Jesus Have His Fleshly Body in Heaven?—rs p. 217 ^2-5 (5 min.)

No. 3: Why Enlightened Rulers Praise Jehovah’s Witnesses—Rom. 13:3 (5 min.)

Q Service Meeting:

Song 34

5 min: Announcements.

15 min: Make Good Use of the 2011 Yearbook. Discussion. Review “A Letter From the Governing Body.” Arrange in advance for some to relate an encouraging experience from the Yearbook. Invite audience to comment on outstanding aspects of the worldwide report. Conclude by encouraging all to complete their reading of the Yearbook.

15 min: Local needs.

Song 103 and Prayer

Announcements

■ Literature offer for March: What Does the Bible Really Teach? Endeavor to start Bible studies on the initial call. If householders already have the book and do not accept a Bible study, offer an older magazine or any brochure that addresses the person’s interest. April and May: The Watchtower and Awake! magazines. Where interest is shown, present the tract Would You Like to Know the Truth? and endeavor to start a Bible study. When making return visits on those who attended the Memorial or other theocratic events but who are not actively associating with the congregation, concentrate on starting studies using the Bible Teach book. June: What Does the Bible Really Teach? Endeavor to start Bible studies on the initial call. If householders already have the book, congregations that have a stock of Knowledge That Leads to Everlasting Life and Worship the Only True God may offer either of these books. Otherwise, offer any older field publications on hand in the congregation.

■ When witnessing to someone who speaks Chinese, show him the pages in the Nations booklet where Chinese (Traditional) (CH) and Chinese (Simplified) (CHS) appear, in order to determine what he prefers to read. As a general rule, people from Hong Kong or Taiwan prefer to read literature in Chinese (Traditional) (CH), whereas those from China usually prefer Chinese (Simplified) (CHS). With regard to video or audio publications, though, give consideration to which dialect the householder speaks and understands best. Generally, people from both China and Taiwan understand Chinese (Mandarin) (CHM), whereas those from Hong Kong understand Chinese (Cantonese) (CHC). ■ The video program Jehovah’s Witnesses—Organized to Share the Good News will be considered at a Service Meeting in August. If needed, copies should be requested through the congregation as soon as possible.

What to Say About the Magazines

WA4HT06E7® March 1

Announcing Jehovah’s Kingdom

WATCHTO6ER April 1

Announcing Jehovah’s Kingdom       ■

“There are conflicting opinions about Jesus. Do you view him as God’s son or as just a good man?” Allow for response. Then read together the material under one of the bold questions on pages 16-17 and one of the cited scriptures. Offer the magazines, and arrange to return to consider the answer to the next question.

!wa#e! March

When meeting a young person, show the article that begins on page 26. Point to the first subheading and ask, “Would you say these statements are true or false? [Allow for response. Then read 2 Corinthians 7:1.] This discusses what you need to know about smoking, including how to quit.”

“Many people hold widely varying beliefs about Jesus. Do you think that it is important to know the truth about him? [Allow for response. Then read John 17:3.] This magazine explains what the Bible says about Jesus —where he came from, how he lived, and why he died.”

!wa#e! April

“Would you agree that losing a loved one in death is one of the most difficult experiences a human can face? [Allow for response.] Many have found this advice helpful. [Read Psalm 55:22.] This magazine discusses some practical ways to cope with grief, including how to throw our burden on God.”

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