Our kingdom ministry

SEPTEMBER 2012

WEEK STARTING SEPTEMBER 10

Song 23 and Prayer

Q Congregation Bible Study:

bt chap. 26 ^9-15, box on p. 208 (30 min.)

Q Theocratic Ministry School:

Bible reading: Ezekiel 42-45 (10 min.) No. 1: Ezekiel 43:13-27 (4 min. or less) No. 2: Why Is the Name Jehovah Used in the New World Translation of the Christian Greek Scriptures?—rs p. 278 fl1-3 (5 min.) No. 3: What Must We Do to Receive Holy Spirit? (5 min.)

Q Service Meeting:

Song 60

10 min: Personal Study Makes Strong Ministers. Discussion based on the Ministry School book, pages 27-32.

10 min: Any Weapon Formed Against You Will Have No Success. (Isa. 54:17) Discussion based on the 2012 Yearbook, page 125, paragraph 1, to page 126, paragraph 3, and page 181, paragraph 2. Invite audience to comment on the lessons learned.

10 min: “Use an Approach That Works.” Questions and answers.

Song 44 and Prayer

Use an Approach That Works

¹ Early Christians preached the good news to people of diverse cultures and religions. (Col. 1:23) Although the message was the same—God’s Kingdom—the approach varied according to the audience. For example, when Peter spoke to Jews who had a deep respect for the Scriptures, he began by quoting the prophet Joel. (Acts 2:14-17) On the other hand, notice the way Paul reasoned

• 1. What can we learn from the varied approach of early Christians?

with Greeks as recorded at Acts 17:22-31. Today, people in some territories respect the Scriptures, and we can freely refer to the Bible as we go from house to house. However, we may need to be more discreet when speaking to those who have no interest in the Bible or in religion or who belong to a non-Christian religion.

• ² Use the Literature Offer Effectively: Literature offers for this service year will change every two months and will highlight magazines, tracts, and brochures. Even if people in our territory are generally not interested in the Bible, we will still be able to present something that addresses their interests. We might not read a scripture on the initial visit or directly refer to the Bible, but when interest is shown we can return with the objective of helping the householder to build faith in the Creator and his inspired Word. On the other hand, if we are preaching where people appreciate the Bible, we can use literature and an approach that reflect this. In fact, we may offer the Bible Teach book or the Listen to God or Listen to God and Live Forever brochures at any time, regardless of what is being featured for the month. The main thing is to use an approach that works.

• ³ Prepare the Soil: A person’s heart is much like soil. (Luke 8:15) Some soil needs more preparation before seeds of Bible truth can take root and grow. First-century evan-gelizers successfully planted in all types of soil, and this brought them satisfaction and joy. (Acts 13:48, 52) We can experience similar success by giving attention to our approach.

• 2. How can we use the literature offer to help those who appreciate the Bible as well as those who do not?

• 3. In what way are the hearts of people in our territory like soil?

WEEK STARTING SEPTEMBER 17

Song 49 and Prayer

Q Congregation Bible Study:

bt chap. 26 ^16-22, box on p. 209 (30 min.)

Q Theocratic Ministry School:

Bible reading: Ezekiel 46-48

(10 min.)

No. 1: Ezekiel 48:1-14 (4 min. or less) No. 2: Why We Should Be Honest in All Things—Eph. 4:25, 28;5:1 (5 min.) No. 3: Responding to Those Who Say, ‘You Have Your Own Bible’—rs p. 279 V1-4 (5 min.)

Q Service Meeting:

Song 64

30 min: “Young People Ask—What Will I Do With My Life? (Part 1)” Questions and answers. Use the information in the first and last paragraphs for a brief introduction and conclusion.

Song 88 and Prayer

Young People Ask

—What Will I Do With My Life?

(Part1)

As youths grow to adulthood, they must make important decisions. To help them, the video Young People Ask —What Will I Do With My Life? has been prepared. On the main menu, select Play Drama, then see if you can answer the questions in paragraph 2. Afterward, select Inter views on the main menu, then select Looking Back, and then try to answer the questions in paragraph 3.

Drama: (1) In what ways was Timothy’s situation similar to that of many Christian youths today? (2) How was Andre pressured to excel in athletics? (3) What did Brother Fleissig tell Andre about (a) being dedicated to Jehovah as well as to a sport? (Matt. 6: 24) (b) the source of true happiness? (c) what his bowl from the concentration camp reminded him of? (d) the people in the picture with him and his wife? (e) whether he regretted giving up his dreams? (Phil. 3:8) (4) How did Andre’s grandmother answer his question, “Is it wrong for me to want to become a track star?” (Luke 4:5-7) (5) Did winning the race bring Andre real satisfaction? (6) What did you appreciate about Brother Fleissig’s final letter to Andre? (Prov. 10:22) (7) What did Brother Fleissig help Andre to discover?

Looking Back: (8) What careers were the brother and the sister pursuing, and why? (9) How successful had they become? (10) What was the turning point in each one’s life? (2 Cor. 5: 15) (11) What theocratic careers replaced their former ones, and why did they feel that they could not pursue both? (12) Did they have any regrets for having changed their focus in life? (13) What did they say that has especially made you think about what you should do with your life?

Please view the other interviews and supplementary material, and be prepared to comment on them as they are discussed during the Service Meeting next week.

WEEK STARTING SEPTEMBER 24

Song 45 and Prayer

Q Congregation Bible Study:

bt chap. 27 fl1-9 (30 min.)

Q Theocratic Ministry School:

Bible reading: Daniel 1-3 (10 min.) No. 1: Daniel 2:17-30 (4 min. or less) No. 2: Are God’s Heavenly Creatures Organized?—rs p. 280 fl1-3 (5 min.) No. 3: How Can We Avoid Grieving the Spirit?—Eph. 4:30 (5 min.)

Q Service Meeting:

Song 130

30 min: “Young People Ask—What Will I Do With My Life? (Part 2)” Questions and answers. In the one-minute introductory comments, review what was considered last week in Part 1. Conclude by warmly commending youths for their efforts to “remember” Jehovah while young. (Eccl. 12:1) Urge them to maintain their determination to use their life in Jehovah’s service.

Song 91 and Prayer

Young People Ask

—What Will I Do With My Life?

(Part 2)

On the main menu of the video Young People Ask—What Will I Do With My Life? select Interviews, then select Sections. After viewing each of the three sections, use the questions in paragraph 2 as a review. Then from the main menu select Supplementary Material and after viewing each of the five supplementary interviews, use the questions in paragraph 3 as a review.

Sections—Dedication to Vain Pursuits or to God: (1) What goals are youths pressured to pursue? (2) How can 1 John 2:17 help youths decide how much secular education to pursue? (3) Why should we not let fear hold us back from getting baptized? (4) What are some things that will help us to reach the point of baptism? Learning to Enjoy Your Ministry: (5) Why do some not enjoy the ministry? (6) What are some things that can help us? (7) What do some fear even more than talking to a stranger, and why? (8) How can we overcome our fears and develop the courage to speak? (9) Why is it also important to develop a measure of skill in the ministry? An Open Door to Service: (10) How does pioneering offer many opportunities to advance spiritually? (Phil. 3:16) (11) Why do some hesitate to go through this door of service? (12) What Scriptural principles can help us overcome economic concerns? (13) What have some done to support themselves financially while pioneering? (14) What can be done if circumstances do not allow one to enter fulltime service?

Supplementary material—The Value of Personal Study: (15) Why is a good routine of personal study important? Alternative Witnessing (now called public witnessing): (16) How will engaging in different forms of the ministry add to our joy? Bethel Service: (17) What are some of the joys of Bethel service? Ministerial Training School: (18) How have those who attended this school (now called the Bible School for Single Brothers) benefited? Gilead Missionary Training: (19) How did Peter and Fiona prepare for a missionary career, and how did they benefit from Gilead?

WEEK STARTING OCTOBER 1

Song 103 and Prayer

Q Congregation Bible Study:

bt chap. 27 ^10-18 (30 min.)

Q Theocratic Ministry School:

Bible reading: Daniel 4-6 (10 min.) No. 1: Daniel 4:18-28 (4 min. or less)

No. 2: Why True Christians Avoid Dabbling in Spiritism (5 min.)

No. 3: How Did God Convey Instructions to His Servants on Earth in Times Past?—rs p. 281 fl1-2 (5 min.)

Q Service Meeting:

Song 80

5 min: Start a Bible Study on the First Saturday. Using the sample presentation on this page, demonstrate how a study may be started on the first Saturday in October. Encourage all to have a share.

15 min: How Did We Do Last Year? Talk by the service overseer. Review the congregation’s activity during the past service year, focusing on the good things that were accomplished, and give appropriate commendation. Interview one or two publishers who enjoyed fine experiences. Mention one or two aspects of the ministry that the congregation can work on during the coming year, and offer practical suggestions.

10 min: Ideas for Offering the Magazines in October. Discussion. Take 30 to 60 seconds to relate why the magazines will have appeal in your territory. Then using the cover series of The Watchtower, invite the audience to give suggestions on an interest-arousing question to ask, and then invite suggestions on a scripture to read. Do the same for the cover series of Awake! and, if time allows, for one other article from either magazine. Demonstrate how each issue may be offered.

Song 85 and Prayer

Announcements

■ Literature offer for September and October: The Watchtower and Awake! magazines. When making return visits, introduce the Bible Teach book or if more appropriate to the person’s needs, one of the brochures Listen to God or Listen to God and Live Forever, and try to start a Bible study. November and December: Feature one of the following tracts: All Suffering Soon to End!, Jehovah—Who Is He?, Jesus Christ—Who Is He?, or Would You Like to Know the Truth? If there is interest, demonstrate a Bible study using the Bible Teach book or one of the brochures Listen to God or Listen to God and Live Forever.

■ The special public talk for the 2013 Memorial season will be given during the week of April 1. 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 1.

Sample Presentations

To Start Bible Studies on the First Saturday in October

“I’m sure you’ll agree that life seems much too short. Do you think that one day we’ll be able to eradicate disease and prolong our life span? [Allow for response.] Notice what this says.” Hand the householder the October 1 Watchtower, and consider together material under the first subheading on page 16 and the cited scripture. Offer the magazines, and arrange to return to discuss the next question.

WA4HT06E7® October 1

Announcing Jehovah's Kingdom

“We are calling because many are concerned about the level of corruption in business and government. Do you think anything can be done about this problem? [Allow for response.] Notice what this says about how Jesus will act toward victims of corruption. [Read Psalm 72:12-14.] This magazine shows how corruption will soon end.”

!"#$ October

“Most parents want their children to get a good education. Do you think young people who graduate from school these days are well-prepared for life’s challenges? [Allow for response.] Notice what the Bible says about the importance of acquiring knowledge and wisdom. [Read Ecclesiastes 7:12.] This magazine gives five practical suggestions to help children succeed in school.”

Field Service Highlights

During the month of April, the Turks and Caicos Islands reported new peaks of 305 publishers and 50 regular pioneers. Additionally, on April 5, the Memorial was attended by 3,948 in the Bahamas, 962 in Bermuda, 1,018 in the Turks and Caicos Islands, and 2,502,055 in the United States. May we be motivated by Christ’s love to follow up on interest generated by this special event.—2 Cor. 5:14.

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