February

Branch Letter

Dear Kingdom Publishers:

Many indeed have been the heartwarming expressions of appreciation received from you regarding the auxiliary pioneer arrangement announced last summer. Truly it is wonderful to see your enthusiastic response to this opportunity to share more fully in preaching and disciple-making, and numerous benefits have resulted from it.

Many who have found pioneering too great a challenge up to this time now have pleasure in serving as auxiliary pioneers. One of them wrote: “For many years (24 in fact) I have wanted to be a pioneer but lacked stamina. Seventy-five hours was even more than I could handle. Sixty hours is just perfect. Best of all, I can do it continually, month after month.”

Another publisher, from Ohio, wrote: “Although I had to make some adjustments, it was truly a joy to start off the new service year in this way.” But was this done at the expense of the family? No, all in the family cooperated well and the sister had a fine schedule. She reported: “The entire family benefited from my pioneering. Meals were on time, the children were sent to school on time, our personal study habits were improved as well as our family studies. I am so grateful to Jehovah and to his organization for this wonderful new opportunity to increase our service to him.”

Clearly, such enthusiasm is shared by many. During September and October of 1975 we had 7,611 and 12,846 temporary pioneers respectively. But during the same two months in 1976, after the new arrangement went into effect, we had 16,388 and 21,344, a fine increase indeed!

Think of the many additional ones contacted with the Kingdom message and assisted spiritually, and of the joy this brought to Jehovah’s heart because of the additional time spent in praising him. (Prov. 27:11) Is it possible for more of us to join in this rewarding service arrangement and share in the joy and blessings? Why not talk to the presiding overseer and get an application from him and begin experiencing the joy of auxiliary pioneer service soon? May Jehovah richly add his blessing as you render sacred service to him with all your heart.

Your brothers,

BROOKLYN BRANCH OFFICE

Why We Preach and Teach

¹ Householders often ask us why we come to their doors to talk about our beliefs. One answer is found in the words of Jesus: “This good news of the kingdom will be preached in all the inhabited earth for a witness to all the nations; and then the end will come,” and, “You must love your neighbor as yourself.” (Matt. 24:14; 22:39) World wide the witnessing work goes on, as shown in the 1977 Yearbook. What conclusion is there to draw? Only one, namely, that there is preaching and teaching work yet to be done, that there is still opportunity to demonstrate our love for Jehovah and for fellow humans by sharing in this service.

WHY WE SHARE

² The answer to the question of what motivates our preaching and teaching lies in the heart of each of us. This is because it is out of the ‘abundance of the heart’ that one’s mouth speaks. (Luke 6:45) When our heart abounds in love for God, it moves us to stand up for Jehovah’s name. (Ps. 40:5-10) To illustrate, if a friend you loved dearly was being falsely accused and you possessed evidence of his innocence, would not your love for him impel you to speak up to clear him, to vindicate him? In the same way our hearts are incited to preach and teach the truth about Jehovah our God. Knowing that many people blame God for this system’s wrongs, we want to inform them of his Kingdom arrangement for correcting all the problems facing the world of mankind.

³ And what about our fellowmen who are still part of the world? Those who have not yet conformed to God’s purposes stand in imminent danger of losing their lives. There is no hope without Jehovah’s protection. Yes, they are living in the very shadow of death. If we truly love our neighbor as we do ourselves, we will want to aid all we can to draw close to Jehovah now.—Rom. 10:14.

SHARE THE TRUTH EACH DAY

⁴ To share in the vindication of Jehovah’s name and to help our neighbors require activity on our part. Are we responding by sharing the Kingdom message at all opportunities? Are we sharing in the house-to-house work regularly? This remains a most effective means of giving all an opportunity to hear the truth.

⁵ Do we as well take advantage of opportunities to give an informal witness to friends and relatives, any and all with whom we come in contact? While we might not be able to share each day in house-to-house work, almost every day we talk with someone who is not in the truth, a storekeeper, salesperson, friend, relative, and so forth. If we all take advantage of our opportunities each day to share the truth with others through informal witnessing, the prospect of helping many is fine indeed.

NOW MORE URGENT THAN EVER

⁶ During the past service year 43,900 were baptized in the United States, and we averaged 282,557 Bible studies a month; so with Jehovah’s blessing, continued growth is expected. Just how much time is left to help others before the “great tribulation” none of us know. (Matt. 24:36) However, we do know that Jesus’ prophecies at Matthew 24, Mark 13 and Luke 21 are being fulfilled in this generation.

⁷ Is it not urgent then that our hearts motivate us to give generously of our time and energy in preaching and teaching while others may yet hear and respond? (Prov. 3:27) Moved by deep love for God and for our neighbor, let us do all we can to share in Kingdom preaching and teaching.—2 Cor. 5:14, 15.

Make Disciples

¹ An important work Jesus outlined for his followers is to “make disciples of people of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the holy spirit, teaching them to observe all the things I have commanded you.” (Matt. 28:19, 20) It is important that those who are baptized have the full opportunity to gain knowledge and understanding and to have appreciation of what it means to be baptized in the name of the Father, the Son and the holy spirit. There is also the necessity to teach them to observe all the things that Jesus has commanded. Obviously this requires time. In order to become disciples they have to take in knowledge and be instructed. In many cases the Truth book is a basic book that they study.

² In the future, when the time comes for considering baptism, the information on pages 18 and 19 of the Organization book will be considered with the candidate. Then there is a review of the 80 questions that are listed, along with the scriptures. In addition to that it is important that the individual contemplating his baptism and dedicated service to Jehovah should see clearly what is involved in this serious step. Therefore, in the future it will be part of the preparation for baptism for the elders to arrange to discuss with baptismal candidates the material in Chapter 6, “Your Service to God,” in the Organization book. It is not good to rush through the 80 questions, or Chapter 6 of the Organization book. So the elders are encouraged to allow time for this. As soon as they know of a coming assembly, they can make plans to help those who are considering baptism.

³ Those who contemplate baptism may obtain the Organization book when they approach the elders and indicate that it is their desire to be immersed. It is fine if they can read through all the Organization book before baptism. But we do want to be sure to go over the 80 questions and Chapter 6 with them. It is preferable to do so on an individual basis rather than doing this in a large group, so that the elder will be better able to see if the individual has the information in mind and knows what he is undertaking when making a dedication and being baptized, taking up the service of Jehovah. It is not advisable to try to study Chapter 6 as one would the Watchtower magazine, but the material can be talked over, perhaps making use of the subheadings as points to be discussed, and considering the scriptures. The time spent by the elders in going over this material is field service time and can be so reported. More than one elder may take turns in discussing the material with one person if desired.

AFTER BAPTISM

⁴ Much of the instructing of disciples is done following baptism. Jesus stressed the need to teach the newly baptized ones all his commandments. The publishers who are studying with people who get baptized should continue studying with them thereafter. This is part of our field service. The knowledge that a person can get from just one book we do not find to be sufficient to round out his spiritual training and fit him for the work to be done and the pressures that come upon those who serve Jehovah in these last days. We believe that at least two books should be studied with all persons who come into the truth. It is advisable to study the publication that will be most beneficial for the one who has just been baptized. So the study should continue after baptism until the second book has been completed. If you are studying with someone when he is baptized and are in the middle of a book, go right on with the study of that book until it is finished. During that period you will continue to report the study as a home Bible study and count the time spent in the service while doing this teaching work.

⁵ Newly baptized ones appreciate the close association with those who are their fellow servants, especially with the one who found them and has helped them through home Bible study. So we want to encourage more association. This includes taking the new ones out in the field service. It will be good, too, during this period if the elders and ministerial servants become better acquainted with the ones who are newly baptized, perhaps also going in field service with them. We hope the new ones will be attending all the congregation meetings, and will have much pleasure in association with others who are serving as disciples of Christ Jesus.

Your Service Meetings

NOTE: The service meeting, including both songs and the final prayer, should be no more than 60 minutes in length. If some part has run overtime, it is requested that, if possible, the brother who follows cut his material so that the meeting will end within 60 minutes.

WEEK STARTING JANUARY 30

Share Fully in Preaching and Teaching

13 min: Song 94. Stimulating discussion of “New Method of Conducting Watchtower Study.” (See Watchtower, February 1, 1977.) It will go into effect this week. Point out benefits; have some in audience prepared to comment on these aspects: (1) Will encourage all to benefit more from the reading of paragraphs instead of looking ahead for answers; (2) By refreshing our minds on details, should encourage fuller discussion; (3) Will make it easier for some to comment. Emphasize value of continuing to study lesson in advance, in line with Watchtower of August 15, 1976, page 506, paragraph 10.

12 min: Talk on developing reliance on Jehovah’s spirit. Use Luke 12:11, 12. Refer to Holy Spirit book, pp. 97, 98, pars. 36-38, pp. 157-159, pars. 39-42.

15 min: “Why We Preach and Teach.” Question-and-answer discussion. Include brief interview of new publisher and one who has published for many years. Ask them why they feel it is important to preach and teach. Field service announcements.

20 min: “Presenting the Good News—With the Holy Spirit Book.” Discuss and develop each presentation with the audience so all will be prepared for field activity, having something definite in mind to say. Following each presentation, after prepared publisher demonstrates the approach, let audience state how they feel presentation would appeal to people locally. Encourage all to prepare thoroughly the presentation they prefer and that would enable them to have a Scriptural discussion. Offer Holy Spirit book where interest is shown. Remind audience to bring “Make Sure” next week. Song 89 and prayer.

WEEK STARTING FEBRUARY 6

8 min: Song 74 and local announcements.

10 min: Talk on Branch Letter. Include expressions of appreciation for auxiliary pioneer arrangement from publishers who have shared in it.

20 min: Practical use of “Make Sure” book. Chairman encourages all to let “Make Sure” help them in field service and personal study. Chairman reads paragraph 1 on page 8. Then asks publishers to imagine themselves talking to interested person in his home, using procedure outlined to answer his questions. (May use subheading and one scripture underneath it in answering, or more if time permits) Based on pages 53 to 55.

1. Why do Jehovah’s Witnesses refuse blood transfusions?

2. But wouldn’t it be all right to accept blood in the event of an emergency?

3. Isn’t life precious and shouldn’t it thus be preserved, even by a blood transfusion?

4. How can our lives be saved?

Encourage all to get better acquainted with “Make Sure” and to make practical use of it. Material in it shows briefly what the Bible teaches on any subject.

22 min: Aiding Each One to Share in Giving a Witness. Chairman introduces the following demonstrations with warm two-minute talk about need to share in giving a witness. (He will make sure the following demonstrations are lively and well rehearsed.)

SCENE I. (3 min.) Field overseer and book study conductor meet to discuss activity of book study group. Conductor is surprised to observe from cards several are irregular in service, others in need of assistance. They discuss together Romans 10:9, 10 so as to have the right Scriptural foundation for aiding ones needing assistance.

SCENE II. (5 min.) Book study conductor and field overseer call on sister who has become irregular in service. She relates her husband is indifferent to the truth, uncooperative, makes it difficult for her to go out on weekends; she is discouraged. They discuss 1 Peter 3:1-4 and offer to make effort to get better acquainted with her husband. Sister is encouraged and they make definite arrangements for her to share in witnessing with a sister on a weekday morning each week.

SCENE III. (4 min.) Conductor calls on irregular brother, with copy of Our Kingdom Service. They discuss together a few points in the article “Why We Preach and Teach.” Brother states he has no one to share companionship with in field service, would like assistance. Conductor explains field service arrangements through the book study group, including weekend field service. He arranges to accompany him in field service on weekends.

(8 min.) Chairman encourages all to help one another share in field service. Book study conductors can arrange for publishers to accompany those who need help. Field overseer will be alert as to those whose activity indicates need for encouragement and pass the information on to study conductors who, in turn, will arrange for assistance. Never scold the brothers but build them up and help them to appreciate Jehovah’s loving-kindness, and their privilege. Encourage all to share fully in field service activity, thus providing zealous example for all others. (John 2:17) Have full share in this weekend’s activity. Song 68 and prayer.

WEEK STARTING FEBRUARY 13

8 min: Song 105 and announcements. Remind all to bring Aid book next week and to prepare to participate in discussion “Jehovah, the Incomparable God.”

25 min: “Make Disciples.” Question-and-answer coverage. Ask questions of audience after having each paragraph read aloud.

12 min: “Help Your Brothers to Preach.” Encouraging talk slanting the information to local circumstances. The field overseer will supply the one handling this part with figures on the number who share regularly each month in field service, the number of irregular publishers and the number who have become inactive during the last year. Speaker will encourage families to share together in the field service, commend regular and auxiliary pioneers for their lead in field service, and encourage all who can to take part in midweek service as well as weekend activity.

15 min: Experiences from using the presentations discussed the week of January 30. Encourage all to use presentation that they feel is most effective for them. Song 103 and prayer.

WEEK STARTING FEBRUARY 20

15 min: Song 104. Announcements. “Offer for March—Any 50c Book”; emphasize booklets will be used to start studies.

25 min: JEHOVAH, THE INCOMPARABLE GOD. Better appreciation of Jehovah, his personality, standards and ways aids us to serve him acceptably, to be fully motivated to do all we can. (Matt. 22:37) After two-minute introduction encourage audience to comment freely on following questions, based on Aid. Conductor will keep the part moving.

1. How is Jehovah “King of eternity”? (P. 889, pars. 4, 5; 1 Tim. 1:17) 2. How can his presence be described? (Par. 6; Ex. 24:9-11) 3. Why is Jehovah spoken of as having eyes, ears and a face? Is this to be taken literally? (Pars. 7, 8; Job 37:23, 24) 4. God revealed himself to man in Eden to be what kind of person? How? (P. 890, pars. 4-6; Ps. 139:14; 104:8-24) 5. How can man know God has standards? (Pars. 7, 8; Gen. 1:3, 4; Deut. 32:3, 4) 6. How important are God’s standards in nature? (Pars. 9, 10; Eccl. 1:5-7) 7. Why are God’s standards so important to the enjoyment of life? (Pars. 11-13; 1 Tim. 1:9, 10; Rom. 6:15-18) 8. Who is the Supreme Standard for all the universe? (P. 891, par. 1; Mark 10:17, 18; Matt. 19:17)

Truly Jehovah is an incomparable God. Knowing and loving him motivates us to declare good news, aiding sheeplike ones to enjoy warm relationship with him.

20 min: Field overseer presents encouraging, warm, lively Scriptural talk dealing with the needs of the local congregation. These may be meeting attendance, field service, Bible study work, encouraging more to share in regular and auxiliary pioneer service or a combination of local needs. Song 110 and prayer.

November Service Report

Av. Av. Av. Av.

Pubs. Hrs. R.V. Bi.St. Mags.

Sp’l Pios. 635 137.3 48.1 4.9 96.1

Pios. 15,127 86.2 30.1 2.9 63.6

Aux. Pios. 19,543 58.8 15.3 1.2 35.9

Pubs. 518,713 9.3 3.2 .4 7.5

TOTAL 554,018

Newly Dedicated Ones Baptized: 2,402

UNITED STATES GOAL FOR 1977

599,108 Publishers

Help Your Brothers to Preach

¹ The reports from presiding overseers covering last service year’s activity reflect that a number of publishers have become inactive in our God-given work of preaching and teaching, while others are irregular in field service.

² Why have some drifted away or slowed down in sharing the truth with others? Was it tribulation or persecution? Was it the anxiety of this system of things or the deceptive power of riches? (Matt. 13:18-23) What can we do to help our brothers spiritually?

³ If some with your congregation are inactive in field service, perhaps even failing to attend the meetings of God’s people, what can you do to aid them? Go to them with a loving and helpful spirit; by getting them to talk, endeavor to determine the cause of their spiritual problem. Helping our brothers, which includes looking after those who are drifting away or need encouragement, is an essential part of our service to God. (Matt. 18:12-14; Acts 11:23) It may be possible to aid them to resume their active worship of God.

⁴ All elders and ministerial servants who serve as book study conductors should be alert to the spiritual needs of each one in their group. Reviewing the Publisher’s Record cards from time to time will enable them to be aware of trends developing with regard to a person’s field service. When an individual needs help or assistance, the study conductor should give him personal attention or enlist the aid of an experienced publisher.

⁵ If the problem is a failure to report field service, make a greater effort to encourage accurate, prompt reporting. Mention it at the book study near the end of the month and have report forms available there. By directly encouraging and arranging to work personally in field service with those who have become irregular, elders, ministerial servants and other publishers may aid many to regain their joy and satisfaction in doing the divine will.

⁶ During the visit of the circuit and district overseers, these brothers will be utilizing more of their time to aid inactive and irregular ones. Early in the week the traveling brother will observe how much aid has been given in the past few months and how it is currently being given. He will do what he can do to assist during his visit, as well as discuss arrangements with the elders for additional care and attention as needed after he leaves.

⁷ Never forget that we are to “work what is good toward all, but especially toward those related to us in the faith.”—Gal. 6:9, 10.

Offer for March—Any 50c Book

¹ Although we have all come to enjoy using the pocket-size books in our field service, we still have a considerable stock of the larger books on hand. Who could benefit from them?

² The fact is that, by studying these larger publications, many of us learned the truth. Others, too, can benefit from what they contain. So, instead of leaving them on our shelves, during March we are planning a concerted effort with a view to getting as many of them as possible into the hands of interested persons. Our literature offer during March will be any 50c book, with two free booklets. When you make placements, have in mind trying to start a home Bible study, possibly using one of the booklets that you place.

³ In addition to offering them in the field, it would be good to make a display of the books at the Kingdom Hall so that publishers and other interested persons who want copies for their library can obtain them before the stock is exhausted.

⁴ The Society has supplies of the following books: Man’s Salvation out of World Distress at Hand!, “The Nations Shall Know that I Am Jehovah”—How?, God’s Kingdom of a Thousand Years Has Approached, “Then Is Finished the Mystery of God,” and “Things in Which It Is Impossible for God to Lie.” If additional 50c books can be used, please order only what you feel you can place in the month of March. If it makes no difference which books are sent, please show that on your order. If your congregation has more stock on hand than it can place, contact nearby congregations to see if they might assist in getting these books into the hands of the public during March. These books could also be displayed at circuit assemblies in order to make them available to other individuals or congregations desiring them. If, before the end of March, your stock of 50c books is exhausted, publishers may use the pocket-size 25c books.

Presenting the Good News—With the Holy Spirit Book

¹ All persons have need of God’s holy spirit if they are to enjoy a life truly worth living and a hope for the future, for it is the force behind the coming new order! (Gal. 5:22, 23) Yes, our neighbors need to be informed about God’s holy spirit. They need to see how it can affect their own relationships with other people. This is something that we can all talk about. The Holy Spirit book can also help them to appreciate the reality of God’s spirit so it can become a force in their lives. Three presentations are outlined below as suggestions, but, of course, you can use any other presentation you may desire.

FOR NEW PUBLISHERS

² “Hello. I have been studying the Bible recently, and this Bible verse will help to explain why I have come to your door even though you likely already have a religion. Galatians 5:22, 23 states: [Read it.] Most of us have heard of God’s spirit but wondered just what it is. Something that will help you to understand how God’s spirit can work in your life is this small Bible handbook. [Display book to householder. Add your own comment on how much the truth means to you.] God promises to put his spirit upon those desiring it. I am sure you will find this Bible handbook very helpful. You may have this copy for 25c.”

FOR YOUNGER PUBLISHERS

³ “Hello. From discussions at school I can appreciate that man is trying very hard to bring peace to the earth. I wonder, though, if the Bible’s comment here at Galatians 5:22, 23 is not being overlooked. [Read verses.] Did you notice that it says a fruit of God’s spirit is peace? So peace comes from God’s spirit. That is what this Bible handbook is all about. [Display it.] You may have this copy for 25c.”

FOR ALL OF US

⁴ “Hello. I am calling because of concern about the problem many people have in getting along together. I am sure you will agree that we see this almost everywhere—on the job, in the schools and even in the home. What do you think could be done to help people in getting along with one another? [Allow householder to respond.] I would like to get your opinion of what is stated here at Galatians 5:22, 23. [Read.] These qualities come from the operation of God’s spirit in our lives. Don’t you agree, then, that since God’s spirit produces such fine results, it would help people to be interested in one another’s welfare? [Allow for comment.] This book [display it] is designed to help us to understand how we can enjoy God’s spirit and its wonderful fruitage. Notice what it says about the future time when God’s spirit will operate on everyone living on earth. [Read page 181, ¶36, first two sentences.] The book is yours for a contribution of just 25c.”

⁵ Feel free to adapt these presentations to your area and what concerns people there or use whatever is appropriate in your territory. If you find a prospect for a Bible study, you may want to give a booklet to the householder and try to start a study. Let us make every effort during the month of February to help people to understand and benefit from the wonderful active force of Jehovah God.—Ps. 143:10.

Theocratic News

Auxiliary pioneer work is meeting a fine response world wide:

◆ Japan reported 5,080 auxiliary pioneers in September, 61 percent above their temporary-pioneer peak.

◆ Australia had 1,260 auxiliary pioneers in September; Dominican Republic, 568, and Korea, 953.

◆ Israel was happy to have five sharing in the auxiliary pioneer work in September, a month in which they usually did not have any temporary pioneers.

◆ Barbados reported 36 auxiliary pioneers in September as compared with 3 for September of a year ago.

Announcements

● After March 1, 1977, congregations may begin ordering the Watch Tower Publications Index for 1976; 10 cents each. Orders will be charged to your congregation literature account.

● On Saturday, April 16, the Bethel home and factory and Watchtower Farms buildings will be closed for spring cleaning; so there will be no arrangement for tours on that day.

● Literature offer: February: Holy Spirit book, 25c. March: Any 50c book and two booklets, 50c. When stock is depleted, 25c books may be used. April: Watchtower subscription with three booklets, for $1.50, or subscriptions for both magazines, with six booklets, for $3.00.

● Yearbooks for 1972 and 1975 in English and for 1975 and 1976 in Spanish are in stock at Brooklyn. Many who do not have these in their library may wish to order them while still available. Please order through your congregation.

● New Publications Available:

New World Translation of the Holy Scriptures (Deluxe edition)—French, Italian, Portuguese

Is This Life All There Is?—Croatian, Gujarati, Kissi, Malayalam, Marathi, Tagalog

● The April 15 Watchtower and April 22 Awake! will be special issues. Be sure to place your order early for extra copies, including those that will be needed by auxiliary pioneers.

● Early copies of the 1977 Yearbook had an error on page 10, paragraph 2. The figure for books and booklets should be 102,638,842; for The Watchtower and Awake!, 513,282,880.

● Distributors’ Order forms (Form M-202) for congregation magazines and correspondence relating to your distributors’ order may now be sent to: Watchtower, Wallkill, N.Y. 12589. If a phone call is required you may call 914-944-2041 (Watchtower Farms Factory). However, all remittances for magazines and subscriptions should continue to be sent to 117 Adams Street, Brooklyn, New York 11201.

Congregation Book Study

Schedule for congregation book studies in Peace and Security book:

February 6: Pages 72 to 80

February 13: Pages 81 to 89

February 20: Pages 90 to 97

February 27: Pages 98 to 104*

* To subheading.