January

Meetings for Field Service

JANUARY 8-14

Current Topic for Conversation

1. Go over paragraphs three and four of Presenting the Good News, discussing how to use Matthew 6:9, 10.

2. What adjustments in this conversation might be advisable for our territory?

JANUARY 15-21

Introductions

1. How can we show friendliness to householders?

2. What subjects interest householders in our territory?

3. How do you determine what interests a specific person?

JANUARY 22-28

Coping with Indifference

1. Why do we keep going in field service even though many householders are indifferent? (Ezek. 2:7)

2. How do you keep from letting householders’ indifference affect your joy?

3. With whom should we leave the judgment of individuals we meet? (Acts 10:34, 35, 42)

JANUARY 29–FEBRUARY 4

Keeping House-to-House Record

1. Why is it of value for us to keep a house-to-house record?

2. What do you write on your house-to-house record? Why?

3. What is the value of keeping one record of those not at home and a separate one for placements and return visits?

God’s Kingdom Is the Solution

¹ Do you remember how you felt when you first grasped the significance of God’s kingdom? It is, indeed, glorious good news! As you have read accounts of Jesus’ life you have observed that the Kingdom is the message that he kept to the fore. Zealously he preached it and he urged his followers to do the same. At Matthew 10:7, he said: “As you go, preach, saying, ‘The kingdom of the heavens has drawn near.’” Have 19 centuries of time diminished the power and force of God’s kingdom? Not at all!

THE MESSAGE HAS NOT CHANGED

² Over the centuries, governments of all kinds have come and gone. The inadequacy of human governments has been eloquently underscored, but one thing remains firm, real and brimming with hope, namely, God’s kingdom backed by the irresistible power of the Sovereign Lord of the Universe. How grateful we can be to have the privilege of sharing that hope with all who will listen!—Rom. 15:13.

³ We are now more than 64 years into the “time of the end.” How should this affect us? For one thing, more than ever before, we can see that the Kingdom is the only solution to man’s ills. And we know that only those who put their full confidence in it will survive the “great tribulation.” Thus, it is more urgent than ever before that people have the opportunity to hear about God’s kingdom and be encouraged to take their stand on its side.—Rom. 10:13-15.

ANNOUNCING JEHOVAH’S KINGDOM

⁴ Of course, when talking with people we want to be adaptable and converse with them on topics that interest them. But no matter what we might use to catch their interest, the real solution is God’s kingdom and this is the thought we want to leave with them. Now, how might we do this to the best advantage?

⁵ Many of us may elect to start our conversation by inquiring how the householder feels about the high cost of living, family problems, unemployment, crime and violence, and so forth. Likely, we will get a ready response that these are difficult times for many. Or, suppose we choose to ask: “Do you think the time will come when we will not need locks, alarm systems, security forces, and so forth, to protect our life and property from lawless people?” Regardless of the response to either of these inquiries (or similar ones), we always want to point to the real remedy, God’s kingdom. How can we do this? By asking at an opportune time in our conversation: “What do you think the solution to this problem is?” Or, “Is God going to do anything about this? What do you think?” These questions can help to steer the conversation in the right direction.

THE REAL SOLUTION

⁶ By identifying God’s kingdom as the real solution, we focus attention not merely on social problems, but on the permanent solution to these problems. While it is fitting to start out with something that puts us on a common level with the householder, we should always try to finish with the real solution, God’s kingdom. If we were to discuss at great length some social issue and what we and others might do to improve the situation, we would be missing the mark; we would be talking about temporary relief when we know the permanent cure.

⁷ So, as we offer the Watchtower subscription during January (with a free 384- or 416-page book or the “Eternal Purpose” book), we should stress the real solution for all of man’s ills, as The Watchtower itself does. Appropriately, the new topic for conversation centers around Matthew 6:9, 10, but you may use another text if your territory seems to require it. Try it, using the suggestions in Presenting the Good News. “God’s Kingdom Is the Solution” will be our topic for conversation for the next four months. Our being upbuilding and positive in the way we discuss God’s kingdom will no doubt appeal to the hearts of many householders who long for a real solution to problems that face us all.

Are We Allowing God’s Spirit to Operate Freely?

¹ To Christians in Rome, Paul wrote: “Do not loiter at your business. Be aglow with the spirit. Slave for Jehovah. Rejoice in the hope.” (Rom. 12:11, 12) How does one become “aglow with the spirit”? Is it just a matter of asking God? It is true that God must give the spirit before one can “be aglow” with it, and Luke 11:13 speaks of God as giving “holy spirit to those asking him.” But it is not automatic, is it? It is somewhat like getting electric power from the power company or water from the water company. The supply is there, usually in abundance, but they will provide it only for those who meet certain qualifications. So it is with God’s holy spirit. There is no shortage, but we must qualify for it by cultivating a right heart condition and by learning and conforming to God’s requirements. (Acts 15:8; 5:32) Diligence in meeting these qualifications is needed if we are truly going to be “aglow with the spirit.”

HOW GOD’S SPIRIT OPERATES FREELY

² As a person can draw on electric power by putting a plug into an outlet and he can get water by turning on a faucet, so we open the way for God’s spirit to operate in our lives when we take some action. For example, we benefit from the operation of holy spirit (1) when we personally study God’s inspired Word (2 Tim. 3:16; Josh. 1:8), (2) when we attend meetings where that Word is discussed (Heb. 10:24, 25; 1 Cor. 14:24, 25), (3) when we give a witness to others about the good things contained in the Bible (Acts 1:8; John 14:26), (4) when our actions toward our Christian brothers and sisters demonstrate love, which is a fruit of God’s spirit (1 John 3:14, 16-18; Gal. 5:22), (5) when we respond appreciatively to the oversight of elders who have been appointed by holy spirit (Acts 20:28; Eph. 4:8, 11-16), and (6) when we turn to God in prayer and ask for his help (Luke 11:13). On the other hand, at Ephesians 4:30 we are told: “Do not be grieving God’s holy spirit.” So we need to avoid conduct that is out of harmony with God’s spirit, which is a holy, or clean, force.

³ Have you sometimes felt you were ‘loitering at your business’ instead of being “aglow with the spirit” when it comes to field service? Jehovah’s approval is on those who serve out of a willing heart, and he blesses them with joy, which is a fruit of his spirit. (Gal. 5:22) When we put forth the effort, the holy spirit has opportunity to direct our efforts.

SPIRIT MOTIVATION TODAY

⁴ Are we to think that the holy spirit is any less active today in directing the preaching and disciple-making work than in the first century? Jesus said he would be with his people until the conclusion of the system of things. He is with us by means of holy spirit. (Matt. 28:19, 20) Note how that spirit directed matters in the early days of the Kingdom preaching. Acts 16:6-9 reports: “They went through Phrygia and the country of Galatia, because they were forbidden by the holy spirit to speak the word in the district of Asia. . . . And during the night a vision appeared to Paul: A certain Macedonian man was standing and entreating him and saying: ‘Step over into Macedonia and help us.’” Was God’s spirit directing matters? It was while they were there in Macedonia that they met “a certain woman named Lydia.” The record says that “Jehovah opened her heart wide to pay attention to the things being spoken by Paul.” (Acts 16:14) Her whole household got baptized.—See also Acts 8:26-31, 39, 40.

⁵ Today God has widened out the territory to include all the earth. “Macedonia” could be our town, our rurals, our block, our apartment house! Are there “Lydias” waiting there? Are we giving God’s spirit an opportunity to direct us to them by putting forth the effort? Or are we waiting for the spirit to move us? It actually works the other way around. When we move, the spirit will bless and lead us.

⁶ The spirit is still saying “Come!” to anyone thirsting for life’s water. The “bride,” the anointed ones, are still saying “Come!” Have you heard their thrilling invitation to take life’s water free? Then you, too, are urged to extend this invitation to others. (Read Revelation 22:17.) We do not know how much longer the spirit and the “bride” will keep on saying “Come!” But while they are doing so, let each of us “keep getting filled with spirit,” allowing it to operate freely in our lives.—Eph. 5:18.

Meetings to Help Us Make Disciples

WEEK STARTING DECEMBER 31

10 min: Song 74 and local announcements. Public talk this week covers chapters 1-3 of Family Life book; encourage congregation to read these.

20 min: “God’s Kingdom Is the Solution.” Audience participation. When covering paragraph 5, chairman might take the part of the householder; let the audience collectively be the publisher, offering suggestions as to what to say in response to various statements, how to direct attention to the Kingdom, and so forth. When handling one topic (perhaps crime and violence), invite school-age publishers to comment. As your main point, emphasize paragraph 4.

15 min: “Presenting the Good News—Talk About the Kingdom.” Use a demonstration setting in which the publisher is at the door. Make it natural; include common objections or situations. Stop demonstration at key points and have the audience offer suggestions or solve the problems. Emphasize that our objective should be to find persons who can be aided to become disciples.

10 min: Comments on the yeartext, John 15:8. Refer to 1979 Yearbook, pages 260, 261. If congregation has cassette tape recording of book of John, play John 15:1-8. If not, have brother read it well, then give talk discussing: (1) What the “fruit” is—overall Christian fruitage of fine works and evidences of God’s spirit operating in our lives each day, including participating in Kingdom preaching. (2) What is meant by “much fruit”—making Jehovah’s worship and service the truly big thing in our lives. Draw attention to local arrangements for field service during the days ahead.

5 min: Song 92 and prayer.

WEEK STARTING JANUARY 7

10 min: Song 63 and local announcements. Accounts report. Public talk this week covers chapters 4-6 of Family Life book; encourage advance reading of it. Also, request all to bring Family Life book to service meeting next week.

20 min: “Are We Allowing God’s Spirit to Operate Freely?”

Talk by chairman (3 min.) covering points in opening paragraph. Highlight the scriptures.

Cover paragraphs 2-6 with audience participation. If possible, invite several young publishers in later teens who are good readers to come to the platform. These should be assigned in advance and prepared to read texts fluently. Have scriptures read by youths on platform and get application from them and others in audience.

In preparing this part, consider these points: What good results have come in your congregation from doing the things indicated by the scriptures in paragraph 2? Have any in congregation had an experience where they realized that holy spirit had led them to sheeplike ones? Holy spirit is a key to disciple making; encourage publishers not to hinder its operation by failing to call back on those who show interest. Give field service announcements for weekend.

20 min: “Hear What the Spirit Says to the Congregations.” To be handled by elder with fine teaching qualifications.

Brief introductory talk: Revelation 1:1 helps us to see that the things written in the book of Revelation were due to come to pass in a time future from that day. When would they be realized? John tells us: “By inspiration I came to be in the Lord’s day.” (Rev. 1:10) Has reference to the time since 1914, when “the kingdom of the world did become the kingdom of our Lord and of his Christ.” (Rev. 11:15) What was one of the first things John saw by inspiration? He saw the Son of man, Jesus, standing in the midst of seven golden lampstands or congregations, and Jesus had seven stars in his right hand, picturing the bodies of elders of those congregations. (Rev. 1:13, 16, 20) The purpose of a lamp on a stand is to give out light, so the congregations are to give out spiritual light. Jesus was there on an inspection tour to see how the congregations and their overseers were doing. Because this has special application since 1914, we are intensely interested in what the “spirit says to the congregations.” (Rev. 2:7) (Cover the above points in 2 minutes.)

Are we like the congregation at Ephesus? (Invite all to open Bibles to Revelation chapter 2. Audience participation.) What was commendable about the Ephesus congregation? (Rev. 2:2, 3) How do the elders today protect us from “bad men”? From what sin did the Ephesus congregation need to repent? (vs. 4) (They had lost the fervor of their love for Jehovah. We need to be careful so that lack of such love does not cause us to be indifferent about service or to fail to use God’s personal name freely when witnessing.) How was sectarianism, the following of a man, viewed by the Ephesians? (vs. 6) How can we show that we share that view?

Are we like the congregation in Smyrna? What were some of the things those in the Smyrna congregation had conquered? (Materialism, persecution, tribulation) (vss. 9-11) What do these things mean to us?

Are we like the congregation in Pergamum? For what were they praised? (vs. 13) As shown in verse 14, how did Balaam cause the downfall of many of the sons of Israel? What does that mean to us today? If guilty, what is needed to avoid the long sword of destruction from Christ’s mouth? (vs. 16)

Conclusion: Must be ever conscious that we are under inspection as individuals and as a congregation. We are under scrutiny of Christ, who has “eyes like a fiery flame.” (vs. 18) Salvation does not come merely from claiming to be one of Jehovah’s Witnesses. Let us each pay attention to what the “spirit says to the congregations.”

10 min: Discuss briefly “More Meaningful Meetings for Service.” These should help us to keep in focus the importance of doing our field service with a view to disciple making. Song 25 and prayer.

WEEK STARTING JANUARY 14

10 min: Song 71 and local announcements. Public talk this week covers chapters 7-10 of Family Life book; encourage advance reading.

25 min: Jehovah’s Witnesses in the Twentieth Century, brochure, page 14, paragraph 3, through page 17. Select in advance a number of brothers who are good readers and who will comment briefly on material in the brochure. Have group come to platform. Chairman will pose questions to this group. Ask commenter to stand; he will cover an entire paragraph, perhaps answering several questions. Highlight the scriptures. After his comments, have the individual read his assigned paragraph to audience.

Emphasize that these are matters that we want people in our territory to know; all of us should be equipped to discuss them. Our being able to do this will help us to make disciples.

20 min: Review of Saturday Program of “Victorious Faith” International Convention. (Use only what can be covered in allotted time; emphasize what is needed locally. Discussion with the audience.) Theme for that Saturday was: “Have Faith to the Saving of Your Household.” (Heb. 11:7) Three talks on marriage on the morning program. Read 2 Timothy 3:1-6. Ask audience: How was this scripture used in discussing marriage? (The talk showed that this scripture outlines how problems, including marriage problems, arise because of disloyalty, people being lovers of themselves, not open to any agreement, having no natural affection; and such can indeed cause marriage problems.) To cope with problems one of the morning talks encouraged married men to be men of God. How does one show he is such? (Cultivates qualities of Galatians 5:22, 23. Keeps desires, passions under control. [1 Cor. 9:27] A woman of God seeks to follow good advice of Proverbs 31:10, 29-31. She is loyal to her husband [vs. 12], kind to lowly ones [vs. 20], careful in speech [vs. 26], and a diligent worker [vs. 27]. For men and women to cope with marriage problems, should follow good advice of Colossians 3:12-21.)

Saturday afternoon saw release of book Making Your Family Life Happy. What is the good advice given in chapter 2, pages 18, 19, under subheading “I Can Change Him”? Comment on chapter 3, pages 30, 31, under subheading “Disagree Without Being Disagreeable.” Ask audience for any comments on what particularly has interested them or has been of practical help to them from the Family Life book.

5 min: Song 55 and prayer.

WEEK STARTING JANUARY 21

10 min: Song 108 and local announcements. Public talk this week covers chapters 11-14 of Family Life book; encourage advance reading.

15 min: “Ways They Use to Tell It to You.” Enthusiastic discussion of material in brochure Jehovah’s Witnesses in the Twentieth Century, pages 18-22. Read paragraphs first. Wherever possible, have qualified publishers in late teens do this from seats. Isolate main points in each paragraph by asking appropriate questions. Use scriptures. Emphasize that our objective in all this work is to make disciples.

30 min: What Are We Doing with What We Are Learning?

Work needs to be done on this part WELL IN ADVANCE. Many fine field points and suggestions to help us in our everyday lives are covered in our Watchtower study, our congregation book study and in the public talk each week. Are we using what we are learning? On this part, use 10 minutes for each of these meetings. Early in the month, assign one or two book study groups to cover each of the three meetings; ask them to be alert to use points gleaned from material discussed at the meetings. They may use it in making a personal decision, in informal witnessing or when going from house to house or on return visits. We would like to hear their experiences on this program. This should not be a review of the meetings but should highlight how material from the meetings has actually been used.

Chairman should select points from the Watchtower material, book study material and public talk material that COULD be used but perhaps was not, and work this into the three 10-minute parts as time permits. Ask friends: “How COULD we have used this point in field service, in making decisions, in helping our children, in informal witnessing, and so forth?” Tell congregation that we are going to do this again next month.

5 min: Song 64 and prayer.

More Meaningful Meetings for Service

¹ Have you ever felt at a loss for words when you started out in your field activity, especially when going from house to house in territory that is worked often? Most of us at one time or another have had that feeling. What would help to overcome such feelings? We believe it would be most beneficial, just before starting in the field service, to spend a few minutes discussing what we hope to accomplish in our work and how to do it.

² We would like to encourage congregation elders and all others who handle meetings for field service to give thought to presenting helpful suggestions at these meetings. Therefore, beginning with this issue of Our Kingdom Service, you will find a section called “Meetings for Field Service.” Therein will be suggestions on what might be discussed before a group goes out in the field service. It may be beneficial to use the same points at every meeting for field service during the designated week. Some advance thought by the brother handling the meeting will be needed. He should consider how to present the material so as to get the minds of the brothers and sisters ready for the work they will be doing during that service period. Plan to ask the publishers for suggestions on the points outlined. Also be ready to offer helpful suggestions. Stress not merely what to do, but how and why.

³ These are not to be lengthy discussions. No more than 10 to 15 minutes should be spent in these meetings for field service. This should be carefully adhered to so that those meeting together can use their time to the best advantage in the field. It will not usually be necessary to consider the text for the day from the Yearbook. If the text is especially appropriate for field service, then it may be considered briefly. This will be left to the discretion of the one handling the meeting. The important thing is to help the publishers to be prepared for the activity in which they will engage after the meeting.

⁴ We hope these meetings will be helpful to all and that they will serve as an encouragement to those participating in field service.

Announcements

● The Society is arranging for a limited number of regular pioneers to serve temporarily as special pioneers in isolated territory for a two- or three-month period. The assignments are designed for a team of two. The requirement will be 140 hours each month in field service. Also, a car that is in good condition will be necessary. Some financial assistance will be provided. Before writing to the Society, arrangements should be made for a partner. Please submit a letter giving the name of your partner, as well as the congregation(s) with which both of you are presently associating. Also state whether you will be willing to work with a congregation that needs assistance in covering its territory. (No financial assistance is given for this.) The elders should sign the letter, indicating that they believe the individuals would do well in this work.

● Please order Memorial invitations now so that your congregation will receive them well in advance of the Memorial celebration, April 11, 1979. Invitations may be ordered in lots of 250, 500 and 1,000, using the special order blank. Please do not remit with your order. The Memorial invitations will be charged to your congregation’s literature account. Payment should be included in the money remitted for literature.

● There will be a special public talk on Sunday, April 1, 1979. Congregations holding their public talks on a midweek night will schedule it during the week of April 1. We would like to advertise this particular public talk widely. So please order handbills as soon as possible. Use the special talk handbill order blank now being sent out to the congregations.

● New Publications Available:

Life Does Have a Purpose—Danish, Finnish, Swedish

Man’s Salvation out of World Distress at Hand!—Italian

My Book of Bible Stories—Spanish

Our Incoming World Government—God’s Kingdom—Norwegian, Swedish

Your Youth—Getting the Best out of It—Melanesian-Pidgin, Zulu

Bible Topics for Discussion—Chinese, French

● During the months of January and April, the offer is the Watchtower subscription and one free 384- or 416-page book, or the pocket-size book God’s “Eternal Purpose” Now Triumphing for Man’s Good. If your congregation does not have an adequate supply of the large bound books, the Society still has on hand a stock of the books “The Nations Shall Know that I Am Jehovah”—How? and Man’s Salvation out of World Distress at Hand!, which you may order. Publishers placing the large bound books may obtain them from the literature counter for 10c each. The congregation may request 35c credit for each large book placed over the counter during January and April. The pocket-size “Eternal Purpose” book may also be obtained for 10c by the publishers and the congregation may request 20c credit for each of those books placed with the brothers. There is also a supply of this pocket-size book on hand in Brooklyn, if any congregations desire to order it. Congregations requesting credit should use the Remittance and Credit Request form on the lines below “other items.”

● Please note that starting January 1, 1979, congregations will be charged $1.90 for each one-year subscription submitted at publisher rate. This is the rate shown in the Cost List and on the Weekly Subscriptions form (M-203).

● Literature offer for February and March: The book Making Your Family Life Happy for 35c.

● The price for Watchtower and Awake! binders has been increased to $2.50 each. This will be the price for the public, congregations and pioneers.

● Effective immediately, the Byington translation, known as The Bible in Living English, will cost $8.00 for the public, $7.75 for congregation publishers, and $4.00 for pioneers.

● In the future, the secretary of the congregation will be responsible for keeping the meeting attendance records for the congregation, instead of the Bible study overseer. If the secretary keeps these records, it is felt that there will be easier access to these records both by other elders and by the circuit overseer when he visits.

Presenting the Good News—Talk About the Kingdom

¹ God’s kingdom is the only solution to the world’s problems. Yet literally millions upon millions of people do not know this, even though many of them at one time or another have heard that kingdom mentioned. What can we do to help them appreciate the significance of God’s kingdom in their lives?

² Perhaps one of the more simple approaches we can make to people is to help them to reason on something that many of them already know. What is that? The Lord’s Prayer. In Matthew 6:9, 10, we find the model prayer Jesus gave, asking for God’s will to be done on earth as in heaven. Just how might we present the matter? Maybe something along the following lines will be appealing. After a short introduction of yourself to the householder, say:

³ “I’m sure you are interested in the security of your family and home, especially in today’s world where there are so many things that undermine that security. Most people look to some means of protection. They may have extra locks on their doors, or alarms, or a dog to sound a warning when strangers approach. [Get householder’s reaction.] The Bible promises the best possible means of security for all mankind. You may have asked God in prayer many times for this means of security without knowing it. [Read Matthew 6:9, 10.] Have you ever thought of the Lord’s Prayer as holding the answer to the need for real security for mankind? Really, the kingdom of God is the solution to the problems mankind faces.” From that point on, depending on the reception you have received, you can proceed with the conversation, or make an offer of the Watchtower subscription or other publications to the householder.

⁴ A briefer approach could be along the following lines. After you introduce yourself, say: “We are calling because of a common concern we share as to one of mankind’s most pressing needs—for peace and security. The solution is found in the familiar words of the Lord’s Prayer at Matthew 6:9, 10. [Read.] I’m sure that this God-given solution is of interest to you.” From there proceed with the conversation or the offer you may wish to make to the householder.

⁵ It is good to remember that in advocating God’s kingdom as the solution to mankind’s problems, your conviction and sincerity will go a long way toward helping the honest-hearted ones you meet to take seriously what you say. If their hearts are drawn toward God, it can be your happy privilege to assist them to take the necessary steps to become disciples of Jesus Christ, our King. Why not try using this scripture during the coming months as you seek to help others know that God’s kingdom is the solution.

Topic for Conversation

God’s Kingdom Is the Solution. Matt. 6:9, 10.

October Service Report

Av. Av. Av. Av.

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

Sp’l Pios. 663 116.0 39.5 4.0 116.7

Pios. 14,171 85.7 32.7 3.2 83.3

Aux. Pios. 22,259 61.0 18.5 1.3 60.2

Pubs. 496,688 8.3 3.6 .4 10.0

TOTAL 533,781

Newly Dedicated Ones Baptized: 1,761

Congregation Book Study

Schedule for congregation studies in the book Life Does Have a Purpose:

January 7: Pages 5 to 12*

January 14: Pages 12 to 22*

January 21: Pages 22 to 30

January 28: Pages 31 to 37

* To subheading.