September

Meetings for Field Service

AUGUST 30–SEPTEMBER 5

Offering “Truth” book

1. How will you tie in Topic for Conversation?

2. What points from book can be highlighted?

3. What if householder has publication?

SEPTEMBER 6-12

Use of Bible

1. Why is it effective to read texts from Bible?

2. When might it be best to paraphrase scriptures?

3. Why be careful about appearance of our Bible?

SEPTEMBER 13-19

How can Bible study be started:

1. On initial call?

2. On return visit?

3. When no literature is placed?

SEPTEMBER 20-26

How would you respond to:

1. “I’m busy!”

2. “Someone was here about two weeks ago.”

3. “I’ve had your literature before!”

Congregation Book Study

Schedule for congregation studies in the book Happiness—How to Find It:

September 5: Pages 78* to 85

September 12: Pages 86 to 95

September 19: Pages 96 to 102

September 26: Pages 103 to 111

* To or from subheading.

Rejoicing in Jehovah’s Bountiful Provisions

¹ “Always rejoice in the Lord. Once more I will say, Rejoice!” (Phil. 4:4) Jehovah’s Witnesses are indeed rejoicing, due to the bountiful provisions that we have received during the 1982 service year. There is no doubt that Jehovah has blessed us abundantly.—Prov. 10:22.

² Consider some of the provisions for which we can be thankful. Over 40,000 elders received further instruction at the Kingdom Ministry School and many of our regular pioneers were able to attend the Pioneer Service School during the month of August. We were privileged to hear the special talk “The Only Cure for Sick Mankind” and experience the joy of an all-time peak attending the Memorial celebration in April. There was also an all-time peak in publishers during the month of April. Then again, a fine provision has been made to aid many individuals who had become inactive through the years. But, without doubt, one of the outstanding highlights of the service year was the “Kingdom Truth” District Convention, with its fine releases. Yes, Jehovah has surely blessed his people.

WHAT WILL WE DO NOW?

³ As we all look back on the bountiful provisions that we have received from Jehovah during the service year just concluded, it is proper to ask ourselves, ‘What will we do now?’ Unitedly we will press on, even more firmly in our resolve to continue faithfully serving Jehovah. We will endeavor to apply the things that we have learned as well as make good use of the valuable information and literature received at the district conventions.

VALUE OF “TRUTH” BOOK

⁴ In thinking back over an extended period of time, we realize that the Truth book has been an outstanding provision from Jehovah. It has played a major role in the proclamation of the good news concerning Jehovah’s kingdom. Since its release in 1968, over 100 million copies in more than 116 languages have been produced by the Society. This has contributed to over one million publishers being added to our ranks since that time. After 14 years of use it is still an effective aid!

⁵ We will want to offer the Truth book enthusiastically to the public during September. There are several subjects that can be highlighted. Chapter 1 outlines the grand blessings from God that are so near at hand. Many honest-hearted persons are fearful of world developments and are looking for a remedy. God’s kingdom is the only solution and it is through this government that blessings will come to mankind. (Matt. 6:10; Dan. 2:44) Chapter 20 outlines the building blocks for a happy family life and should be of special interest to many families in our territory.

⁶ Chapters 2, 14 and 15 can be highlighted to show people why it is wise to examine their religion, how to identify the true religion and how they can get out from among the false ones. Babylon the Great will soon be destroyed and honest-hearted persons must act quickly if they are to be saved.

⁷ Be sure to follow through on all interest and placements, calling back with the purpose of starting a home Bible study. You may be able to use the very chapter that sparked the original interest. If you prepare well and seek Jehovah’s direction, he will bless your sincere efforts and you may soon be conducting a new Bible study in the Truth book.

⁸ Let us enthusiastically highlight the Truth book during September in helping sheeplike individuals to appreciate God’s purpose for man and the earth. As we begin the new service year and reflect on Jehovah’s bountiful provisions, we can truly exclaim, ‘Always rejoice in the Lord!’

Part II—Directing Interest to the Organization

¹ It is the earnest desire of Christian teachers to help their home Bible students to acquire a spiritually solid foundation. This is accomplished by progressively studying God’s written Word, sounding its truths down into their minds and hearts. (Matt. 7:24-27) More is necessary than simply teaching doctrinal information. We must build appreciation for Jehovah’s organization so that our students will act upon what they have learned and become a working part of the Christian congregation. (Jas. 2:26) From time to time publishers contact the Society, asking for suggestions and printed material that they can use in helping their Bible students. As you will recall the August issue of Our Kingdom Ministry recommended using the brochure Jehovah’s Witnesses in the Twentieth Century. These can be ordered by the congregation if local supplies are depleted. Each brochure is placed on a contribution of 15c and is reported as a booklet placement. We suggest that you give consideration to using this brochure as it contains a wealth of information that can be used with both new and advanced students.

² This 32-page brochure, first released in 1978, was designed to acquaint people with the organization and work of Jehovah’s Witnesses. It was offered to the public when released at the convention and later from house to house in 1979. It provides an excellent witness. You should take the initiative in placing copies with your Bible students, if you have not already done so. The Scriptural references, illustrations and text can all be of great assistance in reaching the hearts of sincere persons.

SPECIFIC POINTS TO USE

³ Let us consider material that may be especially effective with a new student. Congregation meetings play an important role in the lives of Jehovah’s people and so we want our students to attend these meetings with us as soon as possible. This subject is considered on pages 18-20 of the brochure. Each of the five weekly meetings is briefly described and Scriptural references are cited. You may find it helpful to read with the student the two paragraphs starting at the bottom of page 18. Highlight the direction given at Hebrews 10:24, 25 and Proverbs 27:17. Show the student the Kingdom Hall scenes on pages 19 and 20 that depict both the outside and inside appearance of a typical Kingdom Hall. Contrast this with most churches of Christendom. When considering this material, refer specifically to your local Kingdom Hall. If available, provide your student with a handbill showing the address and times of local meetings. Thereafter, in the weeks to come, you can progressively explain in detail the five weekly meetings, highlighting their purpose, how they are conducted, publications used, and so forth. You may want to concentrate on considering one meeting in detail each week, thus having sufficient subject material for a five week period. Do you not agree that such a program should assist your student to appreciate better the need to attend congregation meetings?

⁴ At an appropriate time you may take up with your student the matter of contributions. You may mention to him that Jehovah’s Witnesses gladly give of their time and resources in conducting free home Bible studies. But when it comes to support and maintenance of their organization, such as the local Kingdom Hall, expenses are involved. However, Jehovah’s Witnesses do not take up collections at their meetings, as do the churches of Christendom. A contribution box is provided at the meeting place and those attending may contribute if they so desire. This is entirely voluntary. Pages 29 and 30 of the brochure may be used as a basis for this discussion.

⁵ It may be explained that while Christians are not required to tithe they still have countless opportunities to honor God with their “valuable things.” (Prov. 3:9, 10) Review principles recorded at 2 Corinthians 9:7 and Luke 21:1-4 with the student showing that our giving is motivated by Christian love and that it is the spirit of giving that counts, not the amount given. Christian giving is a wonderful privilege that affords us the opportunity to display our love for Jehovah and for our brothers. Progressive Bible students will appreciate learning these things.

⁶ Are we as teachers doing all that we can to help our students gain appreciation for Jehovah’s organization? Could we do more? We encourage you to employ these suggestions, praying to Jehovah for his continued direction and blessing. Additional information on this subject will be forthcoming.

Meetings to Help Us Make Disciples

WEEK STARTING SEPTEMBER 5

Song 28

7 min: Local announcements and Announcements.

20 min: “Rejoicing in Jehovah’s Bountiful Provisions.” Questions and answers.

18 min: Discussion of Topic for Conversation. Review presentation with audience and consider possible introductions and points to tie scriptures together. Have demonstration of suggested presentation. After introduction, publisher could say: “Due to the international tension and recent conflicts many concerned persons are wondering if the future of the earth is really secure.” (Ask householder for his personal viewpoint.) “The Bible foretold events of our day and indicated that many persons would be overwhelmed with fear.” (Read or quote Luke 21:26.) Show how many persons are becoming increasingly fearful. However, those who put their trust in God and his kingdom have basis for hope. (Read Psalm 119:90.) Highlight that God will not allow earth to be destroyed, but will bring an end to wicked system. His purpose for earth and mankind is nicely illustrated in Truth book on page 4. (Review illustration with householder.) This publication will assist sincere persons to learn more about God’s provision. Chairman encourages all to use new Topic for Conversation in offering Truth book during month. Also, illustrate how current magazines can be used to highlight this subject. Of special interest is the September 22 issue of Awake! that features the question “Will Life on Earth Be Ended in a Nuclear Holocaust?”

Song 58 and prayer.

WEEK STARTING SEPTEMBER 12

Song 73

10 min: Local announcements and accounts report.

20 min: “Presenting the Good News—In School.” Questions and answers.

15 min: Discussion by service overseer based on Organization book, pages 121 and 122. Consider also how publishers may be able to start home Bible studies in Truth book. Include brief demonstrations. Stress goal of starting new studies this month. Invite some who have already started studies to relate their experiences. Refer to paragraph 7 of article “Rejoice in Jehovah’s Bountiful Provisions.”

Song 71 and prayer.

WEEK STARTING SEPTEMBER 19

Song 15

5 min: Local announcements.

15 min: “Are You Having a Share in Assisting Inactive Ones?” Question-and-answer coverage of material. Encourage all to show brotherly love toward the inactive ones they may visit and greet at Kingdom Hall. Highlight value of keeping positive attitude.

25 min: Manifesting Christian Manners. Elder reviews with audience participation the following points related to good manners:

(2 min.) Good manners have been defined as showing consideration in little things such as being punctual, asking before borrowing things that belong to others, giving thanks and saying “please,” and so forth. The basic underlying principle is love.

(10 min.) In the congregation: Families with small children show consideration for others by taking seats in the rear so as not to disturb others. When babies cry, consideration and good manners are demonstrated by parents if they temporarily withdraw from the main auditorium to calm the child. (Compare Matthew 7:12.) Christian manners rule out talking while the meeting is in progress, arriving late for meetings or allowing children to interrupt the meeting by frequent and unnecessary trips to the rest room or by their running at any time in the Kingdom Hall. (Eccl. 3:1, 7; 1 Cor. 14:40) When attending the book study, it would be appropriate to dress as when attending the regular meetings at the Kingdom Hall.

(8 min.) In field service: Christian manners require that one be presentable when in field service — neat, clean, shoes shined, hair combed, clothing pressed. A sincere and friendly smile and greeting are also part of Christian manners. (Luke 10:5) When preaching on busy streets it is necessary to be tactful, friendly, not shouting, not overly insistent, not interfering with the flow of passersby. When making return visits, show appreciation for the hospitality extended by maintaining a proper reserve, avoiding the tendency to become unduly familiar.—Phil. 1:27.

(5 min.) The fact that one means well and acts from pure motives does not justify forgetting about Christian manners. (Luke 6:31) Although some may feel that Christian manners are insignificant, they are vital.—2 Cor. 6:3-7.

Remind congregation of second Saturday magazine day and to bring brochure Jehovah’s Witnesses in the Twentieth Century to Service Meeting next week.

Song 55 and prayer.

WEEK STARTING SEPTEMBER 26

Song 99

8 min: Local announcements. Also remind publishers to continue efforts toward starting new home Bible studies in Truth book. How many have reached goal of conducting a new study this month? Relate brief experience as time allows.

15 min: “Directing Interest to the Organization—Part II.” Questions and answers. Encourage publishers to follow along in brochure as this information is considered. Have qualified publisher who is good teacher demonstrate use of material in paragraph 3 in encouraging Bible student to appreciate importance of attending congregation meetings.

12 min: Use for local needs or have talk on subject: “A Future for Today’s Youth” from Watchtower of June 1, 1982, pages 5-8. Encourage youth locally to develop wholesome goals.

10 min: Review subscription offer for October and highlight talking points from October 1 and 8 magazines that can be used in field service. Encourage all to participate in field service next Sunday, the first Sunday of the month.

Song 119 and prayer.

Topic for Conversation

Earth’s Future—Secure!

Luke 21:26—Many fear for earth’s future.

Ps. 119:90—God’s sure promise gives hope.

Are You Having a Share in Assisting Inactive Ones?

¹ “Rejoice with me, because I have found my sheep that was lost.” (Luke 15:6) This feeling of rejoicing is being experienced by many brothers and sisters in congregations where inactive ones are returning to the flock. In these critical days it is indeed a joy to be able to assist some of our brothers who, for one reason or another, stopped associating with us. We share Jehovah’s viewpoint concerning them, that “it is not a desirable thing . . . for one of these little ones to perish.”—Matt. 18:14.

² Of course, in order for more of us to have this joy, continued effort is required. Why? A lost sheep is usually quite helpless. It is the shepherd who does the searching to recover it. Thus, a real effort is necessary to search for, find, and then nourish a lost sheep. In his illustration, Jesus indicated that the shepherd would leave the ninety-nine behind and go for the lost one until he finds it.—Luke 15:4.

HOW ALL CAN HELP

³ The February issue of Our Kingdom Ministry indicated that the secretary and the service overseer will coordinate matters in order to assign well-qualified publishers to conduct home Bible studies with inactive ones. However, this does not mean that the rest of the congregation cannot help also. Positive results have been obtained by the united efforts of all the publishers.

⁴ Recently a circuit overseer visited a former special pioneer couple who had been inactive for two years. After telling the traveling brother of their problems, with many tears, they both decided to come back to the congregation. In time they began sharing in the field service. How do they feel now? The wife states: “I would like to express my appreciation for the Christian love and warmth you have shown us. I felt like I had a two-ton load lifted off of me.” She concluded her letter to the circuit overseer, saying: “I pray that this will never happen to me again. Heartfelt thanks for coming when you did and for even coming back after my being cool to you. You helped me to see things were not hopeless. I will never forget you.”

⁵ It is good to recognize that for persons who have been away from the congregation it may be somewhat difficult to attend meetings once again. Timidity or shame may make it difficult for them at first. How loving it would be for all of us to take the initiative in greeting these individuals when they come to the Kingdom Hall. It will show them that we are happy, yes, that we “rejoice” to have them with us. Our show of concern should not be limited to their initial return, but every time they come to the Kingdom Hall we should make them feel welcome. Are you having a share in assisting inactive ones in this way?

⁶ We are pleased to see that many congregations have experienced positive results because of taking to heart the program of assisting inactive ones. A circuit overseer reported recently that in one congregation seven were reactivated. One sister told the elders she had been waiting for someone to call and assist her, as she found it difficult to begin associating again on her own.

⁷ It is possible that some may not want to be helped. Jesus said: “IF he happens to find it,” he rejoices. (Matt. 18:13) So, if it happens that we do not have success in reactivating some, we will not be overly disappointed, knowing that we tried hard to help.

⁸ Searching for something that has been lost usually takes time, patience and a positive attitude. Results may not come as quickly as we would like. But this is no reason to become discouraged. We need to keep on expending ourselves in this, knowing that it is “not a desirable thing . . . for one of these little ones to perish.” (Matt. 18:14) May we all endeavor to have a share in assisting inactive ones.

June Service Report

Av. Av. Av. Av.

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

Sp’l Pios. 362 125.4 85.2 50.0 5.3

Pios. 20,322 77.6 48.6 29.7 3.5

Aux. Pios. 16,942 58.8 35.9 17.6 1.6

Pubs. 532,833 8.4 7.0 3.5 0.5

TOTAL 570,459

Newly Dedicated Ones Baptized: 8,032

Presenting the Good News—In School

¹ “Praise Jehovah . . . you young men and also you virgins, you old men together with boys.” (Ps. 148:7, 12) While attending school youths have a splendid opportunity to praise the name of Jehovah. Among their classmates, as well as school teachers, a large field for witnessing is opened. At times it may seem difficult to witness to classmates or teachers. But there is no need to feel embarrassed or afraid. Jehovah has promised: “I am with you to deliver you.”—Jer. 1:8.

HOW TO WITNESS IN SCHOOL

² Consider the following questions: ‘Do I take advantage of opportunities at school to speak about Jehovah’s purposes? Does my conduct reflect well on Jehovah, the God with whom others identify me?’—Ps. 145:21; Matt. 21:16.

³ Take advantage of opportunities when the subject of evolution is considered. Some youthful witnesses have used such occasions to place the publication, Did Man Get Here by Evolution or by Creation? with some of their teachers and classmates. They have used this book in class discussions in skillfully defending the Bible’s record of the creation account. Due to the prevalence of promiscuity and misuse of drugs in school, some Christian youths have successfully used the publication, Your Youth—Getting the Best out of It. This book considers a number of subjects that are of interest to youths.

⁴ Take the initiative in witnessing at school. Consider this experience of a Christian youth: “During free class periods I had many, many opportunities to witness, especially around holiday time. By leaving Bible publications on my desk where others could see them, many interested students approached me. The most rewarding experience involved my civics teacher. I had placed a publication with one of her students, and the girl was reading it in class one day when the teacher noticed it and asked where she had obtained the book.” Eventually a number of students began attending meetings at the Kingdom Hall and the teacher also progressed to the point of becoming a dedicated Witness! All of this occurred because an alert Christian youth took the initiative to witness in school.

⁵ In your daily conversations with classmates, you can often find an opportunity to discuss a Biblical topic. With the increasing of violence and the growing fear that a nuclear war may end all life on this earth, you can easily explain to your classmates God’s view of world conditions and the future of the earth. Remember that while you will want to be bold, it is vital to be tactful, showing consideration for the others’ viewpoints.—Col. 4:6.

⁶ Youths, do not minimize the fine contribution that you can make in praising Jehovah while in school. Be confident that God can use you too in the accomplishing of his purpose to have this good news preached earth wide.

Announcements

● Literature offer for September: Truth book for 75c. October and November: Subscriptions for either The Watchtower or Awake! for $3.50 each for a one year subscription; six month subscription $2.00. December: New World Translation and any 192-page book for $3.75.

● When the district overseer visits a host congregation during the week of the circuit assembly a 45-minute Congregation Book Study will be arranged by the presiding overseer. This will be followed by the district overseer’s talk which will be 45-minutes in length.

● Congregation accounts should be audited on September 1 or as soon as possible thereafter, by the presiding overseer or someone appointed by him.

● We are pleased to announce that a new Cost List has been prepared. Four copies are being sent to each congregation. The secretary should keep one copy, the other three should be given to the brothers caring for the literature, magazines and accounts.

● Literature price changes—effective September 1, 1982

Publication Pioneer Congregation & Public

Reading Aid $ .15 $ .15

Postcards (set of 10) .50 .50

Watchtower Binder 3.00 3.00

Awake! Binder 3.00 3.00

Kingdom Recordings Album (cakr) 5.50 7.00

Music Record Set (P1-10) 7.50 10.00

Single Records (P1, P2 etc.) .75 1.25

Medical Alert Card .01 .01

● New Publications Available:

You Can Live Forever in Paradise on Earth—English, Spanish

Making Your Family Life Happy—Hungarian

Choosing the Best Way of Life—Arabic

Life Does Have a Purpose—Hungarian

Enjoy Life on Earth Forever!—Chinese, English, French, Greek, Portuguese, Spanish

● New Cassette Recordings Available:

The Good News According to Luke (set of three)—Danish

The Good News According to John (set of three)—Danish

Acts of Apostles (set of three)—Danish, Japanese

To the Romans (set of two)—Danish

The First to the Corinthians (set of two)—Danish

Beware of Losing Faith by Drawing Away From Jehovah - Drama (single cassette)—English