March

“Keep Doing This in Remembrance of Me”

¹ Humans tend to let the significance of important matters fade with time. This is one reason why, when instituting “the Lord’s evening meal,” Jesus commanded his disciples: “Keep doing this in remembrance of me.” Ever since then, on the anniversary of Jesus’ death, Christians have obediently kept “proclaiming the death of the Lord, until he arrives.”​—1 Cor. 11:20, 23-26.

² Very soon now, Jesus will receive into the heavenly abode the last ones of the diminishing remnant of the “little flock.” (Luke 12:32; John 14:2, 3) This year the remnant of anointed ones along with the ever-increasing great crowd of “other sheep” will again have the privilege of observing the Lord’s Evening Meal, on April 11. (John 10:16; Rev. 7:9, 10) Appreciation will be strengthened for Jehovah’s great love in sending his only-begotten Son in behalf of mankind. Highlighted will be Jesus’ example, his love, his faithfulness to death in providing the ransom, and his ruling now as King of God’s established Kingdom, as well as the blessings that the Kingdom will bring to mankind. Truly an occasion of remembrance!

³ Prepare Now: Let us all work to make this Memorial season one of great joy and thankfulness for ourselves and for all those who will associate with us. We can prepare our heart by reading again Bible accounts regarding the last few days of Jesus’ ministry and the events leading up to his death. Our family study several weeks before Memorial might be devoted to reviewing chapters 112-16 in the Greatest Man book.

⁴ How many do you know who might come to the Memorial if you would take the initiative to build up their appreciation for this occasion, invite them, and make them feel wanted? Make a list now, and do what you can to assist them to come. Afterward, help them to keep on growing spiritually by encouraging them to attend meetings regularly.

⁵ During the Memorial season, special arrangements will be made to increase everyone’s preaching opportunities. With good scheduling, can you auxiliary pioneer in April? in May? One of the best ways to show that we remember appreciatively all that Jesus’ sacrifice means to us is to talk about our God, Jehovah, and the blessings that Kingdom rule by his Son will bring.​—Ps. 79:13; 147:1.

Children​—You Are Our Joy!

¹ Young boys and girls, are you familiar with Jehovah’s command that you be included in the activities of the congregation? (Deut. 31:12; Ps. 127:3) It is a joy to have you beside us as we worship Jehovah together! You warm our hearts when you sit quietly at the meetings and listen closely. It makes us especially happy when you try to comment in your own words. The entire congregation is delighted when you present assigned parts on the Theocratic Ministry School, when you eagerly join us in the field service, and when we hear that you boldly witness to your schoolmates and teachers.​—Ps. 148:12, 13.

² We want you to know that we take pride in you when we see your good manners, your neat appearance, your clean conduct, and your respect for adults. Our joy is especially great when you show that you are ‘remembering your Grand Creator’ by setting theocratic goals for yourselves.​—Eccl. 12:1; Ps. 110:3.

³ Tell Us Your Goals: One eight-year-old boy told a district overseer: ‘First I would like to be baptized, then I would like to help in the congregation by serving with the sound and handling microphones, being an attendant, helping with the literature, reading at book studies and Watchtower Studies. Then I would like to be a ministerial servant, then an elder. I would also like to be a pioneer and go to pioneer school. Then I would like to go to Bethel, be a circuit overseer or a district overseer.’ What fine appreciation he showed for the privilege of serving God!

⁴ As you progress physically and spiritually, we rejoice to see you reach your goals. (Compare Luke 2:52.) Each year, thousands of you become unbaptized publishers and then qualify for baptism as dedicated servants of Jehovah. Our joy grows when we next see you reach out to auxiliary pioneer and even enter the full-time service. Truly, children, you are our joy and a wonderful source of praise to our heavenly Father. May Jehovah richly bless you!​—Prov. 23:24, 25.

Service Meetings for March

Week Starting March 2

Song 3

8 min: Local announcements. Selected Announcements from Our Kingdom Ministry.

15 min: “Keep Doing This in Remembrance of Me.” Talk by an elder. Comment briefly on Our Ministry book, pages 80-1, stressing the importance of attending the Memorial.

22 min: “Instill in Others the Hope of Everlasting Life.” Audience discussion of article. Briefly explain how questions can be used effectively to continue a conversation. Give some examples of both leading and viewpoint questions that might be used in a presentation. (See School Guidebook, pages 51-2, paragraphs 10-12.) Have a capable publisher demonstrate one of the suggested initial presentations along with the return visit, showing a Bible study being started. Include some mention of the donation arrangement.

Song 88 and concluding prayer.

Week Starting March 9

Song 60

8 min: Local announcements. Accounts report.

15 min: Benefit Fully From the 1998 Yearbook. Father reviews pages 3-6, 31 with his family, featuring worldwide theocratic achievements of the past year. Consider benefits enjoyed by the family from reading and discussing the daily text and portions of the Yearbook together at mealtimes, determined to keep doing so throughout the year.

22 min: “Will We Do It Again?” (Paragraphs 1-11) Questions and answers. Relate highlights of last year’s spring campaign to auxiliary pioneer, as reported in the 1998 Yearbook. Mention the number that auxiliary pioneered locally during that period. Discuss immediate personal benefits we derive from pioneering, and show how this extra effort contributes to the congregation’s progress. Outline service arrangements being planned locally in April and May to assist more to pioneer. Publishers may obtain applications after the meeting.

Song 195 and concluding prayer.

Week Starting March 16

Song 43

8 min: Local announcements. Invite all interested ones to attend special public talk on March 29. The talk is entitled “Why You Can Trust the Bible.”

15 min: Local needs.

22 min: “Will We Do It Again?” (Paragraphs 12-19) Questions and answers. Review qualifications outlined in Our Ministry book, pages 113-14. Explain how auxiliary pioneering prepares one for regular pioneer service. Invite some who auxiliary pioneered last spring to tell how they arranged their schedule to meet the requirement of 60 hours. Which sample schedule on the last page of the insert worked best for them? As time permits, relate experiences in the 1987 Yearbook, pages 48-9, 245-6. Encourage publishers to obtain applications after the meeting.

Song 224 and concluding prayer.

Week Starting March 23

Song 94

10 min: Local announcements. Encourage all to begin inviting interested ones to the Memorial, on April 11. Display a copy of the invitation, and urge all to obtain a supply and to begin distributing them this week. Announce the names of all who are auxiliary pioneering in April. Explain that it is not too late to submit an application. Outline entire schedule of meetings for service planned for April.

20 min: Prepare New Ones for Field Service. Talk and audience discussion. Those conducting a study in the Knowledge book should consider preparing their student to share in field service. Point out what is stated in the Knowledge book, pages 105-6, paragraph 14, and page 179, paragraph 20. Review procedure in the November 15, 1988, Watchtower, pages 16-17, paragraphs 7-10, for new ones to become recognized as unbaptized publishers. Consider suggestions in the June 1996 Our Kingdom Ministry insert, paragraph 19, for helping new unbaptized publishers to get started in service.

15 min: Question Box. Questions and answers. Elder reviews material in Our Ministry book, page 131, paragraphs 1 and 2.

Song 47 and concluding prayer.

Week Starting March 30

Song 29

12 min: Local announcements. Remind all to turn in their field service reports for March. Display current issues of the magazines, suggest which articles you might highlight when offering them, and mention some specific talking points. Review “Memorial Reminders,” and outline local Memorial arrangements. All should make final plans to help Bible students and other interested ones to attend. Remind all to be sure to follow the Memorial Bible reading scheduled for April 6-11, as outlined in Examining the Scriptures Daily.

13 min: “Children​—You Are Our Joy!” Questions and answers. Relate experience from August 1, 1987, Watchtower, page 25.

20 min: Ways to Fight Spiritual Fatigue. Two elders discuss the box in the January 15, 1986, Watchtower, page 19. For each of the “Symptoms of Fatigue,” Scripturally explain how one can benefit from the corresponding “Aids to Endurance.” Then interview two publishers who comment on how application of such points helped them to maintain their spiritual strength.

Song 140 and concluding prayer.

December Service Report

Av. Av. Av. Av.

Number of: Hrs. Mags. R.V. Bi.St.

Sp’l Pios. 152 121.1 101.1 51.4 4.0

Pios. 73,017 76.0 48.2 23.0 1.6

Aux.Pios. 18,906 57.0 37.6 14.2 0.9

Pubs. 843,678 9.0 7.1 3.3 0.3

TOTAL 935,753 Baptized: 1,584

Congregation Book Study

Schedule for congregation studies in the book The Secret of Family Happiness.

March 2: Pages 142-147*

March 9: Pages 147*-152

March 16: Pages 153-158*

March 23: Pages 158*-162

March 30: Pages 163-169*

* To or from subheading.

Will We Do It Again?​—Another Call for Auxiliary Pioneers

¹ Will we do what again? Will we auxiliary pioneer during the Memorial season? The February 1997 Our Kingdom Ministry insert captured our attention with the bold heading: “Wanted​—100,000 Auxiliary Pioneers.” We were confident you would take that call seriously. When the March 1997 service report was compiled, we were delighted to learn that 116,335 had enrolled in the auxiliary pioneer service! If we add to that number the 70,472 regular pioneers and the 181 special pioneers who reported that month, we find that nearly 20 percent of all publishers were in the pioneer service. Will we do it again this Memorial season?

² We warmly commend all who put forth the extra effort to increase their field service activity last spring. Clearly, all of you were motivated by unselfish love for Jehovah God and for your neighbor. (Luke 10:27; 2 Pet. 1:5-8) Publishers in varied circumstances of life made room for auxiliary pioneering. In one congregation, 51 publishers pioneered together the same month, including most of the elders, a mother with a 15-month-old daughter, a sister who quit her job and found part-time work to enable her to pioneer, and an older sister who had never before pioneered. The circuit overseer wrote: “A tremendous effort in the preaching work is under way. . . . Not only is this having an impact on the territory but the congregations are bubbling with enthusiasm. Brothers are enjoying getting to know one another better as well as seeing fine results in the ministry.”

³ Young people were not left out last spring. A 13-year-old unbaptized publisher had been anticipating the time when she could symbolize her dedication to Jehovah. After being baptized in February, she wrote about her desire to auxiliary pioneer in March: “With nothing to hold me back now, I immediately turned in my application. . . . The many wonderful experiences we enjoyed would never have become a reality had it not been for your loving invitation to pioneer. I am grateful to Jehovah to have had this privilege to be among those 100,000 who responded.” She has set a goal to do it again.

⁴ Perhaps you were among the 116,335 who engaged in the auxiliary pioneer activity last March, or the 78,640 in April, or the 56,905 in May. Will you do it again this year? If you were not able to pioneer last spring, can you do it this year? Could we exceed 120,979, the number of those who auxiliary pioneered in April 1989? That was the largest number of auxiliary pioneers in any one month in the United States branch.

⁵ Concentrate on April and May: This year, the Memorial falls on Saturday, April 11, making April an excellent month for increased activity in the ministry. (2 Cor. 5:14, 15) During the first 11 days of the month, we will give attention to inviting as many interested ones as possible to attend the Memorial. If you plan to auxiliary pioneer, please submit your application well in advance of the date you wish to start.​—1 Cor. 14:40.

⁶ Since May has five full weekends, publishers who attend school or who work secularly full-time may find it easier to auxiliary pioneer that month. By scheduling ten hours in field service each of the five weekends, you would need to schedule only ten additional hours in the month to reach the required 60 hours.

⁷ During both April and May, we will be presenting individual copies of The Watchtower and Awake! as the literature offer. This should encourage even more of us to reach out and pioneer. Why do we say that? The magazines are easy to present and are enjoyable to work with in the ministry. They lend themselves for use in all features of the service​—house-to-house and store-to-store work, as well as when we approach people on the street, in parking lots, and in parks and other informal settings. Most important, The Watchtower and Awake! champion Kingdom truths. They draw attention to the fulfillment of Bible prophecy, proving that God’s Kingdom is ruling. They also touch readers’ lives by coming to grips with the real needs of people. If we think of how our life has been touched by these precious journals, we will be motivated to share in giving them the widest possible distribution in April and May.

⁸ In preparation for this intensified magazine activity, you will benefit from reviewing these articles: “The Watchtower and Awake!​—Timely Journals of Truth” (January 1, 1994, Watchtower), “Make the Best Use of Our Magazines” (September 1995 Our Kingdom Ministry), and “Prepare Your Own Magazine Presentation” (October 1996 Our Kingdom Ministry).

⁹ Elders Take the Lead: To accommodate the many publishers who were pioneering last spring, the elders in one congregation promoted one Saturday in the month as a special day of service activity for the entire congregation. Arrangements were made to meet at a number of different times during the day, giving all in the congregation an opportunity to share in various forms of witnessing. These included working businesses, witnessing on the street, calling from house to house, making return visits, writing letters, and witnessing by telephone. The response was outstanding, with 117 publishers participating in field service during the course of the day. They totaled 521 hours spent in the ministry and 617 placements of magazines, brochures, and books! The excitement of that Saturday was carried through to Sunday, with a near-record attendance at the Public Meeting and Watchtower Study.

¹⁰ At each Service Meeting in April and May, the congregation should be reminded of when and where meetings for field service will be held during the coming week, especially if some additional arrangements are made other than those normally scheduled. Regular pioneers as well as publishers who are not auxiliary pioneers are encouraged to support these group arrangements as their circumstances permit.

¹¹ The service overseer will need to meet with the brother who assigns the territories to make arrangements for working the ones that are not covered frequently. Increased attention may be given to not-at-homes and witnessing on the streets and from store to store. Evening witnessing can be emphasized, especially where there is a return to daylight saving time the first weekend in April. Sufficient supplies of magazines should be ordered for both April and May in anticipation of the increased activity.

¹² Many Publishers Can Qualify: The first sentence on the auxiliary pioneer application states: “Because of my love for Jehovah and my desire to help others to learn about him and his loving purposes, I would like to increase my share in the field service by enrolling as an auxiliary pioneer.” Loving Jehovah and wanting to help others spiritually are basic to our dedication. (1 Tim. 4:8, 10) To qualify for auxiliary pioneering, one must be baptized, be of good moral standing, and be in a position to devote 60 hours to the ministry during the month. As all of us consider our circumstances, could some of us who have never pioneered before do so this year in April or May?

¹³ Many in the congregations may realize that they also could pioneer when they see others enroll who have circumstances similar to theirs. Schoolchildren, elderly ones, full-time secular workers, including elders and ministerial servants, and others have successfully auxiliary pioneered. A housewife and mother of two who has a full-time job reached 60 hours, placed 108 magazines, and started 3 Bible studies in one month of auxiliary pioneering. How did she do it? She used her lunch hour at work to witness in nearby territory, she witnessed by writing letters, and she engaged in parking-lot and street witnessing. She also used her day off from work each week to good advantage by sharing with the congregation in field service. Although she initially thought that auxiliary pioneering was an unreachable goal, with encouragement from others and a practical schedule, the obstacles were overcome.

¹⁴ Jesus assured his disciples: “My yoke is kindly and my load is light.” (Matt. 11:30) That was the title of an encouraging article in the August 15, 1995, Watchtower. It tells about a sister who had a high-pressure, full-time secular job. Did she think auxiliary pioneering was out of the question for her? No. In fact, she managed to auxiliary pioneer every month. Why? Because she felt that pioneering actually helped her to keep her balance. Aiding people as they learned Bible truth and seeing them change their lives to gain God’s approval was the greatest source of joy in her busy life.​—Prov. 10:22.

¹⁵ Any personal sacrifices and adjustments that someone needs to make in order to pioneer are more than made up for by the blessings enjoyed. A sister wrote of her experience with auxiliary pioneering: “It helped me to take my mind off self and to be more focused on helping others. . . . I recommend it for those who can do it.”

¹⁶ It Takes a Good Schedule: On the last page of this insert, we have reproduced the sample schedules that appeared in the February 1997 Our Kingdom Ministry. Perhaps one of these fits your circumstances. As you review them, give thought to your normal routine of monthly activity. What projects around the home can be performed in advance of your pioneering or can temporarily be set aside until afterward? Can some of the time you spend on entertainment, recreation, or other forms of leisure be eliminated? Rather than look at the total of 60 hours that are needed, plan your schedule on a daily or weekly basis. Only 2 hours a day or 15 hours a week are needed to auxiliary pioneer. Look at the sample schedules, and with pencil in hand, see what you can work out in the way of a personal service schedule that best suits you and your family.

¹⁷ The fine response and extra support the congregation showed for the ministry last spring bolstered the enthusiasm of a regular pioneer who wrote: “Thank you so much for your loving encouragement to put forth an extra effort to support auxiliary pioneering. . . . Your suggested schedules helped many that had never pioneered before to see that they could do it. . . . I am so happy to be part of Jehovah’s organization and to follow the happy loving lead of the faithful and discreet slave.”

¹⁸ Proverbs 21:5 assures us: “The plans of the diligent one surely make for advantage.” Proverbs 16:3 encourages us: “Roll your works upon Jehovah himself and your plans will be firmly established.” Yes, by prayerfully including Jehovah in our decision and strongly relying on him to help us succeed, we can be positive about our plans to auxiliary pioneer. It may be that after seeing how well our schedule works for a month or two of auxiliary pioneering, we will be able to mark the box on the auxiliary pioneer application that reads: “Check here if you wish to serve continuously as auxiliary pioneer until further notice.” In any case, we can look ahead to auxiliary pioneering again in August, when there will be five full weekends. As we conclude the service year in August, a concerted effort will be made for everyone to participate as fully as possible in the ministry.

¹⁹ Jesus prophesied: “He that exercises faith in me, that one also will do the works that I do; and he will do works greater than these.” (John 14:12) It is our joyous privilege to serve as God’s fellow workers when this prophecy is having its grand fulfillment. Now is the time to preach the good news with the greatest intensity ever, buying out the opportune time to do this work. (1 Cor. 3:9; Col. 4:5) Sharing as often as possible in the auxiliary pioneer service is an excellent way to do our part as Kingdom proclaimers. We eagerly wait to see how great the song of praise will be this Memorial season from the auxiliary pioneers. (Ps. 27:6) Thinking of last spring’s results, we wonder, ‘Will we do it again?’ We are confident that we will!

[Box on page 3]

Can You Auxiliary Pioneer?

“Whatever your personal circumstances, if you are baptized, are of good moral standing, can arrange to meet the requirement of spending 60 hours a month in the field ministry and believe you could serve one or more months as an auxiliary pioneer, the congregation elders will be pleased to consider your application for this privilege of service.”​—Organized to Accomplish Our Ministry, page 114.

[Box on page 6]

Auxiliary Pioneer Schedules

Sample Ways to Schedule 15 Hours of Field Service Each Week

Mornings​—Monday through Saturday

Sunday may be substituted for any day

Day Period Hours

Monday Morning 2 1⁄2

Tuesday Morning 2 1⁄2

Wednesday Morning 2 1⁄2

Thursday Morning 2 1⁄2

Friday Morning 2 1⁄2

Saturday Morning 2 1⁄2

Total Hours: 15

Two Full Days

Any two days of the week may be selected

Day Period Hours

Wednesday Full Day 7 1⁄2

Saturday Full Day 7 1⁄2

Total Hours: 15

Two Evenings and the Weekend

Any two weekday evenings may be selected

Day Period Hours

Monday Evening 1 1⁄2

Wednesday Evening 1 1⁄2

Saturday Full Day 8

Sunday Half Day 4

Total Hours: 15

Weekday Afternoons and Saturday

Sunday may be substituted for any day

Day Period Hours

Monday Afternoon 2

Tuesday Afternoon 2

Wednesday Afternoon 2

Thursday Afternoon 2

Friday Afternoon 2

Saturday Full Day 5

Total Hours: 15

My Personal Service Schedule

Decide on the number of hours for each period

Day Period Hours

Monday

Tuesday

Wednesday

Thursday

Friday

Saturday

Sunday

Total Hours: 15

Memorial Reminders

The Memorial observance falls on Saturday, April 11. The elders should give attention to the following matters:

◼ In setting the time for the meeting, make sure that the emblems will not be passed until after sundown.

◼ Everyone, including the speaker, should be informed of the exact time and location for the observance.

◼ The appropriate type of bread and wine should be obtained and made ready.​—See the February 15, 1985, Watchtower, page 19.

◼ Plates, glasses, and a suitable table and tablecloth should be brought to the hall and put in place in advance.

◼ The Kingdom Hall or other place of meeting should be thoroughly cleaned ahead of time.

◼ Attendants and servers should be selected and instructed in advance about the proper procedure and their duties.

◼ Arrangements should be made to serve any of the anointed who are infirm and unable to be present.

◼ When more than one congregation is scheduled to use the same Kingdom Hall, there should be good coordination among congregations so as to avoid unnecessary congestion in the lobby, entryway, public sidewalks, and parking lot.

Announcements

◼ Literature offer for March: Knowledge That Leads to Everlasting Life. Concentrate on starting home Bible studies. April and May: Individual copies of The Watchtower and Awake! June: Any of the following 192-page books that the congregation may have in stock: Happiness​—How to Find It, “Let Your Kingdom Come,” Listening to the Great Teacher, Survival Into a New Earth, True Peace and Security—​How Can You Find It?, United in Worship of the Only True God, Worldwide Security Under the “Prince of Peace,” and Your Youth​—Getting the Best Out Of It. A limited supply of the “Kingdom Come,” True Peace, United in Worship, Worldwide Security, and Youth books may be requested from Brooklyn.

◼ Publishers who wish to serve as auxiliary pioneers in April and May should make their plans now and turn in their application early. This will help the elders to make necessary field service arrangements and have sufficient magazines and other literature on hand. The names of all who are approved to auxiliary pioneer should be announced to the congregation.

◼ The presiding overseer or someone designated by him should audit the congregation’s accounts on March 1 or as soon as possible thereafter. Make announcement to the congregation when this has been done.

◼ Those associated with a congregation should send all new and renewal subscriptions for The Watchtower and Awake!, including their personal subscriptions, through the congregation.

◼ The Society does not fill individual publishers’ requests for literature. The presiding overseer should arrange for an announcement to be made each month before the congregation monthly request for literature is sent to the Society so that all interested in obtaining personal literature items may advise the brother handling literature. Please keep in mind which publications are special-request items.

◼ New Publications Available:

A Book for All People​—Cebuano, Fijian, Hiligaynon, Iloko, Japanese, Tagalog, Thai

Elementary Bible Teachings​—Laotian

Questions Young People Ask​—Answers That Work—​Thai

Watch Tower Publications Index, 1986-1995​—Japanese

What Does God Require of Us?​—Bicol, Icelandic, Lahu

Question Box

◼ Why should we give special attention to our dress and grooming when visiting the Society’s facilities in Brooklyn, Patterson, and Wallkill, New York, and branch offices throughout the world?

Christians are expected to maintain proper decorum. At all times our dress and grooming should reflect the decency and dignity that befit servants of Jehovah God. This is especially true when visiting the Society’s facilities in New York and at branches around the world.

During 1998, district and international conventions will be held. Thousands of our brothers from many lands will visit the Society’s headquarters in New York as well as branches in other countries. Not only when visiting these facilities but at any other time as well, we need to ‘recommend ourselves as God’s ministers in every way,’ including our appropriate dress and grooming.​—2 Cor. 6:3, 4.

In discussing the importance of proper dress and grooming, Organized to Accomplish Our Ministry comments on the need for physical cleanness, modest dress, and good grooming when we engage in the field ministry and attend Christian meetings. Then, on page 131, paragraph 2, it states: “The same would apply when visiting the Bethel home at Brooklyn or any of the Society’s branch offices. Remember, the name Bethel means ‘House of God,’ so our dress, grooming and conduct should be similar to what is expected of us when attending meetings for worship at the Kingdom Hall.” This same high standard should be observed by Kingdom publishers from the local area as well as those from more distant places who come to see and associate with members of the Bethel family and to visit the branch facilities.

Our clothing should have a positive influence on others as to how they view the true worship of Jehovah. However, it has been noted that when visiting the Society’s facilities, some brothers and sisters tend to be extremely casual in their dress. Such dress is not appropriate when visiting any of the Bethel homes. In this matter, as in all other aspects of our Christian life, we desire to maintain the same high standards that distinguish God’s people from the world by our doing all things for God’s glory. (Rom. 12:2; 1 Cor. 10:31) It is also good to speak with our Bible students and others who may be visiting Bethel for the first time and remind them of the importance of giving attention to proper dress and grooming.

So when visiting the Society’s facilities, ask yourself: ‘Is my dress and grooming modest?’ (Compare Micah 6:8.) ‘Does it reflect well on the God that I worship? Would others be distracted or offended by my appearance? Am I setting the proper example for others who may be visiting for the first time?’ May we always, by our dress and grooming, “adorn the teaching of our Savior, God, in all things.”​—Titus 2:10.

Instill in Others the Hope of Everlasting Life

¹ Though man has searched for ways to slow down the aging process and extend his life span, old age and death are still inevitable. How thankful we are that the Bible explains why humans grow old and die, as well as how the ravages of old age will be reversed and death will be eliminated. These truths are convincingly presented in the book Knowledge That Leads to Everlasting Life. The book clearly answers perplexing questions about life and death, directing the reader to the time when Paradise will be restored.

² In March we will offer the Knowledge book with the goal of starting home Bible studies. (Matt. 28:19, 20) Then we will make return visits on all those who manifest interest in the Kingdom message. In this way we may instill in others the hope of everlasting life. (Titus 1:2) To accomplish this, you may find the following suggestions helpful.

³ When making the initial call, you might ask this question:

◼ “Have you ever wondered why humans yearn for a longer life? [Allow for response.] Buddhists, Christians, Hindus, Muslims, and others all have hope of a life after death.” Open the Knowledge book to chapter 6, “Why Do We Grow Old and Die?,” and read paragraph 3. Reason on the cited scriptures. Referring to the two questions at the end of the paragraph, ask the householder if he would like to see the answers for himself. If he is desirous of that, continue discussing the next few paragraphs. A study is being started! Otherwise, leave the book for him to read, and make plans to return, preferably within a day or two, to discuss the answers.

⁴ When following up a placement of the “Knowledge” book, you could say:

◼ “I’ve returned to consider the two questions about death that we left unanswered.” Remind the householder of the questions. Then discuss the information in chapter 6 under the subheading “A Sinister Plot.” Depending on the circumstances, either continue the study or use the last question at the end of paragraph 7 to lay the groundwork for the next session. Make definite plans to return. Give the householder a handbill, and briefly describe how congregation meetings are held. Warmly invite him to attend.

⁵ In either door-to-door work or informal witnessing, you might initiate a conversation by saying:

◼ “Have you ever wondered what the future holds for us and for the earth? [Allow for response.] The Bible sums up the future in one word​—Paradise! It explains that in the beginning, God made a portion of the earth into a beautiful paradise where he put the human couple whom he had created. They were to populate the whole earth, gradually transforming it into a paradise. Notice this description of what it must have been like.” Open the Knowledge book to page 8, and read paragraph 9, under the subheading “Life in Paradise.” Then discuss the points in paragraph 10, and read the cited scripture, Isaiah 55:10, 11. Offer to continue the discussion of what life in the restored Paradise will be like and to cover paragraphs 11-16 together. Or encourage the person to read it on his own, and arrange to meet again and discuss it.

⁶ If a study was not established initially, you could try to do so on the return visit by saying:

◼ “As we discussed in our last conversation, it is God’s purpose that the entire earth be transformed into a paradise. That raises the question, What will Paradise be like?” Open the Knowledge book to chapter 1, and study paragraphs 11-16, under the subheading “Life in the Restored Paradise.” Afterward show the illustration on pages 4-5, and ask the person if he would like to live in such beautiful surroundings. Then read the first sentence of paragraph 17 on page 10. Depending on the circumstances, either continue the study or say that on your next visit you will explain what is required in order for someone to live in the restored Paradise. Leave a handbill, explain the meeting schedule, and warmly invite the person to attend at the Kingdom Hall.

⁷ The Knowledge book is an excellent tool to use in revealing to others “the everlasting life” promised by God. Your conducting home Bible studies with people can instill in them this grand hope that is inspired by the God “who cannot lie.”