April

Are You Responding to Christ’s Love?

¹ Reflecting on his Master’s life course, the apostle John wrote: “Jesus, having loved his own that were in the world, loved them to the end.” (John 13:1) During this Memorial season, our thoughts turn to the greatest expression of Christ’s love. We can respond to that love by exercising faith in the ransom, by having a zealous share in the preaching work and, like Jesus, by enduring “to the end.”​—Matt. 24:13; 28:19, 20; John 3:16.

² Responding to Christ’s Love: Jesus was very active in the final week of his earthly life. (Matt. 21:23; 23:1; 24:3) As imitators of Christ, we too are moved by love to ‘exert ourselves vigorously’ in Jehovah’s service. (Luke 13:24) Can you take advantage of the arrangements for added witnessing activity during April by increasing the time that you spend in the ministry?

³ This year the Lord’s Evening Meal falls on Wednesday evening, April 19. How many will be on hand for this significant occasion? To a large extent, that depends on us. Have you made a list of those you plan to invite​—your Bible students and other interested ones, relatives, business acquaintances, and schoolmates? Have you contacted them and extended a heartfelt invitation? Will you remind them a few days before the Memorial? Do they need your assistance in getting there? The elders are also inviting any who have become inactive in the ministry. The fact that the Memorial will be held on a weeknight rather than on the weekend makes it no less important for all to attend.

⁴ Come Prepared: It is vital for us to be prepared and to be in the proper frame of mind when we attend the Memorial. Paul exhorted fellow believers to keep in mind the seriousness of the occasion. (1 Cor. 11:20-26) You might read chapters 13 to 17 of John’s Gospel during your family Bible study and then have each family member relate what Jesus’ sacrifice means to him. Do not forget to do the daily Bible reading for the week of the Memorial as well!

⁵ Our love for Christ runs deep, and it extends far beyond April 19. We are determined to demonstrate our love for him forever! This year’s Memorial celebration will help us to strengthen that resolve.

Do You Have the Spirit of Self-Sacrifice?

¹ Appreciation for what Jesus Christ unselfishly accomplished for mankind should move all of us to use our abilities, energies, and strengths in a self-sacrificing way. The Scriptures entreat: “Present your bodies a sacrifice living, holy, acceptable to God, a sacred service.” (Rom. 12:1) Periodic self-examination will help you to see if you are showing that sort of spirit as fully as your personal circumstances allow.

² In the Pursuit of Bible Knowledge: Have you set aside time for personal Bible reading and study on a regular basis? Do you hold to that schedule? Is it your routine to prepare well for congregation meetings? If you are a family head, do you have a regular Bible study with your household? Doing these things may require sacrificing time spent in front of the television or at the computer or in other pursuits. However, what a small sacrifice to make, knowing that time spent with God’s Word will help lead you to everlasting life!​—John 17:3.

³ In the Training of Your Children: The best time to begin learning a course of self-sacrifice is in childhood. Teach your children that while there is a time for play, there must also be a time for work and for theocratic activities. (Eph. 6:4) Give them some useful work to do around the house. Establish a regular schedule to have a share in the ministry with them. Reinforce your instruction with your own good example.

⁴ In Congregational Activities: A congregation is enriched when everyone in it makes willing sacrifices to accomplish things for the common good. (Heb. 13:16) Is it possible for you to spend more time in the Kingdom-preaching and disciple-making work? Can you volunteer to assist the sick or the elderly, perhaps helping them with transportation to the meetings?

⁵ Prior to making the ultimate sacrifice of his human life, Jesus counseled his disciples to focus their eyes on Kingdom interests, making everything else in life secondary. (Matt. 6:33) Pursuing such a spirit of self-sacrifice will bring us the greater happiness as we continue serving Jehovah with rejoicing.

Service Meeting Schedule

Week Starting April 10

Song 122

10 min: Local announcements. Selected Announcements from Our Kingdom Ministry. Do not forget the special public talk on April 16, entitled “Why Mankind Needs a Ransom.” Encourage all to follow the Memorial Bible reading scheduled for April 14-19, as outlined in Examining the Scriptures Daily​—2000. Review “Memorial Reminders,” on page 4 of the insert.

15 min: “Are You Responding to Christ’s Love?” Limit introductory comments to less than a minute, and follow with a question-and-answer discussion. Include thoughts from May 1, 1998, Watchtower, pages 16-17, paragraphs 12-13. Encourage everyone to put forth a special effort to invite people to the Memorial.

20 min: “April​—A Time to Be Zealous for Fine Works!” Questions and answers. An enthusiastic discussion of what we desire to accomplish in April. Use concluding three or four minutes to review “Zeal That Stirs Up the Majority.”

Song 199 and concluding prayer.

Week Starting April 17

Song 25

13 min: Local announcements. Accounts report. Only two weekends are left in April, so encourage everyone to participate in the ministry before the month ends. Demonstrate a brief magazine presentation using the current issues. Since we may be obliged to respond to people who want us to share in their Easter customs, review what is stated in the Reasoning book, pages 179-80.

16 min: “Do You Have the Spirit of Self-Sacrifice?” Questions and answers. We need to establish priorities, putting first things first. It takes initiative and self-control to persist in doing what will benefit us spiritually. Explain what we can learn from Jesus’ example.​—See Insight, Volume 2, page 68, paragraphs 3-5.

16 min: Place Magazines Where They Will Do the Most Good. Talk, with audience participation. Review suggestions in the January 8, 1995, Awake!, pages 22-4. Explain why it is good to search out people who are likely to respond to specialized articles appearing in the magazines. Consider examples from past issues and the types of individuals, businesses, or organizations that the articles might have appealed to in the local territory. Invite audience to relate experiences showing how they got good results using this method.

Song 71 and concluding prayer.

Week Starting April 24

Song 137

10 min: Local announcements. Announce the congregation’s Memorial attendance. Invite audience to relate expressions made by those who attended for the first time.

17 min: Help New Ones Attend Meetings. A talk based on the Knowledge book, pages 161-3, paragraphs 5-8. After studying for a time, it is essential that new ones start coming to meetings. Getting them to attend can be a challenge. What can you do to motivate them? Those who are conducting studies should take the time to review this material in the Knowledge book with their students and then make definite arrangements to assist them to join us in true worship.

18 min: “Are You a Regular Kingdom Proclaimer?” Talk and audience discussion handled by the secretary. Explain why we report our field service activity. (See Our Ministry, pages 106-8.) Relate some of the problems that develop when we fail to turn in our reports promptly. Invite audience to tell what they do to make sure that they turn their reports in on time. Point out how Congregation Book Study conductors can help. There is only one weekend left in April, so emphasize the importance of everyone’s sharing in service and reporting the activity at the end of the month.

Song 200 and concluding prayer.

Week Starting May 1

Song 213

12 min: Local announcements. Remind all to turn in field service reports for April. Congregation Book Study conductors should check with everyone in their group so that all reports can be tallied by May 6. Review Question Box, making local application.

15 min: Local needs.

18 min: “Make Sure That You Go Back!” Audience discussion. Consider the reasons why we may fail to make return visits. Explain why accurate notes and a willingness to return are important. Suggest setting aside some time each week to make return visits. Review what is stated in Our Ministry book, pages 88-9. Relate experience reported in 1995 Yearbook, page 45.​—1 Cor. 3:6, 7.

Song 68 and concluding prayer.

Zeal That Stirs Up the Majority

The apostle Paul commended the Corinthians because their zeal for a good work had “stirred up the majority” of their fellow Christians. (2 Cor. 9:2) Often, an individual, a family, a book study group, or an entire congregation can have a similar effect by the zealous share they have in the evangelizing work. Here are some ways that you may be able to show zeal for the ministry.

◼ Reserve your Saturdays for Magazine Day activity.

◼ Participate in some field service on Sundays.

◼ Use longer daylight hours to share in evening witnessing.

◼ Take part in any special witnessing days that are arranged.

◼ Use a holiday from work or school to go in service.

◼ Support the ministry during the circuit overseer’s visit.

◼ Auxiliary pioneer one or more months during the year.

◼ Adjust your circumstances to regular pioneer if possible.

See the 2000 Yearbook of Jehovah’s Witnesses, pages 17-19.

April​—A Time to Be Zealous for Fine Works!

¹ As a hurricane nears a populated area, the need to warn people of the impending danger becomes urgent. The closer the hurricane comes, the more emphatic the warnings must be. Why? Because lives are at stake! Some people may not have heard previous warnings. Others may have heard but neglected to take action. The same is true of the divine warning that we have been commissioned to sound before “the storm wind” of God’s righteous anger blows away all vestiges of this wicked world. (Prov. 10:25) The eternal lives of billions of people are at stake! The warning must be sounded. We must be “zealous for fine works.”​—Titus 2:11-14.

² For decades, Jehovah’s people have been motivated to make the Memorial season a time for special zeal in the ministry. In the spring of 1939, the Informant, forerunner of Our Kingdom Ministry, provided this encouragement: “With spring coming on, and good weather, we should expect the hours in the field to be doubled by [congregation] publishers, and the pioneers’ time materially increased. April is a five-Sunday month. It has also five Saturdays. Make every Saturday and Sunday during April . . . a time of special witnessing.” That was an ambitious goal set for the brothers 60 years ago! This year, just as in 1939, the month of April has five full weekends. What are your plans this month? What notations have you made on your calendar for April 2000? Plan to have a meaningful share in fine works with the rest of Jehovah’s people during this special month of accelerated spiritual activity.

³ What We Hope to Accomplish: The most important day of the year 2000 falls in this month. It is April 19, the anniversary of Jesus’ death. Let us make a special effort to invite as many people as possible to the Memorial. As was suggested last month, make a list of all potential Memorial attenders and check that none are overlooked. Those invited should include any inactive publishers, Bible students, return visits, those who previously studied, work associates, schoolmates, neighbors, relatives, and other acquaintances. Do those who want to attend have transportation? If not, can you lovingly assist? On the night of the Memorial, all of us will have the privilege of making those who attend feel welcome. After the Memorial, we can follow up with additional spiritual assistance for such interested ones.

⁴ Being “zealous for fine works” during the days before and after the Memorial is a fine way to show Jehovah that we truly appreciate all that he has done for us. Longer daylight hours and better weather in most areas will enable many of us to increase our efforts in the evangelizing activity. If you are auxiliary pioneering, you will want to do your best to spend 50 hours or more in the ministry. (Matt. 5:37) Stick closely to the schedule you worked out at the start of the month. (Eccl. 3:1; 1 Cor. 14:40) May the rest of us do what we can to extend a supportive hand to all the pioneers, both by encouraging them and by working with them in the field. (Compare 2 Kings 10:15, 16.) If we zealously sow during April, we can expect great joy and a blessing from Jehovah. (Mal. 3:10) Perhaps this will serve as a stepping-stone to continuous auxiliary pioneering or to regular pioneering. May the spiritual momentum that we gain in April carry over into succeeding months as we continue to be regular Kingdom publishers.

⁵ Undoubtedly, thousands of Jehovah’s people this month will start more home Bible studies. Would you like to start one? Pray specifically for a study, and work in harmony with your prayers. You can be sure that Jehovah will appreciate your humble requests for help in finding an honesthearted person to teach.​—1 John 3:22.

⁶ Here is a field-tested approach that has been successfully used to start conversations. You begin by asking: “Do you think that all the violence in public schools is the result of demonic activity, or does it come from a lack of parental training?” Allow for a response. If the person says “demonic activity,” read Revelation 12:9, 12, and highlight the Devil’s role in promoting turmoil in the world. Then open the Require brochure to lesson 4, and ask if the person ever wondered where the Devil came from. Proceed to read and discuss the first two paragraphs. If the person chooses “a lack of parental training” as the reason for violence in the schools, read 2 Timothy 3:1-3 and point out the traits that evidently contribute to this problem. Then open the Require brochure to lesson 8, read paragraph 5, and continue the discussion. If you can make an appointment to return, you may be well on your way to having a regular Bible study with the person. During a subsequent visit, ask him if he knows anyone else who might be interested in hearing what he is learning.

⁷ Another way to be “zealous for fine works” during April is to share in various avenues of preaching. Have you been thinking about witnessing in a park or a parking lot? At a bus stop or a train station? Or would you like to try witnessing by telephone, on the street, or in business territory? Why not turn those thoughts into reality this month? Jehovah will help you muster up the necessary boldness. (Acts 4:31; 1 Thess. 2:2b) Perhaps you can make an appointment to work with a pioneer or a publisher who is experienced in these facets of the ministry.

⁸ Anyone desirous of increasing his share in the witness work will want to participate in informal witnessing. Often all it takes is engaging a person in a friendly conversation. Simply raise a subject of common interest, perhaps using the approach highlighted in paragraph 6. Strive to make good use of even small increments of time that otherwise would be lost. We do not discard nickels, dimes, or quarters just because they are not full dollars. Why not profitably use even five minutes, ten minutes, or a quarter of an hour witnessing informally?

⁹ A Time for Reflection: Think back to the powerful points that were made in the drama at the “God’s Prophetic Word” District Convention last year. The drama, entitled Appreciating Our Spiritual Heritage, made us think carefully about the contrast between Jacob and Esau. Esau said that like Jacob, he had interest in spiritual things, but Esau’s works did not show it. (Gen. 25:29-34) What a powerful warning for us! Like Jacob, let us be ready to struggle, even wrestle, for Jehovah’s blessing. (Gen. 32:24-29) Why not use April and all ensuing months to renew our zeal, never taking our wonderful spiritual heritage for granted?

¹⁰ “The great day of Jehovah is near. It is near, and there is a hurrying of it very much.” (Zeph. 1:14) The Kingdom good news must be sounded forth. Lives are at stake! May this month prove to be especially blessed for all of Jehovah’s people as we unitedly show that we are “zealous for fine works.”

[Box on page 4]

Memorial Reminders

The Memorial observance this year falls on Wednesday, April 19. 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 of 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 their duties and the proper procedure.

◼ 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 or entryway, on the public sidewalks, and in the parking lot.

Theocratic Ministry School Review

Closed-book review on material covered in Theocratic Ministry School assignments for the weeks of January 3 to April 17, 2000. Use a separate sheet of paper to write down answers to as many of the questions as you can in the time allotted.

[Note: During the written review, only the Bible may be used to answer any question. References that follow the questions are for your personal research. Page and paragraph numbers may not appear on all references to The Watchtower.]

Answer each of the following statements True or False:

1. Sometimes we must wait to receive Jehovah’s blessings, since Jehovah knows our situation and provides for each need when it will do us the most good. (Ps. 145:16; Jas. 1:17) [w98 1/1 p. 23 par. 6]

2. The presence of the ark of the covenant alone did not guarantee success for the Israelites. Jehovah’s blessings depended on the spiritual standing and faithful obedience of those possessing the ark. (Josh., chap. 7) [Weekly Bible reading; see it-1 p. 167 par. 2.]

3. Today we are nourished spiritually by simply reading Jehovah’s utterances. (Deut. 8:3) [Weekly Bible reading; see w85 6/15 p. 17 pars. 15, 17.]

4. The principle highlighted in the Mosaic Law at Deuteronomy 23:20 shows that it is unloving for a Christian to charge interest when lending money. [Weekly Bible reading; see it-1 p. 1212 pars. 5-6; it-2 p. 259 par. 12; w86 10/15 p. 12 par. 9.]

5. The optimistic report of Joshua and Caleb was based on their firm belief in the strength and determination of the Israelites to overcome any obstacles that blocked their taking of the Promised Land. (Num. 13:30) [w98 2/1 p. 5 par. 4]

6. In referring to “the gift” in 1 Timothy, Paul was reminding Timothy of his anointing with holy spirit and the heavenly reward that awaited him. (1 Tim. 4:14) [w98 2/15 p. 25 par. 1]

7. The book of Joshua does not provide any vital link in the record leading down to the production of the Kingdom Seed. [si p. 46 par. 24]

8. The book of Judges is a record of men selected and appointed by Israel to rule the nation before the time period of the kings. [si p. 46 par. 2]

9. Gideon’s request, as described at Judges 6:37-39, shows that he was being overly cautious and suspicious. [Weekly Bible reading; see w88 4/1 p. 30 par. 6.]

10. By instructing his disciples ‘not to embrace anybody in greeting along the road,’ Jesus was emphasizing the urgency of the preaching work and the need to give full attention to this all-important assignment. (Luke 10:4) [w98 3/1 p. 30 par. 5]

Answer the following questions:

11. Why is it important that Jehovah’s words prove to be on the hearts of parents? (Deut. 6:5, 6) [Weekly Bible reading; see w98 6/1 p. 20 par. 4.]

12. How can a family head apply the principle noted at Deuteronomy 11:18, 19? [Weekly Bible reading; see fy p. 70 par. 14.]

13. What Scriptural indication is there that the runaway slave Onesimus had evidently been with the apostle Paul for a while before Paul wrote to Philemon? [w98 1/15 p. 30 par. 2]

14. When we see injustices or experience them ourselves, what can we do to avoid developing a despondent or pessimistic attitude? [w98 2/1 p. 6 pars. 2-3]

15. How did Joshua and Gideon show high regard for God’s law? (Deut. 20:8, 15-18) [si p. 41 par. 32]

16. How do the events described at Joshua 10:10-14 parallel what can be expected at Armageddon? [Weekly Bible reading; see w86 12/15 p. 23 par. 12–p. 24 par. 14.]

17. Name three benefits of sincere praise for worthy conduct. (Compare Proverbs 15:23.) [w98 2/1 p. 31 pars. 5-6]

18. In harmony with Joshua 20:4, how does one flee to the antitypical city of refuge? [Weekly Bible reading; see w86 12/15 p. 24 par. 16.]

19. How does Judges 5:31 indicate that Judge Barak’s victory over the superior forces of Sisera at the torrent valley of Kishon has significant meaning for our day? [Weekly Bible reading; see w86 2/15 p. 21 par. 4.]

20. How can we show regard for the principle behind the expression “they kept standing each one in his place,” as recorded at Judges 7:21? [Weekly Bible reading; see w82 6/1 p. 25 par. 17.]

Provide the word(s) or phrase needed to complete each of the following statements:

21. To experience more fully the blessing of Jehovah, we must continue to ․․․․․․․․ and petition Jehovah to help us to ․․․․․․․․ the teachings in his inspired Word. (1 Tim. 4:8, 9) [w98 1/1 p. 24 par. 6]

22. Flattery is so displeasing to Jehovah because it is motivated by ․․․․․․․․, it is neither ․․․․․․․․ nor ․․․․․․․․, and above all, it is ․․․․․․․․. [w98 2/1 p. 30 pars. 2-3]

23. The name Joshua means “․․․․․․․․,” and he was a prophetic type of ․․․․․․․․. [si p. 42 par. 5]

24. In harmony with Jesus’ illustration at Matthew 7:24-27, discreet parents can help their children stand up to stormlike pressures by giving them ․․․․․․․․ that will help them remain ․․․․․․․․. [w98 2/15 p. 9 par. 1]

25. The historical record in the book of Judges embraces the general time period from the death of ․․․․․․․․ down to the time of ․․․․․․․․, covering about ․․․․․․․․ years. [si p. 47 par. 5]

Select the correct answer in each of the following statements:

26. Taking measures concerning the disposition of one’s property in case of death is a (congregation matter; personal matter; requirement for true Christians). (Gal. 6:5) [w98 1/15 p. 19 par. 6]

27. Paul encouraged Philemon to receive (Onam; Onesiphorus; Onesimus) kindly but did not use apostolic authority to command him to do so or to free his slave. (Philem. 21) [w98 1/15 p. 31 par. 1]

28. A serious shortcoming that is implied in the account of the lepers who were cured by Jesus is their (lack of faith; disobedience; ingratitude). (Luke 17:11-19) [w98 2/15 p. 5 par. 1]

29. Since God approved of Rahab’s course, her words to the men of Jericho who were pursuing the Israelite spies indicate that (whether to lie is a personal decision; one is not obligated to divulge truthful information to those not entitled to it; she had not yet changed all her worldly ways). (Josh. 2:3-5; compare Romans 14:4.) [Weekly Bible reading; see w93 12/15 p. 25 par. 1.]

30. As recorded at John 13:5, the object lesson Jesus gave highlights the quality of (kindness; empathy; humility), which makes one disposed to perform the lowliest of tasks in behalf of others. [w98 3/15 p. 7 par. 6]

Match the following scriptures to the statements listed below:

Deut. 7:3, 4; 17:7; 25:11, 12; 28:3; Jer. 15:20

31. The Creator’s high regard for the reproductive organs should influence the decision a Christian makes regarding an appropriate method of family planning. [Weekly Bible reading; see w99 6/15 p. 28 pars. 1-4.]

32. We can have confidence in Jehovah’s support as we fulfill our commission to preach the good news of God’s Kingdom. [w98 3/1 p. 28 par. 1]

33. Heeding the Bible’s warning spares us the painful consequences that often result when a Christian yokes himself with an unbeliever. [Weekly Bible reading; see w89 11/1 p. 20 par. 11.]

34. Enjoying God’s blessings does not depend on where we may live or serve or what assignment we may have in God’s service. [Weekly Bible reading; see w96 6/15 p. 15 par. 15.]

35. As authority for his instructions in 1 Corinthians chapter 5 on disfellowshipping, Paul quotes Jehovah’s Law. [Weekly Bible reading; see si p. 213 par. 24.]

Announcements

◼ Literature offer for April and May: Individual copies of The Watchtower and Awake! Have Require brochure available for interested people, and endeavor to start home Bible studies. June: What Does God Require of Us? Concentrate on starting home Bible studies. July and August: Any of the following 32-page brochures may be used: Does God Really Care About Us?, Enjoy Life on Earth Forever!, Should You Believe in the Trinity?, The Divine Name That Will Endure Forever, The Government That Will Bring Paradise, What Happens to Us When We Die?, What Is the Purpose of Life​—How Can You Find It?, and When Someone You Love Dies. The brochures A Book for All People, Our Problems​—Who Will Help Us Solve Them?, Spirits of the Dead​—Can They Help You or Harm You? Do They Really Exist?, and Will There Ever Be a World Without War? may be offered where appropriate.

◼ Beginning in April, district convention lapel badge cards for 2000 in Armenian, Chinese, English, French, Greek, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Polish, Portuguese, Russian, Spanish, and Vietnamese will automatically be included with literature shipments. It will not be necessary to request these. Based on the size of each congregation, cards will be shipped in lots of 25. If additional badge cards are needed by the congregations, these should be requested on a Literature Request Form (S-14). It is necessary to request plastic badge card holders for any in the congregation who desire them.

◼ The Society has a supply of ENGLISH bound volumes of The Watchtower for the years 1951 to 1955, 1987, 1995, and 1996, and Awake! for the years 1987 and 1989. Any publishers or new congregations that desire these publications may now request them through the congregation literature servant.

◼ As announced in Our Kingdom Ministry of March 2000, Watchtower Library​—1999 Edition on CD-ROM is now being produced in nine languages. Please keep in mind that this is not a product for public distribution, for school libraries, or for ones who merely express interest in Jehovah’s Witnesses. Watchtower Library​—1999 is a provision for members of the congregation and is made available only through the congregation. Until compact discs are available and shipments are made, they will appear as “Pending” on congregation packing lists.

◼ New Publications Available:

A Book for All People​—Estonian

Is There a Creator Who Cares About You?​—Chinese

Jehovah​—Who Is He? (Tract No. 23)​—Cebuano

Life in a Peaceful New World (Tract No. 15)​—Bengali, Romany (Macedonia)

New World Translation of the Christian Greek Scriptures​—Arabic

What Do Jehovah’s Witnesses Believe? (Tract No. 14)​—Bengali

What Does God Require of Us?​—Efik, Igbo, Trukese

What Happens to Us When We Die?​—Estonian

Why You Can Trust the Bible (Tract No. 13)​—Bengali

◼ New Audiocassettes Available:

Families​—Make Daily Bible Reading Your Way of Life! (Drama, single cassette)​—Spanish

My Book of Bible Stories (six cassettes in an album)​—Samoan

Preserving Life in Time of Famine (Drama, single cassette)​—Portuguese

The Good News According to John​—Korean

◼ New Videocassettes Available:

Noah​—He Walked With God—​Romanian

The Bible​—Its Power in Your Life—​Dutch, Italian

January Service Report

Av. Av. Av. Av.

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

Sp’l Pios. 147 120.7 94.7 57.5 4.6

Pios. 93,895 62.0 40.8 20.8 1.6

Aux.Pios. 18,874 48.3 34.2 13.8 0.9

Pubs. 828,691 8.8 7.4 3.4 0.3

TOTAL 941,607 Baptized: 1,823

Question Box

◼ Who should receive a district convention lapel badge card?

Convention lapel badge cards can be very helpful in identifying our brothers and in advertising the convention. However, they should not be distributed indiscriminately. They identify the wearer as being in good standing with a particular congregation of Jehovah’s Witnesses.

The card has space for the name of the individual as well as the name of the congregation. Therefore, the person would have to be associated to a reasonable extent with the named congregation. The Society sends a supply of cards to each congregation. It would be appropriate to give a card to each baptized and unbaptized publisher. Also, children and others who regularly attend congregation meetings and who are making progress toward sharing in the field ministry may receive one. It would not be proper to give a convention lapel badge card to a disfellowshipped person.

When the cards are made available, the elders should see that they are distributed in harmony with these guidelines.

Are You a Regular Kingdom Proclaimer?

¹ We all rejoiced upon learning that the United States reached an all-time peak of 1,040,283 publishers in August 1998. Truly a united and determined effort! Evidently in the months that followed, some of these publishers have had difficulty being regular Kingdom proclaimers, for the monthly average ever since has been about 940,000. This indicates that 1 publisher in 12 has not reported sharing in the ministry every month. We believe that the following encouragement can help to remedy the situation.

² Appreciate the Privilege: Our appreciation should run deep for the privilege we have to share the Kingdom good news with others. This activity makes Jehovah’s heart glad and helps honesthearted ones to learn the way to life. (Prov. 27:11; 1 Tim. 4:16) Witnessing regularly builds up our experience in the ministry and results in a feeling of joy and accomplishment.

³ Report the Activity: Some who share in field service neglect to report their activity on time. Never should we feel that our effort was not worth reporting. (Compare Mark 12:41-44.) By all means, we should report what we have done! Having a system at home, such as using a calendar, for recording time spent in the ministry will serve as a constant reminder to make an accurate report promptly at the end of each month.

⁴ Give the Help Needed: Local arrangements may have to be improved for assisting those who need help in having a consistent share in the ministry. The congregation secretary and book study conductors should arrange for experienced publishers to lend a helping hand. If you have children or other Bible students who are unbaptized publishers, train them to report their activity every month.

⁵ Recall the life story, “Grateful for a Long Life in Jehovah’s Service,” in the October 1, 1997, Watchtower. Sister Ottilie Mydland of Norway became a regular publisher of the good news prior to her baptism in 1921. Seventy-six years later, at age 99, she said: “I am glad that it is still possible for me to be a regular publisher.” What a marvelous attitude for all of Jehovah’s servants to imitate!

Make Sure That You Go Back!

¹ “What a good conversation! I’ll have to remember to make a return visit there.” Have you ever said those words and later forgotten where the person lives? If so, you know that the only way you can make sure that you go back is to put it in writing.

² Write It All Down: While a conversation with an interested person is still fresh in your mind, take a moment to write down all the pertinent information about the call. Note the person’s name and how you will recognize him. Put down his address, but do not guess at it​—check to be sure that what you write is correct. Note the subject you talked about, any scriptures that you read, and what literature was placed.

³ If you left the person with a question to be answered on the next call, write it down. Did you learn something about the person, his family, or his religion? If so, make a notation of this. Then the next time you call, your making mention of it will demonstrate your personal interest in the individual. Finally, include the day and time that you made the initial call and when you said you would return. By making good notes, you will have clear reminders and will be less likely to forget your promise to return.​—1 Tim. 1:12.

⁴ Once your record is complete, put it with the rest of your field service equipment​—book bag, Bible, Reasoning book, and literature—​so that it will always be handy. It is best to record not-at-homes on house-to-house records that are separate from those that you use to make note of your return visits. Of course, regardless of the work you put into keeping track of return visits, the important thing is to make sure that you go back!

⁵ Think About the Person: When preparing for the ministry, review your return visit notes. Give thought to each individual and what approach might best be used when making the next call. Think of how to develop the person’s interest into a home Bible study. Such planning can increase your productivity as a minister of the good news and, hence, your personal joy.​—Prov. 21:5a.

⁶ So the next time you find a listening ear, do not reason that you can easily remember the call. Instead, write it down, review your notes, keep thinking about the person, and then make sure that you go back!