September

What to Say About the Magazines

The Watchtower Sept. 15

“There are lovers of truth in nearly all religions. Yet, religions in general tend to divide humans. What would it take to unite honesthearted people? [After a response, read Zephaniah 3:9.] This magazine shows how knowledge of the true God is uniting people everywhere.”

Awake! Sept. 22

“Most of us take it for granted that there will always be plenty to eat. But now there are worries that science may be putting our food supply at risk. This magazine explains some of those concerns as well as the Bible’s hope for a real solution to the problem.”

The Watchtower Oct. 1

“You might agree that faith in God has become an unpopular subject with many people. But why is this the case? [After a response, read Hebrews 11:1.] This magazine discusses what true faith is and what difference it makes whether we have faith or not.”

Awake! Oct. 8

“As you know, Halloween is a very popular celebration, and many children enjoy it. Have you ever had the opportunity to learn about its origin? [Allow for response.] You will find this subject to be fascinating reading, especially if you are a concerned parent.”

Are You Thoroughly Accomplishing Your Ministry?

¹ In the book of Acts, we are told that Jesus’ disciples accomplished their ministry by bearing “thorough witness” to the people. (Acts 2:40; 8:25; 28:23) That was certainly the apostle Paul’s objective. (Acts 20:24) Is that not your goal as a minister of the good news? How can you accomplish this?

² Prepare Your Presentation: To ensure that you give a good witness in the ministry, preparation is important. This is especially true when offering the magazines, since the subject matter changes constantly. To help equip us better, this issue of Our Kingdom Ministry is introducing a new feature​—the column at the left, which lists sample presentations for the current Watchtower and Awake! magazines. A timely subject that will appeal to many people will be highlighted for each issue. How might you develop these brief presentations?

³ Choose a suggestion that you feel will be most effective in your territory. Carefully read the featured article, and take note of specific points that are likely to stir interest. Find a cited scripture in the magazine that ties in with the discussion and that you may be able to read to the householder. Add a brief conclusion to encourage your listener to read the magazine and a brief statement, if appropriate, that the householder may make a donation to the worldwide work of Jehovah’s Witnesses. Now, rehearse your presentation.

⁴ Plan to Use the Bible: With good planning, a scripture can often be worked into your presentation. For example, experienced publishers in many places are having success by going to the door with Bible in hand, greeting the householder, and saying:

◼ “We are asking people if they believe this . . .” Read Genesis 1:1, and then ask: “Do you agree with that statement?” If the person agrees, then say: “I do too. However, do you think that if God created all things, he is also responsible for wickedness?” After acknowledging the person’s response, read Ecclesiastes 7:29. Open the Knowledge book to page 71, and read paragraph 2. Encourage the person to read the book. If the householder does not agree with the statement at Genesis 1:1, urge him to examine the Creation book.

⁵ Follow Up All Interest: You cannot fully accomplish your ministry if you do not follow up the interest that is found. When you have a good discussion, regardless of whether you place magazines or other literature, make note of the person’s name and address. Diligently try to cultivate the person’s interest by returning promptly. By all means, offer a Bible study.

⁶ The first-century disciples knew that Jesus had ordered them “to give a thorough witness.” (Acts 10:42) That same command applies to us, for it is the only way that we will be able to make disciples. (Matt. 28:19, 20) Let us do our utmost to accomplish our ministry thoroughly.​—2 Tim. 4:5.

Service Meeting Schedule

Week Starting September 10

Song 86

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

13 min: Local needs.

22 min: “Are You Thoroughly Accomplishing Your Ministry?”a After discussing paragraphs 1-3 with the audience, demonstrate two brief magazine presentations​—one using the September 15 Watchtower and the other using the September 22 Awake! After discussing paragraph 4, demonstrate the suggested presentation, with the Knowledge book.

Song 124 and concluding prayer.

Week Starting September 17

Song 92

15 min: Local announcements. Accounts report. “It’s in the Index.” Show how to find presentations for the Creation book.

15 min: How Did We Do Last Year? Talk by the service overseer. Give highlights of the congregation report for the 2001 service year. Commend everyone for the good things accomplished. Focus on how the congregation has done in meeting attendance, in regularity in field service, and in the Bible study activity, outlining practical suggestions for improvement. Set reachable goals for the coming year.

15 min: Question Box. A talk. Review the congregation’s weekly schedule of meetings for service. Explain how all who attend can contribute to a productive discussion at these meetings. Encourage the congregation to support these service arrangements.

Song 129 and concluding prayer.

Week Starting September 24

Song 97

15 min: Local announcements. Using suggestions offered in “What to Say About the Magazines,” demonstrate two presentations​—one using the October 1 Watchtower and the other using the October 8 Awake!

30 min: Love God​—Not the Things of the World. (1 John 2:15-17) Talk and audience discussion reviewing the circuit assembly program that was held during the past service year. Invite publishers to comment on key points learned and how they were able to apply them personally or as family groups. (Portions can be assigned in advance.) Feature these program parts: (1) “Love for God Motivates Us in Our Ministry.” Such love helps us cope with negative feelings that might inhibit our preaching​—timidity, feelings of inadequacy, fear of men. (2) “Lovers of Jehovah Hate What Is Bad.” (w99 10/1 28-31) Having a relationship with God depends on our hating what he hates​—not only what is obviously wicked but also subtle wrongs. (3) “Pursue the Surpassing Way of Love.” (w92 7/15 27-30) First Corinthians 13:4-8 shows why we patiently put up with the imperfections of others, avoid self-centeredness and competition, do not spread harmful gossip, and remain loyal to God’s organization. (4) “Things in the World​—How Do We View Them?” We should not love the things in the world, succumb to desires of the flesh, be misled by desires of the eyes, or make a showy display of our means of life. (5) “Being No Part of the World Safeguards Us.” Second Corinthians 6:14-17 shows how certain beliefs, customs, and practices can make us unacceptable to God. We must discern and avoid pitfalls devised by the Devil. (6) “Divine Promises to Those Loving God.” (w86 6/15 5-6) Jehovah’s blessing adds delight to our lives and enriches us spiritually.​—1 Tim. 6:17-19.

Song 133 and concluding prayer.

Week Starting October 1

Song 106

10 min: Local announcements. Remind publishers to turn in field service reports for September.

15 min: How Can I Do Better in School? An elder and his wife or a ministerial servant and his wife talk to their school-age child. They are concerned because the child is lagging behind in schoolwork. They review advice in Young People Ask, chapter 18, and discuss what the child needs to do to improve. Parents stress the importance of getting a good basic education in order to use one’s full potential in pursuing sacred service.

20 min: “Is It an Obstacle to Preaching?”b Stress the need to be balanced in secular work, establishing priorities that keep Kingdom interests first. Invite some family heads in the congregation to relate how they are meeting the challenge of providing for their households materially without sacrificing their spiritual needs.

Song 137 and concluding prayer.

[Footnotes]

It’s in the Index

What is? Reference to a sample presentation that you might be able to use in the ministry. The Watch Tower Publications Index lists scores of suggested introductions and presentations by subject or by publication. Help can also be found for handling objections that arise in the ministry. Shown below are the main headings and the centered subheadings under which you will find an abundance of excellent field service suggestions.

Introductions

List by Subject

Objections

Common Objections

Presentations

List by Publication

List by Subject

Return Visits

List by Publication

List by Subject

June Service Report

Av. Av. Av. Av.

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

Sp’l Pios. 122 117.6 107.3 51.1 4.8

Pios. 85,367 63.4 45.0 20.3 1.7

Aux.Pios. 21,598 49.6 38.4 12.2 0.9

Pubs. 818,129 9.3 8.5 3.4 0.3

TOTAL 925,216 Baptized: 4,669

Announcements

◼ Literature offer for September: Life​—How Did It Get Here? By Evolution or by Creation? October: The Watchtower and Awake! magazines. Where interest is found on return visits, subscriptions may be offered. November: What Does God Require of Us? or Knowledge That Leads to Everlasting Life. If people already have these, Mankind’s Search for God or another older publication may be offered. December: The Greatest Man Who Ever Lived. As an alternate offer, you may use My Book of Bible Stories, The Bible​—God’s Word or Man’s?, or You Can Live Forever in Paradise on Earth.

◼ U.S. Selective Service regulations require that all men register at the post office within 30 days after reaching 18 years of age. A male noncitizen under the age of 26 who takes up residency in the United States must also register with Selective Service within 30 days of becoming a resident. All of those required to do so should comply with this law, viewing it as a Christian’s obligation to the superior authorities. From the time he registers until the year he turns 26, a brother must notify Selective Service of any change of address within ten days of the change. Elders should take notice of young brothers nearing the age of 18 and new alien residents between the ages of 18 and 26 and remind them of their duty to register with the Selective Service System.

◼ The elders are reminded to follow through on instructions given on pages 21-3 of the April 15, 1991, Watchtower regarding any disfellowshipped or disassociated ones who may be inclined toward becoming reinstated.

◼ The April 10, 2001, letter to all congregations announced the release of the new video documentary No Blood​—Medicine Meets the Challenge. The program has been specially prepared for the public. Therefore, much good can result from our initiating conversations and then viewing the program with unbelieving mates or relatives, teachers, workmates, schoolmates, neighbors, and Bible students. Any questions or comments that follow a viewing of the program with non-Witnesses may provide a basis for making a return visit or starting a Bible study.

◼ New Publications Available:

“All Scripture”​—Authentic and Beneficial (Brochure for use in 2001 Theocratic Ministry School)—​Samoan

Jehovah’s Witnesses​—Who Are They? What Do They Believe?​—Albanian, Hebrew, Hungarian, Macedonian, Polish, Russian, Swahili

New World Translation of the Holy Scriptures​—Cebuano

Organized to Accomplish Our Ministry​—Albanian

Watch Tower Publications Index 1986-2000​—English

◼ New Audiocassettes Available:

Knowledge That Leads to Everlasting Life (five cassettes in an album)​—Romanian

◼ New Videocassettes Available:

The Greatest Man Who Ever Lived​—On Videocassette, Volume 1—​American Sign Language

Question Box

◼ What information should be presented at meetings for field service?

The purpose of a meeting for field service is to help us focus on the activity that follows​—the ministry. Therefore, the conductor should be well prepared and ready to impart something that is encouraging, specific, and practical. If the day’s text deals directly with the preaching activity, it may be read and discussed briefly. However, the meeting should concentrate primarily on the work at hand, helping all who are going out in the witness work to be better prepared to accomplish the ministry that day.​—2 Tim. 4:5.

Applicable points from Our Kingdom Ministry may be discussed to make all aware of the current offer and how to present it. On Magazine Day a presentation from “What to Say About the Magazines” can be demonstrated. For other campaigns, one or two introductions in the Reasoning book that are suitable for the local territory may be highlighted. An aspect of the ministry might be discussed or demonstrated, such as how to use the Bible at the door, how to handle a potential conversation stopper, how to offer a Bible study, or how to follow up interest.

Meetings for service should not exceed 10 to 15 minutes, which includes organizing groups, assigning territory, and saying a prayer. When dismissed, all present should know with whom and where they are going to work, and they should depart for the territory promptly. In view of the brevity of the meeting, it is important that all arrive on time. When a meeting for service follows a congregation meeting, such as the Watchtower Study, it should be shorter. It is not necessary to discuss the day’s text, since a fine Scriptural discussion has already been enjoyed.

Qualified baptized brothers should be assigned in advance to conduct each meeting for service. If none are available to take the lead on a particular day, the elders should designate which baptized sisters can do so when the need arises. While remaining seated, the sister may initiate a group discussion of the day’s text or other points relative to the field service, keeping her remarks brief. She would wear a head covering.

Meetings for field service are excellent opportunities for us to be encouraged and equipped to share in the ministry. The better prepared the conductor is, the more all will benefit.

Is It an Obstacle to Preaching?

¹ Most people lead busy lives. Jehovah’s Witnesses are among the busiest​—studying God’s Word, attending congregation meetings, and sharing in the field service. In addition, we are busy caring for secular work, housework or schoolwork, and many other responsibilities, which all take time. This is especially challenging for family heads.

² Because of unfavorable economic conditions in various places, heads of households may have to work long and hard to make a living. When demanding secular jobs take most of their time and strength, they have little left for the preaching work. Since they have an obligation to provide materially for their families, some may feel that they can have only a limited share in the ministry. (1 Tim. 5:8) Granted, today there are many pressures connected with obtaining the necessities of life. But one’s secular work need not become an obstacle to preaching the good news. (Mark 13:10) Hence, we do well to examine our actual situation.

³ Because the world scene is always changing, a family head may be inclined to spend an excessive amount of time on the job, with a view to building up his financial reserves for unforeseen crises. (1 Cor. 7:31) While increased secular work may seem to provide extra material things or additional opportunities for recreation and entertainment, will this make the family happier and more contented if it is done at the expense of time for spiritual pursuits and regular meeting attendance? We would certainly want to avoid anything that would endanger our spirituality. Heeding Jesus’ counsel to ‘store up treasures in heaven’ and be “rich toward God” is the wise course.​—Matt. 6:19-21; Luke 12:15-21.

⁴ Seek Kingdom Interests First: Jesus taught his followers to put spiritual matters ahead of everything else. He urged them: “Never be anxious and say, ‘What are we to eat?’ or, ‘What are we to drink?’ or, ‘What are we to put on?’” Why would he say that? He explained: “For your heavenly Father knows you need all these things.” If we are truly convinced of that, there will be no obstacle that will prevent us from doing what Jesus next said: “Keep on, then, seeking first the kingdom and his righteousness, and all these [necessary material] things will be added to you.” God will see to that! (Matt. 6:31-33) This certainly is no time to be distracted by undue anxiety over making a living or by a desire to get comfortably situated in a system of things that will soon pass away.​—1 Pet. 5:7; 1 John 2:15-17.

⁵ The primary purpose of secular work is to provide for one’s material needs. But how much do we need? The apostle Paul wrote: “Having sustenance and covering, we shall be content with these things.” Are we trying to acquire more than that? If so, we may be reaping the consequences that Paul warned about: “Those who are determined to be rich fall into temptation and a snare and many senseless and hurtful desires, which plunge men into destruction and ruin.” (1 Tim. 6:8, 9; Matt. 6:24; Luke 14:33) How can we tell if we are being hindered by excessive desires?

⁶ If because of our secular pursuits we have only a minimal share in field service or fail to see the need to make sacrifices for the sake of the good news, then there is a need to adjust our priorities. (Heb. 13:15, 16) A more modest life-style will go a long way toward eliminating this obstacle to our preaching. Kingdom interests should always be the first priority when it comes to the use of our time and energy.

⁷ The Labor That Is Not in Vain: Paul’s words encourage us always to have “plenty to do in the work of the Lord, knowing that [our] labor is not in vain in connection with the Lord.” (1 Cor. 15:58) The foremost “work of the Lord” is the Kingdom-preaching and disciple-making work. (Matt. 24:14; 28:19, 20) To have as full a share as possible, we should schedule time for the field service each week and endeavor not to use that time for any other pursuit. (Eph. 5:15-17) Then, neither secular work nor anything else will become an obstacle to our ministry.

⁸ When we give of ourselves in sharing Bible truths with others, we experience the superior happiness that comes from giving. (Acts 20:35) By pursuing the Kingdom-preaching work, we can look to the future with confidence, “for God is not unrighteous so as to forget [our] work and the love [we] showed for his name.”​—Heb. 6:10.