May
Schedule for Week of May 11
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Schedule for Week of May 11
WEEK STARTING MAY 11
□ Congregation Bible Study:
lv app. subheading on p. 209 to subheading on p. 212
□ Theocratic Ministry School:
Bible reading: Exodus 27-29
No. 1: Exodus 29:1-18
No. 2: The Way to Be Happy (lr chap. 17)
No. 3: Misplaced Loyalty and Its Dangers
□ Service Meeting:
5 min: Announcements.
10 min: Can You Auxiliary Pioneer During the Summer? Audience discussion based on the Organized book, pages 112-113. Outline the requirements, and invite those who have experienced auxiliary pioneer service to comment on the blessings they enjoyed.
10 min: Prepare for the Ministry as a Family! Briefly interview two family heads who use some of the time during Family Worship to prepare for the ministry. How do they prepare, and how has such preparation been beneficial? Demonstrate how one family head uses practice sessions to prepare for magazine work.
10 min: “Teach With Simplicity.” Question-and-answer discussion.
Teach With Simplicity
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Teach With Simplicity
1. What is one important aspect of clear, effective teaching?
1 Simplicity is a key ingredient in effective teaching. Considering the way the Great Teacher, Jesus, taught can help us to enhance our “art of teaching.”—2 Tim. 4:2; John 13:13.
2. What is involved when teaching with simplicity, and what effects does such teaching have?
2 Speak With Simplicity: The Sermon on the Mount contains some of the most profound truths ever spoken by man, all expressed with simplicity. (Matt., chaps. 5-7) The crowds listening to Jesus were “astounded at his way of teaching.” Officers sent to arrest him were moved to say: “Never has another man spoken like this.” (Matt. 7:28, 29; John 7:46) We do not need to use high-sounding words, complicated phrases, or detailed illustrations to make the truth thoroughly convincing to others. The truth can be clearly explained using familiar terms.
3. Why may some tend to overwhelm their audience, and how can this be avoided?
3 Gauge the Amount: Jesus took into consideration his audience in determining how much information to convey to them at one time. (John 16:12) We must be observant and flexible in this regard, especially when witnessing to relatives, newly interested persons, or children. We should be careful not to overwhelm them with information even when they may appear to be listening attentively. Those who are honesthearted will continue to take in knowledge of the true God, Jehovah.—John 17:3; 1 Cor. 3:6.
4. Why is it beneficial to focus on main points rather than details?
4 Focus on Main Points: Jesus did not clutter what he was teaching by including too many details. When he said: “All those in the memorial tombs will . . . come out,” it was not the time for him to elaborate regarding the two destinies of those resurrected. (John 5:28, 29) When conducting Bible studies, we should focus on the main points and curb the tendency to bring unnecessary outside material into the discussion.
5. What blessing may we obtain if we teach with simplicity?
5 How grateful we are that Jehovah has taught with simplicity all we need to know! (Matt. 11:25) May we apply ourselves to teaching with simplicity and experience the joys of having a fruitful ministry.
Schedule for Week of May 18
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Schedule for Week of May 18
WEEK STARTING MAY 18
□ Congregation Bible Study:
lv chap. 5 ¶1-6, boxes on pp. 52, 55
□ Theocratic Ministry School:
Bible reading: Exodus 30-33
No. 1: Exodus 31:1-18
No. 2: Why Gifts of Healing Were Given in the First Century (rs p. 159 ¶2–p. 160 ¶2)
No. 3: Do You Remember to Say Thank You? (lr chap. 18)
□ Service Meeting:
5 min: Announcements.
10 min: God’s Name—A Strong Tower. Talk based on material beginning under the second subheading on page 274 in the Ministry School book.
10 min: Three Aspects of Effective Introductions. Audience discussion based on the Reasoning book, page 9, paragraph 1. After considering the material, demonstrate how the offer for June may be introduced.
10 min: “How to Prepare for the Service Meeting.” Question-and-answer discussion.
How to Prepare for the Service Meeting
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How to Prepare for the Service Meeting
1. What is the purpose of the Service Meeting, and how may we gain the most benefit from it?
1 The Service Meeting is designed to equip us for a productive ministry. The focus is on preaching the Kingdom good news, making disciples, and declaring the approaching execution of divine judgment. (Matt. 28:20; Mark 13:10; 2 Pet. 3:7) We benefit most from this important meeting when we are well prepared and ready to participate.
2. How can we prepare to listen to a talk?
2 Talk: Source material for a talk is generally shown in the instructions to the speaker. You may review the assigned material, including the cited scriptures, and think about how you may apply the information in your ministry.
3. What may we do to prepare for a question-and-answer discussion?
3 Question-and-Answer Discussion: This part will be handled much like the Watchtower Study, with a brief introduction and conclusion. Underline key points in each paragraph, and be prepared to give brief meaningful comments.
4. How may we prepare for an audience discussion?
4 Audience Discussion: This part will be presented as a talk, but the speaker will call for some audience participation. If you underline the key points and look up the cited scriptures, you may be able to comment when questions are asked. The brother handling this part will make every effort to involve the audience in covering main points.
5. What will help us to benefit the most from demonstrations?
5 Demonstrations: Some parts will include realistic demonstrations to show how the information considered may be used in the local territory. Elders or experienced publishers or pioneers will be called on to help out in this way. Your preparation for this part may include anticipating how the matter will be presented. When a sample presentation is demonstrated, think about how you might personalize it and adapt it to different householders. Be sure to have with you the publication or magazine that will be used in the demonstration. During your Family Worship evening, you may find it beneficial to practice some of these presentations.
6. What are some reasons for preparing for the Service Meeting?
6 The Service Meeting is more enjoyable when we are prepared and we anticipate the fine instruction to be presented. Doing so will result in a greater interchange of encouragement. (Rom. 1:11, 12) If we take the time to prepare for the Service Meeting, we will be better equipped to fulfill our commission.—2 Tim. 3:17.
Schedule for Week of May 25
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Schedule for Week of May 25
WEEK STARTING MAY 25
□ Congregation Bible Study:
□ Theocratic Ministry School:
Bible reading: Exodus 34-37
No. 1: Exodus 37:1-24
No. 2: Is It Right to Fight? (lr chap. 19)
No. 3: What Is Permissiveness, and Why Should We Avoid It?
□ Service Meeting:
5 min: Announcements.
10 min: Prepare to Offer the June 1 Watchtower and the June Awake! After giving a brief overview of the magazines, ask the audience which articles they are preparing to feature and why. What questions and scriptures could be used to introduce the articles? Demonstrate how each magazine might be offered in the local territory.
10 min: Bearing Witness to Jesus. Talk based on the three paragraphs on page 275 under this subject and the first paragraph on page 276 of the Ministry School book.
10 min: “Make Good Use of Our Publications.” Question-and-answer discussion. Inform the congregation of the difference between the amount of literature requested and the amount reported as actually being placed.
Make Good Use of Our Publications
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Make Good Use of Our Publications
1. How may we imitate Jesus’ example of appreciation for Jehovah’s provisions?
1 After Jesus miraculously fed a large crowd, he arranged for the leftover food to be saved. (Matt. 14:19-21) Such appreciation for Jehovah’s provisions sets a fine example for us to ‘show ourselves thankful’ by making good use of all that Jehovah provides through “the faithful steward.”—Col. 3:15; Luke 12:42; Matt. 24:45-47.
2. How may we prevent the accumulation of magazines?
2 Magazines: Magazines can easily accumulate. If we regularly have leftover magazines, we should reduce the number that we request. What about older magazines? These do not lose their value with the passage of time. If we have an accumulation of older magazines, perhaps the service overseer or another elder can assist us to find effective ways to place them.
3, 4. What points should we keep in mind when we obtain literature at the Kingdom Hall?
3 Other Literature: When the offer changes to a different publication, first check to see if you already have field service copies of the publication at home before obtaining additional copies of the literature at the Kingdom Hall. Be mindful of getting copies only as needed for the week, and return to the counter for more after those are placed.
4 As for publications for personal use, request only what you actually need. Write your name in the space provided. That will help you keep track of your personal copy. If you use the Watchtower Library on CD-ROM and have saved your personal copies of the magazines, you may not feel a need to request personal copies of the Watchtower and Awake! bound volumes.
5. What should we keep in mind when placing our publications?
5 Placement of Publications: We strive to place our publications only with those who show genuine interest. Keep in mind that we are the ones primarily responsible for the financial coverage of these valuable tools in our ministry. When leaving a publication with interested ones, do not hesitate to inform them of the privilege they have to support the worldwide work with their donation.
6. Why do we value our publications so much, and what will this move us to do with them?
6 Jesus miraculously provided physical food for others, but more often he fed people spiritually. Jesus said: “Man must live, not on bread alone, but on every utterance coming forth through Jehovah’s mouth.” (Matt. 4:4) Our publications teach Bible truths vital for gaining everlasting life. (John 17:3) They are far too valuable to waste!
Schedule for Week of June 1
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Schedule for Week of June 1
WEEK STARTING JUNE 1
□ Congregation Bible Study:
□ Theocratic Ministry School:
Bible reading: Exodus 38-40
No. 1: Exodus 40:1-19
No. 2: Do You Always Want to Be First? (lr chap. 20)
No. 3: What Hope Is There for Real Healing for All Mankind? (rs p. 160 ¶3-5)
□ Service Meeting:
5 min: Announcements.
10 min: Help Others to Progress. Audience discussion based on material under the second subheading beginning on page 187 of the Ministry School book. Briefly interview a pioneer or other publisher who has helped new ones to progress.
10 min: Local needs.
10 min: What Did We Accomplish? Audience discussion. Commend the congregation for its increased activity during the Memorial season, and comment on what specifically was accomplished. Invite audience to relate experiences enjoyed while distributing Memorial invitations or while serving as auxiliary pioneers.
Announcements
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Announcements
◼ Literature offer for May: The Watchtower and Awake! magazines. When making return visits on interested people, including those who attend the Memorial or other theocratic events but who are not actively associated with the congregation, concentrate on starting studies using the Bible Teach book. June: What Does the Bible Really Teach? If householders already have the book, publishers may offer any 192-page book published prior to 1992. July and August: Any 32-page brochures that are in stock except How Can Blood Save Your Life?, Jehovah’s Witnesses and Education, and Jehovah’s Witnesses—Who Are They? What Do They Believe?
◼ The meeting schedule for the week preceding the week of the “Keep on the Watch!” District Convention may be adjusted to review counsel and reminders about attending the convention. A month or two following your convention, a local needs part may be used to review convention points that the publishers have found to be helpful in the ministry.
◼ The branch facilities in Brooklyn, Patterson, and Wallkill, New York, will be closed on the following dates: May 8-9, 2009 (spring cleaning); September 12, 2009 (Gilead graduation); October 3, 2009 (annual meeting of the Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society of Pennsylvania); and March 13, 2010 (Gilead graduation). There will be no arrangements for tours or for congregations to pick up literature on those dates.
Field Service Highlights
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Field Service Highlights
We are happy to report a new peak in the United States for January! The total of 663,250 Bible studies conducted is an increase of 25,337 over the previous peak of 637,913 in October 2008.
What to Say About the Magazines
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What to Say About the Magazines
The Watchtower May 1
Read Matthew 24:3. Then say: “Some feel that this question is concerning the end of our earth. Do you think the earth will be destroyed? [Allow for response.] Jesus’ answer gives us something to look forward to—not the end of the earth, but the end of something else. The article on page 16 examines this further.”
Awake! May
“Some ministers preach that if we please God, he will give us material prosperity. Yet, you probably know good people who are poor. Do you think God wants us to be rich? [Allow for response. Then read Hebrews 13:5.] This article explains how God blesses us.” Feature the article that begins on page 12.
The Watchtower June 1
“Self-help books on child rearing, love, and personal fulfillment are popular today. Have you personally found them to be helpful? [Allow for response.] Many overlook the following source of reliable advice. [Read 2 Timothy 3:16.] This magazine explains why we can trust the Bible and gives examples of the practical advice it contains.”
Awake! June
“As you know, whether it is right or wrong to have an abortion is strongly debated. Do you think the Bible can be of help to someone deciding what to do? [Allow for response. Then read 2 Timothy 3:16, 17.] This magazine shows what the Bible says about this subject.”