July
Schedule for Week of July 12
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Schedule for Week of July 12
WEEK STARTING JULY 12
□ Congregation Bible Study:
□ Theocratic Ministry School:
Bible reading: 1 Kings 9-11
No. 1: 1 Kings 9:10-23
No. 2: What Is the Bible’s Counsel on Materialistic Pursuits and Overindulgence in Alcohol? (rs p. 188 ¶3-4)
No. 3: How Genuine Christians Reflect the Wisdom From Above (Jas. 3:17)
□ Service Meeting:
5 min: Announcements.
15 min: Have You Tried It? Audience discussion. Briefly review information from these recent articles in Our Kingdom Ministry: “Meet the Challenge of Witnessing to Men” (8/09), “We Are Witnesses All the Time” (11/09), and “Be a Good Assistant at the Door” (3/10). Invite the audience to comment on how they have applied the suggestions in these articles and how they were benefited.
15 min: “Our Priority.” Question-and-answer discussion.
Our Priority
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Our Priority
1. How did Jesus demonstrate that the ministry was important to him?
1 The ministry was Jesus’ priority. He expended himself, walking hundreds of miles throughout Palestine to preach to as many as possible. He kept his life simple so he could devote more time and attention to the ministry. (Matt. 8:20) When crowds tried to detain him so that he would cure their sick, he said: “Also to other cities I must declare the good news of the kingdom of God, because for this I was sent forth.”—Luke 4:43.
2. Why was the ministry so important to Jesus?
2 Why was the ministry so important to Jesus? His prime concern was the sanctification of Jehovah’s name. (Matt. 6:9) He loved his heavenly Father and so desired to accomplish His will and obey His every commandment. (John 14:31) In addition, he genuinely cared for people and wanted to help them.—Matt. 9:36, 37.
3. How may we demonstrate that the ministry is our focus?
3 Imitate Jesus: Maintaining the same focus Jesus had can be challenging because the world makes heavy demands on our time and offers many distractions. (Matt. 24:37-39; Luke 21:34) Therefore, we must make sure of the more important things, scheduling time to prepare for and engage in the preaching work regularly. (Phil. 1:10) We endeavor to maintain a simple lifestyle and avoid using the world to the full.—1 Cor. 7:31.
4. Why is it vital to maintain the right priority now?
4 When time is limited, a wise person prioritizes. If he learned that a dangerous storm was approaching, for example, he would focus his time and energy on making arrangements for the safety of his family and warning his neighbors. Less important activities would wait. The time left before the storm of Armageddon arrives is reduced. (Zeph. 1:14-16; 1 Cor. 7:29) In order to save ourselves and those who listen to us, we must pay constant attention to ourselves and our teaching, be it inside or outside the congregation. (1 Tim. 4:16) Yes, our survival depends upon keeping the ministry our priority!
Schedule for Week of July 19
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Schedule for Week of July 19
WEEK STARTING JULY 19
□ Congregation Bible Study:
cf chap. 7 ¶17-21, box on p. 75
□ Theocratic Ministry School:
Bible reading: 1 Kings 12-14
No. 1: 1 Kings 12:12-20
No. 2: What Can Help Us to See Our Brothers as Jehovah Does?
No. 3: Treasure Your Relationship With Jehovah, and Avoid Bad Associations (rs p. 189 ¶2)
□ Service Meeting:
5 min: Announcements.
10 min: Ways to Expand Your Ministry—Part 2. Talk based on the Organized book, page 112, paragraph 3, to page 114, paragraph 1. Interview one or two pioneers regarding how they were able to make adjustments in their schedule in order to pioneer.
10 min: How to Prepare for the Next School Year. Audience discussion. Invite audience to outline some of the challenges Christian youths will face at school. Explain how parents can use the Index, Young People Ask books, and other theocratic tools during Family Worship to prepare their children to resist temptations and explain their faith. (1 Pet. 3:15) Choose one or two topics, and relate some of the helpful information found in our publications. Invite audience to comment on how they were able to give a witness while at school.
10 min: “Am I Doing Enough?” Question-and-answer discussion.
Am I Doing Enough?
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Am I Doing Enough?
1. What concerns might a faithful Christian have?
1 Have you ever asked yourself that question? Perhaps your share in the ministry has diminished because of advancing age, health issues, or increased family responsibilities, causing you discouragement. One sister with three children wrote that sometimes she feels guilty because the time and energy needed to care for her family limits what she can do in the ministry. What will help us to view matters in a balanced way?
2. What does Jehovah expect of us?
2 What Jehovah Expects of Us: No doubt, all of us would like to do more in the ministry. But there often is a big difference between what we would like to do and what we realistically can do. The fact that we would like to do more shows that we are not complacent. We should remember that Jehovah well knows our limitations and does not require more than we can reasonably do. (Ps. 103:13, 14) What does he expect of us? He wants us to serve him whole-souled, to give him our best.—Col. 3:23.
3. How can we evaluate our efforts in the ministry?
3 What will assist us in determining what is realistic for ourselves? We can ask Jehovah to help us to see our situation objectively. (Ps. 26:2) A trusted, mature Christian friend who knows us well and who is not afraid to tell us whether we need to improve may also be of assistance. (Prov. 27:9) Remember, too, that since circumstances change, it is beneficial to evaluate our situation regularly.—Eph. 5:10.
4. How should we view Bible-based reminders regarding the ministry?
4 How to View Reminders: During a race, well-wishers often call out encouragement. The purpose is to help the runners to reach their goal, not to demoralize them. Similarly, the Bible-based encouragement and reminders given at our meetings and in our publications to ‘preach the word urgently’ are for our benefit and are not to imply that our efforts are in some way insufficient. (2 Tim. 4:2) We can be confident that as long as we keep trying to do our best, Jehovah will remember our ‘love and works’ with favor.—Heb. 6:10.
Schedule for Week of July 26
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Schedule for Week of July 26
WEEK STARTING JULY 26
□ Congregation Bible Study:
□ Theocratic Ministry School:
Bible reading: 1 Kings 15-17
No. 1: 1 Kings 15:1-15
No. 2: Who Urged Humans to Feel Free to Make Their Own Decisions Without Regard for God’s Commands? (rs p. 189 ¶3–p. 190 ¶1)
No. 3: Why Armageddon Is Necessary
□ Service Meeting:
5 min: Announcements.
10 min: Ways to Expand Your Ministry—Part 3. Talk based on the Organized book, page 114, paragraph 2, to page 115, paragraph 4. Interview any exemplary publishers in the congregation who attended either Ministerial Training School or Gilead School regarding how they benefited from the course. If there is not one in the congregation, relate published experiences.
10 min: Prepare to Offer the Magazines During August. Audience discussion. Take one or two minutes to review the contents of the magazines. Then choose two or three of the articles, and invite audience to suggest questions and scriptures that could be used in a presentation. Have demonstrations showing how each issue may be offered.
10 min: “Wisdom Is Proved Righteous by Its Works.” Question-and-answer discussion.
“Wisdom Is Proved Righteous by Its Works”
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“Wisdom Is Proved Righteous by Its Works”
1. How is our work perceived by some?
1 At times we may encounter a negative response from householders who misunderstand us or who have been misinformed about Jehovah’s Witnesses. Perhaps their viewpoint has been influenced by biased media reports. In some places we have even been labeled “a dangerous sect.” How should we react when faced with such criticism?
2. What will help us to avoid discouragement when faced with criticism?
2 Maintain a Positive Attitude: Jesus and other servants of Jehovah in the first century were often misunderstood and maligned. (Acts 28:22) Yet, they did not allow criticism to make them feel ashamed of their ministry. Jesus said: “Wisdom is proved righteous by its works.” (Matt. 11:18, 19) He continued doing his Father’s will with zeal, confident that the value of the good news would be apparent to truth-seekers. We can avoid discouragement by remembering that God’s own Son experienced similar treatment.
3. Why should negative reports and opposition not surprise us?
3 Jesus indicated that the world would hate his followers just as it hated him. (John 15:18-20) Therefore, negative reports and opposition today should not surprise us. In fact, we should expect such things to become more common the deeper we move into the last days and the more Satan’s anger intensifies. (Rev. 12:12) We can rejoice in this indication that Satan’s world is running out of time.
4. If we meet with a negative response to the good news, how should we respond?
4 Respond With Graciousness: When we receive a negative response, we should always reply with graciousness and mildness. (Prov. 15:1; Col. 4:5, 6) If the situation allows, we may be able to explain to a sincere householder that there is much misinformation about Jehovah’s Witnesses or to ask him why he feels the way he does. Our mild response may cause him to question what he has heard about Jehovah’s Witnesses and to listen the next time a Witness visits. However, if the householder is very angry, it may be best to excuse ourselves. We can be certain that regardless of how others view us, Jehovah values our ministry.—Isa. 52:7.
Schedule for Week of August 2
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Schedule for Week of August 2
WEEK STARTING AUGUST 2
□ Congregation Bible Study:
□ Theocratic Ministry School:
Bible reading: 1 Kings 18-20
No. 1: 1 Kings 18:21-29
No. 2: In What Sense Will Heaven and Earth Pass Away? (Rev. 21:1)
No. 3: What Independent Attitudes Must We Avoid? (rs p. 190 ¶2–p. 191 ¶1)
□ Service Meeting:
5 min: Announcements.
10 min: Ways to Expand Your Ministry—Part 4. Talk based on the Organized book, page 116, paragraph 1, to page 117, paragraph 1. Interview one or two publishers who assist the local Regional Building Committee regarding how they have enjoyed this privilege of service.
10 min: Local needs.
10 min: Experiences Starting Bible Studies. Audience discussion. Relate what has been accomplished locally on the special day for offering Bible studies. Invite audience to share experiences they have enjoyed. One or two outstanding experiences may be reenacted. Conclude by demonstrating how to start a study on the initial call.
Announcements
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Announcements
◼ Literature offer for July and August: Keep on the Watch! or What Does God Require of Us? If the congregation does not have a supply of these brochures, offer 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? September: What Does the Bible Really Teach? Endeavor to start Bible studies on the initial call. October: The Watchtower and Awake! magazines. Where interest is shown, present the tract Would You Like to Know the Truth? and endeavor to start a Bible study.
◼ Bibles other than the New World Translation are purchased by the organization at considerable cost. Such purchased Bibles should not be offered in the field ministry. These Bibles are special-request items and should be requested only for baptized and unbaptized publishers and progressive Bible students who do not have a Bible. Individuals qualified to receive a Bible should not feel obligated to make a contribution equal to the cost of the Bible if their circumstances do not permit such. Each one may make a contribution in harmony with his ability to do so.—2 Cor. 9:7.
Field Service Highlights
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Field Service Highlights
The March report for the United States was outstanding! New peaks in hours, return visits, and Bible studies were reached. There are now 698,507 persons studying with us. Also, a new peak of 2,485,231 gathered for the Memorial on March 30—a fine increase of 16,195 over last year’s attendance and 1,388,729 more than the average number of publishers who reported during the 2009 service year. What fine potential for further increase!
What to Say About the Magazines
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What to Say About the Magazines
The Watchtower July 1
“Many of us have been unsure of what to say to a friend who is seriously or terminally ill. What do you think of this advice? [Read James 1:19. Then allow for response.] This article gives a number of practical suggestions that are based on Bible principles.” Feature the article that begins on page 10.
Awake! July
“Should women be ordained as ministers? [Allow for response.] Here’s what the Bible says about one woman. [Read Romans 16:1.] However, another verse says women should keep silent in the congregation. So then, what’s the Bible’s viewpoint? This article explains.” Feature the article that begins on page 28.
The Watchtower August 1
“Many people fear that a nuclear war or a climate change will ruin or destroy the earth. Do you think that will ever happen? [Allow for response.] Notice what the Bible says on this subject. [Read Revelation 11:18.] This magazine answers four common questions about the end of the world.”
Awake! August
“Likely, Jehovah’s Witnesses have talked to you before. Have you ever wondered why we go from door to door, especially since most people are not interested? [Allow for response. Then read Matthew 24:14.] We find that many have misconceptions about us. This magazine explains who Jehovah’s Witnesses are.”