1. What are people in dire need of today?

¹ Never before in history have so many people been in such dire need of compassionate assistance. Deteriorating world conditions have resulted in widespread feelings of unhappiness, depression, and hopelessness. Millions need help, and we as Christians are in a position to demonstrate genuine concern for our neighbors. (Matt. 22:39; Gal. 6:10) How can such concern be shown?

2. What is the best way for us to show compassion?

² A Work of Compassion: There is no real, lasting comfort that does not originate with God. (2 Cor. 1:3, 4) Jehovah urges us to imitate him by becoming “tenderly compassionate,” and he has given us the commission to visit our neighbors with the good news of the Kingdom. (1 Pet. 3:8) Active participation in this work is the best way for us to comfort “the brokenhearted,” because God’s Kingdom is the only real hope for suffering mankind. (Isa. 61:1) Out of compassion for his people, Jehovah will soon act to clear away wickedness and establish a righteous new world.​—2 Pet. 3:13.

3. How may we view people as Jesus did?

³ View People as Jesus Did: Even when preaching to large crowds, Jesus saw more than a mass of people. He perceived individuals having spiritual needs. They were like sheep with no shepherd to guide them. Jesus’ heart was touched by what he saw, and he was moved to teach them patiently. (Mark 6:34) Our viewing people the same way Jesus did will prompt us to show genuine compassion for them as individuals. This will be apparent in our tone of voice and facial expressions. Preaching will be our priority, and we will tailor our words to address each one’s personal concerns.​—1 Cor. 9:19-23.

4. Why should we clothe ourselves with compassion?

⁴ A great crowd of people from all nations are responding favorably to the Kingdom message and the refreshing interest shown in them. As we continue to clothe ourselves with compassion, we will honor and please our compassionate God, Jehovah.​—Col. 3:12.

1. Why is there a need for schoolchildren to be prepared?

¹ The time is approaching for another school year to begin. Your children will no doubt experience new challenges and pressures. They will also have fresh opportunities to “bear witness to the truth.” (John 18:37) Are they ready?

2. In order to be prepared, what should your children know?

² Do your children clearly understand what constitutes participation in nationalistic ceremonies and pagan holidays and why sharing in them is wrong? Are they prepared for the pressure they will receive to pursue higher education, date, and use alcohol or drugs? Would they simply say that an objectionable activity is against their religion, or do they know how to explain their beliefs?​—1 Pet. 3:15.

3. How may parents use their Family Worship evening to prepare their children?

³ Use the Family Worship Evening: Of course, you will likely have discussions throughout the school year as the need arises. Your making a special effort to consider school-related matters before classes resume will give your children confidence. Why not use one or more Family Worship evenings for this? You might ask your children what causes them the most anxiety as they contemplate going back to school. Matters that you have considered in previous years can be reviewed now that the children are older and have increased understanding. (Ps. 119:95) You could include practice sessions in which you pretend to be a teacher, counselor, or fellow student. Teach your children how to answer from the Bible and to use such tools as the Reasoning book and the Young People Ask books. One parent used practice sessions to prepare her children to approach their new teachers at the start of each school year and inform them that they are Jehovah’s Witnesses.​—See The Watchtower, December 15, 2010, pages 3-5.

4. What will wise parents do?

⁴ The challenges Christian youths must face during these last days are increasingly “hard to deal with.” (2 Tim. 3:1) Wise parents will try to anticipate them. (Prov. 22:3) Before the new school year begins, do all you can to help your children be ready.

1. How does the faithful and discreet slave class imitate the apostle Paul?

¹ Just as the apostle Paul adapted the way he presented the good news in order to gain “people of all sorts,” the faithful and discreet slave class uses our journals to reach people of different backgrounds and beliefs. (1 Cor. 9:22, 23) So that we can make good use of The Watchtower and Awake! we do well to keep in mind the intended readership of these magazines.

2. Awake! is designed to appeal to whom?

² Awake!: This journal is aimed at reaching the same type of people as the apostle Paul spoke to when addressing the “men of Athens.” (Acts 17:22) Those men had a non-Christian background, and they had little understanding of the Scriptures. Likewise, the readership for which Awake! is designed has little or no knowledge of the Bible. They may know nothing about Christian teachings, they may be somewhat distrustful of religion, or they may be unaware that the Bible has practical value. A primary objective of Awake! is to convince its readers that the true God exists. The aim of this journal is also to build faith in the Bible and help the reader to understand that Jehovah’s Witnesses are different from other religious groups.

3. What is the intended readership of each edition of The Watchtower?

³ The Watchtower: The intended readership of the public edition of this journal has a measure of respect for God and for the Scriptures. They have some knowledge of the Bible but do not understand its teachings accurately. They are similar to the audience Paul referred to as those who “fear God.” (Acts 13:14-16) The study edition of The Watchtower is written primarily for Jehovah’s Witnesses. Paul assumed that those who read his letters were familiar with the Scriptures and had an accurate knowledge of truth. (1 Cor. 1:1, 2) Likewise, articles in the study edition are written for those who attend our meetings and are familiar with Witness terms and concepts.

4. Why should we become familiar with each issue of the magazines we use in the field?

⁴ Although we normally offer the magazines as a set, we usually feature only one of them in our presentation. Therefore, make it your goal to be familiar with each issue. Then you will be in the best position to feature what will appeal to those you meet.

◼ Literature offer for July: Was Life Created? August: Any 32-page brochures that are in stock except How Can Blood Save Your Life?, Jehovah’s Witnesses and Education, Jehovah’s Witnesses​—Who Are They? What Do They Believe?, and The Origin of Life​—Five Questions Worth Asking. September: What Does the Bible Really Teach? Endeavor to start Bible studies on the initial call. If householders already have the book and do not accept the offer of a Bible study, offer an older magazine or any brochure that addresses the person’s interest. 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.

To start Bible studies on the first Saturday in August

“People belong to various religions and worship God in many different ways. How do you think God feels about that? [Allow for response.] Notice what Jesus taught on this subject.” Hand the householder a copy of the August 1 Watchtower and consider together the material under the first subheading on page 16 and at least one of the cited scriptures. Offer the magazines, and arrange to return to discuss the next question.

The Watchtower August 1

“Should children be taught about God when they are young, or is it better to wait until they are older and allow them to choose their own religious beliefs? [Allow for response.] Notice what the Bible instructs fathers to do. [Read Ephesians 6:4.] This magazine gives some tips on how parents can teach their children about God.”

Awake! August

“I’d like to get your opinion on this verse. [Read 1 Samuel 16:23.] According to this, music has power. Do you think it is possible for some songs to have an unwholesome influence? [Allow for response.] This magazine discusses how we can make wise choices in our music and how we can help our children to do so too.”

In the month of February 2011, the Turks and Caicos Islands reported two new all-time peaks: 295 publishers and 736 Bible studies. In the United States, when compared with the same six-month period last year, there were increases of 7 percent in regular pioneers and 8 percent in auxiliary pioneers. Bermuda too had an increase of 25 percent in auxiliary pioneers during the same time period. Truly, Jehovah’s servants are imitating his zeal for fine work!​—John 5:17.