Your Service Meetings
WEEK STARTING FEBRUARY 14
Theme: Walking as Wise Persons. (Eph. 5:15) Song 3.
6 min: Introduction, text and comments. Publisher acquaints Bible student with “Yearbook” provision for discussing daily text.
10 min: Branch Letter and Theocratic News items. Two or three school-age students discuss material with mature brother.
14 min: “Thrilling Times.” Question-and-answer discussion. As time allows, demonstrate points in pars. 5, 6 and 7.
20 min: “A Letter from the Pioneers,” down to the subheading “Can You Vacation Pioneer?” Include audience participation.
10 min: Concluding comments. Cover local January report and December report for U.S.A. Appropriate items from Announcements. Song 11.
WEEK STARTING FEBRUARY 21
Theme: Showing Interest in Others. (Phil. 2:4) Song 17.
5 min: Introduction, text and comments.
13 min: “By March or April?” Question-and-answer discussion.
12 min: Using School Assignments to Give a Witness.
(2 min.) Chairman comments on wonderful opportunity school children often have to give a witness during class periods. Sometimes there is opportunity in class for spontaneous expression concerning one’s faith. Or some may have to deliver oral reports or write compositions. Society’s literature can help you.
(6 min.) Demonstration. Young sister has school assignment to write on any subject. Asks father for help. They select timely material from “Awake!” Father comments on good results of using Society’s literature, as experiences of others show. (w69, p. 3, par. 4; yb69, p. 114, par. 1) Daughter encouraged, thanks father, is determined to make a fine composition to give a witness.
(4 min.) Chairman: Result may be, not only teacher, but whole class gets witness. (yb70, p. 256, par. 1) Even young children can prepare Scriptural themes. One who did had it repeated several times, even put on blackboard. (yb68, p. 223, par. 3) Bring in local experiences.
20 min: “A Letter from the Pioneers,” material under the subheading “Can You Vacation Pioneer?” Questions and answers.
10 min: Concluding comments. If meeting is scheduled for those interested in vacation pioneering during March or April, give time and place. Kindly encourage all to plan for increased activity to the extent possible during April, whether as publishers or pioneers. Report on number of subscriptions obtained. Song 33.
WEEK STARTING FEBRUARY 28
Theme: Run the Racecourse, Looking at Jesus. (Heb. 12:1, 2) Song 37.
5 min: Introduction, text and comments.
8 min: Talk on March theme as set forth in the March 1, 1971, “Watchtower.”
15 min: Presenting the Good News. Demonstrate how to tie in starting of Bible studies with the making of subscription offer. Show what can be done on initial call and on a return call on subscriber. Presentation can be interrupted at appropriate points to get suggestions from audience as to what might be done, why it might be good to try certain things, etc. Ascertain the number of home Bible studies started by the congregation during January and thus far in February. Compare this figure with the total subscriptions obtained during the same period of time and show potential for starting more studies.
20 min: “A Letter from the Pioneers,” material under the subheading “What Pioneers Themselves Say.” Audience participation.
12 min: Concluding comments. Tell how many plan to vacation pioneer. Encourage others to do so. Experiences in obtaining subscriptions. Subscription goals during four months: Publishers 2, pioneers 20 and special pioneers 30. Are you reaching your goal? Suggest all come prepared to discuss “Your Ministry” as outlined in program for next week. Bring “Lamp” book. Song 38.
WEEK STARTING MARCH 7
Theme: Joyful Worshipers of God. (Matt. 4:10) Song 44.
5 min: Introduction, text and comments.
8 min: Question Box. Overseer can handle as desired—discussion, talk, etc. However handled, include reading of material to congregation.
22 min: Your Ministry. Mature brother to handle. Assign some in advance to answer, based on references. Allow as many as possible to comment freely, clarifying points only if necessary. Proportion and watch timing. How did Jesus emphasize the importance of our worship of God? (Matt. 4:10; 22:37) As to witnessing, what is the responsibility of all those dedicated? (Isa. 43:10; Rom. 10:9, 10; “Lamp,” p. 76, par. 1) Who decides the amount of time you spend in service and how? (“Lamp,” p. 72, par. 1; p. 189, par. 2) How urgent is it to spend as much time as possible in preaching? (Matt. 24:14; “Lamp,” p. 210, par. 1) While we should never neglect Scriptural obligations, why must preaching take priority over personal interests? (Matt. 6:33; 1 Cor. 7:29-31; “Lamp,” p. 187, par. 1 to p. 189, par. 1) What part does pioneer service have in getting the preaching work done before the “great tribulation,” and how is it possible for many to share in it now? (“Lamp,” pp. 194, 195) Many are infirm, have health problems, family or other obligations. Still others are not yet able to attain the regular pioneer goals. How should these view such circumstances? (w66, p. 298, par. 20 to p. 299, par. 21; w67, pp. 80-82, pars. 4, 5, 8, 9 and 11; 3/68 “Kingdom Ministry,” “Question Box,” read last par.) If unable to become a regular pioneer, what other privilege is available? (“Lamp,” p. 199; w67, p. 83, par. 12) If unable to vacation or regular pioneer now, should this prevent one from joyfully preaching and worshiping whole-souled? (w68, p. 525, pars. 17, 18; w70, p. 434, par. 8; “Lamp,” p. 207, par. 3, first two sentences) What principles are enunciated in the following scriptures as to our service and worship of God regardless of our “status” in the organization? Luke 21:1-4; 2 Cor. 8:12; 10:12. How has our discussion helped us to avoid becoming complacent, not just offering “token service,” and yet remaining balanced Christians as: (1) publishers and (2) pioneers? (“Lamp,” p. 76, par. 2; p. 77, par. 1; p. 207, par. 3, read beginning with the third sentence; 6/68 “Kingdom Ministry,” “Question Box,” last par.)
10 min: “Are You Having Them All?” Two servants discuss article and local arrangements for public talks.
6 min: Accounts Servant’s Report. Inform the congregation how it is getting along toward meeting the suggested subscription goal. Also, suggest that all neatly fill out and turn in subscription slips promptly for forwarding weekly to the Society.
9 min: Concluding comments. Appropriate encouragement to vacation pioneer. Highlights of the local February report. Song 49.