Your Service Meetings

WEEK STARTING MARCH 10

12 min: Song 1. Introduction, text, comments and Theocratic News. Also, include accounts report.

15 min: “Get a Firm Hold on the Real Life.” Questions and answers.

23 min: How Real is Jehovah to You? Develop by questions and answers, with brief opening and concluding remarks by chairman: Do you feel close to Jehovah? As close as you do to a very dear relative or friend? even closer? We should strive to develop our relationship with our God by drawing closer to him each day. If Jehovah is real to us, then even though we may be in dire straits we can maintain integrity by fully relying on him.​—Ps 86:7.

Jehovah is real to those who base their faith on accurate knowledge. (Heb. 11:1, 2, 6; Rom. 1:20; John 4:24) Jehovah is real to those who know his qualities. Review page 266 of “Make Sure.” We draw close to Jehovah when we imitate his qualities. (Eph. 4:32-5:1) This requires a knowledge of His Word. (John 17:3; Prov. 2:1-6; 2 Tim. 3:16, 17) Jehovah is real to those who experience his dealings with them. (Heb. 11:17-38) Regular communication with Jehovah through prayer will draw us closer to him as we thoughtfully observe the way he answers our prayers and blesses our efforts in his service. (Ps. 65:2; Phil. 4:6, 7) We will be blessed as we cultivate the habit of relying fully on Jehovah. (Phil. 4:13) Then, as we work with him in his service, we can meditate on his goodness manifest in so many ways. (1 Thess. 5:17, 18; Eph. 5:20; 1 Pet. 4:7) By our obeying his commands and by daily meditating on his ways, Jehovah will be real to us. (Ps. 37:30, 31; 1:1-3)

10 min: Concluding comments. Include experiences on getting subscriptions. How has congregation done so far? Offer suggestions to build support for subscription activity. Encourage all to study Chapter 7 in “Peace and Security” book for next week’s part. Be sure to bring book to meeting. Song 24.

WEEK STARTING MARCH 17

12 min: Song 2. Introduction, text, comments and Branch Letter.

15 min: Proof We Are Living in the “Last Days.” All in congregation should bring their copies of the “Peace and Security” book with them for consideration of the material in Chapter 7. Chairman is to highlight four points listed in paragraph 4, then quickly cover information on point 1 in paragraphs 5-12. Chairman will propound appropriate questions on point 2, as developed in paragraphs 13-27, giving special attention to information on pages 82 and 83. Regarding point 3, apply Matthew 24:34. Also, ask study question on paragraph 29. What is the final signal, referred to in point 4? (Pars. 30, 31; 1 Thess. 5:2, 3; Luke 21:34, 35)

20 min: Satanic Pressure on Family Ties​—Test of Integrity. Audience discussion. Relate selected experiences from “1974 Yearbook” as time permits.

(1) When the Devil tried to break Job’s integrity, after destroying his property, what attack did he use next? (Job 1:18, 19) (2) Has he done anything like that in our day? (yb pp. 186-190, 119-121, 123) (Note: 860 known cases of children being taken from parents in Germany; yb p. 125) (3) What can parents do now to prepare their children so that they will be able to stand firm under such trials? (yb p. 187, par. 3; p. 188, par. 5; p. 125 par. 1) What may happen when children are not so prepared? (yb p. 170, par. 4) (4) How has the Devil used the natural affection that one has for one’s own marriage mate in an effort to break a person down? (yb p. 183, par. 3; pp. 125, 126, 185, 186) (5) What can marriage mates do to help each other to stand firm in the face of such trials? (yb pp. 120, 121; p. 186, par. 2) (6) To endure such trials, how must we feel about our relationship with Jehovah? (Luke 10:27; Job 2:10) What conviction must we have as to God’s ability to reward those who prove faithful? (Heb. 11:6; Rom. 8:38, 39; yb p. 180, par. 4) We must mentally prepare ourselves so that if need be we too can encourage our loved ones to faithfulness in the face of death. We must not be found ignorant of Satan’s designs.​—2 Cor. 2:11.

13 min: Concluding comments. Include material in Question Box. Also, ascertain if any children in congregation have had good experiences in field ministry or otherwise. If so, interview several of them. Song 8.

WEEK STARTING MARCH 24

8 min: Song 20. Introduction, text and comments.

12 min: Informal Witnessing. Talk based on “Presenting the Good News​—Informally.” In introduction ask how many came into truth through informal witnessing. Demonstrate points in paragraph 3. Entertain experiences.

15 min: “Showing Intense Love for One Another.” Question-and-answer coverage. Arrange several realistic demonstrations.

15 min: Maintaining Spiritual Strength in Prison. Audience discussion. Relate selected experiences from “1974 Yearbook” as time permits.

(1) Does one’s ability to stand firm under intense persecution depend on physical health, or what? (yb p. 176, par. 3; p. 207, par. 3) (2) What are the things that make us spiritually strong? (Draw from audience: Prayer. Study of God’s Word. Association with brothers. Preaching.) (yb p. 176, par. 4; p. 210, par. 2; pp. 170, 171) (3) How have our brothers availed themselves of the privilege of prayer when in prison? (w63, p. 439; w65 p. 763; yb p. 185, par. 2) (4) Where can we obtain literature for study when in prison or in a concentration camp? (yb pp. 191-194, p. 198, par. 5, to p. 199, par. 3) (5) How can a person fulfill this need to study God’s Word if no literature is available? (w65 pp. 761, 762; yb p. 191, par. 4; p. 164, par 4) (6) How has Jehovah filled the need of imprisoned brothers for association with fellow Christians? (yb pp. 193, 194; p. 183, par. 2) (7) In what ways is it possible for a brother or a sister in prison to preach to others? (yb pp. 128, 129, 190, 191) Our brothers in the concentration camps in Nazi Germany continually drew on the 124th Psalm. Read in conclusion.

10 min: Concluding comments. Include some thoughts on preparing new ones for field ministry during April. What is being done to prepare them? Discuss local arrangements. Urge all to prepare for next week’s part, “Identifying the Modern ‘Faithful and Discreet Slave’ Class.” Read pages 182-187 of “Life Everlasting” and Chapter 17 in “Thousand Years” book and bring both books to meeting next week. Encourage temporary pioneering during April. Song 7.

WEEK STARTING MARCH 31

10 min: Song 18. Introduction, text and comments.

25 min: Identifying the Modern “Faithful and Discreet Slave” Class.

If we are to prove ourselves loyal to Jehovah and his organization in spite of increasing pressures and obstacles to our worship, necessary to cooperate with and serve under direction of “faithful and discreet slave,” to whom ‘all the Master’s belongings’ have been entrusted. Thus vital to identify modern “slave” class.

(17 min.) Chairman to read Matthew 24:45-47. Ask audience to identify that “slave” today. Make sure following points are covered: (1) Noteworthy that Matthew 24:46 shows “slave” found providing food upon Master’s return. Explain. (ka pp. 342-347) (2) Historical evidence clear that at time of Christ’s second coming, in 1914, only one organization was feeding people spiritual food “at the proper time” and had its “identifying marks.” (w62, pp. 760, 761) (3) Scriptural credentials of “slave” strong. (w60, pp. 437, 438) (4) “Slave” not one person, but all the members of spirit-begotten ones on earth as class at any given time. (ka pp. 340, 341; li p. 183) “Slave” class provides food for individual members of anointed, the “domestics.” (li pp. 183-185) (5) Slave now enjoys new position; appointed over all Christ’s earthly belongings (Matt. 24:47), all the spiritual things that belong to him here on earth in connection with his established heavenly kingdom. (ka pp. 353-357) (6) As in first century, certain members of slave class selected to be governing body, which, directed by holy spirit, makes appointments of overseers and ministerial servants. (Acts 14:23; w71, pp. 755-762)

(8 min.) Get observations of audience on following points: How can we show we are deeply convinced that this is Jehovah’s organization and that no man, but Christ Jesus, is the appointed Head of it? How can we daily work with “slave” class, Christ’s “brothers,” yet on earth, loyally and willingly sharing in giving final witness? In what ways do we see need of Jehovah’s organization and wisdom of cooperating with it and its appointed elders and ministerial servants?

10 min: “Getting Ready for the Memorial.” Questions and answers.

5 min: Concluding comments. Build up appreciation and enthusiasm for the Memorial on Sunday. Review local arrangements and encourage all to support them fully for outstanding activity. Song 47.

WEEK STARTING APRIL 7

(Please make up your own service meeting.)

Suggestions: If you like, you may use one or more of the following suggestions: Offer thoughts on gift subscriptions, following through on all subscription promises, developing interest cultivated through the Memorial, and so forth.