Service Meetings for September
Week Starting September 1
10 min: Local announcements. Selected Announcements from Our Kingdom Ministry.
15 min: “Set the More Important Things First.” Questions and answers. As time permits, comment on “Setting Proper Priorities” in the February 22, 1987, Awake!, pages 8-9.
20 min: “Sharing With Others The Secret of Family Happiness.” A talk covering paragraphs 1 and 6-8. Demonstrate paragraphs 2-5. Stress thinking in terms of making disciples and reaching the goal of starting studies.
Song 107 and concluding prayer.
Week Starting September 8
10 min: Local announcements. Accounts report.
10 min: Local needs.
10 min: “Bible Studies That Produce Disciples.” Talk.
15 min: Elder discusses “Motivate Students Toward Dedication and Baptism” (km 6/96 insert, pars. 20-2) with experienced publishers who conduct studies.
Song 109 and concluding prayer.
Week Starting September 15
10 min: Local announcements.
15 min: Make Good Use of Videos. Review suggestions on use of Society’s videos and relate local experiences that illustrate how to make greater use of the videos, both in our families and in our ministry.
20 min: Are You Using the School Brochure? An elder discusses the October 1, 1985, Watchtower, pages 30-1, with some parents and children. They relate their personal experiences using the School brochure.
Song 112 and concluding prayer.
Week Starting September 22
8 min: Local announcements.
17 min: How to Start a Conversation. Much of our success in the ministry depends on our being able to engage other people in meaningful conversations. When we are able to say something that gets others to listen, we have overcome one of the biggest barriers we face in witnessing. Discuss with audience key points in the School Guidebook, study 16, paragraphs 11-14. Have publishers who are skilled and effective in starting conversations relate the opening words they use when speaking to such people as (1) a pedestrian on the street, (2) a passenger on a bus, (3) a clerk behind a counter, (4) a shopper in a parking lot, (5) a person on a park bench, and (6) someone being contacted in telephone witnessing.
20 min: Review Congregation’s 1997 Service Year Report. Service overseer commends congregation for fine effort, especially during March, April, and May. Offers suggestions from body of elders and last circuit overseer’s report to increase field service and Bible study activity. Outline some practical goals for the new service year, including starting and conducting Bible studies and auxiliary pioneering during months with five weekends—November, May, August.
Song 113 and concluding prayer.
Week Starting September 29
15 min: Local announcements. Remind all to turn in field service reports. Mention that we will begin studying the Family Happiness book next week at the book study. In preparation for magazine work in October, discuss the need to “Analyze Your Territory,” “Acquaint Yourself With the Magazines,” “Prepare Your Opening Words,” “Adapt to the Householder,” and “Assist One Another,” from the October 1996 Our Kingdom Ministry, page 8.
15 min: What Should a Christian Do When Called for Jury Duty? A talk by an elder on the April 1, 1997, Watchtower, pages 27-9.
15 min: Glorify Your Ministry. Audience discussion of Our Ministry book, pages 81-3. Ask these questions to highlight the main points: (1) How are we benefited by following Jesus’ example? (2) How important is our responsibility to preach? (3) What motives prompted us to dedicate our lives to Jehovah? (4) What kind of conduct is required if a person is to serve God? (5) What can we learn from the way Jesus preached?
Song 121 and concluding prayer.