audience to page 56, paragraph 16; page 61, paragraph 26 and pages 77 and 78, paragraphs 7 and 9. (By involving audience in discussion, brother handling this part can stimulate much interest in using the Happiness book in the field.)

15 min: “Have You Worked Your Territory Thoroughly?” Questions and answers. To be handled by service overseer if possible. Encourage brothers to feel personally responsible for all people living in congregation’s assigned territory. Also refer to Watchtower 5/15/63, page 305; 4/1/71, pages 219-221; km 6/69, 6/74 and 4/79 for additional suggestions. Keep local needs in mind.

15 min: Using Summer Vacations Wisely. Encourage youths to use summer vacation time to expand their field activity. Interview school-age youths or others who plan to increase field activity or to auxiliary pioneer during summer months. If necessary, present convention information. Review congregation’s field service arrangements during week and on weekend, stressing Saturday magazine witnessing. Encourage all to share. Also make any necessary announcements.

Song 28 and prayer.

WEEK STARTING JUNE 28

Song 27

12 min: Announcements. This time may be used to present information prepared locally by the elders according to the needs of the congregation. If congregation has no particular needs, have elder give talk on “Do We Need Help to Understand the Bible?” See Watchtower 2/15/81, pages 16-19.

20 min: “Progressively Teaching the Truth.” Questions and answers. Following a discussion of the article, interview two or three brothers or sisters who have received progressive assistance in coming into the truth. Some may be able to mention how various ones in the congregation have helped them. Emphasize interest shown by others in their progress.

13 min: Convention information presented by convention coordinator. If time is not needed for convention information, an elder may give a talk on “Can You Be Contented with Your Lot in Life?” based on March 1, 1981, Watchtower, pages 4 through 7.

Encourage all to share in first-Sunday-of-the-month field service. Remind all to bring Happiness book to service meeting next week.

Song 95 and prayer.

Have You Worked Your Territory Thoroughly?

¹ How do you view the territory in which you preach? Does your work in the territory assigned reflect diligence and heartfelt interest in people or indifference and apathy? One diligent service overseer from Texas expressed his disciplined steadfastness this way: “Every time I knock on a new door I become obligated to another person.” Whether we regularly share in covering group or personal territory, we should display our deep concern for those “hungering and thirsting for righteousness.”—Matt. 5:6.

PERSONAL AND GROUP TERRITORY

² Establishing clearly defined territory boundaries is a God-directed arrangement. (2 Cor. 10:13; Gal. 2:9) Initially this ensures a more thorough witness being given. It also prevents much overlapping of effort that at times has resulted in irritated householders. In some instances several publishers unknowingly made return visits on the same householder. Thorough organization of territory coverage will help to alleviate this problem of duplicating our efforts.

³ While territory should periodically be worked by different publishers, some congregations arrange to have the same persons work a territory, or a selected portion thereof, several times. It may be advantageous to know the householder’s name. Also, householders are more inclined to open the door when the caller is someone they recognize.

⁴ When the same publishers work a territory it results in an economy of effort, time and expense. How so? First of all, the not-at-homes, return visits and Bible studies will be in a more confined area, not scattered about in a number of different territories requiring extensive travel. This, in turn, will create added incentive to call back on all those showing interest in our message. If you have been assigned a personal section of territory, why not put forth a diligent, organized effort to become acquainted with all those in your part of the “field.” (Matt. 13:38) In doing so, we reflect Jehovah’s own merciful attitude and recognize our personal accountability toward the lives of people in our community.—Jonah 4:11.

OFTEN-WORKED TERRITORY

⁵ Many publishers are finding an increasing number of not-at-homes when calling at conventional times. Rather than making a long list of homes to which we seldom return, in some areas publishers have immediately reworked the not-at-homes. A difference of an hour or two has resulted in finding some of these individuals who had stepped out momentarily at the time we first called. This prompt, systematic return to all not-at-homes will in effect extend the amount of available territory. Thus, large sections of territory are not needed, and such an arrangement is helpful when the congregation’s territory allotment is small.

⁶ If we take our responsibility seriously, we will want to be certain that all persons in our territory are visited. Persistence and a willingness to fulfill our commission are needed, particularly in rural territory, “difficult” or often-worked areas and those not easily accessible to us. This requires that we personally keep accurate records of our results at each door. Do not be satisfied with making just one return visit, but persist in calling several times where interest is shown. As a result of such steadfastness, one publisher now has 80 individuals on his magazine route and conducts a number of Bible studies.

⁷ Industriousness, diligence and determination are all qualities we must cultivate if we are to accomplish our ministry. (Ezek. 9:11; John 17:4) Our service to God should not be conducted in a casual, haphazard way. But, rather, our genuine love for Jehovah and our fellowman should motivate us to review carefully how we have been carrying out our preaching commission.

March Service Report

Av. Av. Av. Av.

Pubs. Hrs. Mags. R.V. Bi.St.

Sp’l Pios. 518 128.8 94.1 50.1 5.3

Pios. 18,760 87.5 66.2 34.9 3.6

Aux. Pios. 17,966 61.5 47.2 20.2 1.8

Pubs. 536,006 8.7 9.0 3.8 .5

TOTAL 573,250

Newly Dedicated Ones Baptized: 1,695

Total publishers for March up 26,556 over March of last year! This is an increase of nearly 5 percent and only 4,000 less than our all-time peak. Individual magazine placements were up more than one million for an increase of 20 percent. We pray for Jehovah’s continued blessing on the field ministry as we zealously speak with others about his glorious kingship.

Congregation Book Study

Schedule for congregation studies in the book God’s Kingdom of a Thousand Years Has Approached:

May 31: Pages 169* to 178*

June 7: Pages 178* to 186*

June 14: Pages 186* to 193†

June 21: Pages 194 to 201*

June 28: Pages 201* to 211

* To or from subheading.

† Include last paragraph on page.