• Showing Appreciation for the Ransom Provision
    Kingdom Ministry—1983 | March

    • 1982 issue of Our Kingdom Ministry on pages 3 and 4. You may want to review this information.

      INVITE OTHERS TO ATTEND

      6 We desire that our Bible students and other interested persons be present with us on this sacred occasion. Therefore, during March we will put forth a special effort to contact them personally, making good use of the Society’s printed invitations. You may be able to invite others by telephone or by writing letters. Make arrangements to provide transportation where appropriate and practical. Some have found it helpful to make a list of all interested persons that should be contacted. Once they have been called on, their names can be checked off. Be warmly enthusiastic when inviting these interested ones. Show them the Scriptural significance of this special occasion. Whet their appetite.

      7 We will want to arrive early on Tuesday evening, if possible, so that we can welcome the new and the inactive persons who may come. Make them feel at home and introduce them to others. Invite them to the special public talk that is scheduled for April 10. It is hoped that their attendance at the celebration of the Lord’s Evening Meal will be a stimulus that will encourage them to associate regularly with the congregation.

      8 How many of the more than 4 billion people on earth will come to appreciate their opportunity for everlasting life made possible by the ransom, we do not know. But we are assured that “a great crowd” of people will exercise faith in “the blood of the Lamb” and be saved. (Rev. 7:9, 10, 14) Last year 6,252,787 persons attended the Memorial worldwide! May Jehovah bless our efforts this year as we encourage thousands more to join us in showing appreciation for the ransom provision.

  • Presenting the Good News—With Older Publications
    Kingdom Ministry—1983 | March

    • Presenting the Good News—With Older Publications

      1 Truth does not lose its value with age. The truths stored in our heart and mind regarding God’s Kingdom are like priceless treasures, some old, some new. Christ Jesus exhorted his disciples to ‘bring out’ these new and old Kingdom truths in their work as ‘public instructors.’ (Matt. 13:52) Similarly today, Christ’s “faithful and discreet slave” has provided a variety of publications from which we have learned many things regarding the Kingdom. Some are new, some are old; but do you not agree that all our literature contains valuable information that can benefit the public? If so, then you will want to share in bringing out these printed Kingdom truths to the people in your territory during the month of March.

      2 The elders in your congregation will determine what older books are available and should be featured. They will announce this, and the brother overseeing the literature supplies will make them available to you. Be sure to pick up your supplies from the literature counter if you do not have them already. Bear in mind, though, that whatever literature we offer to the public should be clean and presentable.

      3 When using the Topic for Conversation, “Living Forever—Not Just a Dream!,” how will you present the literature offer? We believe that no matter which publications you offer, somewhere within their pages they will have comments dealing with the prize of everlasting life in a Paradise earth. Take a few moments to review the contents of the books you will present and decide what you will highlight following your Scriptural discussion.

      4 You may have many booklets in stock. If so, why not make an effort this month to carry some of these in your witnessing bag? If we have the subjects of the booklets in mind we will be ready to offer one of them to a person who manifests interest in a particular subject.

      5 Would you like to see the persons with whom you study the Bible deepen their Scriptural understanding and knowledge? Why not recommend that they read some of the older books? And, if you are newly associated with Jehovah’s organization and have not read some of these publications yourself, you may wish to add these to your library and read them or use them for reference as you have opportunity.

      6 If the congregation is overstocked with some publications and the elders decide that they will not be used within a reasonable time, then they may let other congregations in the area know what they have. To facilitate this, the circuit overseer can be given a list of the overstocked literature and he can inform other congregations as to what is available. For details regarding transfers of literature from one congregation to another, see page 8 of the current Watchtower Cost List.

      7 It is our prayer that the many fine books and booklets presently in our home or Kingdom Hall will be brought out and used this month of March to instruct those of the public who want to hear the good news of God’s Kingdom.

  • Question Box
    Kingdom Ministry—1983 | March

    • Question Box

      ● What two books should be studied with new Bible students?

      For some time now we have recommended that those conducting home Bible studies complete two of the Society’s books with the student in order that a full opportunity is provided for the student to come to an accurate knowledge of the truth. It was felt that the student should have not only a good understanding of the basic doctrines of the Bible but also a good grasp of what the Bible teaches concerning moral standards, Christian living and related matters. It is felt that this procedure should still continue. We want to do all we can to prepare our students for what lies ahead, providing them with a sound education in Jehovah’s purposes as well as high Christian standards and requirements. If a student is baptized before the study of two books is completed, then it would be good for the study to continue after his baptism. The time, return visits and study can be reported by the publisher until the completion of the second book.

      If the Bible study is being held in the latest book, You Can Live Forever in Paradise on Earth, then the second book can be “Let Your Kingdom Come.” If the first book being studied is “Let Your Kingdom Come,” then the second can be the Live Forever publication. Of course, in languages in which we do not have the above publications, the brothers will have to use what they have available.

  • December Service Report
    Kingdom Ministry—1983 | March

    • December Service Report

      Av. Av. Av. Av.

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

      Sp’l Pios. 404 131.4 93.4 53.8 5.8

      Pios. 22,807 84.8 53.5 32.2 3.5

      Aux. Pios. 18,711 59.9 37.3 18.9 1.7

      Pubs. 566,425 8.6 7.3 3.6 0.5

      TOTAL 608,347

      Newly Dedicated Ones Baptized: 3,033

      For the fourth month in a row we have had a new peak in regular pioneers. Compared with December a year ago, 32,390 more publishers reported. Let us ‘go on pleasing God and bearing fruit in every good work.’—Col. 1:10.