Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, The Song of Solomon (set of three; congregation and public: $4.50; pioneers: $3.75)​—Japanese

Isaiah (set of four; congregation and public: $6.00; pioneers: $5.00)​—Spanish

Presenting the Good News​—Use Effective Introductions

¹ Much good can be accomplished in our field ministry if we have prepared effective introductions. If we do not get the attention of the householder at the outset so as to start a conversation or place literature with him, we may not stimulate sufficient interest to warrant a return visit with the goal of starting a home Bible study. Therefore, much depends on how effective our opening words are. How can we make our introductions more effective?

PURPOSE OF INTRODUCTIONS

² To start with, we must have clearly in mind the purpose of introductions. The School Guidebook says: “The introduction . . . should arouse interest in the subject. It ought to capture the attention of your audience and prepare them to give favorable consideration to what follows.” The book adds: “One of the best ways to arouse interest . . . is to get your audience involved.” (See page 113, paragraphs 1 and 2.) How can we do this in the field ministry?

³ The introductions found on pages 9-15 in the Reasoning book were prepared with the foregoing in mind. Analyze these. Note how they have been designed to capture interest and direct the attention of the householders to the subjects being considered. Many have used the introductions in the Reasoning book with good results. One sister said that by using a variety of introductions, her field service has become more enjoyable and she has been made more conscious of trying to engage people in conversations. Concerning the suggestions in the Reasoning book, she said: “They really work.”

⁴ What introductions have you found effective with the current Topic for Conversation? Have you tried those listed under the heading “Bible/​God” on page 10 of the Reasoning book? One of them can be used with our current Topic for Conversation as follows: “I am glad to find you at home. I am sharing with my neighbors an encouraging thought from the Bible. Have you ever wondered what makes religion have real value with God?” Another introduction could be: “We are encouraging folks to read their Bible. The answers that it gives to important questions often surprise people. For example, notice how 2 Timothy 3:1, 2, and 2Ti 3:5 shows why God does not accept some of the worship engaged in by religious people.”

⁵ You may find it appropriate to use other introductions in addition to those included in the Reasoning book. Much will depend on the types of persons you meet in your territory. However, you will find it beneficial to follow the pattern of the introductions given in the Reasoning book. They present issues that concern people. They get the householder involved in the conversation. They are brief and to the point. There is much benefit in carefully examining the introductions presented in the Reasoning book, even if at times your territory may call for introductions not included in the book.

⁶ On the other hand, using the introductions in the Reasoning book word for word has been very effective. Some have read appropriate introductions directly from their Reasoning book when speaking over the intercom in high-security buildings. This has enabled them to be fluent and to the point, and to capture the householder’s attention. They have been invited into the building to continue the conversation. In one large city, this method has been the most effective means of reaching people in high-security buildings.

⁷ We want to keep in mind how important our opening words are in the field ministry. So much depends on their effectiveness. Like Solomon, we too should thoroughly search for delightful words as we prepare to use effective introductions in our house-to-house work. The Reasoning book will help us in this search.​—Eccl. 12:9, 10.

Congregation Book Study

Schedule for congregation studies in the book United in Worship of the Only True God:

December 6: Pages 70, par. 1 to 74, par. 10

December 13: Pages 74, par. 11 to 80, par. 6

December 20: Pages 80, par. 7 to 82, par. 12

December 27: Pages 83, par. 13 to 90, par. 8

Study material is apportioned according to number of scriptures used. These should be read and applied as time allows.

Theocratic News

◆ The district convention in Aruba was attended by 960, and 21 were baptized.

◆ Two district conventions held in the Bahamas were attended by 2,334, with 34 baptized.

◆ Bolivia reported a fine month of activity in July with peaks of 5,401 publishers and 9,009 Bible studies. Congregation publishers averaged 13.6 hours in the field ministry.

Progressing With the Theocratic Ministry School

¹ We rejoice greatly that Jehovah has given us “the tongue of the taught ones.” (Isa. 50:4) The Theocratic Ministry School has been an important teaching instrument that Jehovah has used to provide us with theocratic education for more than 44 years. Now we have our new Theocratic Ministry School Schedule. Have you carefully reviewed the instructions for the school during 1988?

² The No. 1 assignment, Bible highlights, and No. 2 talk will follow the same pattern as during the previous year. But talks No. 3 and 4 will differ in that they will take us into two teaching aids we use extensively in the field ministry, namely, You Can Live Forever in Paradise on Earth and Reasoning From the Scriptures.

³ The No. 3 talk will be based alternately on the Reasoning book and the Live Forever book. When based on the Live Forever book, it should be assigned primarily to sisters who are new in the truth or younger in years. This will give them valuable experience and familiarity with this field instrument. The No. 4 talk will be regularly based on the Reasoning book.

⁴ As we prepare for the school each week, our progressively covering the Reasoning book will enable us to become much more familiar with what it contains, and then we will more readily think of using it when questions or objections arise. This will help us to become more effective in the field ministry as our educated tongue speaks the truth with greater persuasiveness.​—Compare Acts 17:2, 3.