in mind and knows what he is undertaking when making a dedication and being baptized, taking up the service of Jehovah. It is not advisable to try to study Chapter 6 as one would the Watchtower magazine, but the material can be talked over, perhaps making use of the subheadings as points to be discussed, and considering the scriptures. The time spent by the elders in going over this material is field service time and can be so reported. More than one elder may take turns in discussing the material with one person if desired.

AFTER BAPTISM

⁴ Much of the instructing of disciples is done following baptism. Jesus stressed the need to teach the newly baptized ones all his commandments. The publishers who are studying with people who get baptized should continue studying with them thereafter. This is part of our field service. The knowledge that a person can get from just one book we do not find to be sufficient to round out his spiritual training and fit him for the work to be done and the pressures that come upon those who serve Jehovah in these last days. We believe that at least two books should be studied with all persons who come into the truth. It is advisable to study the publication that will be most beneficial for the one who has just been baptized. So the study should continue after baptism until the second book has been completed. If you are studying with someone when he is baptized and are in the middle of a book, go right on with the study of that book until it is finished. During that period you will continue to report the study as a home Bible study and count the time spent in the service while doing this teaching work.

⁵ Newly baptized ones appreciate the close association with those who are their fellow servants, especially with the one who found them and has helped them through home Bible study. So we want to encourage more association. This includes taking the new ones out in the field service. It will be good, too, during this period if the elders and ministerial servants become better acquainted with the ones who are newly baptized, perhaps also going in field service with them. We hope the new ones will be attending all the congregation meetings, and will have much pleasure in association with others who are serving as disciples of Christ Jesus.

Help Your Brothers to Preach

¹ The reports from presiding overseers covering last service year’s activity reflect that a number of publishers have become inactive in our God-given work of preaching and teaching, while others are irregular in field service.

² Why have some drifted away or slowed down in sharing the truth with others? Was it tribulation or persecution? Was it the anxiety of this system of things or the deceptive power of riches? (Matt. 13:18-23) What can we do to help our brothers spiritually?

³ If some with your congregation are inactive in field service, perhaps even failing to attend the meetings of God’s people, what can you do to aid them? Go to them with a loving and helpful spirit; by getting them to talk, endeavor to determine the cause of their spiritual problem. Helping our brothers, which includes looking after those who are drifting away or need encouragement, is an essential part of our service to God. (Matt. 18:12-14; Acts 11:23) It may be possible to aid them to resume their active worship of God.

⁴ All elders and ministerial servants who serve as book study conductors should be alert to the spiritual needs of each one in their group. Reviewing the Publisher’s Record cards from time to time will enable them to be aware of trends developing with regard to a person’s field service. When an individual needs help or assistance, the study conductor should give him personal attention or enlist the aid of an experienced publisher.

⁵ If the problem is a failure to report field service, make a greater effort to encourage accurate, prompt reporting. Mention it at the book study near the end of the month and have report forms available there. By directly encouraging and arranging to work personally in field service with those who have become irregular, elders, ministerial servants and other publishers may aid many to regain their joy and satisfaction in doing the divine will.

⁶ During the visit of the circuit and district overseers, these brothers will be utilizing more of their time to aid inactive and irregular ones. Early in the week the traveling brother will observe how much aid has been given in the past few months and how it is currently being given. He will do what he can do to assist during his visit, as well as discuss arrangements with the elders for additional care and attention as needed after he leaves.

⁷ Never forget that we are to “work what is good toward all, but especially toward those related to us in the faith.”—Gal. 6:9, 10.

Offer for March—Any 50c Book

¹ Although we have all come to enjoy using the pocket-size books in our field service, we still have a considerable stock of the larger books on hand. Who could benefit from them?

² The fact is that, by studying these larger publications, many of us learned the truth. Others, too, can benefit from what they contain. So, instead of leaving them on our shelves, during March we are planning a concerted effort with a view to getting as many of them as possible into the hands of interested persons. Our literature offer during March will be any 50c book, with two free booklets. When you make placements, have in mind trying to start a home Bible study, possibly using one of the booklets that you place.

³ In addition to offering them in the field, it would be good to make a display of the books at the Kingdom Hall so that publishers and other interested persons who want copies for their library can obtain them before the stock is exhausted.

⁴ The Society has supplies of the following books: Man’s Salvation out of World Distress at Hand!, “The Nations Shall Know that I Am Jehovah”—How?, God’s Kingdom of a Thousand Years Has Approached, “Then Is Finished the Mystery of God,” and “Things in Which It Is Impossible for God to Lie.” If additional 50c books can be used, please order only what you feel you can place in the month of March. If it makes no difference which books are sent, please show that on your order. If your congregation has more stock on hand than it can place, contact nearby congregations to see if they might assist in getting these books into the hands of the public during March. These books could also be displayed at circuit assemblies in order to make them available to other individuals or congregations desiring them. If, before the end of March, your stock of 50c books is exhausted, publishers may use the pocket-size 25c books.