Watch Tower Publications Index 1950-1985​—Greek

You Can Live Forever in Paradise on Earth (Small size)​—Ndonga, Slovak, Tamil

Bible Topics for Discussion​—Polish, Russian

Enjoy Life on Earth Forever!​—Mahorian

How Can Blood Save Your Life?​—Japanese

Jehovah’s Witnesses in the Twentieth Century​—Croatian, Serbian

“Look! I Am Making All Things New” (Brochure)​—Basque

School and Jehovah’s Witnesses​—Polish

Should You Believe in the Trinity?​—Hindi, Romanian, Tamil

Tract No. 15​—Laotian

● The following publication is now available in grade-one French Braille:

How Can Blood Save Your Life? (one volume)

● The following publications are now available in grade-one German Braille:

A Secure Future​—How You Can Find It (one volume)

Is There a God Who Cares? (one volume)

Jehovah’s Witnesses​—Unitedly Doing God’s Will Worldwide (one volume)

“Look! I Am Making All Things New” (one volume)

● The following publication is now available in grade-one Spanish Braille:

How Can Blood Save Your Life? (one volume)

Mark requests for Braille publications, ATTENTION: BRAILLE DESK. Include name and address of the person that will use the Braille material.

Question Box

● Why is it important to finish studying two books thoroughly with new disciples even if they get baptized before the second book is finished?

Jehovah is blessing his organization with an influx of new ones who are flocking to the congregations. We rejoice to see this great ingathering. However, we appreciate that these sheeplike people need continuing assistance and direction in learning to serve Jehovah.

New ones need help to come to an accurate knowledge of the truth. (Col. 1:9, 10) We have the privilege to aid them in gaining a good understanding of basic doctrines of the Bible and a good grasp of what the Bible teaches concerning moral standards, Christian living, and related matters. This will help them to be firmly established in the truth so as to overcome whatever tests may lie ahead.

Students also need to become full-grown in their powers of understanding. (1 Cor. 14:20) Experience has shown that to achieve the stature of a spiritually full-grown man, a personal Bible study with a teacher is helpful. Thus, even though a person may get baptized before completing his study of two books, wisdom dictates that his home Bible study should continue until he has completed the study of both books.

AFTER BAPTISM

Jesus said we should make disciples​—baptizing and teaching them. (Matt. 28:19, 20) Much of the instructing of disciples is done following baptism. The knowledge that a person can get from just one book is not usually sufficient to round out his spiritual training. Additional instruction is needed to fit him for the work of the ministry and equip him to resist the pressures that come upon those who serve Jehovah in these last days. Failure to provide sufficient training may leave the student unprepared spiritually to stand on his own. After a new one is baptized, we continue helping him to make further progress whether he has finished studying two books or not. The first publication studied provides understanding on fundamentals. The second publication covers Christian qualities. These publications may be the Live Forever book and then either the United in Worship book or the True Peace book. If these books are not available, others containing similar information may be used. Continuing the Bible study until the second book is finished provides a sound education in Jehovah’s purposes as well as his high Christian standards and requirements. This helps the new one to understand the meaning of Christian principles and become firmly rooted in the faith. (Col. 2:7) For further details and information on reporting such studies, see the Question Box in the November 1987 Our Kingdom Ministry.

Of course, after baptism new ones should be expected to make spiritual progress. (Heb. 6:1-3) In most cases it does not take long to finish the second book. The new person is thus provided with a solid foundation.

Presenting the Good News​—On Holidays

¹ Although many celebrations associated with Christmas and the New Year have pagan origins, over a billion professed Christians observe these holidays every year. Many people sincerely believe that these observances are approved by God. How can we reach the hearts of such ones with the good news during the holiday season?

BE CONSIDERATE AND RESPECTFUL

² The elders make special arrangements for holiday witnessing, since many of us have time off from secular work. The time for beginning house-to-house work should be adjusted out of consideration for those householders who may be sleeping later than usual on these days.

³ As we carry on our ministry, we will likely find a number of people quite occupied with visitors and meal preparations. Recognizing that it is a special time for them, we can respectfully make our comments brief and to the point. Christian courtesy on our part may open the way for a further witness in the future.

⁴ We do not share in worldly religious celebrations, and we do not exchange traditional holiday greetings. Therefore, tact is needed in how we react to such greetings. There is no need to make an issue of the greeting, but in most cases we can simply thank the householder for his good wishes. If people inquire about our belief, we can assure them that we honor Christ Jesus, since that is required of those who honor God. (John 5:23) However, many holiday customs do not honor either Christ or God. If individuals desire more information at that time or later, we can share with them the material in the Reasoning book on pages 176-8 and 180.

INTRODUCTIONS

⁵ Since the Christmas holidays are religious in nature, we may find many people who are more inclined to talk about God at this time than at any other time of the year. We can take advantage of this fact in our introduction. For example, we might say: “Millions of persons throughout the earth are celebrating Christmas and New Year’s Day. Do you think that these festivities are bringing people closer to God?” Whether the householder feels that the observances are good or bad, after acknowledging his comments, we could say: “Many people wish that they had a better relationship with God, perhaps feeling that God is somewhat distant from them. Happily, God himself invites us to search for him.” Then proceed with the Topic for Conversation.

⁶ Taking another approach, we could say: “During this Christmas season, we often hear people express the hope that there will be peace on earth and goodwill toward men. Do you think God will bring peace to the earth in our time?” Thereafter we can go on to show that Jesus Christ is the foretold “Prince of Peace.” (Isa. 9:6, 7) As the appointed Ruler in God’s government, Christ will soon take action to bring lasting peace to the earth.​—Dan. 2:44; Rev. 21:3-5.

⁷ Though most people are apathetic toward the Kingdom message and take delight in their false religious holidays, Jehovah will most certainly bless our efforts to find truth seekers, for he himself “is looking for suchlike ones to worship him,” and he will direct them to his organization.​—John 4:23, 24.

Theocratic News

◆ Alaska reached a new peak of 2,053 publishers in July, a 12-percent increase over last year’s average. Peak attendance at the “Pure Language” District Convention in July was 2,929 with 50 baptized.

◆ Fiji had their 67th consecutive publisher peak in July with 1,534 reporting. Bible studies increased to 2,605.

◆ As of September 1990, the country of French Guiana in the northern part of South America has a branch office of the Watch Tower Society. They had a new peak of 660 publishers in July, and their district convention was attended by 1,479 with 41 baptized.

September Service Report

Av. Av. Av. Av.

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

Sp’l Pios. 218 124.0 86.6 52.3 5.4

Pios. 65,480 82.1 40.2 25.8 2.5

Aux. Pios. 36,079 59.0 29.1 15.4 1.3

Pubs. 723,111 10.1 6.7 3.7 0.5

TOTAL 824,888

Newly Dedicated Ones Baptized: 2,314