Your Service Meetings
WEEK STARTING AUGUST 11
12 min: Song 50. Introduction, text and comments, also Branch Letter.
3 min: Accounts report.
15 min: “Pursuing Peace in Jehovah’s Way.” Audience participation.
20 min: “Handling Family Problems Successfully.” Discussion based on April 22, 1974, “Awake!“ An elder might introduce this part, covering points on pages 3 to 5. Then several elders may continue discussion of pages 5 to 9 under “What Can a Wife Do?” Discussion should be on a positive note, highlighting scriptures and practical suggestions offered in article. Mention to congregation that April 22 “Awake!” will be discussed on next two service meetings.
10 min: Concluding comments. Discuss what can be done locally to encourage all interested persons to attend the special service meeting during the first week of September; be sure to notify all who attended the Memorial this past spring. Song 45.
WEEK STARTING AUGUST 18
10 min: Song 60. Introduction, text and comments, Announcements.
10 min: “Are You Conscious of It?” Question-and-answer discussion of article. Also Question Box, briefly.
15 min: Keeping in Touch with Brothers in Times of Pressure. Talk.
(2 min.) Always important for God’s people to keep in touch with one another, but especially in times of pressure. Faithfulness under pressure provides witness. (Luke 21:12, 13)
(12 min.) We can benefit from the experiences of our brothers in China and Germany as recorded in “1974 Yearbook.” (Cover as time allows.)
Consider the personal methods they used to keep in touch and to look after one another. (“yb,” p. 52, par. 4; p. 139, par. 3)
Willingness to endanger life to keep in touch. (“yb,” p. 52, pars. 1, 2; p. 162, par. 3)
In times of pressure do not neglect spiritual needs. (“yb,” p. 54, par. 3; p. 139, par. 4)
Physical needs may need consideration also. (“yb,” p. 176, par. 4; p. 207, par. 3)
(1 min.) Pressures continue to mount due to nationalism, health problems, opposition within family, economic stress, and we need to apply these principles. By helping one another to keep in touch now, we prepare for future pressures.—Gal. 6:10.
15 min: “Handling Family Problems Successfully.” Discussion of pages 9 to 12 of April 22 “Awake!”—“What Husbands Can Do.” Elders continue discussion from previous week, covering questions or problems that can arise in families.
10 min: Concluding comments. Discuss: Have all persons with whom we conduct studies, and all others who have attended any meetings in recent months, been invited to the special service meeting during the first week of September? Remind elders to read article “Elders’ Meeting During Circuit Overseer’s Visit.” Song 44.
WEEK STARTING AUGUST 25
12 min: Song 63. Introduction, text and comments, also Theocratic News.
12 min: Discussion of “Presenting the Good News—Through Christian Conduct and Dress.”
15 min: “Handling Family Problems Successfully.” In response to their request, one or two elders call on family of publishers recently baptized. Parents are having problems with children in school and home and do not have background in truth as yet to handle situation. Elders review with them points under “What Can We Do with Our Children?”, pages 13 to 16 of April 22 “Awake!”
10 min: The “Evolution” Book—September’s Offer.
(3 min.) Comment on value of book and ways it can be placed. (See August 1971 “Kingdom Ministry.”)
(7 min.) Ask for suggestions from audience on how they have placed book or plan to present it this year, including some by children. (Have some comments planned in advance.) Include a brief demonstration of offer.
11 min: Concluding comments. Remind brothers that field service and Bible study reports for August should be turned in by Sunday. Outline any special arrangements for witnessing over holiday weekend. Encourage reminding all interested persons of special service meeting next week. Mention that a second special meeting will be held the following week; all who are already dedicated and baptized publishers are urged to make special effort to be present. Song 55.
WEEK STARTING SEPTEMBER 1
Special meeting for all newly interested ones.
25 min: Song 23. After the song, extend warm welcome to all who are present. Then proceed directly with a discourse covering the material in paragraphs 1-7 of “A Letter from People Who Care,” found in the “Kingdom Ministry” insert. Include scriptures, as time permits, possibly inviting some in the audience to read them. To be handled by one of the elders.
15 min: Base this portion on material found in paragraphs 1-4 under the heading “A Time for Action” in “A Letter from People Who Care.” To be handled by qualified brother, an elder if possible. (1) Discuss value of having a home Bible study; explain that it is free of charge. Urge those who are studying to be regular to get full benefit, also to prepare in advance. (2) Bible shows that changes are needed in our lives in order to have an approved relationship with God. Encourage new ones not to let feeling of inability to make change hold them back. Appreciate loving help that Jehovah provides. Interview some now in congregation who at one time had personal problems or opposition that they thought they could not surmount but who did it so they could serve Jehovah; do this briefly. (3) Point out value of regular attendance at congregation meetings. Explain that no collections are ever taken; no dues; we are interested in helping people to know Jehovah and benefit from his loving provisions. Tell what meetings the congregation has, when and where. Mention subject of public talk for the week. If any have questions, urge them to speak to others present this evening.
15 min: Two elders have earnest discussion, using Bible and basing comments on material in paragraphs 5-9 under the heading “A Time for Action’’ in “A Letter from People Who Care.” (1) Discuss why we engage in field service; how new ones are assisted to share. Help them to realize that no one is pushing them, but we are willing to help if they want to serve Jehovah. (2) From the Bible, discuss dedication and baptism. Point out its seriousness, but show that it is no guarantee of salvation. Emphasize seriousness of the times in which we live; need to act. Conclude with warm appeal to appreciate value of approved relationship with God.
5 min: Concluding comments by the elder who opened the meeting. Before the song, distribute to all unbaptized persons present who are at least ten years of age a copy of the special letter dated September 1. If you do not have enough, be sure that at least one copy is provided for each household. (After the meeting, any extra copies may be distributed, on the basis of one per household, to baptized publishers in the audience; if very few are available, be sure to put one on the information board.) Encourage new ones to take letter home, to read it carefully and to look up the scriptures. Help them to realize that, if they are really interested in being among those who will live in God’s new order, now is the time to take action. Assure them of loving concern of congregation.
Announce special meeting for next week; tell newly interested ones that we welcome them to attend. Song 119.
WEEK STARTING SEPTEMBER 8
Special meeting for all dedicated, baptized publishers.
10 min: Song 8. After the song, extend a warm welcome to all who are present. Then proceed directly to cover, as introductory comments, the points in paragraphs 1-3 of the letter in the “Kingdom Ministry” insert “To All Dedicated Servants of Jehovah.”
15 min: Two elders have earnest discussion, basing comments on material in insert under the heading “Discharging Our Responsibility Toward the World of Mankind.” Study the material carefully, prepare well, so as to convey the balanced Scriptural view set out here, along with the note of urgency. Include brief comments on what the congregation as a whole did during the past service year. Show how the report, and the meeting attendance last week, indicate work yet to be done. Encourage publishers personally to speak to new ones who were present the preceding week, offering to be of help to them. In connection with some paragraphs, brief interviews or local experiences may emphasize what is being done locally or what local needs are.
25 min: Elder to cover as a discourse the material in insert under the heading “Preserving Fine Conduct.” Invite audience to read some of the scriptures. Convey the seriousness of the matter, but handle in such a manner that the audience is built up, feeling encouraged to move ahead.
10 min: Discuss arrangements for field service for the coming week; encourage all to share to full extent that their circumstances permit; if any new ones desire to get started, encourage them to talk to one of the elders about it. Before the song, distribute to each dedicated and baptized publisher a copy of the letter “To All Dedicated Servants of Jehovah.” Any extra copies may be distributed, on the basis of one per household, to others who are present. Song 66.