Announcements

● Literature offer for January and February: Any of the following 192-page books for a contribution of 50¢: Choosing, Commentary on James, “Eternal Purpose,” Evolution (old edition), Good News, Holy Spirit, Life Does Have a Purpose, Peace and Security (old edition), This Life, Truth, and World Government. Supplies of Choosing, Commentary on James, Holy Spirit, and Truth may be ordered from the Society. Congregations may request credit for all books placed over the counter during the campaign. March: You Can Live Forever in Paradise on Earth for a contribution of $2.50. Small-size books are $1.25. April and May: Watchtower subscription for one year for a contribution of $4.00. If subscription is not taken, offer two magazines and a brochure for 70¢.

● Starting in February at circuit assemblies, district overseers will give the public talk “You Can Enjoy Life in Peace Now.” The new public talk for circuit overseers will be “What It Means to Be a Spiritual Man.”

● Presiding overseer should arrange to have Medical Alert cards distributed at beginning of the Service Meeting the week of January 11. Brother handling announcements can give brief reminders concerning use of card as expressed in letter dated July 20, 1980. Brothers are encouraged to fill out card promptly and see that it is properly signed and dated.

● The new brochure “Look! I Am Making All Things New” will be considered at the Congregation Book Study beginning the week of February 15.

● New Publications Available:

Reasoning From the Scriptures​—Chinese

Worldwide Security Under the “Prince of Peace”​—Finnish, Japanese

Jehovah’s Witnesses​—Unitedly Doing God’s Will Worldwide—​Finnish, Japanese, Korean

“Look! I Am Making All Things New” (Brochure)​—Chichewa, Finnish, Greenlandic, Icelandic, Japanese, Kalanga, Shona, Thai, Ukrainian

● New Cassette Recordings Available:

To the Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians (single cassette; congregation and public: $2.00; pioneers: $1.75)​—Dutch

The First to the Thessalonians through To Philemon (single cassette; congregation and public: $2.00; pioneers: $1.75) ​—Dutch

Deuteronomy (set of two; congregation and public: $3.00; pioneers: $2.50)​—German

October Service Report

Av. Av. Av. Av.

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

Sp’l Pios. 288 127.4 96.9 53.9 5.7

Pios. 52,907 86.7 47.9 29.9 2.9

Aux. Pios. 43,542 60.4 35.1 17.2 1.4

Pubs. 628,785 9.6 7.1 3.7 0.4

TOTAL 725,522

Newly Dedicated Ones Baptized: 2,385

Could More Start a Bible Study?

¹ Are you presently conducting a home Bible study? If not, would you like to do so? Jesus emphasized that in addition to giving an initial witness, we must help interested persons grow spiritually. (John 4:39-42) Field service reports, however, show that many publishers have never had the privilege of conducting a home Bible study. Some who have done so previously are not conducting a study now.

² If we prepare for and conduct a Bible study on a regular basis, Jehovah will bless our endeavors. Ask those in the congregation who conduct productive Bible studies, and they will be quick to tell you of the great joy it brings.

³ The “Look!” brochure that we received at last summer’s district convention is an excellent aid in starting Bible studies. While the Live Forever book is our primary study publication, we can first lay a fine foundation by studying through this brochure. Then we can interest the householder in a more detailed study in the book.

HOW TO START A BIBLE STUDY

⁴ If sufficient interest is shown, there is no need to leave right after making a placement. A Bible study may be started right then. This can be done by reading together selected paragraphs and looking up and discussing key scriptures.

⁵ In some cases, although the householder may not accept the literature offer, he may show respect and appreciation for the Bible. Wherever such interest is noted, it may be appropriate to continue the conversation. Perhaps arrangements can be made to return and discuss the initial subject further or take up another Bible topic. Specific chapters of the Society’s publications, as well as portions of the Reasoning book, provide a wealth of information for such Bible conversations. At a future date, it may be possible to introduce a publication and suggest a formal study arrangement.

⁶ In addition to opportunities in the field ministry, have we endeavored to start Bible studies with neighbors, associates, or family members? While we may have done this previously, have we done so recently? Questions and concerns of workmates, schoolmates, and teachers may be progressively developed into Bible discussions and studies. A clear, concise, and encouraging Scriptural answer can demonstrate the value of the Bible. The study could be conducted at lunchtime, after work, after school, or whenever convenient, so as to help the individual to progress spiritually.

⁷ Preparation is essential. When making a return visit, be sure to have clearly in mind the material you are going to discuss. In preparing for the call, it would be good to focus on how each discussion can contribute to your goal of starting a home Bible study.

⁸ Acts 20:35 helps us to appreciate that much joy and happiness come from sharing what we have with others. Conducting a home Bible study affords an excellent opportunity to experience that joy. Let us make it our goal to share in this service.

Tract Distribution to Be Intensified

¹ It was in 1880 that Jehovah’s Witnesses in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, began to publish and distribute informative Bible tracts. Today, over one hundred years later, tract distribution continues to be a part of our public ministry. Its importance is emphasized in the corporate title Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society of Pennsylvania.​—Matt. 24:14

² In recent years a number of Kingdom News tracts have been published. Some of these were designed to introduce newly released books. With others, special effort was made to reach everyone in our territory with a brief, timely message. Many publishers use tracts consistently, giving them to all friendly householders and usually leaving one at each door where no one is at home. All of this has been outstandingly successful, stimulating interest in the Kingdom message and alerting people to the Bible’s message for our times.​—Ezek. 3:18, 19; Rev. 22:17.

³ In view of their proved effectiveness, a special effort will be made to increase tract distribution during the next few months. Kingdom News No. 30 (Is Planet Earth Near the Brink?) will be used in January. In February we will concentrate on the tract Are We Nearing Armageddon? During March we will feature Kingdom News No. 32 and in April Kingdom News No. 33. The Society will make some consignments of tracts, free of charge, to congregations in most of the large metropolitan areas of the country. Congregations that have supplies of tracts already on hand should use these up. They may wish to absorb the cost for such tracts, or they may request credit from the Society if they so desire. Since these items will be out of stock in Brooklyn, congregations desiring a supply of tracts should check with other nearby congregations.

⁴ These tracts contain important messages for the people in our territory. They may be used in connection with our regular house-to-house work with the magazines and the monthly literature offer. All are encouraged to carry a supply of tracts at all times and endeavor to leave a copy with each householder as well as at each not-at-home, making sure that it is out of sight of passersby. If a back issue of The Watchtower or Awake! is left under the door, a tract should be put with it. Tracts left when people are not at home may open the way for a stimulating conversation later.

⁵ Be sure to keep some on hand and offer a copy to business associates, people with whom you work, or teachers and fellow students at school. Offer them to relatives and neighbors as well. The tracts are particularly helpful when witnessing informally. New and younger publishers will find tract distribution to be a fine way to increase their share in spreading the Kingdom message.

⁶ May Jehovah bless our united endeavors to share fully in this special effort to sound the warning concerning things to come and to make known the good news.​—Isa. 52:7.

Presenting the Good News​—In a Tactful Way

¹ “Let your utterance be always with graciousness, seasoned with salt, so as to know how you ought to give an answer to each one.” (Col. 4:6) What fine advice the apostle Paul gave! We do well to keep his counsel in mind as we share the truth with others.​—2 Cor. 6:3.

IN HOUSE-TO-HOUSE MINISTRY

² Tact involves knowing what to do or say to maintain good relations with others and to avoid giving offense. In our door-to-door activity we meet people who tell us they are busy. If we see they are genuinely busy, we may just briefly offer the literature and tell them we would like to return on another occasion to talk with them. If they do not seem to be all that busy, we might say, “Then I will be brief.” Afterward, we can summarize what we had hoped to discuss, confining our comments to a minute or so.

³ At times we may meet householders who are rude. We do not want to be ill-mannered in our reply and “return evil for evil.” (Rom. 12:17) We need to be tactful, paying attention to the reminder at Proverbs 15:1: “An answer, when mild, turns away rage.” The material on pages 15-24 of the Reasoning book will help us to respond to householders in a mild, tactful way.

ON RETURN VISITS

⁴ Oftentimes when we call back on individuals who have taken literature, we find they have not looked into the publication at all. We want to encourage such people to read the literature they obtained. To do this we might tactfully point to interesting questions that the publication answers. This may whet their spiritual appetite and motivate them to look into the printed material they have.

⁵ Many of us have had the experience of making a definite appointment for a return visit, only to find that the person was not at home when we called back. While this is disappointing and may have cost us time and effort, when we meet the person again we should still be tactful in what we say. We can tell him we were sorry we did not find him home and mention that we will put forth a special effort to call again and that we look forward to a further Bible discussion.

ON BIBLE STUDIES

⁶ Individuals do not always prepare for their studies. When this is the case, we might take a little time to show them how to prepare. Or we might point out some of the things they could learn by preparing ahead of time. The study would move along faster, and they would make more progress.

⁷ An individual with whom we study may not be attending meetings as regularly as he should. We could discuss scriptures such as Psalm 133:1 or Hebrews 10:24, 25 and ask him how he understands these verses. Some publishers who came into the truth rather quickly may become impatient with those who make progress slowly. But we want to remember that individuals are not all alike, and so we need to exercise greater patience with some.

⁸ Paul told Timothy that “a slave of the Lord . . . needs to be gentle toward all, . . . instructing with mildness those not favorably disposed.” (2 Tim. 2:24, 25) If that is true of those “not favorably disposed,” those who have shown interest to the point of agreeing to study should certainly be dealt with in a mild and tactful way. This would include our children and others in our own family with whom we study.

⁹ As we present the good news from house to house, on return visits, or at Bible studies, may all of us copy the fine example of the Great Teacher, Jesus, who said of himself, “I am mild-tempered and lowly in heart.” (Matt. 11:29) We should display like qualities, being mild-tempered and tactful in our preaching and disciple-making work.

Theocratic News

◆ Antigua had a new peak of 225 publishers in August for a 14-percent increase, and Dominica had a peak of 233 for a 20-percent increase.

◆ Belgium was happy to conclude the past service year with a new peak of 22,202 publishers for August.

◆ Madagascar had a 20-percent increase in August with a new peak of 2,265 publishers, of which 121 were regular pioneers, also a peak.

Joyfully Enduring Trials Brings God’s Approval

¹ Jesus foretold that his followers would face persecution and hatred even as he did. (John 15:20; Matt. 24:9) While we do face such trials, many also endure trials such as economic and health problems and difficulties on the secular job or at school. How can we joyfully cope with such trials?

² The theme of our next series of circuit assemblies beginning February 1987 will be “Joyfully Enduring Trials Brings God’s Approval.” We will be helped to understand why we can expect trials, the benefits that come from enduring, and why we can be joyful. The public talk on the subject “You Can Enjoy Life in Peace Now” will be of special interest. The information presented will help interested persons appreciate the source of peace and how they can enjoy it now. All will want to make plans to be present both days.

³ Jesus found delight in doing his Father’s will, even though he faced persecution. By joyfully enduring trials to the point of death, he gained God’s approval. (Heb. 12:2) The new circuit assembly program will encourage us to copy his fine example.​—1 Pet. 1:21.