Your Service Meetings
WEEK STARTING AUGUST 9
Theme: Show Appreciation for the Ministry. (1 Tim. 1:12) Song 40.
5 min: introduction, text and comments.
15 min: “Declaring the Good News in All Our Territory.” Audience discussion of main article.
20 min: “Young Men . . . Virgins, . . . Praise the Name of Jehovah.” (Ps. 148:12, 13)
(2 min.) Chairman discusses part parents have in training children, preparing them for ministry. Summer months provide excellent opportunity for witnessing.
(5 min.) Father and mother read with one or two small children portions of article “The One Who Made All Things” from June 15 “Watchtower,” particularly material on page 360. Chairman cuts off after they demonstrate how children are taught as parents read and discuss “Watchtower” articles with them.
(3 min.) Small child in previous part talks with neighbor child his own age whose parents have not taught him there is a God. Child who has been taught by parents answers questions of other child. (Base discussion on material on page 361.)
(1 min.) Chairman shows value of parents’ studying with their children at an early age. Older children who can take part in the ministry also need help.
(6 min.) Father and son talking. Father notes they will be working in the field service the following day and wonders if his son has any questions about what he will say. Son asks how to overcome objection common to local territory and father offers suggestions, then invites another member of the family to act as householder and offer objection so son may practice overcoming it.
(3 min.) Chairman urges all parents to follow through on such teaching and training. Also emphasizes importance of children’s engaging in field service so as to make wise use of time before returning to school.
3 min: Accounts report.
7 min: Branch Letter. Consider by having younger publisher stopping at home of older, sickly sister to read to her the Branch Letter and discuss it with her.
10 min: Concluding comments. Include local report for July and pertinent Announcements. Song 25.
WEEK STARTING AUGUST 16
Theme: Appreciating the Blessings of Christian Maturity. (1 Cor. 14:20) Song 94.
5 min: Introduction, text and comments.
25 min: Spiritual Maturity. (To be handled by audience discussion. Chairman can decide which scriptures he will emphasize.)
What is spiritual maturity? w63 p. 396; Eph. 4:13) What has Jehovah provided on which to base spiritual maturity? (2 Tim. 3:16, 17; John 17:17) How does one “press on to maturity” as Hebrews 6:1 encourages Christians to do? (Eph. 3:16-18; Josh. 1:8; Phil. 1:9; Prov. 2:4, 5) What does Jehovah provide to help us to “press on to maturity?” (Spirit: 1 Cor. 2:10-13: Luke 11:13; Jas. 1:5, 6; Rom. 12:12. Organization; spiritual food through publications: Matt. 24:45, w70, p. 30; w61, p. 190. Meetings and assemblies: Heb. 10:24, 25; w61, p. 190. Prayer: w63, p. 407; Rom. 12:12) From the standpoint of the ministry, how can we prove ourselves to be mature? (Jas. 1:22; John 13:17; 14:21; Matt. 24:14; 28:19, 20) What is the mature viewpoint toward this work of preaching that we should continue to cultivate? (Rom. 1:14-17; 1 Tim. 2:4; 2 Tim. 4:2; w61, pp. 190, 191) How can we demonstrate spiritual maturity in our relationships with others? (w63, pp. 398, 399, 403; Gal. 5:22, 23) How do the decisions we make show whether we are spiritually mature? (Heb. 5:14; 1 Cor. 14:20; 2 Tim. 2:15) How can we assist those interested in the truth of God’s Word to progress to spiritual maturity? (w70, pp. 208-217) How can a new publisher progress to maturity by engaging in the field ministry? (w65, pp. 274, 275) What mental attitude must we have to maintain our spiritual maturity? (Phil. 3:13-16)
15 min: Presenting the Good News. Talk, with demonstration of back-calls, using suggested methods.
5 min: Theocratic News. Book study servant, at home of publisher who has not been attending meetings, offers encouragement, stressing expansion world wide and the importance of being with our brothers regularly at the meetings.
10 min: Concluding comments. Remind publishers to review portions of last year’s “Kingdom Ministry” for next week’s part, “Do You Remember?” Song 74.
WEEK STARTING AUGUST 23
Theme: Declare Appreciation for Jehovah’s Provisions. (Ps. 40:5) Song 31.
5 min: Introduction, text and comments.
15 min: “Builders of Spirituality.” Audience discussion of article. Should be handled from the aspect of how congregation can make load of servants lighter by doing their part and what they can do to assist those with whom they study to support the meetings and to share regularly in the field service.
10 min: Local experiences enjoyed by vacation pioneers during service year.
20 min: Do You Remember? Audience discussion of articles from “Kingdom Ministry” in past year, September 1969 through August 1970. Chairman can handle this in a way that will cover matters most needed locally. Handle by subject, drawing out audience on specific points to be covered. He can give the audience the idea and let them complete it. One subject might be, “Starting and Conducting Studies.” (For information see “Kingdom Ministry” issues 9/69, p. 4; 10/69, p. 4; 11/69, pp. 2, 3; 2/70, pp. 1, 3; 3/70, p. 4; 4/70, p. 3; 5/70, p. 8; 6/70, p. 2; 7/70, p. 2; 8/70, p. 4) Those in audience can mention points that have helped them and relate brief experiences. Another subject could be vacation pioneering. (1/70 Insert, pp. 3-6; 5/70, p. 8; 6/70, p. 3; 8/70, p. 3)
10 min: Concluding comments. Song 110.
WEEK STARTING AUGUST 30
Theme: Preparing for the Approaching Millennial Peace. (Rev. 20:6) Song 67.
5 min: Introduction, text and comments and discussion of theme for month between two brothers. (See “Watchtower,” September 1, 1970.)
10 min: Avoiding Homosexuality. Talk by mature brother on material in 5/15/70 “Watchtower,” pages 311-316, emphasizing Jehovah’s view, as well as parental and individual responsibility.
20 min: Offering the “Evolution” book. Over two years since we have featured “Evolution” book as main offer from door to door. Children will be returning to school and can offer it to any teachers who did not receive it previously and to new classmates. Refer to the May 1968 “Kingdom Ministry” insert for suggestions. Demonstrate ways “Evolution” book can be placed, particularly using illustrations. Some may use illustration on page four, commenting that thinking people are concerned about where we came from. The scientific and Scriptural answer can be found in the book. Page 118 has a diagram explaining the miracle of human birth, attesting to the wisdom of God. Point out this diagram and then show also the illustration on page 123, which indicates the complicated navigational aids that man needs to accomplish what birds do by instinct. If some do not believe in evolution or are not interested in the subject, then refer to the illustrations on pages 183 and 185 using portions of the scriptures on these pages (Isaiah 11:6-9, Isaiah 65:21-23 and Psalm 37:10, 11, 29) to show what God has promised. Stress the positive promise of righteousness rather than wicked conditions that must be done away with.
Those giving a sermon to place the book may use whatever one they feel will best introduce the material locally.
15 min: Concluding comments. Include also “Question Box,” with brother assigned to a service meeting part inquiring as to whom he may use to handle portion of it. Song 105.