the field service, discuss it with others, or make personal application in other ways.

YOUNG PEOPLE AND PARENTS

⁵ A goal young ones should consider for the coming school year is to give an effective witness to teachers and classmates. Speaking of the School brochure, one young Witness said: “It has made it a lot easier for us to talk to teachers and fellow students about our beliefs.” Have you tried using this same method? You may have to muster courage, but you can be confident Jehovah will bless your efforts.

⁶ You young ones, make it a goal not to let unwholesome influences such as bad association, drugs, and immorality adversely affect you during the months ahead! Review the material in the August issue of Our Kingdom Ministry on using the School brochure, and let this help you through the tests of integrity you may face while at school.

⁷ There may be various aspects of your life and ministry that you would like to improve. Reaching goals set for yourself and your family will require a measure of sacrifice. But when you consider that the things of this world are “passing away,” you will want to make every effort to gain God’s approval. (1 John 2:17) So as you reflect on the past service year and look ahead to the new one now beginning, be determined to keep your own faith and that of your family strong. Set goals for yourself, and strive diligently to reach them.

Presenting the Good News​—Witnessing Informally

¹ While resting at Jacob’s well near Sychar, Jesus initiated a conversation with a Samaritan woman. (John 4:5-30) Though tired and thirsty from traveling, he gave a witness about the truth. It was an informal witness. Did it have good results? Most certainly! It led to many Samaritans’ putting faith in Jesus. (John 4:39-42) What a fine witness and what surprising results from that one informal conversation!

² Many today find informal witnessing an excellent way to spread the good news, and as a result, they have enjoyed thrilling experiences. Informal witnessing can be very productive. But you may ask where and when one can witness informally. How can it be done?

WHERE AND WHEN

³ One can witness informally in almost any set of circumstances or at any location. The important thing is to look for opportunities while going about our daily routine. Many publishers witness informally when going to and from work on public transportation or when traveling on vacation. Some take advantage of lunch breaks. Others look for appropriate occasions while shopping. One couple witnessed to the butcher at a supermarket, and when he showed interest in the truth, they arranged to continue the discussion at his home that same evening.

⁴ Infirm or ill publishers have had good success witnessing to visitors, medical personnel, and hospital attendants. (See w79 10/15 pp. 24-6.) Some brothers speak to visitors who call at their home. Others have had fine results approaching people enjoying the warm weather in public areas. Museums, airline or bus terminals, and other public facilities have proved to be excellent places for informal witnessing.

HOW TO DO IT

⁵ One Gilead student, a little nervous about witnessing informally, said: “I have often found that prayer helps when it is difficult for me to talk to people.” So look for ways to speak to people, and ask Jehovah to open the way. Then let zeal for Jehovah and the truth motivate you. Be friendly and warm when you approach individuals. Try to establish eye contact, and start a conversation on something that may be of mutual interest. Be considerate and kind, even if the person is not interested.

⁶ Of course, if possible, we want to leave an interested person with something to read. This means we should plan ahead and have tracts, magazines, booklets, or brochures available. Our new smaller-size tracts should prove to be valuable aids in informal witnessing. Some publishers have had excellent success in starting conversations by leaving brochures or magazines on their desk at work or on a table in their home. Such may catch the eye of a workmate or visitor and lead to an interesting discussion and fruitful witness.

⁷ Look for ways to witness informally. Carry tracts or other literature with you, and ask Jehovah to help you. Arrange to follow up all interest. Be sure to report the time as field service. By putting forth the effort as Jesus and the apostles did, Jehovah will bless you too in spreading the good news through informal witnessing.

Question Box

● Is it proper to circulate among the brothers private material on matters such as medical or counseling services?

With relation to Christian conduct, the apostle Paul wrote that the ‘congregation is a pillar and support of the truth.’ (1 Tim. 3:15) Thus, the congregation is not to be a channel for distribution of private material, whether through specially arranged meetings at the Kingdom Hall or elsewhere or in printed form or audio and video tapes.

The Watchtower and Awake! have offered fine information and advice on dealing with medical problems and on upholding God’s law about blood. They have also had Scripturally balanced articles on fears, depression, and other emotional problems. These articles have been provided to inform. But they do not endorse certain types of diagnosis, therapy, doctors, counselors, or treatment centers, as personal decisions must be made on such matters.​—See w82 6/15 pp. 22-9.

Since there are many of Jehovah’s Witnesses, some persons, including our brothers, have tried to promote their business and viewpoints by preparing articles, brochures, and tapes directed to those in the organization. These may be on topics of interest or concern, but why are they circulated? To develop clients, customers. Even if some are not distributed to gain business, they may well contain private views put in ‘theocratic language’ with Bible citations. Whether prepared by a Witness or not, the views may not be in line with the Bible and the Scriptural counsel given by elders but may be based on philosophy or the elementary things of the world.​—Col. 2:8; 1 Tim. 6:20.

Problems and confusion have resulted because brothers and sisters innocently passed on such privately prepared material. All of us, especially the elders, who work in harmony with “the faithful and discreet slave” and who are looked to for guidance, should want to avoid contributing to such difficulties. (Matt. 24:45) Nor should we promote someone’s business or ideas and philosophy by circulating such material among the brothers.​—See km 6/77 p. 4.

June Service Report

Av. Av. Av. Av.

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

Sp’l Pios. 252 124.5 86.5 52.5 5.7

Pios. 51,409 76.8 38.5 26.9 3.0

Aux. Pios. 33,403 59.3 29.7 16.0 1.5

Pubs. 634,622 9.8 6.7 3.7 0.5

TOTAL 719,686

Newly Dedicated Ones Baptized: 6,410