oppose. Do you put forth the effort to do this? It was not easy for Joshua or Caleb to stand alone when 10 others disagreed with the position of faith they took. And it was not easy for them to remain faithful when the majority of those who heard their report rejected it and threatened to stone them to death. Nevertheless, Joshua and Caleb stood firm because they were sure that Jehovah would protect them, as well as all of his faithful people.—Num. 13:30, 31; 14:6-10.

⁷ Many young members of the congregation will be returning to school this month. If you are one of these, you may face opposers who do not agree with you, just as Joshua did. When you are ridiculed or threatened because of your faith and your bold Christian stand, will you remain firm and continue to walk in Christian integrity? Will you also continue to show courage and reliance on Jehovah by boldly declaring the good news from house to house, as well as on other appropriate occasions? Admittedly, such courage and Christian faith calls for dependence on Jehovah.—Ps. 118:6; 55:22.

⁸ Because Joshua and Caleb had confidence that Jehovah would care for them, and because they followed his direction in faith, Jehovah said: “They have followed Jehovah wholly.” (Num. 32:12) Do you have that kind of faith and courage?

⁹ Joshua resolved: “As for me and my household, we shall serve Jehovah.” (Josh. 24:15) All of us, young members of the congregation as well as adults, should personally put forth the effort to be like Joshua. Always pray for Jehovah’s help. With his blessing we can be courageous and strong and serve in a way that brings honor to him.

Do Not Become Their Prey!

“Wicked men and impostors will advance from bad to worse, misleading and being misled.” (2 Tim. 3:13) So warn the Scriptures. And these impostors are trying not only to mislead in doctrinal matters but also to take advantage of the generosity of faithful brothers in a material way. From time to time notices have appeared in Our Kingdom Service giving warning of these deceivers, but the Society continues to receive reports of brothers being defrauded of money and material things because of believing the “hard-times” story of traveling impostors. Often their story is that they are stranded and need $50 or more to get gasoline and food for returning to their home. In most cases they are not Jehovah’s Witnesses at all but are only pretending to be.

Meetings to Help Us Make Disciples

WEEK STARTING AUGUST 31

10 min: Song 5. Local announcements.

20 min: Congregation secretary discusses letter of July 20, 1980, regarding new MEDICAL ALERT card. Distribute a copy of card to each in audience who wants one; then discuss what is to go in each blank. Stress need for neatness and having two witnesses sign. Letter can be placed on information board for a month and then retained in congregation file for future use.

15 min: “A Message of Hope!” Question-and-answer discussion with demonstration of paragraph 7. Pass out tract beforehand. As you consider the paragraphs, read corresponding page in tract.

15 min: Service overseer considers article on “New Literature Prices.” Song 119 and prayer.

WEEK STARTING SEPTEMBER 7

10 min: Song 85, local announcements, accounts report.

20 min: “A Loving Provision from Jehovah.” Question-and-answer consideration of article. Also allow time to ask congregation: (1) What obstacles do some face in getting to meetings on time? (2) How do they endeavor to effectively deal with such obstacles? (Eccl. 3:1) Also, consider problems our brothers have in other lands in order to attend meetings and how they overcome them. (See w79 8/15 pp. 10, 11; yb78 pp. 204, 205; w74 pp. 518, 519.)

15 min: Talk by service overseer on group field service. Commend brothers for fine support of weekend activity, especially first Sunday of each month. Discuss what field arrangements are in operation in the congregation. Point out benefits of working with the book study group: (1) closer bond of love, and (2) sharing ideas and learning from one another. Give suggestions on how to share regularly in group field service activity. (Also see June 1980, Our Kingdom Service.)

15 min: Relate encouraging experiences with HOPE tract. Remind brothers to bring June 15, 1980, Watchtower next week. Song 66 and prayer.

WEEK STARTING SEPTEMBER 14

10 min: Song 55, Announcements and local announcements.

15 min: Discuss main points of June 15, 1980, Watchtower pp. 5-7, “Why Must Christians Keep Separate from the World?”

15 min: Talk on June 15, 1980, Watchtower pp. 8-10, “What It Takes to Keep Separate from the World.”

15 min: Review highlights of latest circuit overseer’s visit; point out the progress being made in the congregation. Commend brothers and offer appropriate suggestions for further progress.

5 min: Song 88 and prayer.

WEEK STARTING SEPTEMBER 21

10 min: Song 60 and local announcements. Include experience having to do with tract work.

10 min: Consider article “Do Not Become Their Prey!” and Theocratic News.

12 min: Joshua, a Man of Strong Faith and Courage. If possible, have a father handle this part with a number of young children. Draw out the children and help them to see that Joshua was strong in faith and courageous. Use My Book of Bible Stories, stories 38, 43 and 45.

20 min: “Be Courageous and Strong.” Question-and-answer consideration of article. Also, arrange in advance to interview one or two of the younger members of the congregation concerning occasions when they have had to be courageous and strong in harmony with any of the points in the article.

8 min: Song 73 and prayer.

WEEK STARTING SEPTEMBER 28

10 min: Song 37. Local announcements. Make field service announcements, encouraging all who can to support field service arrangements for first Sunday of the month.

15 min: Arrange locally according to needs of congregation. Or a talk can be given, based on the July 1, 1980, Watchtower article “Have You Tried to Make Amends?”

15 min: The offer for October: Awake! subscription for a contribution of $2.50. The theme of the October 8 issue of Awake! is “How Can You Cope with Stress?” Have experienced publisher or pioneer demonstrate following presentation. After asking the householder what some of the things are that cause stress, direct the conversation to the current Topic for Conversation, “Reason and Remedy for World Woes.” Draw the attention of the householder to Revelation 12:12 and Romans 16:20, getting his comments on what these scriptures say.

A second brief demonstration can feature an article from magazine that appeals to the publisher, who expresses conviction that householder will be equally impressed with the practical information presented. Ask audience for their observations on effective points of the presentation or different articles they plan to feature.

Encourage all to keep presentations simple and uncomplicated, showing householders practical value of information in the magazines. Several issues of the magazine can be displayed to help householder see value of the subscription. Encourage the offering of subscriptions in house-to-house work, informal witnessing, when making return visits, and the offering of single issues if the subscription offer is not accepted.

15 min: “Presenting the Good News—On the First Sunday of the Month.” Questions and answers. Also include any encouraging experiences or expressions from local publishers concerning their work on the first Sunday of the month.

5 min: Song 89 and prayer.