1960_Preaching and Teaching in Peace and Unity (Głoszenie i nauczanie w pokoju i jedności).docx

PREACHING
AND TEACHING
IN PEACE
AND UNITY

"Seek peace and pursue it.
For Jehovah's eyes are upon the righteous."
 — 1 Pet. 3:11, 12.
 

ISSUED JANUARY 1, 1960, BY THE
WATCH TOWER BIBLE AND TRACT SOCIETY
OF PENNSYLVANIA
BROOKLYN, N.Y.

To the Minister of Jehovah's Kingdom

This booklet Preaching and Teaching in Peace and Unity is written for persons dedicated to the Sovereign Ruler of the universe, Jehovah God, through Jesus Christ. By your study of the Bible and such Bible helps as are distributed by the Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society of Pennsylvania you fully appreciate that Jehovah has a theocratic organization. In times past he has worked with his organization of dedicated people on earth in order to accomplish his purpose. Today he is doing the same thing. Jehovah's witnesses are his name people, and these have been charged with preaching "this good news of the kingdom ... in all the inhabited earth for the purpose of a witness." To all persons who have dedicated their lives to God and symbolized this by water immersion and who have taken up his service, this booklet is issued.

This booklet offers practical recommendations on how to carry out one's Christian ministry in peace and unity with his fellow witnesses. That each one may appreciate the Scriptural arrangement of Jehovah's visible organization, every dedicated witness should read this booklet carefully, study it and then, as far as possible in his circumstances, work in harmony with this organization and these arrangements. When all of God's ministers understand the various arrangements for helping those in the organization, the whole organization will run with greater smoothness and all will be able to cooperate better with persons that have responsibilities as to the direction of the work. Individually everyone dedicated wants to praise the name of the One to whom he is dedicated, and we know that greater accomplishment will come from this if we do our preaching and teaching in peace and unity to the honor and glory of Jehovah's name.
From time to time this booklet should be studied in the service meetings of the local congregation in order that all may keep the procedures of the theocratic organization clearly in mind and that new Kingdom ministers may become well acquainted with it, for Jehovah is using this visible organization in this day to fulfill his purpose.

This booklet has been issued to:

____________________________________________________
(Name of ordained minister)

____________________________________________________
(Street address)

____________________________________________________
(City and State, or Province)

____________________________________________________
(Signature of overseer who issued this booklet)

PREACHING AND TEACHING
IN PEACE AND UNITY

CHRISTIANS who have dedicated themselves to Jehovah God know that over 1900 years ago he sent his only-begotten Son into the world so that those exercising faith in him might have everlasting life. This Son, Christ Jesus, became Jehovah's chief Minister and Witness and fulfilled the prophecy of Isaiah 61:1, 2: "The spirit of the Lord Jehovah is upon me, for the reason that Jehovah has anointed me to tell good news to the meek ones. He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to call out liberty to those taken captive and the wide opening of the eyes even to the prisoners; to call out the year of good will on the part of Jehovah and the day of vengeance on the part of our God; to comfort all the mourning ones." This Christ Jesus surely did after his baptism in the river Jordan. It was there that he symbolized his dedication to the new service of Jehovah, his Father.

2 Now that we have dedicated our lives we must study the pattern that Christ Jesus set and then walk in his footsteps. Outstanding in his ministry was the proclamation: "The kingdom of the heavens has drawn near." (Matt. 4:17) Jesus knew that his followers must spread this good news of the Kingdom far and wide, to all nations, and he commanded them: "Go therefore and make disciples of people of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the holy spirit, teaching them to observe all the things I have commanded you. And, look! I am with you all the days until the consummation of the system of things." (Matt. 28:19, 20) His faithful followers right down to this day have followed out this command.

3 Now at the consummation of the system of things we see Jehovah God raising up his modern ministers known as Jehovah's witnesses, and these are formed into a New World society. They are commissioned to "preach the word." Christ Jesus has come again and he is on his throne in the kingdom of the heavens. That is why Paul was so sincere in saying to a young minister, as recorded in 2 Timothy 4:1, 2: "I earnestly beg you before God and Christ Jesus, who is destined to judge the living and the dead, and by his manifes-

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tation and his kingdom, Preach the word, be at it urgently in favorable season, in troublesome season."

INDIVIDUAL RESPONSIBILITY

4 No matter what conditions exist throughout the world Jehovah's witnesses continue to go forth preaching together in unity and teaching that Jehovah's kingdom is the only hope for all mankind. Because of their earnest efforts in fulfilling Jehovah's command, the "other sheep" that Jesus said would be gathered are being brought together into one flock under one Shepherd in the New World society. All these dedicated servants of Jehovah God are ministers, and they want to preach and teach together in unity. — 1 Pet. 2:21; John 18:37.

5 The world does not like our message, because it is God's message, and Satan "has blinded the minds of the unbelievers, that the illumination of the glorious good news about the Christ, who is the image of God, might not shine through." (2 Cor. 4:4) Therefore persecution and great pressure are brought to bear on persons who preach this good news of the Kingdom by those who oppose the message. No matter what happens the responsibility is upon us to go forward preaching the good news, because we have dedicated our lives to serve Jehovah. "Now we are not the kind that shrink back to destruction, but the kind that have faith to the preserving alive of the soul." (Heb. 10:39) We have declared ourselves as Jehovah's witnesses and therefore we must continue to preach as such. Jehovah himself has declared, "You are my witnesses." In carrying out our God-given assignment "each one will carry his own load of responsibility," while working closely with Jehovah's organization. — Isa. 43:8-12; Gal. 6:5.

6 There are many things that we must do in order to prove our ministry and be able to carry out our work in peace and unity with the others of Jehovah's witnesses in the theocratic organization. We must come to an accurate knowledge of the Word of God and obey it. We must not forsake the gathering of ourselves together, because by attending and participating in meetings we shall be able to incite others to love and right works. We must press on to maturity. Our attendance at meetings of Jehovah's people is essential to spiritual health and united activity. — Heb. 10:25; 6:1.

7 Cooperation with the service agency of Jehovah's witnesses, the Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society, is necessary. This Society has been used by the "faithful and dis-

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creet slave" in dispensing knowledge to the household of faith for many years, and Jehovah's blessing on that arrangement is very manifest. Support the local congregation arrangements for Bible study and field service activity, which is carried on under the supervision of the Society and under the direction of the appointed servants. The Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society is interested in only one thing: the preaching of Jehovah's kingdom world-wide, which is in vindication of Jehovah's name and Word.

8 God's Word tells us: "Pay constant attention to yourself and to your teaching." (1 Tim. 4:16) A minister teaches, and in order to teach it will be each one's responsibility, if possible, to go from house to house and preach this good news of the Kingdom. On finding interested persons make back-calls on them, and if they are truly delighted with the message of the Kingdom, start a home Bible study with them. If you have paid constant attention to yourself by attending all the meetings of the Society's local congregation, you will be a fine, well-qualified teacher and can help these other sheep to see their own responsibility in these last days of the present system of things.

9 All of Jehovah's dedicated witnesses are full-time ministers, every aspect of their life being affected by their ministry. When eating, drinking, caring for their families and doing secular work, as well as when studying God's Word, attending meetings and engaging in the actual preaching and teaching work, they "work at it whole-souled as to Jehovah." (Col. 3:23) Each one must maintain a proper balance in caring for all the various responsibilities that fall upon him as a Christian, doing "all things for God's glory." —1 Cor. 10:31; 1 Tim. 5:8.

"WITH THE MOUTH ONE MAKES PUBLIC DECLARATION"

10 If we seek first the Kingdom and Jehovah's righteousness and want to tell other people about it, it will require time in Jehovah's service — time in going from house to house so that we can publicly declare the Word of God by our mouths. It is essential that each one make public declaration for salvation. (Rom. 10:9, 10) In addition to each one's making this public declaration by word of mouth, the Society has published printed sermons in books, booklets and magazines. These, along with God's Word, the Bible, should be presented to the people so that, when the minister is not at the home to do the talking, the persons interested in God's

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Word can read and study on their own. We want these people to think like Paul, who wrote: "We also thank God incessantly, because when you received God's word which you heard from us you accepted it, not as the word of men, but, just as it truthfully is, as the word of God, which is also at work in you believers." —1 Thess. 2:13.

11 Jehovah's witnesses are all interested in using the same method of preaching and teaching as that employed by Jesus and his disciples 1900 years ago. Jehovah's chief Witness preached the kingdom of God at the homes of the people and publicly. It made no difference to him whether few were in his hearing or many. (Matt. 9:35; Mark 6:32-34; Luke 5:1-3; 8:1) Jesus having set the pattern, the disciples followed him by preaching in the same manner. (Luke 10:1-5; Acts 5:42; 20:20, 21) Jehovah's witnesses today can do no better, for the best way for them to preach this good news is to go directly to the people's homes, call again and again if they show interest, starting a free home Bible study. If the persons we find are other sheep and are to be gathered to Jehovah's New World society, then we should continue to call on them, having the same idea in mind that Paul had, namely, a "view to the training of the holy ones for ministerial work." (Eph. 4:12) Thousands upon thousands of persons upon whom we call will appreciate that "this undeserved kindness was given, that [they] should declare to the nations the good news." — Eph. 3:8.

12 It is not our purpose as Jehovah's witnesses to convert the world. Jehovah's witnesses fully realize that it is impossible to do this and that their burden of responsibility is to proclaim the Kingdom message throughout all the inhabited earth for a witness and seek to help persons who are of good will toward God and upright in heart so that they, too, may learn of Jehovah's purposes. (Ps. 64:10; Matt. 24:14) In doing this work Jehovah's witnesses are not salesmen or peddlers of the Word of God, but they do use Bibles, books, booklets, magazines, tracts and other printed material, leaving these with interested persons for a small contribution sufficient to cover the cost of printing and handling these publications. Many of the persons met in the witnessing work are unable to contribute, and so millions of copies of booklets, magazines and tracts are given away yearly so that these persons, too, can be comforted. The work of the Watch Tower Society and Jehovah's witnesses is not a commercial work. The publications are printed so that we can carry out to a

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fuller extent our responsibility of preaching this good news of the Kingdom in all the world for a witness. — 2 Cor. 2:17.

13 Having this glorious treasure of service and having the privilege of acting as representatives for Jehovah God, Jehovah's witnesses will at all times conduct themselves as ministers in a manner befitting their representation of the Sovereign Ruler of the universe and his kingdom. Therefore, their appearance will always be one of neatness and cleanliness. Their words will be gracious and they will speak in a kindly manner to the people. They will always have in mind that they are Jehovah's representatives and will act as such: "In no way are we giving any cause for stumbling, that our ministry might not be found fault with." (2 Cor. 6:3) Our message and deportment will be as "ambassadors substituting for Christ, as though God were making entreaty through us." — 2 Cor. 5:20.

TERRITORY

14 Each congregation of Jehovah's witnesses is assigned a certain section of the country, which we call the congregation's territory. The congregation should see to it that this territory is worked thoroughly as many times through the year as possible. An effort should be made to witness to the occupants of every home in the territory.

15 Individuals, that is, congregation publishers and pioneers, may have assignments to cover within the congregation's territory. The congregation should divide its territory into small sections, and if any individual publisher wants one of these sections anywhere in the congregation territory to work himself he may have it if it is not assigned to someone else.

16 The magazine-territory servant will issue all territory, assigning it either to an individual as his assignment or to a congregation book study conductor, who will always hold territory convenient to the service center, the place where the congregation book study is held. Study conductors should check out only the territory they need for group witnessing, returning it in the regular way for checking out again or to get other open territory in the vicinity of the service center. Those persons who attend a congregation book study and who want to work in group witnessing can receive a portion of territory to work from the study conductor at the service center. The study conductor will be the one responsible' for seeing that all the territory is properly covered

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before it is checked in. It is hoped that all territory will be covered once every four months.

17 All the territory assigned to a congregation — towns, cities, rurals and the business sections within cities — should be worked in the most practical and systematic manner. It is the responsibility of the congregation servant and the magazine-territory servant to see that all persons within that territory are given the opportunity to hear the message of the Kingdom.

GROUP WITNESSING

18 If individuals want to work with groups, this group witnessing may be done from the service center, the Kingdom Hall or some other convenient location selected for field service on weekends, during the week and evenings. Group witnessing is encouraging for those who are newly interested, as it gives them the opportunity of going with someone else until they are thoroughly trained. However, any day may be used for field service, and those who do not find it possible to meet with the group or can save time working alone should be encouraged to share in the service at times that are convenient to them.

19 When the time for assembly arrives all on hand should cooperate with the one in charge and leave promptly for the field service. If the assembly is at the service center or the Kingdom Hall it would be good to have a brief discussion on the daily text, some comments en the presentation for the month, points from a recent service meeting, or some short experiences. This entire discussion should not last for more than fifteen minutes. Sufficient territory or houses should be assigned to the individuals working them to keep them busy for the hours set aside for service. If an area can be properly worked with two or three publishers, then no more should be sent to that particular section. Larger groups can always be assigned to the more densely populated areas.

20 Local conditions will govern the time you should begin service on weekdays or on Sunday mornings. Each congregation servant is acquainted with the general routine of the inhabitants of the territory and he can decide when it is best to start witnessing from door to door. Every minister of God should devote as much time every week preaching as he can possibly arrange. It is a good thing for individuals to have some territory assigned to them near their homes so they can work, as they have opportunity, from house to house, with the most recent publications or magazines. The con-

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gregation should do everything it can to make things convenient for the members of the congregation to get out into the field service, for that is our principal method of spreading this good news of the Kingdom.

HOUSE-TO-HOUSE PREACHING

21 There are many methods of doing service work, but the most effective way of preaching the good news is for a dedicated person to go from house to house and talk to the people in their own homes. It is by sharing in this activity that one receives the greatest joy and contentment in Kingdom service and is brought on to maturity. Every minister should be equipped to give several three- to eight-minute sermons and particularly have one in mind when he calls at a house. If circumstances make it evident that a sermon other than the one you had planned, or a different arrangement of the sermon you have, would be more appropriate, endeavor to be flexible in your presentation.

22 Those who are experienced house-to-house publishers have the privilege of assisting others who are new in the truth, or others who wish to observe someone else's method of preaching, and of taking them along in the service until such tune as they wish to go alone. The congregation servant has a responsibility in seeing to it that the newer ones are properly trained to present the truth in a pleasing, clear manner, and he will arrange for them to go out with the more mature publishers in the work. The study conductor can also arrange for the less experienced publishers to be accompanied by the more mature ones, who have greater experience. Being companions in the service in this manner, we shall be able to help one another go on to maturity and, when we are able to present the message without difficulty, then, at every opportunity, we should go alone from house to house. When the circuit or district servant visits the congregation he, too, will be pleased to go with you, to help you improve your house-to-house activity. Every publisher should be able to learn something through this experience. All dedicated servants of Jehovah should strive to do the work just as Jesus did it, going from house to house preaching the gospel. Regularity in this brings rich blessings.

23 It is recommended that each publisher keep a house-to-house record and make notation on these sheets. It will aid him to know on whom to make return calls and it will assist him to cover his territory thoroughly by calling later on the persons who were not at home.

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BACK-CALLS

24 When, in the house-to-house work, one finds interest and places literature with the interested person, it is the part of wisdom to follow up this placement and see how the person is getting along. Making a back-call on this individual may help to develop it into a home Bible study. It is our responsibility to feed the other sheep. If each publisher keeps a house-to-house record of the literature placed with interested persons, it will be easy to make the return call. It is better for the person making the initial visit to make the return call within a week. It is recommended that on these return calls the publisher have a ten- to fifteen-minute sermon prepared on the subject that was of greatest interest on the first visit, perhaps even conducting a portion of the discussion right out of one of the Society's publications, along with the Bible.

25 Back-calls may be made on persons who have not obtained literature, or maybe who received only a tract, but who have shown interest Our purpose is to find the other sheep, and the back-call and Bible study work will accomplish this. Back-calls should be made on the placements of all books, booklets, magazines, subscriptions for The Watchtower and Awake! or on any person whose name is turned in to the congregation with a request that a call be made on the individual.

26 The evening is a good time to make these return calls. Groups can meet at the service center and go out from thereto the territory worked in previous weeks. Of course, you can make your calls at any time that is convenient. If persons are working in the same territory week after week they will find it very convenient to make back-calls without too much extra effort, because they will be in the location of these persons witnessed to. Plan your back-call work. Having newly interested ones go with you is a fine way to help them get further experience in preaching the good news.

27 When a subscription for The Watchtower or Awake! is obtained, the publisher will find it advantageous to call back and deliver the current issue and talk a little more concerning the kingdom of God. Try to start a home Bible study.

28 When a subscription expires at the end of a year and it is not renewed by the subscriber, the Society sends to the congregation a back-call slip on this expired subscription. These calls should be made immediately, and the publisher getting the subscriber to take The Watchtower or Awake!

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may count it as a new subscription and should be sura to make back-calls and endeavor to start a Bible study.

HOME BIBLE STUDIES

29 Each publisher should endeavour to conduct at least one home Bible study every week. It may require a number of calls on the part of the minister to get a home Bible study started, but if interest is shown in a home, always follow through. Any one of the Society's publications may be used as a textbook. Some may prefer to have you study The Watchtower with them or certain articles in Awake! magazine or ...