Theocratic Aid To Kingdom Publishers

GENERAL

Lesson 1

INDEX OF "THEOCRATIC AID TO KINGDOM PUBLISHERS"

Nineteen centuries ago Christians were admonished to 'redeem the time'. (Eph. 5:16) If such a time-saving course was important then, how much more so is it now in these days of climax in gospel-preaching. Time once squandered in the vanities of this passing old world of Satan is now to be tenaciously held by the Kingdom publisher and wisely used in fulfillment of the divine commission to preach and teach. But to do this the publisher must be qualified by preparation, by diligent study, that he may be an approved workman, trained to handle aright the "sword of the spirit". (2 Tim. 2:15) And this takes precious time. Even in this God-approved use of redeemed time, however, the Kingdom publisher will strive to get the most from every minute spent in study.

This book is provided as a textbook of instruction for ministers, to aid in qualifying them for fulfillment of their commission. A study of its contents will take precious time. But even so, this book recognizes the high value placed

upon the time of the gospel-preacher by a time-saying provision within its covers. That provision is a very comprehensive index. The instruction offered within these pages is to enable the soldier of Christ to fight efficiently, and not as one that 'beats the air'. The index provided in the back of this book is to keep him from 'beating the air' during his study activity. If he desires information on a specific point, he does not have to flounder aimlessly through these pages till he finally runs across the bit of instruction. He needs only to turn to the alphabetical listing of topical words in the index and look up the point as expressed in a key word, and there he will find given the page and paragraph numbers that immediately open up to the searcher the material the book has to offer on the point.

The use of the index can best be shown by illustration. Suppose one enrolled in this course of study is assigned a student talk on some religious false doctrine. He must gather his material, organize it, and finally present it before the school group. In the table of contents he has noted the titles of the 90 listed lessons, and remembers one on gathering material. He may review its suggestions. That may not be sufficient. The instruction offered there is of a general nature. It refers to sources in a general way without being very explicit as to how to tap these sources for information. However, if he looks up "Gathering Material" in the index he will find many references given there that are outside this lesson on "Gathering Material". These many references will give him detailed and specific instructions on how to gather material from many different sources. Also, this book itself might have information that could be used in the talk. Under such index references as "Religion", "Reformation," "Roman Catholic Church," "Trinity," and many others, the searcher would find much material around which to build his talk. The lesson titles indicate the general material that is considered therein, but the index divides up into its many individual points the material presented, and refers to occurrences of those

points throughout the entire book, and not just to the three or four pages of a single lesson.

Assume that the material has been gathered, and that it has been outlined in accord with the principles contained in this book, which the student has searched out by means of the index references on outlining. Preparation for delivery comes next. Of course, there is page after page and lesson after lesson telling about delivery; but the student cannot spend precious time reading all this material just for this one six-minute talk. So he turns to "Delivery" in the index, and finds that broad subject broken up into more than twenty-five specific reference-cues on the matter of delivery. One of these points to several references on preparation for delivery. Thereby he quickly traces down the information he has needed on this occasion.

He has given the talk. The counselor has commended him on a point or two, and he feels encouraged. But the counselor also pointed out two weaknesses: the conversational quality was missing in his delivery and his composition was somewhat wordy. Some constructive counsel was given, but limited time did not allow for thorough discussion of the remedies. So once again the student goes to the index, knowing that these are the two things he will be particularly responsible for in the next student talk. Under "Delivery" he finds several helpful references on "conversational quality", and a word of caution on the "extreme of conversational manner". He knows the definite steps he should take to remedy his weakness. His practice sessions will be profitable. He likewise gains knowledge that will help overcome his other weakness, wordiness. By such references in the index as "Wordiness", "Words," and "Brevity" he is edified.

The index will serve the counselor to good advantage. He is to give constructive counsel. Carrying along the same illustration, when this student speaker talks again the instructor knows he was told to work on these two points. He should use the index to become well informed on these

weaknesses, and if the student does not overcome them the counselor is prepared to offer constructive comment.

The usefulness of this index, however, is not limited to the student speaker and the counselor. Neither is it limited to the conduct of the course of study at the Kingdom Hall of the local company or unit. Rather, its usefulness spreads cut to every Kingdom publisher and opens for ready access the fund of information contained in the book Theocratic Aid to Kingdom Publishers. Neither this book nor the use of its index is hemmed into the narrow confines of the classroom. It contains more than seventy-five pages on religion directly. Much of this information can be used to advantage in the field work of preaching. The section on Bible translations may present points that would be helpful on a back-call. The index will tap that reservoir of factual material without loss of time. Also, index references on "Book Studies", "Street Witnessing," and "Door-to-Door Preaching" may give quick aid to the Theocratic publisher intent upon improving his presentation of "this gospel of the Kingdom".

The foregoing serves to show the possessor of this book that he does not need to wait till a lesson is studied in the classroom before he can draw benefit from it. Neither is it necessary for him to read through the entire book consecutively before he can begin drawing upon its Theocratic aid. This lesson on the index is presented at the outset for the very reason of stirring the Kingdom publisher to use this time-saving provision from the very start. The index is provided for your constant use.