DO NOT GIVE UP Meeting Together -Congregations for Building Up

Like the early Christians, Jehovah's Witnesses today come together at simple places of worship to receive instruction in the Bible and to enjoy wholesome fellowship.  For many years  they met only in private places.  but now the number of congregations  has grown to over 90,000, and their principal meeting places are called Kingdom Halls.  These buildings are neither ostentatious nor church like in appearance.  They are practical and modest structures that allow for congregations of 100 to 200 people to congregate for weekly meetings in order to listen to and learn from God's Word.

Most congregations of Jehovah's Witnesses meet three times a week.  One meeting is a public lecture on a subject of current interest.  It is followed by a study based on a Bible theme or prophecy, using the Watchtower magazine as source material.  Another meeting is a school designed to provide training in presenting the Bible's message.  It is followed by a meeting especially devoted to giving practical suggestions for the Christian ministry.  Once a week, Witnesses also assemble for  Bible study in small groups in private homes.  All these meetings are open to the public.  No collections are ever taken.

Francisco, mentioned earlier, found meetings at the Kingdom Hall to be highly beneficial.  He says:  "The first meeting place  I visited was a comfortable building in a downtown area, and I left  the hall with  a favorable impression.  Those in attendance were friendly, and I could sense the love among them.  I could hardly wait to go back.  In fact, I have not missed a meeting since then.  These Christians meetings are lively, and they satisfy my spiritual need. Even when I am feeling discouraged for some reason, I go to the Kingdom Hall, confident that I will return home encouraged."

Bible education, upbuilding association, and the opportunity to praise God also await you at Christian meetings of Jehovah's Witnesses.  You have our warm invitation to attend at the Kingdom Hall nearest to your home.

Next time:CHRISTIANS NEED ONE ANOTHER

The Watchtower, 2002