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The Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society produces a significant amount of printed and electronic literature, primarily for use by Jehovah's Witnesses. Their best known publications are the magazines, ''The Watchtower'' and ''Awake!''. ''The Watchtower'' was first published by Charles Taze Russell, founder of the Bible Student movement, in 1879,〔''Watch Tower'', July 1 1879〕 followed by the inception of the Watch Tower Society in 1881.〔''The Watchtower'', January 15, 1955, page 14, "Modern History of Jehovah’s Witnesses"〕 Supporters adopted the name ''Jehovah's witnesses'' in 1931.〔''Jehovah's Witnesses - Proclaimers of God's Kingdom'', page 720, Noteworthy Events in the Modern-day History of Jehovah’s Witnesses〕 Particularly since 2001, when referring to other Watch Tower Society publications their literature has typically stated that it is "published by Jehovah's Witnesses",〔For example, 〕 though the edition notice identifies the publisher as the Watch Tower Society. Along with books and brochures, other media are also produced, including CDs, MP3s and DVDs, and Internet downloads and video streaming. New publications are usually released at Jehovah's Witnesses' annual conventions. ==Literature for preaching== Most literature produced by Jehovah's Witnesses is intended for use in their evangelizing work. Publications for preaching are also routinely studied by members, both privately and at their meetings for worship. Their most widely distributed publications are: * ''New World Translation of the Holy Scriptures'' (NWT), a modern-language translation of the Bible published in whole or part in over 125 languages.〔2015 Yearbook of Jehovah's Witnesses, page 23.〕 This is the Bible translation primarily used by Jehovah's Witnesses. * ''Awake!'', published in 103 languages, a general-interest monthly magazine covering many topics from a religious perspective. It has an average printing of nearly 52 million copies per issue. * ''The Watchtower Announcing Jehovah's Kingdom'', published in 240 languages semimonthly, focuses mainly on doctrine. With an average printing of nearly 53 million copies of the ''Public Edition'', ''The Watchtower'' is the most widely distributed magazine in the world.〔''The Watchtower'', February 1, 2005, p. 32〕 Since 2008, the issue dated the 1st of each month is distributed to the public and is referred to as the ''Public Edition''. The issue dated the 15th, called the ''Study Edition'', is distributed only to members and others who attend the congregation ''Watchtower Study''.〔''Our Kingdom Ministry'', July 2007, p. 1 Exciting Changes for The Watchtower!〕 The ''Study Edition'' of ''The Watchtower'' has an average printing of nearly 15 million copies. When interested individuals are encountered, Witnesses offer a home Bible study course, using a current publication, such as ''What Does the Bible ''Really'' Teach?'', that outlines their primary beliefs and interpretations of the Bible. The Witness then visits the student on a regular basis, generally considering a chapter on each visit, depending on the student's circumstances. Students are requested to examine the material prior to the arrival of the Bible study conductor, using the questions at the bottom of each page, to "help prepare the student for the Bible study".〔''What Does The Bible Really Teach?'' © Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society of Pennsylvania 2005. | p. 7 Is This What God Purposed?” As of 2012 (July 2012 ''Awake!'') it is published in 244 languages.〕 Jehovah’s Witnesses customarily read each paragraph aloud together with the student, and then ask the question(s) provided for that paragraph. Students are encouraged to read the scriptures cited in the material.〔Watchtower Society. “Teach What the Bible Really Teaches” ''The Watchtower'' 15 Jan. 2007: 24-25.〕 Bible students are expected to be making progress to become baptized as one of Jehovah's Witnesses by the time the course is completed,〔''Our Kingdom Ministry'', July 2004, page 1, "Part 1—Conducting Progressive Bible Studies"〕 and may be asked to study a second publication, such as ''"Keep Yourselves in God's Love"''. Jehovah's Witnesses previously offered their literature for a price determined by the branch office in each country, to cover printing costs.〔''Our Kingdom Ministry'', October 1984 p. 8〕 Since 2000, Jehovah's Witnesses have offered their publications free of charge globally.〔Since 1990, the "complete donation basis" had been used in the United States; see ''Our Kingdom Ministry'', May 1990, page 7.〕 Printing is funded by voluntary donations from Witnesses and members of the public.〔''2001 Yearbook of Jehovah's Witnesses'', page 18〕 Jehovah's Witnesses accept donations if offered by householders, and are instructed to invite donations in countries where soliciting funds is permitted.〔''Our Kingdom Ministry'', January 2006, p. 5 "How to Offer the ''Bible Teach'' Book"〕 抄文引用元・出典: フリー百科事典『 ウィキペディア（Wikipedia）』 ■ウィキペディアで「Jehovah's Witnesses publications」の詳細全文を読む スポンサード リンク
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