Comments You Will Not Hear at the 5-2-04 WT Study (3-15-04)

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  • blondie
    blondie

    Comments You Will Not Hear at the 5/2/04 (week of 4/26 to 5/2/04) WT Study (3/15/04 WT)

    Review comments will be in black and parentheses ()

    WT quotes

    will be in red and quotes ""

    Quotes from other sources

    will be in blue

    Highlighting, bolding, underlining added by reviewer

    "FULLY ACCOMPLISH YOUR MINISTRY"

    " Do your service thoroughly."?2 Timothy 4:5, Byington

    But you--keep your eye on what you're doing; accept the hard times along with the good; keep the Message alive; do a thorough job as God's servant.?2 Timothy 4:5, Message Bible

    www.biblegateway.com /cgi-bin/bible

    Opening Comments

    Notice that the WTS has used an alternative Bible translation this time. Do you know the history of the Byington Bible and the WTS? Why did the WTS choose to pull a snippet out of the Byington translation?

    10/22/72 Awake

    pp. 20-21 Assemblies That Acclaim "Divine Rulership"

    Also released was a new Bible translation?The Bible in Living English

    ?by Steven T. Byington. Byington, who died in 1957, was not one of Jehovah?s witnesses. Yet he had a keen desire faithfully to render the Bible in easy-to-read English. One of Jehovah?s witnesses said of this Bible: "I want you to know that it delights me. . . . I can forget I?m reading and just live alongside the characters, and so absorb more of the background."

    Why does the WTS endorse this translation?

    w72

    10/1 pp. 605-606 The Big Issue?Are We for or Against Divine Rulership?

    There was The Bible in Living English, a new translation by Steven T. Byington, in which the Hebrew Tetragrammaton is consistently rendered as "Jehovah."

    Reasoning from the Scriptures p. 193 par. 3 Jehovah

    The

    Bible in Living English, a new translation by Steven T. Byington, in which the Hebrew Tetragrammaton is consistently rendered as "Jehovah."

    Divine Name brochure p.

    22 God?s Name and Bible Translators

    Steven T. Byington, translator of The Bible in Living English, explains why he uses God?s name

    : ""The spelling and the pronunciation are not highly important. What is highly important is to keep it clear that this is a personal name. There are several texts that cannot be properly understood if we translate this name by a common noun like ?Lord,? or, much worse, by a substantivized adjective [for example, the Eternal]."

    Biography of Steven T. Byington

    http://www.zoomnet.net/~wbagnall/byington.html

    (Sidepoint: Since 1972 when the WTS obtained printing rights, it has quoted from the Byington Bible just over 60 times, about twice a year; I don?t think a JW can order it any longer through the WTS, correct me if I?m wrong).

    Last week the WTS "encouraged" the congregation book study overseer (not conductor any longer) to work with and train the members of his book study. I haven?t seen this done in over 40 years in my area. The result has been JWs with over 15 years in the organization that have never tried to start let alone conduct a bible study. People would try to turn over RVs to me because they didn?t want the responsibility of a study.

    Well the WTS realizes that unless more of their members conduct bible studies, that there will not be new people coming in to replace the ones leaving. The drop in meeting attendance is a good indicator of the drop in numbers.

    Do you think this article is going to motivate current JWs to step up to the plate and conduct Bible studies?

    START OF ARTICLE

    Paragraph 1

    Are you a Kingdom proclaimer (publisher???)? If so, thank Jehovah God for this wonderful privilege (buzzword). Are you an elder in the congregation? That is an added privilege (meaning elders are supposed to be kingdom proclaimers first, elders second) from Jehovah (where is Jesus in this equation?). But we must never forget that neither secular education (the WTS doesn?t value secular education) nor ability to speak eloquently qualifies any of us for the ministry or for oversight in the congregation (if the public talks are any proof, I believe this. But when it comes to parts on the assembly, no uneducated elder will be used). Jehovah adequately qualifies us for the ministry, and it is because some men among us meet specific Scriptural requirements that they are privileged (buzzword meant to imply that elders are humble) to serve as overseers (buzzword with a negative connotation, once was "servant" which was a more humbling term).

    Why proclaimer not publisher? Are JWs now going to be known as proclaimers in the congregation? Will they be known as proclaimer cards not publisher cards?

    How many know that the "elders" used to be known as servants, congregation servant, assistant congregation servant servant, Bible study servant, Watchtower study servant, theocratic ministry school servant. These terms disappeared by the end of 1972 with the introduction of the body of elders concept. Circuit and district servants were now called circuit and district overseers. Why the change?

    Paragraph 2

    All dedicated Christians (what happened to baptism? Oh that is right they are including unbaptized publishers, woops proclaimers) do the work of evangelizers,

    w03 1/1 p. 16 Now More Than Ever, Stay Awake!

    Intolerance, prejudice, and discrimination continue to cause problems for the 24,961 Kingdom publishers in Belgium.

    Kingdom publishers 11 times in 2003; kingdom proclaimers 50 times (due to last year?s Kingdom Proclaimers convention)

    but especially do overseers (servants), or elders, need to set a good example in the ministry. Elders "who work hard in speaking and teaching" are noted by God and Christ, as well as by fellow Witnesses of Jehovah. (! Timothy 5:17, Ephesians 5:23; Hebrews 6:10-12)

    You can gather that if the WTS has to tell the elders to be a good example in the ministry that they are not doing so "as a group." The sheep follow the shepherds and if the shepherds, elders, are not seen in the ministry, the sheep will stay home.

    Under all circumstances, an elder?s teaching must be spiritually healthful, for the apostle Paul told the overseer Timothy: "There will be a period of time when they will not put up with the healthful teaching, but, in accord with their own desires, they will accumulate teachers for themselves to have their ears tickled; and they will turn their ears away from the truth, where as they will be turned aside to false stories. You, though keep your senses in all thngs, suffer evil, do the work of an evangelizer, fully accomplish your ministry."?2 Timothy 4:3-5.

    Notice that the WTS is not worried about outside teaching but the teaching by elders within the congregation.

    Paragraph 3

    To make sure that false teachings do not threaten the spirituality of the congregation, an overseer must comply with Paul?s counsel: "Be sober in every respect,?do your service thoroughly." (2 Timothy 4:5, Byington)

    Yes, an elder needs to ?accomplish his ministry fully.? He must carry it out completely, in a thorough manner, or to a full degree.

    An elder who fully performs his ministry, gives proper attention to all his responsibilities, leaving nothing neglected or only half done. Such a man is faithful even in little things.?Luke 12:48; 16:10.

    Translation: the elders are not doing all the WTS is telling them. They are blowing off the counsel from the COs and DOs. The elders are only doing what they want to do, what they like doing, and the rest is being neglected. Yes, they are not being "faithful" in the little things.

    Wow, I wonder what the elders in the audience are going to think. Loaded down and unappreciated?

    Paragraph 4

    Fully accomplishing our ministry does not always require more time, but it does call for time well spent.

    So what do elders have to do: secular work, maintain home/vehicles, personal study, study with family, fun time with family, prepare parts for meetings every week, field ministry weekly with book study group (10 hours monthly required), shepherding calls (2 nd least liked duty), KH maintenance, supervise ministerial servants duties, judicial hearings (most disliked duty), public talks in other congregations, and for some quickbuilds and convention duties.

    A steady pace can help all Christians to accomplish things in the ministry.

    To spend more time in the field service, an elder needs good personal organization to balance his schedule and to know what to delegate and how to do so. (Hebrews 13:17)

    Delegate to whom? Most congregations have few ministerial servants and half of those haven?t the ability or initiative to do more than handle the microphones.

    I know of brothers who delegate the ministry school scheduling, posting of time to publisher cards, making a draft and typing up their public talks/parts, study with the family, etc., to their wives.

    I have known elders to stay home on a Saturday morning to work on a public talk for Sunday so he has some time with his family Saturday afternoon.

    Naturally, a respected elder also does his own share, like Nehemiah, who got personally involved in rebuilding Jerusalem?s walls. (Nehemiah 5:16)

    Yes, elders, if you do not do your share you are not "respected."

    All servants of Jehovah should share regularly in the Kingdom-preaching work.?1 Corinthians 9:16-18.

    km 12/98 p. 2 Service Meetings for December

    Interview an unmarried person and a family head who have been successful in maintaining a consistent, regular schedule in the field ministry each week. Have them tell what personal organization is needed in order to give priority to spiritual interests.

    Paragraph 5

    What a joyous commission we have as proclaimers of the established heavenly Kingdom! (no proof) Surely we cherish our privilege (buzzword) of having share in preaching the good news in all the inhabited earth (China, Saudia Arabia, Syria, all of India?) before the end comes. (Matthew 24:14) Although we are imperfect, we can take heart from Paul?s words: "We have this treasure [of the ministry] in earthen vessels, that the power beyond what is normal may be God?s and not that out of ourselves." (2 Corinthians 4:7) Yes, we can render acceptable service?but only with God-given strength and wisdom (through the only channel the WTS).?1 Corinthians 1:26-31.

    w65 9/15 pp. 575-576 Questions from Readers

    Since millions of persons in China and other places have never heard the Kingdom message, will these people be preserved through the destruction of Babylon the Great and the war of Armageddon, or perhaps be resurrected later??H.S., U.S.A.

    But some persons, appreciating that millions of people are to be resurrected and given an opportunity to serve God, wonder if the millions of individuals living today who apparently have never heard the Kingdom message preached will be everlastingly destroyed without ever having had a witness about God?s purposes?. So, if it is Jehovah?s will to have this message personally carried to the millions on earth who seemingly have not yet heard it, that will be accomplished. If he chooses, he could see to it that this message is spread in ways that we cannot yet imagine. Jesus did foretell that "this good news of the kingdom will be preached in all the inhabited earth for a witness to all the nations; and then the end will come." (Matt. 24:14) We can rest assured that God will see that the preaching work is done to his satisfaction. After that "the end" comes.

    WT 10/1/94 p 8

    CHANNEL TO UNDERSTANDING THE BIBLE

    JESUS assured us that after his death and resurrection, he would raise up a "faithful and discreet slave" that would serve as his channel of communication. (Matthew 24:45-47) All who want to understand the Bible should appreciate that the "greatly diversified wisdom of God" can become known only through Jehovah?s channel of communication, the faithful and discreet slave.?John 6:68.

    Reflecting God?s Glory

    Paragraph 6

    Referring to anointed Christians, Paul says that God has "adequately qualified us to be ministers of a new covenant." The apostle contrasts the new covenant made with spiritual Israel through Jesus Christ with the old Law covenant made with natural Israel through Moses. Paul adds that when Moses came down from Mount Sinai with the tablets containing the Ten Commandments, his face was so bright that the Israelites could not gaze intently at it. In time, though, something far more serious took place because "their mental powers were dulled" and a veil came to be upon their hearts. When there is a turning to Jehovah in wholehearted devotion (turning to Jesus?), however the veil is taken away. Referring next to the ministry given to those in the new covenant, Paul says: "All of us,?with unveiled faces reflect like mirrors the glory of Jehovah." 2 Corinthians 3:6-8, 14-18; Exodus 34:29-35) Jesus "other sheep" of today are also privileged to reflect Jehovah?s glory.?John 10:16.

    How many JWs realize that the word "Jehovah" used by the WTS here in 2 Corinthians does not appear in any of the earliest NT manuscripts?

    Where is the proof that establishes the "other sheep" as a secondary class and one that is privileged to reflect God?s glory? Where is Jesus in this? No wonder non-JWs think JWs aren?t Christian.

    Parapgraph 7

    How can sinful humans reflect God?s glory, when no man can see his face and live? (Exocus 33:20 Well, besides Jehovah?s personal glory, there is also his glorious purpose to vindicate his sovereignty, by means of his Kingdom. Truths related to the Kingdom constitute part of "the magnificent things of God" that began to be proclaimed by those on whom the holy spirit was poured out at Pentecost 33 CE (Acts 2:11) With the spirit?s guidance (through the spirited-direct WTS), they could fully accomplish the ministry entrusted to them.?Acts 1:8

    Vindicate his sovereignty or his name? Did you know that until the WTS promoted the vindication of God?s name until 1986 but had no mention of why the change was made until 1995?

    "Truths related to the Kingdom" like the end is coming in 1914, 1925, 1975? That having an organ transplant between 1967-1980 is a disfellowshipping offense.

    http://quotes.watchtower.ca/

    w97 1/15 p. 22 What Does God Require of Us?

    We are not alone in making the changes needed to bring our lives into harmony with God?s standards. Jehovah has a people on this earth, and he expects us to serve him along with them. This brings us to the fourth requirement. We must serve Jehovah with his spirit-directed organization.

    Paragraph 8

    Paul was determined to let nothing prevent him from accomplishing his ministry fully. He wrote: "Since we have this ministry according to the mercy that was shown us, we do not give up; but we have renounced the underhanded things of which to be ashamed, not walking with cunning, neither adulterating the word of God, but by making the truth manifest recommending ourselves to every human conscience in the sight of god." (2 Corinthians 4:1,2) By what Paul calls "this ministry," the truth is made manifest and spiritual light is spread abroad.

    Blinking spiritual light that keeps being readjusted and clarified.

    http://www.cftf.com/comments/blinking.html

    Paragraph 9

    Regarding the Source of physical and spiritual light (not the WTS), Paul writes: "God is he who said" ?Let the light shine out of darkness,? and he has shone on our hearts to illuminate them with the glorious knowledge of God by the face of Christ." (2 Corinthians 4:6; Genesis 1:2-5) Since we have been granted the estimable privilege (buzzword) of being God?s ministers, let us keep ourselves clean so that we like mirrors can reflect Jehovah?s glory.

    Paragraph 10

    Spiritually bedarkened individuals (non-JWs) cannot see Jehovah?s glory or its reflection from Jesus Christ, the Greater Moses (do you understand this segue?). But as Jehovah?s servants (not Christians?) we catch the glorious light from the Scriptures (understanding only through the "channel" WTS) and reflect it to others. If those now in spiritual darkness (only non-JWs) are to escape destruction, they need light from God (and become JWs). With great joy and zeal, then, we obey the divine command to let light shine out of darkness to Jehovah?s glory (where?s Jesus?).

    Let Your Light Shine at Home Bible Studies

    Paragarph 11

    Jesus told his followers (called Christians by providence not "Jehovah?s Witnesses"): "You are the light of the world. A city cannot be hid when situated upon a mountain. People light a lamp and set it, not under the measuring basket, but upon the lampstand, and it shines upon all those in the house. Likewise let your light shine before men, that they may see your fine works and give glory to your Father who is in the heavens." (Matthew 5:14-16) Our fine conduct (www.silentlambs.org) can cause others to give glory to God. (1 Peter 2:12) And the various aspects of our evangelizing work afford us many opportunities to let our light shine. One of our main objectives is to reflect spiritual light from God?s word (and WTS publications) by conducting effective home Bible studies. This is a very important way to accomplish our ministry fully. What suggestions may help us to conduct Bible studies that touch the hearts of truth seekers?

    Very few JWs conduct home bible studies. The average Bible studies for publishers in the US in September 2003 was 0.4 and that includes family studies. So barely 1/3 of them conducted a bible study monthly. And how many of those were effective, resulting in a new JW?

    Paragraph 12

    Prayer to Jehovah in this regard demonstrates our keen desire to conduct Bible studies (so if you don?t have a study it means you aren?t praying for one?). It also shows that we see the importance of helping others to acquire the knowledge of God. (Ezekiel 33:7-9) Jehovah is certain to answer our prayers and to bless our conscientious efforts in the ministry. (1 John 5:14,15) But we do not pray only to find someone with whom to conduct a home Bible study. After we have established a study, prayer and meditation regarding the Bible student?s specific needs will help us to conduct each session in an effective manner.?Romans 12:12.

    Yes, it is the publisher?s fault if they don?t have a study and if they do if the person doesn?t progress to being a JW.

    Paragraph 13

    To conduct effective home Bible studies, we must prepare well for each session (What! The same people that don?t prepare for the book study and the WT study?) If we feel somewhat inadequate, it may be helpful to observe how the Congregation Book Study overseer (conductor) handles the coverage of each week?s lesson (or maybe not knowing some conductors from my past). On occasion, we may be able to accompany Kingdom publishers (not proclaimers!?) who have had good results in conducting home Bible studies (strange they don?t tell us to check with the Service Overseer). Of course, the attitude and teaching methods of Jesus Christ especially merit our consideration.

    Paragraph 14

    Jesus delighted in doing his heavenly Father?s will and in talking to others about God. (Psalm 40:8) He was mild-tempered and succeeded in reaching the hearts of those who listened to him. (Matthew 11:28-30) Let us therefore strive to reach the hearts of our Bible students (using the WTS publications rather than the Bible). If we are to do so, we need to prepare for each study with the student?s particular circumstances in mind. For instance, if he belongs to a culture that does not have a background in the Bible, we may have to convince him that the Bible is true. In that case, we ill obviously have to read many scriptures and explain them.

    Shouldn?t we "obviously" be reading many scriptures and explaining to convince anyone?

    Help Students to Understand Illustrations

    Paragraph 15

    A Bible student may not be familiar with a particular illustration used in the Scriptures (without the WTS publications next to them most JWs can?t either). For example, he (she) may not understand what Jesus meant when he spoke of putting a lamp on a lampstand. (Mark4:21,22)

    Without looking below, can you explain it?

    Jesus was referring to an ancient oil lamp with a burning wick. Such a lamp was put on a special stand and could thus light up an area of a house. Research on the subjects "Lamp" and "Lampstand" in such a publication as Insight on the Scriptures may be required to make Jesus? illustration clear.* (Published by Jehovah?s Witnesses?rather than the WTS?is that like being kingdom publishers?). But how rewarding it is to come to the Bible study with an explanation that is understood and appreciated by the student!

    Are they saying that it is a case of the blind leading the blind?

    Paragraph 16

    A Bible study aid may use an illustration that is hard for a certain student to grasp (hard to believe since the WTS publications are already aimed at the lowest common denominator). Take time to explain it, or use another illustration that makes the same point (have you ever heard some of the bad illustrations used by public speakers?). Perhaps a publication is emphasizing that a good partner and coordinated effort are important in a marriage. To illustrate this, reference may be made to a man who swings from a trapeze, lets go of it, and depends on another performer to catch him.

    So wives are supposed to catch their husbands as they swing off into a bad decision?

    As an alternative, likely the need for a good partner and coordination of effort could be illustrated by the way workers cooperate by handling boxes to one another when unloading a boat.

    Of course, these illustrations are talking about "equals" cooperating. Husbands and not considered equals with their wives according to the WTS.

    Paragraph 17

    Using an alternative illustration may call for advance preparation. Yet, that is a way to show our personal interest in a Bible student (not noting they have no food, or diapers for their children, no transportation to get to the job center). Jesus used simple illustrations to clarify difficult subjects. His Sermon on the Mount gives examples of this, and the Bible shows that his teaching had a good effect on his listeners. (Matthew 5:1-7:29) Jesus patiently explalined things because he had a keen interest in others.?Matthew 16:5-12.

    Once again, the WTS thinks that people who do not prepare for the CBS or the WT study will prepare for a Bible student. There is no incentive. If a JW never converts anyone to be a JW, they will still get live everlasting in paradise. What is the incentive then to develop Bible interest, study with someone with a view of converting them if you will get the reward without it? It sure frees up time for recreation and family time.

    Paragraph 18

    Our interest in others will motivate us to ?reason from the Scriptures.? (or rather reason from the WTS publications) (Acts 17:2,3) This calls for prayerful study and wise use of publications made available through "the faithful steward." (Luke 12:42-44) (not faithful slave and Matthew 24:45) For instance, the book Knowledge That Leads to Everlasting Life quotes many scriptures.* (Published by Jehovah?s Witnesses?not WTS). Because of space limitations, some are merely cited. During a Bible study, it is important to read and explain at least some of these cited scriptures (like they do at the WT study, right?). After all, our teaching is based on God?s Word, and it has great power. (Hebrews 4:12) Refer to the Bible throughout (does the scripture have to apply?) each study, making liberal use of the scriptures found in the paragraphs. Help the student to see what the Bible says (a big problem when the JW teachers themselves are tied to the WTS publications) about a certain subject or course of action. Endeavor to show him how he will benefit from obedience to God (to the WTS).?Isaiah 48:17,18.

    How did the WTS instruct JWs to handle Bible studies when the Knowledge book first came out? To take the necessary time to go outside the published information in the book?

    km 5/96 p. 7 Question Box

    Now that we have the book Knowledge That Leads to Everlasting Life, how long should a home Bible study be conducted?

    Our
    Kingdom Ministry for September 1993 recommended that a home Bible study be continued with newly interested ones until two books have been studied. Now that we have the Knowledge book, it seems advisable to make an adjustment in this procedure, as outlined on pages 13 and 14 of the January 15, 1996, issue of The Watchtower.

    The Knowledge book is designed to help those "rightly disposed for everlasting life" to learn what they need to know in order to make a dedication to Jehovah and get baptized. (Acts 13:48) Therefore, after completing this new publication, it should not be necessary to study a second book with the same student. As your Bible students begin to embrace the truth, you can progressively encourage them to round out their knowledge by attending meetings of Jehovah?s Witnesses as well as by reading the Bible and various Christian publications.
    If you are thoroughly familiar with the questions on pages 175 to 218 of the book Organized to Accomplish Our Ministry, this may be helpful. Although you should not make reference to these questions or review them with the Bible student, it may be good to emphasize points in the Knowledge book that will enable the student to express a proper understanding of basic Bible truths when the elders review questions with baptism candidates.

    There is no need to supplement the information in the Knowledge book, bringing in outside material or additional arguments to support Bible teachings or to disprove false doctrines.
    This would only serve to extend the study over a longer period of time. Rather, it is hoped that the book can be covered rather quickly, perhaps in about six months. This emphasizes the need for us to study the material thoroughly in advance so that we can present it clearly and concisely. The student should likewise be urged to study in advance, look up cited scriptures, and endeavor to discern clearly what the book is teaching in each chapter.

    The Watchtower has stressed the need for Jehovah?s Witnesses to conduct a greater number of effective Bible studies in a shorter period of time. (See Isaiah 60:22.) Effective use of the Knowledge book can help new ones to acquire the knowledge that leads to everlasting life and act upon it.?John 17:3.But then the WTS changed their mind in 2000:

    km 6/00 p. 4 "How Could I . . . Unless Someone Guided Me?" ***

    Satisfy the Bible Student?s Spiritual Needs: If it is evident that a person is making progress, although slowly, and that he is developing appreciation for what he is learning, then continue the Bible study in a second book after the Require brochure and the Knowledge book are completed. This may not be necessary in every case, but when it is needed, continue the study in the True Peace book, the United in Worship book, or the God?s Word book. Most publishers have personal copies of these books to use if the congregation does not have a supply. The God?s Word book is the only one that can be ordered from Brooklyn. In all cases, the Require brochure and the Knowledge book would be studied first. The Bible study, return visits, and time spent to continue the study should be counted and reported, even if the student gets baptized before completing the second book.

    Ask Thought-Provoking Questions

    Paragraph 19

    Jesus? skillful use of questions helped people to reason. (JWs don?t have to reason; all they have to do is look up in the publications to see what the WTS says they must do; or ask an elder). If we ask viewpoint questions (JWs are not allowed to have viewpoints, only what the WTS says) that do not embarrass a Bible student (no sexual questions, then, like they ask in a judicial hearing), his answers may reveall what he thnks about a certain subject. We may fnd that he still holds unscriptural views. For instance, he may believe in the Trinity. In chapter 3, the Knowledge book points that the word "Trinity" does not appear on the Bible (neither does "organization"). The book quotes and cites scriptures showing that Jehovah is separate from Jesus and that the holy spirit is God?s active force, not a person. Reading and discussing these Bible texts may be sufficient.

    But what if more is needed? Perhaps after the next regular study session, some time could be spent in a profitable (hmmm?) discussion of this subject as covered in another publication of Jehovah?s Witnesses, such as the brochure Should You Believe in the Trinity? Thereafter, we can resume the study using the Knowledge book (not the Bible?)

    Yes, and hope he didn?t find this site which shows how the WTS was not honest in its quotes:

    http://www.geocities.com/Athens/Parthenon/7831/booklet1.html

    Paragraph 20

    Suppose the student?s answer to a viewpoint question is surprising or even disappointing.

    This seem to imply there is only one viewpoint to have and the rest are wrong. Is it a viewpoint question then?

    If smoking, or some other sensitive subject, is involved, we might suggest that we continue the study and discuss the matter at a later time. Knowing that the student is still smoking enables us to find published information that may help him to make spiritual progress. As we endeavor to reach the student?s heart, we can pray that Jehovah help him to grow spiritually.

    Paragraph 21

    With good preparation and Jehovah?s help, we will doubtless be able to adapt our teaching methods to fit the specific needs of the Bible student.

    Where is Jesus? help in all this?

    As time goes on, we may be able to help him to develop deep love for God (not Jesus?).

    We may also succeed in building respect and appreciation for Jehovah?s organization. (not Jesus?)

    And how gratifying it is when Bible students acknowledge that ?God is really among us?! (1 Corinthians 14:24,25) (not among any other religion). May we therefore conduct effective Bible studies and do all we can to help others to become Jesus? disciples (only JWs).

    A Treasure to Be Cherished

    Paragraph 22

    To accomplish our ministry fully, we must rely on God-given strength (only available through the WTS). Referring to the ministry, Paul wrote fellow anointed Christians (yes, this part of the Bible does not apply to over 6,000,000 JWs): "We have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the power beyond what is normal may be God?s and not that out of ourselves."?2 Corinthians 4:7.

    Paragraph 23

    Whether of the anointed or of the "other sheep," (this doctrine was not developed or referenced to another WTS publication) we are frail earthen vessels (John 10:16) Yet, Jehovah can give us strength needed to fulfill our assignments regardless of the pressures brought against us. (John 16:13; Philippians 4:13) Let us therefore trust in Jehovah (not Jesus?) implicitly, cherish our treasure of service, and fully accomplish our ministry.

    Concluding Comments

    So, elders, you aren?t doing enough. You aren?t being balanced; you are leaving things half done or neglected; you aren?t being faithful in little things; you aren?t giving proper attention to your responsibilities; you aren?t providing a proper example in the ministry for the congregation.

    Effective bible studies are not being conducted in the congregation. New people aren?t coming into the organization, not even the children of current JWs. The problem must be with the elders and the publishers.

    DO MORE, DO MORE, DO MORE.

    Blondie (who loves you all and trusts you will do your best

  • Sunnygal41
    Sunnygal41

    Blondie, your attention to detail and wry wit are once again deeply appreciated!!!

    Love,

    Terri

  • cyber-sista
    cyber-sista

    Blondie--excellent WT study as usual and I didn't have to sit there in my sunday best bored to tears in a stuffy KH. Interesting reading once you learn to read between the lines. The Org definitely has an agenda (or, is that Jehovah is leading his people?)

    Thanks for the hard work, cybs

  • minimus
    minimus

    IF a person could conform to the WT.'s opinions, it would make them feel wonderful about themselves.If they were able to do EVERYTHING the Watchtower suggested, imagine how such ones would view themeslves. They would feel better about themselves---that's for sure! If an elder also was a pioneer elder---whew!----now he'd REALLY feel special.......The WT. Society masterfully manipulates people.

  • JeffT
    JeffT

    The chickens are coming home to roost. The Society's emphasis has always been on hours counted, not effectiveness. The people I see on the street holding up Watchtowers are getting their time in, indeed 10 hours a month of that will qualify them as elders, but they aren't going to be recruiting any new members. Of course their response is to flog the slaves, not re-examine they way they are going about their business.

  • boa
    boa

    yes, thanks for your hard work, elderette blondie....

    I love still being able to 'benefit' in my 'attendance' at the weekly watchtower study!

    please continue your fine research and hard work....

    boa

  • OHappyDay
    OHappyDay

    Thanks for another fine job, Blondie. Indeed, "time well spent.

    I notice that frequently the scriptures the WT throws out to support a point in the paragraph really does not support it at all. For example, the last sentence in paragraph 4:

    All servants of Jehovah should share regularly in the Kingdom-preaching work.—1 Corinthians 9:16-18.

    So what does 1 Corinthians 9:16-18 actually say? Here the apostle Paul is declaring, "Woe is me if I did not declare the good news...I have a stewardship entrusted to me..." Every Christian, or 'servant of Jehovah' is not an apostle.

    Similarly, Paul's admonition to "preach the word...do the work of an evangelizer, fully accomplish your ministry" (2 Timothy 4:2, 5) is given in the singular ("I solemnly charge you," not YOU, verse 1) to one person, the elder Timothy. Throughout the New Testament the specific order to preach is given only to apostles, elders/overseers, not to "all servants of Jehovah." Even Jesus' "great commission" at Matthew 28:19, to "go therefore and make disciples..." was given, not to all who followed Jesus at the time, but to "the eleven disciples" (Matthew 28:16) who in turn became apostles.

    Any preaching done by "rank and file" Christians in the NT was of the informal type, according to the accounts in the book of Acts. It was not highly structured as an "obligatory" thing, as among JWs. People did what they could, when they could...and often 'when the Spirit hit them,' so to speak.

  • Cygnus
    Cygnus

    My good gracious. Talk about nit-picking. It's like you want every study article to contain every last detail of JW theology. I saw a lot of decent instruction. Sometimes I think apostates go way overboard in their critcisms and this is certainly one of those times.

  • willyloman
    willyloman
    it may be helpful to observe how the Congregation Book Study overseer (conductor) handles the coverage of each week?s lesson

    This is laughable! There is rarely more than one conductor in a given congregation who can make this tripe interesting. When the folks sitting in the KH on Sunday hear this line read, will they smile to themselves, thinking of their own book study and the torturous endurance they must display each week? Or will they be too busy day dreaming?

  • El blanko
    El blanko

    Good job that fine lady (stinky apostate? ) ... I seriously could not make it to the end of your study, I managed 2 thirds and then started to recoil mentally into my shell. It just feels like a thorough lashing through and through. There has to be something wrong with the methodology employed by the society!!!

    Need to go and lie down for an hour after that. How I managed to sit through the meetings years ago and lap it up is beyond me.

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