Comments You Will Not Hear at the 5-15-05 WT Study (Children Pt 2)

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    Comments You Will Not Hear at the 5-15-05 WT Study (April 1, 2005 issue date)

    Review comments will be in black and parentheses ()

    WT quotes from today?s WT

    will be in red and quotes ""

    Quotes from other sources

    will be in blue

    PARENTS

    , PROTECT YOUR PRECIOUS INHERITANCE

    "Wisdom is for a protection . . . [It] preserves alive its owners."-Ecclesiastes 7:12 (NWT; snippet and brackets)

    www.biblegateway.com /cgi-bin/bible

    Opening Comments

    START OF ARTICLE

    Paragraph 1

    PARENTS

    bring into the world a new living person who has physical characteristics and personality traits similar to their own. The Bible calls such little ones "an inheritance from Jehovah." (Psalm 127:3) Since he is the true Life-Giver, Jehovah is really entrusting parents with what ultimately belongs to him. (Psalm 36:9) Parents, how do you view receiving such a precious gift from God?

    (Scriptures: 1 snippet, 1 cited)

    Parents

    Little ones

    True Lifegiver

    Paragraph 2

    2 Surely such a gift should be received with humility and appreciation. Over 3,000 years ago, the Israelite Manoah responded in this way when his wife was informed by an angel that she was to bear a child. Upon hearing the good news, Manoah prayed: "Excuse me, Jehovah. The man of the true God that you just sent, let him, please, come again to us and instruct us as to what we ought to do to the child that will be born." (Judges 13:8) Parents, what can you learn from Manoah's example?

    (Scriptures: 1 quoted)

    Surely

    Should be

    Humility and appreciation

    OT example; Manoah and wife

    Why did angel only talk to Manoah?s wife; what is her given name?

    Why did Manoah ask for help of an angel not a priest (elder) or the scriptures he had at that time? Should JWs today ask an angel to instruct them?

    Why Divine Help Is Needed Now

    Paragraph 3

    3 Now more than ever before, parents need Jehovah's the WTS help in rearing their children. The reason? Satan the Devil and his angels have been hurled from heaven down to earth. "Woe for the earth," the Bible warns, "because the Devil has come down to you, having great anger, knowing he has a short period of time." (Revelation 12:7-9, 12) "Like a roaring lion," the Bible explains, Satan is "seeking to devour someone." (1 Peter 5:8) Lions usually prey on the most vulnerable, often the young. Wisely, then, Christian parents look to Jehovah for direction to protect their children. How much effort are you making to do so?

    (Scriptures: 2, snippets)

    Jehovah?s help can only come through the WTS

    Where is the proof that Satan has been hurled down?

    Christian parents : only JWs

    Look to Jehovah : to the WTS

    Protect their children : from pedophiles in the congregation? How when the elders will not tell the congregation; they will only tell the other elders and thus only the elders children will be protected.

    How much effort are you making to do so?: Guilt statement

    Paragraph 4

    4 If you knew that a lion was loose in the neighborhood, protecting your children would surely be a primary concern. Satan is a predator. He seeks to corrupt God's people, thus making them unworthy of God's approval. (Job 2:1-7; 1 John 5:19) Children are an easy target. To escape the snares of the Devil, children must come to know and obey Jehovah. Bible knowledge is essential. "This means everlasting life," Jesus said, "their taking in knowledge of you, the only true God, and of the one whom you sent forth, Jesus Christ." (John 17:3) Furthermore, young ones need wisdom?the ability to understand and to apply what they learn. Since "wisdom itself preserves alive its owners," you parents need to instill the truth in the hearts of your children. (Ecclesiastes 7:12) How might you do this?

    (Scriptures: 2, cited; 2 snippets)

    If you knew that a lion was loose in the neighborhood : If you knew that a pedophile was loose in the congregation; would the elders tell you if they knew?

    Satan is a predator : what about the predatory pedophiles in the congregation that the elders won?t tell you about?

    Children are an easy target : and even more so in a JW congregation where the elders conceal who the pedophile predators are.

    To escape the snares of the pedophile, parents must be suspicious of every person in the congregation.

    Bible knowledge as interpreted by the WTS will not protect your children from the pedophiles in the congregation because of the two-eyewitness rule.

    Young ones

    You parents need to instill : Guilt making statement

    The truth : the full range of Christian teachings as interpreted by the WTS

    Paragraph 5

    5 You can?and should?read to your children from God's Word. But helping them to love and obey Jehovah requires more than that?it requires understanding on their part. To illustrate: A child may be told not to cross the street before looking both ways. Yet, some children do not obey. Why not? The consequences of being hit by a car may not have been explained often enough or in a manner that impresses the danger upon the child, overcoming the "foolishness" that could lead to an accident. Imparting wisdom takes time, as well as much patience. But how valuable wisdom is! "Its ways are ways of pleasantness," the Bible says, "and all its roadways are peace. It is a tree of life to those taking hold of it, and those keeping fast hold of it are to be called happy."?Proverbs 3:13-18; 22:15.

    (Scriptures: 2, snippets)

    Should read: guilt-making statement

    From God?s Word : Does the Bible Story book count?

    More than reading from the Bible required

    w00 10/1 p. 12 Bible Reading?Profitable and Pleasurable

    Yes, Bible reading is both profitable and pleasurable. But is it enough? Christendom?s church members have been reading the Bible for centuries, "always learning and yet never able to come to an accurate knowledge of truth."

    w56 10/15 p. 628 "Offer to God a Sacrifice of Praise"

    Today we are more fortunate, with rotary presses printing Bibles by the millions of copies. Anyone thirsting can easily drink the waters of life by having and reading a Bible of his own. But sometimes reading alone is not enough. One may need help in understanding, like the Ethiopian that Philip the evangelist saw reading the book of Isaiah. "Do you really know what you are reading aloud?" Philip asked him. "Really how could I ever do so, unless someone guided me?" he replied. Philip gave the needed guidance to a right understanding. (Acts 8:26-38, NW) Today instruction to supplement Bible reading is provided by Jehovah through his "faithful and discreet slave" organization that he promised would serve spiritual "food at the proper time." Much of this help is given through the distribution of printed Bible study aids, and with these an individual can gain an enlarged understanding from his Bible reading.

    w61 11/15 p. 692 Publishing the "Word of Life" in a Dying World ***

    As for the reading of the complete Bible having both the Hebrew and the Christian Greek parts in the churches and the homes of the non-Jews, is this Bible reading by them as members of Christendom?s many sectarian religious denominations saving these hundreds of millions of Bible hearers or readers?

    The Bible must be supplemented by dedicated, baptized persons of God?s organization whom he sends forth to preach and teach.

    The negative consequences must be explained often enough : Why not use the positive approach?

    Teaching That Imparts Wisdom

    Paragraph 6

    6 Often young ones act improperly, not because they have not been taught what is right, but because the teaching has not reached their heart?their inner self. The Devil is waging a battle for the heart of young ones. He schemes to see that they are exposed to ungodly influences of his world. He also tries to exploit their inherited sinful inclination to do bad things. (Genesis 8:21; Psalm 51:5) Parents need to recognize that a real war is being waged for the heart of their children.

    (Scriptures: 2, cited)

    Young ones

    Not reached their heart

    Ungodly influences of his world

    Simpsons

    Video games

    Science fiction

    Sports

    Soap operas

    Universities

    Add your own

    Paragraph 7

    7 Parents usually tell a child what is right or wrong
    , believing that they have taught him a certain moral principle. They may say to the child that it is wrong to lie, to steal, or to have sexual relations with anyone to whom one is not married. However, the child needs to have a stronger motivation for obeying than simply because his parents say so. These are Jehovah's laws. The child should learn that the course of wisdom is to obey God's commandments.?Proverbs 6:16-19; Hebrews 13:4.

    (Scriptures: 2, cited)

    Parents tell what is right or wrong: the WTS makes the rules

    More than simply because his parents say so : more than simply because the elders or the WTS/FDS says so

    Obey God?s commandments : Who do you obey when the elders WTS/FDS have laws or commandments that are not in the Bible? Can you think of some?

    Paragraph 8

    8 The complexity of the universe, the diversity of living things, the change of the seasons?all such things can help a young child appreciate the existence of an all-wise Creator. (Romans 1:20; Hebrews 3:4) Further, the child should be taught that God loves him and has made provision through the sacrifice of His Son to give him eternal life and that he can make God happy by obeying what He says. Then likely the child will come to want to serve Jehovah, despite attempts of the Devil to stop him.-Proverbs 22:6; 27:11; John 3:16.

    (Scriptures: 5, cited)

    Blurb page 15: Parents, what can you learn from Manoah's example?

    Should be taught: guilt-making statement

    CARROT : Give him eternal life

    Make God happy by obeying what He (why capitalized here and not in other places in this article?)

    Love God for what he gives us? Satan?s taunt to God about Job?

    Paragraph 9

    9 The kind of teaching that protects a child and motivates him to do what is right takes time, attention, and planning. It requires that parents accept direction from God. The Bible says: "You, fathers, . . . go on bringing [your children] up in the discipline and mental-regulating of Jehovah." (Ephesians 6:4) What does that mean? "Mental-regulating," in the original Greek, conveys the idea of "putting mind in." So fathers are, in effect, urged to put the mind of Jehovah in their children. What a protection that will be for the young ones! If children have God's thoughts, his way of thinking, inculcated in their mind, they are safeguarded against wrongdoing.

    (Scriptures: 1, snippet)

    Time, attention, planning: I can remember a CO coming through and giving a talk about how many parents were not conducting a home study; at least they weren?t turning in a slip. After he left, did the parents start conducting the studies; no, but they did start turning in a slip.

    Parents accept direction from God or the WTS?

    In the original Greek : What is the Greek word?

    God?s thoughts, his way of thinking: as interpreted by the WTS/FDS

    Desire Motivated by Love

    Paragraph 10

    10 In order for you to fulfill your desire to bring your child up properly, however, your efforts need to be prompted by love. An important factor is good communication. Find out what is happening in your youngster's life and what his or her views are. In a comfortable setting, tactfully draw out your child. At times, you may be shocked by what he says. Be very careful not to overreact. Rather, listen with sympathetic concern.

    (Scriptures: 0, none)

    Fulfill your desire : or the WTS desire

    Properly: per WTS directives

    Need to be prompted by love : love or fear, see guilt making statements

    Good communication : how well do the elders communicate with the publishers; how often do the elders approach you for other than a quick hi or to point out a flaw in you or your child?

    His or her : a weak attempt to be gender PC; note that most gender back to he, him, his.

    Comfortable setting : like the Back Room that the elders use

    Tactfully: jump to conclusions like the elders do, asking you to prove you didn?t do it

    Careful not to overreact : No screaming now

    Sympathetic concern : Model yourself after the elders (right)

    Paragraph 11

    11 True, you may have read to your child from the Bible about God's laws prohibiting sexual immorality, even doing so a number of times. (1 Corinthians 6:18; Ephesians 5:5) This may have impressed upon your young ones what is pleasing and not pleasing to Jehovah. However, putting his mind in a child requires more. Children need help to reason on the value of Jehovah's laws. They need to be convinced that his laws are right and good and that obeying them is the proper and loving thing to do. Only if you reason with your children from the Scriptures so that they accept God's viewpoint can it be said that you have put his mind in them.

    (Scriptures: 2, cited)

    Have read to your child from the Bible about God?s laws prohibiting sexual immorality, a number of times

    What about the OT examples like the WTS loves to use even in this article.

    Like this one. Deuteronomy 28:28,29

    Where sex with a married or engaged woman was a capital offense, but if she was an unattached virgin, the rapist/seducer was forced to marry the victim but not put to death. Obviously, sexual immorality was not the issue.

    Why was the sexual morality of Joseph highlighted as something to be imitated, but Judah was rewarded with the promise to have the Messiah come through his line although he knowingly slept with a prostitute.

    Joseph, adultery was the issue, not sexual immorality, property

    Judah was a widower, but he didn?t know that the prostitute wasn?t someone?s wife

    Maybe read an account of how men in the OT were allowed to have more than one wife and it wasn?t considered sexual immorality.

    Abraham, Sarah, Hagar

    Jacob, Leah, Rachel, Bilhah, other one

    David, 8 wives

    Solomon, 1000 wives and concubines (same rights as wives under the law)

    Young ones

    Pleasing Jehovah : pleasing WTS

    Requires more (than reading the Bible several times): See quotes above about Bible not being enough

    Proper thing to do: per the WTS

    Reason from the Scriptures: reason from the WTS publications

    Accept God?s viewpoint : WTS viewpoint

    Paragraph 12

    12 When talking about sex, you might ask, "Do you think that obeying Jehovah's law not to have sexual relations before marriage will rob a person of happiness?" Encourage your child to explain his answer. After reviewing God's marvelous provision for producing a child, you might ask: "Do you think our loving God would make laws to rob us of enjoyment of life? Or do you think his laws are there to make us happy and to protect us?" (Psalm 119:1, 2; Isaiah 48:17) Get your child's thinking on this matter. Then you might draw attention to examples of how sexual immorality has led to heartache and trouble. (2 Samuel 13:1-33) By reasoning with your child so that he understands and accepts God's view, you will have gone a long way toward putting God's mind in him. However, there is something else you can do.

    (Scriptures: 3, cited)

    Talking about sex: at what age do you think these questions are appropriate, 3, 7, 9?

    Do you think : is this really a viewpoint question?

    Explain his answer : is there more than one answer allowed?

    Your child?s thinking : is there more than one safe answer?

    Examples (OT) of how sexual immorality has led to heartache and trouble.

    Show how David and Bathsheba lived but their child died, David kept his kingship and the Messianic promise, David?s sons died, his wives were raped in public

    Your child/he

    God?s view : or the WTS view

    God?s mind in him : or the WTS view

    Blurb page 16: Young ones, what can you learn from the example of the three Hebrews? OT EXAMPLE

    Paragraph 13

    13 Wisely, you will not only teach your child the consequences of disobeying Jehovah but also explain how Jehovah is personally affected by the way we live. Show your child from the Bible that we can cause Jehovah pain when we fail to do his will. (Psalm 78:41) You might ask, "Why do you not want to hurt Jehovah?" and explain: "God's enemy Satan claims that we serve Jehovah for selfish reasons and not because we love him." Then explain that by keeping integrity, Job made God's heart rejoice, thus providing an answer to Satan's lying charge. (Job 1: 9-11; 27:5) Your child needs to understand that depending on how he behaves, he can make Jehovah either sad or happy. (Proverbs 27:11) This and many other vital lessons can be taught to children by using the book Learn From the Great Teacher.* (* Published by Jehovah's Witnesses. See chapter 40, "How to Make God Happy.")

    (Scriptures: 4, cited)

    Consequences of disobeying Jehovah : disobeying WTS who makes the rules

    Jehovah is personally affected : guilt-making statement, child is responsible for God?s feelings

    Cause Jehovah pain : guilt

    Why do you not want to hurt Jehovah ?: guilt

    Satan claims : the WTS claims

    Your child/he

    Make Jehovah sad or happy : guilt

    Gratifying Results

    Paragraph 14

    14 A grandfather in Croatia who reads the Teacher book with his seven-year-old grandson writes that the boy told him the following: "Mum said to do something, but I didn't want to do it. Then I remembered the chapter 'Obedience Protects You,' so I went back and told her I would be obedient to her." Regarding the chapter Why We Should Not Lie
    , a couple in Florida, U.S.A., said: "It provides questions that invite children to open their hearts and admit errors they would otherwise not admit."

    (Scriptures, none)

    Seven-year-old grandson

    Do you think that is a realistic statement from a 7-year-old?

    Why We Should Not Lie

    Except to people who are not entitled to know

    w54 10/1 p. 585 Lies Lead to Loss of Life

    A LIE is a false statement made by one to another who is entitled to hear and know the truth

    Insight Book Volume 2 (1988) p. 244 Lie

    Lying generally involves saying something false to a person who is entitled to know the truth

    km 4/00 p. 6 Theocratic Ministry School Review

    Since God approved of Rahab?s course, her words to the men of Jericho who were pursuing the Israelite spies indicate that (whether to lie is a personal decision; one
    is not obligated to divulge truthful information to those not entitled to it; she had not yet changed all her worldly ways). (Josh. 2:3-5; compare Romans 14:4.) [Weekly Bible reading; see w93 12/15 p. 25 par. 1.]

    invite children to open their hearts and admit errors they would otherwise not admit

    ?!

    Blurbs page 17: The pictures and captions in the "Teacher" book are powerful teaching tools; What lie is Ananias telling Peter?; Who can see everything we do?

    This little story implies that the elders and the parents get direct revelation from God when people are lying.

    Paragraph 15

    15 The Teacher book has more than 230 pictures, and there is a caption, or description, for each picture or group of pictures. "Often my son will fix his eyes on a picture and not want the page turned," noted one appreciative mother. "Not only are the pictures appealing but they teach lessons on their own, or at least cause children to ask questions. Regarding a picture in which a child is watching television in a darkened room, my son asked, 'Mommy, what is that boy doing?' in a tone that indicated that he knew that something was wrong." The caption to the picture reads: "Who can see everything we do?"

    (Scriptures, none)

    Teacher book has more than 230 pictures; appealing

    Watching television in a darkened room; he knew something was wrong

    Appealing?

    Vital Education for Today

    Paragraph 16

    16 Children need to know the proper and the improper use of their private body parts. Yet, talking about this is not always easy. A newspaper columnist observed that she grew up in an era in which using words that refer to the sexual organs was considered rude. Concerning the teaching of her children, she wrote: "I'm going to have to get over my embarrassment." Truly, when out of embarrassment parents avoid the subject of sex, it does not protect a child. Sexual molesters exploit a child's ignorance. Learn From the Great Teacher addresses the subject in a wholesome, dignified manner. Informing children about sex does not take away their innocence, whereas failing to do so can lead to their being robbed of it.

    (Scriptures, none)

    Children need to know the proper and improper use of their private body parts.

    So do adults. How many slang words are there for penis and vagina? If you want to name them please do so on a separate thread.

    Notice that the WTS does not use the words penis or vagina in this article. Do they every use them in a WT study article? Never. Why is that?

    A newspaper columnist (she)

    Another WTS failure to say who this person is, their credentials, and what publication or article, and when.

    I couldn?t find it Googling but I suspect it is either Ann Landers or Dear Abby.

    Learn From the Great Teacher

    Scans from the parts on child abuse can be viewed here:

    http://www.silentlambs.org/GreatTeacherbook.htm

    Would you want these instructions given to your child in the event molestation occurred???

    This book is designed to be studied with two year olds up, would you want this material considered with your child?

    It is interesting to note that on pages 86, 106,150-151 there are three examples in which children are encouraged to respect policemen and report breeches of the peace. The illustrations are regarding mild misdemeanours that the Watchtower organization says should be reported to the authorities. On pages 150-151 it would seem that cooperation with police is exhorted.

    However, on the pages below, 170-171 the particular crime described is far from mild and yet here cooperation with the police is not exhorted and the phrase, "I'm going to tell on you" is passive and no deterrent. The descriptive anatomical language is obviously for the parent and yet the parent is not encouraged to report this serious crime to the police.

    Why does the organization encourage cooperation with authorities for misdemeanours and yet purposely omit the importance of reporting child rape to police? Would you want these instructions given to your child in the event molestation occurred???

    This book is designed to be studied with two year olds up, would you want this material considered with your child?

    It is interesting to note that on pages 86, 106,150-151 there are three examples in which children are encouraged to respect policemen and report breeches of the peace. The illustrations are regarding mild misdemeanours that the Watchtower organization says should be reported to the authorities. On pages 150-151 it would seem that cooperation with police is exhorted.

    However, on the pages below, 170-171 the particular crime described is far from mild and yet here cooperation with the police is not exhorted and the phrase, "I'm going to tell on you" is passive and no deterrent. The descriptive anatomical language is obviously for the parent and yet the parent is not encouraged to report this serious crime to the police.

    Why does the organization encourage cooperation with authorities for misdemeanours and yet purposely omit the importance of reporting child rape to police?

    Wholesome, dignified manner: by leaving them out of this study article

    Paragraph 17

    17 In chapter 10, when discussing the wicked angels who came to earth and fathered children, the child is asked, "What do you know about sex relations?" The book gives a simple, dignified answer. Later, chapter 32 explains how children can be protected from sexual predators. Many letters have reported that such teaching is vital. One observed: "Last week when my son Javan saw his pediatrician, she asked if we had discussed with him the proper use of private parts of the body. She was very impressed that we had done this using our new book."

    (Scriptures, none)

    Sexual relations? To a 5-year-old? As soon as children start talking they should know the right terms.

    Simple, dignified answer : why the focus on being dignified? Are they embarrassed?

    Using our new book : Once again the Bible is relegated to a secondary place to WTS publications.

    Paragraph 18

    18 Another chapter deals with the Bible account of the three Hebrew youths Sha-drach, Meshach, and Abednego, who refused to bow to an image representing the Babylonian State. (Daniel 3:1-30) Some may not relate paying homage to an image to saluting the flag, as the Teacher book does. However, note what author Edward Gaffney had to say in an interview by U.S. Catholic. He mentioned that when his daughter told him after her first day at public school that she had learned a "new prayer at school," he asked her to repeat it to him. "She put her hand on her heart," said Gaffney, "and proudly began, 'I pledge allegiance to the flag ...'" He continued: "All of a sudden, it kicked in. The Jehovah's Witnesses were right. There is an aspect of national spirituality that's being shaped in our schools at a very early stage?an unquestioning transcendent loyalty."

    (Scriptures, none)

    OT Example

    Edward Gaffney : finally a halfway attribution

    Worth All the Effort

    Paragraph 19

    19 Really, teaching your children is worth all your effort. A mother in Kansas, U.S.A., was moved to tears upon receiving a letter from her son. He wrote: "I feel very fortunate to have had an upbringing that left me relatively emotionally stable and whole. You and Daddy certainly deserve commendation." (Proverbs 31:28) Learn From the Great Teacher can help many more parents to teach children so as to protect this precious heritage
    .

    (Scriptures 1, cited)

    Letter from her son: These experiences are fine-tuned and can be over 40 years old. I have seen how my experiences were altered beyond recognition by a CO making it fit the theme of the assembly and be as encouraging as possible.

    Paragraph 20

    20 Our children deserve all the time, attention, and effort we can give them. They are young for such a short time. Take advantage of every opportunity to be with them and to help them. You will never regret it. They will come to love you. Always remember, your children are God's gift to you. What a precious inheritance they are! (Psalm 127:3-5) So treat them as such, as though you are answerable to God for how you rear them because the fact is, you are.

    (Scriptures: 1, cited)

    Time, attention, and effort : Just the way the elders are toward the flock (hah)

    They will come to love you : What are they born hating their parents?

    Remember, your children are God?s gift to you; so treat them as such; answerable to God : 3 guilt-making statements in a row

    **********Picture from last week on page 18**********

    Jgnat noticed it. At the family study, the father and son are in casual slacks, shirt, and shoes; the mother and daughters are in dresses and dress shoes ready to go to the KH. Make a note how often this is; that the women are in dresses in a casual setting.

    Box page 18-19:

    A Book for Everyone

    Learn From the Great Teacher was prepared to help parents or other adults read and discuss the teachings of Jesus Christ with children. Yet, adults who have read the book by themselves have expressed sincere appreciation for what they have learned.

    That is because there is such a lack of discussion about Jesus in most of the WT publications.

    A man in Texas, U.S.A., said: "Learn From the Great Teacher is eloquent in its simplicity, motivating us at any age?even at 76, as I am. Thank you very much, from one who has served Jehovah since youth."

    A reader from London, England, reports: "The beautiful illustrations are bound to capture the hearts of parents and children alike. The questions and format are wonderful, and how fantastic to see sensitive issues dealt with, as in chapter 32, 'How Jesus Was Protected.'" She concluded: "Even though this book is no doubt primarily designed with the children of Jehovah's Witnesses in mind, I imagine that teachers and others will be more than glad to have a copy too. I look forward to using it in the months and years to come."

    A woman from Massachusetts, U.S.A., commented about the many "well-thought-out pictures." She observed: "I noticed that even though the book is meant for children, the subjects discussed can also help us adults think about our personal relationship with Jehovah."

    "Wow! What a wonderful book!" exclaimed a woman from Maine, U.S.A. "It is not just for young ones but for all of us as God's children. It has reached into places I didn't know were there and has stirred emotions and then soothed them, so that there was peace. I feel so close to Jehovah as my Father. He has taken away all the hurt that has happened over the years and has made his purpose so clear." She concluded: "I'm telling everyone, 'Please read it.'"

    A woman from Kyoto, Japan, reported that when she was reading to her grandchildren, they asked such questions as: "'What

    is that boy doing? Why is this little girl being scolded? What about this mother? What about this lion?' It teaches things we are interested in, so I love it much more than any book I could find in a library."

    A father in Calgary, Canada, says that as soon as he received the book, he began to read it to his six-year-old daughter and his nine-year-old son. "Immediately the response was wonderful," he reports. "My children were following along and answering the questions from their heart. They felt a part of the study, and it gave them a chance to express themselves. They have come alive, and my daughter says she wants to study from the new book every night."

    After one study, the father said: "My son and I talked for hours about Jehovah and his purposes. He had so many questions that came from the book. Tears came to my eyes when he said good night to me and asked: 'Can we do this again, Dad? I have so many questions, and I want to know everything about Jehovah.'"

    If the book is about Jesus teachings, why doesn?t he want to everything about Jesus?

    Concluding Comments

    Did you notice how few scriptures were quoted; just a few snippets, the bulk cited. How many JWs do you think will actually look up these scriptures? Will the teaching be coming from the Bible or the WTS publication?

    Yes, parents, you are responsible if your children to become or stay JWs. The WTS has done all they can by providing the Learn from the Great Teacher Book.

    Do the elders know the names of your children? Do they take the time to really get to know them? Are children valued in your congregation?

    Love, Blondie

    Questions

    1. Why should parents view their children as gifts?

    2. What was Manoah's response upon learning that he was to become a father?

    3. Why is God's help in rearing children especially needed today?

    4. (a) Knowing that a lion is roaming in the neighborhood should prompt what reaction from parents? (b) What do children need for protection?

    5. (a) How can wisdom be imparted? (b) How does Proverbs describe the value of wisdom?

    6. (a) Why do children often act unwisely? (b) What battle is going on?

    7. Why is telling a child what is right or wrong not sufficient?

    8. What kind of teaching can help children act wisely?

    9. (a) What does lifesaving teaching require? (b) What are fathers instructed to do, and what does this involve?

    10. To instruct your child effectively, what is it important for you to know?

    11. How can a parent put God's mind in a child?

    12. How can a parent help his child to get the proper view of sexual relations?

    13. Understanding what can especially motivate a child to obey Jehovah?

    14, 15. (a) Which lessons in the Teacher book have motivated children? (b) What good results have you had from using the book? (See also box on pages 18-19.)

    16. What is it vital that children be taught today, and why?

    17. How does the Teacher book help parents to teach their children about sex?

    18. How does the Teacher book discuss paying homage to national emblems?

    19. What rewards are there for teaching children?

    20. What should parents always remember, and what effect should that have on them?

    How Would You Answer?

    Why do parents especially now need to protect their children?

    What kind of teaching imparts wisdom?

    What are vital issues to discuss with your children today?

    How has the Teacher book helped parents teach their children?

  • jgnat
    jgnat

    Yeah, the whole article screams fear of the Devil. Save your children or else He will gobble them up. Instructions are given on how to raise compliant, obedient children who don't want to disappoint Jehovah (read WTS). Then the rest is a promo for the Teacher book. I think the book is too graphic for young children.

    Oh yeah. I notice any JW parent worth their salt are certainly protecting their precious inheritance. They are lightening up on the requirements and attempting to normalize the life of their children. Might they be afraid that if they tighten up, they could lose their children for good?

  • Pistoff
    Pistoff

    Wow........where to start.

    First, this new Great Teacher book is just the latest in a recent string of horribly written books. It is filled with rhetoric rather than spiritual concepts; it constantly draws attention away from the very real iconoclastic nature of Jesus, and the subversiveness of his teachings to any entrenched religious power structure.

    My issues with this article:

    1. They repeat the abominable idea that Satan targets children. If I had young children still, I would not allow them to read this chapter. This is a concept that is NOT supported by scripture and in the instance it is used in the chapter on child sexual abuse, it is used to deflect attention away from who really perpetrates abuse: ADULTS; it also conveniently places all the responsibility for refusing on a child. This is an idea that any competent psychiatrist will say is inaccurate and unrealistic. If a child was strong enough to say no in the first place, the problem would not come up. This is the best they can do I guess; put the burden on the child and blame the devil. YIKES.

    2. The question is asked: "Do you think engaging in sexual immorality will bring unhappiness?" It is guaranteed to bring unhappiness if you tell an elder about it; they will probably ask you what underwear you were wearing and if you used a condom. And since they tell you ahead of time you will feel terrible, you probably will. NOTICE the lack of comment from Jesus about this; I wonder why?

    The articles get more and more legalistic and off target; at least when we had Freddy writing he could put some ideas across coherently.

  • upside/down
    upside/down

    I'm so glad I'm out! with my kids!!!

    u/d (of the luckier than most class)

  • Banshee
    Banshee

    Terrific job, blondie!

    I like how you pointed out all of the guilt-inducing phrases and statements. What a shame-based religion it is!!! Thanks for pointing out what I noticed so much as I was growing up as a JW; namely, that they hardly ever mention the actual names for sex organs in their articles/chapters about sex in their literature. Also, the way they write about it always gives off the feeling that sex is a shameful subject.

    About the Learn from the Great Teacher book, I clicked on the link to the scanned pages that Silent Lambs has on their site. YIKES!!! That stuff was truly upsetting to read. I agree with pistoff about how they put the responsibility on the child! Also, they do not tell the children anything about going to a school counselor or any authority figures outside of the parents or KH.What if their abuser is one of the parents!? Also, a lot of the wording in this seems too explicit for very young children. Which is strange, considering their usual reticence about sex. Why so much more explicit in a book that is written primarily for children?

    This WT article exemplifies what my husband has said about the WTBS literature after reading a few articles: "This stuff sounds like the ravings of a paranoid, insane person!" I noticed in the article how much they used the "the Devil & the worldly folks are chasing you" theme! Yeah, scare the holy crap out of the parents and the kids. That will surely keep the kids in the organization! Uh-huh.

    Thanks for your Comments You Will Not Hear section, blondie! It always makes me grateful I'm out of that cult and I can keep an eye on what my mom & neices are reading/hearing at the KH.

  • cyberguy
    cyberguy

    As you mention, Blondie, JW parents are not made aware of the real dangers from the real predator pedophiles within the "spiritual paradise!" Watchtower points to the outside, whereas, the real danger is within!

    I talked to one JW from my old congregation recently (a young man, in his 30's, married, 3 kids), and he said that a 34 year old man sexually molested a 15 year old girl in my old hall. Of course NOTHING WAS DONE! No announcement! NO NOTHING! Evidently the parents of the girl are informing others! They'll probably be facing judicial action when found out!

    Well, my friend, married with 3 kids, all very young, is simply terrified about attending that hall! He's been in it his whole life, and is trying to please his parents by making attempts to attend with his family, but he is terrified of the pedophiles that appear to have little restraint! He told me that he makes sure that when he does attend, that his wife accompanies his 2 young daughters to the bathroom, for fear that one of the pedophiles, protected within the framework (like this young man mentioned, raised in the "truth"), might molest his little girls!

    Thanks Blondie!

  • luna2
    luna2

    I add my thanks too, blondie. What scares me is that I read this stuff and can recall exactly how I suspended reason back when I was in. I would have imparted the best possible motive to the WTS for the advice given and probably would have tried my best to carry it out. Going over this material even here, my mind almost splits into two halves...one side looking at this like the good little dub I used to be, remembering the mindset, and one side noting the underlined items, reading your commentary, and being appalled at the whole thing.

    I've come to the conclusion that I am way, way too submissive and need to figure out how to change that aspect of my personality.

  • Honesty
    Honesty

    Thanks Blondie !!!!

    I, too have noticed how the WT Study articles lack the same ooooomph! that Freddy 'The Freak' Franz was able to convey in them.

  • willyloman
    willyloman

    Many years ago, an elder was explaining to me the JW take on Mother's Day. He said that Satan takes seemingly "good" things, i.e., the desire to love and respect one's mother, and turns them into "bad" things, i.e., set aside a day each year for "mother worship."

    His explanation was more complex than that, but the point is, this how JWs think and reason. So here's this article on kids, and what do you know? The WTS is the one taking a "good" thing (our natural love for and desire to protect our children) and turning it into a "bad" thing (watch out, Satan and/or other predators will harm them, you're all doomed if you don't obey us and you will be guilty if anything happens to them because you didn't follow the rules).

    I guess the morale is, both the WTS and Satan deal in excesses and hyperbole.

  • minimus
    minimus

    This article is one big guilt trip! Parents, no matter how hard they are trying, are not doing enough. The reason kids leave the "truth" is because the parents aren't teaching the kids correctly. THEY SUCK!

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