Book Study "provision from Jehovah" quotes KM, so why cancelled by GB?

by yesidid 21 Replies latest jw friends

• 

  yesidid

  You will notice that in both these KM articles they say the CBS is "a loving arrangement from Jehovah".

  If that is the case it begs the question:

  What right have they to stop it?

  KM 12/1978 ShowingAppreciationfortheCongregationBookStudy

  1 Meetings in private homes could well be the oldest and most widely attended of Christian gatherings.

  In apostolic times groups of Christians met in private homes to discuss God’s Word. (Philem. 2)

  And today, besides the tens of thousands of congregation book study groups, we find in many of

  the 46 lands where the work is banned that small groups of our brothers are meeting in private

  homes for Bible study. This, in fact, is the only kind of meeting possible in many of these lands.

  3 Consider some of the following benefits of the book study arrangement of which all of us can take

  advantage: (1) The groups are smaller, with better opportunities for close fellowship.

  (2) It is easier for all to comment freely since the material to be covered is not too lengthy and the group is small;

  also, we can get answers to questions on points not entirely clear from our personal study.

  (3) It provides a convenient center for organizing field service where this can be arranged during the week.

  (4) Conductors can get to know you better and are in a good position to assist with personal problems,

  give training in field service and help you with Scriptural questions……………………………………………………………………

  9 The congregation book study fills a vital need in our spiritual progress. If some of us have failed to see the reasons

  for the emphasis being placed on this important arrangement, it would be good to take a fresh look at our view toward the book study to which we are assigned. Do we see why we all should have deep appreciation for this loving provision from Jehovah?

  KM 8/2007

  HowtheCongregationBookStudyArrangementHelpsUs

  1………………………………………………………. What are some unique and beneficial features of the Congregation Book Study arrangement?

  2 Help to Progress Spiritually: The number of people attending a book study is generally far less

  than the number attending the other congregation meetings. This makes it easier to develop friendships

  that are a source of spiritual support. (Prov. 18:24) Have you made an effort to get to know everyone in

  your book study group, perhaps asking each one to work with you in the ministry? The book study arrangement

  also enables the book study overseer to know the unique circumstances of each one in the group and to

  provide personal encouragement.—Prov. 27:23.

  3 Have you invited your Bible students to attend the book study with you? Interested ones who are reluctant

  to attend our larger meetings may be less nervous about attending a smaller meeting, especially in a private home.

  The intimate atmosphere makes it easier for young ones and those newly associated to share in commenting.

  And since the group is smaller, we have more opportunities to participate and praise Jehovah.—Ps. 111:1.

  4 Book studies are generally held at convenient locations throughout the territory. While it is not possible for

  all to be assigned to the location nearest them, attending our assigned book study may require less travel than

  attending other congregation meetings. The book study location may also serve as a convenient meeting place for field service.

  5 Help for the Ministry: The book study overseer is interested in assisting each one to have a regular,

  meaningful, and joyful share in the ministry. Therefore, he endeavors to work with everyone in the group,

  giving personal assistance in various features of the ministry. If you find a particular aspect of the ministry

  to be challenging, such as making return visits, let your book study overseer know. Perhaps he can arrange

  for you to work with an experienced publisher in the group. Your ability to teach on Bible studies will be refined

  by paying careful attention to the book study overseer’s good teaching methods as he conducts the book study.—1 Cor. 4:17.

  6 What a blessing the Congregation Book Study is! This loving arrangement from Jehovah helps us maintain our sure spiritual footing during the challenging times in which we live.—Ps. 26:12

  .
• 

  AWAKE&WATCHING

  Good work!!! I personally see it as more of a control measure. For one thing that is the meeting that is skipped the most. Also harder for the sheep to put there own thoughts in at a larger setting. The time limits any personal thoughts coming out as well. Just quote from the paragraph, it's all been done for you, no need to think.
• 

  CunningMan

  Now remember, they're not eliminating it entirely, but limiting it to 25 minutes and scheduling it with two other meetings.
• 

  Billy the Ex-Bethelite

  I guess it's new light, yesidid.

  • Then: the CBS is "a loving arrangement from Jehovah"
  • Now: disposing of the CBS is "an even more loving arrangment from Jehovah"

  Are you feeling the love? Hmm, I guess the GB wasn't feeling the love either.
• 

  yesidid

  Now remember, they're not eliminating it entirely, but limiting it to 25 minutes and scheduling it with two other meetings.

  Actually they have eliminated it. There is no longer a GROUP study. There is another CONGREGATION meeting in the KH where they will have a much shorter

  study of material which would once have studied in a GROUP.

  The things mentioned below were the aspects covered in "Jehovah's arrangement".

  There is no mention of material to be studied, which is the only thing remaining, and the fact that it is condensed eliminates some of the positives mentioned below.

  1. Meetings in private homes could well be the oldest and most widely attended of Christian gatherings

  2. In apostolic times groups of Christians met in private homes

  3. Where the work is banned that small groups of our brothers are meeting in private

  homes for Bible study. This, in fact, is the only kind of meeting possible in many of these lands .

  4. The groups are smaller, with better opportunities for close fellowship

  5. It is easier for all to comment freely since the material to be covered is not too lengthy and the group is small;

  also, we can get answers to questions on points not entirely clear from our personal study.

  6. Conductors can get to know you better and are in a good position to assist .

  7. The number of people attending a book study is generally far less than the number attending the other congregation meetings.

  8. book study arrangement also enables the book study overseer to know the unique circumstances of each one in the group.

  9. Interested ones who are reluctant to attend our larger meetings may be less nervous about attending a smaller meeting, especially in a private home.

  10. The intimate atmosphere makes it easier for young ones and those newly associated to share in commenting

  11 Book studies are generally held at convenient locations throughout the territory.

  .
• 

  ozziepost

  Meetings in private homes could well be the oldest and most widely attended of Christian gatherings.

  In apostolic times groups of Christians met in private homes to discuss God’s Word.

  A moot point.
• 

  quietlyleaving

  Yesidid, thanks for the reminder

  Within WTS structure and meaning this is an enormous and very sad change. It hugely subverts their own definition of what christianity should be. I think it is going to give rise to a real feeling of loss.

  ql
• 

  SadElder

  In times past the Bethel CIA (aka Service Department) under the direction of Ted "The Boss" has had a fecal hemmorhage if any department other than Service communicated directly with the congregations. Could the letter's coming directly from the GB imply that Ted was against this change and is being slapped in the ego by the new boys in the regime?
• 

  ozziepost

  Could the letter's coming directly from the GB imply that Ted was against this change and is being slapped in the ego by the new boys in the regime?

  Intriguing.....an interesting point.
• 

  chicken little

  Some one mentioned that the problem of gas prices was part of the reason for the disbanding of a third weekly meeting. I have to comment on that as it seems that once again a corporate business is thinking in terms of money first. I think it is laughable when we hear of the experiences of brothers in yearbooks walking for miles through snake infested jungles to get to meetings and here we have our "poor" brothers in USA having to pay a bit more for gas....try europes prices...they would have you gasping! Still I dont knock less meetings....fewer the better...I just dont buy their reasoning. They probably have to give more money out to the bethel bros for getting to and fro from the meetings...that hurts!

  Poor african brothers and sisters all that effort for what is really not that important anymore.