WT November 15, 2010 – Young Ones targeted
The articles to be studied in January include:
Young Ones be guided by God’s word
Young Ones resist peer pressure
Young Ones what will you do with your life
Reading through it sickened me, but while pondering on it, realized the following. All articles are written with an agenda and are to deal with problems in the organization. This means that young ones are leaving in droves, likely often as they are most internet minded and can easily find what is wrong with the organization and its teachings online.
Here are some snippets:
Page 6, paragraph 17:
To remain loyal to God when you are by yourself, you must develop your “perceptive powers . . . to distinguish both right and wrong” and then train those powers “through use” by acting on what you know is right. (Heb. 5:14) For example, when choosing the music you listen to, the movies you watch, or the Internet sites that you visit, here is what will help you choose what is right and avoid what is wrong.
Movies, Music and Internet are thus a problem.
Page 6, paragraph 18:
What should you do if you have secretly been engaging in conduct that you know to be wrong? Remember, “He that is covering over his transgressions will not succeed, but he that is confessing and leaving them will be shown mercy.” How unwise it would be to continue in a wrong course and “be grieving God’s holy spirit”! You really owe it to God, to your parents, and to yourself to confess any wrongdoing. Admittedly, this may result in some embarrassment and perhaps some unpleasant consequences.
Confession time, sounds like the Catholic Church. Read: Few are going to the elders.
Page 9, Paragraph 8:
The Bible urges you to “flee from fornication.” Ask yourself, ‘Why is that a wise command?’ Think of all the reasons why your peers engage in such conduct. Reflect also on various reasons why the person who practices fornication “is sinning against his own body.” Now analyze the reasons, and ask yourself: ‘Which is the best course to follow? Is it really worth it to engage in sexual misconduct?’ Give the matter even further thought, asking yourself, ‘How would I feel if I gave in to sexual immorality?’ You might gain the immediate approval of some peers, but how would you feel later on when you are with your parents or fellow Christians at Kingdom Hall.
Guess many young ones are gong for premarital sex.
Page 11, paragraph 16:
One teenage Christian relates: “My sister and I walked out of a movie that contained a lot of swearing. Others in the group decided to stay. Our parents praised us for what we did. However, the others in the group were angry because we made them look bad.”
Goodie two shoes walks out of a movie and the rest look bad. Shows that most remain seated.
Page 12, paragraph 4:
Your peers and teachers are likely to influence you to do what they feel is right for you. Of course, even if you have clear goals, some may still offer their opinions. When listening to their suggestions, ask yourself, ‘Would the goals they mention help me to remember my Creator while I am young or would they distract me from doing so?"
Yes, teachers may recommend higher education and obviously many are following this advice.
Page 13, paragraph 6:
Your peers may believe in evolution or in various false religious doctrines because others have told them that this is what they should believe. However, you can rise above such thinking when it comes to your own beliefs.
Many young ones are obviously researching evolution and see the logic of it.
Page 14, paragraph 12-14:
Baptism is not a contract that restrains you from doing things that you would secretly like to do. Baptism is an important step for those who want to be saved. Whatever reasons there are for your hesitation to get baptized, you need to resolve such issues and concerns.
Many are holding back from baptism.
