Comments You Will Not Hear at the 06-09-2013 WT Study (APRIL 15, 2013, pages 7-11)(READ BIBLE)
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RECEIVE FULL
BENEFIT FROM
READING THE BIBLE
“I really delight in the
law of God.”—ROM. 7:22.
LOOK FOR THESE POINTS
How will reading “in an undertone” benefit you?
How can you build a reserve of Scriptural points that you can
use to help others?
Careful reading of the Bible gives you what protection?
OPENING COMMENTS
I grew up in a 3 generation WTS family from the Bible Students days to the days of the change to Jehovah’s Witnesses, to the days of no WT president only a group of men called the “governing body.”
I never saw anyone model daily bible reading. They were used to abbreviated quotes and snippets in their studies, cited scriptures that were only read at the meetings if their was time. A group of people that maybe one out five hundred knew all 66 names of the books of the bible, maybe a few knew what men were used to write them, and even less knew the time frame and location. That is in spite of studying the Scripture Inspired book several times. These same people groaned when the questions of the Theocratic Review had questions on that information.
These people (and me) were taught to make talks and sermons (and later provided them ready made by the WTS) that consisted of 3 or more scriptures strung together to prove a point. Few shared the context with others or even knew themselves.
The WTS added a feature to the Theocratic School, assigned a group of scriptures to read and consider and then an elder would pick out the highlights making application, hah. Most elders had not read the material, hoping they could depend on their years as a jw, to pick out something. Or had their wives pick out something. Or present a part that was like serving raw eggs, nutritional but not palatable.
This article shows that the WTS is reaping what they have sown, members that do not read the Bible in its entirety, rarely even knowing what scriptures the WTS underpins its beliefs. That is why the WTS developed the book Reasoning from the Scriptures for jws to keep in their bag to pull out and use. Assuming that keep it in their bag. To me it is like not having the tools to change a flat tire in the trunk.
I caught many an elder as I cited a scripture in the book of Hezekiah (or Matthew 29:1) as they nodded their head wisely as if they were familiar with it. Much like the question.
There is a reason that both Bethelites and Gilead students are required to read the bible through (1 year for Bethelites?) but only 1 month for those at Gilead.
When I went to pioneer school, the program/agenda quickly weeded out those who had a good knowledge of the bible, and those that rarely opened it.
START OF ARTICLE
1-3. What benefits are gained from reading the Bible and applying
its teachings?
“I THANK Jehovah every morning for helping me
to understand the Bible.” The elderly Christian sister
who made that statement has read the entire Bible
over 40 times, and she is not stopping. Younger sister
wrote that Bible reading has helped her to see
that Jehovah is real. As a result, she has drawn closer
to her heavenly Father. She stated, “I have never
been happier in my life!”
COMMENTS
How does God help people? Does the holy spirit reveal the understanding to them as individuals? What about the early Christians? What about today….or does the WTS teach that the understanding only comes through the now 8 men on the “governing body”? Does God reveal it to them as individuals or only as they meet as a group and consider an issue? Does God give the same revelation to all or do some see it differently so they resort to a 2/3 vote?
This information only comes through the GB no longer the FDS. Have you been keeping up on new information?
Whilst it was stated that the Governing Body direct the rest of the Anointed, it was not explained where this left the rest of the Anointed, or how they were used as part of the Slave. The concept that all Anointed are of the Slave fell apart with these indications that as a whole the Anointed are not of importance. It had become clear that only the Governing Body have any influence in "feeding the sheep" and running the organization, and regard themselves alone as representing the Slave.
This became official at the Annual Meeting 6th Oct 2012. The information was released onto jw.org Nov 2012 and first appeared in the Watchtower 2013, July 15.
" The evidence points to the following conclusion: “The faithful and discreet slave” was appointed over Jesus’ domestics in 1919. That slave is the small, composite group of anointed brothers serving at world headquarters during Christ’s presence who are directly involved in preparing and dispensing spiritual food. When this group work together as the Governing Body, they act as “the faithful and discreet slave.”" jw.org (10th Nov 2012)
"In keeping with Jesus’ pattern of feeding many through the hands of a few, that slave is made up of a small group of anointed brothers who are directly involved in preparing and dispensing spiritual food during Christ’s presence . Throughout the last days, the anointed brothers who make up the faithful slave have served together at headquarters. In recent decades, that slave has been closely identified with the Governing Body of Jehovah’s Witnesses. Note, however, that the word “slave” in Jesus’ illustration is singular, indicating that this is a composite slave. The decisions of the Governing Body are thus made collectively." Watchtower 2013 Jul 15 p.22
http://www.jwfacts.com/watchtower/faithful-discreet-slave.php
2 The apostle Peter encouraged all to “form a longing
for the unadulterated milk belonging to the
word.” (1 Pet. 2:2) Those who satisfy that longing
through Bible study and who apply Bible teachings
have a clean conscience and a purpose in living. They
develop enduring friendships with others who also
love and serve the true God. All of these are valid
reasons to “delight in the law of God.” (Rom. 7:22)
But there are even more benefits. What are some of
them?
COMMENTS
Do jws actual study the Bible or do the study their publications sprinkled with a few bible verses? Do jws apply bible teachings as individuals or as “mature” jws tell them how it should be applied? Do these ones truly love and serve, or are they more concerned about what people might see?
(Galatians 1:10) . . .Is it, in fact, men I am now trying to persuade or God? Or am I seeking to please men? If I were yet pleasing men, I would not be Christ’s slave.
(1 Thessalonians 2:4) . . .but, just as we have been proved by God as fit to be entrusted with the good news, so we speak, as pleasing, not men, but God, who makes proof of our hearts.
3 The more you learn about Jehovah and his Son,
the more your love for them and your fellow humans
will grow. Having accurate Scriptural knowledge
helps you to see how God will soon save obedient
mankind from this dying system. You have a
positive message of good news to share with people
in your ministry. Jehovah will bless you as you teach
others the things that you have learned from reading
God’s Word.
COMMENTS
(Finally a reference to Jesus and the need to learn about him)
Yes, God will only serve “obedient” MANkind.
Yes, all non-jws will die eternally soooon, including their minor children, even babes in the womb. What a “positive” message! If you want to get rid of the lice, you have to kill the nits.
READ AND REFLECT
4. What does it mean to read the Bible “in an undertone”?
4 Jehovah does not want his servants to rush
through a reading of his Word. He told Joshua of
ancient times: “This book of the law should not depart
from your mouth, and you must in an undertone
read in it day and night.” (Josh. 1:8; Ps. 1:2)
Does this instruction require that
you literally utter in a low voice all the
words you read from Genesis to Revelation?
No. It means that you should read at a
pace that allows for meditation.
When you read the Bible “in an undertone,”
it will help you to fix attention
on portions that are especially useful
and encouraging to you at that moment.
On finding such phrases, verses, or accounts,
read them slowly, perhaps forming
the words with the tongue and lips.
The full weight of a Scriptural point may
strike you in a deeply personal way. Why
is this important? Because getting the
sense of God’s counsel gives you strong
motivation to put it into practice.
COMMENTS
No don’t rush a reading of the Bible.
So what did Joshua have to read, Genesis through Joshua. How many books is that? 6
So how many today to read, 66.
Read at a pace that allows for meditation….what is the WTS assignment for Bible reading every week? 4 chapters. How long would that take to read through the whole bible? 52 x 4 = 208 chapters. How many chapters in the whole bible? Are some much longer or harder to understand?
How many jws think that because this is scheduled, they can say they read it, and that proves they read the Bible?
*** ss13 p. 3 Theocratic Ministry School Schedule for 2013 ***
June 10 Bible reading: Acts 1-4
5-7. Illustrate how reading God’s Word in an
undertone might help you to (a) remain morally
clean; (b) treat others with patience and
kindness; (c) build trust in Jehovah even during
difficult times.
5 Reading in an undertone is helpful
when you consider Bible books that are
unfamiliar to you. To illustrate, imagine
three scenarios. First, think of a young
Christian brother whose personal reading
program has taken him to the prophecy
of Hosea. In chapter 4, he pauses
after reading verses 11 to 13 in an undertone.
(Read Hosea 4:11-13.) Why?
Those verses catch his attention because
he has been struggling to resist immoral
pressures in school. He reflects on the
verses and thinks: ‘Jehovah sees the bad
things people do even in private. I do
not want to offend him.’ The brother resolves
to remain morally clean before
God.
COMMENTS
So who is the illustrator here, the jw or the WTS? (OT verse) Why not mention David and how he was an adulterer but escaped execution as if he were the only repentant adulterer in Israel.
(Hosea 4:11-13) . . .Fornication and wine and sweet wine are what take away good motive. 12 Of their wooden [idol] my own people keep inquiring, and their own [hand] staff keeps telling them; because the very spirit of fornication has caused them to wander off, and by fornication they go out from under their God. 13 On the tops of the mountains they sacrifice, and on the hills they make sacrificial smoke, under massive tree and storax tree and big tree, because its shade is good. That is why YOUR daughters commit fornication and YOUR own daughters-in-law commit adultery.
What would I think, why are only women blasted for committing fornication? Why aren’t men mentioned?
Or is the message, that if it weren’t for these wicked women, he wouldn’t be tempted?
6 In a second scenario, a Christian sister
is reading Joel’s prophecy and comes
to chapter 2, verse 13. (Read Joel 2:13.)
As she reads that verse in an undertone,
she reflects on how she should imitate
Jehovah, who is “gracious and merciful,
slow to anger and abundant in loving-kindness.”
She decides to try to eliminate
the sarcasm and angry words that
she sometimes uses when she speaks to
her husband and others.
COMMENTS
Christian sister = only jw
So are women more likely to be sarcastic and angry? What about an abusive jw husband, will he be counseled to try to eliminate this or will his wife be told that if she were more submissive he would not be sarcastic and angry?
7 Third, imagine a Christian father
who has lost his job and worries about
the well-being of his wife and children.
At Nahum 1:7, he reads in an undertone
that Jehovah “is cognizant of those seeking
refuge in him” and protects them
like “a stronghold in the day of distress.”
That thought consoles him. He senses
Jehovah’s loving care and stops worrying
overmuch. Then he reads verse 15 in
an undertone. (Read Nahum 1:15.) Our
brother sees that by preaching the good
news in difficult times, he demonstrates
that he, indeed, views Jehovah as his
stronghold. While the brother keeps on
looking for secular work, he is now also
moved to support midweek field service
activity.
COMMENTS
So why is only a Christian father (only jw actually) worried about the material well-being of his family. How many jw families depend on the wife’s income to make ends meet? So what if he lives in a state that requires 4 definite attempts a WEEK, to get a job, following up, going to interviews, following up. But then having to turn down jobs that interfere with meetings? I know of no elders in 3 congregations that support midweek, all retired. They have their own agenda/schedule. So how many people will he find home midweek, they will all be at their jobs or looking for work.
8. Briefly share a spiritual gem that you discovered
in your Bible reading.
8 The beneficial points just mentioned
are from Bible books that some may consider
difficult to understand. As you examine
the books of Hosea, Joel, and Nahum
with a desire to learn, you will want
to read other verses from them in an
undertone. Imagine how much wisdom
and comfort await you in the writings of
those prophets! And what about the rest
of the Bible? God’s Word is like a productive
diamond mine. Work that mine
well! Yes, read the whole Bible with the
goal of finding gems of divine guidance
and reassurance.
COMMENTS
OT books, Hosea, Joel, Nahum, not a one a Christian, not a one an ordinary Israelite, but were prophets required to “preach.”
Where are the diamonds designed for Christians in the NT?
STRIVE FOR UNDERSTANDING
9. How can we increase our understanding of
God’s will?
9 While it is important that you daily
read a portion of the Bible, you also
want to gain understanding and insight.
Therefore, make good use of the
publications of Jehovah’s organization
to research the background of people,
places, and events you read about. Or if
you wonder how a certain Bible teaching
might affect your life, you could ask
a congregation elder or another mature
Christian for help. To illustrate the importance
of increasing our understanding,
let us consider the example of one
first-century Christian who strove to do
just that. His name was Apollos.
COMMENTS
So here the WTS points to the source of understanding. The Bible cannot be understood without the WTS/God’s organization.
Can jws research other publications as the WTS does in quoting non-jw bible dictionaries and non-jw bible scholars?
Remember that Apollos was not a Christian at the time of this experience. Not baptized properly…did he receive holy spirit at baptism…when…before or after talking to Prisca and her husband?
10, 11. (a) How was Apollos helped to improve
as a minister of the good news? (b) What
can we learn from the account of Apollos? (See
the box “Is Your Teaching Up-to-Date?”)
10 Apollos was a Jewish Christian who
was “well versed in the Scriptures” and
“aglow with the spirit.” The book of Acts
relates about him: “He went speaking
and teaching with correctness the things
about Jesus, but being acquainted with
only the baptism of John.” Without realizing
it, Apollos had been teaching an
out-of-date understanding of baptism.
After hearing him teach in Ephesus, a
Christian couple named Priscilla and
Aquila explained “the way of God more
correctly to him.” (Acts 18:24-26) How
did this benefit Apollos?
COMMENTS
Finally an NT example for Christians.
If Apollos had only an out-of-date understanding of baptism, was his baptism valid?
Note that Priscilla was not relegated to the kitchen but explained it to Apollos as well. Could Apollos have been a valid Christian if a woman could teach him?
BOX: IS YOUR TEACHING UP-TO-DATE?
We want to stay up-to-date with the understanding of Bible
truth so that we can share accurate knowledge with others. With
that in mind, how would you answer the following questions?
Whom did Jesus have in mind when he spoke of “this
generation” mentioned at Matthew 24:34?
—The Watchtower, April 15, 2010, pages 10-11. (or pp 13-14)(Overlapping Generation)
** w10 4/15 pp. 10-11 pars. 13-14 Holy Spirit’s Role in the Outworking of Jehovah’s Purpose ***
13 Third, holy spirit is at work in bringing Bible truths to light. (Prov. 4:18) This magazine has long been used by “the faithful and discreet slave” as the primary channel for dispensing increased light. (Matt. 24:45) For example, consider our understanding of those who make up “this generation” mentioned by Jesus. (Read Matthew 24:32-34.) To what generation did Jesus refer? The article “Christ’s Presence—What Does It Mean to You?” explained that Jesus was referring, not to the wicked, but to his disciples, who were soon to be anointed with holy spirit. Jesus’ anointed followers, both in the first century and in our day, would be the ones who would not only see the sign but also discern its meaning—that Jesus “is near at the doors.”
14 What does this explanation mean to us? Although we cannot measure the exact length of “this generation,” we do well to keep in mind several things about the word “generation”: It usually refers to people of varying ages whose lives overlap during a particular time period; it is not excessively long; and it has an end. (Ex. 1:6) How, then, are we to understand Jesus’ words about “this generation”? He evidently meant that the lives of the anointed who were on hand when the sign began to become evident in 1914 would overlap with the lives of other anointed ones who would see the start of the great tribulation. That generation had a beginning, and it surely will have an end. The fulfillment of the various features of the sign clearly indicate that the tribulation must be near. By maintaining your sense of urgency and keeping on the watch, you show that you are keeping up with advancing light and following the leadings of holy spirit.—Mark 13:37.
*** w10 6/15 p. 5 United in Love—Annual Meeting Report ***
Brother Barr made clear that the gathering would not continue indefinitely. He referred to Matthew 24:34, which says: “This generation will by no means pass away until all these things occur.” He twice read the comment: “Jesus evidently meant that the lives of the anointed ones who were on hand when the sign began to be evident in 1914 would overlap with the lives of other anointed ones who would see the start of the great tribulation.” We do not know the exact length of “this generation,” but it includes these two groups whose lives overlap. Even though the anointed vary in age, those in the two groups constituting the generation are contemporaries during part of the last days. How comforting it is to know that the younger anointed contemporaries of those older anointed ones who discerned the sign when it became evident beginning in 1914 will not die off before the great tribulation starts!
? When does the separating of “the sheep from the
goats” described at Matthew 25:32 take place?
—The Watchtower, October 15, 1995, pages 21-23.
*** w95 10/15 pp. 22-23 pars. 25-26 How Will You Stand Before the Judgment Seat? ***
25 This means, then, that Jesus’ ‘sitting down on his glorious throne’ for judgment, mentioned at Matthew 25:31, applies to the future point when this powerful King will sit down to pronounce and execute judgment on the nations. Yes, the judgment scene that involves Jesus at Matthew 25:31-33, 46 is comparable to the scene in Daniel chapter 7, where the reigning King, the Ancient of Days, sat down to carry out his role as Judge.
26 Understanding the parable of the sheep and the goats in this way indicates that the rendering of judgment on the sheep and the goats is future. It will take place after “the tribulation” mentioned at Matthew 24:29, 30 breaks out and the Son of man ‘arrives in his glory.’ (Compare Mark 13:24-26.) Then, with the entire wicked system at its end, Jesus will hold court and render and execute judgment.—John 5:30; 2 Thessalonians 1:7-10.
? As stated at Luke 21:26, when will “men become faint
out of fear and expectation of the things coming upon the
inhabited earth” ?—The Watchtower, February 15, 1994,
pages 19-20.
*** w97 4/1 p. 15 par. 8 Deliverance Into a Righteous New World ***
At some point after the “great tribulation” begins, but before Jehovah executes his judgment upon the rest of this world, supernatural events will occur . Note the effect they will have. “Then the sign of the Son of man [Christ] will appear in heaven, and then all the tribes of the earth will beat themselves in lamentation, and they will see the Son of man coming on the clouds of heaven with power and great glory.” (Matthew 24:29, 30) “There will be signs in sun and moon and stars, . . . while men become faint out of fear and expectation of the things coming upon the inhabited earth.”—Luke 21:25, 26.
By augmenting daily Bible reading with careful personal
study, we will be able to help others walk in the ever-increasing
light that Jehovah sheds on his written Word.—Prov. 4:18.
PICTURE: Apollos was helped to improve the effectiveness
of his ministry
11 After preaching in Ephesus, Apollos
went to Achaia. “When he got there,
he greatly helped those who had believed
on account of God’s undeserved
kindness; for with intensity he thoroughly
proved the Jews to be wrong
publicly, while he demonstrated by the
Scriptures that Jesus was the Christ.”
(Acts 18:27, 28) By that time, Apollos
could correctly explain the meaning of
Christian baptism. With his increased
understanding, he “greatly helped” new
ones to make progress in true worship.
What can we learn from this account?
Like Apollos, we strive to understand
what we read in the Bible. However,
when an experienced fellow believer
suggests how we can teach more effectively,
we want to accept that help with
humility and gratitude. If we do so, the
quality of our sacred service will improve.
COMMENTS
Was Apollos baptized in Jesus’ baptism? If so why did he not understand it? If not, why is no mention of his being baptized in Christ’s name?
So what happens if you suggest that to someone at the KH? I remember a brother who got into verbal fights every time he went door to door? He was totally off base, but sisters could not correct him…supposedly because he was baptized but the elders did not set him straight and they never went door to door with him (guess why not?).
I know elders that have used the same trite presentation for the last 40 years…………no one suggested something else?
BTW, if I had a dollar for every jw that said even if they made no converts to “the truth” they would still get their everlasting life on earth, I could have retired earlier.
USE WHAT YOU LEARN
TO HELP OTHERS
12, 13. Illustrate how a tactful use of the Scriptures
may help Bible students to make progress.
12 Like Priscilla, Aquila, and Apollos,
we can be a blessing to others. When
your encouragement helps an interested
person overcome an obstacle to his spiritual
progress, how do you feel? Or as
an elder, how do you feel when a fellow
worshipper thanks you for Scriptural
counsel that helped him or her through
a difficult time? No doubt, using God’s
Word to help others to improve their
lives is a source of satisfaction and joy.*
Notice how you might accomplish that
goal.
* Of course, we do not use Bible counsel to pressure
or condemn others. We should be as patient and
kind with a Bible student as Jehovah is with us.—Ps.
103:8.
COMMENTS
So who can sisters counsel? Younger or newer female jws? How does that go over? Has anyone every “thanked” you?
Notice the WTS gives no detailed examples of the right or wrong way of doing it.
13 Regarding true worship and false,
many Israelites in Elijah’s day were sitting
on the fence. Elijah’s counsel to
those people could help an indecisive
Bible student who is holding back
from making spiritual progress. (Read
1 Kings 18:21.) Consider another situation:
If an interested person fears the
reaction of friends or family, you might
strengthen his or her resolve to worship
Jehovah by reasoning on Isaiah 51:12,
13.—Read.
COMMENTS
Sitting on the fence…so how do jws sit on the fence? Avoid baptism? Go to enough meetings not to be chastised for? Never comment. Go in field service on their own; really just doing chores?
Remember Isaiah was prophet telling people what they did not want to hear. Could his family go and worship at a temple that had dungy idols, prostitution, and child sacrifice as part of the program?
Is that what non-jws find at a KH; pedophiles that are not cast out or identified, being told to let their child die while allowing jws to use blood products made out of stored bovine blood? A place where the group of men called the “governing body” are the ones you have to go through to reach Jesus or God?
14. What will help you to recall Bible passages
when you need them to help others?
14 Clearly, the Bible contains many
words that can encourage, correct, or
strengthen its readers. But you may ask,
‘How can I have scriptures at the ready
when I need them?’ Read the Bible and
meditate on God’s thoughts daily. In that
way, you will build a reserve of divine expressions
that Jehovah’s spirit can help
you recall when you need them.—Mark
13:11; read John 14:26.*
*What if you remember the key words of a passage
but not the book, chapter, and verse? By looking
up those words in the index at the back of the Bible,
in the Watchtower Library, or in the concordance
of the New World Translation, you will likely find the
scripture.
COMMENTS
While the Bible may contain such words, do jws use those words to encourage others in the congregation? Or is it “you must DO MORE” philosophy?
Meditate on God’s thoughts or the WTS interpretation of what it means?
How many scriptures can jws remember? Ever play that card game with the scripture on one side and the citation location on the other? How did you do? How did others do? Were the ones who did well looked upon with favor or suspicion?
How many jws even realize they have a concordance in the back of the NWT to help them find scriptures?
15. What will help you to understand God’s
Word more fully?
15 Like King Solomon, pray to Jehovah
for wisdom in carrying out theocratic
responsibilities. (2 Chron. 1:7-10) As
did the prophets of old, make “a diligent
inquiry and a careful search” of God’s
Word for accurate knowledge of Jehovah
and his will. (1 Pet. 1:10-12) The apostle
Paul encouraged Timothy to nourish
himself “with the words of the faith and
of the fine teaching.” (1 Tim. 4:6) By your
doing so, you will be in an excellent position
to help others spiritually. At the
same time, you will build up your own
faith.
COMMENTS
King Solomon prayed to God and received great wisdom and even wrote scripture. How did that help him? He died an apostate with many foreign wives, even building temples to their false gods for them and worshiping them.
And when a careful search turns up things that contradict the WT teaching, what then? Wait on God to correct it while still supporting it?
Until 1929 the WTS taught that the superior authorities were the secular governments.
From 1929 to 1962 the WTS taught that the superior authorities were God and Jesus.
From 1962 to today the WTS again teaches that the superior authorities are secular governments.
And what if between 1929 and 1962 you knew from reading the bible that the superior authorities were the secular governments…would you have been disfellowshipped for teaching something false? And then when the WTS returned in 1962 to that teaching would you have been reinstated?
SURE PROTECTION BASED ON GOD’S WORD
16. (a) How did “carefully examining the
Scriptures daily” benefit the Beroeans? (b)Why
is daily Bible reading so important to us today?
16 Jews in the Macedonian city of Beroea
had the custom of “carefully examining
the Scriptures daily.” When Paul
preached the good news to those Jews,
they compared his words with their
knowledge of the Scriptures. The result?
Many were convinced that he was teaching
the truth, and they “became believers.”
(Acts 17:10-12) This shows that daily
reading of the Bible promotes strong
faith in Jehovah. Such faith, “the assured
expectation of things hoped for,” is vital
if we are to survive into God’s new
world.—Heb. 11:1.
COMMENTS
Is the WTS encourage jws to check the scriptures carefully? At one time they did until 1981, the period of great apostasy.
*** w80 3/15 p. 22 pars. 7-8 Living Up to Our Choice ***
7 When the apostles proclaimed the “good news,” whom did God through his Word commend? The people in the synagogue at Beroea, for, the Bible says, “they received the word [of the good news spoken by Paul and Silas] with the greatest eagerness of mind, carefully examining the Scriptures daily as to whether these things [that even the apostle Paul said] were so.” (Acts 17:10, 11) They made these things their own, not merely listening with agreement but also examining the firm Scriptural basis for the things they eagerly received into their minds and hearts.
8 We should follow the course of those sincere Beroeans. Why? Because we may hear the truth preached or taught by human teachers, but when we read it in the Bible it becomes a fully founded, permanent motivating force in our hearts, for “the word of God is alive and exerts power and is sharper than any two-edged sword and pierces even to the dividing of soul and spirit, and of joints and their marrow, and is able to discern thoughts and intentions of the heart.” (Heb. 4:12)
*** w80 8/1 p. 20 par. 16 Remain “Solid in the Faith” ***
To avoid falling away from the faith, we also need to guard against ingratitude. We should be thankful for the abundant spiritual food we are receiving through the “faithful and discreet slave.” (Matt. 24:45) This does not mean that we should not convince ourselves of things as we go along. In this respect, a twofold lesson can be learned from the Beroean Jews. To be sure, they ‘carefully examined the Scriptures daily as to whether these things were so,’ but they were also “noble-minded” because “they received the word [being preached to them by Paul and Silas] with the greatest eagerness of mind.”—Acts 17:11.
But in 1981
*** w81 2/15 p. 18 Do We Need Help to Understand the Bible? ***
A NOBLE-MINDED VIEW
How shall we view the spiritual food provided by this “faithful and discreet slave”? Should it be viewed critically—‘Oh, well, it might be true but then again it might not be and so we have to scrutinize it very critically’? Some apparently have felt that way about it. To support their way of thinking they have quoted Acts 17:11, which says of newly interested persons at Beroea: “Now the latter were more noble-minded than those in Thessalonica, for they received the word with the greatest eagerness of mind, carefully examining the Scriptures daily as to whether these things were so.”
But does this mean that those Beroeans were looking for flaws in the message they were hearing, or that their attitude was one of doubting? Does this set a precedent for regarding critically the publications brought forth by the “faithful and discreet slave,” with a view to finding fault? Not at all!
*** w81 2/15 p. 19 Do We Need Help to Understand the Bible? ***
Jesus’ disciples wrote many letters to Christian congregations, to persons who were already in “the way of the truth.” (2 Pet. 2:2) But nowhere do we read that those brothers first, in a skeptical frame of mind, checked the Scriptures to make certain that those letters had Scriptural backing, that the writers really knew what they were talking about.
(1 John 4:1) 4 Beloved ones, do not believe every inspired expression, but test the inspired expressions to see whether they originate with God, because many false prophets have gone forth into the world.
17, 18. (a) How does strong faith and love protect
a Christian’s figurative heart? (b) How does
hope protect us from danger?
17 For good reason, Paul wrote: “As for
us who belong to the day, let us keep
our senses and have on the breastplate
of faith and love and as a helmet the
hope of salvation.” (1 Thess. 5:8) A soldier’s
heart needs protection from the
enemy. Similarly, a Christian’s figurative
heart requires shielding from the power
of sin. What happens when a servant
of Jehovah couples strong faith in God’s
promises with love for Him and for fellow
humans? Such a servant puts on a
spiritual breastplate of the highest quality.
It is unlikely that he will do anything
to lose God’s favor.
COMMENTS
A Christian’s = only jws
Servant of Jehovah = only jws
Who decides a person has lost God’s favor? The elders, the CO or DO, the organization?
18 Paul also mentioned a helmet, “the
hope of salvation.” Without protecting
his head, a soldier in Bible times could
easily lose his life in battle. But with a
good helmet, he could survive blows to
the head without suffering serious injury.
We build hope in Jehovah’s saving
acts by studying his Word. Strong hope
enables us to resist apostates and their
gangrenous “empty speeches.” (2 Tim. 2:
16-19) Our hope will also strengthen us
to say no to those who would lead us into
conduct condemned by Jehovah.
COMMENTS
How will God save jws? Should they expect personal protection?
Study his word of any use without “guidance” from the WTS?
And what about jws that lead us into conduct condemned by God? Is their responsibility erased because of imperfection? Is imperfection the same as knowingly doing what is harmful?
A KEY TO SURVIVAL
19, 20. Why do we highly esteem God’s Word,
and how do we show our appreciation for it?
(See the box “Jehovah Gives Me Just What I
Need.”)
19 The deeper we get into the time of
the end, the greater our need to rely on
Jehovah’s Word. The counsel we draw
from it helps us to correct bad habits and
to control our sinful tendencies. With
its encouragement and comfort, we will
pass the tests that Satan and his world
bring on us. With the guidance Jehovah
provides in his Word, we will stay on the
road to life.
COMMENTS
When jws give an answer, do they use the Bible or a publication? Which has more authority?
What are “bad habits” and “sinful tendencies”?
What about the tests Satan brought upon Job with God’s permission? Would he do the same to you? Would he allow your family to be killed by Satan to test you?
20 Recall that God’s will is that “all
sorts of men should be saved.” Jehovah’s
servants are among “all sorts of men.” So
are those whom we might help through
our preaching and teaching work. But
all who wish to attain to salvation must
gain “an accurate knowledge of truth.”
(1 Tim. 2:4) Thus, surviving the last days
goes hand in glove with reading the Bible
and applying its inspired instructions.
Yes, our daily Bible reading shows how
highly we esteem Jehovah’s precious
Word of truth.—John 17:17.
COMMENTS
“all sorts” but only jws
"Only Jehovah's Witnesses, those of the anointed remnant and the "great crowd," as a united organization under the protection of the Supreme Organizer, have any Scriptural hope of surviving the impending end of this doomed system dominated by Satan the Devil." Watchtower 1989 Sep 1 p.19
"Similarly, Jehovah is using only one organization today to accomplish his will. To receive everlasting life in the earthly Paradise we must identify that organization and serve God as part of it." Watchtower 1983 Feb 15 p.12
"During the final period of the ancient world that perished in the Flood, Noah was a faithful preacher of righteousness. (2 Peter 2:5) In these last days of the present system of things, Jehovah’s people are making known Gods righteous standards and are declaring good news about the possibility of surviving into the new world. (2 Peter 3:9-13) Just as Noah and his God-fearing family were preserved in the ark, survival of individuals today depends on their faith and their loyal association with the earthly part of Jehovah’s universal organization." Watchtower 2006 May 15 p.22 "Are You Prepared for Survival?"
http://www.jwfacts.com/watchtower/salvation-only-for-jehovahs-witnesses.php#L1
How many jws progress past preaching to “teaching”? How many make return visits, start studies, even have progressive studies with their own children?
BOX: ‘JEHOVAH GIVES ME JUST WHAT I NEED’
A young Christian sister wrote: “of all the loving reminders Jehovah gives us, those urging us to read the Bible daily have had the greatest influence on my life. I began reading the Bible in my last year of high school, and it took me about two years to read it completely. During that time, I found in Jehovah’s Word everything I needed to decide what to do with my life. Now I am reading through the Bible for the second time. But it seems that I am reading things I never saw before. Reading the Bible is as exciting now as it was the first time—if not more so! I am amazed at Jehovah’s ability to give me just what I need.”
COMMENTS
Was her last year of high school before or after when she started reading? Was she going to the KH, in field service, sharing in the school, all without reading the bible?
Specifically what did she find and how did it help? Is the WTS expecting us to fill in the blanks? Is she only reading things she never knew before because the WTS never comments on them? What was exciting….specifics please. And does God give us what we need or do we learn to make do with what he thinks we need? Do people have to guess what to ask for and keep guessing?
CLOSING COMMENTS
Many, many non-jws have read the bible many times over and over and gained help from it. From this article, it seems that many jws do not know and cannot explain to others what they believe and why they believe it.
What has the WTS taught about “generation”?
http://www.jwfacts.com/watchtower/generation.php
Next week, Help Yourself and Others by Using God’s Word
Love, Blondie