by RubaDub 16 Replies latest jw friends
We were having a discussion about this last evening and we couldn't seem to find the answer. I checked several pulblications to no avail. I see a lot of info regarding the TMS and SM but not the Book Study.
Does anyone know what year the Book Study arrangement (formally) began.?
Rub a Dub
my parents became JW's in 1950 when I was 4, and they had it then.
Thanks Mulan ...
Yes, I was thinking like the late 1930's or 1940's ....just can't find it in print.
Rub a Dub
Even the oldest Witnesses that I know have always gone to a book study. This is why many people, especially people who have been around for longer than twenty years, are convinced that this is something major.
It was originally called 'Berean Circles for Bible Study' and begain in 1895. This was the oldest and longest running regular meeting of Jehovah's Witnesses. The first books studied were Russell's Millennial Dawn volumes starting with Divine Plan of the Ages. See pages 237-8 of the Proclaimers books.
Slimboyfat ...
Thank you so much for the information!
Rub a Dub
Wow, 113 years of studying literature that eventually becomes apostate propaganda
I raised the question due to a comment I made after the meeting on Sunday.
There were 4 or 5 of us talking together when one brother ( typically a very serious brother) mentioned that this is such a major change in the organization. I commented that yes, things change, but the formal book study arrangement had been going on for about 80 years (I was guessing) and that, well, things change. Then I mentioned that Baseball went on for over 100 years before making a major change with the Designated Hitter in 1973. So yes, change happens.
One brother laughed, one smiled, the rest were just looking for my reaction but I kept a perfectly straight face. The conversation then just moved on to other things.
So I was just wondering how accurate my guess-tamating was that the book study began in the 1930's. Now I know I was wrong and underestimated the time.
Rub a Dub
The book study started long before the WT study. If you look at the older WTS before the early 20's I think, there are no questions and no study articles.
I remember when we were not given an assignment of how much material was to be covered each week during the book study. The Society just told us what book we were to use and when to start using it and when we were to start the next book. Since we were often a little slow, we sometimes didn't have it all covered before we had to start a new book.
