When I was in, the percentage of attendance for the bookstudy was almost always a bit lower than that of the KH meetings, but it was off only a point or two in terms of percentage, and sometimes it would exceed that of the TMS/SM.
Last bookstudy group this week I think there will be great sadness in the
by eyeslice 54 Replies latest jw friends
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LovesDubs
Theyre going out for dinner on Christmas Eve? Who is open on Christmas Eve? Dennys? LOL!
Oh I know...that Chinese Restaurant in the Christmas Story was open....."Far lar lar lar larrrrrrrr lar lar lar larrrrrrrrrr! LOL!
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rebel8
I hear they had a hard time finding a place that's open. Probably not Denny's, but knowing these cheapskates, it's probably something in that price range. I'm sure the wait staff will be glad to have the business, what with the 10% tip and all.
"I love it when there's no snow on Christmas. If the worldly people enjoy their holiday less, maybe they'll be more willing to give it up." -- Current jw
This is why I think it's important the witchtower not allow too much softening up of the rules. Even the dubs realize--the less discomfort, the less open people are to change. -
Mrs. Fiorini
I was thrilled when I heard the book study was being combined with the TS/SM. That meeting in particular was a more relaxed and social event, and as a previous poster pointed out, created a sense of community. The fewer days per week JWs are exposed to the cult, and the less sense of community they have, the easier it will be for them to see their way out!
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Pachemu Nyet
It amazes me to read so many posts here of those that are still attending the meetings at the Kingdom Hall and 'sadened' by the elimination of the Congregation Book Study. Evidently this forum is a type of support or solace for those that continue (or are perhaps, trapped??) to associate with the WTBTS.
The deletion of the Congregation Book Study is not to be taken lightly and is 'another' wake up call to the lurkers. This meeting is a staple of Jehovah’s Witnesses. It is the one gathering that has been equaled to survival of Armageddon. When Gog of Magog turns his attention to ‘Jehovah’s People’, it is small groups, like the Congregation Book Study that will be a source of refuge for those trusting in Jehovah. Over the years it has been emphasized many, many times in the Watchtower and parent publications, that it will be smaller groups, like the Congregation Book Study that will no doubt be the source of refuge when Satan attacks Jehovah’s people.
This change, the elimination of the Congregation Book Study, is not New Light but rather just a whim of a select few in New York (Governing Body) for greater control. The original meetings of the true followers of Christ were in individual homes, not a synagogue, church or other public building. Those of you lurking on web sites such as this need to think long and hard about why you continue to associate with such a disgraceful and deceitful organization, the Watchtower Bible and Tract Society.
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eyeslice
The original meetings of the true followers of Christ were in individual homes, not a synagogue, church or other public building.
I totally agree. I have attended the group study in the humblest of homes in India and was perhaps where I felt the most comfortable with the 'truth'. The cold, clinical surroundings of Kingdom Hall does not make for true spirituality.
By the way, I am out; I have not been to a meeting at either the KH or at a group for 5 years now but I still feel a little sad about the group disappearing. Not for myself but for those who did love it more than the other meetings. -
abbagail
I guess I'm the oddball... I NEVER liked attending the BS in PRIVATE homes, all cramped and crowded in someone's living room, or forced to sit in a "circle" and have to "stare at each other." 8-/
When they finally began an afternoon BS at the KH (back in the 1980s), I loved that! Just a small group, we all sat near the front, but there was "room to breathe" and you didn't feel "obligated" to "hang around afterward" like you did when it was a private home. Also, since I worked at night, it "freed up" the constant struggle of getting in enough hours vs. attending meetings.
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As for what/where the JWs are supposed to meet now when "the enemy strikes," I guess there will be some announcement about that? I would think it would make JWs very nervous to no longer have that long-standing-panic-arrangement. -
StAnn
When you think of it, the house meeting goes all the way back to the beginning of the religion. It's a major change.
Even further back...centuries, in fact. The house groups mentioned in the book of Acts, for example. So much for JWs proudly declaring that their faith replicates 1st century Christianity!So, what are the Dubs saying about this? For so long, it was "we meet like the early Christians did!" although I never saw them hanging out in catacombs. Now they have absolutely no link to the early Christians. This used to be a big source of pride. What are they saying about this? StAnn
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BluesBrother
Uh, excuse me, BluesBrother ...What excuse did they give for expecting the BS to be less attended on Christmas Day? That seems like HUGE hypocrisy to me.
That group has a number of people from "divided homes" who have obligations to relatives or others who planned to be away...Just because you are a dub doesn't mean that you have to sit at home alone at Christmas, you know...
I also noted Eyslice's insightful comment
"The meeting now are so scripted that getting the audience to answer 'in their own words' is a farce - they may as well print the answers for the brothers and sisters to read out."
Quite right from what I see..The emphasis now is on short answers so that the conductor can talk more. They stifle free expression of faith
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Seeker4
My ex told me that my daughter's book study is having a dinner to mark the final meeting.
I think it is with some sadness that this meeting is ending.
S4