Comments You Will Not Hear at the 07-19-09 WT Study (May 15, 2009, pages 13-17)(YOUTHS ADVANCE)
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YOUTHS--MAKE YOUR ADVANCEMENT MANIFEST
"Ponder over these things; be absorbed in them, that your advancement may be manifest to all persons.--1 TIM. 4:15
OPENING COMMENTS
[Comments]So many young jws (raised in only and some baptized) are leaving and not returning even when their first child is born. So few to become ministerial servants. In the congregations around here, there are about 1 MS to 5 elders and the elders are 45 and older. Thus this article. Really all these suggestions were made to an already adult elder, Timothy. Also, notice that only a male NT example is explored and that the pronouns are male. The focus in on young male jws because beyond being a regular pioneer (and not even that), the female jw has no place in the WTS hierarchy.
WTS terms for people from 25 and under:
youths
young people
young person
young Christian (of course, only jws)
Christian youths (of course, only jws)
young adults[comments]
START OF ARTICLE
Q1. What does God desire for young people?
"O YOUTH, enjoy yourself while you are young! Let your heart lead you to enjoyment in the days of your youth." (Eccl. 11:9, Tanakh--The Holy Scriptures) So wrote wise, King Solomon of ancient Israel. The Originator of this message, Jehovah God, certainly wants you youths to be happy. More than that, Jehovah wants your joy to last beyond the time of youth. However, those days of youth are often marred by painful mistakes that may affect a person's future happiness. Even faithful Job bemoaned having to face "the consequences of the errors of [his] youth." (Job 13:26) During adolescence and the following early years of life, a young Christian often has to make weighty decisions. Bad judgment can leave deep emotionally scars and create problems that may affect the rest of his life.--Eccl. 11:10.
[Comments]So why does the WTS leave the NWT to use this translation?
http://www.jewishvirtuallibrary.org/jsource/Bible/jpstoc.html
King Solomon--who eventually married 1,000 women, many non-Israelites, and died an "apostate" making much bigger mistakes in his adulthood.
MAY...OFTEN...CAN...MAY
What does the WTS consider not to be enjoyment and sets rules about for young jws?
Higher education
Music they listen to
Movies they see
(Video) games they play
Etc.
So too is the WTS saying that older jws don't have lives "marred by painful mistakes" and have "bad judgment" that leaves "deep emotionally scars and create problems that may affect the rest of [their lives]?
How old was David when he murdered Uriah and slept with Uriah's wife fathering a "bastard" child?[comments]
Q2. By applying what Bible counsel can youths avoid serious mistakes?
Good judgment needs to be exercised by young people. Consider the advice the apostle Paul gave to the Corinthians. He wrote: "Do not become young children in powers of understanding...Become full-grown in powers of understanding." (1 Cor. 14:20) Heeding the counsel to acquire the ability to think and reason like a full-grown person will help young people to avoid making serious mistakes.
[Comments]So why the ellipsis (...) in this scripture?[comments]
(1 Corinthians 14:20) Brothers, do not become young children in powers of understanding, but be babes as to badness; yet become full-grown in powers of understanding.
[Comments]So actually Paul said there was a bad element to being young but a good element (which was left out). So once a person is over 25, are they immune to "making serious mistakes"? Can a "mature" person make serious mistakes?[comments]
Q3. What can you do to be come mature?
If you are a young person, bear in mind that becoming mature requires effort. Paul told Timothy: "Let no man ever look down on your youth. On the contrary, become an example to the faithful ones in speaking, in conduct, in love, in faith, in chasteness...Continue applying yourself to public reading, to exhortation, to teaching...Ponder over these things; be absorbed in them, that your advancement may be manifest to all persons." (1 Tim. 4:12-15) Christian youths need to make progress and make their advancement manifest to others.
[Comments]How old was Timothy when Paul wrote this to him? A youth in his 30's?![comments]
QUOTE*** it-2 p. 1105 Timothy ***
After Paul’s release from prison, Timothy again shared with the apostle in the ministry, remaining in Ephesus at his direction. (1Ti 1:1-3) At this time (c. 61-64 C.E.) Timothy may have been in his 30’s and had authority in the appointment of overseers and ministerial servants in the congregation. (1Ti 5:22)
[Comments]Why another ellipsis (...)? The WTS left out "do not be neglecting the gift in you that was given you through a prediction when the body of older men laid their hands on you."
(1 Timothy 4:12-15) 12 Let no man ever look down on your youth. On the contrary, become an example to the faithful ones in speaking, in conduct, in love, in faith, in chasteness. 13 While I am coming, continue applying yourself to public reading, to exhortation, to teaching. 14 Do not be neglecting the gift in you that was given you through a prediction and when the body of older men laid their hands upon you. 15 Ponder over these things; be absorbed in them, that your advancement may be manifest to all [persons].
What is Advancement?
Q4. What does making spiritual advancement involve?
To advance is "to progress, to change for the better." Paul was urging Timothy to keep applying himself in order to make progress in speech, conduct, love, faith, and chasteness, was well as in the way he fulfilled his ministry. He was to strive to make his manner of life exemplary. Timothy thus needed to continue to make spiritual advancement.
[Comments]So whose example was Timothy to follow?[comments]
Q5 and Q6. (a) When did Timothy's advancement begin to be manifest? (b) With regard to making advancement, how can youths today imitate Timothy?
Q5. When Paul penned this counsel sometime between 61 and 64 C.E.. Timothy was already an experienced elder. He was not just beginning to make spiritual advancement. In 49 or 50 C.E. when Timothy was likely in his late teens or early 20's, he was "well reported on by the brothers in Lystra and Iconium," who had observed his spiritual progress. (Acts 16:1-5) At that time, Paul took Timothy with him on his missionary journey. After observing Timothy's further progress for some months, Paul dispatched him to Thessalonica in order to comfort and make firm the Christians in that city. (Read 1 Thessalonians 3:1-3,6) Clearly, Timothy began to make his advancement manifest to others when he was a young person.
[comments]LIKELY - so how does the WTS determine Timothy's ages; nothing mentioned here as a reference or resource, just believe them.
CLEARLY - where's the proof.[comments]
Q6. You young people in the congregation, work to cultivate the needed spiritual qualities now, so that your advancement in Christian living and in your ability to teach Bible truths will be clearly seen. From the age of 12, Jesus "went on progressing in wisdom." (Luke 2:52) Let us, then, examine how you can make your advancement manifest in three areas of your life: (1) when you face adversity, (2) as you prepare for marriage, and (3) as you strive to become "a fine minister."--1 Tim. 4:6.
[comments]Christian living - only jws are Christians, all others are only "professed" or "so-called" Christians per the WTS[comments]
[quote]*** w04 4/15 p. 17 par. 1 Pursuing Kindness in a Hostile World ***True, kindness is identified in the Bible as part of “the fruitage of the spirit,” but why is it so difficult to express kindness even in so-called Christian lands?[quote]
[comments]So are young jws expected to be the same as Jesus at the age of 12? Are older jws expected to ever be like Jesus?[comments]
Meet Adversity with "Soundness of Mind"
Q7. How can adversity affect young people?
A 17-year-old Christian named Carol said, "At times, I have been emotionally, physically, and mentally drained to the point that I didn't want to wake up in the morning."* Why was she so distressed? When Carol was ten years old, her family was shattered by divorce, and she ended up living with her mother, who rejected the Bible's moral standards. Like Carol, you may be facing some severely stressful situations with little chance of improvement.
*Some names have been changed.
[comments]Are to assume that Carol was a jw since only jws are truly Christians per the WTS?Nothing was mentioned whether Carol's parents were jws or if her father rejected Bible moral standards.[comments]
Q8. With what adversities did Timothy struggle?
While making spiritual progress, Timothy too struggled with adverse circumstances. For instance, he experienced "frequent cases of sickness" because of stomach troubles. (1 Tim. 5:23) When Paul sent him to Corinth to handle certain problems caused by individuals who had challenged the apostle's authority, Paul urged the congregation to cooperate, so that Timothy would be "free of fear" among them. (1 Cor. 4:17; 16:10,11) Evidently, Timothy was shy, or timid.
[Comments]The WTS berates its members directly and indirectly to attend meetings even when seriously ill giving examples to shame them into it. The elders also find it under their authority to determine who in the congregation has a serious illness or not.
Who was challenging Paul, the rank and file, or the elders or "superfine apostles"? Where are the scriptures supporting this in this paragraph?
EVIDENTLY is another way the WTS adds to the bible.[comments]
[Quote]*** w07 5/15 p. 12 Why Meet Together? ***Consider the comments of one Christian woman who is hampered by a chronic disease. “My illness requires that I spend some time in the hospital,” she explains. “Going to the meetings after a hospital stay can be a little challenging, but that is where I belong. The warmth and love of the brothers and sisters replenishes my joy, and the teaching and direction given by Jehovah and Jesus give meaning to my life.”
*** w06 5/1 p. 16 Have No Fear—Jehovah Is With You! ***Brother Jennings copes with bipolar disorder. Reflecting on the early days of his illness, he says: “It was a real struggle just to attend Christian meetings. Nevertheless, I was absolutely convinced of the value of spiritual association. To cope, I usually entered the Kingdom Hall after the crowd settled down and left just before it began to stir at the end of the program.”
*** w06 10/1 p. 25 par. 17 Courage Strengthened by Love ***Chronic illness can also be discouraging, even depressing. “In the book study group I attend,” says a congregation elder, “one sister suffers from diabetes and kidney failure, one has cancer, two have severe arthritis, and one has both lupus and fibromyalgia. Sometimes they feel down. Yet, they miss meetings only when they are very ill or in the hospital. All are regular in the field service. [quote]
Q9. What is soundness of mind, and how does it differ from a spirit of cowardice?
To help Timothy, Paul later reminded him: "God gave us not a spirit of cowardice, but that of power and of love and soundness of mind." (2 Tim. 1:7) "Soundness of mind" involves being able to think and reason sensibly. It includes the ability to face things as they are--not the way you would like them to be. Some immature youths manifest a spirit of cowardice and mentally try to escape stressful situations by resorting to excessive sleep or TV viewing, drug or alcohol abuse, constant partying, or sexual immorality. Christians are admonished "to repudiate ungodliness and worldly desires and to live with soundness of mind and righteousness and godly devotion amid this present systems of things."--Titus 2:12.
[Comments] And who tells jws how things really are? The WTS/FDS/GB. Do only "immature youths" try to escape? The number of active alcoholics among jws is astonishing but more astonishing is how they are not really helped.
There are currently 2 elders in the last congregation I attended who are active alcoholics, known to the elder body, who continue to serve as spiritual examples to congregation.
How many hours daily is considered excessive sleep? or excessive TV viewing? or constant partying? Doesn't the elder body make that judgment, but without a number how can they judge?
Christians--only jws[comments]
Q10 and Q11. How does soundness of mind help us to develop spiritual strength?
Q10. The Bible exhorts "younger men to be sound in mind." (Titus 2:6) Heeding this counsel means that you will face problems prayerfully and will rely on God-given strength. (Read 1 Peter 4:7) Thus, you will develop heartfelt confidence in "the strength that God supplies."--1 Pet. 4:11.
[Comments]What about the younger women in the congregation? Are they not to be concerned about their advancement? Of what value are women in the jw congregation? Why only "gifts in men" but no "gifts in women"
Can an individual receive strength from God if not associated with the WTS?
Have you noticed how many scripture snippets there are? Do jws look up the whole scripture to make sure it is in context?[comments]
Q11. Soundness of mind and prayer are what helped Carol. "Having to take a stand against my mother's immoral lifestyle was one of the hardest things I have ever had to do," she said. "But prayer really helped. I know Jehovah is with me, so I am not afraid anymore." Remember, adversity can refine and strengthen you. (Ps. 105:17-19; Lam. 3:27) Regardless of what you face, God will never let you down. He will "really help you."--Isa. 41:10.
[Comments]So how did Carol "take a stand"? Did she counsel and berate her mother for her lifestyle? Did she move out into her father's home (whose lifestyle is not given)? Did she "turn in" her mother to the elders and testify against her at her judicial committee meeting? Did she continue to live at home under the roof her mother provided and eat the food her mother bought and prepared, but doing so in another room, refusing to talk to her mother except when absolutely necessary? This is all assuming her mother was a jw, information that the WTS did not provide in this account.[comments]
Preparing for a Successful Marriage
Q12. Why should a Christian considering marriage apply the principle found at Proverbs 20:25?
Some young adults, have rushed into marriage, believing that it is the solution to unhappiness, loneliness, boredom, and problems at home. However, the exchanging of marriage vows is a serious matter. Some in Bible times rashly made a sacred, or holy, vow without carefully analyzing what was involved. (Read Proverbs 20:25.) At times, young adults do not seriously consider the demands of marriage. Later, they find that much more is involved than they had realized.
[Comments]So how many young jws get baptized at ages under 18 compared to how many get married at that age? Is the vow of marriage more serious than the vow of baptism? Many younger jws have not seriously considered the demands of baptism. Some have even been told by their parents that if they do not get baptized by the time the reach the age of 18, that they have to move out of the family home. Do younger jws find out that "much more is involved than they had realized"?
How many jws marry young because they can't face a celibate life?[comments]
Q13. What questions should those contemplating courtship consider, and what helpful advice is available to them? So before pursuing a courtship, ask yourself: 'Why do I want to get married? What expectations do I have? Is this the right person for me? What can I bring to a marriage?' To help you make an insightful examination, "the faithful and discreet slave" has published very specific articles.* *"Is This Person Right for Me?" in the book Questions Young People Ask--Answers That Work, Volume 2; "Divine Guidance for Selecting a Marriage Mate," in The Watchtower of May 15, 2001; and "How Wise is a Teenage Marriage"? in Awake! of September, 1983. (Matt. 24:45-47) View such material as advice that Jehovah is giving you. Carefully evaluate what is stated there and apply. Never allow yourself to become "like a horse or mule without understanding." (Ps. 32:8,9) Become full-grown in your understanding of the demands of marriage. If you feel that you are ready to pursue a courtship, always remember to be "an example...in chasteness."--1 Tim. 4:12.
[Comments]Is Baptism Right for Me? Divine Guidance for Selecting Baptism. How Wise is a Teenage Baptism? So the bible is not to be viewed as material from God but WTS publications are? Notice that scriptures aren't highlighted by WT publications.[comments]
Q14. How can spiritual advancement help you if you marry?
Spiritual maturity also brings success after marriage. A full-grown Christian strives to atain "the measure of stature that belongs to the fullness of the Christ." (Eph. 4:11-14) He works hard to develop a Christlike personality. As our Exemplar, "the Christ did not please himself." (Rom. 15:3) When both mates keep seeking, not their own advantage, but that of the other, family life will be a haven of peace and comfort. (1 Cor. 10:24) A husband will show self-sacrificing love, and a wife will be determined to be in submission to her husband as Jesus is to his Head.--1 Cor. 11:3; Eph. 5:25.
[Comments]full-grown Christian--only jws
Remember how the WTS and at weddings it is emphasized that men find it hard to show love and women to be submissive? Yet the scriptures direct counsel just as much if not more so to men to be submissive. Are husbands told to respect their wives?[comments]
"Fully Accomplish Your Ministry"
Q15 and 16. How can you make your advancement manifest in the ministry?
15. Drawing attention to Timothy's important assignment, Paul wrote: "I solemnly charge you before God and Christ Jesus,...preach the word, be at it urgently." He added: "Do the work of an evangelizer, fully accomplish your ministry." (2 Tim. 4:1,2,5) To fulfill this charge, Timothy had to be "nourished with the words of the faith."--Read 1 Timothy 4:6.
[Comments]HAD TO BE
BE AT IT
DO THE WORK
All commands.
Why is a male example, Timothy, the only one provided? Are all young ones male?[comments]
16. How can you be "nourished with the words of the faith"? Paul wrote: "Continue applying yourself to public reading, to exhortation, to teaching. Ponder over these things; be absorbed in them." (1 Tim. 4:13,15) Improvement requires diligent personal study. The expression "be absorbed" conveys the idea of being immersed in an activity. How are your study habits? Are you absorbed in "the deep things of God"? (1 Cor. 2:10) Or do you put forth only minimal effort? Pondering over what you study will move your heart.--Read Proverbs 2:1-5.
[Comments]Do female jws read publicly, exhort, or teach? What do jws really study the Bible or WT publications? Do they become absorbed in "the deep things of God" or the deep things of the WTS?[comments]
Q17 and 18. (a) What abilities should you strive to cultivate? (b) How will developing the same disposition as that of Timothy help you in the ministry?
17. A young pioneer named Michelle said: "To be truly effective in the ministry, I have a good schedule for personal study, and I am regular at the meetings. As a result of this, I am always growing spiritually." Serving as a pioneer will indeed help you to improve your ability to use the Bible in the ministry and to make spiritual advancement. Strive to be a good reader and to give meaningful comments at Christian meetings. As a spiritually mature youth, you would want to prepare instructive student talks in the Theocratic Ministry School, adhering to the assigned material.
[Comments]If all jws are ministers, and they are full-time Christians, aren't all jws then full-time ministers? Why say then that people who put less than 70 hours preaching WT doctrine are somehow know the scriptures better than those who don't? How many of the elders were ever full-time pioneers? Are we to assume that their Bible knowledge is deficient?
Meaningful comments = only comments from the WTS assigned material.
Student talks = only from WTS material
Does that mean you can't bring in an unassigned scripture?[comments]
18. Doing the work of an evangelizer means making your ministry more effective and helping others to gain salvation. This requires developing the "art of teaching." (2 Tim. 4:2) By arranging to share in the ministry with those who are experienced in this work, you will be able to learn from their teaching methods, as Timothy learned from working with Paul. (1 Cor. 4:17) Referring to those he had helped, Paul said that he not only shared the good news with them but also gave of his 'own soul,' or used his very life in helping them, because they became beloved to him. (1 Thess. 2:8) to follow Paul's example in the ministry, you must have the same disposition as Timothy, who genuinely cared about others and 'slaved in furtherance of the good news.' (Read Philippians 2:19-23.) Do you show this self-sacrificing spirit in your ministry?
[Comments]More effective...helping others...gave of his 'own soul'...used his very life...beloved to him...slaved...self-sacrificing spirit
Who are experienced? Have you gone door to door with older witnesses who have not progressed past the basic sermon they used 40 years ago? How often has an elder or elder's wife worked with you? A CO or his wife? When there were book studies, did the conductor ever work with you? I'm willing to guess hardly ever if at all.[comments]
Q19 and 20. Why does making spiritual advancement bring joy?
19. Making spiritual advancement takes effort. But by patiently cultivating your teaching skills, you will, in time, have the privilege of "making many rich" spiritually, and they will become your "joy or crown of exhultation." (2 Cor. 6:10; 1 Thess. 2:19) "More than ever before, my time is spent helping others," explained Fred, a full-time minister. "It is so true that there is more happiness in giving than there is in receiving."
[Comments] So how much time do jws spend helping already baptized jws, time that cannot be counted on a time slip?
Isn't there happiness in that kind of giving.[comments]
20. Regarding the joy and satisfaction she experienced from growing spiritually, a young pioneer named Daphne said: "I developed a much closer relationship with Jehovah as I began to appreciate him as a Person. When you please Jehovah to the fullest extent of your ability, you feel so good--really satisfied!" Though spiritual advancement may not always be recognized by humans, Jehovah always sees and values it. (Heb. 4:13) Without question, you young Christians can bring glory and praise to our heavenly Father. Continue to make his heart rejoice as you genuinely make your advancement manifest.--Prov. 27:11.
[Comments]Closer relationship with Jehovah--no closer relationship with Jesus? No need to please Christ?
Truly though any advancement must be recognized by humans in the WTS organization if you want to advance. Make advancement manifest to whom?
What Did You Learn?
What is involved in making spiritual advancement?
How can you make your advancement manifest...
When facing adversity?
In preparing for marriage?
In the ministry?
CLOSING COMMENTS
[Comments]Sorry this was so late. Communication on my scan was mixed up. Next week, "The Angels--"Spirits for Public Service." I will try to provide some references to past comments on angels by the WTS.[comments]
Love, Blondie
