Blondie's Comments You Won't Hear at the 11-22-09 WT Study (DIVINE EDUCATION)

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    blondie

    Comments You Will Not Hear at the 11-22-09 WT Study (September 15, 2009, pages 21-25)(DIVINE EDUCATION)

    Review comments will be in red or headed by COMMENTS
    WT material from today's WT will be in black
    Quotes from other sources will headed by QUOTES
    w = Watchtower
    g = Awake
    jv = Proclaimers book

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    THE EXCELLING VALUE OF DIVINE EDUCATION
    "I do indeed also consider all things to be loss on account of the excelling value of the knowledge of Christ Jesus."--PHIL. 3:8

    START OF ARTICLE AFTER COMMENTS

    OPENING COMMENTS

    Note that the theme scripture talks about the knowledge of JESUS not GOD. How soon will it take the

    WTS to turn that to the knowledge of God? Why does the WTS always pick time intensive careers such

    as doctors as an example? There are still 4 year disciplines.

    Q1,2. What choice have some Christians made, and why?

    COMMENTS
    "some Christians"?--only jws

    Where were the parents in this visit? Did one of his teachers pay a visit to an 8-year-old without

    his parents there? How many teachers visit an 8-year-old and have them make a career decision. Why

    does the WTS pick a time intensive career? Are there no 4 year disciplines?

    Does Robert exist or is this only what the WTS calls a re-enactment, combining parts of many jws

    experiences?

    When did this happen, 25 years ago? Is Robert still regular pioneering, has he married and had

    children and is an elder so he has "reasons" not to pioneer?

    2. COMMENTS
    many Christians--only jws

    "some" chose--how many jws are regular pioneers in comparison to those who are not?

    Love for God--where's Jesus?

    "the truth"--WTS current teachings only--between 1967 and 1980, organ transplants were

    cannabilistic, after 1980 not.

    Taught by WTS = taught by God

    What is WTS "good news"? That soon all 7 billion humans on earth (except jws), including children,

    will be destroyed eternally, no hope of a resurrection.

    PRIVILEGED TO BE TAUGHT BY GOD

    Q3. Why can we be sure that Jehovah is willing to teach imperfect humans?

    COMMENTS
    But isn't Jesus said to be the Great Teacher? Where's Jesus?

    Isaiah 54:13 (OT) applies only to anointed Christians (only jws) not the great crowd/other sheep?
    Applies to GC only IN PRINCIPLE. What does that mean? The WTS teaches that the GC/OS are

    grandchildren of God, sons of Jesus not God.

    QUOTES
    *** w95 8/1 p. 13 par. 19 Jehovah—A God Who Teaches ***
    Even though the other sheep are not directly included among the “sons” spoken of at Isaiah 54:13,

    they are blessed with being taught by Jehovah. Therefore, they properly address God as “Father”

    because he will, in effect, be their Grandfather through the “Eternal Father,” Jesus Christ.—Matthew

    6:9; Isaiah 9:6.

    COMMENTS
    How do they try to "prove" that the other sheep are not Gentile anointed Christians? How does Isa

    2:1-3 prove anything?

    There is a huge assumption here that John 10:16 applies to non-anointed jws. Could it apply to

    Gentile Christians?

    Q4. What does Jehovah require of those whom he teaches?

    COMMENTS
    Teachable by whom though: The WTS, God, or Jesus? Then the WTS quotes an OT scripture.

    Jesus addresses God as "Father" not Jehovah or even God in Luke 10:21.

    What is the WTS doctrine on "undeserved kindness"?

    Q5. How only has it been possible for us to come to a knowledge of God?

    COMMENTS
    servants of Jehovah--only jws--not so-called Christians per the WTS

    QUOTES
    *** w01 2/1 p. 10 par. 8 Have You Made the Truth Your Own? ***
    Additionally, true Christians proclaim the Kingdom of God as man’s only hope for everlasting life on

    a paradise earth. (Mark 13:10; Revelation 21:1-4) They keep separate from this world’s corrupt

    politics and its defiling way of life. (John 15:19; James 1:27; 4:4) Who today have really met these

    criteria? The facts establish that there is only one answer—Jehovah’s Witnesses.

    COMMENTS
    So jws can't even take credit for having found "the truth." Is "the truth" the same as Jesus; is

    the WTS = Jesus?

    So it is not free will on the part of humans to choose God?

    THE POWER TO IMPROVE LIVES

    Q6. What remarkable effect can taking in "the knowledge of Jehovah" have on people?

    COMMENTS
    ***Note how the WTS switches from "the knowledge of Christ Jesus" in the theme scripture Phil 3:8 to

    "the knowledge of Jehovah." Is that because the WTS has now switched to an OT scripture?

    (Isaiah 11:9) . . .They will not do any harm or cause any ruin in all my holy mountain; because the

    earth will certainly be filled with the knowledge of Jehovah as the waters are covering the very

    sea.

    Is the WTS saying that there are not other Christian religions that have learned to dwell in unity?

    Note how the WTS always lumps all Christian religions into the same belief system not acknowledging

    the difference between Quakers, Mennonites, Amish, Christadelphians, Bible Students, etc.

    It wasn't until the 1970's in my area that there ever was a black elder despite many black male jws.

    Even today there are jws that think that black people while "deserving" are not as intelligent as

    whites and if they encounter one who is, they are the exception, not the rule. The WTS felt that

    the marriage between races was not a good idea. Why it wasn't until 2000 that the WTS had a black

    man on the "governing body" of the WTS. (my experiences) Should a jw marry someone of another race?

    *** w73 12/1 pp. 735-736 Questions From Readers ***
    In other communities, local prejudices produce discrimination and unkind treatment toward those of

    certain races of mankind. These prejudices do not make interracial marriage wrong. For the

    discerning Christian, nonetheless, they may give cause for thought as to the advisability of such

    marriage. No matter what the racial backgrounds of the mates, marriage of itself requires much

    adjustment on the part of both persons to be successful and to bring happiness. Human imperfection

    causes all marriages to bring some measure of ‘tribulation in the flesh,’ as the apostle Paul wisely

    points out. (1 Cor. 7:28) In certain localities, where racial prejudices are strong, this could put

    added strain on the marital relationship and could be especially trying for any children resulting.

    So the Christian should give thoughtful consideration to the probable consequences before

    entertaining the prospect of interracial marriage.

    Persons of different races may have very similar backgrounds, culturally, socially and as to

    education. Or their backgrounds may be very different. Sometimes the varied habits, attitudes and

    customs that go with different backgrounds seem to add interest to the marriage union. Yet widely

    differing backgrounds, even among marriage mates of the same race, can and sometimes do give rise to

    problems, making marital adjustment more difficult. In making his decision, the Christian should

    also rightly weigh these factors—for the other person’s happiness as well as his own.

    COMMENTS
    God's servants--why not "Christians"?

    Only jws have a TRUE international brotherhood? The WTS gets away with this statement because most

    jws have no detailed knowledge of other religions and are discouraged from finding out from other

    than WTS publications.

    Q7,8. (a) What are some of the "strongly entrenched things" that divine education helps people to

    overturn? (b) What shows that divine education brings praise to Jehovah?

    COMMENTS
    God's servants--why not "Christians" since this is Paul talking?

    I've always wondered if the WTS/jws believe that God will directly (per 185,000 soldiers and the

    angel; or in the case of Ananias and Sapphira) or his "earthly representatives" will execute

    disobedient humans in the "new system"?

    Did divine education free the Bible Students (some under Rutherford renamed jws) from the false

    teachings of pyramidology, that the end was coming in 1914, 1925, etc.

    Who are without hope--all non-jws

    8. Honesty--where in the bible is the concept of an "unbaptized publisher"? So how does this police

    officer come by his statistics? How does he know that all 38 million people in that state would all

    be dishonest? Does the WTS believe that all jws are trustworthy? If so why the careful

    instructions for those handling money in the WTS?

    COMMENTS
    I wish I could find the account in the WTS publications where an accounts servant "borrowed" money

    from the congregation account to cover his wife's medical expenses. (does anyone remember that?)

    Q9. How is it possible for people to make profound changes in their lives?

    COMMENTS
    Does the WTS teach that non-jws can get holy spirit apart from their organization?
    friend of God or friend of Jesus?

    CARROT: prospect of living forever

    PREPARATION FOR THE FUTURE

    Q10. (a) Why is Jehovah in a unique position to prepare us for the future? (b) What dramatic changes

    will soon affect the entire earth?

    COMMENTS
    Jehovah or WTS prepare us?
    SOON affect the entire earth

    If "Jehovah" knows what lies ahead, why has the WTS put forth dates such as 1799 as the beginning of

    the time of the end, 1874 as the presence of Christ, 1878, as Jesus kingship beginning, 1881, the

    end of the selection of the anointed; 1914, Armageddon; adjusted to 1915, 1920; then the end in

    1925, 1940's, 1975 (1984, 1994) all to end in 1995 with the dismantling of the 1914 generation

    doctrine?

    "great day of Jehovah is NEAR"?

    Satan's world--all 7 billion non-jws including children will be executed eternally

    money "will be" worthless; but not yet so what does it mean to "act wisely now"?

    Q11. What is one way that divine education helps us prepare for the future?

    COMMENTS
    What are proper priorities?

    What would you have done in 1969 after reading the following? Sold your home?

    QUOTES
    *** km 5/74 p. 3 How Are You Using Your Life? ***
    Reports are heard of brothers selling their homes and property and planning to finish out the rest

    of their days in this old system in the pioneer service. Certainly this is a fine way to spend the

    short time remaining before the wicked world’s end.—1 John 2:17.

    COMMENTS
    Should jws save for retirement?
    Should jws buy life insurance?
    Not storing up material riches.............

    Should jws have children, buy houses, buy cars........
    Should just about all jws be regular pioneers.........

    QUOTES
    *** w87 2/1 p. 15 par. 1 Doing Our Utmost to Declare the Good News ***
    “A FEW years ago, many of us thought that only those with special circumstances could pioneer,”

    wrote a pioneer, or full-time minister, in Japan. “It seems we were wrong. We are learning that only

    those with special circumstances cannot pioneer.”

    COMMENTS
    NEARNESS of Jehovah's day

    p.24 2 jw men out witnessing without suit jackets on.

    Q12. Why should we not be deterred if some look down on our ministry?

    COMMENTS
    fine works = only preaching WT message, not helping people find food and water, medical treatment or

    clothes; did James say to preach to these people?

    (James 2:14-17) 14 Of what benefit is it, my brothers, if a certain one says he has faith but he

    does not have works? That faith cannot save him, can it? 15 If a brother or a sister is in a naked

    state and lacking the food sufficient for the day, 16 yet a certain one of YOU says to them: “Go in

    peace, keep warm and well fed,” but YOU do not give them the necessities for [their] body, of what

    benefit is it? 17 Thus, too, faith, if it does not have works, is dead in itself.

    Christians--only jws

    Does the WTS say that everyone will get an individual witness?--"giving everyone the opportunity to

    put faith in it (WTS message) while there is yet time

    QUOTES
    *** w00 1/15 p. 13 par. 17 “Keep on the Watch” ***
    Fifth, we see a global preaching work being accomplished, which Jesus said would take place just

    before the end of this system. Jesus stated: “This good news of the kingdom will be preached in all

    the inhabited earth for a witness to all the nations; and then the end will come.” (Matthew 24:14)

    Today, that prophecy is in the course of fulfillment on an unprecedented scale. True, untouched

    territories still exist, and it may be that in Jehovah’s due time, a large door leading to greater

    activity will open. (1 Corinthians 16:9) Nevertheless, the Bible does not state that Jehovah will

    wait until every individual on earth has received a personal witness. Rather, the good news must be

    preached to Jehovah’s satisfaction. Then the end will come.—Compare Matthew 10:23.

    COMMENTS
    The real reason jws "preach" is not to save the lives of others, but their own--"put ourselves in

    line to receive many blessings"

    BLESSED FOR MAKING SACRIFICES

    Q13. What sacrifices did the apostle Paul make for the good news?

    COMMENTS
    Paul was not married and had no children................
    Paul was being groomed for success--so Paul wasn't groomed for success in the congregation?
    Paul wasn't prominent in the Christian congregation?
    Paul left all...how many jws leave their material things, prominence, but actually find a way to

    keep them.........

    Q14,15. We experience what blessings as "God's fellow workers"?

    COMMENTS
    Christians today--only jws
    Robert is a FT minister, shouldn't all jws be such since the end is so NEAR, then perhaps more

    people could receive an "individual witness."
    What specifically was Robert blessed with?

    15. COMMENTS
    opportunity to taste what?
    How do jws sense God's spirit?
    When things do not go well, where is God's helping hand.
    Close to God--not close to Jesus?

    Q16. How do you feel about the efforts and sacrifices you make in connection with divine education?

    COMMENTS
    What are jws doing of lasting significance? How many actually have someone they call on become a

    jw? Or are we like this:

    (Matthew 15:14) . . .LET them be. Blind guides is what they are. If, then, a blind man guides a

    blind man, both will fall into a pit.”

    So what name did Jesus sanctify in his prayers? It wasn't until 1980 that the WTS was "sanctifying"

    rather than "vindicating" God's name.

    CONCLUDING COMMENTS

    Next week, Do You Value What Jehovah Has Done to Deliver You? (why not value what Jesus has done to

    deliver us?)

    QUOTES
    *** w07 1/1 p. 20 par. 3 “You Must Become Nothing but Joyful” ***
    In addition, since Jesus was sinless, his death was a sacrifice of great value. By means of it,

    Jesus provided deliverance from sin and death for faithful descendants of Adam and Eve

    *** w07 4/1 p. 26 par. 2 Humbly Submitting to Loving Shepherds ***
    It was again fulfilled when the anointed remnant were delivered from “Babylon the Great” in 1919 by

    the Greater Cyrus, Jesus Christ.

    *** w06 8/15 p. 30 Do You Remember? ***
    How will Jesus “deliver the poor one,” as Psalm 72:12 foretold?

    During his reign, there will be justice for all, with no corruption. War often brings poverty, but

    Christ will bring perfect peace. He feels for people and will unite all, and he will see that there

    is ample food for mankind. (Psalm 72:4-16)—5/1, page 7.

    START OF ARTICLE

    THE EXCELLING VALUE OF

    DIVINE EDUCATION

    "I do indeed also consider all things

    to be loss on account of the excelling value of the

    knowledge of Christ Jesus, "„Phil. 3:8.

    1, 2. What choice have some Christians made, and

    why?

    F ROM an early age, Robert excelled in

    school. When he was just eight years

    old, one of his teachers paid a special visit to

    his home and told him that there was no

    limit to what he might accomplish. She expressed

    the hope that he would one day

    become a medical doctor. His academic

    achievements as a high-school student qualified

    him to attend any of the best universities

    in his country. But Robert chose to forgo

    what many viewed as a once-in-a-lifetime

    opportunity in order to pursue his goal of

    serving as a regular pioneer.

    2 Like Robert, many Christians-young

    and old-have opportunities for advancement

    in the present system of things. Some

    choose not to make full use of those opportunities

    so that they can pursue spiritual

    goals. (1 Cor. 7:29-31) What motivates

    Christians like Robert to expend themselves

    in the preaching work? In addition to their

    love for Jehovah, which is the foremost reason,

    they appreciate the excelling value of

    divine education. Have you considered lately

    what your life might be like if you had not

    come to a knowledge of the truth? Reflecting

    on some of the outstanding blessings we

    enjoy as a result of being taught by Jehovah

    will help us to maintain our appreciation for

    the good news and to be zealous in sharing

    it with others.

    Privileged to Be Taught by God

    3. Why can we be sure that Jehovah is willing to

    teach imperfect humans?

    3 In his goodness, Jehovah is willing to

    teach imperfect humans. Speaking prophetically

    of anointed Christians, Isaiah 54:13

    says: "All your sons will be persons taught by

    Jehovah, and the peace of your sons will be

    abundant." Those words apply in principle

    to Christ's "other sheep" as well. (John 10:

    16) This is clear from a prophecy that is being

    fulfilled in our day. Isaiah saw in vision

    people from all the nations streaming to

    true worship. He describes them as saying to

    one another: "Let us go up to the mountain

    of Jehovah, to the house of the God of Jacob;

    and he will instruct us about his ways, and

    we will walk in his paths." (Isa. 2:1-3) What a

    privilege it is to be taught by God!

    4. What does Jehovah require of those whom he

    teaches?

    4 How can we qualify to benefit from divine

    education? A major requirement is that

    a person be meek and teachable. The psalmist

    David wrote: "Good and upright is Jehovah....

    He will teach the meek ones his

    way." (Ps. 25:8, 9) And Jesus said: "I publicly

    praise you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth,

    because you have carefully hidden these

    things from wise and intellectual ones, and

    have revealed them to babes." (Luke 10:21)

    Do you not feel drawn to a God who "gives

    undeserved kindness to the humble ones"?

    „1Pet. 5:5.

    THEWATCHTOWER •E SEPTEMBER15,2009 21

    5. How only has it been possible for us to come to

    a knowledge of God?

    5 As servants of Jehovah, can we credit

    ourselves with having the good sense to find

    the truth? No. In fact, on our own initiative,

    we would never have come to a knowledge

    of God. Jesus said: "No man can come to me

    unless the Father, who sent me, draws him."

    (John 6:44) By means of the preaching work

    and by means of holy spirit, Jehovah is

    drawing sheeplike individuals, "the desirable

    things of all the nations." (Hag. 2:7) Are

    you not grateful to be one of those whom

    Jehovah has drawn to his Son?„Read Jeremiah

    9:23, 24.

    The Power to Improve Lives

    6. What remarkable effect can taking in "the

    knowledge of Jehovah" have on people?

    6 Using a beautiful word picture, Isaiah's

    prophecy depicts the transformation of human

    personalities that is taking place in

    our time. Formerly violent people have become

    peaceable. {Read Isaiah 11:6-9.) Those

    who were once at enmity with one another

    because of differences in race, nationality,

    tribe, or some other cultural background

    have learned to dwell together in unity. Figuratively

    speaking, they have 'beaten their

    swords into plowshares.' (Isa. 2:4) What accounts

    for these remarkable changes? People

    have taken in "the knowledge of Jehovah"

    and have applied it in their lives.

    Although God's servants are imperfect, they

    form a true international brotherhood. The

    universal appeal of the good news and the

    fine fruitage it produces testify to the excelling

    value of divine education.„Matt. 11:19.

    7. 8. (a) What are some of the "strongly entrenched

    things" that divine education helps people

    to overturn? (b) What shows that divine education

    brings praise to Jehovah?

    7 The apostle Paul likened the ministry of

    God's servants to spiritual warfare. He wrote:

    "The weapons of our warfare are not fleshly,

    but powerful by God for overturning strongly

    entrenched things. For we are overturning

    reasonings and every lofty thing raised up

    against the knowledge of God." (2 Cor. 10:

    4, 5) What are some of the "strongly entrenched

    things" from which divine education

    frees people? The burden of false

    teachings, superstitions, and human philosophies,

    to mention just a few. (Col. 2:8) Divine

    education helps people to overcome

    bad practices and to cultivate godly qualities.

    (1 Cor. 6:9-11) It improves family life.

    And it gives those without hope a real purpose

    in life. This is the kind of education that

    is needed today.

    8 One of the qualities that Jehovah helps

    people to develop is honesty, as the following

    experience shows. (Heb. 13:18) A

    woman in India accepted a Bible study and in time

    qualified as an unbaptized publisher. One

    day while returning home from working on

    a Kingdom Hall construction project, she

    found on the ground near a bus station

    a gold chain worth eight hundred dollars

    (U.S.). Although of humble means, she took

    the chain to the police station and turned it

    in. The police officer there could not believe

    his eyes! Later, another officer asked her,

    "Why did you choose to turn in the chain?"

    She explained, "Bible teaching has transformed

    me, so I am an honest person now."

    Impressed, he said to the Christian elder

    who accompanied her to the station: "There

    are over 38 million people in this state. If

    you can help ten people to become like this

    woman, it would be a great achievement."

    When we consider the millions of lives that

    have been improved by divine education, do

    we not have abundant reasons to praise Jehovah?

    22 THEWATCHTOWER •E SEPTEMBER15,2009

    9. How is it possible for people to make profound

    changes in their lives?

    9 The transforming power of God's Word,

    along with the help that Jehovah provides

    by means of his holy spirit, enables people to

    make profound changes in their lives. (Rom.

    12:2; Gal. 5:22, 23) Colossians 3:10 says:

    "Clothe yourselves with the new personality,

    which through accurate knowledge is being

    made new according to the image of the

    One who created it." The message found in

    God's Word, the Bible, has the power to

    reveal what a person really is on the inside,

    and it can change the way he thinks

    and even how he feels about things. (Read

    Hebrews 4:12.) By coming to an accurate

    knowledge of the Scriptures and by conforming

    his life to Jehovah's righteous standards,

    a person can become a friend of God,

    with the prospect of living forever.

    Picture: Those taught by Jehovah form a true

    international brotherhood

    Preparation for the Future

    10. (a) Why is Jehovah in a unique position to prepare

    us for the future? (b) What dramatic changes

    will soon affect the entire earth?

    10 Jehovah is in a unique position to help

    us prepare for the future because he knows

    what lies ahead. He determines what man-

    kind's future will be. (Isa. 46:9, 10) Bible

    prophecy reveals that "the great day of Jehovah

    is near." (Zeph. 1:14) Regarding that day,

    the words of Proverbs ll:4 will prove true:

    "Valuable things will be of no benefit on the

    day of fury, but righteousness itself will deliver

    from death." When the time arrives for

    Jehovah's judgment to be executed on Satan's

    world, what will matter is our standing

    with God. Money will be worthless. In fact,

    Ezekiel 7:19 says: "Into the streets they will

    throw their very silver, and an abhorrent

    thing their own gold will become." That

    foreknowledge can help us to act wisely now.

    11. What is one way that divine education

    helps us to prepare for the future?

    11 One distinct way that divine education

    prepares us for the coming of Jehovah's day

    is by helping us to set proper priorities. The

    apostle Paul wrote to Timothy: "Give orders

    to those who are rich in the present system

    of things not to be high-minded, and to rest

    their hope, not on uncertain riches, but on

    God." Even if we are not affluent, we can

    benefit from this divinely inspired counsel.

    What does it involve? Instead of storing

    up material riches, we should strive "to

    work at good" and "to be rich

    in fine works." By putting spiritual

    matters first in our lives,

    we 'treasure up for ourselves a

    fine foundation for the future.'

    (1 Tim. 6:17-19) Such a course

    of self-sacrifice reflects practical

    wisdom, for as Jesus said, "what

    benefit will it be to a man if he

    gains the whole world but forfeits

    his soul?" (Matt. 16:26, 27)

    In view of the nearness of Jehovah's

    day, each of us does well to

    consider: 'Where am I storing up

    treasure? Am I slaving for God or

    for Riches?'„Matt. 6:19, 20, 24.

    THEWATCHTOWER •E SEPTEMBER15,2009 23

    12. Why should we not be deterred if some look

    down on our ministry?

    12 Foremost among the "fine works" outlined

    in God's Word for Christians is the

    lifesaving work of Kingdom-preaching and

    disciple-making. (Matt. 24:14; 28:19, 20) As

    was the case in the first century, some may

    look down on our ministry. (Read 1 Corinthians

    1:18-21.) But that does not change the

    value of our message, and it does not lessen

    the importance of giving everyone the opportunity

    to put faith in it while there is yet

    time. (Rom. 10:13, 14) As we help others to

    benefit from divine education, we put ourselves

    in line to receive many blessings.

    Blessed for Making Sacrifices

    13. What sacrifices did the apostle Paul make for

    the good news?

    13 Prior to his becoming a Christian, the

    apostle Paul was being groomed for success

    in the Jewish system of things. When he was

    likely no more than 13 years old, he moved

    from his native city of Tarsus to Jerusalem to

    study under the highly esteemed Law teacher

    Gamaliel. (Acts 22:3) In time, Paul began

    to stand out among his contemporaries,

    and had he continued in that

    course, he might have risen to prominence

    in Judaism. (Gal. 1:13, 14) When

    he accepted the good news and took up

    the preaching work, he left all of that

    behind. Did Paul regret the choice he

    had made? No. In fact, he wrote: "I do

    indeed also consider all things to be

    loss on account of the excelling value

    of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my

    Lord. On account of him I have taken

    the loss of all things and I consider

    them as a lot of refuse."„Phil. 3:8.

    14, 15. We experience what blessings as "God's fellow

    workers"?

    14 Like Paul, Christians today make

    sacrifices for the sake of the good news.

    (Mark 10:29, 30) Do we miss out because

    of doing so? Robert, mentioned

    at the outset, speaks for many when he says:

    "I have no regrets whatsoever. The full-time

    ministry has brought me joy and satisfaction,

    and it has allowed me to 'taste and see

    that Jehovah is good.' Whenever I made material

    sacrifices in order to pursue spiritual

    goals, Jehovah always blessed me with more

    than what I had sacrificed. It is as if I did

    not really sacrifice anything. I have only

    gained!"„Ps. 34:8; Prov. 10:22.

    24 THEWATCHTOWER •E SEPTEMBER15,2009

    15 If you have been sharing in the preaching

    and teaching work for some time now,

    you too have no doubt had opportunities to

    taste and see that Jehovah is good. Have

    there been times when you sensed the help

    of his spirit as you were presenting the good

    news? Have you seen others' eyes light up as

    Jehovah opened their heart to pay attention

    to the message? (Acts 16:14) Has Jehovah

    helped you to overcome obstacles, perhaps

    opening the way for you to expand your

    ministry? Has he supported you in times of

    difficulty, enabling you to continue serving

    him when you felt that your strength was

    giving out? (Phil. 4:13) When we personally

    experience Jehovah's helping hand as we

    carry out our ministry, he becomes more

    real to us and we feel even closer to him. (Isa.

    41:10) Is it not a blessing to be one of "God's

    fellow workers" in the grand work of divine

    education?„1 Cor. 3:9.

    16. How do you feel about the efforts and sacrifices

    you make in connection with divine education?

    16 Many people hope to accomplish something

    of lasting significance during their

    lifetime. We have seen that even outstanding

    achievements in today's world are often

    soon forgotten. However, the modern-day

    works that Jehovah is accomplishing in connection

    with the sanctification of his name

    will no doubt be preserved in a permanent

    record as part of theocratic history. They will

    be remembered forever. (Prov. 10:7; Heb. 6:

    10) May we cherish our privilege of sharing

    in the history-making work of divine education.

    How Would You Answer?

    What does Jehovah require of those whom he teaches?

    How does divine education improve people’s lives?

    In what ways are we blessed for helping others to benefit from divine education?

  • cantleave
    cantleave

    Blondie, Thanks once again for posting your comments.

  • AwSnap
    AwSnap

    BTTT...looks very interesting. I'll read it in just a lil

  • OnTheWayOut
    OnTheWayOut

    Q11. What is one way that divine education helps us prepare for the future?

    COMMENTS
    What are proper priorities?

    What would you have done in 1969 after reading the following? Sold your home?

    QUOTES
    *** km 5/74 p. 3 How Are You Using Your Life? ***
    Reports are heard of brothers selling their homes and property and planning to finish out the rest
    of their days in this old system in the pioneer service. Certainly this is a fine way to spend the short time remaining before the wicked world’s end.—1 John 2:17.

    Nice comment, Blondie. Another 'generation' has grown since then, many of the ones who wouldn't go to college back then are at or approaching retirement. Nothing wrong with working hard all your life, but some knew they had something else in mind until 'the end' was so close.

  • monkeyman
    monkeyman

    Did anyone else find this article distressing???

    The thrust I got was that becoming a doctor is bad, worldly, selfish, etc. Becoming a pioneer is what a good Christian should strive for.

    Is that bizarre or what??

    Say what you want, that's the way it was presented here.

  • garyneal
    garyneal

    blondie:

    Excellent post. I had to endure this study yesterday as I agreed to go with my wife to the KH so that we would all be together as my daughter wanted. Prior to leaving for the hall, my wife asked my daughter, "What did you learn in church today?" When my daughter did not answer, I guess my wife was trying to prove a point, go to church and learn nothing. Please, my daughter is 3 years old, what exactly is she suppose to learn sitting in a sermon for an hour? What exactly does she learn in the KH? From what she has told me, she learns that if she misbehaves too much, she goes to The Spanking Room TM . Yesterday, she slept for the majority of the two hours we sat in the talk and WT study. What exactly did she learn there?

    I wanted to comment at the beginning of the study but I knew it would not be well received. I made this comment on another thread. Why does the WTS make a college education seem like such a bad thing? I get the whole concept on how for some people, being a missionary (or a pioneer in this case) may indeed be a much more rewarding prospect, but I thought the body of Christ has many parts. If this man was indeed that bright and talented, who knows, under the right circumstances he could become an excellent doctor who specializes in bloodless therapies and surgeries. What an asset this man would be to Jehovah's Witnesses everywhere. Why is it that the witnesses look so down on so called worldly things while at the same time partaking in them as it benefits them? If the government is truly a tool of Satan and as such one cannot vote or serve on the jury, why also do witnesses partake in government benefits? My wife's family is has individuals participating in various government benefits such as disability (mom, an aunt, and an uncle), unemployment (dad), and some form of welfare (another aunt). So much for neutrality.

    After the meeting was classic. My wife, feeling elated, told me that she had a good time at the meeting. We went to a convenience store and she only had cash to buy herself a hot chocolate. I myself only had enough money to last to payday so I decide not to get anything. My daughter asks for something for herself too, my wife says, "Well daddy isn't coming up off any money." I say, "I gave you my entire check save for a little money for gas and few other things, I want what little I have to last until payday." Wife responds, "Well, you know according to the study today we shouldn't be too concerned about money because it will be worthless one day." I said, "You're right so let's stop stressing over this." I think that response was a bit unexpected for her for she paused and then said in a low voice, "Well, you should not horde it either." I said, "If I am hording it, I would have a lot more money than what I have now."

    I can clearly see now that the Jehovah's Witnesses are not balanced. The church I was attending also showed what some would call 'propaganda' concerning giving of tithes. However, I knew, as did the pastor, that people are not about to empty their pockets of all their cash during a recession. Most of his sermon's were pretty balanced.

    My wife, on balance, is balanced but I guess when she gets around the hall, it gets to her. It was recently announced that she just became an unbaptized publisher to the congregation. A MS was taking her address and phone number yesterday and she was apologizing for turning in her time late. So it begins...

  • OUTLAW
    OUTLAW

    Providing Free labour for A multi-Billion dollar organization..

    (The WBT$..)

    Is the only acceptable job to the WBT$..

    Because..

    The WBT$ is Run,by Thoughtless,Greedy Bastards..

    Who would`nt want to Work for Free..

    For Thoughtless,Greedy WBT$ Bastards?

    Besides me?

    ....................... ...OUTLAW

  • Pistoff
    Pistoff

    But Robert chose to forgo what many viewed as a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity in order to pursue his goal of
    serving as a regular pioneer.

    So what? Others make other choices; takes all kind of people to make up a world. Witnesses might reflect on what kind of world it would be if the entire world mirrored theirs: no doctors, no lawyers, no engineers, no public servants.

    GREAT job pointing out how soon knowledge of Jesus would morph into knowledge of Jehovah; let's just call him Yahweh, shall we, and admit that witnesses worship the vengeful god of the israelites, who loved his people to kill men women and children, and take their land.

    Divine education or knowledge, as opposed to what, satanic knowledge? Knowledge is knowledge, it is not or bad, but anyway: what has "divine knowledge" as dispensed by the WT done?

    It has NOT helped anyone in the present economy to get jobs;

    It has NOT helped anyone who has bled out from lack of a blood transfusion;

    It has NOT helped the children who were sexually abused by a witness rapist, who was then protected by the elders and the GB;

    It has NOT helped the ones who died from lack of a transplant from 1967 to 1980;

    It has NOT helped community resistance to disease as those who believed the Golden Age's drivel about vaccinations in the 30's shunned vaccinations (still going on today, if you don't believe it PM me)

    It has NOT helped those who sold their homes in the 60's and 70's on the basis of the blatant warnings about 1975; I know a brother who is broke, and old, and sick, who left a very good job with the state to pioneer in 1970 and could never get his old job back.

    It has NOT helped anyone understand what the generation is or was, or might be. The WT has so twisted up their understanding about generation it now no longer means ANYTHING about time, but a group of people; complete nonsense. Why would Jesus even use the word generation if he did not mean it?

    Divine education HAS helped:

    The GB to consolidate their power base;

    Child rapists to walk free in congregations

    Brothers who own businesses to take advantage of dumb, cheap labor (a pretty nice guy in my hall, who my son had worked for a couple summers while in school, made a face when learning he was getting his 4 year degree, saying: "I can't afford to hire a college graduate". Exactly.

    Dumb ass elders control people in the congregations.

    Great job blondie, as always.

    P

  • bobld
    bobld

    Thanks Blondie your comments are right on.Privileged to be taught by God,my ass why not say what you mean(by gb of the wtbs).They have the gull to say no one understands the bible but the gb see all their publications.

    Q3 It sure is not the gb/wbts.

    Q4/5 Read the bible and get the correct answer.not what the wbts publishes.

    So why do they have highly educated people in H.Q.(they kicked many that weren't educated out so they could sell the properties that many of these worked for free) but they kept the Doctors and God knows how many Lawyers.Why do the gb/wbts put so much trust in the educational system for their H.Q.

    Bob

  • WTWizard
    WTWizard

    All the article does is makes it seem like a blessing to waste one's life doing field circus or going to Beth Hell. You give up whatever could have meant security for you later, only to end up pio-sneering. I don't think there is even one true benefit that can be attributed to pio-sneering, that doesn't solely benefit the Washtowel Slaveholdery. I, for one, do not recall even one benefit from the field circus that I couldn't have gotten with a regular walk of the same duration.

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