Comments You Will Not Hear at the 01-24-10 WT Study (November 15, 2009, pages 20-24)(KEEP GROWING IN BROTHERLY LOVE)
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
Bible translations www.biblegateway.com/cgi-bin/bible
WT publications www.strictlygenteel.co.uk
WT child abuse www.silentlambs.org
Blood issue www.ajwrb.org
United Nations http://www.randytv.com/secret/unitednations.htm
Also posted on
http://exjehovahswitnessforum.yuku.com
http://www.jwsupportforum.com/index.php
http://www.jehovahswitnessrecovery.com/
KEEP GROWING IN BROTHERLY LOVE "Go on walking in love, just as the Christ also loved you."--EPH. 5:2
OPENING COMMENTS
The WTS admits that showing love to each other is the true identifying mark of Christians not going house to house.
Are jws the only ones know for going door to door talking about their beliefs? What about Mormons (LDS), Baptists,
Methodists, Lutherans, all religions that have called at my home. If jws are not showing true love to their own members
but still give the appearance of going door to door, they are not truly Christians.
START OF ARTICLE
Q1. What important characterists of his followers did Jesus point to?
PREACHING the good news of God's Kingdom from house to house is a trademark of Jehovah's Witnesses. Still,
Christ Jesus chose a different facet of Christianity to identify his genuine disciples. He said, "I am giving you a new
commandment, that you love one another, just as I have loved you, that you also love one another. By this all will know
that you are my disciples, if you have love among yourselves."--John 13:34,35.
COMMENTSWhere does Jesus fit into this kingdom good news? The mention of Christ's Kingdom dropped off in the WT
publications around 1991. Hmmm?
(2 Thessalonians 1:8) . . .and those who do not obey the good news about our Lord Jesus.
Did you know that the WTS quibbled about it being Jehovah's w(not capitalized)itnesses until April 1976? They felt it
was not the name of a religious group; it is also why older jws don't like the phrase "a Jehovah's Witness" being used
but rather "one of Jehovah's witnesses.
Q2,3. What effect does our brotherly love have on those who attend our Christian meetings?
2 The love of the true Christian brotherhood has no equal in human society. Just as a magnet draws iron, so love draws
Jehovah’s servants together in unity and attracts sincere ones to true worship. For example, take Marcelino, a man in
Cameroon who lost his eyesight at work. After his accident, the rumor spread that he had become blind because he
was a witch. Instead of giving him comfort, his pastor and other members of his church expelled him from the
congregation. When one of Jehovah’s Witnesses invited him to a meeting, Marcelino hesitated. He did not want to face
more rejection.
COMMENTSTRUE Christian brotherhood--only jws
Yes, there are many who are no equal because they are greater than what jws show.
Jehovah's servants--only jws
Remember than non-jws get love-bombed especially there are a potential source of "time" that can be turned in on their
time slips. Once someone get baptized they are dropped like a hot potato. I can remember one new sister who could
not understand the sudden change...I pointed out that she was baptized now and there attention was no on other
unbaptized people.
I have seen such rumors started and spread about jws. Little did Marcelino know the rejection jw style he was putting
himself in position to receive. jws believe that bad things happen to jws who are not spiritual enough.
3 Marcelino was surprised by what happened at the Kingdom Hall. He was warmly welcomed, and he gained comfort
from the Bible teachings he heard. He began attending all congregation meetings, progressed in his Bible study, and
was baptized in 2006. Now he is sharing the truth with his family and neighbors and has started several Bible studies.
Marcelino wants the individuals studying the Bible with him to feel the same love he has experienced among God’s
people.
COMMENTSwarmly welcomed? My husband I visited one congregation outside our circuit 3 times in a year on vacation. It wasn't
until the third time that a single woman with a teenager daughter who came up to say hello.
Don't you wonder who warmly Marcelino is welcomed now compared to before his baptism?
God's people--only jws
Q4. Why should we take to heart Paul's admonition to "go on walking in love"?
4 Appealing as it is, our brotherly love cannot be taken for granted. Think of a campfire burning at night, drawing people
to its warm, flickering flames. Unless those enjoying the fire supply it with fuel, it will go out. Likewise, the wonderful
bond of love in the congregation will weaken unless we as individual Christians work to strengthen it. How can we do
so? The apostle Paul answers: “Go on walking in love, just as the Christ also loved you and delivered himself up for
you as an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweet-smelling odor.” (Eph. 5:2) The question that we want to consider
is, In what ways can I go on walking in love?
COMMENTS
individual Christians--only jws
The catch-22 here is you feel that is not enough love, it is your problem and not that love is not being show in the congregation.
“You, Too, Widen Out”
Q5,6. Why did Paul urge the Corinthian Christians to "widen out"?
5 To the Christians in ancient Corinth, the apostle Paul wrote: “Our mouth has been opened to you, Corinthians, our
heart has widened out. You are not cramped for room within us, but you are cramped for room in your own tender
affections. So, as a recompense in return—I speak as to children—you, too, widen out.” (2 Cor. 6:11-13) Why did Paul
urge the Corinthians to widen out in their love?
COMMENTSWiden out--do you have people in your congregation that except for a brief, "Hi, how are you," as they walk quickly by
you to the person they really want to talk to? They never stop to hear your answer. I can remember one sister who had
just been diagnosed with cancer had an elder do that; she ran after him and asked if he really wanted to hear her
answer as she told him about her cancer. He said he didn't have time to talk now; and he still had not found the time
when she died 5 months later. I'd like to say this is an exception, but it has been the rule in the 45 years I have gone to
khs.
6 Consider how the congregation in ancient Corinth got its start. Paul came to Corinth in the fall of 50 C.E. Although his
preaching work there began with difficulty, the apostle did not give up. In a short time, many in that city put faith in the
good news. For “a year and six months,” Paul spent himself teaching and strengthening the new congregation. Clearly,
he had deep love for the Corinthian Christians. (Acts 18:5, 6, 9-11) They had every reason to love and respect him in
return. However, some in the congregation drew away from him. Perhaps a few did not like his frank counsel. (1 Cor.
5:1-5; 6:1-10) Others may have listened to the slander of the “superfine apostles.” (2 Cor. 11:5, 6) Paul wanted the
genuine love of all his brothers and sisters. So he entreated them to “widen out” by drawing close to him and other
fellow believers.
COMMENTSCorinth had been established by Paul as a congregation
Who were the superfine apostles? Notice it wasn't the "weak" in the congregation that were avoiding Paul. Paul could
write a letter admonishing these people, could we, who had no status? Were you subject to slander by others in the
congregation? By the elders and their wives?
Q7. How can we "widen out" in displaying brotherly love?
7 What about us? How can we “widen out” in displaying brotherly love? Individuals in the same age bracket or of the
same ethnic background may naturally be attracted to one another. And those with similar preferences in recreation
often spend much time together. But if the interests that we share with some Christians separate us from others, we
need to “widen out.” It would be wise to ask ourselves: ‘Do I seldom share in the ministry or social activities with
brothers and sisters outside my intimate group? At the Kingdom Hall, do I limit my contact with those newly associated
because I believe that they have to earn my friendship over time? Do I greet both older and younger ones in the
congregation?’
COMMENTSWere you snubbed because of our age, ethnicity, lack of funds to participate in the same recreation? Did we reach out
and were turned down for meals and social events at our own home? Did we find that in the last 5 years that we had
never seen the inside of the home of the elders and they never had time to see ours? Did they say, "Some time we
have to get together" and you realized they had said that for the last 7 years; had you tried to set up a time and found
that their schedule was tightly booked for 6 months out, even 9 months out?
Do jws limit their contact with new ones seeing them as dangerous spiritually? How about the elders who don't know
the names of the children or the women in the congregation? Or too busy talking to the other elders they only have time
to do the Hi-Goodbye quick walk by the older jws?
Q8,9. How can Paul's counsel recorded at Romas 15:7 help us to greet one another in a way that enhances our
brotherly love?
8 In the matter of greeting one another, Paul’s words to the Romans can help us develop the proper view of our fellow
worshippers. (Read Romans 15:7.) The Greek word there rendered “welcome” means “to receive kindly or hospitably,
admit to one’s society and friendship.” When a hospitable host in Bible times received friends into his home, he let
them know how happy he was to see them. Christ has figuratively welcomed us in that way, and we are exhorted to
imitate him in welcoming fellow worshippers.
COMMENTSWhat is the PROPER view of fellow worshippers (ONLY JWS)? Do they really take time to talk and "welcome" and
admit to one's society? If 5 years have gone by without having had dinner even once at their house (and they do have
others (CLOSE) friends) over, where is the hospitality in that?
Do they really let people know how happy they are to see them or do they scowl because they have to take time away
from the people they really like at the kh?
9 As we greet our brothers at the Kingdom Hall and other places, we can pay attention to those whom we have not
seen or with whom we have not spoken recently. Why not spend a few minutes conversing with them? At the next
meeting, we can do the same with others. In a short while, we will have had delightful conversations with just about all
our brothers and sisters. There is no need to worry if we do not get to speak with everyone on the same day. No one
should take offense if we are not able to greet them at every meeting.
COMMENTS(no sisters?) Do they really want to waste their time on people they have not seen (because they don't attend often
enough) or they don't want to speak to
Is it a strawman that they bring up they don't have to talk to everyone on the same day. How reasonable could that be if
there are 70 people at a meeting. Can months go by and they not talk to certain people assuming that someone else
will be responsible for that?
Q10. What priceless opportunity is available to all in the congregation, and how can we take full advantage of it?
10 Greeting others is the first step in welcoming them. It is a step that can lead to enjoyable discussions and lasting
friendships. For example, when those attending conventions and assemblies introduce themselves to others and begin
talking, they look forward to seeing one another again. Kingdom Hall construction volunteers as well as those sharing in
relief work often become good friends because they get to know one another’s fine qualities through the experiences
they share. The opportunities for forming lasting friendships abound in Jehovah’s organization. If we “widen out,” our
circle of friends will grow, intensifying the love that unites us in true worship.
COMMENTS
What good is saying hi, how are you, if you never stop to hear their answer?
We tried introducting ourselves to people who sat near us at the conventions, only to get the deer in the headlight look
(oh, we have to waste our time talking to people we don't know; we came here to be with our family and close friends
from our own hall); as they darted away to find their friends.
The only time I saw friendships forged was when you worked with people in food service putting together sandwiches,
setting the food stands, etc.
Make Time for Others
Q11. As shown at Mark 10:13-16, what example did Jesus set?
11 All Christians can strive to be approachable, as Jesus was. Consider how Jesus responded when his disciples tried
to prevent parents from bringing their children to him. “Let the young children come to me,” he said. “Do not try to stop
them, for the kingdom of God belongs to suchlike ones.” Then “he took the children into his arms and began blessing
them, laying his hands upon them.” (Mark 10:13-16) Imagine how thrilled those young ones must have been to be
shown such loving attention by the Great Teacher!
COMMENTSAll Christians--ONLY JWS
How many jws take time to talk their own children in conversation at the meetings let alone the children of others?
Q12. What can hinder us from conversing with others?
12 Each Christian should ask himself, ‘Do I make myself available to others or do I often appear to be too busy?’
Habits that are not wrong in themselves can sometimes raise barricades to conversation. If we frequently use a cellular
telephone or use earphones to listen to recordings in the presence of others, for example, we may send the message
that we prefer not to have their company. If others often see us engrossed in looking at a handheld computer, they
might conclude that we do not care to speak to them. Of course, there is “a time to keep quiet.” But when we are
around people, it is often the “time to speak.” (Eccl. 3:7) Some might say, “I prefer to keep to myself” or “I don’t feel
like talking in the morning.” Nonetheless, engaging in friendly conversation even when we are not inclined to do so is
evidence of love that “does not look for its own interests.”—1 Cor. 13:5.
COMMENTSEach Christian--ONLY JWS
Make available or appear to be too busy? I was told by many elders and MS that they were too busy with "important"
congregation things
I can tell you that many regular pioneers used their phones non-stop in the cars in field service. I wonder what they did
before cellphones. So is the problem that people are using cellphones, earphones, handheld computers at the kh?
Isn't this what is being discussed.
Q13. What view of Christian brothers and sisters did Paul encourage Timothy to have?
13 Paul encouraged young Timothy to have respect for all members of the congregation. (Read 1 Timothy 5:1, 2.) We
too should treat older Christians as if they were our mothers and fathers and the younger ones as our siblings, that is,
children of our own parents. When we have that attitude, none of our dear brothers and sisters will feel like strangers in
our presence.
COMMENTSHow do jw children treat their parents? With respect? what about siblings?
Q14. What are some benefits of having upbuilding conversations with others?
14 As we engage others in upbuilding conversation, we contribute to their spirituality and emotional well-being. A
brother working at a branch office fondly remembers several older Bethelites who regularly took time to speak with him
in his early days at Bethel. Their encouraging words made him feel that he really was part of the Bethel family. Now he
tries to imitate them by conversing with his fellow Bethelites.
COMMENTSSo what is "upbuilding" conversation? Is it like the conversation of the Watchtower Facebook page. Is it always about
WT stuff? Is it always positive? Were the letters from Paul always positive; or did he give corrective counsel?
Humility Helps Us to Make Peace
Q15. What shows that we are not immune to disagreements?
15 Euodia and Syntyche, two Christian sisters in ancient Philippi, apparently had some difficulty in resolving a problem
that arose between them. (Phil. 4:2, 3) A heated dispute between Paul and Barnabas became public knowledge and
resulted in their going separate ways for a while. (Acts 15:37-39) These accounts show that true worshippers are not
immune to disagreements. Jehovah provides us with help to resolve conflicts and restore friendships. But he requires
something of us.
COMMENTS APPARENTLY--notice that there is no mention of the problem. Paul and Barnabas argued and stopped traveling
together (now was that "positive").
Did you have jws that would not talk to you and would not tell you what it was that offended them and for years?
Q16,17. (a) How important is humility in resolving personal conflicts? (b) How does the account of Jacob's approach to
Esau illustrate the value of humility?
16 Imagine that you and a friend are going to take a trip by automobile. Before you can begin your journey, you must
put a key into the ignition and start the car’s engine. The process of resolving personal differences is also started with a
key. The key is humility. (Read James 4:10.) As shown by the following Scriptural example, that key allows those at
odds with each other to begin applying Bible principles.
COMMENTSWere the people I mentioned in paragraph 15 humble? If they don't apply bible principles (Matthew 18) and you try,
what resolution can there be?
17 Twenty years had passed since Esau became bitter over losing his birthright to his twin brother, Jacob, and wanted
to kill him. The twins were about to meet again after all that time, “and Jacob became very much afraid and grew
anxious.” He felt that there was a strong possibility that Esau would assault him. But at that meeting, Jacob did
something Esau did not expect. He “proceeded to bow down to the earth” as he approached his brother. What
happened next? “Esau went running to meet him, and he began to embrace him and fall upon his neck and kiss him,
and they burst into tears.” The danger of a fight was averted. Jacob’s humility helped to overcome whatever hatred
Esau might have harbored.—Gen. 27:41; 32:3-8; 33:3, 4.
COMMENTSOT example--Jacob/Esau
So is the WTS suggesting that we take 20 years like Jacob did to make peace with our family?
There is no mention as to whether they every saw each other again.
Q18,19 (a) When personal conflicts arise, why is it essential that we take the initiative to apply Scriptural counsel? (b)
Why should we not give up if the other person does not at first respons in a positive way?
18 The Bible contains excellent counsel on resolving conflicts. (Matt. 5:23, 24; 18:15-17; Eph. 4:26, 27)* Unless we
humbly apply that counsel, however, making peace will be difficult. Waiting for the other person to show humility is not
the solution when we too are holding the key in our hand.
*See the book Organized to Do Jehovah's Will, pages 144-150.
COMMENTSSo why did Jacob wait 20 years?
19 If our initial attempts to make peace seem unfruitful for some reason, we should not give up hope. The other person
may need time to sort out his feelings. Joseph’s brothers dealt treacherously with Joseph. It was a long time before
they faced him as prime minister of Egypt. Finally, however, they had a change of heart and begged for forgiveness.
Joseph pardoned them, and Jacob’s sons became a nation that had the privilege of bearing the name of Jehovah.
(Gen. 50:15-21) By maintaining peace with our brothers and sisters, we contribute to the unity and joy of the
congregation.—Read Colossians 3:12-14.
COMMENTSSo if Esau had not responded, could Jacob wait another 20 years?
OT example--Joseph/his brothers--How long did Joseph wait? He had been 17 when he was sold into slavery by his
brothers. It was another 20 year wait????
Let Us Love “in Deed and Truth”
Q20,21. What lesson can we learn from Jesus' washing the feet of his apostles?
20 Shortly before his death, Jesus told his apostles: “I set the pattern for you, that, just as I did to you, you should do
also.” (John 13:15) He had just finished washing the feet of the 12. What Jesus did was neither a mere ritual nor just an
act of kindness. Before relating the account of the washing of feet, John wrote: “Jesus, having loved his own that were
in the world, loved them to the end.” (John 13:1) It was his love for the disciples that moved Jesus to render a service
usually performed by a slave. Now they must humbly do loving things for one another. Yes, genuine brotherly love
should move us to display care and concern for all our Christian brothers and sisters.
COMMENTSThe WTS sneers at the foot washing ceremonies in other religions. But can you imagine the elders in your
congregation washing your feet, the feet of a sister or child, a person just attending meetings, someone who had just
been reinstated? Do the elders see themselves as slaves to the congregation members? They are no longer even
called "servants" since the early 1970's. Instead now they are "OVERseers," glorious ones, chieftans, sheiks.
21 The apostle Peter, who had his feet washed by the Son of God, grasped the meaning of what Jesus did. He wrote:
“Now that you have purified your souls by your obedience to the truth with unhypocritical brotherly affection as the result,
love one another intensely from the heart.” (1 Pet. 1:22) The apostle John, whose feet were also washed by the Lord,
wrote: “Little children, let us love, neither in word nor with the tongue, but in deed and truth.” (1 John 3:18) May our
hearts move us to confirm our brotherly love by action.
COMMENTSUnhypocritical love
Is brotherly love the same as agape?
Do You Remember?• In what ways can we “widen out” in our love for one another?
• What will help us to make time for others?
• What role does humility play in making peace?
• What should move us to care for fellow believers?
CLOSING COMMENTS
Does the WTS practice what they preach? No. Sorry for any who had to sit through this. Next week, Displaying Good
Manners as Ministers of God.
Love, Blondie