BOOK STUDY OR BIBLE STUDY?

by blondie 2 Replies latest jw friends

• 

  blondie

  *** km 9/76 p. 8 Question Box ***

  Might a discussion using the Bible alone be reported as a study? (…) But at times persons are unwilling to use any literature other than the Bible. (…) As the individual gains confidence, an appropriate publication might be introduced. When this is done, we do not want to give the impression that we are changing from a Bible study to a book study." In the Kingdom Ministry October 2008 p. 1 the WTS finally quietly changed the Congregation BOOK Study to Congregation BIBLE Study "“Commencing January 1, 2009, the Congregation Book Study will be held at the same time as the Theocratic Ministry School and the Service Meeting. The name of the Congregation Book Study will be changed to Congregation Bible Study.”
• 

  blondie

  What did Charles Taze say about studying the bible without a WT publication?

  "Furthermore, not only do we find that people cannot see the divine plan in studying the Bible by itself, but we see, also, that if anyone lays the SCRIPTURE STUDIES aside, even after he has used them, after he has become familiar with them, after he has read them for ten years - if he then lays them aside and ignores them and goes to the Bible alone, though he has understood his Bible for ten years, our experience shows that within two years he goes into darkness. On the other hand, if he had earnest heed to the opportunities for service and consider that merely read the SCRIPTURE STUDIES with their references, and had not read a page of the Bible, as such, he would be in the light at the end of the two years, because he would have the light of the Scriptures." Watchtower 1910 Sep 15 reprints p.344
• 

  NotFormer

  You raise a few interesting issues, Blondie, at least from my point of view and from my recent experience:

  https://www.jehovahs-witness.com/topic/6240050866552832/am-return-visit

  I asked the question if I'm a return visit. I presume that is a different designation than "Bible study" or "study". The gentleman didn't really make an appointment to "study" any piece of official WT literature, but just said he'd be back in two weeks. (I'm doing it a bit tough, mood wise, but I hope that by Saturday I'll be more pleasant company again)

  This becomes a point of interest because on Friday I actually approached the trolley ministry people, who happened to be in town. Armed with an amicable previous experience, I was able to say that I'd recently been in contact with one of their people (and I was able to give them his name), so with that foot in the door we were able to have a reasonably pleasant chat for five or so minutes.

  One of the gentlemen asked specifically if the chap at my door had left any literature with me. I guessed he was establishing whether I was a "study" or a return visit. (Is that correct?) I'm assuming that at this point the return visit is to attempt to set up an actual proper "study". Is that likely to be the case?

  I did mention that he had gone out his way to get me a "new" NWT, but paradoxically that is hardly what the JWs would refer to as study material. (Fancy a Bible study based on just reading from the Bible! 🙄 It'd create the situation Blondie quotes from Russell above)