COMMENTS YOU WILL NOT HEAR AT THE JUNE 1, 2003 WT STUDY
April 15, 2003 WT page 17
WT quotes will be in red
Reviewer comments will be in black or parentheses
YOUTHS-JEHOVAH WILL NOT FORGET YOUR WORK!
Hebrews 6:10
(Notice the whole scripture says)
10
For God is not unrighteous so as to forget YOUR work and the love YOU showed for his name, in that YOU have ministered to the holy ones and continue ministeringIt is noteworthy that the WTS uses only a snippet in the title that highlights "work" not "love" as being what God will not forget. God will not forget is true and he doesn’t need little time slips every month.
Have you ever performed a kind deed for a friend and then received no expression of thanks?
Yes, all during my tenure as a JW. When you cleaned the hall, mowed the lawn, planted flowers, picked up Sister Elderly when it meant it took you 45 minutes longer to get ready for meeting, did the elders come up and thank you personally for the good job. Oh, yes, once and awhile a brother would stand up on the platform and say, "The body of elders thanks all of you brothers (supposedly inclusive of sisters) for all the things you do." That way they don’t have to remember your name, what you look like, and specifically what you did.
You have a special opportunity to worship and serve this grateful God. Since there are only about six million of your fellow believers compared with some six billion people worldwide, your privilege is a rare one indeed.
Yes, there are only 6 million people on earth with the "privilege" of serving God. This implies that the other 5,994,000,000 people do not have the "privilege" of serving God and all the means regarding survival through God’s destruction of the "wicked."
APPRECIATING YOUR GRAND PRIVILEGE
Admittedly, at times it may seem that worship of Jehovah restricts your freedom…Ultimately, though, whatever Jehovah (the WTS) asks of you is for your benefit. Remember that the WTS views itself as the only true earthly channel to God so what they say is what Jehovah says. Don’t buy into that. Make sure the Bible clearly supports everything or it is not from God but from humans. Jehovah "becomes the rewarder of those earnestly seeking him." Once again, it is what we get from God that matters and motivates, not upholding God’s sovereignty. There is hardly a study article that doesn’t bring this out along with life on a paradise earth. "Jehovah…in behalf of those whose heart is complete toward him." And who can discern if the heart is complete? Certainly not the elders or any human. Don’t let the elders tell you they can read your heart.1/1/95 WT p 30Perhaps, during a judicial hearing, the elders will perceive a marked change in his heart condition as reflected in a repentant bearing and attitude.But how does that statement harmonize with these other WT statements7/15/01 WT p 23
Jesus…As a perfect man with special God-given insight, he could read hearts.
Unlike Jesus, we lack the ability to read hearts.7/15/00 p 23
Jehovah, am searching the heart, examining the kidneys, even to give to each one according to his ways, according to the fruitage of his dealings." (Jeremiah 17:10) Jehovah can accurately read a person’s heart. We cannot.1/15/99 WT pp. 23-24
Since you (including elders) cannot read the heart
, it is especially important not to judge the motives of the one you counsel. He may be innocent of any bad motive and unaware of any wrong attitude or actionsOne of the finest ways you can show that your heart is complete toward Jehovah is to talk to others about him. Yes, and don’t forget to turn in those time slips. What if they laugh at me? This does not mean, however, that you are doomed to a life of ridicule and rejection. Now, first, let me say, I grew up in a partly JW family, my mother was a JW and took me and my siblings to the meetings intermittently. I know what it is like to be declaring my religious standing at school. So I didn’t, unless it came up. I clued the teachers in. I didn’t like being different any more than any child. I have to admit that standing up for what I thought was the right thing to do with knowledge and tact did make me more friends than enemies. Maybe it was because I grew up in the rebellious 60’s and 70’s. So if you are trying to live a double life, you may attract friends at school who are not trustworthy, who hide what they are. The best thing to do is figure out what you do believe and live it at school. Don’t let your parents bully you. Stand up for what you believe even if it isn’t JW dogma."JEHOVAH WILL HELP YOU"Say a quick prayer. Is God real to you? Now is a good time to find out. Don’t rely on the WTS publications, read your Bible (at least 3 translations)."READY TO MAKE A DEFENSE"The WTS in this section has young people ready to make a defense only with WTS publications. I could not find one example where the Bible was used or mentioned in these "opportunities to witness" at school except in a picture caption: Some youths when reading the Bible or a Bible-based publication during recess have been approached by other youths who have asked questions. The real question is: Can they give a Bible-based answer without a publication as a crutch?VIDEOS AND SPECIAL PROJECTSYes books and magazines are not enough. Now videos are a quick, effortless, no brain necessary way to get across the WTS dogma. Two 15-year-old boys did a report on the history of one of the world’s religions. Their only source of information, the Proclaimers book. My history teacher would have had us use at least 2 other sources to make sure it was less biased. The result: many questions but no bible studies started. You have something that your peers sorely need—the best way of life now and the promise of everlasting life for the future. Yes, the WTS did not forget to mention everlasting life, the carrot for young people. No mention of vindicating God’s sovereignty. Interestingly, in the United States—where you (the WTS) might think that people in general are apathetic or secular-minded—one poll revealed that fully half of the youths take religion very seriously, and a third say that religious faith is "the most important influence" in their life. So young people aren’t so bad after all in spite of previous demonizing statements in the WT. First, stay away, bad association, then the WTS says: It may well be, then, that your peers at school would be glad to listen to what you have to say about the Bible (really about WTS publications). AS A YOUTH, DRAW CLOSE TO JEHOVAHHow? Take time to read the Bible and Bible-based publications…improve as to preparing for congregation meetings this coming week. Your next goal could be to participate by offering a brief but heartfelt comment…put into practice the things you learn (although you do not see the adults doing the same). Where are the opportunities to "show love" in these "suggestions." And in the end, the real motivator is: You too can be confident that Jehovah will reward you. (I guess vindicating God’s sovereignty doesn’t attract that many young people.)Blondie