Did you really want to start a bible study?

by JH 13 Replies latest jw friends

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  JH

  Going door to door is an obligation in the JW's. Giving a bible study isn't. You can ask people if they want to study the bible with you, but few are those who will accept.

  There is lots of work and research to be made in order to answer all kinds of questions when a person is interested in a bible study. Did this responsibility frighten you a bit?

  Were you just satisfied in going door to door and accumulating your hours in the field service rather than really wanting to start a bible study with someone?
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  sandy

  Definitely. I hated studying with people. It was too much work. I did study with one girl that I went to school with. That was more of bible debates than studying though.
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  freedom96

  I did not wish to start any studies. That would have meant even more time devoted to witness activities.
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  shera

  Nope,wasn't interested at all.
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  onacruse

  Sure I did. Why wouldn't I?

  Craig
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  JH

  I wasn't very interested in starting a bible study to be honest. I felt as if I had enough to do with 5 hours of meetings, 5 hours preparing them, work, private life, and a bible study.... It just didn't add up. And then at the hall, sit next to the person and make many comments to show how spiritual you were to impress and give him the example of what he had to do. That looked like a show.

  Whenever I had a good discussion at a door, often I gave the RV to another brother more capable. I didn't want to give any bible studies.
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  rocketman

  I didn't want to either, mainly because, well, who had the time? With the exception of non-employed pioneers, who can go to 5 meetings, door-to-door, have a family study, prepare for meetings, engage in personal study and meditation, and still have time to prepare for and go on a bible study?

  I know of some cases too in which some jws who had several studies were critcized for not doing door-to-door. I used to think, 'but isn't that the whole idea of door-to-door, the main objective?" It seems to never be enough.

  This is one more example of how the jw religion takes over one's entire life. It's what pushed me away.
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  onacruse

  JH, you know I don't mean this as a personal attack, but you say:

  sit next to the person and make many comments to show how spiritual you were to impress and give him the example of what he had to do. That looked like a show.

  For myself, and I daresay for a good number of others here, there was no "show" about it at all. I was thrilled to be sharing with someone else, and helping them learn along with me, how they might live happier and more fulfilling lives. That I was misled in the "means" by which I used to help them doesn't change the "goal" that I had in my heart.

  I feel absolutely no guilt for avidly doing what I thought, at that time and for good reasons, was the best thing I could do to help others. And, if I may be so bold as to say it: I don't think anyone who acted honorably and sincerely should feel guilty about what we did as JWs. That was then, this is now.

  Respectfully,

  Craig
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  JH

  Craig,

  What I mean by show was that if you passed ONE meeting without making ONE comment, it was a bad example to give a new bible study.
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  onacruse

  JH

  Here's a good one: The one and only study I had that was ever "stumbled" by anything (including that I maybe didn't make a comment, or sumpin like that), was stumbled at a public talk. The speaker was talking about Jesus as the mediator, and repeated the usual "Jesus is only the mediator for the anointed" mantra. My study was a born-again Christian, and when the speaker said that, my study looked over at me with a very serious look of doubt and said "Is that what you guys believe?"

  Well, what could I say? "Yes, but it's a little complicated." He said "OK, but just yes, or no: Is that what you guys believe?" "Yes."

  Right in the middle of the talk, he and his family of 4 got up, left the Hall, and we never had another study.

  Craig