Most of us who have/are associated with Jehovah's Witnesses are familiar with the indoctrination process and how it works.
Well, for those of us who want to see the process from start to finish, the Watchtower has very kindly included an insert in the
September Kingdom Ministry, entitled Conducting Progressive Bible Studies.
My comments are in red, interesting comments are highlighted. Notice how Jesus is missing from the indoctrination process.
Also, can you spot which book is not on the Recommended Publications for study?
Conducting Progressive Bible Studies
Part 1: What Is a Bible Study?
If you regularly and systematically have Bible discussions, though brief, using the Bible or along with it one of the recommended
publications, you are conducting a study. The study may be reported when it has been conducted two times after the study
arrangement is demonstrated and if there is reason to believe that the study will continue. km 7/04 p1
Recommended Publications
- What Does God Require of Us?
- Knowledge That Leads to Everlasting Life
- Worship The Only True God
- You Can Be God's Friend! may be used to study with people who have limited eduation or reading ability
- What you won't see in the Kingdom Ministry - The Bible
Notice that a Bible study is not counted as a study unless it has been conducted at least two times. Let's be honest, how many publishers do you know actually USED the Bible, other than as a reference book? It's sad that Jehovah's Witnesses have to be told what a Bible study is. I mean, you don't ask your kids what homework is, do you? They know it's extra work after school. Why are so many witnesses unsure of what a Bible study is?
What's interesting about the Recommended Publications is that You Can Be God's Friend! is the only one that seems to emphasize a friendship with the Creator - the rest simply tell you what to do from their title.
Part 2: Preparing to Conduct the Study
We need to present the information in a way that touches the student's heart. This requires thorough preparation with the students in mind. - km 8/04 p. 1.
The opening sentence above would be better phrased as follows:
We need to present the information in a way that touches the student's heart. This requires thorough preparation with the minds of the students.
How To Prepare
- Examine the title, subheadings, and visual aids of the chapter of lesson.
- Identify the answers to the printed questions, marking only the key words and phrases. Yes, the only acceptable answers from the student are the Society's answers in the publication.
- Decide which cited scriptures to read during the study. Make brief notes in the margin of the study publication. "All scripture is inspired of God."
- Prepare a brief review of the main points.
Personalize The Lesson
- Pray about the student and his needs.
- Anticipate points that the student may have difficulty understanding or accepting.
- Consider: What does he need to understand or work on in order to make spiritual progress? How can I reach his heart?
- As needed, prepare an illustration, an explanation, or a series of questions to help the student grasp a point or scripture.
Yes, pray about the student if he/she have difficulty understanding 1914, the revised definition of the generation and the two -witness rule regarding child abuse.
Part 3: Effective Use of the Scriptures
Our purpose in conducting Bible studies is to "make disciples" by helping people to understand and accept the teachings of God's Word and apply them in their lives. Therefore, the study should center on the Scriptures. - km 11.04 p. 4.
Teach From God's Word
- Show the student how to find specific texts in his own copy of the Bible. Yes, show the student how to make good use of scripture bites.
- Look up and discuss Bible texts that show the Scriptual basis for our beliefs.
- Use questions. Instead of explaining Bible texts to the student, have him explain them to you.
- Keep it simple. Do not try to explain every aspect of a scipture. Include only what is needed to make the point clear.
- Make practical application. Help the student to see how Bible texts apply to him personally.
*** Watchtower 1953 April 1 pp. 214-215 Doing the Work Approved by God ***
21 It is not a difficult task to recognize and identify God's visible organization, for there are not many, not even a few, there is only one organization that is pursuing the above-outlined course, namely, Jehovah's witnesses. Inseparably associated with this widely known organization is its legal servant and governing agency, the Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society. Only Jehovah's Witnesses and their associates are bearing the fruits of the Kingdom by public proclamation. (Heb. 13:15)
Part 4: Training Students to Prepare
A student who reads the lesson beforehand, marks the answers, and thinks of how to express them in his own words makes rapid spiritual progress. Therefore, once a regular study has been established, prepare a lesson together to show the student how. With most students, it wil be helpful to prepare an entire chapter or lesson together. - km 12/04 p. 1.
Markings and Notations
- Explain how to find direct answers to the printed questions.
- Show the student your copy of the study publication in which you have marked only the key words and phrases.
- Help the student to see that each cited text supports a point in the paragraph, and show him how to make brief notations in the margin of his study publication.
Survey and Review
- Show the student how to examine the chapter or lesson title, subheadings, and illustrations before beginning his detailed
indoctrinationdetailed preparation session. - Encourage the student to review the main points at the conclusion of the preparation session.
Part 5: Determining How Much Material to Cover
The amount of material that can be considered will depend on the ability and the circumstances of both the teacher and the student. - km 1/05 p.1 .
Build Solid Faith
- Do not sacrfice the student's having a clear understanding of God's Word for the sake of speed. Whatever happened to those six month Bible study programs?
- Spend whatever time is necessary to help the student understand and accept what he is learning.
- Allow sufficent time to consider key scriptures that provide the basis for the teachings.
Keep The Study Moving
- If the student is inclined to speak at length about personal matters, you may need to arrange to discuss these after the study. Personal matters - Birthdays, heavenly hope etc.
- Do not talk excessively during the study. Limit the discussion of side points and experiences so as not to hinder the student from aquiring an accurate knowledge of basic Bible teaching.
Part 6: When a Student Raises a Question
Once a Bible study is well-established only after the second Bible study student's having it is usally best to consider Bible teachings in an orderly manner rather than jump from subject to subject. This helps the student to build a foundation of accurate knowledge and to progress spiritually. km 2/05 p. 6.
Be Discerning
- Questions related to the study material can usually be answered on the spot. Explain how to find direct answers to the printed questions.
- Questions unrelated to the study material or that require further research can be considered at another time. It may be helpful to write down such questions.
- If the student has difficulty accepting a certain teaching, consider additonal material that thoroughly discusses the subject.
- If the student is still not convinced, leave the subject for another time and continue with the study. Yes, keep the student indoctrinated for as long as is necessary. Do not discuss subjects such as child molestation, blood etc.
Be Modest
- If you do not know an answer to a question, do not venture an opinion.
- Progressively teach the student how to do research.
*** Watchtower 1967 June 1 p.338 Move Ahead with Jehovah's Organization ***
12 How will we put these four things into effect? First, study: We may think of study as hard work, as involving heavy research. But in Jehovah's organization it is not necessary to spend a lot of time and energy in research, for there are brothers in the organization who are assigned to do that very thing, to help you who do not have so much time for this, these preparing the good material in The Watchtower and other publications of the Society. But you do not study enough? Take this suggestion:
*** Awake! October 8 1966 pp.19-20 ***
'How Much Longer Will It Be?'
6,000 Years Completed in 1975 … In what year, then, would the first 6,000 years of man's existence and also the first 6,000 years of God's rest day come to an end? The year 1975… Hence, the fact that we are nearing the end of the first 6,000 years of man's existence is of great significance.
Part 7: Offering Prayer At The Study
In order for Bible Students to mak spiritual progress, Jehovah's blessing is essential. Therefore, it is proper to open and close an established study with prayer. - km 3/05 p. 4.
How To Intoduce Prayer
- With those who are religiously inclined, prayer can often be offered from the very first study.
- With others, we need to discern the appropriate time to intoduce prayer.
- Psalm 25:4, 5 and 1 John 5:14 can be used to explain why prayer is offered.
- John 15:16 can be used to show that we should pray to Jehovah through Jesus Christ. Jesus finally gets a mention.
What To Include in Prayers
- It is fitting to praise Jehovah as the Source of instruction.
- Express sincere interest in the student.
- Express appreciation for the organisation that Jehovah is using.
- Request Jehovah's blessing on the students efforts to apply what he is learning.
*** Watchtower 1967 June 1 p.335 Move Ahead with Jehovah's Organization ***
Move Ahead with Jehovah's Organization
How much more zealous, then, should we be to move with an organization that is greater than the greatest corporation or even the greatest nation, an organization formed and blessed by the Creator of the universe, and to be used by him throughout eternity!
Part 8: Directing Students To The Organization
By this time, the student is sufficiently indoctrinated for the conductor to draw him to Jehovah's organization.
Our goal in conducting Bible studies is not only to teach doctrinal information but also to teach students to become part of the Christian congregation. Take a few minutes each week on the study to share a point about Jehovah's organization. - km 4/05 p. 8.
Congregation Meetings
- Describe each congregation meeting. From the first study, invite them to attend.
- Share outstanding points that were presented at the meetings.
- Build enthusiasm for the Memorial, assemblies and the visit of the circuit overseer.
- Use photographs in our publications to help them visualize what takes place.
- Encourage them to read the brochure Jehovah's Witnesses - What Do They Believe?
Use Videos To Build Appreciation
- Jehovah's Witnesses - The Organization Behind the Name
- Our Whole Association of Brothers
- United By Divine Teaching
- To The Ends of The Earth
*** Watchtower 1981 November 15 p.21 'Stay Awake and Keep Your Senses' ***
And while now the witness yet includes the invitation to come to Jehovah's organization for salvation...
*** Watchtower 1967 October 1 p.587 Finding Freedom with Jehovah's Visible Organization ***
Thus the Bible is an organizational book and belongs to the Christian congregation as an organization, not to individuals, regardless of how sincerely they may believe that they can interpret the Bible. For this reason the Bible cannot be properly understood without Jehovah's visible organization in mind.
*** You Can live Forever (1982, 1990) p.255 ***
Do not conclude that there are different roads, or ways, that you can follow to gain life in God's new system. There is only one. There was just one ark that survived the Flood, not a number of boats. And there will be only one organization—God's visible organization — that will survive the fast-approaching "great tribulation." It is simply not true that all religions lead to the same goal... You must be part of Jehovah's organization, doing God's will, in order to receive his blessing of everlasting life...
Part 9: Prepare Students To Witness Informally
As Bible students begin to exercise faith in what they are learning, they are impelled to speak about it. - km 5/05 p. 1.
w88 1/1 28-9 Keep On Preaching the Kingdom
Avoiding Bloodguilt
13 The responsibility of Jehovah's dedicated Witnesses to warn people of God's coming judgment can be compared to that of Ezekiel in his time. He was designated a watchman to the house of Israel. His assignment was to warn the Israelites that execution was coming upon them if they did not turn away from their bad ways. If he as a watchman failed to sound the warning, execution would still come upon the wicked people, but their blood would be upon the head of the negligent watchman. In this Jehovah shows his attitude toward executing judgment: "I take delight, not in the death of the wicked one, but in that someone wicked turns back from his way and actually keeps living. Turn back, turn back from your bad ways, for why is it that you should die, O house of Israel?"-Ezekiel 33:1-11.
Encourage Them to Witness
- Are there friends and family members whom they could invite to sit in on the study?
- Have any of their workmates, schoolmates, or other aquaintances expressed interest?
Train Them to Share Their Beliefs
- At selected points during the study, ask the student, "How would you use the Bible to explain this truth to your family?"
- Help the student appreciate the need to be respectful and kind when speaking with others about God and his purposes.
- The brochure Jehovah's Witnesses - Who Are They? What Do They Believe? can be used by students to help friends and family members understand our Bible-based beliefs and activities.
Part 10: Training Students In The House to House Ministry
When the elders determine that a Bible student qualifies as an unbaptized publisher, he may begin to share with the congregation in the public preaching work. - km 6/05 p. 1.
So, it's OK to preach to friends and family BEFORE becoming an unbaptized publishers, but you can't preach on the doors till you are QUALIFIED as an unbaptized publisher.
Preparing Together
- Show the new publisher where he can find suggested presentations.
- Him him select a simple approach that is practical for the local territory.
- Encourage him to feature the Bible in his ministry. After all that Bible study, the student still has to be enouraged to feature the Bible.
- Rehearse together. Show him how to handle common responses tactfully.
Preaching Together
- Let the student observe you as you give the presentation that you prepared together.
- Take into consideration the personality and abilities of the student. In some cases, it may be best to have him give only part of the presentation.
- Help the new publisher establish a regular schedule for participating in the ministry.