I scanned this article and I saw a theme throughout it. When info like this shows up in the study WT, you can be sure the elders are doing it wrong and the WTS hits directly on what it is. Older elders do it wrong and train by word and action the newer elders to do it wrong. (All quotes for you to make what you think about it)
WT JULY 2025
GIVE ADVICE
Elders especially need to be
able to give advice effectively.
by providing Bible-based
counsel in their talks to the congregation
give counsel to
individual sheep, including
those who have strayed from the flock. How can elders and, by extension, all of
us give good advice?
good counselor by studying
the example set by Bible characters, especially Jesus
we will discuss what we can do when we are asked to give
advice and what we can do when we have to give counsel without being asked. We
will also consider the importance of giving advice at the right time and in the
right way.
Jesus knew
what to say. He
always knew the right thing to say because he based his advice on Jehovah’s
wisdom, never his own.
we must make sure that
the counsel we give is based, not on our own thoughts, but on God’s Word.
When counseling someone,
we need to wait until it is the right “time to speak.”
If we overwhelm the person
with information, he may become confused
tell him only as much as
he needs to know to deal with the challenge he is facing.
Jesus repeatedly had to
give his apostles counsel about being humble. On each occasion, though, he
was mild and respectful (means TACTFUL)
what should be our first
reaction? We may be flattered and want to help immediately. But we should first
ask ourselves, ‘Am I qualified to give advice in this area?
directing the
person to someone who is qualified
to provide guidance on that subject.
Suppose that a close
friend develops a serious medical condition. He tells you that he has started
researching the treatment options that are available to him, and then he
asks you to give your opinion on which treatment you feel is better. You may
have strong personal opinions on the matter, but you have no medical
qualifications or training in dealing with the illness. In that case, the
best way you can help your friend is to assist him in finding someone who is
qualified to help him.
we may choose to wait for
a short period of time before answering a person who asks us for
advice.
What if we think that we
know the answer? We might still take some time to do research, to pray, and
to meditate. Then we can be more confident that our answer is in harmony
with Jehovah’s feelings on the matter
Consider another reason why
we should be careful when giving advice to someone: We could share
responsibility if
our counsel causes someone to make a decision that brings on negative
consequences.
That such a person “is
heading in the wrong direction, though he may not yet have committed a
serious sin.” The goal of the elders is to help the person remain on the
road
for their counsel to be
effective, however, they first need to make sure that the person has
really taken a false step.
Jehovah allows all of us to
make decisions based on our own conscience.
Similarly, before an elder
gives unsolicited counsel, he does well to prepare the ground, so to speak
the elder can continue to
soften the ground by acknowledging that everyone makes mistakes and needs
counsel from time to time.
In a calm voice and with
deep respect, the elder clearly shows him from the Scriptures
Once the brother
acknowledges that he has made a mistake,
the elder “plants the seed” by explaining to him, in simple terms, what
he needs to do to try to correct the situation.
sincerely
commending the brother and by praying
with him
Sometimes, what the
counselor says and
what the person receiving the counsel hears are two different things.
But we must resist the
urge to give advice when we are angry
However, we can communicate
more effectively if we wait until we are calm
Advice is best
given at the right time and in
the right way—with respect and love
Elders who give specific,
Bible-based advice