NikL

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Posts by NikL

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  22

  As a JW how would you answer this if someone brought it up in the ministry?

  by NikL in

  1. watchtower
  2. bible

  as a jw i pretty much just went along with what was taught from the platform i didn't do any real bible study.

  as a result, now that i am out of the org.

  i find scriptures that blow my mind.. i am not sure how i would have reacted if someone had pointed this out to me when i was a jw but now i can't believe i've never noticed this before.

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  NikL

  Excuse me while i go throw up

  Don't hog the loo. I am right behind you!

  Thanks for the answer.

  So if the householder demanded proof of that they would say?
  
• 
  22

  As a JW how would you answer this if someone brought it up in the ministry?

  by NikL in

  1. watchtower
  2. bible

  as a jw i pretty much just went along with what was taught from the platform i didn't do any real bible study.

  as a result, now that i am out of the org.

  i find scriptures that blow my mind.. i am not sure how i would have reacted if someone had pointed this out to me when i was a jw but now i can't believe i've never noticed this before.

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  NikL

  As a JW I pretty much just went along with what was taught from the platform I didn't do any real bible study. As a result, now that I am out of the Org. I find scriptures that blow my mind.

  I am not sure how I would have reacted if someone had pointed this out to me when I was a JW but now I can't believe I've NEVER noticed this before.

  In Luke 2:11 it says (speaking of Jesus) in NWT
  

  For today there was born to you in David’s city a savior, who is Christ the Lord
  

  There is a reference to Isiah 9:6

  For a child has been born to us,
  A son has been given to us;
  And the rulership will rest on his shoulder.
  His name will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Eternal Father, Prince of Peace.
  

  So Jesus is "mighty God", "Eternal Father"?

  Think back and remember how a JW would answer this?

  I am curious as I am thinking of bringing it to my still in wife and wondering what the reaction would be.
  
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  2

  Has Philippians 4 versus 6 and 7 actually helped anyone?!

  by Isambard Crater in

  1. jw
  2. experiences

  if i received a dollar for every time an elder had told me to read and meditate on this scripture over the years, i would be really wealthy.

  maybe when i was a kid, scriptures like this made me feel a little bit better, but once i had learned ttatt and also lost my faith in god, or at least the borganization's version of god, scriptures like phil 4 versus 6+7 do nothing for me, but they are always, always quoted in public talks about depression, or during shepherding visits..

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  NikL

  I think if you have Jesus Christ in your life it might.

  The JWs spend all their time going on and on about Jehovah and the Organization.

  They overlook the scriptures that talk about Jesus being Lord.

  I know that I personally feel much better knowing the REAL truth about Jesus being my savior and mediator. Not some man made organization filled with rules.

  Please don''t let JWs take away the faith that God loves you and sent his son for you.

  I believe the truly evil thing about the Org is that they destroy faith in Jesus Christ. They deny HIS divinity. I think that is just what the enemy wants.

  Even if you don't truly believe, ask God to help you see the truth and read his word in the bible.

  Maybe you will find a different path like I did. Once I realized Jesus IS Lord, it changed everything.

  I am falling in love with him more every day.
  

  As for scriptures talking about Jesus and NOT Jehovah. Here is a list sent to me by another user on the site who goes by the name of Searcher. I found it truly brilliant and it got me going down the road to discovering the REAL good news...

  According to Revelation 3:14, God already has a "faithful & true witness" - he doesn't need any more!
  
  However, the scriptures instructed Christians who they were to witness for:
  
  Matthew 10:18 - ".....for my sake, for a witness to them and the nations.
  
  Mark 13:9 - "......before governors and kings for my sake, for a witness to them."
  
  Luke 24: 47,48 - "....and on the basis of his [Jesus'] name....You are to be witnesses....."
  
  John 1:15 - "John bore witness about him..." [JESUS]
  
  John 5:37 - "the Father who sent me has himself borne witness about me."
  
  John 8:18 - "the Father who sent me bears witness about me."
  
  John 15:26,27 - "the spirit will bear witness about me; and YOU in turn, are to bear witness."
  
  Acts 1:8 - "You [11 faithful apostles] will be witnesses of me...."
  
  Acts 4:17,18 - ...upon the basis of this (Jesus') name .... upon the basis of the name of Jesus.
  
  Acts 10:39 - "And we are witnesses of all the things he [Jesus] did..."
  
  Acts 10:43 - "To him [Jesus] all the prophets bear witness....."
  
  Acts 13:31 - "who are now his (Jesus') witnesses to the people.
  
  Acts 22:15 - "because you are to be a witness for him [Jesus] to all men......"
  
  Acts 22:20 - "......the blood of Stephen your [Jesus'] witness was being spilled..."
  
  Acts 23:11 - "..... a thorough witness on the things about me in Jerusalem..."
  
  Acts 26:16 -"I [Jesus]..choose you as an attendant and a witness respecting me"
  
  Romans 8:16 - "The spirit itself bears witness with our spirit..."
  
  1 Corinthians 1:6 - "even as the witness about the Christ..........."
  
  1 Timothy. 2:6 - "......what is to be witnessed to at its own particular times."
  
  2 Timothy 1:8 - "............of the witness about our Lord.. [Christ]"
  
  1 John 5:9 - "the witness God gives...the fact that he has borne witness concerning his Son."
  
  Revelation 1:9 - "....for speaking about God and bearing witness to Jesus."
  
  Revelation 12:17 - ".......and have the work of bearing witness to Jesus."
  
  Revelation 17:6 - "........and with the blood of the witnesses of Jesus."
  
  Revelation 19:10 -".....the work of witnessing to Jesus.... bearing witness to Jesus."
  
  Revelation 20:4 - "............ for the witness they bore to Jesus."
  
  For whose name were Christians to witness? (see 29 scriptures above)
  
  For whose name would Christians be hated? (Matt. 10:22)
  
  By whose name were people healed? (Acts 3:6; Acts 4:10)
  
  By whose name were demons expelled? (Luke 10:17; Acts 16:18)
  
  By whose name would people receive Holy Spirit? (John 14:26)
  
  In whose name would people pray to God? (John 15:16)
  
  By whose name would people be named? (Isa. 62:2; Acts 11:26)
  
  By whose name would people be reconciled to God? (Rom. 5:10; 2 Cor. 5:18)
  
  By whose name would people be forgiven their sins? (Matt. 26:28; Acts 2:38; Eph. 1:7)
  
  In whose name would people be judged? (John 5:27)
  
  By whose name would people be resurrected (John 5:28)
  
  In whose name would people be baptized? (Acts 2:38, 8:16, 10:48, 19:5, 22:16)
  
  In whose name were people to put faith? (John 2:23)
  
  In whose name was Saul/Paul commissioned to preach? (Acts 9:14-16)
  
  For whose name would Christians be reproached? (1 Peter 4:14)
  
  In whose name were Christians to gather together? (Matt. 18:20)
  
  For whose name would Christians make sacrifices? (Matt. 19:29)
  
  For whose name would Christians be persecuted and killed? (Luke 21:12,16,17)
  
  In whose name will every knee in heaven and on earth bend? (Philippians 2:10)
  
  In whose name would people be declared righteous? (1 Cor. 6:11)
  
  By means of whose name would Christians offer a sacrifice of praise? (Hebrews 13:15)
  
  The names 'Jehovah' or 'God' are notable by their absence.
  *****************
  Jesus also said "If you ask anything in my name, I WILL DO IT." John 14:14
  
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  17

  1 John 5:13-20 Jesus is the true God?

  by NikL in

  1. watchtower
  2. bible

  one of the main things i am trying to wrap my head around after waking up to the nonsense of jw.org is the deity of christ.. jws go out of their way to ignore him, it seems to me.

  they make him out to be an angel or something.

  yet, if one simply reads the scriptures, you get an entirely different picture.. doing some bible reading this morning i accidentally (long story) read the latter part of 1 john 5 and it's good stuff.. after reading it in the niv i read it in nwt and it is still pretty amazing even in that abomination of a translation.. it says.... 13 i write you these things so that you may know that you have life everlasting, you who put your faith in the name of the son of god.

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  NikL

  Once you move away from theridiculous knotts the WT ties you in you will be struck by the simplicity of the true gospel

  So true SummerAngel.
  
• 
  17

  1 John 5:13-20 Jesus is the true God?

  by NikL in

  1. watchtower
  2. bible

  one of the main things i am trying to wrap my head around after waking up to the nonsense of jw.org is the deity of christ.. jws go out of their way to ignore him, it seems to me.

  they make him out to be an angel or something.

  yet, if one simply reads the scriptures, you get an entirely different picture.. doing some bible reading this morning i accidentally (long story) read the latter part of 1 john 5 and it's good stuff.. after reading it in the niv i read it in nwt and it is still pretty amazing even in that abomination of a translation.. it says.... 13 i write you these things so that you may know that you have life everlasting, you who put your faith in the name of the son of god.

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  NikL

  @ moggy lover

  Your comment was amazing. It's the type of comment I wish I could make.

  There is a huge discrepancy between my head and mouth (in this case keyboard).

  Thank you.

  @Vanderhoven7

  Amen brother!

  The fact that the WT lies about the origin of the Trinity , saying that it was thought up at the Nicene Council speaks volumes .

  Yes Jan. That's part of the reason that the idea that the trinity could be true blows my mind!
  
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  17

  1 John 5:13-20 Jesus is the true God?

  by NikL in

  1. watchtower
  2. bible

  one of the main things i am trying to wrap my head around after waking up to the nonsense of jw.org is the deity of christ.. jws go out of their way to ignore him, it seems to me.

  they make him out to be an angel or something.

  yet, if one simply reads the scriptures, you get an entirely different picture.. doing some bible reading this morning i accidentally (long story) read the latter part of 1 john 5 and it's good stuff.. after reading it in the niv i read it in nwt and it is still pretty amazing even in that abomination of a translation.. it says.... 13 i write you these things so that you may know that you have life everlasting, you who put your faith in the name of the son of god.

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  NikL

  One of the main things I am trying to wrap my head around after waking up to the nonsense of JW.org is the deity of Christ.

  JWs go out of their way to ignore him, it seems to me. They make him out to be an angel or something.

  Yet, if one simply reads the scriptures, you get an entirely different picture.

  Doing some bible reading this morning I accidentally (long story) read the latter part of 1 John 5 and it's good stuff.

  After reading it in the NIV I read it in NWT and it is still pretty amazing even in that abomination of a translation.

  It says...

  13 I write you these things so that you may know that you have life everlasting, you who put your faith in the name of the Son of God. 14 And this is the confidence* that we have toward him, that no matter what we ask according to his will, he hears us. 15 And if we know that he hears us concerning whatever we are asking, we know that we are to have the things we ask for, since we have asked them of him.
  16 If anyone catches sight of his brother committing a sin that does not incur death, he will ask, and God will give life to him, yes, to those not committing sin that incurs death. There is a sin that does incur death.+ It is concerning that sin that I do not tell him to make request. 17 All unrighteousness is sin, and yet there is a sin that does not incur death.
  18 We know that everyone who has been born from God does not practice sin, but the one born from God* watches him, and the wicked one cannot take hold of him. 19 We know that we originate with God, but the whole world is lying in the power of the wicked one. 20 But we know that the Son of God has come, and he has given us insight so that we may gain the knowledge of the one who is true. And we are in union with the one who is true, by means of his Son Jesus Christ. This is the true God and life everlasting.
  

  It seems to me that it is saying Jesus is the, "true God and life everlasting".

  When taken in conjunction with the rest of scripture, I can't see it any other way.
  
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  6

  Russia Moves to Declare the Bible “Extremist”

  by NikL in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  sorry if this has been mentioned already.. https://www.jw.org/en/news/legal/by-region/russia/hearing-bible-extremist-20170727/.

  kind of misleading headline.

  it's the nwt version they want to label as extremist not the bible itself.. for those that don't want to go to that obnoxious website, here is the text.... russia moves to declare the bible “extremist”.

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  NikL

  Sorry if this has been mentioned already.
  

  https://www.jw.org/en/news/legal/by-region/russia/hearing-bible-extremist-20170727/

  Kind of misleading headline. It's the NWT version they want to label as extremist not the bible itself.
  

  For those that don't want to go to that obnoxious website, here is the text...

  Russia Moves to Declare the Bible “Extremist”

  On July 28, 2017, the Vyborg City Court will resume hearing the case to declare “extremist” the New World Translation of the Holy Scriptures, published by Jehovah’s Witnesses in the Russian language. The case had been adjourned since April 2016 after the judge ruled in favor of the Leningrad-Finlyandskiy Transport Prosecutor’s claim to appoint an “expert study” to declare the New World Translation to be “extremist.”

  After numerous delays, the study was completed and was submitted to the court on June 22, 2017. As the Witnesses expected, the study supported declaring this Bible to be an “extremist” publication. The study claims that the New World Translation is “not a Bible.” However, this is an attempt to circumvent the Law on Counteracting Extremist Activity, which prohibits declaring sacred texts, such as the Bible, to be extremist. Additionally, the “expert study” bases its conclusion on theological grounds. Its authors object to the New World Translation’s rendering of the Tetragrammaton * as “Jehovah” and falsely claim that the text was altered to fit the Witnesses’ doctrine.
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  27

  Anything i should know about the upcoming convention?

  by CitizenofEarth in

  1. jw
  2. experiences

  anything i should be aware of?

  i am not sure i will go, since i just moved away from home a month ago.

  it is not cheap to travel 250km and pay for hotel here in denmark, and i am not exactly rich.

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  NikL

  I've seen the convention posted online in various places. in English anyway, you can watch it from the comfort of your own home if so inclined. Crack a beer and enjoy...the beer anyway :-)

  I only went for one day and it was incredibly boring. NOTHING enlightening at all.

  If it's spiritual food you want, I suggest grabbing a bible...(anything but NWT) and start reading the new testament. It's amazing how the REAL good news of the gospel can leap out at you and slap you in the face. In a good way of course :-)
  
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  14

  Witnesses Respond After Inferno Consumes Apartment Building in London

  by NikL in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  jehovah’s witnesses are assisting victims of a catastrophic fire that engulfed the grenfell tower, a 24-story apartment building in the north kensington area of london, in the early morning hours of june 14, 2017. authorities are reporting that at least 79 people were killed.. four witnesses were evacuated from the apartment building, two of whom were residents of grenfell tower.

  fortunately, none of them were injured, although the witnesses’ apartments were among those completely destroyed in the blaze.

  witnesses that live near the now fire-gutted apartment building provided food, clothing, and monetary aid to their fellow members and their families that were affected.

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  NikL

  From JW.org

  Jehovah’s Witnesses are assisting victims of a catastrophic fire that engulfed the Grenfell Tower, a 24-story apartment building in the North Kensington area of London, in the early morning hours of June 14, 2017. Authorities are reporting that at least 79 people were killed.

  Four Witnesses were evacuated from the apartment building, two of whom were residents of Grenfell Tower. Fortunately, none of them were injured, although the Witnesses’ apartments were among those completely destroyed in the blaze. Witnesses that live near the now fire-gutted apartment building provided food, clothing, and monetary aid to their fellow members and their families that were affected. The Witnesses are also offering spiritual comfort to the grieving members of the North Kensington community.

  So once again JayDubs are helping their own out in a material way but the only assistance they offer the rest of the public is "spiritual".

  La ti freaking da!

  They actually put this on their website like it's supposed to mean something.

  Good Samaritans they are not.
  
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  9

  Should Youths Get Baptized?

  by NikL in

  1. watchtower
  2. beliefs

  found this little gem of an article in the june 15, 2011 wt.... should youths get baptized?“i am so happy that my daughter is now a servant of jehovah, and i know that she is happy too,” said carlos, a christian father in the philippines.

  a father from greece wrote: “my wife and i are delighted that our three children were baptized as jehovah’s witnesses during their adolescence.

  they are making spiritual progress and are happy about serving jehovah.”christian parents have reason to be overjoyed when their children get baptized, but sometimes the joy is accompanied by uneasiness.

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  NikL

  found this little gem of an article in the June 15, 2011 WT...

  Should Youths Get Baptized?
  “I AM so happy that my daughter is now a servant of Jehovah, and I know that she is happy too,” said Carlos, a Christian father in the Philippines. A father from Greece wrote: “My wife and I are delighted that our three children were baptized as Jehovah’s Witnesses during their adolescence. They are making spiritual progress and are happy about serving Jehovah.”
  Christian parents have reason to be overjoyed when their children get baptized, but sometimes the joy is accompanied by uneasiness. “I was very happy and very anxious,” said one mother. Why the mixed emotions? “I understood that my son was now fully accountable to Jehovah.”
  Serving Jehovah as one of his baptized Witnesses is a goal that all young ones should have. Yet, godly parents may wonder, ‘I know that my child has made good progress, but is he strong enough to resist immoral pressures and remain clean before Jehovah?’ Others may ask themselves, ‘In facing the pull of materialism, will my child continue serving God with joy and zeal?’ Accordingly, what Biblical guidance can help parents determine whether their children are ready for baptism?
  Discipleship—The Prime Requirement
  Instead of specifying an age to get baptized, God’s Word describes the spiritual condition of those qualified to take that step. Jesus instructed his followers: “Make disciples of people of all the nations, baptizing them.” (Matt. 28:19) Hence, baptism is for those who are already disciples of Christ.
  What is a disciple? Insight on the Scriptures explains: “The principal application of the term is to all those who not only believe Christ’s teachings but also follow them closely.” Are relatively young people capable of being genuine disciples of Christ? A sister who has served as a missionary in Latin America for over 40 years writes about herself and her two sisters: “We were old enough to know that we wanted to serve Jehovah and live in Paradise. Our dedication helped us to be strong when we faced the temptations of youth. We do not regret having made our dedication to God at an early age.”
  How do you know if your child has become a disciple of Christ? The Bible states: “Even by his practices a boy makes himself recognized as to whether his activity is pure and upright.” (Prov. 20:11) Consider some practices that reveal that a youth is making ‘his advancement manifest’ as a disciple.—1 Tim. 4:15.
  Proof of Discipleship
  Does your child obey you? (Col. 3:20) Does he do his assigned chores around the house? The Bible states about 12-year-old Jesus: “He continued subject to [his parents].” (Luke 2:51) Of course, no child today will obey his parents perfectly. But true Christians are to “follow [Jesus’] steps closely.” So youths interested in baptism should be known for their obedience to their parents.—1 Pet. 2:21.
  Consider the following questions: Does your child ‘keep seeking first the Kingdom’ in the ministry? (Matt. 6:33) Is he willing to share the good news with others, or do you have to give him strong encouragement to go out in the field service and talk at the doors? Is he mindful of his responsibility as an unbaptized publisher? Does he have a desire to call back on interested ones he meets in the territory? Does he make known to schoolmates and teachers that he is a Witness of Jehovah?
  Is attending congregation meetings important to him? (Ps. 122:1) Does he enjoy commenting at the Watchtower Study and the Congregation Bible Study? Is he enthusiastically participating in the Theocratic Ministry School?—Heb. 10:24, 25.
  Does your child strive to stay clean morally by avoiding harmful associates in school and elsewhere? (Prov. 13:20) What are his preferences regarding music, movies, television programs, video games, and the use of the Internet? Do his words and actions give evidence that he wants to comply with Bible standards?
  How well does your child know the Bible? Can he put in his own words what he learns during your Family Worship evening? Can he explain basic Bible truths? (Prov. 2:6-9) Does reading the Bible and studying the publications of the faithful and discreet slave class interest him? (Matt. 24:45) Does he ask questions about Bible teachings and verses?
  Those questions may help you to gauge the spiritual progress of your child. After considering them, you may conclude that he should improve in some area before getting baptized. If, however, his life course gives proof of discipleship and he has indeed dedicated his life to God, you may feel that you can allow him to get baptized.
  Young People Can Praise Jehovah
  Many servants of God showed faithfulness and loyalty during adolescence or earlier. Think of Joseph, Samuel, Josiah, and Jesus. (Gen. 37:2; 39:1-3; 1 Sam. 1:24-28; 2:18-20; 2 Chron. 34:1-3; Luke 2:42-49) And Philip’s four daughters, who prophesied, must have been well-trained from an early age.—Acts 21:8, 9.
  A Witness in Greece said: “I was baptized when I was 12 years old. I have never regretted my decision. Since then, 24 years have passed, 23 of which I have spent in the full-time service. My love for Jehovah always helped me to face the difficulties of youth. At the age of 12, I did not have the Scriptural knowledge that I have now. But I knew that I loved Jehovah and wanted to serve him forever. I am glad that he has helped me to continue in his service.”
  Whether young or old, a person who gives evidence of true discipleship should get baptized. The apostle Paul wrote: “With the heart one exercises faith for righteousness, but with the mouth one makes public declaration for salvation.” (Rom. 10:10) When a young disciple of Christ takes the important step of baptism, both he and his parents have reached a milestone. May nothing deprive you or your children of the joy that awaits you.
  [Footnote]
  Some names have been changed.
  [Box on page 5]
  The Proper View of Baptism
  Some parents consider their children’s baptism as a beneficial step that involves risk—much like getting a driver’s license. But do baptism and sacred service ever threaten a person’s future success? The Bible answers no. Proverbs 10:22 states: “The blessing of Jehovah—that is what makes rich, and he adds no pain with it.” And Paul wrote to young Timothy: “To be sure, it is a means of great gain, this godly devotion along with self-sufficiency.”—1 Tim. 6:6.
  True, serving Jehovah is not easy. Jeremiah faced many hardships in his work as God’s prophet. Yet, he wrote about his worship of the true God: “Your word becomes to me the exultation and the rejoicing of my heart; for your name has been called upon me, O Jehovah God of armies.” (Jer. 15:16) Jeremiah knew that God’s service was the source of his joy. Satan’s world is a source of hardships. Parents need to help their children to recognize that distinction.—Jer. 1:19.
  [Box/Picture on page 6]
  Should My Child Put Off Baptism?
  Occasionally, even when children qualify for baptism, their parents may decide that it should be postponed. What may be their reasons?
  I fear that if my child gets baptized, he might later fall into serious sin and get disfellowshipped. Is it reasonable to believe that a young person who puts off baptism will not be accountable to God for his conduct? Solomon directed the following words to young ones: “Know that on account of [your actions] the true God will bring you into judgment.” (Eccl. 11:9) And with no exception as to age, Paul gave this reminder: “Each of us will render an account for himself to God.”—Rom. 14:12.
  Both baptized and unbaptized worshippers are accountable to God. Do not forget, Jehovah protects his servants by ‘not letting them be tempted beyond what they can bear.’ (1 Cor. 10:13) As long as they ‘keep their senses’ and fight temptation, such ones can count on God’s support. (1 Pet. 5:6-9) A Christian mother writes: “Children who are baptized have more reasons to stay away from the bad things of the world. My son, baptized at 15, feels that baptism is a protection. ‘You don’t think about doing something contrary to Jehovah’s law,’ he said. Baptism is a strong motivation for righteousness.”
  If you have trained your children by word and example to obey Jehovah, you can be confident that they will continue to do so after they are baptized. Proverbs 20:7 states: “The righteous is walking in his integrity. Happy are his sons after him.”
  I would like to see my child reach certain goals first. Young people should learn to work so that, in time, they can be self-sufficient. But there is danger in encouraging them to take up a lifestyle centered on education and financial security instead of true worship. Regarding a “seed,” or the word of the Kingdom, that does not grow, Jesus said: “As for the one sown among the thorns, this is the one hearing the word, but the anxiety of this system of things and the deceptive power of riches choke the word, and he becomes unfruitful.” (Matt. 13:22) Plans for a life that subordinates spirituality to worldly goals can snuff out a young person’s desire to serve God.
  Commenting on youths who qualify for baptism but whose parents do not agree, an experienced elder said: “Preventing a young one from getting baptized can break his spiritual momentum and lead to discouragement.” And a traveling overseer wrote: “A youth could begin feeling spiritually insecure or inferior. He might look to the world to gain a feeling of accomplishment.”