THE WATCHTOWER—STUDY EDITION | October 2018

[The Librarian]

This issue contains the study articles for December 3-30, 2018.

Source

[JW Insider]

This one seemed to coincide with today's text, but with some unexpected examples in paragraph 9, 16, 18, 19 on reduction of Branch staff, and use of electronic devices.

• Put Trust in Our Active Leader—The Christ

• “Your Leader is one, the Christ.”—MATT. 23:10.
• ... ⁹ What can we learn from this account? We may not at times fully comprehend the reasons for new initiatives  put forth by the organization. For example, we may at first have questioned the use of electronic devices for personal study, in the ministry, and at the meetings. Now we likely realize the benefits of using them if possible. When we see the positive results of such advancements despite any doubts we might have had, we grow in faith and unity.
• ... ¹⁶... André, a newly appointed elder, has always been attentive to changes in direction within God’s organization. He says: “The reductions in branch office personnel remind us of the urgency of the times and the need to focus our energy on the preaching activity.” [Edited to add: There was a time, not long ago, when the increase in branch office personnel was supposed to remind us of the urgency of the times, see below.]
• ¹⁸ If we perceive the spirit behind the instructions we receive from Jehovah’s organization and their beneficial effect on us, we will likely follow that guidance with joy. We certainly appreciate that reducing the amount of literature being printed saves money; using new technologies allows us to further the Kingdom work throughout the earth. Having this in mind, we may be able to use electronic publications and media more extensively if possible. In this way, we will reflect Christ’s concern to use the organization’s resources wisely.
• ¹⁹ When we earnestly uphold Christ’s direction, we strengthen the faith of others and contribute to unity. Reflecting on the reduction of the size of the global Bethel family, André remarks: . . .

Times and methods change of course, but I remember many talks just before and after I applied to Bethel about how it was due to the urgency of the work that there would be a huge increase in branch office personnel:

*** yb04 pp. 215-216) ***

• In 1976, I was surprised to receive a letter of invitation to Bethel. The words “urgent” and “immediately” were underlined in the letter. . . .  I have now served at Bethel for more than 27 years. Although I have some physical limitations and have not had much secular education, I keep exerting myself so that Jehovah can use me. There are still urgent and immediate needs at Bethel!

*** yb99 p. 28 Highlights of the Past Year ***

• The 50-percent increase in the number of publishers during the 1980’s had resulted in an urgent need for more space at Bethel.

*** g75 1/8 p. 17 A Unique Family That Serves Others ***

• All of these who are now members of the Bethel family were moved by the urgent need of people to hear the good news of God’s kingdom, and so came to Bethel to share in furthering the preaching work from there.

*** w08 5/15 p. 20 par. 17 While You Are Young, Choose to Serve Jehovah ***

• Have you considered . . . . Kingdom Hall construction, Bethel service, and the missionary field . . . . Since time is running out for Satan’s wicked world, entering these avenues of Kingdom service becomes more urgent every day. Will you go through the “large door” while there is still time?

 

 

 

 

 

[TrueTomHarley]

58 minutes ago, JW Insider said:

Times and methods change of course, but I remember many talks just before and after I applied to Bethel about how it was due to the urgency of the work that there would be a huge increase in branch office personnel:

 

Sometimes the chest expanding indicates that the body is breathing. Other times it is the chest contracting that conveys the same idea.

[TrueTomHarley]

1 hour ago, JW Insider said:

For example, we may at first have questioned the use of electronic devices for personal study, in the ministry, and at the meetings. Now we likely realize the benefits of using them if possible. When we see the positive results of such advancements despite any doubts we might have had, we grow in faith and unity.

I was somewhat of a holdout in adapting to the digital formats. But once I did, I passed by almost everyone. Except for the contact cards, specific calls, and invitations, I haven't carried a piece of paper with me in ages.

[JW Insider]

I happen to love carrying my songbook, Bible and other literature in my iPhone. My recently-deceased aunt played the piano at the Kingdom Hall for many years and they let her continue to play into the 1970's. For a few years (in the 1960's) she even played her Hammond organ and recorded a couple of albums professionally. She was more recently afflicted by Alzheimer's and lived with my parents for the last few years. In cleaning out my parents house last week we came across 2 fairly new iPads with cracked screens. Turns out that my aunt had gone up to the literature counter and asked for an iPad because she saw everyone else using one. My parents bought them as needed. She didn't get the "hang" of it exactly and damaged a couple of them. But I have heard of very few problems outside of the "going on-line" temptation during the meetings, and some dinging and buzzing for those who have data plans with theirs.

[JW Insider]

What I miss most is the ability to put tiny, tiny notes in the margins and then, back when my eyes were younger, being able to give an impromptu talk on any Bible book or chapter just by reading the margins or "reading between the lines."

[TrueTomHarley]

I never figured out all that new note-taking apparatus, didn’t try (though they make it easy enough) because I was already used to the Notes app on iPad. I can’t look up the scriptures that way, but I can take notes on them. As with any old-timer, I know my way around the Book pretty well by now. If I was starting from scratch, I would devour all those new study features.

[Jack Ryan]

Oct. 2018 W. Study Edition “Speaking the Truth” par.6,7

“Religious leaders who lie are especially guilty because they endanger the future life prospects of those who believe their lies. If an individual accepts a false teaching and practices something that is actually condemned by God, it can cost that person his eternal life. Jesus knew that the religious leaders in his day were guilty of such deception. He told them to their face: “Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! because you travel over sea and dry land to make one convert, and when he becomes one, you make him a subject for Gehenna [everlasting destruction] twice as much so as yourselves.” Jesus condemned those false religious leaders in the strongest terms. They truly were ‘from their father the Devil, a murderer.’ Whether called pastors, priests, rabbis, swamis, or by some other title, religious leaders abound in the world today. Like their first-century counterparts, they are “suppressing the truth” from God’s Word and have “exchanged the truth of God for the lie.” They promote such false teachings as “once saved, always saved,” the immortality of the human soul, reincarnation, and the foolish idea that God would condone homosexual lifestyles and same-sex marriages.”

[Jack Ryan]

The return of André

 

From the October 2018 Watchtower:

16 In addition to caring for our spiritual needs, Christ helps us to keep our focus on the most important work being done on earth today. (Read Mark 13:10.) André, a newly appointed elder, has always been attentive to changes in direction within God’s organization. He says: “The reductions in branch office personnel remind us of the urgency of the times and the need to focus our energy on the preaching activity.”

 

 

"André" is code for "We're about to make up some shit you shouldn't believe."

 

A.N.D.R.E. is an acronym for:

A

Nobody who

Doesn’t

Really

Exist

 

Seriously though... why do they even put out these unsubstantiated reports of people's whose names have been changed? Why would a modern reader just eat it up?

 

Sort of like this forum.... Jack Ryan is a newly appointed member of the US Branch commitee who says "the urgency of the times is clearly seen from the evident works of the once mighty RBC's..... blah blah blah..."

 

The world doesn't work like this anymore.

[Evacuated]

On 6/28/2018 at 11:08 PM, JW Insider said:

the ability to put tiny, tiny notes in the margins

Yes, I used to miss that. I used to use a Rapidograph for doing mine. But I find that the note taking on the tablet serves very well and certainly makes a good substitute as alterations and adjustments are a piece of cake..even if you cannot now write between the lines (Good to back up to the cloud pretty regularly though!)

 

[Evacuated]

On 6/28/2018 at 9:01 PM, JW Insider said:

There was a time, not long ago, when the increase in branch office personnel was supposed to remind us of the urgency of the times

Ah! Those good old, bad old days (sigh!) 

Jesus Christ: "No one after drinking old wine wants new, for he says, ‘The old is nice.’” Luke 5:39

Will Rogers: "“Things ain't what they used to be and probably never was.”"

Seriously though, change is a-foot! Chatting to a brother working on coding in Warwick last month, he said that the drive is to simplify as much as possible to get as many as possible out into the field, witnessing in as an effective a way as possible.

A good call is no longer an invite in and a 1/2 hour Bible lecture. It is now a 2 minute chat with a commitment to return and continue the conversation. Certainly boosts the number that get a witness each morning.

In fact, not a few people I meet now don't even want literature. They just want internet links.

[Evacuated]

On 6/28/2018 at 10:50 PM, JW Insider said:

But I have heard of very few problems outside of the "going on-line" temptation during the meetings,

Well!...................my impression of many who sport ipads and the alternative Android devices is that they are rather like a second family to many "older", silver surfer types in the Kihgdom Hall. They are continually rushing out of the auditorium with these electronic "crying babies" who seem to be reading out sections of the Bible or singing Kingdom songs randomly and without prompting at the most inopportune and inappropriate times! Next thing, they'll be changing "virtual" diapers on them!.............................