Jehovah's Witnesses: Do you Actually Ban Individual Study Groups?

The article entitled "“Beloved Ones, . . . Keep Yourselves in God’s Love” from the September 1st 1982 Watchtower (paragraph 6) says the following:

"6 Whereas God, by his spirit, assured the unity of those loving him, those ungodly ridiculers tried to “make separations,” or “distinctions,” endeavoring to carry on a separating work among Jehovah’s people. (Jude 19, New World Translation, 1950 edition, footnote; Psalm 133:1-3; 1 Corinthians 1:10)

Although the ridiculers spoke against faithful responsible men in the congregation, the ungodly ones expressed admiration for individuals who could benefit them. (Jude 8, 16) Like the Pharisees, they looked down on the humble, godly members of the congregation. Rather than gathering with the Lord, they tried to scatter. Even today some try to draw the unsteady away into private groups, supposedly for “Bible study.” This could never promote love for God, Christ and the Christian congregation.—Luke 11:23."

The quote above is not saying that you cannot study the publications or bible with other Witnesses. The article is speaking about not dealing with those that are teaching what is contrary to the scriptures. It is saying that some may say things against the bible and pretend that they want to have a genuine bible study with you, but really all they want to do is twist the scriptures and teach their own philosophy.

It seems that Matthew and others have misread older magazines or have deliberately taken them out of context.

It is fine if you want to study the bible or publications with others.

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Edit: This is from pg. 25 of the August 15th 1981 Watchtower:

“From time to time, there have arisen from among the ranks of Jehovah’s people those who, like the original Satan, have adopted an independent, faultfinding attitude. They do not want to serve “shoulder to shoulder” with the worldwide brotherhood. (Compare Ephesians 2:19-22.) Rather, they present a “stubborn shoulder” to Jehovah’s words. (Zech. 7:11, 12)

Reviling the pattern of the “pure language” that Jehovah has so graciously taught his people over the past century, these haughty ones try to draw the “sheep” away from the one international “flock” that Jesus has gathered in the earth. (John 10:7-10, 16) They try to sow doubts and to separate unsuspecting ones from the bounteous “table” of spiritual food spread at the Kingdom Halls of Jehovah’s Witnesses, where truly there is ‘nothing lacking.’ (Ps. 23:1-6)

They say that it is sufficient to read the Bible exclusively, either alone or in small groups at home. But, strangely, through such ‘Bible reading,’ they have reverted right back to the apostate doctrines that commentaries by Christendom’s clergy were teaching 100 years ago, and some have even returned to celebrating Christendom’s festivals again, such as the Roman Saturnalia of December 25! Jesus and his apostles warned against such lawless ones."

The quote above is talking about those that are trying to draw people (the same as the 1982 Watchtower I discussed above). As it says above in the 1981 article, the article is taking about those that are actively trying to "sow doubts and to separate unsuspecting ones".

Again, studying with others is acceptable as I mentioned earlier and this 1981 article does not suggest that studying with others is wrong.

Not at all!

I should have done this today, but really wasn't feeling in the mood - having woken up with a headache and feeling sick - but anyway, my spiritual niece and I are going to study: Imitate their Faith. I have already read this amazing book and keen to read it again and so via skype, we are studying together.

My good friend also goes to another sister's house and studies the watchtower together.

When we are in such harmony, there is great pleasure in studying and exchanging ideas on what the new world is going to be like and Armageddon.

And yep I have been blocked by a few apostates which makes me laugh because they still pose questions to us and yet won't let us answer, which is just inane!

Jehovah WILL win this battle and oh for that day!

No, rather we are encouraged to have a family study evening at least once a week, and are encouraged to have others join in on that family study. Many times it is just some single people getting together to study and other times it is families with other families or single people who join us. We do not have a study program assigned by the faithful and discreet slave, it is up to each group leader to decide what to study and of course they take suggestions and 99% of the time use those suggestions. It is nice to have others over and enjoy each others company. It is also nice to make up some dinner and have some recreation time after the study. I know we like to play Scrabble and cards.

Edit: I noticed one of the apostates claims we can not use any material outside of the "Watchtower", I know we our group doesn't even use the NWT very often. We like to see all the other translations. Why? Because where we live at, Ensenada, Baja California, Mexico, the people in our field ministry are Bible readers. When you go door to door here, and you pull out your Bible, they pull out there's, and more often than not, their Bibles are very well used. I know we do a lot of business territory. Now you would think if a person is working they wouldn't have time for reading something as deep as the Bible, and you would also be wrong. I have watched welders pull out their Bibles from their lock boxes, I have watched bus drivers pull out their Bibles from underneath their seats, I have watched clerks pull their Bibles from under the counter. What is most amazing to me, is these are Spanish people reading both Spanish and English Bibles, their Spanish Bibles, which are usually a Spanish form of Catholic Bible still has Jehovah's name in them. It was not taken out the way it was out of the English ones. The English Bibles they use is various translations, NIV, NJB, and the least likely one to be seen is the King James. Why? I asked this a few times, and the answer is always the same. "The King James Bible took God's name, Jehova, out of it". I left the h off the end of Jehovah because they always pronounce it as it is pronounced in Spanish. These people know God's name and they use it. And though this is a Catholic country, the trinity is not believed in here. I have not met a single person from this part of Mexico who believes in the trinity.

So, to the apostate's claim, it holds no truth. We use many types of research including other Bibles. Without the research how can we be effective teachers? Without the research we would lose our faith just as these apostates have lost theirs.

that's an exceedingly good question and thank you for offering the links to help your declare...The Witnesses are a Cult and any questioning that's break free the training is rapidly and carefully squashed. i become a Witness for over 20 years and that i knew of no one which examine the bible with out between the Watchtower aides. questions such simply by fact the single you have published will effect in you being questioned in the back of doors via a least 2 Elders.

Hannah, wow! I've learned a new word today. Coterminous: "1. having the same border or covering the same area. 2. being the same in extent; coextensive in range or scope."

No, individual study groups, such as for family study nights, are not "banned." I frequently hear of families getting together for their family study. If it is any help, the information provided at:

http://wol.jw.org/en/wol/d/r1/lp-e/2011603#h=4:0-4...

provides possible topics for discussion, but that is left entirely up to the families involved.

Insofar as "banning" goes, how would it be possible to ban anything, let alone individual study groups?

Rather than being "prohibited from getting together and doing research," the opposite is the case.

Edit: @ Guy Withagrin: Loved your personal experience. Big thumbs up from me! [Unfortunately, I can't say the same for the typically irreverent Aussie, most of whom would never be seen with a Bible. There are still teachable ones among them, tho']

Edit# 2: Unlike what Mimi has falsely asserted, I have even had discussions with elders at get togethers in my home, for example, as to what they think might precipitate the prophesy at 1 Thessalonians 5:2,3 concerning the cry of "peace and security." That isn't something where we think, as Mimi suggests, "Oh, we'd better watch what we say because we don't want to get into trouble with the Governing Body."

JWs are naturally interested in the future, and what is wrong with an exchange of views as to the possible detail of how prophesy might be fulfilled, taking into account things we see happening around the earth today? Nothing whatsoever.

I hope I understand your question. I am on Facebook and there are groups that talk about many spiritual subjects. I know in the past a few would skype with a Watchtower "Pre-study". This was a nice idea to connect with friends all over the world, however, it didn't last because it is so hard to get everyone on the same page. I will say though, the Administrators of these Groups are right on top of things. They will delete someone's account if they are not acting Christian. AND, most importantly, they will not let them on in the first place. There is a lot of screening that goes on. (Not everyone agrees with groups so it is up to each and their conscience on this) The same as going to a movie or listening to a certain song. We are not ALL going to agree.

As far as "Blocked" that I see a lot of on here actually. They are worried that we report and yet "Rarely" do JW's do the reporting, though they could spend hours doing so. Many questions on here are total RANTS and LIES as well. I don't want anything to do with them, and most of us do not.

However, from time to time I will answer a question that seems somewhat sincere. NOW, whether I am wrong or right, I may never know but for the on-lookers that may want to know the truth, they will see my answer backed with scriptures and a link to our Official Web-Site: http://www.jw.org/en/

If I am not clear on this, please edit and I will edit later.

If a study group for personnel knowledge why would it be banned. I think what is being alluded to is groups who are formed and become Apostate. So NO it's not verboten, you just need to know your Bible and if questions arise that cant be answered contact a qualified JW.

It is best to quote from a Watchtower publication....

'' The 'Faithful and. Discreet Slave does not endorse any literature ,meetings or websites that are not produced or organised under its oversight ''

Our Kingdom Ministry September2007 p 3

The 'Faithful and Discreet Slave' refers to the Governing Body of Jehovah's Witnesses.

Edit

The 1981 Watchtower could be the August 15 1981 pg 29

'' They say that it is sufficient to read the Bible exclusively ,either alone or in small groups at home. .but strangely through such 'Bible reading' they have reverted back to the apostate doctrines that commentaries by christendom's clergy were teaching 100 years ago''

The Governing Body is believed to be God's spokesman .

Just how many Witnesses have independent Bible study groups where they have free discussions,their own views without using Watchtower publications , perhaps researching material outside the Watchtower ?

If the congregation elders came to learn of any such groups, they would most definately,without doubt, get in trouble like what happened to the Brooklyn Bethelites who got disfellowshiped in the 1981 inquisition.

Not at all, we even have a night put aside every week for a family worship night, and before anyone says we worship the family, that is putting it out of context. Family worship night is for the family to do research about whatever subject they want to look into and talk about it.

No

These people we say anything to run us down.

You already have many good answers so I will not expand on my answer.

You are right about people who ask us & then block us ,they are not interested in truth.