AboutBrenda Martin Expertise I have been one of Jehovah`s Witneses now for over 30 years, in those years I have brought up 4 children, teaching each of them the bible.Being one of Jehovah`s Witnesses has helped me cope with my Epilepsy and bring up a daughter with learning difficulties.I have conducted bible studies with people from nearly every denomination i.e. Muslim. Having used the bible all these years to answer peoples questions, I feel I am qualified to give any answer regarding Jehovah`s Witnesses and the bible.
Experience My experience has been one of attending bible lectures 5 times a week,taking part in these lectures in front of an audience and being with thousands of J.W. at conventions where I have seen the bible at work in peoples lives.It is truly a miracle when you see thousands of people meeting together and not one policeman needed, and not even a piece of litter in sight.It is like another world.
Question Hey Brenda,
Thanks for that email, it was really helpful!
Im a bit confused with all this, but 6 months ago when my boyfriend first asked me out, he told me that he would give me a book to read that was about his religion and what he believes in.. he hasnt given this to me yet, but what would the book that he's referring to be about?
He told me that if i understood and accepted what he believes in [not that i wouldnt] it would be alright for me to be his girlfriend.
It did appeal to me when you said that you would do a bible study with me, I would enjoy learning about it all.
Thanks :)
Answer REMEMBER THAT I SENT YOU AN EMAIL A COUPLE OF WEEKS AGO?
Yes I do remember and I'm glad it helped.
THINGS AREN'T GOING TOO WELL.
I'm afraid that doesn't surprise me, it causes so much inner conflict and pained conscience to carry on with something you know to be wrong,(not you your boyfriend) He will feel torn all the time.
THINKING OF GETTING HIM A RED ROSE..IS THIS WRONG, OR CONSIDERED AS A GIFT?
JW's are not against “gifts” there is absolutely nothing wrong with giving gifts (I love doing it personaly) you may be thinking this way because we don't celebrate things such as christmas, birthdays etc. But that is because of the pagan origin of these holidays, not gift giving in itself.
IT SEEMS REASONABLE TO ME THAT IT IS THE RIGHT THING TO BELIEVE IN .DOES THIS MEAN THAT I HAVE BEGUN TO BELIEVE IN WHAT THEY DO?
Well it's the first step, the bible's standards are “reasonable” they make sense, so they appeal to peoples logic, its like when a JW girl called at my door (all those years ago) and said to me; “God is gonna get rid of the wicked people and leave the good to live here on earth” (psalms 37;10,11) To me that made perfect sense, I had just been praying and saying to God; “why do you let all these bad things happen, if I were you, I would do something about it” so when the JW explained that is exactly what God intends to do, I thought it was the most logical thing Id heard.
I DON'T WANT IT TO SEEM LIKE I'M ONLY BELIEVING IN IT ON MY BOYFRIENDS BEHALF, BECAUSE I'M NOT.
Well that's good, because if you were doing it for the wrong reason believe me, you wouldn't last, because we only manage to stay a Witness if we have become one for the right reason. Its too difficult to stay in it for any other reason.
I WAS WONDERING IF MAYBE HE WOULD BE ABLE TO HELP ME IN DOING THIS, SEEING AS THOUGH HE IS DEEPLY DEVOTED TO BEING A JW?
Sorry, he is the last person to ask, first, he is not living his life correctly as a Witness, if he were; “deeply devoted” he would not be going out with a Non witness (no offence)
Secondly, he will not want to discuss his beliefs with you as he knows he is not living by them himself.
If you really want a bible study, then I can do it here with you, or you can ask any one of Jehovah's Witnesses to study it with you.
WHAT WOULD I HAVE TO LEARN, AND HOW LONG DO I STUDY FOR UNTIL I CAN BECOME BAPTIZED?
We use a bible study aid called the “knowledge book” and you would have to finish that before applying to be baptised, but you can go to the meetings anytime, I started studying the bible with the Witnesses in the October, went to meetings soon after, and was baptised in the February. (but that was kind of quick) usually 6 months, all depends how long you take to go through the book, and if you were making changes in your life as you went along.
What Witnesses offer when they call is; to come to your home once a week (or more if you wish) and go through the bible study aid bit by bit, and gradually build up knowledge of God's purpose for the earth and mankind. We only teach you what the bible says, what you do or don't do with that knowledge is entirely up to you.
I look forward to hearing from you.
ooops sorry Tina sent the wrong thing, will answer you soon ok.
Brenda
Heres the answer this time sorry :¬)
WHAT WOULD THE BOOK THAT HE'S REFERRING TO BE ABOUT?
If he was meaning the “knowledge book” it teaches the basics of the bible with chapters such as—
5.--Whose worship does God accept?
6.—Why do we grow old and die?
8.—Why does God permit suffering?
11. These are the last days.
17.—Find security among God's people.
And so on, it has 19 chapters and each is filled with scriptures to check up in your bible.
HE TOLD ME THAT IF I UNDERSTOOD AND ACCEPTED WHAT HE BELIEVES IN IT WOULD BE ALRIGHT FOR ME TO BE HIS GIRLFRIEND.
Yes, like I said before, at the end of your study you will posses knowledge that leads to everlasting life, and maybe you will also get your boyfriend, who knows.
YOU SAID THAT YOU WOULD DO A BIBLE STUDY WITH ME
Yup would love to;¬) here is chapter one, have a read over and jot down any points your not sure of, or don't understand, and even things you might disagree with, and send them to me and I will try to clarify and explain ok.
Chapter 1
You Can Have a Happy Future!
A warm embrace from someone you love. Hearty laughter during a good meal with dear friends. The pleasure of watching your children cheerfully at play. Moments like these are bright spots in life. For many, however, life seems to present one serious problem after another. If that has been your experience, take heart.
2 It is God's will that you enjoy lasting happiness under the best conditions in wonderful surroundings. This is no mere dream, for God actually offers you the key to such a happy future. That key is knowledge.
3 We are talking about a special kind of knowledge that is far greater than human wisdom. It is “the very knowledge of God.” (Proverbs 2:5) Nearly 2,000 years ago, a Bible writer said: “Every house is constructed by someone, but he that constructed all things is God.” (Hebrews 3:4) Think of the knowledge that the Maker of all things must possess! The Bible says that God counts and names all the stars. What a staggering thought, since there are hundreds of billions of stars in our own galaxy, and astronomers say that there are about a hundred billion other galaxies! (Psalm 147:4) God also knows all about us, so who else could provide better answers to life's important questions?—Matthew 10:30.
4 Picture two men trying to repair their cars. Frustrated, one man throws down his tools. The other calmly corrects the problem, turns the ignition key, and smiles as the engine starts up and runs smoothly. You would not have a hard time guessing which of the two men had an instruction manual from the manufacturer. Does it not make sense that God would provide instructions to guide us in life? As you may know, the Bible claims to be just that—a book of instruction and guidance from our Creator, designed to impart the knowledge of God.—2 Timothy 3:16.
5 If the Bible's claim is true, think of what treasures of knowledge that book must contain! At Proverbs 2:1-5, it urges us to seek wisdom, to dig for it as we would for a hidden treasure—not in the soil of human thinking, but in God's own Word. If we search there, we will “find the very knowledge of God.” Since God understands our limitations and needs, he gives us instruction that will help us to lead peaceful, happy lives. (Psalm 103:14; Isaiah 48:17) Furthermore, the knowledge of God offers us exciting good news.
EVERLASTING LIFE!
6 The well-known historical figure Jesus Christ described this feature of the knowledge of God in clear terms. He said: “This means everlasting life, their taking in knowledge of you, the only true God, and of the one whom you sent forth, Jesus Christ.” (John 17:3) Imagine—knowledge that leads to everlasting life!
7 Do not quickly dismiss everlasting life as a mere dream. Instead, look at the way the human body is made. It is splendidly designed to taste, hear, smell, see, and feel. There is so much on the earth that delights our senses—delicious food, pleasant birdsong, fragrant flowers, beautiful scenery, delightful companionship! And our amazing brain is far more than a supercomputer, for it enables us to appreciate and enjoy all such things. Do you think that our Creator wants us to die and lose all of this? Would it not be more reasonable to conclude that he wants us to live happily and to enjoy life forever? Well, that is what the knowledge of God can mean for you.
LIFE IN PARADISE
8 What the Bible says about the future of the earth and mankind might be summed up in one word—Paradise! Jesus Christ spoke of it when he told a dying man: “You will be with me in Paradise.” (Luke 23:43) The mention of Paradise no doubt brought to that man's mind the happy state of our first parents, Adam and Eve. When God created them, they were perfect and lived in a gardenlike park that the Creator had designed and planted. It was fittingly called the garden of Eden, which name denotes pleasure.
9 How delightful that garden was! It was a real paradise. Among its beautiful trees were those bearing delicious fruit. As Adam and Eve explored their domain, drank from its sweet waters, and gathered fruit from its trees, they had no reason to be anxious or fearful. Even animals posed no threat, for God had placed the man and his wife in loving dominion over all of them. In addition, the first human pair had vibrant health. As long as they remained obedient to God, an eternal, happy future lay before them. They were given the satisfying work of caring for their wonderful Paradise home. Further, God gave Adam and Eve the mandate to “fill the earth and subdue it.” They and their offspring were to extend the borders of Paradise until our entire planet became a place of beauty and delight.—Genesis 1:28.
10 When Jesus mentioned Paradise, however, he was not asking a dying man to think about the distant past. No, Jesus was speaking about the future! He knew that our entire earthly home would become a paradise. God would thus fulfill his original purpose for mankind and our earth. (Isaiah 55:10, 11) Yes, Paradise will be restored! And what will it be like? Let God's Word, the Holy Bible, answer.
LIFE IN THE RESTORED PARADISE
11 SICKNESS, OLD AGE, AND DEATH WILL NO LONGER EXIST. “At that time the eyes of the blind ones will be opened, and the very ears of the deaf ones will be unstopped. At that time the lame one will climb up just as a stag does, and the tongue of the speechless one will cry out in gladness.” (Isaiah 35:5, 6) “God himself will be with [mankind]. And he will wipe out every tear from their eyes, and death will be no more, neither will mourning nor outcry nor pain be anymore. The former things have passed away.”—Revelation 21:3, 4.
12 CRIME, VIOLENCE, AND WICKEDNESS WILL BE GONE FOREVER. “Evildoers themselves will be cut off . . . Just a little while longer, and the wicked one will be no more . . . He will not be. But the meek ones themselves will possess the earth.” (Psalm 37:9-11) “As regards the wicked, they will be cut off from the very earth; and as for the treacherous, they will be torn away from it.” —Proverbs 2:22.
13 PEACE WILL PREVAIL EARTH WIDE. “He [God] is making wars to cease to the extremity of the earth. The bow he breaks apart and does cut the spear in pieces.” (Psalm 46:9) “The righteous one will sprout, and the abundance of peace until the moon is no more.”—Psalm 72:7.
14 HOUSING WILL BE SECURE AND WORK SATISFYING. “They will certainly build houses and have occupancy . . . They will not build and someone else have occupancy; they will not plant and someone else do the eating. For like the days of a tree will the days of my people be; and the work of their own hands my chosen ones will use to the full. They will not toil for nothing, nor will they bring to birth for disturbance.”—Isaiah 65:21-23.
15 Healthful food will be available in abundance. “There will come to be plenty of grain on the earth; on the top of the mountains there will be an overflow.” (Psalm 72:16) “The earth itself will certainly give its produce; God, our God, will bless us.”—Psalm 67:6.
16 Everlasting life on a paradise earth will be delightful. “The righteous themselves will possess the earth, and they will reside forever upon it.” (Psalm 37:29) “The wilderness and the waterless region will exult, and the desert plain will be joyful and blossom as the saffron.”—Isaiah 35:1.
KNOWLEDGE AND YOUR FUTURE
17 If life in Paradise appeals to you, let nothing hold you back from gaining the knowledge of God. He loves mankind and will bring about the changes needed to make the earth a paradise. After all, if you had the power to end the misery and injustice so prevalent in the world, would you not do so? Would we expect God to do less? Actually, the Bible speaks in vivid terms of a time when God will remove this strife-ridden system and replace it with a perfect, righteous rule. (Daniel 2:44) But the Bible does much more than tell us about all of this. It shows us how we can survive into God's promised new world.—2 Peter 3:13; 1 John 2:17.
18 The knowledge of God can also do much for you right now. Life's deepest and most disturbing questions are answered in the Bible. Accepting its guidance will help you to develop a friendship with God. What a grand privilege! And this will enable you to enjoy the peace that God alone can give. (Romans 15:13, 33) As you begin to take in this vital knowledge, you are embarking on the most important and rewarding endeavor of your life. You will never regret acquiring the knowledge of God that leads to everlasting life.
