Jehovah's Witnesses teach 6.3 million "weekly home Bible courses". How many students are in each class?

Question

http://www.jw-media.org/people/statistics.htm

The Watchtower/JW website says that there are 6.3 million "weekly home Bible courses taught", but I don't know any in my neighborhood. How many students do I need to organize before they will form a course here?

Are their teachers certified somehow? Also, whose "home" is that, and what kind of materials do the students need? Do they have classes for children (like bible stories or whatever), even if the parents don't want to participate?

JWs please just answer without really long answers, and others please don't use my question as an excuse to attack Jehovah's Witnesses.

Answer 1

No attack, just a suggestion. I realize that Jehovah's Witnesses aren't allowed to look at any viewpoints that disagree with them, or that's what I've been told by those coming to my door. By that I mean only the Bible, preferably the poorly translated NWT, and JW tests such as the Watchtower. Since none of your masters are looking, like it or not you belong to the very definition of a cult, take a look at http://www.watchman.org and learn the truth.

Answer 2

Ok I'll try to keep it short. I didn’t read the other answers so sorry if I am repeating.

How many students do I need --- Just you will do. You expressed an interest to know more so we will teach you more. If you want others to join you invite them!

Are their teachers certified somehow? --- Certified with Gods Holy Spirit and we use the angles as our support.

Also, whose "home" is that, --- can be your home or ours. It can also be a public place if you are uncomfortable. (Park, parking lot, bus stop)

What kind of materials do the students need? --- an open heart is the only thing you have to supply on your own if you need they can get you a Bible if you have one you prefer to use...use that one.

Do they have classes for children (like bible stories or whatever), even if the parents don't want to participate?
--- yes, teaching the child is ultimately the parents responsibility (Deuteronomy 6:6, 7; 11:18-21) but if the parent chooses to allow another to teach them, then a servant of Jehovah would lovingly step in. DO expect updates on your childs’ progress. DON’T expect the child to be sheltered from what the Bible really teaches. Of course, they will be taught according to their level of understanding but understand it is still the same Bible the adults use so they will be learning the same material at their speed.

Hope it wasn’t to long!

Email for a Free Bible Study - https://watch002.securesites.net/contact/submit.htm
Address if you want to send post mail: http://www.watchtower.org/how_to_contact_us.htm

Answer 3

It's almost inevitable that splinter groups will start appearing within the next few years. In fact, there are already a few of these groups that have already formed in the United States and the UK. There are many sincere and active Jehovah's Witnesses that are disenchanted with the Watchtower's unloving and controlling attitude toward the rank and file. More Witnesses are leaving every year through "disassociation" and just fading away. Here are some of the reasons that current splinter groups haven't gained any traction nationally or globally: 1. No one person or group with any credibility has actually tried to take the lead in organizing disaffected Witnesses. All who have tried have set up groups that are small and very regional. Their influence is very limited. 2. Many of the more active splinter groups have taken on Protestant evangelical trappings, going back to the "old time religion" so to speak, by preaching the Trinity, the Rapture, and even Heaven and Hell. This is a big turn-off to most JWs who consider that approach as going back to Christendom and just accepting another form of false Christianity. 3. Many ex-JWs are done with religion and have moved to atheism, agnosticism, humanism, or Universalist-Unitarian ideals. Others simply have no room in their lives for organized religion and prefer to hold their own views. They want to deal with God and Jesus on their own terms. 4. Some ex-JWs have decided to devote much of their time to simply exposing the weaknesses of the Watchtower and to paint it as a cultish and controlling religion with no special relationship to Jehovah or Jesus. But they have no desire at all to form a new religion or organization. Don't forget the lessons learned from the divisions that took place after Charles Taze Russell died in 1916. When Joseph Rutherford maneuvered his way into control of the Watch Tower Society, he also became its "spiritual leader," in spite of the fact that his expertise was law, not theology. His heavy-handed manipulation and abuse of anyone who had been close to Russell and disagreed with him, led Rutherford to declare his opposition to be "evil slaves" and "wicked and vile ones." Many of those tossed out carried on Russell's work as Bible Students, Russellites, and Millennial Dawn Bible Students. Those groups still exist today, but are so small and insignificant that they don't even make a blip on the charts. For the most part they still stick to Russell's early writings and have not progressed theologically since 1917. That is the probability with potential modern JW splinter groups. Because the Jehovah's Witnesses are such a small sect even in North America and the UK (about 1/3 of one percent of the population), any splinter groups would be practically undetectable and would go unnoticed. The only way that the Watchtower will ever see any major change is if some clear-headed, intelligent, and loving men manage to rise to power within the organization and then find a way to take it over from the inside. If they get rid of the shunning policy, the anti-blood transfusion doctrine, and the heavy-handed control of the "other sheep," then there might be some chance that the Organization could see greater growth and fewer losses. It's not about JW Bible teachings so much as their cultish behavior that is driving out the masses and killing their growth. There will be some splinter groups, but they will be of no consequence in the long term.

Answer 4

My wife and I have studied with JWs on and off a few times. Mostly she had a study and then she talked to me about it all week, but I had my own study too. A big part is getting someone you click with to study with you. You feel a little disloyal that first time you take a break from the study and then a few months later ask someone different to do the study with you, but the first studier was great and not proud and they really do just want you to get with whoever can help you best. Sometimes the old conductor can come along with the new conductor. He usually brings all different brothers from the hall to help every week, which seems strange at the time until you finally walk into the Kingdom Hall and realize you know 10 people right from the start.

The Memorial and special talk lit a fire under us, so my wife and I are starting up again now with a Witness couple we know who will study with me and my wife together. They recomend a couple to study together, and that is counted as just one study.

Thanks for the numbers of study courses! I think 250,000 got baptized last year, so that (6300/250) means only 1 out of 25 studies ended up baptized (about 4%). A study is not a huge commitment, but its a step in the right direction.

Answer 5

Well I only have an hour 2 answer,
and I read all the answers already.
I love the consistancy!!
I'm gonna keep it short.
Not an answer per se but, an example..
When I started, I knew NOTHING of God,
Christ and the Bible.
The books mentioned 'really do help', (4 me n/eways)
especially for knowing not a little but, Nothing.
The Children's Book of Bible Stories,
is great to give an overall study of what ur
going to be learning, b-cuz it is a Bible
Plus, it is easier to understand, because...
it's geared for children.
And, as u read...u r learning.
It can help u get Q's together, for asking.
Or the things u r about to get into. Study.
I was a baby, when I started.

Answer 6

One point left out above is that Witnesses, regardless of how long they have been one, attend a weekly class on public speaking and conducting Bible studies.

These include examples and talks given by all members above the age of 13, on a rotational basis. The talks are 3 minutes of those less experienced, and 15 minutes for those with more experienced. Small children participate with a parent in doing examples of Bible studies.

In this manner, everyone continues to receive knowledge and experience on how to conduct Bible studies. This is why teenagers can conduct them with fellow students during high school breaks. Yes, Bible studies conducted in school without interference. They can do this because they don't demand the school provide rooms and special time for doing so.

Other religions want a class room where they can send in a teacher trained in the Bible to conduct a study with a group. A witness can conduct a study while having lunch, one on one, or one with 2 or 3.

As for certification, I imagine that many young JWs can answers questions about the Bible that many adults attending church every Sunday for decades, cannot answer, such as what is the first prophesy of the Bible?

Answer 7

We count 1 person as someone who's studying the Bible with us. There are 6.3 million people besides us who are studying the Bible.

Once a person becomes a baptized Witness (and sometimes before) they become ordained ministers who are qualified to teach others about the Bible.

Usually the study session is held in the interested person's home but if that doesn't work out there are other places to hold it. We teach people of all ages and the main thing that you'll need is a Bible.

If you want to have a study with a Witness in your area, go to your yellow pages, look up Kingdom Hall under the Churches section, call the number and ask for one.

You can also go to the website, www.watchtower.org, and electronically inquire about a Bible study course.

Hope this info helps (and that my answer wasn't too long)...

Answer 8

1 - Jehovah's Witnesses offer free home Bible studies to anyone who is interested. The studies are typically done on an individual basis and you don't need to organize a specific group.

2 - All Jehovah's Witnesses ministers have been trained and have to meet certain criteria to preach to others. All are involved in a continuing education program - 5 meetings per week that reinforce Bible knowledge and offer training on how to teach Bible truths to others.

3-The Bible study is typically done at the student's home for convenience - but can be done at other mutually agreed upon locations (for example, some have their study during their lunch break at work).

4-There are publications designed specifically for toddlers, young children and teens/young adults. However young people attend the same meetings as the adults.

5-Yes, children can participate even if the parents decline. However, children must have the consent of their parents to study.

6-All study materials will be provided by the study conductor. They will discuss which publication will be studied with the student and supply them with a free copy. You may also request other Bible based publications at no charge.

If you have any questions feel free to e-mail me.

Answer 9

These usually are personal home Bible courses. There is no required limit to the number of students.

It can take place anywhere, in a park, at your home, at the Kingdom Hall, where ever you are most comfortable.

The materials are your copy of the Bible as well as a study aid that is subject specific. This study aid, "What Does the Bible Really Teach," is provided for you. There is no charge, but if you would like to make a donation to the World Wide Work so that others can also benefit, you can.

There is no age limit, there are a couple of different study aids for children, "My Book of Bible Stories" and "Learning from the Great Teacher"

You can go to the following link:
https://watch002.securesites.net/contact/submit.htm
and request more information.

I hope that wasn't too long... :0)

Answer 10

Most Bible studies are taught one on one with student and teacher. Some are family Bible studies. A few are group studies. We have found teaching one on one to be most effective. No one gets "lost" in a classroom of students. The instructor gets to know the student personally and can tailor the instruction to suit his or her needs. In addition, the student becomes comfortable enough so that they are not embarrassed to ask any question they may have without fear of being thought less of by the rest of the class. The home is usually the students. Occasionally, because of circumstances, it may be conducted elsewhere. Materials include a Bible and a Bible study aid that is provided by the teacher. You'll also need a pen or pencil and perhaps a notebook. We do not usually conduct classes for young children. We know that the Bible assigns that responsibility to parents, so we will teach the parents how to do this effectively with their children. If a child himself shows genuine interest and the parents are unable or unwilling to accept their responsibility, we will conduct a Bible study with the child, with the permission of his parent.
Jehovah's Witnesses undergo continual training in preaching and teaching the good news of God's Kingdom.
As for our qualifications, 2Corinthians 3:4-5 says "Now through the Christ we have this sort of confidence toward God. Not that we of ourselves are adequately qualified to reckon anything as issuing from ourselves, but our being adequately qualified issues from God,"

Answer 11

It's usually one on one, its at the location of your choice, usually your home, you will need a bible (you can use yours or they can give you one) and you'll be most likely given a book, "What does the bible really teach, or Knowledge that Leads to Everlasting Life", they are guides in which you will look up scriptures in the bible to learn the truth of the bible. Yes studies can be done with children too, sometimes a child will teach your child.