Do Jehovah's Witnesses have in home bible studies?

Question

I am talking about studies from the bible only.

Thanks and have a great weekend.

Answer 1

Yes, but not for long. If one persists in wanting to study the Bible only, and not accept Watchtower publications, the study will be discontinued.

Edited

One should not assume that because a publication is "Bible-based", that it conforms to Bible teachings. For example, the Watchtower in times past taught that the Great Pyramid of Giza was a Biblical teaching and used the scripture at Isaiah 19:19, 20 to support their idea that this view was from the Bible. If it actually did come from the Bible, then shouldn't they still be teaching it?

Likewise, many teachings of today are supposedly "Bible-based", but in reality are nothing more than man-made interpretation of Scripture. For example, one could read the Bible cover to cover, and not find anything that remotely indicates the "Gentile Times" would end in a specific year, such as 1914 CE. But it is possible to mis interpret scriptures in a way that points to this date and then declare such a belief to be "scriptural" or "Bible-based" just as the WT did in regard to the Great Pyramid. Also, prior to the present day teaching that Jesus parousia began in 1914, the WT cited Scriptures to support their teaching that Jesus had returned invisibly to earth in 1874 - and declared that 1874 was the "Bible-based" date of the 'parousia'.

It isn't necessary to use WT publications to convey these ideas to Bible Students. The Witness simply "brushes up" on the WT publications before the Bible study and interjects these ideas into the discussion, tying them in with whatever scriptures the WT publication cites as 'proof' of their idea. The result is that often the Bible student is led to believe he is studying the Scriptures and doesn't realize that his view of the Scriptures is being shaped by the Watchtower-colored interpretation of the Scripture. Thus one can be led to believe that the Great Pyramid, the year 1874, the year 1914, etc. are all "Bible-based" - in spite of the fact that a person reading the Bible without the aid of Watchtower-influenced ideas, would never find any of those in the Bible.

Answer 2

Dear Will J:

Yes, you may have a study using only the Bible if that is your wish.

Most people do not have a problem at all with the publications and enjoy them thoroughly. Others are a bit hesitant; that is understandable given the rumors that persist concerning them. As some have responded here, many may be convinced that Witnesses are incapable of doing anything without the publications or that they cannot conduct Bible studies without them. Nothing could be further from the truth. It may be that a person - even a Witness - simply has not seen it done. As mentioned above, most people don't have a problem with the publications.

Whatever the case, I do assure you that Jehovah's Witnesses have Bible studies in the home of the interested person and yes, they will use nothing but the Bible and yes, they or you may use the Bible of your choice. You need only ask. Not only have I personally seen this done, but I myself have conducted a study with no publications. I hope this helps you a bit.

You have a great weekend too and you are very welcome. It is my pleasure to answer the questions you and others may have concerning the Christian Witnesses of Jehovah.

Hannah J Paul

Answer 3

So far that I've seen, Jehovah's Witnesses do use other publications with the bible for home bible studies. My bible studies as I learned about the Jehovah, Jesus & the bible were always conducted this way. These publications are printed to help people understand the bible. These Bible Studies are actually from the Bible Only, just that the publications used are study aids to help us understand the Bible. Our beliefs & the Truth are always backed up by the scriptures.
I do remember when I was a Catholic taking a summer catechism course that we also used one of their publications to assist in teaching us about Jesus. It was like a workbook & had questions we were to answer or draw an answer to. And it also gave explanations of some things within it as well. So Jehovah's Witnesses wouldnt be the only religion to use their own publications when conducting Bible studies.
You wouldn't expect one religion to use another religion's publications, now would you?
And most likely there are other religions out there that print their own publications on what they believe or to help their followers understand their beliefs.

Answer 4

Yes. If you only want to use the Bible instead of one of their publications, you can do that. It's your choice, not the Witness. They don't force people to study out of their publications. I have been on many Bible studies in which only the Bible was used. It's great you're asking about a study. More people should want to study the Bible!

Answer 5

It is funny to me how people who are NOT Jehovah's Witness or who are NO longer Witnesses, can try to answer questions directed to Jehovah's Witnesses.

Contrary to some of the comments here. Jehovah's Witnesses can by all means study using only the bible, this is not a "sin" and it is not against our religion to do so.

The reason "most" JW'S use the publications is so that the study will remain consistant and gradual. It is sometimes difficult to stay on one subject if you use the bible because it does contain so much information, and we do not want to overwhelm our students with too many teaches all at once.

So much like a math teacher uses books to gradually teach you one lesson after the other--so JW'S use their publications.

Our publications are BASED on the bible, and anyone who has studied with witness can tell you we ALWAYS consult the bible during the study.

And here are some FACTS for some who like to tell US what the Watchtower Bible Tract Society tells us to do. This is a quote taken directly from one of our publications?

"Using Just the Bible: Sometimes a person is agreeable to discussing the Bible but seems reluctant to accept a formal study or make use of one of our publications. You can still start and conduct a Bible study by preparing interesting Scriptural discussions...but then using only the Bible when visiting the interested person."

I also think it would behoove some to know that throughout history some lands have banned the use of publications by Jehovah's Witness, yet they continue to preach using only the bible and are diligent in doing so.

ESMERELDA--On the contrary, I know PLENTY of people who have forgotten things they learned in school..Why? Because after graduating some stopped learning and studying. (Ever seen that show "Are you smarter than a fifth grader"?) This is the same reason Ex-Jehovah's Witness can FORGET some things they learned previously, even after years of being a Witness. And I'm not implying that ALL of them have forgotten, but it is obvious from their inaccurate comments that they either have forgotten or never knew at all.

Also, that is the reason why Jehovah's Witness have 5 meetings a week, so we can continue to study and learn from the bible and NOT forget the things we are taught.

Answer 6

Yes, any translation that you prefer to use.

All J's W's are encouraged to read the Bible throughly...
@ least once. Although we do this more than once.
We have many studies throughout the week;
the same study all around the earth.
I could go to Japan, Egypt, Hawaii or the Phillipines
and it would be the same study.
Plus, if u r reading for personal relaxation,
it could be whatever you like.

Answer 7

yes and personal bible studies also at their own..we have the daily text for the each day with a comment of a publication that we read almost each morning..and if you want a free book-study just using the bible that is fine...just remember pick a topic so its easier then just jumping around with topics but we can help you understand your bible and you can use any translation your like using with it the King James if you want or out translation of the new world...and our magazines and books are just complementarity of the bible to make it a little bit more easy...and attractive..but all of this publications are from the bible 100% all the time so you have a range of topics and concerns answered in the most easy way possible

Answer 8

HannahJPaul and others have answered the question thoroughly. I would like to add that those who criticize the use of study publications fail to mention that they're BIBLE- BASED study guides. There are no added nor subtracted doctrines, teachings, or otherwise in these publications. Read an article or a chapter out of one and you'll see for yourself.
Here's an example from "The Greatest Man Who Ever Lived";

"Chapter 13

Learning From Jesus’ Temptations

IMMEDIATELY after his baptism, Jesus is led by God’s spirit into the Judean wilderness. He has a lot to think about, for at his baptism “the heavens were opened up,” so that he could discern heavenly things. Indeed, there is much for him to meditate on!

Jesus spends 40 days and 40 nights in the wilderness and eats nothing during this time. Then, when Jesus is very hungry, the Devil approaches to tempt him, saying: “If you are a son of God, tell these stones to become loaves of bread.” But Jesus knows it is wrong to use his miraculous powers to satisfy his personal desires. So he refuses to be tempted.

But the Devil does not give up. He tries another approach. He challenges Jesus to leap off the temple wall so that God’s angels will rescue him. But Jesus is not tempted to make such a spectacular display. Quoting from the Scriptures, Jesus shows that it is wrong to put God to the test in this way."

At the end of the chapter it lists the scriptures where you can find the account of what the chapter was talking about so that you can verify that the information is from the bible! In this case the scriptures were Matthew 3:16; 4:1-11; Mark 1:12, 13; Luke 4:1-13. As you can see, the book simplifies what is said in the bible, so that people of all backgrounds and education levels can understand it. For example, instead of saying that Jesus fasted for 40 days, it says he was hungry because he ate nothing during this time.

As for those who are not JWs or used to be JWs, I find it sometimes humorous to read your hateful comments simply because you're like a jealous ex- wife who realizes she threw away the best thing that ever happened to her, but her pride won't let her go back! You rationalize, minimize and outright lie to yourselves and everyone else to justify your jealous hatred. It's sad, but it's also funny in a "watching the child slam the baseball bat down only to have it bounce up and hit him in the chin" sort of way...

Answer 9

Yes...we study wherever is best for the student and appropriate...home, library, park, lunch break, phone, etc. And yes we can study from the Bible only and the person can use whatever Bible Translation they prefer. Jehovah's Witnesses follow God's Word, the Bible...and teach using the holy scriptures-and our faith is built up from our Bible studies...we are Bible students ourselves

Answer 10

Of course. If you do not want to use anything but the Bible that is fine. It would be best to focus on only one subject at a time until the student fully understands that subject before moving on to another one and you can use any version of the Bible you have or the witnesses can provide you with one.

Answer 11

“This good news of the kingdom will be preached in all the inhabited earth,” said Jesus Christ in his prophecy about “the conclusion of the system of things.” (Matthew 24:3, 14) Throughout the earth, the good news of the Kingdom—what the Kingdom is, what it will do, and how we can receive its blessings—is being preached in over 230 lands and in more than 400 languages. Millions of Jehovah’s Witnesses zealously preach the Kingdom good news. They come from “all nations and tribes and peoples and tongues.” (Revelation 7:9) The Witnesses conduct free home Bible studies with millions of people who want to know what the Bible really teaches. What an impressive fulfillment of prophecy, especially since Jesus foretold that true Christians would be “objects of hatred by all people”!—Luke 21:17.