Jehovah Witnesses?

Question

I have a question.
I have trouble finding good associations.
There tend to be not many spiritual young ones in my congregation and I want young friends. I have alot of older friends but sometimes i feel like they can't really relate to any of my problems becasue they are older. I also would like to have a friend from my congregation go to my school so that person can be my true friend but..I can't find any.
Most them are nice and I talk to them, but I have been warned aobut them by older mature brothers and sisters. They tend to be bad associations and very much part of the world.
I am not saying I am the most good assoication anyone can have, but I would like to have a friend that can help me progress spiritually.
What would you suggest?
I have prayed and have tried to travel to other congregations but still can't find any! Please help!
Thanks.=]

Answer 1

I know what you mean T.. So does a lot of people in the bible, Job felt alone although he was suppose to have had so called friends,
King David felt alone after being on the run from Saul..
Isaiah also
Think about Moses & the 8 only people in his day out of all the population of the world at that time.
Lot & his 2 daughters the only ones that were the only righteous ones out of 2 cities of Sodom & Gomorrah.
Even the story of Ruth who was Younger than her older companion Naomi in the book of Ruth.
Yet the out come of all of these people were better than their beginning if you read each story account.
Because Jehovah was with them.
So continue to search among his people for you will not be alone, we're over 6.5 million and still growing.
And also be patient again. Here are some tips though.
Make it your business to go to the assemblies, and conventions, you will find friends there.
Get acquainted, as friendly as you are certainly you can start conversation with someone. :) even if its in the bathroom.
I dont know about the girls but the guys here where im from meet to the next town over and play basket & football with other fellas from surrounding congregations.
Go to quick builds of other kingdom halls.
Go to partys or gatherings that other congregations may have,
Go to weddings of friends in congregations.
How will you find out about these activities?
THE OLDER FRIENDS in the congregation. Also paying attention at the Service meetings on Thursday nights during announcements etc. Never give up & stay focused especially spiritually.
Before long you will start having sleep over of other friends from other congregations or even local , Im sure other young ones feel the same way you do no one just hasnt said anything yet. So keep these things in mind and remember to WIDEN OUT as they say, and work in harmony with your prayers and you will see progress.

Answer 2

Well, as far as the older ones not being able to help with your problems, they can actually help you more than people your own age. When I first came into the Truth at 12, I had the same problem. At first, it seemed like the young ones my age were very spiritual-minded and serious about the Truth, but turns out they weren't. So I started hanging around the older ones more. As a result, I know a lot more about lifenow (at 22) than I would've known if I didn't.

Not everyone, old or young, in the congregation are serious about the Truth. You have to be very careful. These are the last of the last days, and lots of people are losing their sense of urgency and slipping back into the world's way of life. I am having the same problem as far as finding people my age. As I stated earlier, I'm 22, and most of the people around my age, even at our district conventions, are teenagers or younger.

Keep praying and keep widening out in the Truth. Never limit your association to just a few people or one age group. Beware of cliques in the congregation also.

Answer 3

Honestly, something that worked wonders, for me and others, is simply expanding. Realise, it would be great to have a friend, the exact age, location, etc. that we want, but sadly that isn't likely.

You can try visiting other congregations, find out what schools others in the congregation go to.

Appreitiate the older ones. Believe it or not, many, though not always all, can understand you better than others your age. I know that sometimes older ones have seen me cleary than I do.

Answer 4

Nowadays its really hard to find good association at any age. Sometimes even within the congregation. But if you are praying about this to Jehovah then you have to leave it in his hands.

Maybe someone in the cong. older or younger needs you, instead of you thinking you need someone, try to think of it that way.

Besides older people used to be young people once upon a time.

Sometimes the best friend you can have to help you progress spiritually will be an older person who has already been there, done that. And if one person doesn't seem to be very open try someone else. You might even be surprised to find that your parents or siblings are suffering from those same feelings.

Or if you just need someone to talk to you can drop me an email anytime.

Answer 5

Have you tried to witness to some of your school friends? Maybe there is someone out there that has an interest in the truth. Wouldn't that be wonderful if you could start a study with one of your school mates. Traveling to other congregations is a good idea also, and makes life interesting. Maybe we could include you in our prayers. I know it's difficult being young in this world but the good thing is that each day you are becoming more mature and in time today's issue will be but a memory. It's good that you are sharing your feeling with the group and continue doing that if it helps you deal with the issues.

Answer 6

Well for me I'm 19 there really isn't that many girls my age they are either guys or girls that are a bit younger. I hang out with the younger girl crowd, it doesn't matter to me they are only 2-4yrs younger. I watch who I hang out with in the congregation...b/c even then it does matter. During high school most of my friends were JW's only being that there were many from other congregations. If there isn't JW's in your school you don't have to isolate your self just be care full with your school mates and you can always protect your self just by letting them know you are a JW, they will then respect your choices more.

One more thing if young ones are not spiratual in your congregation you can still hang out with them. You should set the example, speak out if you think something is wrong. Sometimes all they need is good friends...I think.

Answer 7

I totally understand what you are going through. I used to have the same problem. I grew up with like ONE friend as a teenager in my old congregation, he was 5 years older than me. There weren't many other "good" associates. You really have to appreciate what you DO have.

I'm grateful for all the spiritual uplifting this friend gave me, and all the in-depth conversations we used to share. At the time, I sometimes used to think he was "un-cool", but now I appreciate the REAL things in life.

Try not to worry about popularity, and whether something is "cool" or not. You may look at others going out all the time (seemingly having a great time), but if they aren't putting God first they will come to a dead end (probably out the truth). For example, going out on the ministry often with mature ones, may seem "too spiritual" and boring, but you will be far happier going with them rather than just seeking pleasure with the other "popular lot".

Never feel like I did at times, that you are "sad" because everyone else seems to be going out and having "fun" every week. Never feel like you are being left out. Obviously, don't reject invites from mature Christians, but don't feel like you have to be going out every weekedn to "have a life".

When you get older, you will likely start to view others of all ages as good friends. You will start to see the wisdom in the older ones and realize that they weren't just being "old and boring", but wise and smart. As you develope your spirituality, you will want to become like the older ones in the congregation.

Listen to what others on here have said too, there are plenty of biblical examples of people who felt alone.

Remember, no matter how alone you feel, it's not worth seeking what you "think" you need OUTSIDE the truth. Many, including my friends and family, have done this and ended up worse off. Some came back to the truth but nevertheless, this was a needless pain.

Answer 8

T.. you are so right, i think thats worldwide. in my cong there are barely young ones around my age. Sometimes i feel like you cause i dont have like very close friends but i 've learned that age doesnt matter and our close friends could be someone who is older than us since they been trough adolescence and have more experience than us. But be careful with the bad associations. What i try to do is go on service with others that are older than me or that are around my age and get to know them. it's usually great cause they will help others progress spiritially and just have good times. What you can do is talk to others in the Assemblies and conventions, this is a great place to make new friends. Also keep praying to Jehovah y veras que el te contestara tus oraciones a su debido tiempo pero no te desanimas and if you need someone to talk to i will always be here so just lemme know if u need something, sorry but i felt like writing in spanish lol.

Answer 9

You have done well to confide in Jehovah, and pray to him, now you just have to wait on him and keep on asking in faith, that he will provide what you need, for now, try to be content with the older friends that you have, they may be older, but remember they can help you spiritualy better than any friend your own age, even one that may be mature for their age, because the older friends, like your parents have lived through more experiences, than the your young ones would have, don't give up in your search, but try, to be patient, and learn from your older associates, you can gain much in knowledge, and good example, through their friendship. Have you thought maybe that this is what Jehovah wants you to do? Keep on praying about it, and I am sure Jehovah will answer your humble prayers, not neccessarily instantly, but, at the perfect time, and in the best way for you. So trust in Jehovah and lean on him he will not let you down!

Answer 10

I know your feelings. When I was in school, I was the only Witness around. The Hall was 25 miles away in the other direction. As a matter of fact, everything was located far away from where I lived.

I understood what the Bible and Jehovah expected. So I was determined to uphold my faith. From my being in the Ministry School, I could give good talks in class when we had to. My parents already told me they would back me up in any trouble about my faith, but watch out if it was all my fault. This gave me confidence. I gave many good defenses for my faith.

Interestingly, it was nothing I said that gave the best witness. It was just how I lived and conducted myself. Someone I went to school with, saw me just go through the days and years. That person is now a baptized publisher of Jehovah's Witnesses.

14 is a tough time to go through, but you will survive. At times when you are on your own, it forces you to reach inside for strengths and abilities you never knew you had. It did for me.