JW's ONLY! Do you have problems with amt of time is required of you?

Question

Vs. spending time with your family?
What have you done to keep available time that you'd normally spend with your children, just playing, not being completely overwhelmed by all the meetings and studys required to attend?
What is the norm. Is one parent a stay at home parent? Do both work, how do you handle 2 days a week and Sundays of long classes?

How long are the meetings. I know Sundays are a tad under 2 hours...........What about the meetings Tuesdays and Thursdays. (only been to a couple of those, but they seem to be longer than the original 45m to an hour that I was told).

Answer 1

Admittedly, a typical Jehovah's Witness has rearranged his thinking and goals so that godly pursuits are prioritized over materialism and recreation. Of course, godly pursuits are pursued alongside one's children, so time with them is generally enhanced rather than curtailed.

In the United States, meeting attendance averages about 90%, with the end result that a typical active JW is at 90% of his meetings. If a person misses more meetings, loving elders will likely ask if they can help in some way, but there is no "punishment" for poor meeting attendance. Beginning January 2008, the "ideal" congregation schedule will be something similar to:
Sunday 10:00 - 10:35 Talk
Sunday 10:35-11:45 Watchtower
Tuesday 7:00-8:00 Book Study
Thursday 7:00-7:50 Theocratic Ministry School
Thursday 7:50-8:45 Service Meeting


In the United States, there are about 1 million who actually participate in the public ministry of Jehovah's Witnesses, while more than 2 million attend meetings such as their conventions and annual Memorial of Christ's Last Supper. By some secular polling, about 3 million Americans identify themselves with the Jehovah's Witness religion.

Clearly, there are varying levels of involvement possible by a self-described "Jehovah's Witness", just as there are with any religion. Jehovah's Witnesses do not penalize those who are less active, and always consider them as "brothers" and "sisters" in Christ.

Learn more:
http://watchtower.org/e/jt/index.htm?article=article_07.htm
http://watchtower.org/e/jt/index.htm?article=article_08.htm
http://jw-media.org/people/who.htm

Answer 2

I'm working off of memory here, so plz bear with me.
A "normal" week as a JW for me back in the day:
Sunday. Awake (no pun intended) early to get EVERYONE ready to leave the house by 8:30 to be at the meeting by 9:00 so we could associate with our bro/sis until the meeting started at 9:30.
Meeting lasted 2 hours (maybe longer if the brother giving the talk and the brother conducting the WT study were long winded or the brother giving the final prayer went on and on)
Stay at KH for another 30 min to associate, purchase or pick up magazines and books and stuff, turn in or pick up a territory card, turn in time, etc etc.
Lunch with visiting speaker (or just with family
1:00 meet back for field service. Field Service until 3 or 4 depending on # of bible studies we had.
5:00 supper with the family
6:00-7:30 Family bible study (IF Elder husband didn't have an elder's meeting he conducted)

EACH MORNING THE DAILY TEXT DISCUSSION 30 mins.

Monday: Usual work/school day with homework afterwards
Hubby arrives home, supper
7 - 9 Prepare for Tuesday night meeting individually and assist children with their individual preparations
Tuesday: Usual work/school day with rushed homework afterwards so when hubby arrives home we can get off to meeting
Leave house at 6:00 to get to KH 30 min early for the 7:00 meeting. Meeting until 9, then 30 minutes more afterwards UNLESS THERE WAS AN ELDERS MEETING then add up to 3 hours with kids in tow unless someone offered us a ride home
Wed.Usual work/school day with homework afterwards
Hubby arrives home, supper
Practice with children what was learned at the Tues night meeting for preparations for Sat. witness work maybe 1 1/2 hour
Thurs: Usual work/school day with rushed homework afterwards so when Hubby arrives home, supper to
Leave house by 7 to arrive at book study. meeting 7:30- 8:30, stay 15 -30 minutes more afterwards
Friday:Usual work/school day with homework afterwards
Hubby arrives home, supper
Family bible study 2 hours
Saturday:
Awake (no pun intended) early to get EVERYONE ready to leave the house by 8:30 to be at the KH by 9:00 so we could be in field service at 9:30. Field service until 12 or 1
Afternoons: Family study of the watchtower article for the meeting on Sunday, usually 1 1/2 to 2 hours.
Evenings: "Free" usually spent visiting others in the congregation, get togethers, or traveling to an out of town location if hubby had a talk at a distant congregation, or other "theocratic acitivites"

THEN,
2 times a year there was an assembly, and then once a year there was a convention.
twice a year there was additional activity because the circuit overseer came and we had to put on a "dog and pony" show
add in special assembly days, kingdom hall quick builds, and other special events.

Answer 3

For a JW, the first concern is spending time in consuming what you are being fed from the "Mother organization". Next is family time and it is better spent in teaching them to consume as well. The 5 meeting times are for attendance only, NOT studying the publications used for the meetings and getting ready for them. Your level of being a Christian (spirituality) can be measured by your attendance, your participation and the amount of time spent at the Kingdom Hall before and after the meeting. Study the publications with your children - their participation is a reflection on your spirituality as well. After all this and working all week at your menial secular job (as college is frowned upon - it is not theocratic) You can get prepared to spend Saturday out preaching from publications for several more hours, bring the kids they love it - Not a lot of time for actual kid stuff but you need to get them into the Unity of Thought. When on vacation, you are even "encouraged" to visit with the local congregation there. So much time is spent in keeping up with publications, not just the children are ignored but most important for the "Mother Organization", an earnest studying of the Bible is neglected. (For proof see Question Box of Sept KM- "For those who wish to do extra Bible study and research, we recommend that they explore Insight on the Scriptures, "All Scripture Is Inspired of God and Beneficial," and our other publications...")

Answer 4

Honestly, both my parents worked when I was younger. At times, I will be honest, it was rough, though not just meeting wise.

It really hasn't been a problem in general though. I recently received a humorous email from an associate, about time, explaining how it's kinda funny how a 2 hour religious service sounds SOOOOO long, but a movie that length or longer sounds fine.:D

It can be hard when a child is younger especially, but as we got older it got easier and easier.

As for the lengths of the meetings
I base this on the days you listed
Sundays 2 hours, 1 for the talk, 1 for the study of the Bible with aid of the Watchtower.
Tuesdays 1 hour, and 45 minutes, split between 2 sessions.
Thursdays 1 hour study, currently of Revalation.

Sometimes things run just under or over, but this is a good basic.

I personally know that school was easy for me, as far as sitting, studying, being able to read, and I think part of that, was from remembering finding answers to questions, making comments, sitting at the Hall, talking with the older ones, learning to communicate with others.

If things seem a bit stressed, slow down, take time to write what is important to you in life, and go from there.

There is an old illustration about a jar of marbles. This person tried to fit abunch of small marbles in a jar,then a great big one, didn't work. However when he put the Big one in first, the little ones fit fine.

Hope this helps.

EDIT

In response to Nia, if you remember, quite often in the Bible we read of the importance of serving God, with our Children. It was often not easy, but they strived to. So clearly our time does matter to God.

Meanwhile, I get the feeling Unscilenced Goat thinks she is a Witness, which is odd since she says she isn't but then answers the questions directed to Witnesses, hmmm.

Answer 5

As Witnesses of Jehovah God,we have dedicated our LIVES to Him and the doing of His will.
We love our Heavenly Father and do not find meeting attendance to be a 'problem'.
The meetings are for our spiritual benefit and are for all the family.This is the richest time that a family can spend together.
Putting spiritual things first becomes a way of life for Witnesses and Jehovah God blesses us for it.
Recreation is not left out of the picture,but it does not take priority.
The meetings only take up 5 hours a week!!You spend more time in front of a tv or video game!! Where is the family involvement and growth in that?

Answer 6

No, of course not. There are only 5 hours (approx) of meetings a week. Sure, we have our field minstry where we spend time going door2door. True, we also have our FAMILY bible study where we include our children and teach them to obey, be thankful and love their Creator. We do set time aside for recreation; play at the park, enjoy parties 'just because' with our good friends (no need for special occasions), going to the movies if something good is out (which is rare), we shop w/ the kids.... i can go on and on...

Is it burdensome? No, definately not. Is burdensome to do something for someone you love? It will only be a burden to serve and give time to the God you worship if you don't have love for Him. It is more burdensome when we don't do what Jehovah asks of us.

yes, Jehovah does asks us to give time for him. His beloved nation of Israel where required to gather together and listen to Jehovah's teachings. So, yes, it is written in the Bible that gathering together to listen and take in instructions from God is essenstial to our worship.

Deut 31:9; Hebrews 10: 24.25; Romans 1: 11,12; Psalms 35:18......again...i can go on and on....

Answer 7

there are only 5 hours of meetings a week, and children are included in all of them, what is your problem?
by your logic then any thing you do that takes away time from your children should be avoided as child neglect right?
guess you can't watch the superbowl, or go to work or any other activity that is so destructive of the family core.

Answer 8

Give Jehovah a little of my time now, reap ETERNAL (endless time) in the long run.

It is good investment.

After all, Jesus did say "Keep on, then, seeking first the kingdom and his righteousness." (Matthew 6:33)

Part of seeking first that Kingdom is taking the time to learn about Jesus and Jehovah. As John 17:3 says: "This means everlasting life, their taking in knowledge of you, the only true God, and of the one whom you sent forth, Jesus Christ."

Part of that requires attending meetings. Hebrews 10:24, 25 tells us to "consider one another to incite to love and fine works, not forsaking the gathering of ourselves together, as some have the custom, but encouraging one another, and all the more so as you behold the day drawing near."

And we do not keep this to ourselves, but share it with others. -- Matthew 24:14; 28:19, 20.

God gave us life and the opportunity to live forever, seems we could give him the time he asks of us. I wish I had more time to devote to Him.

Answer 9

5 meetings a week..family bible study door to door service reading all f JW material...It is all consuming..Cults usually are...then you will be "Discouraged" from any outside activities for your kids..No plays..No sports..etc.

Another poster told you that Gods burden was easy and his load is light...this doesn't sound like Gods burden to me.


More people have died due to the JW blood Dogma tnhan all of the other cult deaths combined


That is not counting all of the failde peophecies....that is another chapter entirely.....
Your conscience is screaming STOP to you, it is time to listen.

go and get a Book called "Crisis of conscience" by Raymond Franz..He was in the governing body, and exposed what really goes on behind the closed doors of the WBTS..How much Money they are making, and how they are involved in all kinds of nonsence that the average Witness would be disfellowshipped for.

http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20071009071159AABrC7j&pa=FYd1D2bwHTHwLbtvF.M6QLNp8KyWPNn.reBNyRhTJFY3CA--&paid=asked&msgr_status=

Answer 10

My husband was destroyed by growing up in the family of JW's, we have disassociated ourselves and children from seeing them. They would tell him at 13 that they are not forcing him to do anything with the "truth", however if he didn't do all that was required he would be disfellowshiped and would have to leave the house, AT 13... Are you kidding me??!!?? What are you willing to put your children through? I beg of you that if you decide that this is right for you, at least let you children choose what is right for them, don't force it on them, they will eventually regret you for it.