2025 GB Update #5 - Putting to rest issues on “Higher” Education

[NW2020]

For the next few years we have several non witness grandkids in universities around the country.  For all the people they will be circulating with I am pleased that their chances might be greater that they run into spiritually strong witness kids.  ~  Matthew 9:37-38 🙂

[Andress]

On 8/25/2025 at 4:54 PM, ucastrobr said:

 

The bible is clear about it. 

Levicutus 19:28  “‘You must not make cuts in your flesh for a dead person, and you must not make tattoo markings on yourselves. I am Jehovah.

 

One thing is someone had tatoo before learning the Bible. Jehovah don't take consideration his(her) past. 

read this… a personal choice, but… depending on how and what you do beware that your reputation can be affected. Thats it, no more than that.

 

https://www.jw.org/en/bible-teachings/questions/bible-say-about-tattoos/

[chuck83]

I love these updates because Matthew 12:34-35 and Luke 6:45 come alive, people’s words reveal their heart.

 

These aren’t Mosaic concessions like divorce or slavery, and not Christendom’s compromise redefining morality. Even Jesus healed and let his disciples pluck grain on the Sabbath, showing mercy over rigid tradition.

 

These are simply shepherding refinements for unity...  beards, pants, ties, toasting, higher education. The real test isn’t the refinements, but our hearts reaction. 

I knew the brothers made a mistake...
I knew I was right when...

I did it any way because...

But they said and now I've missed...

 

I personally know a brother that went more than 20 years with a beard, missed out on assignments, and just attended the meetings and did some service because HE KNEW there was nothing wrong with beards. He's still doing the same thing after the announcement nor attempting to reach out and actually worse.

 

So Bible principles and maturity giving birth to discernment and love are being tested. It would've cost the sister her life in the Paradise fire for what she already thought she KNEW and DIDN'T DO anyway. Great Tribulation is coming... 🫣

[Doug]

19 hours ago, Shawnster said:

 

As to your remark about taking the direction from heaven, that troubles me. That gives me pause. The Governing Body are not infallible. They are not divinely inspired. There is no hotline straight to Jesus. There is no hole in the ceiling that opens straight to heaven. 

 

 

Br. Winder takes us through the process step-by-step in his talk "How Does the Light Get Brighter".

At 2:30 he states: "So, just with those two first points (1 Cor 2:10 and Mt 24:45) it's very clear to us how spiritual truth, new understanding, is communicated from heaven to earth, by means of holy spirit, through the channel of the faithful and discreet slave".

 

Galatians 2:2 Paul states that "As a result of a revelation he brought the matter to the brothers in Jerusalem".  So, Christ himself directed that this important doctrinal matter be settled by the brothers taking the lead."

 

Winder then adds "The process is not entirely different today.  When there is unanimous accord, the Governing Body takes that as Jehovah's direction."

 

We know it's not as easy as it sounds. As Br Winder added "We do the best we can".  But when the brothers get it right, especially on core beliefs, surely that direction came right from heaven, from Christ and Jehovah.  Less important matters that may need maintenance as the times change will get the attention needed, which also comes down from heaven, when needed.

[ucastrobr]

The age of AI is coming; higher education won't mean anything anymore. Everyone in the next decades will become unemployed and probably will receive Universal Basic Income (UBI) from the government.

 

Ecclesiastes 8:9 "During the time that man has dominated man to his harm."

 

 

 

Edited 19 hours ago by ucastrobr

[runner92]

On 8/22/2025 at 1:31 PM, Jwanon said:

 

 

They were never forbidden by the organization. It's individuals who have confused warning with proscription. 

 

The videos are telling the responsible brothers to stop imposing rules that the organization never gave. 

 

 

I think we've all seen the videos of students being offered a college scholarship & making the decision to turn it down & pioneer. There are so many examples of it. It was heavily suggested not attending was the more spiritual choice. 

 

As someone who went to college, I did wonder how I would be viewed because college was truly discouraged. I worried about how my parents would be viewed. I was worried my dad would also have to step down as an elder. While this didn't happen in my case, I knew of areas where it did happen. 

 

I appreciate this new video. Now it truly is left up to individual choice while still giving us guidance on the matter. It won't raise an almost automatic question mark about someone's spirituality. 

[Amygdala]

I was just talking to a sister from our neighboring German congregation who is a pioneer. She has a bible student with a girl from Turkmenistan, who, only after coming to Germany in 2 years went from not knowing the language to becoming the best student in class with top marks. When it came time to graduation, she told her worldly father that she didn‘t want to continue on with further education as she wanted to pioneer. The pioneer sister then asked and reasoned with the young sister about how she intends to support her pioneering for the future without specializing in anything. The young sister then reconsidered, and later the father thanked the sister. It ended up being a good witness to her family.

 

The GB is now setting the precedent that further education is a personal choice, and no it doesn‘t mean that doing so means one is being distracted, too busy to pioneer, not spiritual enough, or seeking greater things. What the GB is saying is count the cost, always keep the kingdom first as priority in life, and don‘t cause divisions by automatic judging who chooses to do so. Most likely for those who can‘t see the bigger picture will no doubt be slow at applying reasonableness, or despite clear direction, keep on judging. A good scripture to remember - Prov.28:5b

 

 

[Ivar]

2 hours ago, ucastrobr said:

The age of AI is coming; higher education won't mean anything anymore. Everyone in the next decades will become unemployed and probably will receive Universal Basic Income (UBI) from the government.

 

Ecclesiastes 8:9 "During the time that man has dominated man to his harm."

 

Even if that would be the case (which I doubt, see Will AI Make Universal Basic Income Inevitable?), you can still go to university for personal development. Especially the humanities are very interesting.