I did go so you didn't have to. It was an entertaining and incredibly sad experience... anyway ! Here are some notes I have managed to take in between all of the crying and laughing as well as occasional mental breakdown. Enjoy! ( my comments are in bold)
Theme : Safeguard Your Mind – Matt.22:37 Saturday
10:00 Think God's Thoughts, Not Man's
Matt 22:37,38
God is a source of life , we are nothing without him. We need to love him. Human thinking is not always wrong, but only right when in line with God's thinking. It is our human nature to make excuses, that is why we should try to fall in line with God's thinking.
( off to an easy start... for me from the beginning the whole programme was screaming 'WE KNOW THE TRUTH, INGORE EVERYTHING ELSE, JUST READ OUR MAGAZINES, GIVE US MONEY SO WE CAN CONTINUE TO FEED YOU, OBEY AND DON'T QUESTION'... but hey... that could have been just me)
Matt 16:23
Our culture ( upbringing ) getting in way of God's thinking. In some cultures alcoholism is not condemned and seen as natural (Scotland), men not being heads of their houses (China), wedding and funeral rituals not in line with the scriptural instructions (Africa).
Ezk . 18:25
Example of Moses who adjusted his life to God's standards even though he had an Egyptian upbringing .
We are Jehovah's Witnesses first. That should be our culture.
Peter also made arrangements to correct his thinking.
We don't want our human thinking to control us.
(Again... the trap of giving you the false sense of security. You don't want to be dependent on HUMAN thinking... do you? Here come to us... we shall do all of the thinking for you...)
10:20 Theocratic ministry school
Took a break from taking notes... I knew I had to retain some energy and willpower to live if I were to be there a whole day.
11:00 Lifting the Veil That Blinds the Mind
Bad illustrations of conspiracy theories. How even if they turned out to be true, they would not have any impact on our lives. And how we all live in a world , where a few conspiracy theories actually do have an affect on us, and they are widely accepted as facts (alluding to Satan's lies).
2 Cor 4:3,4
Veil (conspiracy theories ) – atheism, trinity, hell doctrine, immortality of the soul , materialism.
2 Cor 3:14-16
We should be using sound reasoning. And while talking to people, have as a goal revealing those conspiracy theories, but perhaps maybe not in a too direct way.
How to deal with the veil ? Acts 17:2-4
Reason form the scriptures to explain the matters. Don't do the thinking for others, let them think for themselves. Motivate others do find answers. Reach hearts
( yes ... I found that particularly ironic )
2 Cor 3:18
Observe Jehovah's way so you can reflect him in your life
Everyone should do as much as they can (pioneer preferably) to help to lift the veil of people stuck in Satan's system.
(Throughout the talks you will notice this 'suggestion' popping up more often than it should)
2 Cor 5:20,21
11:25 Dedication and Baptism
'Come and inherit the Kingdom'
How to get that invitation? 4 conditions:
Actively assist Christ's brothers (the annointed )
Be conscious of spiritual needs
Fine Christian conduct
Endure persecution
Matt 25:40 – what we do to the anointed has a similar notion to how we would treat Christ.
We help them through preaching . If it wasn't for the other sheep, Good News of the Kingdom would not have been preaching so many countries (many of them with limited resources) and the message itself would not have been translated into almost 500 languages. 1,6 billion hours in the ministry . Success in the ministry depends on us being faithful. Also we should always be people conscious, ready to preach at any given opportunity . Remember that after being baptised there are plenty of ways to improve your life (auxiliary pioneering, regular pioneering, bethel service, international building committee).
Beggars for the spirit . Society tells us to read and meditate on God's work daily.
Ps 1:1,2 .
Regular study programme , regular prayer.
Phil 4:6,7. Meeting attendance not option, it's a must.
Change our ways in order to be baptised .
1 Cor 6:9-11 be selective when it comes to entertainment and friends
2 Tim 2:20,21.
Persecution may frighten us.
Matt 5:10
We endure – we are happy . Persecution may take various forms – does not have to involve physical abuse. Words hurt just as bad.
Heb 12:3 – Jesus' example
Me must remember that the example of our endurance may cause the persecutor to see 'the truth '.
1 Pet 3:15
(So essentially... Do a lot of work for us... so you don't have the time and the energy to think about what you are doing. Be happy when you are being persecuted, as that shall prove to you, that you are doing the right thing!)
13:45 – Symposium: Keep This Mental Attitude
Readiness of Mind
Rom 15:5,6
Example of soldiers in a tent. Where one puts his armour on the side and goes to sleep, the other one stands by the edge of the tent all dressed up, alert and ready to take a course of action.
Ps. 40 :7,8 – Jesus' attitude (but David's words)
Example of Jesus witnessing to the Samaritan woman by the well. As we study the gospels we can see that Jesus' ministry has intensified towards the end of his life.
1 Pet. 3:15
We use every opportunity to witness to people (Shine our spiritual light).
Demonstration: two women in a cue , waiting to pay for the groceries. One of them starts talking about the child abuse case she was reading about in the newspaper . On the first occasion 'sister' does nothing. In the replay of the scene she says she might have an answer to why that kind of things happen.
(I was finally aware of the ignorance I was surrounded by. No one knew about the Candace Conti case...)
Ps. 110:3
Lowliness of Mind
Php . 2:3 - meek, low self esteem, thinking of someone more worthy, no ego.
Php . 2:5,6
Jesus being content in the view, of being in a position below his father. Lowliness in a form of being an earthling man. Died as a human.
Jesus was not letting his ego to get in the way of completing his task. Wasn't to proud and encouraged others to go to the synagogues as it was required of them. Viewed others as superior to him sometimes (ex of washing feet of the apostles ).
Ministry – need to put ourselves in a similar state of mind. We are like slaves. Kingdom Hall duties – examine why we want to be used by Jehovah in the congregation . Reaching out for praise, or are we prepared to deal with mundane duties humbly.
While being counselled, we should not let our pride to get in a way of receiving instructions .
(More instructions on how to quieten your thinking abilities. Don't question us. Even if we are punishing you for something that you either haven't done, or there are no clear instruction about)
1 Peter 5:5
Oneness of Mind
Php 2:2
Same mind, same love, same soul and same thoughts. Differences of conscience is natural as we are different human beings, but what is needed? Unity of purpose and action. Jesus and Jehovah – a perfect example of unity. Jesus being the reflection of Jehovah.
John 12:49,50
Prayers are one of the signs of their unity.
John 12:27,28
Jesus was aware of his responsibilities . Even though his human feelings were making him feel anxious he was still willing to go through with his purpose.
1 Cor 1:10
To be united , we no need to just act, but also think in unity. Accept everything that is provided to us by the Faithful and Discreet Slave class. Shouldn't question. Accept everything at the face value. Ignore things not organisation -created. Apostates are like poison.
If the heart is sincere we will understand everything.
Interview with a brother , who had a problem with the cancellation of the bible/book studies during the working week. We should be obedient. F&D slave serves food at the right and proper time.
Remember : 'Listen, Obey and be Blessed'
(In a way... Almost military like exercise. We shall break you and make you new. So there is no individuality. Just faces and voices proclaiming the same message)
Soundness of Mind
Ability to declare something , doesn't make it true.
2 Tim 1:7
Ministry of Jesus. Concentration in moving in one direction to achieve his goal, was viewed badly by his family and friends. Wisdom is proved righteous by it's works . Clarity of his teachings showed the soundness of his mind .
Luke 4:6
Jesus rejected kingdoms of this world offered to him by Satan. That shows the soundness of his mind. He did an estimate of whatever he was offered and what he already knew he possessed.
People that we are surrounded by. Do they overvalue this world?
Illustration of a luxurious cruiser to a life boat. Would it still be wise to be in luxury if the cruiser was sinking? It would show soundness of mind if we headed to the tiny lifeboat.
Eph 5:15,16
Interview with a sister . University opportunity. Did well at school but decided to pursue spiritual goals. Rejected offers of further academical opportunities . Stated that studying Jehovah is not limiting nor is it limited . Found true friends in the faith.
(I found this particularly sad. Potential wasted. Blissful in ignorance, stuck in an illusion, gleefully awaiting death of oneself and others, surrounded by people conditionally loving you)
Titus 2:12
We should not be individual in sense of acting different just for the sake of it, or to show rebelious spirit. If Jehovah says something, we should not add to it.
Romans 15:5
14:55 – Meditation That Safeguards the Mind
Meditation – deep contemplating , thinking about something important.
Ps 77:12
Ps 94:19
By meditating on Jehovah's words, we focus our attention away from bad thoughts. Think deeply on God's words to root out things that may be bad for us.
Worldly philosophies do not include God. World promotes bad entertainment. Propagates the views of Satan. We need to be careful with what we may put into our minds . Talking about magic and the occult may start affecting our thinking . If we are not careful we may fall into the trap of the consumerism .
Jer 45:5
Material things will be destroyed in large during the great tribulation.
There are four benefits of simple meditation
Helps to build knowledge to help trials or when it comes to making a difficult decision .
John 14:26
If you put something in your mind, holy spirit will help you with getting it out of there
when you may need it.
Enables us to be positive when faced with negative surroundings.
Ps 63:6 – David during sleepless nights, prayed in anxiety.
Allows us to make wise decisions.
Proverbs 15:28 – meditate and apply the law.
We should encourage children to have a career in Jehovah's organisation . It is the highest
education you can get. We know the dangers of the worldly , so called, higher education.
6-8 hours daily in the influence of worldly views and philosophies, day in and day out.
Trust that Jehovah will care for you.
Meditating fosters spiritual advancement
1 Tim 4:15
Ps 19:14
15:25 - Who Moulds Your Thinking?
Brain – mind is an amazing faculty, far more superior to any machine or a computer. That is because it can think. It can reason. Whatever we store in our minds , has an affect on our relationship with Jehovah.
Bodywork of a car is moulded into shape by pressure. Jelly can be formed into whatever person may want to by applying heat. Sometimes both can be used in other instances.
We need to be careful as to not reach an information overload. In today's world, we can have all of the information and it's ideas at the reach of our fingertips (smart phones, laptops etc )
Proverbs 2:10-15
We should avoid being moulded by this world. Guard the gates of our minds (eyes and ears - in that order)
Ps 101:3
As a kid you always after watching a film or a tv programme , you act out scenes from those with your friends while you play. Everything we put into our minds has an affect on our thinking and personality.
Eph 5:3,4
Apostates – are they representing humanity’s thinking? Or God's? They use cunning and smooth speech. Don't allow your mind to become corrupted.
We should , as the scripture says , put every thought into captivity.
Heb 3:4 – whenever we show that verse to evolutionists, they never know what to say, but if they persist in their views, we should walk away.
(I found this statement quite profound and disturbing. Speaker was also saying about us using only logic while dealing with the subject of evolution.. the only logical conclusion from that verse would be as follows: house had a constructor - God created everything - who created God ? ... otherwise it is just a case of special pleading)
Phil 4:8, 9
Jehovah wants to mould us into perfect people.
End of day 1