Education
*** Kingdom Ministry June 2001 for week starting July 2nd 2001 ***
[Scan Available!]
15 min: Youths—Be Wise in Choosing Your Career. This is the first of
three Service Meeting parts that will review Scriptural principles relates to supplemental education.
Some Christian youths are pursuing secular careers through higher education,
which is having a negative impact on their spirituality. This part is a discussion
between two parents and their teenage son or daughter. The youth is at a point where a serious
decision needs to be made about future goals. Although some may want to pursue financial
advantages, prestige, or comforts of life, the family examine the Bible to see what it
recommends. (See Young People Ask, pages 174-5; The Watchtower, August 15, 1997, page 21, and
September 1, 1999, pages 19-21, paragraphs 1-3 and 5-6.) The youth agrees that it is wise
to pursue a course in life that will serve him or her well in achieving theocratic goals to
advance Kingdom interests.
[Emphasis Added]
*** Kingdom Ministry April 1999 p.8 ***
"What Should I Do?"
1 As a youth approaching adulthood, you might ask, 'What should I do with my life?' Christian youths want to expand their service to Jehovah in the ministry. But how can you do this while taking on the responsibilities of adulthood, which include providing for your own material needs? Finding the answer may not be easy.
2 Some youths become anxious when they look at the world's economic situation and the forecasts for the future. They wonder: 'Should I pursue additional secular education? Should I enter the full-time service right away?' In order to make the right decision, a person needs to answer this question honestly, 'What is my foremost interest in life?' He must examine his motives.
3 What have you cultivated as your prime concern during your youth? Are you mainly interested in seeking financial advantage, or do you really want to use your life to advance Kingdom interests? A university degree does not guarantee success in the job market. As an alternative, many have acquired marketable job skills by means of apprenticeship programs, some vocational or technical school education, or short-term college courses that require a minimum of time and involvement.
4 Take Jehovah at His Word: An all-important fact to consider is the assurance from Jehovah God that he will provide for those who put Kingdom interests first in life. (Matt. 6:33) This is not an idle promise. Many brothers attending the Ministerial Training School earned college degrees prior to learning the truth. But what were they doing for secular work? Very few were pursuing the career for which they had been educated. Many were working in service-oriented fields, caring very well for their
financial needs while pioneering. By expanding their activity in the ministry, they are receiving blessings far beyond anything monetary.
5 In deciding what you should do after graduation from high school, weigh all the factors and examine your motives carefully. For a balanced view of your choices, consider such information as appeared in Awake! of March 8, 1998, pages 19-21. Speak with your parents, the elders, your circuit overseer, and successful pioneers in your area. That will help you make a wise decision about what you should do with your life.—Eccl. 12:1, 13.
[Emphasis Added]
*** Watchtower November 1 1992 pp.17-21 Education With a Purpose ***
Education With a Purpose
[...]
Adequate Education
8 This seems, therefore, to be an appropriate time to consider the Christian's attitude toward secular
education. What Bible principles bear on this subject? First, in most countries proper submission
to "Caesar" requires Christian parents to send their children to school. (Mark 12:17; Titus 3:1)
As for young Witnesses, in their schoolwork they should remember Colossians 3:23, which states:
"Whatever you are doing, work at it whole-souled as to Jehovah, and not to men." A second principle
involved is that Christians should be able to support themselves, even if they are full-time pioneer
ministers. (2 Thessalonians 3:10-12) If married, a man should be able to provide properly for his
wife and any children that may be born, with a little extra to give to those in need and to support
the local and worldwide preaching work.—Ephesians 4:28; 1 Timothy 5:8.
9 How much education does a young Christian need in order to respect these Bible principles
and meet his Christian obligations? This varies from country to country. By and large, however,
it seems that the general trend in many lands is that the level of schooling required to earn
decent wages is now higher than it was a few years ago. Reports received from branches of the
Watch Tower Society in different parts of the world indicate that in many places it is difficult
to find jobs with decent wages after completing simply the minimum schooling required by law or
in some countries even after finishing secondary or high school.
10 What is meant by "decent wages"? It does not indicate highly paid jobs. Webster's Dictionary
defines "decent" in this context as "adequate, satisfactory." What might be termed "adequate," for
instance, for those who wish to be pioneer ministers of the good news? Such ones generally need
part-time work to avoid putting "an expensive burden" upon their brothers or their family.
(1 Thessalonians 2:9) Their wages might be termed "adequate," or "satisfactory," if what they
earn allows them to live decently while leaving them sufficient time and strength to
accomplish their Christian ministry.
11 What is often the situation today? It has been reported that in some countries many
well-intentioned youngsters have left school after completing the minimum required schooling
in order to become pioneers. They had no trade or secular qualifications. If they were not
helped by their parents, they had to find part-time work. Some have had to accept jobs that
required them to work very long hours to make ends meet. Becoming physically exhausted, they
gave up the pioneer ministry. What can such ones do to support themselves and get back into
the pioneer service?
A Balanced View of Education
12 A balanced view of education can help. For many young people of the world, education
is a status symbol, something to help them climb the social ladder, the key to a prosperous,
materialistic life-style. For others, schooling is a chore to be dispensed with as quickly as
possible. Neither of these views is appropriate for true Christians. What, then, might be termed
"a balanced view"? Christians should regard education as a means to an end. In these last days,
their purpose is to serve Jehovah as much and as effectively as possible. If, in the country
where they live, minimal or even high school education will only allow them to find jobs providing
insufficient income to support themselves as pioneers, then supplementary education or training
might be considered. This would be with the specific goal of full-time service.
13 Some have taken training courses that have opened up job opportunities enabling them to
engage in or resume full-time service. One sister in the Philippines was the family breadwinner, but
she wanted to pioneer. The branch reports: "She has been able to do this because she has received
additional education to qualify as a certified public accountant." The same branch report stated:
"We have quite a number who are studying and at the same time have been able to arrange their schedules
to pioneer. Generally they become better publishers as they are more studious, provided they do not
become overly ambitious in worldly pursuits." The last remark should give us reason to reflect. The
purpose of the extra schooling, where this seems necessary, must not be lost sight of or change into
a materialistic goal.
14 In a few countries, secondary schools provide vocational training that can prepare a young
Christian for some trade or occupation by the time of graduation. Even when this is not the case,
in some lands enterprising youngsters with only basic schooling do find part-time work that enables
them to earn enough to pioneer. So no hard-and-fast rules should be made either for or against extra
education.
15 Many who are now serving in responsible positions as traveling overseers, at the
Society's headquarters, or in one of the branches had only basic education. They were
faithful pioneers, never stopped learning, received training, and have been entrusted
with greater responsibilities. They have no regrets. On the other hand, some of their
contemporaries chose to get a university education and fell by the wayside, subjugated
by the faith-destroying philosophies and "wisdom of this world."—1 Corinthians 1:19-21; 3:19, 20;
Colossians 2:8.
Counting the Cost
16 Who decides whether a young Christian should undertake further education or training?
The Bible principle of headship comes into play here. (1 Corinthians 11:3; Ephesians 6:1) On this
basis parents will surely want to guide their children in the choice of a trade or occupation and
consequently in the amount of education that will be needed. In many countries educational and
occupational choices have to be made early on during secondary education. That is the time when
Christian parents and youths need to seek Jehovah's direction in making a wise choice, with Kingdom
interests uppermost in mind. Young people have different propensities and aptitudes. Wise parents
will take these into account. All honest work is honorable, be it blue-collar or white-collar.
While the world may elevate office work and disparage working hard with one's hands, the Bible
certainly does not. (Acts 18:3) So when parents and young Christians today, after carefully and
prayerfully weighing the pros and cons, decide for or against postsecondary studies, others in
the congregation should not criticize them.
17 If Christian parents responsibly decide to provide their children with further education
after high school, that is their prerogative. The period of these studies would vary according
to the type of trade or occupation selected. For financial reasons and in order to enable their
children to get into the full-time service as quickly as possible, many Christian parents have
chosen for them short-term study programs in vocational or technical schools. In some cases
youths have needed to be apprenticed to some trade but always with a full life of service to
Jehovah as the goal.
18 If additional courses are taken, certainly the motive should not be to shine scholastically
or to carve out a prestigious worldly career. Courses should be chosen with care. This magazine has
placed emphasis on the dangers of higher learning, and justifiably so, for much higher education
opposes the "healthful teaching" of the Bible. (Titus 2:1; 1 Timothy 6:20, 21) Further, since the
1960's, many schools of advanced learning have become hotbeds of lawlessness and immorality. "The
faithful and discreet slave" has strongly discouraged entering that kind of environment. (Matthew
24:12, 45) It must be admitted, however, that nowadays youngsters meet up with these same dangers
in high schools and technical colleges and even in the workplace.—1 John 5:19.
19 Should supplementary education be decided upon, a young Witness would do well, if
at all possible, to take this while living at home, thus being able to maintain normal Christian
study habits, meeting attendance, and preaching activity. At the outset a proper stand should
also be taken on Bible principles. It should be remembered that Daniel and his three Hebrew
companions were captives in exile when they were obliged to undertake advanced studies in Babylon,
but they consistently kept their integrity. (Daniel, chapter 1) While placing spiritual interests
first, young Witnesses in a number of countries have taken courses to equip themselves for part-time
work as accountants, tradesmen, teachers, translators, interpreters, or other occupations that
supported them adequately in their primary career of pioneering. (Matthew 6:33) A number of these
youths have later become traveling overseers or Bethel volunteers.
A United, Educated People
20 Among Jehovah's people, whether a person's occupation is white-collar, blue-collar,
farming, or services, all need to be good students of the Bible and able teachers. Skills
acquired by all in reading, studying, and teaching tend to dispel the distinction that the
world makes between manual and office workers. This makes for the unity and mutual respect
that is particularly visible among the volunteer workers in Bethel homes and on Watch Tower
Society construction sites, where spiritual qualities are all-important and required of all.
Here, experienced office personnel work joyfully with skilled manual workers, all displaying
appreciative love for one another.—John 13:34, 35; Philippians 2:1-4.
21 Parents, guide your children toward the goal of becoming useful members of the new
world society! Young Christians, use your opportunities for education as a means of equipping
you to lay hold more fully on your privileges in serving Jehovah! As taught ones, may all of
you prove to be well-equipped members of the theocratic society both now and everlastingly in
God's promised "new earth."—2 Peter 3:13; Isaiah 50:4; 54:13; 1 Corinthians 2:13.
[Emphasis Added]
*** Awake! May 8 1989 pp.13-14 What Career Should I Choose? ***
University Education—Advantageous?
Most pioneer ministers support themselves with part-time work. But what if later on you need
to support a family? Surely one would never regret devoting one's youthful years to God's service!
Still, some ask, Would it not make sense for a youth first to obtain a university degree and perhaps
pursue the ministry later?
The Bible, of course, does not spell out exactly how many years of schooling a Christian youth
should obtain. Nor does it condemn education. Jehovah, the "Grand Instructor," encourages his people
to read well and to express themselves clearly. (Isaiah 30:20; Psalm 1:2; Hebrews 5:12) Moreover,
education can broaden our understanding of people and the world we live in.
Nevertheless, is a university degree always worth the huge commitment of time and money it
demands? While statistics indicate that university graduates earn higher salaries and suffer less
unemployment than high school graduates, the book Planning Your College Education reminds us that
these statistics are mere averages. Only a minority of university graduates actually receive sky-high
salaries; the rest are paid wages that are far more down to earth. Besides, the high incomes attributed
to university graduates may also result from such factors as "unusual abilities, motivation, area
opportunities for employment, . . . special talents"—not simply the amount of their education.
"A [university] degree no longer guarantees success in the job market," says the U.S. Department
of Labor. "The proportion [of university graduates] employed in professional, technical, and managerial
occupations . . . declined because these occupations did not expand rapidly enough to absorb the
growing supply of graduates. As a result, roughly 1 out of 5 [university] graduates who entered the
labor market between 1970 and 1984 took a job not usually requiring a degree. This oversupply of
graduates is likely to continue through the mid-1990's."
Further Facts to Ponder
A university degree may or may not improve your employment prospects. But one fact is
indisputable: "The time left is reduced"! (1 Corinthians 7:29) For all its presumed benefits,
would four years or more in a university be the best use of that remaining time?—Ephesians 5:16.
Would a university education steer you toward or away from your spiritual goals? Remember,
a high income is not a Christian priority. (1 Timothy 6:7, 8) Yet, a survey of U.S. university
administrators described today's students as 'career-oriented, concerned with material success,
concerned with self.' One group of students said: "It seems like all we talk about is money."
How might being immersed in an atmosphere of intense competition and selfish materialism affect you?
Universities may no longer have the riotous scenes of the 1960's. But a decrease in university
bedlam hardly means the campus environment is wholesome. Concluded one study of campus life:
"Students still have almost unlimited freedom in personal and social matters." Drugs and alcohol
are used freely, and promiscuity is the rule—not the exception. If this is true of universities in
your land, might living there thwart your efforts to remain morally clean?—1 Corinthians 6:18.
Another concern is the well-documented association of exposure to higher education with
decreased "adherence to core religious tenets." (The Sacred in a Secular Age) The pressure to
maintain high grades has caused some Christian youths to neglect spiritual activities and thus
become vulnerable to the onslaught of secular thinking promoted by universities. Some have
suffered shipwreck concerning their faith.—Colossians 2:8.
Alternatives to University Education
In view of these facts, many Christian youths have decided against a university education.
Many have found that the training offered in congregations of Jehovah's Witnesses—the weekly
Theocratic Ministry School in particular—has given them a real edge in finding employment.
Though not possessing a university degree, such youths learn to be poised, adept at expressing
themselves, and quite capable of handling responsibility. Furthermore, while in secondary school,
some take courses in typing, computer programming, auto repair, machine-shop work, and so forth.
Such skills may lend themselves to part-time employment and are often in high demand. And though
many youths disdain 'working with their hands,' the Bible dignifies doing "hard work." (Ephesians 4:28)
Why, Jesus Christ himself learned a trade so well that he came to be called "the carpenter"!—Mark 6:3.
True, in some lands university graduates have so flooded the job market that it is hard to obtain
even commonplace jobs without additional training. But often there are apprenticeship programs,
vocational or technical schools, and short-term university courses that teach marketable skills
with a minimum investment of time and money. Also, there is a factor that employment statistics
do not take into account: God's promise to provide for those who give priority to spiritual
interests.—Matthew 6:33.
Employment prospects and educational systems vary from place to place. Youths have different
abilities and inclinations. And while a career in the Christian ministry is recommended as being
beneficial, it is still a matter of personal choice. You and your parents must thus carefully
weigh all factors involved in deciding how much education is right for you. 'Each one must carry
his own load' in making such decisions.—Galatians 6:5.
If, for example, your parents insist that you attend a university, you have no choice but to
obey them as long as you are living under their supervision. (Ephesians 6:1-3) Perhaps you can
continue living at home and avoid getting caught up in the university scene. Be selective in
your choice of courses, for example, focusing on learning job skills rather than worldly
philosophies. Guard your associations. (1 Corinthians 15:33) Keep yourself spiritually strong
by meeting attendance, field service, and personal study. Some youths who have been obliged to
attend university have even managed to pioneer by choosing a schedule of courses that made that possible.
Choose your career carefully and prayerfully, so that it not only will bring personal happiness
but will enable you to 'store up treasures in heaven.'—Matthew 6:20.
[Emphasis Added]
*** Watchtower September 1 1975 p.543 Questions from Readers ***
Questions from Readers
• How many years of secular education are
advisable for children in Christian households?
Today, there are many teenage baptized servants of Jehovah…
how far should they go with a secular education?
It would hardly be consistent for such a youth, of his own choice, to
pursue extensive secular studies beyond what is required by the law
and by his parents… additional years of
college education may present snares.
[Emphasis Added]
*** Awake! 1969 May 22 p.15 ***
If you are a young person, you also need to face the fact that you
will never grow old in this present system of things. Why not? Because
all the evidence in fulfillment of Bible prophecy indicates that this corrupt
system is due to end in a few years.
Of the generation that observed the beginning of the 'last days'
in 1914, Jesus foretold: 'This generation will by no means pass away until all
these things occur.' Therefore, as a young person, you will never fulfill any career
that this system offers. If you are in high school and thinking about a
college education, it means at least four, perhaps even six or eight more years
to graduate into a specialized career. But where will this system of things be
by that time? It will be well on the way
towards its finish, if not actually gone! This is why parents who base
their lives on God's prophetic Word find it much more practical to direct their
young ones into trades that do not require such long periods of additional
schooling… True, those who do not understand where we are in the stream of time
from God's viewpoint will call this impractical. But which is really practical:
preparing yourself for a position in this world that soon will pass away? or
working toward surviving this system's end and enjoying eternal life in God's
righteous new order?
[Emphasis Added]
*** Watchtower 1969 March 15 p.171 What Influences Decisions in Your Life? ***
12 The influence and spirit of this world is to get ahead, to make a name for oneself.
Many schools now have student counselors who encourage one to pursue higher education
after high school, to pursue a career with a future in this system of things.
Do not be influenced by them. Do not let them "brainwash" you with the Devil's
propaganda to get ahead, to make something of yourself in this world. This world
has very little time left! Any "future" this world offers is no future! Wisely,
then, let God's Word influence you in selecting a course that will result in
your protection and blessing. Make pioneer service, the full-time ministry, with
the possibility of Bethel or missionary service your goal. This is a life that
offers an everlasting future!
[Emphasis Added]
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