WEBVTT
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Hello, everyone.
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Welcome to our program!
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Today, we’re going to talk
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about secular education.
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Are you interested?
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Good.
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But first, here are a few updates.
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Since our last report,
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eight special conventions
were held in the following locations:
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Ghent, Belgium;
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Glasgow, Scotland;
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Zagreb, Croatia;
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Sacramento, United States;
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then another in Ghent;
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next, Kigali, Rwanda;
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Yokohama, Japan; and, finally,
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Fort Lauderdale, United States.
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How good it is to see the smiling faces
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and international unity
of our brothers and sisters!
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As we reflect on these happy occasions,
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you may wonder,
‘What’s ahead for future conventions?’
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Would you like to know the theme
for the 2026 convention series?
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It’s a good one.
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The theme is “Eternal Happiness.”
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Isn’t that nice?
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Also, we’re pleased to inform you
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that next year 19 international conventions
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will be held in 17 countries.
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In early September, details will be provided
through the congregations.
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As was recently mentioned
in the midweek meeting,
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in September, we’ll be busy sharing
in a worldwide campaign
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with The Watchtower
entitled “An End to War—How?”
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Can you think
of a more appropriate title than that?
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During September, the jw.org billboard
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will feature the campaign all month.
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So we can make good use
of that in our ministry.
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Have you been thinking
about auxiliary pioneering?
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If you do, you can choose
a 15- or 30-hour requirement.
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And here’s a question:
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Could you start the new service year
as a regular pioneer?
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Also, we’ll have a special talk
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with the same title
as the featured Watchtower:
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“An End to War—How?”
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The special talk will be presented
in most congregations
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the week of September 22.
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Now, for the rest of our update,
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we’re going to talk about
secular education.
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And we’ll be speaking primarily
to young ones and their parents,
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although we all can benefit
from this information.
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Many young people are asked,
“What do you want to do when you grow up?”
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Of course, the best career
is a life in full-time service.
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Even so, full-time servants
need to support themselves financially.
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In some places, it’s possible
to earn a decent living
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without getting further education.
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In other lands,
additional education is required
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if you hope to find employment
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that has reasonable hours
and that pays fairly well.
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In such cases, a brother
or sister may wonder:
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‘Should I get additional education?
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If so, what type?’
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Now, what do we mean
by “additional education”?
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This refers to any
secular education or training
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beyond the basic education
provided by the government.
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It includes courses offered by universities,
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colleges, apprenticeships, trade schools,
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technical schools, vocational training,
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short courses, and continuing education.
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Is it appropriate for Christians
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to pursue additional education?
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With this update, we’d like to clarify
our understanding:
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While there are dangers involved
in pursuing certain forms of education,
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basically, whether to obtain
additional education or not
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is a matter for personal decision.
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At Galatians 6:5, the Bible says:
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“For each one will carry
his own load of responsibility.”
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So each adult
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must make his or her own decision
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on whether to obtain additional education.
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Parents are also responsible for decisions
regarding their child’s education.
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And their guidance can prepare their child
to make wise decisions
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regarding education once he’s an adult.
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How can we make good decisions
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when considering additional education?
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Each adult Christian
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—and in the case of minor children,
each family head—
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should prayerfully consider
Bible principles
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and the unique factors involved
with a certain educational program
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before making the decision.
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And while an elder or a mature friend
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may discuss with us the pros and cons
about obtaining additional education,
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no Christian
—including the elders—
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should judge a fellow Christian’s
personal decision on this matter.
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Additional education
has advantages and disadvantages.
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What can help you
to make a wise decision?
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We find a good principle at Proverbs 14:15.
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It says in part:
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“The shrewd one ponders each step.”
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Pray about it.
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I’m going to repeat that.
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Pray about it.
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If you’re a young person,
talk about it with your parents.
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Then consider the following steps.
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First, analyze your motives.
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Second, analyze
what the education would involve.
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Let’s discuss these one at a time.
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First, analyze your motives.
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Ask yourself,
‘Why do I want this education?’
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Many people pursue education
so they can get a job that they’ll enjoy,
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one that pays better, or has better hours.
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Are these motives wrong?
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Not necessarily.
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For a Christian,
this could allow him to pioneer
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or share in other types
of full-time service.
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However, the Bible warns us
of the dangers of materialism
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or seeking security
in this system of things.
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If your motive
is to gain wealth or prestige,
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not only might you be left feeling empty
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but you could also
drift away from Jehovah.
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Nothing (I’m going to repeat this, nothing)
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should be more important to us
than serving Jehovah.
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So view any additional education
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as a way to help you support yourself
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while you focus your life
on serving God wholeheartedly.
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Remember what Jesus said,
as recorded at Matthew 6:33:
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“Keep on, then, seeking
[what’s the next word?]
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“first [first] the Kingdom
and his righteousness,
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and all these other things
will be added to you.”
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A sister named Josefina (or Josefina),
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who completed a course
to become a beautician,
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came to this conclusion; she said:
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“Secular studies were a means to help me
serve Jehovah as fully as possible.
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“Education had to revolve
around my spiritual goals,
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not the other way around.”
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Iris (or Iris),
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who completed a longer course
in the dental field, says:
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“Additional education
may have some advantages,
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but it will never give you
true success and satisfaction.”
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She adds: “The formula is simple:
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“If Jehovah is at the center of your life,
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then satisfaction and success
are guaranteed.”
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Yes, when our friendship with Jehovah
is the most important thing in our life,
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we’ll make decisions
that result in lasting happiness.
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A second step to make a wise decision
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is to analyze
what the education would involve.
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Could you support yourself
without further education?
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Many pioneers have been able to do so
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by finding part-time work.
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For example, Johanna
(or Johanna), from Finland,
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didn’t get any additional education.
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She says: “After school,
I started working part-time and pioneering.
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“I’ve had a variety of jobs,
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and I’ve seen how Jehovah always keeps
his promise to provide what we need.”
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If you and your parents
discuss this well in advance,
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you’ll have time to research
different options together.
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You may be able
to choose subjects at school
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that will prepare you
for your future employment or education.
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If you’re considering additional education,
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think about the time it will require.
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Will you still have time for your
spiritual routine and family obligations?
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Could your secular studies
leave you so mentally exhausted
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that you have no energy left
for meeting preparation or personal study?
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What about the length?
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How many months or years
will it take to complete?
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Ecclesiastes 12:1
encourages young ones:
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“Remember, then, your Grand Creator
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“in the days of your youth,
00:09:59.744 --> 00:10:02.581 line:90% position:50% align:center
“before the days of distress come
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“and the years arrive when you will say:
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‘I have no pleasure in them.’”
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If you’re young,
will the additional education
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allow you to give Jehovah your best,
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perhaps in the full-time service,
while you’re still young?
00:10:16.553 --> 00:10:20.807 line:90% position:50% align:center
Are there shorter education options
in the same field?
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Think also about practical considerations,
00:10:23.018 --> 00:10:26.605 line:90% position:50% align:center
like the location and the cost.
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You may be able to find
an educational program close to home.
00:10:30.817 --> 00:10:34.237 line:90% position:50% align:center
But what if you find a program
in another city?
00:10:34.237 --> 00:10:38.325 line:90% position:50% align:center
Or what if the education
requires you to live on campus?
00:10:38.325 --> 00:10:41.620 line:90% position:50% align:center
Be aware that moving away from your family
00:10:41.620 --> 00:10:45.832 line:90% position:50% align:center
poses a serious spiritual danger,
00:10:45.832 --> 00:10:49.085 line:90% position:50% align:center
especially if you’ll be living with relatives
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or others who don’t share your beliefs.
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If you choose to get additional education,
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could you do so while continuing
to live at home with your parents
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and even take a course online?
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Remember the principle Jesus stated,
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as recorded at Luke 14:28.
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He encouraged careful planning when he said:
00:11:10.857 --> 00:11:12.984 line:90% position:50% align:center
“Who of you wanting to build a tower
00:11:12.984 --> 00:11:15.904 line:90% position:50% align:center
“does not first sit down
and calculate the expense
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to see if he has enough to complete it?”
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In some lands,
additional education is inexpensive;
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it may even be paid for by the government.
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But in other countries,
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the same kind of education
may lead to years of debt.
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The best time to analyze these things
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is before pursuing additional education,
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not after we’ve already begun.
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There’s another factor to consider
00:11:42.847 --> 00:11:45.183 line:90% position:50% align:center
—the employment market.
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Will the courses you plan to take
actually help you to find a job?
00:11:49.646 --> 00:11:54.401 line:90% position:50% align:center
Most important, will they allow you
to put Kingdom interests first?
00:11:55.652 --> 00:11:59.197 line:90% position:50% align:center
Now, suppose you’ve prayerfully
analyzed your motives
00:11:59.197 --> 00:12:01.616 line:90% position:50% align:center
and the education itself.
00:12:01.616 --> 00:12:05.745 line:90% position:50% align:center
If you’re a young person, you’ve discussed
the available options with your parents.
00:12:05.745 --> 00:12:09.583 line:90% position:50% align:center
You’ve weighed the risks,
and you have a realistic plan.
00:12:10.417 --> 00:12:14.629 line:90% position:50% align:center
What if you’ve decided
to pursue some additional education?
00:12:15.505 --> 00:12:19.259 line:90% position:50% align:center
How can you remain close to Jehovah
during your studies?
00:12:20.385 --> 00:12:22.679 line:90% position:50% align:center
You’ll need to follow the inspired guidance
00:12:22.679 --> 00:12:24.931 line:90% position:50% align:center
recorded at Philippians 3:16.
00:12:24.931 --> 00:12:26.266 line:90% position:50% align:center
It says:
00:12:26.266 --> 00:12:28.893 line:90% position:50% align:center
“To the extent we have made progress,
00:12:28.893 --> 00:12:33.773 line:90% position:50% align:center
let us go on walking orderly
in this same course.”
00:12:33.773 --> 00:12:38.486 line:90% position:50% align:center
Now, the Greek verb rendered
“walking orderly in this same course”
00:12:38.486 --> 00:12:41.239 line:90% position:50% align:center
was often used in a military sense.
00:12:41.239 --> 00:12:45.619 line:90% position:50% align:center
The word describes
the unified marching of soldiers.
00:12:46.411 --> 00:12:48.872 line:90% position:50% align:center
If you decide to get additional education,
00:12:48.872 --> 00:12:52.292 line:90% position:50% align:center
you’ll need to keep marching forward
in Jehovah’s service,
00:12:52.292 --> 00:12:55.712 line:90% position:50% align:center
neither standing still nor retreating.
00:12:55.712 --> 00:12:58.173 line:90% position:50% align:center
What can help you do so?
00:12:58.173 --> 00:13:02.802 line:90% position:50% align:center
A key is to maintain
a healthy spiritual routine.
00:13:02.802 --> 00:13:06.306 line:90% position:50% align:center
Additional education
might place new demands on you.
00:13:06.306 --> 00:13:10.727 line:90% position:50% align:center
If you’re not careful, you could begin
to treat your service to Jehovah
00:13:10.727 --> 00:13:13.146 line:90% position:50% align:center
as of lesser importance.
00:13:13.146 --> 00:13:16.566 line:90% position:50% align:center
You could even start
to neglect your spiritual routine.
00:13:16.566 --> 00:13:21.237 line:90% position:50% align:center
You want to live the words
of 1 Corinthians 15:58:
00:13:21.237 --> 00:13:25.492 line:90% position:50% align:center
“Always [I repeat, always have]
00:13:25.492 --> 00:13:30.413 line:90% position:50% align:center
plenty to do in the work of the Lord,
knowing that your labor is not in vain.”
00:13:30.413 --> 00:13:32.415 line:90% position:50% align:center
Ask yourself,
00:13:32.415 --> 00:13:36.044 line:90% position:50% align:center
‘What plan do I have in place
to stay regular in my meeting attendance,
00:13:36.044 --> 00:13:38.296 line:90% position:50% align:center
ministry, and personal study?’
00:13:39.214 --> 00:13:44.260 line:90% position:50% align:center
View yourself as a servant of Jehovah first
and a student second.
00:13:45.720 --> 00:13:49.724 line:90% position:50% align:center
A sister named Samantha said:
“I promised myself
00:13:49.724 --> 00:13:54.104 line:90% position:50% align:center
“that if my education were ever to interfere
with my service to Jehovah,
00:13:54.104 --> 00:13:56.147 line:90% position:50% align:center
I would quit school.”
00:13:58.316 --> 00:14:02.821 line:90% position:50% align:center
Another important safeguard
is to protect your thinking abilities.
00:14:02.821 --> 00:14:07.117 line:90% position:50% align:center
Some courses might expose you
to “philosophy and empty deception,”
00:14:07.117 --> 00:14:10.620 line:90% position:50% align:center
including atheism and evolution.
00:14:10.620 --> 00:14:13.331 line:90% position:50% align:center
They could also promote
a spirit of self-reliance.
00:14:14.457 --> 00:14:19.504 line:90% position:50% align:center
At Proverbs 5:1, 2, the Bible warns:
“Guard your thinking abilities.”
00:14:20.380 --> 00:14:25.427 line:90% position:50% align:center
To guard your thinking ability, make sure
your Bible-based convictions are strong
00:14:25.427 --> 00:14:28.138 line:90% position:50% align:center
before you begin your additional education.
00:14:29.097 --> 00:14:33.476 line:90% position:50% align:center
Ask yourself such questions as:
‘Why do I believe in God?
00:14:34.602 --> 00:14:38.231 line:90% position:50% align:center
What convinces me
that the Bible’s moral standards are best?’
00:14:39.023 --> 00:14:41.735 line:90% position:50% align:center
If you proceed with additional education,
00:14:41.735 --> 00:14:44.946 line:90% position:50% align:center
continue to be a good student of God’s Word.
00:14:46.072 --> 00:14:51.119 line:90% position:50% align:center
Something else that’s crucial
while pursuing education is time management.
00:14:51.870 --> 00:14:54.914 line:90% position:50% align:center
Education may place
heavy demands on your time.
00:14:55.790 --> 00:14:57.834 line:90% position:50% align:center
If you don’t manage your time wisely,
00:14:57.834 --> 00:15:01.087 line:90% position:50% align:center
you could suffer from stress
or even burnout.
00:15:01.921 --> 00:15:03.965 line:90% position:50% align:center
How can you prevent that?
00:15:03.965 --> 00:15:07.135 line:90% position:50% align:center
Ephesians 5:15, 16 reminds us:
00:15:07.135 --> 00:15:09.053 line:90% position:50% align:center
“Keep strict watch . . . ,
00:15:09.053 --> 00:15:12.557 line:90% position:50% align:center
making the best use of your time.”
00:15:13.349 --> 00:15:17.061 line:90% position:50% align:center
As you get additional education,
regularly ask yourself:
00:15:17.061 --> 00:15:19.898 line:90% position:50% align:center
‘Is my schedule helping me to stay balanced
00:15:19.898 --> 00:15:24.027 line:90% position:50% align:center
‘—physically, spiritually, and academically—
00:15:24.027 --> 00:15:26.529 line:90% position:50% align:center
or is it time to make adjustments?’
00:15:27.363 --> 00:15:30.533 line:90% position:50% align:center
A final factor that will help you
to remain spiritually strong
00:15:30.533 --> 00:15:34.037 line:90% position:50% align:center
is to choose your associates wisely.
00:15:34.037 --> 00:15:36.498 line:90% position:50% align:center
If you decide to get additional education,
00:15:36.498 --> 00:15:40.376 line:90% position:50% align:center
your fellow students might try
to include you in their social life.
00:15:40.376 --> 00:15:43.546 line:90% position:50% align:center
However, you need to be cautious.
00:15:43.546 --> 00:15:46.508 line:90% position:50% align:center
Although you share a classroom
with your fellow students,
00:15:46.508 --> 00:15:49.302 line:90% position:50% align:center
you don’t share their values.
00:15:49.302 --> 00:15:51.387 line:90% position:50% align:center
And the more time you spend with them,
00:15:51.387 --> 00:15:54.641 line:90% position:50% align:center
the more their thinking can affect you.
00:15:55.683 --> 00:15:59.187 line:90% position:50% align:center
The Bible warns us
about the dangers of harmful association.
00:15:59.938 --> 00:16:02.232 line:90% position:50% align:center
Proverbs 13:20 says:
00:16:02.232 --> 00:16:05.693 line:90% position:50% align:center
“The one walking with the wise
will become wise,
00:16:05.693 --> 00:16:09.781 line:90% position:50% align:center
but the one who has dealings with the stupid
will fare badly.”
00:16:09.781 --> 00:16:12.742 line:90% position:50% align:center
Every month or so, ask yourself:
00:16:12.742 --> 00:16:16.371 line:90% position:50% align:center
‘Are my spiritual priorities still in focus?
00:16:16.371 --> 00:16:18.665 line:90% position:50% align:center
‘Is my schedule balanced?
00:16:18.665 --> 00:16:22.418 line:90% position:50% align:center
Are my Bible-based convictions strong?’
00:16:22.418 --> 00:16:25.880 line:90% position:50% align:center
Be alert to any warning signs,
and act quickly!
00:16:26.840 --> 00:16:31.886 line:90% position:50% align:center
Don’t let your education keep you
from giving priority to Jehovah’s service.
00:16:33.555 --> 00:16:36.140 line:90% position:50% align:center
So, what have we considered?
00:16:37.100 --> 00:16:40.270 line:90% position:50% align:center
Deciding whether or not
to pursue additional education
00:16:40.270 --> 00:16:42.522 line:90% position:50% align:center
is a personal matter.
00:16:42.522 --> 00:16:47.151 line:90% position:50% align:center
But remember, additional education
can have spiritual risks.
00:16:47.986 --> 00:16:50.113 line:90% position:50% align:center
How can you make a wise decision?
00:16:51.030 --> 00:16:53.950 line:90% position:50% align:center
Rely on Bible principles.
00:16:53.950 --> 00:16:57.078 line:90% position:50% align:center
Prayerfully
—I repeat, prayerfully—
00:16:57.078 --> 00:17:00.915 line:90% position:50% align:center
analyze your motives
and the type of education involved.
00:17:00.915 --> 00:17:02.917 line:90% position:50% align:center
If you’re a young person,
00:17:02.917 --> 00:17:06.004 line:90% position:50% align:center
discuss the available options
with your parents.
00:17:07.171 --> 00:17:10.133 line:90% position:50% align:center
If you decide to pursue
additional education,
00:17:10.133 --> 00:17:13.469 line:90% position:50% align:center
what can help you
to remain spiritually strong?
00:17:13.469 --> 00:17:16.306 line:90% position:50% align:center
Keep a good spiritual routine,
00:17:16.306 --> 00:17:21.019 line:90% position:50% align:center
protect your thinking,
manage your time carefully,
00:17:21.019 --> 00:17:24.480 line:90% position:50% align:center
and choose your associates wisely.
00:17:25.440 --> 00:17:27.942 line:90% position:50% align:center
Always remember your goal.
00:17:27.942 --> 00:17:31.738 line:90% position:50% align:center
Your goal is, not to achieve worldly success,
00:17:31.738 --> 00:17:34.908 line:90% position:50% align:center
but to bring glory to Jehovah.
00:17:36.117 --> 00:17:41.164 line:90% position:50% align:center
Brothers and sisters,
please know that we love you all very much.
00:17:41.998 --> 00:17:44.792 line:90% position:50% align:center
From the World Headquarters
of Jehovah’s Witnesses,
00:17:44.792 --> 00:17:48.630 line:90% position:50% align:center
this is JW Broadcasting®!