Tell your Tribond what you know about Jehovah Witnesses Hey SENIORS! Tell your Tribond what you know about Jehovah Witnesses

SENIORS… Monday start-up Pray with your Tribond 2-3 minutes– have the person who is in the longest dating relationship pray first.

THIS WEEK IN SYSTEMATIC THEOLOGY MONDAY TUESDAY WEDNESDAY THURSDAY FRIDAY JEHOVAH’S WITNESSES WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE FROM MORMONISM? J-DUB OVERVIEW SPECIAL GUEST President of Colorado Christian to talk about preparing for college. MEMORY VERSE PRESENTATION GROUP 6 PSALMS 139:13,14 JEHOVAH’S WITNESSES JESUS DEATH YOUR DEATH REACHING ‘EM HALF DAY Teachers In-Service

Mormons Jehovah’s Witnesses 4

Elohim is one of many gods Jehovah is the only true God Mormons Jehovah’s Witnesses Elohim is one of many gods Jehovah is the only true God 5

Elohim is one of many gods Jehovah is the only true God Mormons Jehovah’s Witnesses Elohim is one of many gods Jehovah is the only true God The Bible is one of several Scriptures The Bible is the only Scripture 6

Elohim is one of many gods Jehovah is the only true God Mormons Jehovah’s Witnesses Elohim is one of many gods Jehovah is the only true God The Bible is one of several Scriptures The Bible is the only Scripture Man can become a God after this life Man can never achieve Godhood 7

Mormons Jehovah’s Witnesses 8

Jesus was created by God Mormons Jehovah’s Witnesses Jesus was created by God 9

Jesus was created by God Mormons Jehovah’s Witnesses Jesus was created by God Salvation by works 10

Review with your Tribond Hey SENIORS! Review with your Tribond theological differences between the Mormons and the Jehovah’s Witnesses

THE JEHOVAH’S WITNESSES

(Watchtower Bible & Tract Society) JEHOVAH’S WITNESSES (Watchtower Bible & Tract Society) Founder- Charles Taze Russell (1852-1916)

(Watchtower Bible & Tract Society) JEHOVAH’S WITNESSES (Watchtower Bible & Tract Society) Key writings- Bible (New World Translation only)

(Watchtower Bible & Tract Society) The New World (Mis)Translation? JEHOVAH’S WITNESSES (Watchtower Bible & Tract Society) The New World (Mis)Translation? For years the JW’s desired to keep the members of its translating committee a secret so as to remain “anonymous and humble”

(Watchtower Bible & Tract Society) The New World (Mis)Translation? JEHOVAH’S WITNESSES (Watchtower Bible & Tract Society) The New World (Mis)Translation? When the identities of the 5 primary translators became known to the public in the 1950’s, it became evident that they were highly unqualified:

(Watchtower Bible & Tract Society) The New World (Mis)Translation? JEHOVAH’S WITNESSES (Watchtower Bible & Tract Society) The New World (Mis)Translation? - 4 of the 5 had no language training (only a HS education) - the 5th member had no theological training (dropped out of college after his sophomore year)

(Watchtower Bible & Tract Society) The New World (Mis)Translation? JEHOVAH’S WITNESSES (Watchtower Bible & Tract Society) The New World (Mis)Translation? Thus, the NWT has been universally discredited by every legitimate biblical and linguistic scholar

(Watchtower Bible & Tract Society) JEHOVAH’S WITNESSES (Watchtower Bible & Tract Society) Key writings- Bible (New World Translation only) You Can Live Forever in Paradise on Earth Reasoning from the Scriptures Watchtower magazine Awake! magazine

(Watchtower Bible & Tract Society) JEHOVAH’S WITNESSES (Watchtower Bible & Tract Society) Who is God? One-person God called “Jehovah” (“Strict Monotheism”) No Trinity!

(Watchtower Bible & Tract Society) JEHOVAH’S WITNESSES (Watchtower Bible & Tract Society) The name “Jehovah” The primary Hebrew name for God found in the Old Testament is YHWH (“Yahweh”) Fearing a violation of the 3rd commandment, orthodox Jews would substitute Adonai (Lord) whenever YHWH appeared in Scripture

(Watchtower Bible & Tract Society) JEHOVAH’S WITNESSES (Watchtower Bible & Tract Society) The name “Jehovah” Eventually, Hebrew scribes began to insert the vowels of Adonai (a,o,a) into YHWH, resulting in Yahowah (Jehovah) Ironically, Watchtower literature acknowledges the fact that Jehovah is not a biblical name for God- it is man-made!

(Watchtower Bible & Tract Society) JEHOVAH’S WITNESSES (Watchtower Bible & Tract Society) Who is Jesus? The Jehovah’s Witnesses’ Jesus is not God Jesus is believed to be the first being Jehovah created Before he lived on earth, he was Michael, the archangel

(Watchtower Bible & Tract Society) JEHOVAH’S WITNESSES (Watchtower Bible & Tract Society) Who is Jesus? On earth he was a man who lived a perfect life After dying on a stake (not a cross), he was resurrected as a spirit

(Watchtower Bible & Tract Society) JEHOVAH’S WITNESSES (Watchtower Bible & Tract Society) Who is Jesus? He is not coming again- he already “returned” invisibly in 1914 in spirit Very soon, he and the angels will destroy all non-Jehovah’s Witnesses

JEHOVAH’S WITNESSES How can we be saved? (Watchtower Bible and Tract Society) How can we be saved? Be baptized as a Jehovah’s Witness. Most followers must earn everlasting life on earth by “door-to-door work.” Salvation in heaven is limited to 144,000 “anointed ones.”

JEHOVAH’S WITNESSES What happens after death? (Watchtower Bible and Tract Society) What happens after death? The 144,000 “anointed ones” live as spirits in heaven. After a soul sleep The rest of the righteous (“the great crowd”) live on earth and must obey God perfectly for 1,000 years or be annihilated.

(Watchtower Bible & Tract Society) JEHOVAH’S WITNESSES (Watchtower Bible & Tract Society) Beliefs and Practices Meet in “Kingdom Halls” Once a year, members observe “Lord’s Evening Meal” (like communion)

(Watchtower Bible & Tract Society) JEHOVAH’S WITNESSES (Watchtower Bible & Tract Society) Beliefs and Practices Armageddon is soon Members are not allowed to… observe holidays or birthdays vote salute the flag work in the military accept blood transfusions

Hey SENIORS! Please use the first few minutes to pray with the people at your table- Pray that each of us would be a positive influence on someone this week

Group #6 prepare to engage the class with verse memorization Hey SENIORS! Group #6 prepare to engage the class with verse memorization

Pray that you might memorize truly. SENIORS… Wednesday start-up Pray that you might memorize truly.

THIS WEEK IN SYSTEMATIC THEOLOGY MONDAY TUESDAY WEDNESDAY THURSDAY FRIDAY JEHOVAH’S WITNESSES WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE FROM MORMONISM? J-DUB OVERVIEW SPECIAL GUEST President of Colorado Christian to talk about preparing for college. MEMORY VERSE PRESENTATION GROUP 6 PSALMS 139:13,14 JEHOVAH’S WITNESSES JESUS DEATH YOUR DEATH REACHING ‘EM HALF DAY Teachers In-Service

Hey SENIORS! Review with your Tribond the basic doctrinal beliefs of the Jehovah’s Witnesses

SENIORS… Thursday start-up In your Tribond pray over the theme in your life. “Fall into His story.” Or…just talk to God normally

THIS WEEK IN SYSTEMATIC THEOLOGY MONDAY TUESDAY WEDNESDAY THURSDAY FRIDAY JEHOVAH’S WITNESSES WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE FROM MORMONISM? J-DUB OVERVIEW SPECIAL GUEST President of Colorado Christian to talk about preparing for college. MEMORY VERSE PRESENTATION GROUP 6 PSALMS 139:13,14 JEHOVAH’S WITNESSES JESUS DEATH YOUR DEATH REACHING ‘EM HALF DAY Teachers In-Service

(Watchtower Bible & Tract Society) JEHOVAH’S WITNESSES (Watchtower Bible & Tract Society) John 1:1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. NASB In the beginning the Word was, and the Word was with God, and the Word was a god. NWT

(Watchtower Bible & Tract Society) JEHOVAH’S WITNESSES (Watchtower Bible & Tract Society) In the beginning was the Word En archē ēn ho logos and the Word was with God kai ho logos ēn pros ton theon and the Word was God kai theos ēn ho logos

(Watchtower Bible & Tract Society) JEHOVAH’S WITNESSES (Watchtower Bible & Tract Society) A short Greek language lesson might be helpful… 1. “ēn” is the verb “was” in the imperfect past tense (a continuous action usually occurring in the past) 2. “ho”, which is the definite article “the”, typically points to the subject

(Watchtower Bible & Tract Society) JEHOVAH’S WITNESSES (Watchtower Bible & Tract Society) A short Greek language lesson might be helpful… 3. “ton” is also the definite article “the”, yet it doesn’t point to the subject 4. If John wanted to say the Word was divine-like, he could have chosen the adjective “theios”

JEHOVAH’S WITNESSES (Watchtower Bible & Tract Society) “The Alpha and the Omega” passages in Revelation “I am the Alpha and the Omega,” says Jehovah God, “the One who is and who was and who is coming, the Almighty.” Revelation 1:8, NWT

JEHOVAH’S WITNESSES (Watchtower Bible & Tract Society) “The Alpha and the Omega” passages in Revelation “Do not be fearful, I am the First and the Last, and the living one; and I became dead, but look! I am living forever and ever” Revelation 1:17-18, NWT

JEHOVAH’S WITNESSES (Watchtower Bible & Tract Society) “The Alpha and the Omega” passages in Revelation “Look! I am coming quickly, and the reward I give is with me, to render to each one as his work is. I am the Alpha and the Omega, the First and the Last, the Beginning and the End.” Revelation 22:12-13, NWT

JEHOVAH’S WITNESSES (Watchtower Bible & Tract Society) “The Alpha and the Omega” passages in Revelation He that bears witness of these things says, “Yes; I am coming quickly.” Amen! Come, Lord Jesus. Revelation 22:20, NWT

JEHOVAH’S WITNESSES (Watchtower Bible & Tract Society) “The Alpha and the Omega” passages in Revelation The Alpha and the Omega: is Jehovah God died but now is living forever is coming quickly is the Lord Jesus!

JEHOVAH’S WITNESSES (Watchtower Bible & Tract Society) Jesus Death & Resurrection The JW’s believe Jesus died on a stake ceased to exist for 3 days and then raised to spiritual life only.

(Watchtower Bible & Tract Society) JEHOVAH’S WITNESSES (Watchtower Bible & Tract Society) Sheol & Annihilation The JW’s believe we cease to exist in between our death and our resurrection. Those who fail to be saved are completely destroyed and cease to exist again in the lake of fire.

JEHOVAH’S WITNESSES (Watchtower Bible & Tract Society) Reaching JW’s for Jesus Loving, Friendly, Bridging, Biblical The true Word of God Interpretations Works based salvation 1914

1. Jehovah God is the only God- there is no Trinity Genesis 1:26 Isaiah 48:16 Matthew 3:16-17 Matthew 28:19-20

2. Jesus is the first thing created by Jehovah John 1:1-3 John 8:58 Colossians 2:9 Hebrews 1:8-12

3. Jesus died on a stake, not a cross Any of the crucifixion passages (Mt. 27, Mk. 15, Lk. 23, Jn. 19) Acts 2:23 Philippians 2:8 Colossians 1:20

4. Jesus was resurrected spiritually, not physically Matthew 28:9-10 John 20:26-29 Acts 1:1-9 1 Corinthians 15:5-8

5. “Soul sleep”- a person’s soul sleeps until resurrection Luke 16:19-31 Romans 6:23 Hebrews 9:27 Revelation 20:11-15

worldviews/world religions? How do I respond to someone What are the different worldviews/world religions? How do I demonstrate the existence of God? How do I know Jesus is God? What is the Trinity? How do I know the Bible is the Word of God? How do I respond to someone who is in a cult?