Question for JWs

[Wootah]

I heard recently that JWs don't have a sermon but get a recording from the watch tower that they listen to?

That can't be true? Right?

[Difflugia]

I heard recently that JWs don't have a sermon but get a recording from the watch tower that they listen to?

That can't be true? Right?

Based on my experience, it's sort of both. At the meetings I attended, one of the congregants is selected to present a personal reflection on the day's reading. Witness congregations don't have pastors, so that is basically the sermon. Then, somebody else reads from the article from the Study Edition of the Watchtower dedicated to that week, then reads a set of canned questions that can be directly answered from the text of the article. I haven't been to a meeting since before COVID, so I could easily believe that the reader has been replaced by a recording, at least in some congregations.

If you want to download the Study Edition for next weekend, here is the link. The article is "Jehovah's Hand is Never Too Short," starting on page 26.

So, the reader reads the first paragraph of the article:

Among those mentioned in the book of Hebrews as examples of faith, Moses is noteworthy. He showed faith when he led the Israelites out of Egypt. He refused to be intimidated by Pharaoh and his army.Trusting in Jehovah, he led the people through the Red Sea and later into the wilderness. Most of the Israelites lost confidence in Jehovah’s ability to care for them, but Moses continued to trust in his God. Moses’ faith was not misplaced, for God miraculously provided food and water to sustain the people in the barren wilderness.

The reader then reads the question for that paragraph, printed at the bottom of the page with a number corresponding to the numbered paragraph: "How did Moses show trust in Jehovah when he led the Israelites out of Egypt?"

The members raise their hands and someone is selected to give the answer from the paragraph: "He led the people through the Red Sea and later into the wilderness." The reader confirms the answer, everyone nods sagely, and the reader then reads the next paragraph:

Despite Moses’ strong faith, however, about a year after Israel’s miraculous deliverance, he questioned Jehovah’s ability to give meat to His people. Moses could not imagine how Jehovah could provide enough meat to satisfy the millions who were camping in the desolate wilderness. In answer, Jehovah asked Moses: “Is the hand of Jehovah too short?” Here, the expression “the hand of Jehovah” refers to God’s holy spirit, or his power in action. In effect, Jehovah was asking Moses, ‘Do you really think that I cannot do what I say I will?’

Again, the reader reads the associated question, "Why did God ask Moses: 'Is the hand of Jehovah too short'?" Somebody is then selected to give the answer, "Because Moses could not imagine how Jehovah could provide enough meat to satisfy the millions who were camping in the desolate wilderness."

This goes on until they get to the end of the article. The last time I went, the more outgoing members crowded around me afterward and asked if I'd studied the Bible that deeply at the other churches I'd been to. I assured them that I hadn't.

[Wootah]

[Replying to Difflugia in post #2]

I'm going to ask the next JW at a train station. Thank you.