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

2025 Governing Body Update #5