The Watchtower Study, “Article 23”, Week August 1-7, 2022, Parents, Help Your Children Love Jehovah, Answers.

The Watchtower Study, “Article 23,” August 1-7, 2022, Parents, Help Your Children Love Jehovah, Answers.

1, 2. Why might some Bible principles take on greater meaning for us?

A married couple may have heard many talks about raising children. But, when they have their own, things change. All the principles related to that topic take on a new meaning. Without a doubt, when circumstances change, our way of seeing biblical principles that we know very well changes.

ADDITIONAL COMMENTS

Because this will depend on the circumstance or the stage that we are in our life.

This happens when there is a change of circumstances in our lives, for example, all of us who are single know Jehovah's advice very well for those who are married, but the day we get married these take on a much more important meaning for us and what happens same when we have children, since all the advice related to the subject acquires a deeper meaning.

So without a doubt it is very important that we know the biblical principles very well, that is why, as Deuteronomy 17:19 says, we have to read the Bible every day.

Because changes happen in life and when new circumstances arrive, they also change our way of seeing the biblical principles that we know very well. For example, married couples have heard many speeches about how to raise children. But, when we have our own, all the principles related to that topic take on a new meaning, since we must begin to put them into practice with the new member of the family.

3. What will we see in this article?

This article will look at four biblical principles that will be helpful to you. It will also show the good results some Christian parents have had in following the advice of the Bible.

ADDITIONAL COMMENTS 

We will be shown 4 tips from the Bible for parents, so that they help us to be friends of Jehovah and also the good fruits of parents who have followed the biblical advice. 

In this article we will look at four Bible principles that will help parents teach their children to love Jehovah, and we will also discuss the good results some Christian parents have had by following the advice of the Bible.

We are going to discuss four Bible principles that will help us to help our children love Jehovah with all their hearts. And, we will also see the good results that some Christian parents have had by following the advice of the Bible.

FOUR USEFUL PRINCIPLES FOR PARENTS

4. What principle can help parents instill love for Jehovah in the hearts of their children? (James 1:5).

To help your children love Jehovah, you need wisdom. So ask him.

ADDITIONAL COMMENTS

The principle of James 1:5, where it says that to achieve this parents should ask Jehovah for wisdom, since he is the best counselor that can exist because he is the most experienced father in the entire universe.

The principle found in James 1:5, this text encourages us to “constantly ask the Lord for wisdom.” We know that the best guidance and advice come from him, in addition, he is the most experienced Father in the entire universe, so if we want to instill in our children that they love Jehovah, we must ask him for wisdom and follow his guidance.

5. (a) What helps does Jehovah's organization give to parents? 

So that they can help their children to love Jehovah, he gives them abundant spiritual food through his Word and his organization.

ADDITIONAL COMMENTS

It gives them a lot of spiritual food, for example, the “Help for families” section was published in the magazine “Awaken” for many years and we can currently find it on Jw.org, where you can also find videos that will help you apply the advice of Jehovah regarding the upbringing of their children.

For example, in the magazine Awake! excellent advice was published in the “help for families” section, and we can still read it on the Jw.org site, there are also videos with interviews and skits that will help us apply Jehovah's advice to raising children.

b) What did you learn about parenting from the Amorim brothers' video?

For example, you will find excellent advice in the “Help for Families” section, which was published for many years in Awake! and now appears on jw.org. 

ADDITIONAL COMMENTS

Something very important that is learned in this video is that if parents want to teach their children the truth, they must first understand it well, so that they teach them in the way that Jehovah likes, also they taught their children with example, that is why one of the sons mentions that they were always clear that their parents always put the interests of the kingdom first.

They also took advantage of talking about Jehovah at any time of the day, for example they took advantage of the heavens narrowed the starry skies to talk about constellations and the beautiful creation, so this is something that parents can do, talk about Jehovah through creation.

Something very interesting that this marriage mentions is that they were raised in a very different way from the way they raised their children, since their parents imposed laws on them, that is, do this, this, because I tell you , but they understood that even in the Bible, Jehovah does not limit himself to dictating laws but explains them, gives many reasons for everything.

We learn that to teach our children to love Jehovah: First, we parents must understand what Jehovah asks of us or how he likes things. Second, we must not only tell them how to do things, but show them by example how to do it. Third, we should take every opportunity to tell our children about Jehovah so that they realize that he is a real God. Fourth, we must not leave our children without explanation, rather, we must explain to them with the Bible the reasons why things should be done as Jehovah asks. Fifth, we must motivate our children to serve Jehovah forever.

6. How does a father feel about the guidance he and his wife receive from Jehovah's organization?

Says a father named Joseph: “Raising three children in the truth is not easy at all. My wife and I always ask Jehovah to help us. And often we've felt like an article or video came out just when we needed it. Seeking Jehovah's guidance has saved our lives.”

ADDITIONAL COMMENTS

This father says that the guidance that Jehovah has provided through his organization has saved their lives, because it has always seemed to them that at the right moment they needed help, it seemed like an article or a video.

He comments that together with his wife he has asked Jehovah to help him raise their three children, they have seen Jehovah's guidance through his organization, Joseph expresses that many times an article or a video has come out just at the moment that they needed it, and she recognizes that this is helping her children to become friends with Jehovah.

7. Why is it important for parents to do their best to set a good example? (Romans 2:21).

Children are very observant and tend to copy what their parents do. But wise parents do their best to set a good example.

ADDITIONAL COMMENTS

Because as Romans 2:21 says, to teach others, we must first teach ourselves, in addition, children often copy everything their parents do, since they are like sponges that absorb everything, so if they want their children to love Jehovah, they must have a very strong love for him.

Because it is natural for children to listen and observe what their parents do and then imitate them and want to be the same as them. Therefore, the advice of Romans 2:21 is very timely "we must live according to what we teach them", otherwise, we would downplay the values ​​that we try to instill in our children. Therefore, if we want our children to love Jehovah, our love for him must be strong and visible to all.

8, 9. What did you learn from Andrew and Emma's comments?

Andrew Says: A Baptized 17-Year-Old: “My parents have always taught me that it is very important to pray. Every night, Dad prayed with me even though I had already said my own prayer. Parents, always remember that your love for Jehovah can have a profound effect on your children. Emma recalls: “Many times, Mom was short on money. But she always told us that Jehovah takes care of his servants and gives them what they need.

ADDITIONAL COMMENTS

I personally learn that the love that parents have for Jehovah has a profound effect on their children, for example, this young man says that his parents taught him the importance of praying, because his father prayed with him every night, just as We see in the illustration on page 28 what has made prayer very important to him.

And in the case of Emma, ​​we learn that parents should teach not only when they are doing well, but when they go through problems it is a good opportunity to teach them, because this young woman saw that her mother was convinced that Jehovah cares for his faithful.

In the case of Andrew, he remembers that "his father taught him how valuable prayer is, he always told him that he could pray to Jehovah as many times as he wanted, this helped him to see Jehovah as a father who loves him." From this, we parents learn that our words and actions have an effect on our children, if they perceive that we love Jehovah from the heart, they will also want to love him.

In the case of Emma, ​​she remembers that when faced with problems, her mother always made decisions that showed her complete trust in Jehovah. From this, we parents learn that our words and actions have an effect on our children. They observe if we trust in Jehovah's help in the face of difficult problems that arise in life, so we must lead by example, that way, our children will trust. also in the help of Jehovah.

ILLUSTRATION:

A father prays with his little son before going to sleep.

What will parents accomplish if they always seek Jehovah's guidance and set a good example for their children? (See paragraphs 4 and 8).

10. What opportunities could Israelite parents take to converse with their children? (Deuteronomy 6:6, 7).

Jehovah told Israelite parents that they should tell their children about him every day. Throughout the day, they had many opportunities to talk with their children and instill in them a love for Jehovah.

ADDITIONAL COMMENTS

As the text says when they were at home, when they were on the road or when they were in the fields sowing.

For example, they taught when the boys helped them in the fields, or when the girls helped with the housework, so doing activities together gave them the opportunity to talk about spiritual issues.

As Deuteronomy 6:6,7 says, Israelite parents could talk with their children every day about Jehovah's goodness and how he cares for the family. For example, one of those occasions was the time that the children spent with their father in the field sowing or reaping the harvest. In the case of the girls, they could take advantage of the occasions when they spent helping their mother with household chores, such as sewing or knitting.

11. What opportunity do Christian parents have to converse with their children?

In many countries, parents and children rarely spend time together during the day, because they are at work or school. For this reason, parents should find moments to be with their children and talk with them.

ADDITIONAL COMMENTS

Well, family worship is an excellent opportunity to talk about Jehovah, and spend quality time with the family, for example, a young man says that his father always organizes everything well so that they have family worship and does not let anything take away from them that time together.

As we know that today the hustle and bustle of life prevents us from spending more time with our children, we follow the advice of Ephesians 5:15,16, where we are invited "to make the best use of time", for which we seek moments to be with our children and talk with them. A good opportunity to do this is family adoration, so we organize ourselves well so that nothing prevents us or takes away that time from being together with our children and talking with them.

12. What should the head of the household remember during family worship?

Because you want your children to tell you how they feel and what concerns them, don't use family worship to lecture or scold them. And if they say something that doesn't fit with what the Bible teaches, don't be shocked.

ADDITIONAL COMMENTS

That they should not use family worship to preach to their children, since their purpose is for them to tell them what they feel and what worries them, also if they say something that is not in accordance with what the Bible teaches, instead of be shocked, be grateful that your children have opened their hearts to you.

The head of the family must remember that the purpose of this occasion is that: the whole family enjoys this moment to spend together and strengthen our spirituality. Therefore, the father must make an effort to create a pleasant, affectionate and relaxed environment so that the children feel comfortable and can express their feelings, so we will realize in which areas they need help or encouragement so that they continue to worship Jehovah together with us.

13. On what other occasions can parents help their children to draw closer to Jehovah?

Parents, find times during the day to help your children draw closer to Jehovah. You don't have to sit down and study the Bible with them to tell them about our loving God.

ADDITIONAL COMMENTS

Following Lisa's example, they can take advantage of creation, for example, she mentions that when their dog's pranks made them laugh, they used that moment to teach them that Jehovah has a good sense of humor and loves life.

We can take advantage of any occasion of the day to tell our children about Jehovah. For example, a mother named Lisa says that "when her house pet gets into mischief and makes them laugh, she reminds her children of us." This example shows us that we should make the most of every time to tell our children about Jehovah.

ILLUSTRATION:

A mother and her two daughters chat outdoors while petting their dog.

How can parents use creation to tell their children about Jehovah's qualities? (See paragraph 13).

14. Why is it important for parents to help their children choose good friends? (Proverbs 13:20).

The Word of God is clear in saying that friendships influence us for good or for bad.

ADDITIONAL COMMENTS

Because friendships influence us a lot for better or for worse, that is why you should help your children to make friends only with people who love Jehovah.

Because we know that the Bible clearly says that friendships influence us for better or for worse. So as parents, we take the lead in seeking out friends in the congregation who will influence our children's spiritual growth and invite them to spend time with us. In this way we help them make friends with people who love Jehovah.

ILLUSTRATION:

Parents, do you know your children's friends? (See paragraph 14). *

15. What can parents do to help their children have good friendships?

My wife and I have been inviting brothers and sisters of different ages and cultures for many years. We eat and enjoy family worship together. We think it is a fantastic way to meet people who love Jehovah and serve him with joy.

ADDITIONAL COMMENTS

What they can do is the same as this couple and that is to invite brothers and sisters of different ages to eat at their home or to family worship, or perhaps also host overseers, missionaries or pioneers, which will certainly make the capacity of sacrifice influence their children for good.

We can invite different brothers to our house to eat or join us in family worship, we can also host circuit overseers, missionaries. These experiences have a great influence on our children so that they know how to choose good friends and, above all, it helps them feel closer to Jehovah.

DON'T LOSE HOPE!

16. What should parents keep in mind if a child decides to leave Jehovah?

Do not think that you have failed as parents. Jehovah has given all of us, including his children, the freedom of choice, the ability to choose whether or not we will serve him. If your child decides to leave Jehovah, do not lose hope that one day he will return. 

ADDITIONAL COMMENTS

That this does not mean that they have failed as parents, because Jehovah has given us all the freedom of choice and they have fulfilled their duty to teach them the truth, and also they must not lose hope that their son will one day return to the TRUE.

Parents must be clear that our children have freedom of choice and there is a possibility that they decide to stop serving Jehovah. If they do, we should not think that we have failed or that our efforts were not worth it, nor should we lose hope that one day they will return to serve Jehovah.

17. How does Elie's story encourage you?

The more I talked to my friend about Jehovah, the more I thought of Him. Gradually, the seeds of Bible truth that were buried deep in my heart and that my parents had worked so hard to plant began to grow.” In time, Elie came back to the truth. 

ADDITIONAL COMMENTS

It encourages us because it makes us see that we should never give up on anyone, because although this young brother walked away from Jehovah, he gradually returned to the truth, because the seeds that his parents had planted in his heart began to grow.

Elie's experience shows us that even when a child stops serving Jehovah, sooner or later the seeds of truth grow in their hearts. So it is worth the effort to teach our children to love Jehovah. Our loving God will take care of bringing them back to the truth because they already have a place within his people.

18. What do you think of parents who are trying so hard to teach their children to love Jehovah?

We know that your work is not easy and that is why we congratulate you wholeheartedly for your hard work and commitment. Keep doing your best to help your children love Jehovah and bring them up according to his discipline and counsel.

ADDITIONAL COMMENTS

Personally, I greatly admire the great work that all parents do, because it is not an easy task, so they can be sure that Jehovah is very happy with them.

We feel very proud and happy to see how many parents strive to instill in their children to love Jehovah and his truth, we know that it is not an easy task, but their hard work and commitment will bring them reward and, especially, they make their hearts happy. of our Heavenly Father Jehovah.

WHAT WOULD YOU ANSWER?

Why is it good for new parents to review Bible principles they already know?

Lead by example. Children are very observant and tend to copy what their parents do. Sure, no one is perfect. But wise parents do their best to set a good example.

ADDITIONAL COMMENTS

Because when you change circumstances in this case to having children, all the biblical principles related to the subject take on a whole new meaning, so you'd do well to review them because now you're going to have to apply them.

Because the new circumstances will make the biblical principles acquire a new meaning, since they must begin to put them into practice with the new member of the family.

What four principles will help parents instill a love for Jehovah in their children?

First: seek Jehovah's guidance. Second: lead by example. Third: have the habit of conversing with your children. Fourth: help your children to have good friends. 

ADDITIONAL COMMENTS

The first principle is to seek Jehovah, the second has to do with leading by example, the third has to do with keeping with your children or taking advantage of any opportunity to teach them the truth, and the fourth is to help them have friends who worship Jehovah.

First: We must seek Jehovah's guidance. Second: We must lead by example. Third: We must have the habit of conversing with our children. Fourth: We must help our children to have good friends.

Why shouldn't you lose hope if one of your children leaves Jehovah?

Do not think that you have failed as parents. Jehovah has given all of us, including his children, the freedom of choice, the ability to choose whether or not we will serve him. If your child decides to leave Jehovah, do not lose hope that one day he will return. Remember the parable of the prodigal son.

ADDITIONAL COMMENTS

Because we have the case of the parable of the prodigal son, and also many cases of prodigal sons, so to speak, who have returned after a long time to the truth.

Because experiences show that many children who stopped serving Jehovah sooner or later return to the truth, the seeds that we have tried to plant in their hearts finally grow. Furthermore, our loving God draws them back because they already have a place in his people.