Watchtower Study, Week of February 17 to 23, 2025, How to help children strengthen their faith, Underlined Answers.

Watchtower Study, February 17-23, 2025, How to Help Children Strengthen Their Faith, Underlined Answers.

Yellow: Direct Response

Light Yellow: Additional Response

Celeste: Additional Points

“Prove for yourselves what is the good, acceptable, and perfect will of God” (ROM. 12:2).

1, 2. How should parents react to children's questions about our biblical beliefs?

MANY would say that parenting is a full-time job. So if you have young children and are working to cultivate a strong faith in them, you are to be commended (Deut. 6:6, 7). As they grow older, they are likely to ask important questions about our biblical beliefs, including standards for what is right and wrong.

2 Your first reaction as parents may be to think that your children are losing faith, and that is why you worry. But the truth is that children have to ask questions to form their own ideas (1 Cor. 13:11). So we don't have to be afraid of their sincere questions about our beliefs. We must see them as opportunities to teach them to think for themselves.

3. What will we analyze in this article?

3 In this article, we will discuss how parents can help their children 1) develop their own convictions, 2) understand the value of the Bible's moral standards, and 3) defend their beliefs. At the same time, we will see positive aspects of the children's questions and some family activities that can be used to talk about our Christian beliefs.

HELP THEM DEVELOP THEIR OWN CONVICTIONS

4. What questions might arise for your children, and why?

4 Christian parents recognize that faith in God is not inherited. You were not born with faith in Jehovah, and neither were your children. That is why it is natural that, over time, they ask themselves: “How do I know that God exists? Can I trust what the Bible says?” In fact, the Bible itself encourages Christians to use their “reasoning powers” ​​and “prove all things” (Rom. 12:1; 1 Thes. 5:21). Now, how can you help your children strengthen their faith?

5. How can you help children develop their own faith in the Bible? (Romans 12:2).

5 Encourage them to test that what we believe is true (read Romans 12:2). When your children ask questions, teach them to find the answers on their own using tools such as the Watch Tower Publications Index and the Study Guide for Jehovah's Witnesses. In the latter, they can go to the topic “The Bible” and look in the “Inspired by God” section for evidence that the Bible is not simply a book written by men, but the “word of God.” (1 Thess. 2:13). For example, they could search for information about the ancient Assyrian city of Nineveh. In the past, some biblical scholars claimed that this city never existed. But around 1850 the ruins of the city were discovered, proving that the Bible account is accurate. (Sof. 2:13-15). You can also examine how Bible prophecies about the destruction of Nineveh were fulfilled in the “Did You Know?” section. from The Watchtower for November 2021. When your children compare what our publications teach with what encyclopedias and other respected works explain, their faith in what the Bible says will increase.

6. How can you stimulate your children's ability to reason? Give an example. (See also the image).

6 Stimulate your ability to reason. Parents have many opportunities to talk with their children about the Bible and faith in God. You can have interesting conversations while visiting a museum, a botanical garden, or an exhibition at one of the branches of Jehovah's Witnesses. For example, when visiting a museum either in person or virtually, you could highlight historical objects or events that reinforce your children's conviction that the Bible is accurate. Do they know that God's name appears on a 3,000-year-old slab known as the Moabite stone? The original stone is located in the Louvre Museum, in Paris (France). A replica can also be seen in the “Bible and the Divine Name” exhibit at the world headquarters of Jehovah's Witnesses in Warwick, New York. The Moabite stone records that King Mesha of Moab rebelled against Israel. And that agrees with what the Bible says (2 Kings 3:4, 5). Your children's faith will be strengthened when they see with their own eyes proof that the Bible is true and accurate. (compare 2 Chronicles 9:6).

ILLUSTRATION

A father and his teenage daughter looking at a museum website on a computer. Take advantage of the objects found in museums to stimulate your children's ability to reason. (See paragraph 6).

7, 8. a) What do the beauty and design we see in nature demonstrate? Give an example. (See also images).  b) What types of questions can help children reinforce their belief that there is a Creator?

7 Encourage them to look at nature. As you walk in the countryside or work in the soil, show them the amazing patterns in the natural world. These patterns indicate that someone intelligent and wise had to design them. For example, scientists have studied for years the spiral-shaped patterns that some objects in nature have. According to a biophysicist named Nicola Fameli, when the number of spirals in these objects is counted, a certain pattern or series of numbers is discovered, which is known as the Fibonacci sequence. In nature there are many objects that have a spiral pattern, such as the shape of some galaxies, the shell of the nautilus, the leaves of some plants, and the heads of sunflowers.

8 In science classes, your children will learn that there are laws that determine the shape of many things. For example, each snowflake is formed following geometric patterns called fractals. These patterns are also found in other objects in nature. But Who established the laws that produce these beautiful patterns? Who is behind the order and meticulous design that we see in nature? If your children frequently ask themselves these types of questions, they will most likely become convinced that God created all things. (Heb. 3:4). And, when the time comes, you could ask them: “If God has created us, wouldn't it be logical to believe that he has also given us instructions or rules to be happy?”. Then you can show them that those valuable instructions are in the Bible.

ILLUSTRATION

Images of spiral patterns found in nature. 1. A galaxy. 2. The shell of a nautilus. 3. The leaves of a plant. 4. A sunflower. NASA, ESA, and the Hubble Heritage (STScl/AURA)-ESA/Hubble Collaboration. Who is behind the beautiful designs of nature? (See paragraphs 7 and 8).

 HELP THEM UNDERSTAND THE VALUE OF THE MORAL STANDARDS OF THE BIBLE

9. For what reasons might children question the value of Bible standards?

9 If your children question the value of the Bible's standards, try to understand the underlying reason. Is it because they really don't agree with those rules? Or is it simply because they don't know how to explain their Christian values ​​when others ask them? In any case, something that will help you value the principles of the Bible is to study the book Enjoy Life.

10. How can children be helped to have a closer relationship with Jehovah?

10 Encourage them to have a closer relationship with Jehovah. When studying the Bible with your children, use the questions and examples from the book Enjoy Life to try to get them to open up and express their opinion. (Prov. 20:5). For example, lesson 8 compares Jehovah to a good friend who reminds us what we need to do so that things go well and that nothing bad happens to us. After discussing 1 John 5:3, you might ask: “Since Jehovah is such a good friend, how should we view what he asks us to do?” It may seem like a simple question, but it could help your children see God's laws as proof of his love. (Is. 48:17, 18).

11. What can you do to help your children value biblical principles even more? (Proverbs 2:10, 11).

11 Discuss the benefits of applying biblical principles. As you read the Bible or the text of the day together, talk about how Bible principles have helped your particular family. For example, do your children understand the advantages of being hard-working and honest? (Heb. 13:18). They could also highlight how biblical principles protect us physically and emotionally. (Prov. 14:29, 30). Talking about these principles will likely help your children value the Bible's counsel even more. (Read Proverbs 2:10, 11.)

12. What does a couple do to help their child understand the practical value of biblical principles?

12 Steve, who lives in France, explains how he and his wife help their teenage son, Ethan, perceive the love behind Jehovah's laws: “We ask questions like these: ‘Why does Jehovah ask us to respect this principle? How does this principle show that he loves us? And what would happen if you didn't apply it?'” These types of conversations have helped Ethan develop a desire to follow Jehovah’s standards. Steve adds, “Our goal is for Ethan to understand that the wisdom of the Bible is far better than human wisdom.”

13. How can children be taught to apply biblical principles? Give an example.

13 Teach them to apply biblical principles. One opportunity to do this is when teachers ask their children to read a book as part of a class project. The book may present as examples worth imitating characters who commit immoral acts or act violently. You could encourage your children to compare the behavior of these characters with biblical principles. (Prov. 22:24, 25; 1 Cor. 15:33; Philip. 4:8). This may allow them to bear witness to their teachers and classmates when they discuss what they have read in class.

TEACH THEM TO DEFEND THEIR BELIEFS

14. What topic might intimidate a young Christian, and why?

14 Some young Christians may sometimes lack the confidence to stand up for their beliefs. They may feel insecure when the topic of evolution comes up in class. After all, many teachers present the theory of evolution as a proven fact. How can you help your children develop the confidence to stand up for what they believe in?

15. What will help young Christians be more secure in their beliefs?

15 Help them be more confident in what they believe. Your children need not be ashamed of believing in a Creator (2 Tim. 1:8). The reality is that there are many scientists who also understand that life did not appear spontaneously on its own. By observing how complex life is, they perceive that there is intelligent design. That is why they do not accept the theory of evolution, which is taught in many schools around the world. On the other hand, young people can strengthen their own convictions by reflecting on the reasons that have convinced other brothers and sisters that life was created.

16. How can you help children defend their belief in a Creator? (1 Peter 3:15; see also image).

16 Prepare them to defend their faith in the Creator (read 1 Peter 3:15). You may find it helpful to review together the series of articles “Creation or Evolution?” that appears on jw.org, in the “Young People Ask” section. Then ask them what argument they think is most helpful in convincing others that a Creator exists, and practice how they might explain it. Remind them that they do not have to argue with their classmates. But, if someone is willing to talk, they can use simple and logical reasoning. For example, a partner might say, “I only believe in what I see, and I have never seen God.” The young Christian could respond: “Imagine that you are in a forest, in the middle of nowhere, and you come across a well made of stone. Wouldn't you think someone had to do it? Well, if someone had to make a simple well, even more so an intelligent being had to create the universe.”

17. How can children be encouraged to look for opportunities to talk about the Bible? Give an example of what a young person might ask a peer.

17 Encourage them to look for opportunities to talk about the Bible (Rom. 10:10). Talking about the Bible can be compared to playing an instrument. At first it is difficult and simple melodies are played, but with time and practice it becomes less effortful. The same thing happens when talking about our faith: it is better to start with simple conversations. For example, the young Christian might ask a classmate: “Did you know that many engineers copy designs from nature? Look what an interesting video.” Then you could show him a video from the “Did Someone Design It?” and ask: “If a scientist is given credit for copying a design that already existed in nature, who should be given credit for the original design?” In this simple way you can awaken your partner's curiosity and leave him wanting to know more.

KEEP HELPING THEM STRENGTHEN THEIR FAITH

18. How can you help your children continue to strengthen their faith in God?

18 We live in a world where many people do not believe in Jehovah (2 Pet. 3:3). So parents, when you study the Bible with your children, encourage them to explore topics that increase their respect for God's Word and its moral standards. Stimulate their reasoning skills by focusing on fascinating details of Jehovah's creation. Help them understand the amazing prophecies of the Bible that have already been fulfilled. Above all, pray with your children and on their behalf. You can be sure that Jehovah will bless your efforts to help you strengthen your faith. (2 Chron. 15:7).

HOW CAN PARENTS HELP THEIR CHILDREN DO THESE THINGS?

Develop your own convictions.

Stimulate your ability to reason. Parents have many opportunities to talk with their children about the Bible and faith in God. You can have interesting conversations while visiting a museum, a botanical garden, or an exhibition at one of the branches of Jehovah's Witnesses. For example, when visiting a museum either in person or virtually, you could highlight historical objects or events that reinforce your children's conviction that the Bible is accurate.

Understand the value of the norms of the Bible.

Discuss the benefits of applying biblical principles. As you read the Bible or the text of the day together, talk about how Bible principles have helped your particular family. For example, do your children understand the advantages of being hard-working and honest? They could also highlight how biblical principles protect us physically and emotionally. Talking about these principles will likely help your children value the Bible's counsel even more.

Defend your faith in a Creator.

Prepare them to defend their faith in the Creator. You may find it helpful to review together the series of articles “Creation or Evolution?” that appears on jw.org, in the “Young People Ask” section. Then ask them what argument they think is most helpful in convincing others that a Creator exists, and practice how they might explain it. Remind them that they do not have to argue with their classmates. But, if someone is willing to talk, they can use simple and logical reasoning.