'SAVE YOURSELF AND THOSE WHO LISTEN TO YOU

Help the Student to Become Jehovah's Friend

The primary goal of every Christian teacher is to help the student to gain Jehovah's friendship. You will accomplish this not only by your words but also by your example. Teaching by example has a powerful effect on the hearts of students. Actions really can speak louder than words, especially when it comes to instilling moral qualities and inspiring zeal in the student. If he sees that your words and actions spring from a good relationship with Jehovah, he may be more motivated to cultivate such a relationship himself.

You want the student to serve Jehovah not merely because he does not want to be destroyed at Armageddon but because he loves him by helping him to develop such a pure motive, you will be building with fire-resistant materials that will survive tests of his faith. ( 1 Corinthians 3:10-15) A wrong motive, such as an inordinate desire to emulate you or any other human, will give him neither the strength to resist unchristian influences nor the courage to do what is right. Remember, you will not be his teacher forever. While you have the opportunity, you can encourage him to draw ever closer to Jehovah by reading God's Word every day and thinking about it. In this way he will continue to absorb "the pattern of healthful words" from the Bible and Bible-based publications long after your study with him is over. - 2 Timothy 1:13.

You can also help the student to grow closer to Jehovah by teaching him to pray from the heart. How can you do this? Perhaps you might direct him to Jesus' model prayer, as well as to the many wholehearted prayers recorded in the Bible, such as those in the psalms. (Psalms 17:86, 143; Matthew 6:9, 10) Additionally, when your student hears you pray to open and close the study, he will sense your feelings toward Jehovah. Thus, your prayers should always reflect sincerity and openness, as well as spiritual and emotional balance.

Next time: Working to Save Your Children

Watchtower, 2000