TEACH YOUR CHILDREN TO LOVE JEHOVAH

Skillful Parents Set a Good Example

Jesus set the example for parents in that he practiced what he preached.  (John 13:15)  On the other hand, he condemned the Pharisees, who would  "say" but  "not perform."  (Matthew 23:3)  In order to motivate their children to love Jehovah,the parents' words and actions must work together.  Words and actions must work together.  Words that are not backed up by actions are just as ineffective as a bow without a bowstring. -1 John 3:18.

Why is parental example so important?  Just as adults can learn to love God by looking at Jesus' example, children can learn to love Jehovah by following their parents' example.  A child's associates can either  strengthen the child or "spoil useful habits."  (1 Corinthians  15:33) For much of a child's life, and certainly during the important informative years, the closest, most influential associates a child has are his parents.   Therefore, parents do well to ask themselves:  'What sort of associate am I setting in the vital areas of prayer and Bible study?

Next time: Skillful Parents Pray With Their Children

Watchtower, 2007