TEACH YOUR CHILDREN TO LOVE JEHOVAH

Create a Peaceful Environment

An arrow is more likely to hit the target if the archer aims and releases it in calm conditions.  Similarly, children are more likely to learn to love Jehovah if parents create a peaceful environment.  "The fruit of righteousness has its seed sown under peaceful conditions for those who are making peace,"  wrote James.  (James 3:18) How can parents create a peaceful environment at home?  A married couple needs to maintain a strong marital bond.  A husband and wife who love and respect each other have a better chance of teaching their children to love and respect others, including Jehovah.  (Galatians 6:7; Ephesians 5:33)  Love and respect promote peace.  And a couple who are at peace with each other are better able to deal with conflicts that may arise within the family.

Of course, just as there are no perfect marriages, there are no perfect families on earth at present.  Parents may at times fail to display the fruitage of the spirit when dealing with their children.  (Galatians 5:22, 23)  When that happens, what should parents do?  If they admit to making a mistake, will it lessen a child's respect for them?  Consider the apostle Paul's example.  He was like a spiritual fathere  to many.  (1 Corinthians 4:15)  Yet, he openly admitted that he made mistakes.  (Romans 7:21-25)  Even so, his humility and honesty raise our respect for him rather than diminish  it.  Despite his shortcomings, Paul could confidently write to his congregation in Corinth:  "Become imitators of me, even as I am of Christ."  (1 Corinthians 11:1)  If you too admit your mistakes, your children will likely overlook your failings.

What else can parents do to create an environment where their children can grow to love Jehovah?  The apostle John wrote:  "If anyone makes the statement:  'I love God,' and  yet is hating his brother, he is a liar.  For he who does not love his brother, whom he has seen, cannot be loving God, whom he has not seen."  (1 John 4:20, 21)  Therefore, when you train your children to love their Christians brothers and sisters, you are teaching them to love God.   Parents do well to ask themselves,  'Is the dominant tone of my conversation about the congregation encouraging or critical?'  How can you know?  Listen closely to the way your children speak about the meetings and the members of the congregation.  You are likely to hear your thoughts echoed in their comments.

What can parents do to help their children to love their spiritual brothers?  Peter, a father of two teenage boys, says:  "Since our boys were young, we have regularly had spiritually mature ones over to eat with us and spend time with us in our home, and we've had a lot of fun doing it.  Our boys have grown up rubbing shoulders with people who love Jehovah, and they now see that serving God is an enjoyable way of life."  Dennis, a father of five girls says, "We encouraged out girls to befriend the older pioneers  in the congregation, and whenever possible we showed hospitality to traveling overseers and their wives."  Can you also take the initiative to help your childrent ot view the congregation  as an extension of your family? -Mark 10:29, 30.

Next time: A Child's Responsibilty

Watchtower, 2007