HOW CAN YOU HELP A "PRODIGAL"" CHILD?

When a Minor Is Disfellowshipped

What if a minor who lives with his parents gets involved in serious wrongdoing and because of his unrepentant attitude is expelled from the congregation?   Since the child lives with his parents, they are still responsible for instructing and disciplining him in harmony with God's Word.  How can this be done? -Proverbs 6:20-22; 29:17.

It may be impossible-indeed, it would be best-to give such  instruction and discipline during a private study of the Bible.  A parent must look beyond the child's hardened attitude and try to see what is in his heart.  What is the whole range of his spiritual sickness?  (Proverbs 20:5)  Can the tender part of his heart be reached?  What scriptures can be used effectively?  The apostle Paul assures us:  "The Word of God is alive and exerts power and is sharper than any two-edged sword and pierces even to the dividing of soul and spirit, and of joints and their marrow, and is able to discern thoughts and intentions of the heart."  (Hebrews 4:12)  Yes, parents can do more than simply tell their offspring not to get involved in wrongdoing again.  They can try to imitate and nurture the healing process.

An erring youth needs to restore his relationship with Jehovah.  The first step he must take is to "repent . . .  and turn around."  (Acts 3:19; Isaiah 55:6, 7)  In helping  the youth in their home to repent, parents must 'keep themselves restrained under evil, instructing with mildness' the child who is not favorably disposed.  ( 2 Timothy 2:24-26)  They need to  "reprove" him in the Biblical sense.  The Greek word rendered "reprove"  can also be translated "give convincing evidence."  (Revelation  3:19; John 16:8)  To reprove,  therefore, involves showing enough evidence to convince the child of the sinfulness of his course.  Admittedly, doing so is not easy. Where possible, the parents can appeal  to his heart, using all means Scripturally appropriate to convince him.  They should try to help him to appreciate the need to "hate what is bad, and love what is good."  (Amos 5:15)  He may come back to his "proper senses out from the snare of the Devil."

In restoring one's relationship  with Jehovah, prayer is a must.  Of course, no one should "make request" concerning blatant sin that is clearly being practiced unrepentantly by any individual once associated with the Christian congregation. ( 1 John 5:16, 17; Jeremiah 7:16-20; Hebrews 10:26, 27)  Yet, parents can ask Jehovah to give them wisdom to deal with the situation.  (James 1:5) If a disfellowshipped youth gives evidence of repentance but does not have  "freeness of speech toward God," the parents might pray that if God finds a basis for pardoning the child's error, that His will be done.  (1 John 3:21)  Hearing the prayers should help the youth to see Jehovah as a merciful God." -Exodus 34:6, 7; James 5:16.

If a baptized youth is disfellowshipped, the congregation members are expected  "to quit mixing in company with" him.  ( 1 Corinthians 5:11; 2 John 10, 11)  This may eventually help him to 'come to his senses' and return to God's protective fold.  (Luke 15:17) Whether he comes back or not, however, members of the congregation  can encourage  the family of the disfellowshipped youth.  We can all look for opportunities to show "fellow feeling"  and to be tenderly compassionate" toward them. -1 Peter 3:8, 9.

Next time: How Others Can Help

Watchtower, 2001