HOW CAN YOU HELP A "PRODIGAL"" CHILD?

Draw Close to God

"Draw close to God," wrote the disciple James, "and he will draw close to you."  (James 4:8) To do so, a young person must be helped to cultivate a taste for the Word of God.  (Psalm 34:8) Initially he will need "milk" -the basic teachings of the Bible.  But as he takes delight in God's Word and acquires a taste for "solid food" -deep spiritual information-spiritual maturity will not be far off for him.  (Hebrews 5:11-14; Psalm 1:2) A youth who admitted that he had been swallowed up in the way of the world began to appreciate  spiritual values.  What helped  him turn around?  Responding to a suggesting to read the whole Bible, he kept to a regular Bible reading schedule.  Yes, reading the Word of God regularly is essential for cultivating a close bond with Jehovah.

How vital that parents help their children to cultivate a fondness for God's Word! Despite having a regular Bible study, one teenage girl associated with delinquents.  Regarding her family study, she recalls:  "When Father asked the questions, I just read off the answers, without even looking at his face."  Instead of just covering the material during  a family study, wise parents employ the art of teaching.  (2 Timothy 4:2) For a youth to enjoy the study, he must feel involved.  Why not ask viewpoint question and let him express himself.  Encourage the young ones to make practical application of the material under consideration.

 Moreover, make the Scriptural discussion lively.  When appropriate, have young ones act out Bible events and dramas.  Help them visualize the location and features of the land where events being discussed too place.  Using maps and charts may help. Yet, with little imagination, a family study can be made lively and varied.  Parents also do  well to examine their own relationship with Jehovah.  As they themselves draw closer to Jehovah, they can help their children to do so. -Deuteronomy 6:5-7.

Prayer also  helps one draw close to God. A girl in her early teens felt torn between the Christian way of life and her association with friends who did not share her beliefs.  (James 4:4) What did she do about it?   "For the very first time," she confessed, "I really prayed to Jehovah about how I felt."  She concluded that her prayer was answered when she eventually found within the Christian congregation a friend in whom she could confide.  Feeling that Jehovah was guiding her, she began to build a personal relationship with God.  Parents can help their children by improving the quality of their own prayers. When praying as a family, parents can pour out their heart so that their children can feel the personal bond between the parents and Jehovah.

Next time:  Be Patient but Firm

Watchtower, 2001