HOW CAN YOU HELP A "PRODIGAL" CHILD? - Draw Close to God

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 43:8)  initially he will need "milk" -the basic teachings of the Bible.  But as he takes delight on 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 suggestion 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 regular Family 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 questions 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 our Bible events and dramas. Help them visualize the location and features of the land where events being discussed took place.  Using maps and charts may help.  Yes, with a 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 closer 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 feel the personal bond between the parents and Jehovah.

Next time:  HOW CAN YOU HELP A "PRODIGAL" CHILD? - Be Patient but Firm

The Watchtower, 2001