HOW CAN YOU HELP A "PRODIGAL" CHILD? - Why Some Decide to Leave

Why Some Decide to Leave


There are hundreds of thousands of young ones who serve Jehovah happily in the Christian congregation.  Why, then, do other young ones leave?  They may feel that they are losing out on something that the world offers. ( yeah, trouble)  (2 Timothy 4:10)  Or they may consider Jehovah's protective sheepfold too restrictive.  A guilty conscience, a strong interest in the opposite sex, or a desire to be accepted by one's peers can also cause  a youngster to drift   away from Jehovah's flock. ( Kids, you cannot be anyone but yourself, so be true to that, because being something someone else wants you to be is not being true to yourself and that is what your peers want, I was always true to myself)   A youth may quit serving God because of what seems to be hypocrisy on the part of his parents or some other Christian.   (Do not judge the whole congregation because one may have been  a hypocrite)

A child's rebellious attitude and behavior are usually the symptoms of spiritual weakness, reflections of what is in his heart.  (Proverbs 15:13;Matthew 12:34) More than merely going through the motions of worshiping Jehovah, it is important that young ones cultivate a close personal relationship him.  What will help them do do?

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

The Watchtower, 2001