A MODEL FOR CHILDREN

Can children learn from Jesus?  Yes, they can!  By his own example, Jesus showed how children should obey their parents.  "Just as the Father taught me," he said, "I speak."  He added: "I always do the things pleasing to him."  (John 8:28, 29) Jesus was obedient to his heavenly Father, and the Bible tells children to obey their parents.  (Ephesians 6:1-3) Although Jesus was a perfect child, he obeyed his human parents, Joseph and Mary, who were imperfect.  That surely contributed to the happiness of every member of Jesus' family! -Luke 2:4, 5, 51, 52.

Can children see ways that they can be more like Jesus and make their parents happy?  True, young ones may sometimes find it hard to obey their parents, but that is what God wants children to do.  (Proverbs 1:8; 6:20) Jesus always obeyed his heavenly Father, even under difficult circumstances.  Once, when it was God's will that Jesus doing especially hard, Jesus said: "Remove this cup [a certain requirement] from me." Nevertheless, Jesus did what God asked, because he realized that his Father knew best.  (Luke 22:42)  By learning to be obedient, children will make their parents happy and their heavenly Father very happy." -Proverbs 23:22-25. 

The Devil tempted Jesus, and we can be sure that he will also tempt young ones to do what is wrong.  (Matthew 4:1-10) Satan the Devil uses peer pressure , which can be hard to resist.  How vital it is, then, that children not keep; company with wrongdoers! (1 Corinthians 15:33) Jacob's  daughter Dina kept company with those who did nor worship Jehovah, and this led to a lot of trouble. (Genesis 34:1, 2)  Think of how the family could be hurt if one of its members   were to become involved in sexual immorality! -Proverbs 17:21, 25. 

Next time: THE KEY TO FAMILY HAPPINESS

From the Book: What Does the Bible Really Teach? 2005 and 2006