Train Your Child to Serve Jehovah

DEMONSTRATE HUMILITY

Imagine how Jesus' disciples must have felt when they heard, or later learned about, on of his final prayers as a human:  "Abba, Father, all things are possible for you; remove this cup from me. Yet,not what I want, but what you want." (Mark 14:36) From Jesus' pleading words, his followers undoubtedly learned that since the perfect Son of God humbly prayed for divine help, they should do the same.

What do your children learn from your prayers? True, you do no prey to Jehovah primarily to teach your children. Nevertheless, when you pray humbly in their presence, your children learn to rely on Jehovah.  Ana, who lives in Brazil, states:  "When there were problems, such as when my grandparents were ill, my parents would ask Jehovah to give them the strength to cope with the situation and the wisdom to make good decisions. Even when under terrible pressure, they left their problems in Jehovah's hands.  As a result, I learned to rely on Jehovah." When you pray with your children, do not pray just for them. Ask Jehovah to help you too-perhaps to help you speak to your employer about getting time off for a convention, to give you courage to witness to your neighbor, or help you in other ways.  Humbly rely on God, and your children will learn to do so too.

By word and example, Jesus trained his disciples to serve others humbly. (Read Luke 22:27) He taught his apostles to be self-sacrificing in Jehovah's service and in dealing with fellow believers. Through your example of humble self-sacrifice, you can teach your children the same lesson.  "I never felt jealous because of the time my husband spent with others as an elder," says Debbie, a mother of two.  "I knew that whenever our family needed my husband's attention, he would give it to us." (1 Timothy 3:4, 5)  Her husband, Pranas, adds:  "Later, our children were keen to be involved at assemblies and on theocratic projects.  They flourished, made friends, and felt that they belonged!"  The entire family now serves Jehovah in the full-time ministry. By the way you demonstrate humility and self-sacrifice, your children are likely to learn how to serve others. 

Next time: Train Your Child to Serve Jehovah - SHOW INSIGHT

From The Watchtower magazine