Train Your Teenager to Serve Jehovah

SHOW INSIGHT, AND UNDERSTAND YOUR TEENAGER

Jesus showed insight and understanding where his disciples needed help.  For instance, the apostle Peter meant well when he urged Jesus to be kind to himself in order not to be killed.  Jesus, however, knew that Peter's comment reflected faulty thinking.  To help him and the other disciples, Jesus gave frank counsel, stated the consequences of a self-sparing attitude, and outlined the blessings of a self-sacrificing spirit.  (Matthew 16:21-27) Peter learned the lesson. -1 Peter 2:20, 21.  

Pray to Jehovah to give you insight so that you can understand where your teenager needs help.  (Psalm 32:8) For example, what might indicate that your child's faith is wavering?  Perhaps his joy is waning, he is speaking critically of fellow believers, or he has become secretive. Do not hastily conclude that these are signs of a double life involving serious sin. On the other hand, do not ignore such signs or dismiss your teenager's isolation as a mere phase.

Like Jesus, ask questions kindly and respectfully. As drawing a bucket of water out of a well too quickly will cause you to lose  some of the water, confronting your teen too forcefully may make you squander a valuable opportunity to learn his thoughts and intentions.  (Read Proverbs 20:5)  Ilaria quoted earlier, states: "During my adolescence, I became torn between walking in the truth and spending more time with my classmates.  This inward battle affected my  mood, and my parents detected that. One evening, they simply mentioned that they had noticed  that I was a bit down, and the asked me what the problem was. I burst into tears, explained the situation, and asked for help.  They hugged me, told me that they understood, and promised to help me."  Ilaria's parents immediately began assisting her to forge new and better friendships in the congregation. 

Jesus also showed insight by seeing where his disciples  needed help  and where they excelled. For instances, when a man  named Nathanael heard that Jesus had come from Nazareth, he said:  "Can anything good come from Nazareth?" (John 1:46)  Based on that comment, how might you have labeled Nathanael? Critical? Prejudiced? Faithless?   Jesus exercised  insight and looked for the good in Nathanael.  Jesus called him  "truly and Israelites in whom there is not deceit."  (John 1:47)  Jesus could read hearts, and he used that ability to look for the good in others. 

You cannot read hearts, but with God's help you can exercise insight.  Will you use that ability to look for the good in your teenager?  No one wants to be labeled a "troublemaker." In thought or word, never label  your son or daughter a "rebellious teenager" or a "problem child."  Even if your teen is struggling, let him know that you see his potential and heartfelt desire to do what is right. Note any signs of growth and progress, and commend him. Help him to develop his good qualities by giving him increased responsibility when  
possible. Jesus did that with his disciples. About a year and a half  after meeting Nathanael (also called Bartholomew), Jesus select him as an apostle, and Nathanael proved to be a  zealous Christian.  (Luke 6:13, 14; Acts 1:13, 14) 

Your commendation and encouragement will help your child to feel that he is, not someone who always fails to measure up, but a capable Christian whom Jehovah can use.

Next time: Train Your Teenager to Serve Jehovah - TRAINING THAT REAPS INDESCRIBABLE JOY

From The Watchtower magazine