Help Your Teenager to Thrive

Conclusion of WHAT TO COMMUNICATE

What is the most important subject that parents and children should discuss? The apostle Paul referred to it when he wrote: "Go on bringing [your children] up in the discipline and mental-regulating of Jehovah." (Ephesians 6:4) Children need to keep learning about Jehovah. In particular, they need to learn to love him, and they should want to serve him.  Here, too, much can be taught by example.  If adolescents see that their parents love God with their whole heart and with their whole soul and with their whole mind' and that this produces good fruits in their parents' lives, they may well be influenced to do the same.  (Matthew 22:37)  Similarly, if young people see that their parents have a reasonable view of material things, putting God's Kingdom first, they will be helped to develop the same mental attitude. -Ecclesiastes 7:12; Matthew 6:31-33. 

A weekly family Bible study is an outstanding  help in communicating spiritual values to young people.  (Psalm 119:33, 34; Proverbs 4:20-23) having such a study regularly is vital.  (Psalm 1:1-3) Parents and their children should realize that other things must be scheduled around the family study, not vice versa. Further, the right attitude is essential if the family study is to be effective. One father said:  "The secret is for the conductor to foster a relaxed yet respectful atmosphere during the family study-informal but not silly.  The correct balance may not always be easy to attain, and youngsters will frequently need attitude adjustment.  If things do not go well a time or two, persevere and look ahead to the next time." This same father said that in his prayer before each study, he specifically requested help for Jehovah for the right viewpoint on the part of all involved. -Psalm 119:66. 

Conducting the family study is the responsibility of believing parents.  True, some parents may not be gifted teachers, and it may be difficult for them to find ways  to make the family study interesting. Nevertheless, if you love your teenagers  "in deed and truth," you will desire to help them in a humble and honest way to advance spiritually.  (1 John 3:18) They may complain from time to time, but likely they will sense deep interest in their welfare .

The family study is not the only occasion to communicate matters that are spiritually important. Do you remember Jehovah's command to parents:  He said: "You must apply these words of mine upon your hand, and they must serve as a frontlet band between your eyes. You must also teach them to your sons, so as to speak of them when you sit in your house and when you walk on the road and when you lie down and when you get up." (Deuteronomy 11:18, 19; see also Deuteronomy 6:6, 7) This does not mean that parents must constantly preach to their children. But a loving family head should always be on the lookout for opportunities to build up their spiritual outlook of his family. 

Next time:  Help Your Teenager to Thrive/DISCIPLINE AND RESPECT

From the book: The Secret of FAMILY HAPPINESS