Helping the Children of "Foreign Residents"

"No greater joy do I have than this: that I should hear that my children go on walking in the truth." -3 JOHN 4.

"FROM infancy, I spoke my immigrant parent's language at home and in the congregation," says Joshua.  "But after I started school, I began to prefer the local language.  Within a few years, the shift was complete. I couldn't understand the meetings, and I didn't identify with my parent's culture."  Joshua's experience is not uncommon.

Today, more than 240,000 people do not live in the country where they were born. If you are an immigrant parent, how can you give your children the best possible opportunity to learn to love Jehovah and to "go on walking in the truth?"  (3 John 4) And how can others help? 

PARENTS SET A GOOD EXAMPLE

Parents, your example is very important if you want your children to have a personal relationship with Jehovah and live forever. When your children see you "seeking first the Kingdom," they learn to depend on Jehovah for their daily needs.  (Matthew 6:33, 34)  Make your service to Jehovah a priority rather than seeking more and more material things.  Live modestly and try to avoid debt.  Seek "treasures in heaven," that is, Jehovah's approval, rather than seeking money or  "the glory of men." -Read Mark 10:21, 22; John 12:43. 

Never get so busy that you do not have time for your children. Let them know that you are  proud of them when they decide to put Jehovah first instead of seeking fame or money, either for themselves or for you. Avoid the wrong view that children should provide their parents with a very comfortable life. Remember,  "children are not expected to save up for their parents, but the parents for their children." -2 Corinthians 12:14. 

Next time:  Helping the Children of "Foreign Residents" - PARENTS, TRY TO OVERCOME LANGUAGE PROBLEMS 

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