Parents -Teach Your Children to Love Jehovah - Conclusion of RESPECT A COUPLE'S DECISIONLLE

Other Christians have chosen to consider the pattern set by Noah's three sons and their wives.  Those three couples did not have children immediately.  (Genesis 6:18; 9:18; 10:1; 2 Peter 2:5) Jesus likened our time to "the days of Noah," and there is no doubt that we are living in  "critical times hard to deal with." (Matthew 24:37; 2 Timothy 3:1)  With that reality in mind, some couples have concluded that they would  like to postpone having children so that they cab devote more time to sharing in the Christian ministry.

When deciding whether to have children and how many to have, wise couples  "calculate the expense."  (Read Luke 14:28, 29) Experience parents confirm that raising children not only costs money but also time and energy.  Thus, it is important  for a couple to consider such questions as: 'Would both of us have to work to supply the family's  basic needs? Do we agree on what our "basic needs" are? If we both would to work, who would look after the children? Who would influence their thinking and actions? Couples who calmly discuss those questions take to heart the words of PROVERBS 21:5.

A child requires and deserves considerable time and energy from each parent.  So if a couple have a number of children who are close in age, the parents may find it challenging  to give each child the needed attention.  Some couples who had a number of young children confessed that they felt overwhelmed. A mother may struggle with feeling drained physically and emotionally.  Could that have an impact on her being able to study, pray, and share in the ministry regularly? A related challenge is being able to pay attention during Christian meetings and to benefit from them.  Of course, a loving husband wild do what he can to support his wife when their children need attention, both  at meetings and at home. For example, he could help his wife with household chores. He will work hard to ensure that all benefit from a regular Family Worship program. And Christian fathers will regularly accompany the family in field service.

Next time: Parents - Teach Your Children to Love Jehovah - TEACHING CHILDREN TO LOVE JEHOVAH

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