Keys to Family Happiness/WHEN YOUR ADOLESCENT QUESTIONS YOUR FAITH/ "Persuaded to Believe"

The Bible speaks of the young man Timothy who "from infancy" knew the holy writings. Yet, the apostle Paul urged Timothy:"Continue in the things  you learned and were persuaded to believe." (2 Timothy 3:14, 15) Like Timothy, your adolescent may have been educated in Bible standards from birth.  Now, though, you need to persuade him so that he develops in his own convictions.

The book Questions Young People Ask-Answers That Work, Volume 1, states; "As long as your adolescent lives under your roof, you have the right to require compliance with a spiritual routine. In the end, however, your goal is to instill love for God in your teen's heart-not simply to elicit some mechanical action." By keeping that goal in mind, you can help your adolescent become "solid in the faith" so that it becomes his way of life-not just yours. - 1 PETER 5:9.

Next time:Life in Bible Times-Musicians and Their Instruments

From the jw.org publications