Fulfilling Youir Role as a Parent

 

3. Build positive traits.

A Bible proverb states: "Children show what they are by what they do; you can tell if they are honest and good." (Proverbs 20:11) Good News Translation) As children grow, theyt develop a pattern of conduct that characterizes them .  Sadly, some become known for their negative traits. (Psal 58:3) But others build a solid, praiseworthy reptuation.  For example, the apostle Paul wrote to a congregation regarding the young man Timothy:  "I have no one else of a disposition  like his who will genuinely care for the things pertaining to you." - PHILIPPIANS 2:20.

What you can do.  In adddition to emphasizing consequences, as mentioned earlier, help your child think about the character traits for which he or she would like to be known.  When faced with a challenge, young people can learn to make good decisions by asking themselves the following questions: 

* What type of person do I want to be? - COLOSSIANS 3:10.

* What would a person like that do in this situation? -PROVERBS 10:1.

The Biblec contains many true-life examples of men and women whose actions defined them as being either good or bad.  (1 Corinthians 10:11; James 5:10, 11)  Use these examples to help your son or daughter build positive character traits.  

The publications of Jehovah's Witnesses can help you to apply Bible principles  in your family and how to help your children do the same. 

To Help Your Family

For young children: My Book of Bible Stories

For pre-teens: Learn from the Great Teacher

For teenagers: Questions Young People Ask-Answers That Work,  Volumes 1 and 2 

For adults: The Secret of Family Happiness

Next time: Lessons From "the Disciple Whom Jesus Loved"

From the jw.org publications