CHAPTER NINETEEN/Joseph Provided for His Family - Conclusion

 Joseph, however, understood that caring for his family's spiritual needs was paramount. So he spent time teaching his children about Jehovah God and His Laws. He and Mary regularly took them to the local synagogue, where the Law was read aloud and explained. Perhaps Jesus was full of questions afterward, and Joseph tried hard to satisfy the boy's spiritual hunger.  Joseph also took the family to religious festivals in Jerusalem, For the annual Passover, Joseph may have needed to weeks to make the 75-mile journey (120 km), observe the occasion, and return home.

Christian family heads today follow a similar pattern. They give of themselves for their children, putting spiritual training above every other concern, including material comforts. They go to great lengths to conduct family worship at home and to take their children to Christian meetings both large and small. Like Joseph, they know that there is no better investment they can make for the sake of their children. 

Next time: CHAPTER NINETEEN/"In Mental Distress" 

From the jw.org publications