Parents - Help Your Children to Love Jehovah - FOUR PRINCIPLES THAT CAN HELP PARENTS - Continue

 Principle 3: Talk with your children regularly. Jehovah instructed the ancient Israelites to teach their children about him regularly. (Deuteronomy 6:6, 7.)  Those parents had many opportunities throughout the day to talk with their children and instill love for Jehovah in their heart.  For instance, a young Israelite boy might spend hours helping his father plant the crops or bring in the harvest.  His sister might spend much of the day helping her mother with sewing, weaving,  and other household  chores. As parents and children work together, they could talk about many important topics.  For example, they could discuss Jehovah's quality of goodness and consider how he was helping the family. 

Times have changed. In many lands, parents and children cannot spend time together throughout the day. The parents may be at work, and the children may be in school.  As a result, parents must look for occasions when they can talk wiht their children.  (Ephesians 5:15, 16; Philippians 1:10) Family worship offers one such opportunity.  A young brother named Alexander says:  "My father always makes arrangements for family worship, and he allows nothing to crowd out this time together.  After the study, we just talk.

If you are a family head, what can you do to make family worship enjoyable for yoru children?  Why not study  with your children our fine new publication Enjoy Life Forever!  That study would provide an excellent opportunity for lively conversation. You want your children  to open up about their feelings and concerns, so do not use the time reserved for family worship to lecture or scold them.  And try not to overreact if  your children express a viewpoint that is not in harmony with  Scriptural principles.  Rather, be grateful that they are being  honest about their feelings, and encourage them to express themselves freely. You can best help your children only when you knw how they really feel. 

Parents, look for opportunities throughout the day to help your children draw close to Jehovah. You do not have to wait for a formal Bible study  session to teach them about our loving God.  Note what a mother named lisa says:  "We helped our children make the connection between Jehovah and creation. For example, when our dog's antics would make the kid's laugh, we would point out how this illustrates that our Creator has a sense of humor and loves life, just as we do.

Next time: Parents -Help Your Children to Love Jehovah - FOUR PRINCIPLES THAT CAN HELP PARENTS - Conclusion

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