THE BIBLE'S VIEWPOINT/ Gratitude

How can you cultivate a good spirit?

WHAT THE BIBLE SAYS

Our feelings are closely linked to our thoughts.  The Bible writer David said in prayer to God:  "I meditate on all your activity; I eagerly ponder over the work of your hands." (Psalm 143:5)  Yes, David was not a distracted superficial person. His thankful spirit stemmed from his regular contemplation of God's ways, a practice he cultivated in life. -PSALM 71:5, 17.

The Bible gives us this excellent advice.  'Whatever things are true, lovable, well-spoken of, virtuous, and praiseworthy-continue thinking about these things.  (Philippians 4:8) The words "continue thinking about" point yet again to our need to have a thoughtful disposition, which is a prerequisite for a grateful spirit. 

Next time:  "Look Out That Non One Takes You Captive"!

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THE BIBLE'S VIEWPOINT/Gratitude

How does gratitude improve our relationships with others?

WHAT EXPERIENCE TELLS YOU

When we express sincere gratitude-whether for a gift, a kind word, or practical help-we make the giver feel valued and appreciated.  Even strangers respond warmly to people who sincerely thank them for doing a kind deed, such holding a door open.

WHAT THE BIBLE SAYS

"Practice giving," said Jesus Christ, "and people will give to you.  They will pour into your laps a fine measure, pressed down, shaken together, and overflowing."  (Luke 6:38)  Consider the experience of Rose, a deaf girl in Vanuatu, an island nations in the South Pacific.

Rose attended the Christian meetings of Jehovah's Witnesses but got little benefit from them, since neither she not anyone else in the congregation knew sign language.  When a couple who were proficient  sign-language interpreters visited the congregation and saw the problem, they started a sign-language class.  Rose was deeply grateful.  "I am happy to have so many friends who love me," she said.  Seeing her gratitude and watching her now participate in the meetings is more than enough reward for the couple who helped her.  Rose also deeply appreciates the efforts that others made to sign language in order to communicate with. - ACTS 20:35.

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THE BIBLE'S VIEWPOINT/ Gratitude

Showing gratitude has so many proven benefits-physical, mental and emotional-that everyone should it part of their daily life.

How is gratitude good for your well-being?

WHAT MEDICAL SCIENCE SAYS

According to an article in the Harvard Mental Healthy Letter, "gratitude is strongly and consistently  associated with greater happiness.  Gratitude helps people feel more positive emotions, relish good experiences, improve their health, deal with adversity, and build strong relationships." 

WHAT THE BIBLE SAYS

The Bible encourages us to cultivate a spirit of gratitude.  "Show yourselves thankful," wrote the apostle Paul, who set a fine example for himself.  For instance, he 'thanked God unceasingly for the positive response of others toward the message he shared with them.  (Colossians 3:15; 1 Thessalonians 2:13) Lasting happiness comes not from merely saying thank you occasionally but from having a grateful disposition.  That, in turn, protects us from feelings of entitlement, envy, and resentment, which would alienate people from us and rob us of joy in life.

Our Creator himself has set a fine example in showing appreciation-even to mere humans! Hebrews 6:10 states:  "God is not unrighteous so as to forget your work and the love you showed for his name." Yes, our creator considers it unrighteous, or unjust, to show a lack of gratitude.

"Always be rejoicing. Give thanks for everything." - 1 THESSALONIANS

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HELP FOR THE FAMILY/PARENTING -Conclusion of Teaching Your Child About Sex

Impart values.  Start teaching your child-at an early age-about honesty, integrity, and respect.  Then, when sex is discussed, you have foundation to build on. Also, state your values clearly.  For example, if you view sex before marriage as improper, say so.  And explain why it is wrong and harmful.  'Teens who say they know that their parents disapprove of teens having intercourse are less likely to actually have sex," says Beyond the Big Talk. 

Set the example.  Live by the values you teach.  For instance, do you laugh at obscene jokes?   dress provocatively? flirt? Such actions may undermine the moral values you are trying to teach your children. - Bible principle: ROMANS 2:21.

Keep it positive.  Sex is a gift from God, and in the right circumstances-in marriage-it can be a source of great pleasure.  (Proverbs 5:18, 19) Let your child know that in time he or she may be able to enjoy the gift, without the heartache and worries that come from premarital sex. - 1 TIMOTHY  1:18, 19. 

KEY SCRIPTURES

* "Train a boy [or, "youth,"] in the way he should go even when he grows old he will not depart from it." - PROVERBS 22:6.  

* "You must impress {God's commandment] upon your sons." -DEUTERONOMY 6:6, 7.

* Do you, however, the one teaching someone else, not teach yourself?" - ROMANS 2:21.

A PARENT'S ROLE

Despite common perceptions, children-including teenagers-are more influenced by their parents than by peers.  "Children always look first to the immediate adults in their lives for guidance and for framing the world in a way they can relate to and understand.  They go elsewhere only when they know or sense that we are not willing to be present or available . . .What decades of research demonstrate should be no great surprise:  families who sustain this kind of connectedness around issues such as sexuality raise healthier children who make better decision, take greater responsibility for their actions, and perhaps most important, postpone risky behaviors." - Talk to Me First.

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HELP FOR THE FAMILY/PARENTING -Continue Teaching Your Child About Sex

WHAT YOU CAN DO

Get involved.  No matter how awkward it may be, talking to your children about sex is your responsibility. Accept it. - Bible Principle:  PROVERBS 22:6.

 Have small discussions. Instead of having one talk, take advantage of  casual moments to communicate, perhaps while the two of you are traveling in your car or doing a chore.  To help your child open up, ask viewpoint questions.  For example, rather than saying,  "Are you attached to ads like that?"  You could say, "Why do you think those advertisers use those types images to sell their products?"  After your child answers, you could ask,  "How do you feel about that?" - Bible principle: DEUTERONOMY  6:6, 7.

Keep it age appropriate.  Preschoolers can be taught the proper names of the sex organs, as well as how to protect themselves from sexual predators.  As they grow, children can told basic facts about reproduction.  By puberty, they should have come to understand more fully the physical and moral aspects of sex. 

Next time: HELP FOR THE FAMILY/PARENTING - Teaching Your Child About Sex

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HELP FOR THE FAMILY/PARENTING -Teaching Your Child About Sex

WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW

Explicit content is everywhere.  In her book Talk to Me First, Deborah Roffman writes that "conversations, advertisements, movies, songs, books, song lyrics, TV shows, games, billboards, and phone and computer screens [are] so laced with sexual imagery, language, and innuendo that many [teens, preteens, and even young children] must conclude, at least unconsciously, that sex must be . . .  the absolute most important thing." 

Marketing is partly to blame.  Advertisers and retailers peddle sexy clothing for children, training them from an early age to put undue emphasis on appearance.  "Marketers know about young children's vulnerabilities and they exploit them," says the book So Sexy So Soon.  "All these sexual images and products are not intended to sell children on sex" but on "shopping."

Information is not enough. Just as there is a difference between knowing how a car works and being a responsible driver,there is a difference between having knowledge about sex and using that knowledge to make wise decisions.

The bottom line. Today,more than ever,you need to help your children train the their "powers of discernment" so that they can distinguish both right and wrong." -HEBREWS 5:14.

Next time: HELP FOR THE FAMILY/PARENTING - Continue  Teaching Your Child About Sex 

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HELP FOR THE FAMILY/PARENTING - Teaching Your Child About Sex

THE CHALLENGE

Just a few decades ago, parents had at least a good chance to be the first to talk to their son or daughter about sex.  And the could explain things gradually, according to the child's age and need.

That has all changed.  "Children  are being exposed to sexual messages at increasingly early ages, and the sexual content of children's media is on the rise,"  says the book The Lolita Effect. Does this new reality help children or hurt them? 

Note: It is the parent's responsibility to teach their children about sex, not a book, not a movie, not their peers or anyone else.  Just "THEIR PARENTS!"  Because outside the home, you only get the wrong information.  If the parents cannot tell their children what they need to know about sex or anything else, then they are injuring their child.  The parents brought their children into the world, and they have the responsibility to teach them everything they need to know to make it just a little easier to make it through this wicked world. 

Next time: HELP FOR THE FAMILY/PARENTING -Teaching Your Children About Sex

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The Need for Moral Values - Train Now

Children who see their parents display honesty are more likely to resist temptations to be dishonest when on their own.

 TEACH BY EXAMPLE

* Do my children see in my actions and words that I live by values that our family has adopted?

* Do my spouse ad I promote the same values?

* Do I justify ignoring my moral code by saying or thinking, "This is OK for adults"?

WHAT WE DID

"We used the experiences of others to show the benefits of good morals and compared the results they had with those of people who made unwise decisions.  When our children told us about a peer who made a poor choice, we discussed it with them so that they would not go down the same path." - Nicole

"When our daughter was very young, we would tell her that she had two choices-one good and the other bad-and we outlined the consequences of each.  From this, she learned to make decisions. It was a vital lesson, since life is all about choices, no matter how old we are." -Yolanda.

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The Need for Moral Values -Continue with HOW TO TEACH MORAL VALUES

Make your moral code part of your family.

BIBLE PRINCIPLE:  "Keep proving what you yourselves are." - 2 CORINTHIANS 13:5.

* Your moral code should be part of you family, so that you can truthfully says.

* "In our family we do not lie." 

* "We do not hit others or scream at them."

* We do not approved of abusive speech." 

Your child will see  that moral values are not mere rules to follow but that they make up the family's identity.

Reinforce moral values.

BIBLE PRINCIPLES: "Maintain a good conscience." - 1 PETER 3:16.

* Commend good behavior. If your child displays good moral values in what he does praise him for it and explain why.  For example, you could say: "You were honest. I am proud of you."  If your child confesses to having done something wrong, sincerely commend him for his honesty before you correct him.

* Correct bad behavior.  Help your children accept responsibility for their actions.  Children should know what they did wrong and how their conduct deviates from the family's value system.  Some parents are reluctant to make their child  'feel bad' about misbehavior, but discussing bad behavior with your child this way will help him develop a conscience that is sensitive to right and wrong.

Next time: The Need for Moral Values - TRAIN NOW

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The Need for Moral Values - HOW TO TEACH MORAL VALUES

Establish a moral code.

BIBLE PRINCIPLE: "Mature people . . . have their powers of discernment trained to distinguish both right and wrong." -Hebrews 5:14.

* Build a moral vocabulary.  Point to everyday situations and highlight contrasts:  "This is hones; that is dishonest." This is loyal; that is disloyal."  This is kind; that is unkind." in time, your child will connect moral values and actions.

* Explain the reasons for your moral code.  For example, ask questions such as:  Why is honesty the best policy?  How can lying damage friendships?  Why is stealing wrong?  Appeal to your child's developing conscience and sense of logic. 

* Emphasize the benefits of adhering to good morals. You could say: "If you are honest, others will trust you" or "If you are kind, people will be will like being around you." 

Next time: The Need for Moral Values: Continue with HOW TO TEACH MORAL VALUES

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