Building a Spiritually Strong Family ?‍??‍??‍??‍?

[Bible Speaks]

 Building a Spiritually Strong Family

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“Go on bringing them up in the discipline and mental-regulating of Jehovah.”—EPHESIANS 6:4.

Buy Out the Time

How can parents ‘buy out time’ to rear Christian children?

In these complicated, critical times, great effort must be expended so that children become “lovers of Jehovah” who truly “hate what is bad.” (Psalm 97:10) Wise parents will ‘buy out time’ to meet this challenge. (Ephesians 5:15-17) If you are a parent, how can you do this? First, establish priorities, giving attention to “the more important things,” including the teaching and training of your children. (Philippians 1:10, 11) 

Second, simplify your life-style. You may have to put aside activities that are not really necessary. Or you may need to divest yourself of unnecessary possessions that take time to maintain. As a Christian parent, you will never regret that you made the effort needed to raise God-fearing children.—Proverbs 29:15, 17.

How can a family be kept united?

Spending time with your children, especially when centered on spiritual matters, is well worth the effort and is one of the best ways to keep a family united. But do not leave this to chance. Schedule certain times you will spend together. This does not mean just being in the same house, each one doing his own thing. Children flourish best with daily personal attention. Love and concern need to be displayed unstintingly. Even before they decide to have children, married couples must seriously consider this important responsibility. (Luke 14:28) Then they will not regard the rearing of children as a chore. Instead, they will view it as a blessed privilege.—Genesis 33:5; Psalm 127:3.

Teach by Word and Example

(a) With what does teaching children to love Jehovah start? (b) What counsel is given parents at Deuteronomy 6:5-7?

Teaching your children to love Jehovah begins with your own love for him. A strong love for God will move you to follow all his instructions faithfully. This includes bringing children up “in the discipline and mental-regulating of Jehovah.” (Ephesians 6:4) God counsels parents to set the example for their children, to communicate with them, and to teach them. Deuteronomy 6:5-7 states: “You must love Jehovah your God with all your heart and all your soul and all your vital force. And these words that I am commanding you today must prove to be on your heart; and you must inculcate them in your son and speak of them when you sit in your house and when you walk on the road and when you lie down and when you get up.” 

By frequent admonition and repetition, you can inculcate God’s commandments in your children. Thus, your offspring will sense the love you have for Jehovah and, in turn, will be influenced to develop a closeness to him as well.—Proverbs 20:7.

How can parents take advantage of the fact that children learn by example?

Children are eager to learn. They are keen listeners and observers and are quick to imitate your example. When they see that you are not materialistic, this helps them to learn how to follow Jesus’ counsel. You teach them not to be anxious about material things but to ‘seek first God’s kingdom.’ (Matthew 6:25-33) By engaging in wholesome, upbuilding conversation about Bible truth, God’s congregation, and the appointed elders, you teach your children to respect Jehovah and to appreciate his spiritual provisions. 

Since children are quick to note inconsistencies, oral instruction must be backed up by conduct and attitude that demonstrate your own deep appreciation for spiritual things. What a blessing it is when parents see that their good example has produced in their children wholehearted love for Jehovah!—Proverbs 23:24, 25.

https://wol.jw.org/en/wol/d/r1/lp-e/2001365?q=parent+training&p=par#h=8

[Bible Speaks]

Children have been compared to “arrows in the hand of a mighty man.” 

An archer has the arrow in his bow for only a relatively short time. To hit the target, he must quickly let it go. 

Likewise, parents have only a relatively short period of time to develop in their children heartfelt love for Jehovah. 

After what seems to be just a few short years, the children grow up and leave home. Will they hit the target—that is, will the children continue to love and serve God after they leave home? 

Numerous factors influence the answer. Much depends upon the skill of the parent, the environment in which the children are raised, and the way the ‘arrow,’ or child, responds to the training he or she receives. - Psalms 127:4.
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