When you dig deeper in God's Word it'll change your life

God's Word reminds us that we shouldn't return evil for evil or anger for anger. This is how to overcome

Seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness and all these things will be added unto you. You chase God and things will chase you.

Change keeps life fresh and adventurous. Embrace change with faith and trust that God will see you through.

Reasons We Don’t Take Care of Ourselves

We have let ourselves slip into unworkable lives. 

With the incredible pressures of juggling career and parenthood, paying steep mortgages and increased fuel prices and burning the proverbial candle at both ends and everywhere in between, it is oh-so-easy to put the workout off, grab a cheeseburger on the run, cheat our sleep time in order to catch up on paperwork and let the tail wag the dog until we’ve cut everything out of our lives that once gave us pleasure or kept us sane. This is bad enough, because life is a gift and is meant to be joyful. It should be pleasurable and sane.

We have become pathologically selfless. 

Selflessness can be addictive. It feels so good to do for others and it makes us feel important. Yes, it is a good thing to help others and should be a major part of our life, but in my line of work, I often see people who routinely ignore their basic needs. The only thing that gives them meaning is doing things for others. This is admirable, but it can easily cross the line into mistaking suffering for virtue. Martyrs usually end up bitter. And once the body breaks down and life is no longer joyful, it becomes increasingly hard to serve anyone. Volunteers in a soup kitchen don’t let their pots fall apart while they ladle out one more bowl of soup. They take the time to care for the equipment they need to do their calling. And you should do the same with your most important piece of equipment—your body.

I am not suggesting that we be selfish because that renders us very unhappy and is not how God teaches us to live. We are to live sacrificially and be involved in doing good works, but we must not ignore our own basic needs in the process. Everything in life must be balanced or something breaks down and quite often it is us.

We have lost our support. 

When we don’t have a good social network or a godly foundation to keep our spirits high, it becomes easy to slip into boredom, loneliness, and depression. If we aren’t able to somehow fill that void, the devil will. You may have heard the saying “Nature abhors a vacuum.” Well, let me tell you, the devil loves one! He’ll put lots of bad food within easy reach and let you mistake spiritual or emotional hunger for physical hunger. Maintaining a good support network is a terrific way to prevent the formation of bad habits.

We need to have right people around us who will speak if they see us getting out of balance. We need to spend regular time in fellowship with God and learning His principals. His Holy Spirit who works through His Word convicts us of wrongdoing and gives us the chance to make positive changes before we break down or become ill.

 We don’t know how to take care of our physical bodies. 

Decades of bad diets, misinformation, and easy access to fast food and prepackaged food have left people amazingly confused about what a wholesome diet is and how they should eat.

We have a skewed body image planted in our minds by media and advertising. 

On one side we are inundated with unattainable ideals of beauty, while on the other, obesity is so prevalent that it’s almost considered the norm. We need to reset our internal picture of what a healthy person should look like.

 We have forgotten our own value.

 This is the biggest reason we don’t take care of ourselves. If you don’t understand your own importance in the Big Plan, taking care of yourself seems pointless. Reminding you of your place in God’s plan is my first and most important task.

If you’re not sure of your value in God’s eyes, then I invite you to read this article. There’s a crucial link between our spirits and our bodies that we all need to understand.

God has a great future planned for you and you need to be ready for it! You need to look great and feel great, ready to do whatever God asks of you.

How to Know God

The Bible teaches us that all people were meant to have friendship with God. It began that way, but ever since Adam and Eve, man has fought against that relationship. Instead of living in peace with God and each other, we find conflict and disagreement... or worse!

Man has a habit of living for himself. We often ignore God and pursue our own plans. Our selfish choices do not bring us life. In fact, they earn us a death sentence.

God understands that mankind battles with sin. He understands that we are frustrated with how things turn out. He also knows that left to ourselves, we would not always do the right thing. So, God stepped in and made a way for us to find forgiveness and begin again.

How did God do this? He sent His Son, Jesus Christ to live among us. He taught us a better way.

Jesus was perfect in every way, but mankind was not happy with God's way forward. While Jesus taught us to love God and each other, evil men plotted his death upon a cross. They took him away and tried his case unfairly. The same people that Jesus taught, healed and fed, forced a Roman Governor to sentence Him to death on a cross.

Jesus died to take our sins on His shoulders. He paid the price for the wrongs we have done. Because He died in our place, we can find God's forgiveness. But the story did not end there!

Jesus paid the price for our sins 

by dying on that cross. Three days later, He rose from the dead. Hundreds of witnesses saw Jesus alive again before he rose to heaven. They heard Jesus promise that when we accept Him here on earth, we would be able to be in heaven with Him when we die.

Now, Jesus is willing to forgive our sins. He knows our weaknesses. He offers to make a way for us, but only if we will ask Him.

If you want to be free from your sins, if you want to begin again, ask Him for forgiveness. It is not complicated.

Simply talk to God and say,

"Thank you, God, for loving me and sending your Son to die on the cross for the wrongs I have done. I am sorry for the things I have done that hurt You. I choose to make Jesus the Lord of my life.Help me to be the kind of person that You want me to be. In Jesus' Name, Amen."

God Loves You!

God wants a relationship with you. He made a way for us to find forgiveness and begin again. Start that relationship with him today!

Things young people can do for God.

Here are ten things that you can do to serve God and gain life's greatest blessing:

(1) OBEY THE GOSPEL OF CHRIST

Christ commands us to believe in Him (John 8:24), to repent of our sins (Acts 2:38), to confess His name (Matthew 10:32-33), and to be baptized into Him for the remission of our sins (Romans 6:3-6). Study Tape # 46, "How Can a Man Be justified With God?", for further information about this most important step. Every young person who can understand these commands should obey them. There is nothing you will ever do that will mean so much to you in coming years.

(2) KEEP THYSELF PURE (I Timothy 5:22)

If you like a real challenge, the challenge of conquering our own will is life's greatest, for sin is easy. Besides the personal satisfaction that moral purity brings, it brings also the blessings of God (Matthew 5:8).

(3) BUILD A CHRISTIAN PERSONALITY

True greatness 14,es in spiritual things. Emphasize prayer, study, and righteousness, and they will bless you. "For what is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul"' (Matthew 16:26). Those who follow Christ learn how to do good unto all men, even their enemies. Their lives radiate the beauty of his way (Matthew 5:14-16). Christianity brings peace with God, peace with others, and peace within.

(4) LEAD OTHERS TO CHRIST

Christ has commanded His disciples to take the gospel to everyone. You can be a soul-winner. And nothing enlarges one's faith and spiritual capacity like teaching the lost.

(5) GET A CHRISTIAN EDUCATION

You CAN get a Christian education if you really want to. Your doing so will help you in a thousand ways. A Christian college education will help you to be the best and most productive citizen possible in God's kingdom.

(6) PREPARE YOURSELF FOR A DECENT PROFESSION

The New Testament strongly commands honest and honorable work (I Thessalonians 4:11,12). The Christian life is not that of a parasites but one of industry and service.

(7) BUILD A CHRISTIAN HOME

Next to obeying the gospel of Christ, the greatest favor you will ever do yourself is to build a Christian home. When you marry, MARRY A CHRISTIAN.

(8) PREPARE FOR CHRISTIAN LEADERSHIP

The church needs every competent leader and teacher that it can get. Develop your talents for Christian leadership by the sincere and zealous practice of spiritual responsibilities. Be USEFUL in the Lord's service.

(9) ENCOURAGE AND HELP OTHERS

Everyone bears a burden. When we help bear other's burdens and encourage them in Christ's walk, we fulfill the law of Christ (Galatians 6:2).

(10) BE FAITHFUL THROUGHOUT YOUR LIFE

(Read Revelations 2:10) Many perils will beset your pathway. Temptations and disappointments came to the Lord and they will also come to you. And all who live godly in Christ Jesus will suffer some persecution (2 Timothy 3:12), but God calls us to a life that man cannot destroy and to treasures that are eternal. He will never leave us or forsake us (Hebrews 13:5). Keep your faith and it will keep you. There is great potential in your life. May God bless you as you develop it in His service.

Does Your Youth Ministry Have This Huge Blind Spot?

I believe many of our youth ministries has a significant blind spot. More than ever I'm convinced that we are overlooking a key part of spiritual development. The curious thing is that it’s an element of spiritual growth that’s at the core of the New Testament message. What am I talking about?

Repentance.

Wait! Don't click away from this article!!! My hunch is that when many of you saw the word “repentance,” it engendered a curious response. Did you think of fire-and-brimstone preachers? Does the word feel antiquated and maybe a little harsh to modern ears? As we think about youth ministry and reaching 21st century teenagers, repentance doesn’t often come up, does it?

I’ll venture that the concept no doubt seems irrelevant to some. (Maybe it’s because the concept of repentance feels like behavior modification. And we’ve been conditioned to flee from leading teenagers to a faith that is conditioned through, or measured by behavior modification.) But if these previous sentences describe you at all, I would encourage you to continue to read.

Because if this is how you feel about repentance, then you're missing one of the most important aspect of what it means to follow Christ.

John the Baptist was sent to prepare the way for Jesus’ ministry. And what was the first thing we see come out of his mouth? “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand” (Matt. 3:2). Matthew records the first words of Jesus’ public ministry as follows: “From that time Jesus began to preach, saying, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand” (Matt. 4:17). Notice a trend? The word appears 54 times in the New Testament (and 24 in the Old Testament), about 20 of which are directly out of Jesus’ mouth. And yet, when it comes to shaping teenagers’ faith, it rarely comes out of ours.

Why? Why do we neglect this concept?

I think one reason is that we have a categorical misunderstanding of grace. We often teach teenagers as though we believe that grace makes repentance unnecessary. Nothing could be further from the truth. Grace necessitates repentance. Grace drives repentance. Grace and repentance go hand-in-hand.

Still not convinced? Then give me a few more moments of your time to share with you from Crossway’s excellent ESV Gospel Transformation Bible. (If you don’t own this resource, I would highly suggest picking it up. It has been an invaluable addition to my resource library.) I think these notes nail the heart of repentance about as clearly as you can:

Repentance does not begin with changed behavior that in turn brings God’s acceptance. It begins with a change in one’s perspective on oneself, on God, and on the consequences of one’s rejection of God. The change in one’s perspective then brings about a change in behavior.

See, repentance doesn't start with behavior. So the fear of teaching teenagers works-based salvation, or misguide legalism shouldn’t apply here. Repentance starts with the heart. And the change that is wrought in our heart through the power of the Spirit leads us to turn away from “that which entangles us.”

If you're still with me, allow me to share a couple more points I’ve adapted from the Gospel Transformation Bible, and how I believe they apply to youth ministry.

REPENTANCE IS CHANGE IN THE PATTERN OF ONE’S LIFE FROM SINFUL BEHAVIOR TO BEHAVIOR THAT HONORS GOD.

Great definition here. So many of our students—and let’s be honest, us—don’t even think about their sin habits as sinful. They’ve simply incorporated them into their lifestyles. Repentance is about identifying sin-habits for what they are, and born out of love for God, taking the necessary steps to change those habits.

REPENTANCE INVOLVES A HEART-CHANGE THAT LEADS TO A CHANGE IN THE DIRECTION OF ONE’S LIFE.

As mentioned earlier, any change that is made solely in the habit itself won’t last, and probably isn’t real repentance. We need to address the heart change our students need, doing our best to put them in a position to let the Spirit convict and transform.

THOSE WHO REPENT, CONFESS THEIR SIN.

I don’t know how often we stress confession of sin to God. Maybe it’s a tenant of your ministry. Maybe it’s not. But it should be.

THOSE WHO REPENT ALSO UNDERSTAND THAT THEY DESERVE GOD’S PUNISHMENT FOR THEIR SINS . . . AND TRUST ONLY IN THE MERCY OF GOD.

This is where a love for and appreciation of the Gospel comes in. Repentance can lead us to a greater love and appreciation of grace and mercy. It can drive us back to the heart of God.

At the end of the day, we are called, in Paul’s words, to be ministers of reconciliation. Our message should be salvation through faith by the grace of God, and what amazing grace it is. But Jesus and John the Baptist made repentance a central part of their message. It should be a central part of ours.

Characteristics Of Healthy Discipleship In Your Youth Ministry

The word "discipleship" means different things to different people. When I say “discipleship” in the context of this post, I'm simply talking about the process of growing to be more like Christ. Now, the process itself will differ based on your ministry context.

1. Gospel Focused
No matter how you teach the Bible, or what you’re teaching, it must be taught through the lens of the Gospel. When we make our Bible teaching too much about application, or cultural relevance, or entertainment, we fail students. The good news of God’s rescue plan for humanity, as fulfilled in Christ, must be the foundation of your teaching efforts.

Too often we make our Bible teaching about doing. Do this. Don’t do that. Right actions won’t make disciples. But consistently bringing our students face-to-face with the Gospel will.

2. Relation-ally Centered
Relation-ally centered as opposed to program, or event centered. Think about the relationships Jesus formed with His disciples. Life was shared. It wasn’t Jesus merely dumping information on His followers. There was real relationship. Jesus and His disciples shared life together. It was reciprocal, too. Jesus allowed His disciples choice moments to see His frustration, His concerns . . . the human side of “fully God, fully man.”

We have to embrace the relationships we have with students, not as a means to an ends. We must truly share our lives with them, just as we ask them to share their lives with us.

3. Community Oriented
Healthy discipleship is relation-ally centered (focus on the individual), but fully embraces the gift of community (focus on individuals). I think this is one area where youth ministers are very effective. We have some built-in advantages working with teenagers, to be sure. But, it’s still a vital component of healthy discipleship.

4. Outward Reaching
You probably already create opportunities for your youth group to serve. Maybe you do mission trips, or volunteer at a retirement home. That’s awesome. Keep doing it. But, I would encourage you to break free from the “youth group wide,” program-centered approach, and to intentionally empower smaller groups of individual students to seek opportunities to impact their immediate world.

Leave it up to them to decide how it looks. But create the expectation that this type of outreach should be happening.

5. Multiplication Empowering
Plain and simple, if you’re doing discipleship the right way, your students will begin to desire to draw other people in. Some of these students might be fringe members of your youth group. Others will be their peers who do not have a saving relationship with Christ. Your role is to help guide and encourage your students to bring these outlying students into your community.

The “front door” of faith for this generation of young people is probably not an invitation to church. Instead, it’s an invitation to belong to a community. It’s “belonging before believing.” The logic behind this is pretty simple . . .

While a non-believer may say “no” to church based on preconceived notions or bad prior experiences, it’s much harder to say “no” to being truly accepted as a part of a community of peers who are daily living out the Christ-life. How much more authentic (and comfortable) is it for this individual to then be welcomed at your youth group when he or she already has a relationship with a group of students? It’s a paradigm shift, for sure, but one that I personally think is both true to the biblical example and where we find ourselves culturally.

These are just a few thoughts. I’m curious to hear what characteristics you would add.

WHAT JESUS SAID ABOUT DEATH

 How did Jesus explain what death is like?

Jesus Christ spoke about the condition of the dead. He did so with regard to Lazarus, a man whom he knew well and who had died. Jesus told his disciples: “Lazarus our friend has fallen asleep.” The disciples thought that Jesus meant that Lazarus was resting in sleep, recovering from an illness. They were wrong. Jesus explained: “Lazarus has died.” (Read John 11:11-14.) Notice that Jesus compared death to sleep. Lazarus was neither in heaven nor in a burning hell. He was not meeting angels or ancestors. Lazarus was not being reborn as another human. He was at rest in death, as though in a deep sleep without dreams. Other scriptures also compare death to sleep. For example, when the disciple Stephen was stoned to death, the Bible says that he “fell asleep.” (Acts 7:60) Similarly, the apostle Paul wrote about some in his day who had “fallen asleep in death.”—1 Corinthians 15:6.

How to Make Your Family Life Happy

• What is needed to be a good husband?
• How can a woman succeed as a wife?
• What is involved in being a fine parent?
• How can children help to make family life happy?

1. What is the key to a happy family life?

JEHOVAH GOD wants your family life to be happy. His Word, the Bible, provides guidelines for each family member, describing the role that God wants each one to play. When family members fulfill their roles in harmony with God’s counsel, the results are very satisfying. Jesus said: “Happy are those hearing the word of God and keeping it!”—Luke 11:28.

2. Family happiness depends on our recognizing what?

2 Family happiness depends mainly on our recognizing that the family originates with Jehovah, the one Jesus called “Our Father.” (Matthew 6:9) Every family on earth exists because of our heavenly Father—and he certainly knows what makes families happy. (Ephesians 3:14, 15) So, what does the Bible teach about the role of each family member?

DIVINE ORIGIN OF THE FAMILY

3. How does the Bible describe the start of the human family, and why do we know that what it says is true?

3 Jehovah created the first humans, Adam and Eve, and  brought them together as husband and wife. He put them in a beautiful earthly paradise home—the garden of Eden—and told them to have children. “Be fruitful and become many, fill the earth and subdue it,” said Jehovah. (Genesis 1:26-28; 2:18, 21-24) This is not just a story or a myth, for Jesus showed that what Genesis says about the start of family life is true. (Matthew 19:4, 5) Although we face many problems and life now is not as God purposed it to be, let us see why happiness within the family is possible.

4. (a) How can each member of the family contribute to its happiness? (b) Why is studying the life of Jesus so important to family happiness?

4 Each member of the family can help to make family life happy by imitating God in showing love. (Ephesians 5:1, 2) How, though, can we imitate God, since we cannot even see him? We can learn how Jehovah acts because he sent his firstborn Son from heaven to the earth. (John 1:14, 18) When on earth, this Son, Jesus Christ, imitated his heavenly Father so well that seeing and listening to Jesus was just like being with Jehovah and hearing Him. (John 14:9) Therefore, by learning about the love that Jesus showed and following his example, each one of us can help to make family life happier.

A MODEL FOR HUSBANDS

5, 6. (a) How does the way Jesus treats the congregation set an example for husbands? (b) What must be done to get forgiveness of sins?

5 The Bible says that husbands should treat their wives in the same way that Jesus treats his disciples. Consider this Bible direction: “Husbands, continue loving your wives, just as the Christ also loved the congregation and gave himself up for it . . . In the same way husbands should love their wives as their own bodies. A man who loves his wife loves himself, for no man ever hated his own body,  but he feeds and cherishes it, just as the Christ does the congregation.”—Ephesians 5:23, 25-29.

6 Jesus’ love for his congregation of disciples sets a perfect example for husbands. Jesus “loved them to the end,” sacrificing his life for them, even though they were far from perfect. (John 13:1; 15:13) Similarly, husbands are urged: “Keep on loving your wives and do not be bitterly angry with them.” (Colossians 3:19) What will help a husband to apply such counsel, especially if his wife at times fails to act with discretion? He should remember his own mistakes and what he must do to receive God’s forgiveness. What is that? He must forgive those who sin against him, and that includes his wife. Of course, she should do the same. (Read Matthew 6:12, 14, 15.) Do you see why some have said that a successful marriage is the union of two good forgivers?

7. What did Jesus take into account, setting what example for husbands?

7 Husbands also do well to note that Jesus always showed consideration for his disciples. He took into account their limitations and physical needs. When they were tired, for example, he said: “Come, you yourselves, privately into an isolated place and rest up a little.” (Mark 6:30-32) Wives too deserve thoughtful consideration. The Bible describes them as “a weaker vessel” to whom husbands are commanded to assign “honor.” Why? Because both husbands and wives share equally in “the undeserved favor of life.” (1 Peter 3:7) Husbands should remember that it is faithfulness, not whether a person is male or female, that makes one precious to God.—Psalm 101:6.

8. (a) How is it that a husband “who loves his wife loves himself”? (b) Being “one flesh” means what for a husband and his wife?

8 The Bible says that a husband “who loves his wife loves himself.” This is because a man and his wife “are no  longer two, but one flesh,”as Jesus pointed out. (Matthew 19:6) So they must limit their sexual interests to each other. (Proverbs 5:15-21; Hebrews 13:4) They can do this if they show unselfish concern for each other’s needs. (1 Corinthians 7:3-5) Noteworthy is the reminder: “No man ever hated his own body, but he feeds and cherishes it.” Husbands need to love their wives as they do themselves, remembering that they are accountable to their own head, Jesus Christ.—Ephesians 5:29;1 Corinthians 11:3.

9. What quality of Jesus is mentioned at Philippians 1:8, and why should husbands display this quality toward their wives?

9 The apostle Paul spoke of the ‘tender affection that Christ Jesus has.’ (Philippians 1:8) Jesus’ tenderness was a refreshing quality, one that was appealing to women who became his disciples. (John 20:1, 11-13, 16) And wives yearn for tender affection from their husbands.

AN EXAMPLE FOR WIVES

10. How does Jesus provide an example for wives?

10 A family is an organization, and to operate smoothly, it needs a head. Even Jesus has One he submits to as his Head. “The head of the Christ is God,” just as “the head of a woman is the man.” (1 Corinthians 11:3) Jesus’ submission to God’s headship is a fine example, since all of us have a head to whom we must submit.

11. What attitude is a wife to have toward her husband, and what may be the effect of her conduct?

11 Imperfect men make mistakes and often fall far short of being ideal family heads. So, what should a wife do? She should not belittle what her husband does or try to take over his headship. A wife does well to remember that in God’s view, a quiet and mild spirit is of great value. (1 Peter 3:4) By displaying such a spirit, she will find it easier to demonstrate godly subjection, even under trying circumstances. Furthermore, the Bible says: “The wife  should have deep respect for her husband.” (Ephesians 5:33) But what if he does not accept Christ as his Head? The Bible urges wives: “Be in subjection to your husbands, so that if any are not obedient to the word, they may be won without a word through the conduct of their wives, because of having been eyewitnesses of your chaste conduct together with deep respect.”—1 Peter 3:1, 2.

12. Why is it not wrong for a wife to express her opinions respectfully?

12 Whether her husband is a fellow believer or not, a wife is not showing disrespect if she tactfully expresses an opinion that differs from his. Her viewpoint may be correct, and the whole family could benefit if he listened to her. Although Abraham did not agree when his wife, Sarah, recommended a practical solution to a certain household problem, God told him: “Listen to her.” (Read Genesis 21:9-12.) Of course, when a husband makes a final decision that does not conflict with God’s law, his wife shows her subjection by supporting it.—Acts 5:29; Ephesians 5:24.

What fine example did Sarah provide for wives?

13. (a) What does Titus 2:4, 5 urge married women to do? (b) What does the Bible say about separation and divorce?

13 In fulfilling her role, a wife can do much in caring for the family. For example, the Bible shows that married women are “to love their husbands, to love their children, to be sound in mind, chaste, working at home, good, subjecting themselves to their own husbands.” (Titus 2:4, 5) A wife and mother who acts in this way will gain the lasting love and respect of her family. (Read Proverbs 31:10, 28.) Since marriage is a union of imperfect individuals, however, some extreme circumstances may result in separation or divorce. The Bible allows for separation under certain circumstances. Yet, separation must not be taken lightly, for the Bible counsels: “A wife should not separate  from her husband . . . , and a husband should not leave his wife.” (1 Corinthians 7:10, 11) And only sexual immorality by one of the marriage mates provides Scriptural grounds for divorce.—Matthew 19:9.

A PERFECT EXAMPLE FOR PARENTS

14. How did Jesus treat children, and what do children need from parents?

14 Jesus set a perfect example for parents in the way he treated children. When others tried to prevent the little ones from approaching Jesus, he said: “Let the young children come to me; do not try to stop them.” The Bible says that he then “took the children into his arms and began blessing them, laying his hands on them.” (Mark 10:13-16) Since Jesus took time for little ones, should you not do the same for your own sons and daughters? They need, not small bits of your time, but large amounts of it. You need to take time to teach them, for that is what Jehovah instructs parents to do.—Read Deuteronomy 6:4-9.

15. What can parents do to protect their children?

15 As this world becomes ever more wicked, children  need parents who will protect them from people who seek to harm them, such as sexual predators. Consider how Jesus protected his disciples, whom he affectionately called “little children.” When he was arrested and would soon be killed, Jesus made a way for them to escape. (John 13:33; 18:7-9) As a parent, you need to be alert to the Devil’s attempts to harm your little ones. You need to give them advance warning. *(1 Peter 5:8) Never before has the threat to their physical, spiritual, and moral safety been greater.

What can parents learn from the way that Jesus treated children?

16. What can parents learn from the way that Jesus handled his disciples’ imperfections?

 16 On the night before Jesus died, his disciples argued about who was greatest among them. Rather than become angry with them, Jesus lovingly continued to appeal to them by word and example. (Luke 22:24-27; John 13:3-8) If you are a parent, can you see how you might follow Jesus’ example in the way you correct your children? True, they need discipline, but it should be given to “the proper degree,” never in anger. You would not use thoughtless speech, which is “like the stabs of a sword.” (Jeremiah 30:11; Proverbs 12:18) Discipline should be delivered in such a way that your child will later see how appropriate it was.—Ephesians 6:4;Hebrews 12:9-11.

A MODEL FOR CHILDREN

17. In what ways did Jesus set a perfect example for children?

17 Can children learn from Jesus? Yes, they can! By his own example, Jesus showed how children should obey their parents. “Just as the Father taught me,” he said, “I speak.” He added: “I always do the things pleasing to him.” (John 8:28, 29) Jesus was obedient to his heavenly Father, and the Bible tells children to obey their parents.(Read Ephesians 6:1-3.) Although Jesus was a perfect child, he obeyed his human parents, Joseph and Mary, who were imperfect. That surely contributed to the happiness of every member of Jesus’ family!—Luke 2:4, 5, 51, 52.

18. Why did Jesus always obey his heavenly Father, and who is happy when children obey their parents today?

18 Can children see ways that they can be more like Jesus and make their parents happy? True, young ones may sometimes find it hard to obey their parents, but that is what God wants children to do. (Proverbs 1:8; 6:20)  Jesus always obeyed his heavenly Father, even under difficult circumstances. Once, when it was God’s will that Jesus do something especially hard, Jesus said: “Remove this cup [a certain requirement] from me.” Nevertheless, Jesus did what God asked, because he realized that his Father knew best. (Luke 22:42) By learning to be obedient, children will make their parents and their heavenly Father very happy. *—Proverbs 23:22-25.

What should young people think about when they are tempted?

19. (a) How does Satan tempt children? (b) What effect can the bad behavior of children have on parents?

19 The Devil tempted Jesus, and we can be sure that he will also tempt young ones to do what is wrong. (Matthew 4:1-10) Satan the Devil uses peer pressure, which can be hard to resist. How vital it is, then, that children not keep company with wrongdoers! (1 Corinthians 15:33) Jacob’s daughter Dinah kept company with those who did not worship Jehovah, and this led to a lot of trouble. (Genesis 34:1, 2) Think of how the family could be hurt if one of its members were to become involved in sexual immorality!—Proverbs 17:21, 25.

 THE KEY TO FAMILY HAPPINESS

20. To enjoy happy family life, what must each family member do?

20 Family problems are easier to cope with when Bible counsel is applied. In fact, applying such counsel is the key to family happiness. So husbands, love your wife, and treat her as Jesus treats his congregation. Wives, submit to the headship of your husband, and follow the example of the capable wife described at Proverbs 31:10-31. Parents, train your children. (Proverbs 22:6) Fathers, ‘preside over your household in a fine manner.’ (1 Timothy 3:4, 5; 5:8) And children, obey your parents. (Colossians 3:20) None in the family are perfect, for all make mistakes. So be humble, asking one another for forgiveness.

21. What wonderful prospects lie ahead, and how can we enjoy happy family life now?

21 Truly, the Bible contains a wealth of valuable counsel and instruction regarding family life. Moreover, it teaches us about God’s new world and an earthly paradise filled with happy people who worship Jehovah. (Revelation 21:3, 4) What wonderful prospects lie ahead! Even now, we can enjoy happy family life by applying God’s instructions found in his Word, the Bible.