Nothing brings Christian parents more joy than seeing their child “disown himself and pick up his torture stake and keep following” Jesus. (Mr 8:34; 3Jo 4) What can parents do to prepare their children to follow Jesus, dedicate their life to Jehovah, and get baptized? What are some indications that children are ready for the important step of baptism?

Read “A Message to Christian Parents” on pages 165-166 of Organized to Do Jehovah’s Will, and then consider the following questions:

Jesus told his followers: “Make disciples of people of all nations, baptizing them”(Matt. 28:19).  According to these words, the fundamental requirement for being baptized is that of being disciples. The disciple not only understands and accepts the teachings of Christ, but follows them carefully.  And even those who are relativelý young can do it.

·     What should parents teach their children?

Set a good example for your children, and inculcate Jehovah’s teachings in them. (Deut. 6:6-9) This includes using the information in the books What Does the Bible Really Teach? and “Keep Yourselves in God’s Love” to teach them basic Bible truths and prepare them to reason on Bible principles. Help your children to be able to explain their beliefs in their own words. (1 Pet. 3:15) The knowledge and encouragement they receive from you and from personal study, congregation meetings, and good associates will help them progress to baptism and beyond. Keep spiritual goals before them.

Proverbs 20:11 says: “Even a child is known by his actions, whether his behavior is pure and right.” What are some actions that would indicate that a child, either a boy or a girl, has become a disciple of Jesus Christ and is ready to get baptized?

A child who is progressing toward baptism should obey his godly parents. (Col. 3:20) Regarding Jesus when he was 12 years old, the Bible says: “He continued subject to [his parents].” (Luke 2:51) Of course, you cannot expect your child to be perfect. But one who desires to get baptized will strive to follow Jesus’ example and be known for his subjection to his parents.

He will also demonstrate an interest in learning Bible truths. (Luke 2:46)

Does your child want to attend meetings and participate? (Ps. 122:1)

Does he have an appetite for regular Bible reading and personal study? —Matt. 4:4.

A child progressing toward baptism endeavors to put Kingdom interests first. (Matt. 6:33) He is mindful of his responsibility as an unbaptized publisher and demonstrates initiative to go in the field service and talk at the doors. He shares in various aspects of the ministry and is not ashamed to let his teachers and schoolmates know that he is one of Jehovah’s Witnesses. He takes his assignments for the Life and Ministry Meeting seriously.

He also strive to remain morally clean by avoiding bad associations. (Prov. 13:20; 1 Cor. 15:33) This will be reflected in his preferences regarding music, movies, television programs, video games, and the use of the Internet.

Many have responded to the diligent efforts of their parents, made the truth their own, and qualified for baptism in their youth. May Jehovah bless you as you help your children reach this important milestone in their relationship with Jehovah.

10:6-9. God’s purpose is that marriage mates stick together. Therefore, rather than hastily seeking a divorce, husbands and wives should strive to apply Bible principles to overcome any difficulties that may arise in marriage.​—Matt. 19:4-6.

Good Teacher: The man was evidently using the words “Good Teacher” as a flattering and formalistic title, since such honor was usually demanded by the religious leaders. While Jesus had no objection to being properly identified as “Teacher” and “Lord” (Joh 13:13), he directed all honor to his Father.

Nobody is good except one, God: Jesus here recognizes Jehovah as the ultimate standard of what is good, the One who has the sovereign right to determine what is good and what is bad. By rebelliously eating from the tree of the knowledge of good and bad, Adam and Eve sought to assume that right. Unlike them, Jesus humbly leaves the setting of standards to his Father. God has expressed and defined what is good by means of what he has commanded in his Word.​—Mr 10:19.

6 Even when our relatives oppose our efforts to worship Jehovah, we continue to love them, but we must remember that our love for God and Christ comes first. (Matt. 10:37) We must also realize that Satan will try to use our affection for our family to break our integrity. Let us consider some situations involving family opposition and see how we can successfully face the challenges that these bring.

*** w16 April p. 20 par. 10 Why Should We Meet Together for Worship? ***  10 When we attend a meeting, we contribute to the unity of our brotherhood. (Ps. 133:1) Some of our fellow worshippers have been rejected by their parents and siblings. Yet, Jesus promised that he would give them a spiritual family to love them and care for them. (Mark 10:29, 30) When you attend meetings regularly, you may very well prove to be a father, mother, brother, or sister to one of these dear ones! Does that not motivate us to do our utmost to be at all the meetings?

*** w16 June pp. 8-9 par. 10 Appreciating Jehovah as Our Potter ***  

10 Like a highly skilled potter, Jehovah knows the type and quality of “the clay” that is before him, and he molds it accordingly. (Read Psalm 103:10-14.) Indeed, he deals with us as individuals, taking into account our particular weaknesses, limitations, and level of spiritual growth. His attitude toward imperfect servants was demonstrated by his Son. Consider how Jesus dealt with his apostles’ shortcomings, especially their inclination to argue among themselves over position. If you had witnessed the apostles’ heated disputes, would you have viewed these men as meek and malleable? Yet, Jesus did not adopt a negative view. He knew that his faithful apostles could be molded by kind, patient counsel and by their observing his example of humility. (Mark 9:33-37; 10:37, 41-45; Luke 22:24-27) After Jesus was resurrected and the holy spirit was poured out, the apostles focused, not on position or prominence, but on the work he had given them to do.—Acts 5:42.

*** w16 August p. 17 pars. 17-18 Making Christian Marriage a Success ***  17 Because we are living deep in “the last days,” we are experiencing “critical times hard to deal with.” (2 Tim. 3:1-5) Yet, keeping spiritually strong will do much to offset this world’s negative influences. “The time left is reduced,” wrote Paul. “From now on, let those who have wives be as though they had none, . . . and those making use of the world as those not using it to the full.” (1 Cor. 7:29-31) Paul was not telling married couples to neglect their marital duties. In view of the reduced time, however, they needed to give priority to spiritual matters.—Matt. 6:33.

18 Although we are living in very trying times and marital relationships are failing all around us, it is possible for us to make marriage happy and successful. Indeed, married Christians who stick with Jehovah’s people, apply Scriptural counsel, and accept the guidance of Jehovah’s holy spirit can preserve “what God has yoked together.”—Mark 10:9.

*** w16 December p. 28 par. 17 Jehovah Rewards Those Who Earnestly Seek Him.  

17 Even in these dark last days of Satan’s wicked system of things, Jehovah is blessing his people. He makes sure that true worshippers flourish in their spiritual estate, which is unprecedented in its spiritual abundance. (Isa. 54:13) As Jesus promised, Jehovah rewards us now by letting us be part of a loving family of spiritual brothers and sisters, a family that is international in scope. (Mark 10:29, 30) Furthermore, those who earnestly seek God are rewarded with the incomparable blessings of peace of mind, contentment, and happiness.—Phil. 4:4-7.

*** w15 1/15 p. 32 pars. 17-18 Is Unfailing Love Possible? ***  17 Christian couples generally enter the marital relationship with much love and affection for each other. Since the marriage arrangement instituted by Jehovah is a lasting one, it is vital that couples endeavor to keep the flame of their love ablaze and maintain an atmosphere in which love can grow.—Mark 10:6-9.

18 When looking for a marriage mate, you want to find someone you can truly love and then make that love strong and inextinguishable, as shown in the Song of Solomon. Whether you are seeking a marriage mate or have already entered wedlock, may you experience true love—“the flame of Jah.”—Song of Sol. 8:6.

*** w15 11/15 p. 5 pars. 5-6 Train Your Child to Serve Jehovah ***  5 “All those for whom I have affection,” said Jesus, “I reprove and discipline.” (Rev. 3:19) Although Jesus’ disciples repeatedly argued about who was the greatest among them, Jesus did not give up on them. He also did not ignore it when they failed to respond to his counsel. Lovingly and mildly, Jesus reproved them at a suitable time and place.—Mark 9:33-37.

6 Show your love for your children by disciplining them. It is sometimes enough to explain why a certain course is right or wrong. At other times, a child may fail to apply what you say. (Prov. 22:15) When that happens, imitate Jesus. At a fitting time and place, discipline your child lovingly and mildly through patient guidance, training, and correction. “My parents were consistent in giving discipline,” says Elaine, a sister in South Africa. “If they warned me about the consequences of misbehaving, they would always follow through. But they never disciplined me in anger or without explaining why I was being disciplined. As a result, I felt secure. I knew my boundaries, and I understood what was required of me.”

*** w18 June p. 8 par. 2 May We All Be One as Jehovah and Jesus Are One ***  2 Jesus’ emphasis on unity is understandable. He had noticed a lack of unity or harmony among the apostles, such as during his final meal with them. As had happened before, a dispute arose over “which one of them was considered to be the greatest.” (Luke 22:24-27; Mark 9:33, 34) Another time, James and John requested that Jesus give them prominent places alongside him in his Kingdom.—Mark 10:35-40.

*** w17 April p. 7 par. 14 “What You Vow, Pay” ***  14 The second most important vow that a person can make is the marriage vow. Why so? Because marriage is sacred. Before God and eyewitnesses, the bride and groom exchange their marriage vows. They usually promise that they will love, cherish, and respect each other and that they will do so “for as long as [they] both shall live together on earth according to God’s marital arrangement.” Others may not have said these exact words, but they still made a vow before God. They are then pronounced husband and wife, and their marriage is meant to be a lifelong bond. (Gen. 2:24; 1 Cor. 7:39) “Therefore,” to use Jesus’ words, “what God has yoked together, let no man put apart”—neither the husband nor the wife nor anyone else. Thus, couples entering marriage must have the view that divorce is not an option.—Mark 10:9.

*** w17 May pp. 8-9 pars. 3-4 Helping the Children of “Foreign Residents” ***  3 Parents, your example is essential to start your children on the path to endless life. When your children see you “seeking first the Kingdom,” they learn to depend on Jehovah for their daily needs. (Matt. 6:33, 34) So live modestly. Sacrifice material things for spiritual benefits—not the other way around. Strive to stay out of debt. Seek “treasure in heaven”—Jehovah’s approval—and not riches or “the glory of men.”—Read Mark 10:21, 22; John 12:43.

4 Never get so busy that you do not have time for your children. Let them know that you are proud of them when they decide to put Jehovah first instead of seeking prestige or riches—for themselves or for you. Avoid the unchristian view that children should provide their parents with a life of ease. Remember, “children are not expected to save up for their parents, but the parents for their children.”—2 Cor. 12:14.

*** w17 December pp. 21-22 par. 15 Parents—Help Your Children Become “Wise for Salvation” 

15 A child who expresses interest in getting baptized should be helped to reason on yet another matter—how he or she feels about the responsibilities that come with being a Christian. What are the benefits? What are the costs? How do the benefits greatly outweigh the costs? (Mark 10:29, 30) Those are issues that one is likely to face after baptism. Therefore, it is crucial to think these matters through before taking that serious step. When children are helped to consider deeply the blessings of obedience and the consequences of disobedience, they are more likely to develop a personal conviction. Which one? That Bible standards are always in their best interests.—Deut. 30:19, 20.

*** w15 10/15 pp. 9-10 par. 2 “Give Us More Faith” ***  2 The apostle Peter drew special attention to the importance of faith when he spoke of its “tested quality” that “may be found a cause for praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ.” (Read 1 Peter 1:7.) Since the great tribulation is fast approaching, do we not want to make sure that we have the type of faith that puts us among those whose faith will be praised by our glorious King when he is revealed? Most certainly, we want to be “the sort who have faith for the preserving of our lives.” (Heb. 10:39) With this goal in mind, we may plead like the man who said: “Help me out where I need faith!” (Mark 9:24) Or we may be moved to say, as did Jesus’ apostles: “Give us more faith.”—Luke 17:5.

*** w15 12/1 p. 12 Was Peter the First Pope? ***  At Matthew 16:17, 18, we find Jesus’ words to Peter: “I say to you, you are Peter [whose name means “A Piece of Rock”], and upon this rock I will build my church.” Was Jesus saying that his “church,” or congregation, would be built upon Peter, a man? Was Peter to be the head of all other followers of Jesus? How did the other apostles present at that conversation understand Jesus’ words? The Gospels reveal that later, on a number of occasions, they argued about who was the greatest among them. (Matthew 20:20-27; Mark 9:33-35; Luke 22:24-26) If Jesus had already given Peter primacy, or superiority, could there have been any question as to who was the greatest among the apostles?

*** w15 12/15 pp. 21-22 par. 16 Use the Power of Your Tongue for Good ***  16 Speaking with mildness and tact can be a challenge when our listener is someone whom we know very well. We might feel at liberty to be very frank. That can be true whether we speak with a family member or a close friend in the congregation. Did Jesus feel that his close relationship with his disciples granted him liberty to speak harshly to them? Not at all! When his closest followers continued to argue over who was greater, Jesus corrected them with kind words and an illustration of a young child. (Mark 9:33-37) Elders can imitate Jesus’ example by giving counsel “in a spirit of mildness.”—Gal. 6:1.