Children – Never Alone Without Their Parents

Next: Jehovah’s Hands

The Watchtower magazine, November 1, 1973, page 671 (full article)

If a young person is forbidden by his father (or his mother) to study the Bible or to associate with Jehovah’s Christian witnesses, is he obligated to obey in these matters?…

On the other hand, though denying a child’s request to attend Christian meetings or to let a minister come and study the Bible with him, perhaps the parents do not exercise any strict supervision. What is the responsibility of Jehovah’s Christian witnesses toward such a child? Jehovah’s witnesses rightly respect the wishes of parents as to what will be done in their own home. But this does not mean that Jehovah’s witnesses cannot answer Bible questions raised by youths who visit them or who meet them on the street or elsewhere.

The Watchtower magazine, February 1, 1974, page 83

Is it possible for a boy today to have a father and still, in a sense, be a fatherless boy? This could, unfortunately, be true. If a boy finds it necessary to go alone to Christian meetings, though his father really could be with him, then the boy is fatherless on at least that occasion. If, to receive any training at all in the Christian field ministry, the boy must look to someone else, then he is fatherless in that area of his life.

Kingdom Ministry, April 1975, page 3

God’s people are like a large family. We all take an interest in others, including young ones. Parents may appreciate help in caring for children during the meetings and assistance in the field service… Especially when the father is not in the truth should we be alert to help young ones.  

The Watchtower magazine, April 1, 1977, page 213

Likewise, elders today can make arrangements that will serve well locally in carrying out the vital work of making disciples. An excellent opportunity for this presents itself at the weekly congregation book or Bible study. Convenient times can be set for the group to meet to participate in spreading Bible truth. Since the group is small, the elder conducting the study can give personalized attention. He may wish to concentrate on working with certain ones for a time until they are at ease in making known the Bible’s message from house to house. He may also arrange to have experienced proclaimers of the “good news” work alongside youths or others who would benefit from their knowledge and experience.

The Watchtower magazine, September 15, 1977, page 563

It is possible that someone in the congregation can help your children to a degree. For example, there may be a young brother or sister who has struck up a friendship with your son or your daughter and who can study with them, providing wholesome association, and thus encouraging them in the way of righteousness. Perhaps there is a married couple without other heavy responsibilities that could offer some help, thus aiding to bring your children into a closer relationship with the congregation and the brothers and sisters.

Kingdom Ministry, November 1978, page 8

Presenting the Good News—Do You Help Young Ones to Have a Part? – When you are sharing in the preaching work with your children or if other young ones are accompanying you, do you see that they have a part?

Kingdom Ministry, September 1979, page 2

Youths Serve with Joy in the Field. Discussion with group of young publishers who are good examples…advantages of working with older publishers at times.

Kingdom Ministry, January 1980, page 3

In your congregation do you have sisters who have children but whose husbands are not in the truth, or are even opposed?…

What can be done to help?… Experienced publishers have assisted by conducting Bible studies with the children and by helping them get out in the service regularly.

Kingdom Ministry, June 1980, page 2

Also, when young ones are in the group, it may be wise to have an adult publisher work with each child.

Kingdom Ministry, August 1980, page 1

In some congregations of Jehovah’s Witnesses, there are what we might call “fatherless” young ones. This could be because they have unbelieving parents. Other youths have believing parents who may need help in giving spiritual assistance to their children. It may be that the parents are quite new in the truth and not in a position to help their children effectively, as they would wish. With pressures of various sorts making increasing demands, some may have difficulty in scheduling sufficient time to study with their children or work with them in field service, and so forth…

And this is especially true where some parents are having difficulty as already mentioned. Children who want additional help may be invited to join your family in study, field service and perhaps wholesome recreational pursuits. Does not the apostle’s encouragement to “widen out” apply in this regard?—2 Cor. 6:11-13.

Even those who are not parents can “widen out” in the affection they show to younger ones by spending time with them. Giving of themselves will help to encourage and strengthen younger ones…

Younger ones respond more readily when they are known by name. Yes, they too are a part of the congregation and older ones should establish a rapport with those younger members. When the younger ones come to view you as their “friend” there is a more ready response to counsel and direction, is there not?…

Perhaps a field service experience shared while working with an older brother or sister? By viewing all in the congregation as part of a large congregational “family,” there will be many benefits to young and old alike. As we endeavor to imitate Jehovah’s example in showing interest and affection to all of mankind, let us continue working what is good toward our younger ones.

The Watchtower magazine, September 15, 1980, page 25

The mother in a single-parent family naturally is concerned about the lack of a father’s influence in the home, especially on the sons. Men in the congregation should feel as did Job, who said: “I would rescue . . . the fatherless boy and anyone that had no helper.” (Job 29:12) Often what is needed is sincere interest. These boys could be personally invited to share with you in witnessing, in certain activities at the Kingdom Hall and even in wholesome recreation.

Kingdom Ministry, June 1983, page 4

What if, for some reason, parents should need help in sounding down the truth into the heart of their children? They may ask others to give them the needed assistance. If another publisher is asked to render such assistance, it would be well to discuss this with the presiding overseer or the service overseer. If the parents are new in the truth or otherwise need help with their children and it would be advisable for another publisher to conduct a Bible study with them, that may be done. In such a case, the one conducting the study would be able to count the time, return visit and study if the children are not baptized.

Kingdom Ministry, July 1984, page 1

Sometimes parents can be of assistance to one another by taking turns baby-sitting when there are a number of small children who cannot accompany them in the field service.

Kingdom Ministry, April 1986, page 1

Young ones associated with the congregation are also “related to us in the faith” and need our help and encouragement. (Gal. 6:10) Even small children delight in attention from adults. Children who do not have parents in the truth especially need our encouragement. Youths who are orphans in a spiritual sense deserve our loving consideration and attention.

The Watchtower magazine, April 15, 1986, page 30 (full article)

“Therefore, prior to finishing high school, I was baptized and entered the full-time service…”

“I invited young brothers to work with me in the field service,” he says. “As a result, many of these later joined me in the full-time service…”

“My brother-in-law was an elder and a pioneer,” continues Milton. “We were in the same congregation and worked together to encourage others to pioneer. It was decided that I would encourage the teenagers, and he would encourage the housewives…”

By the time they reached high school, practically all of them had set full-time service as their goal. At 13 years of age, one sister decided to pioneer. She said: “It seemed like the natural thing to do.” She and the other youths in the congregation never gave a serious second thought to anything else. Group witnessing was arranged after school, and eventually 60 students from three different schools were supporting this activity along with the pioneers.

Kingdom Ministry, May 1989, page 7 (most years in May until 1999)

A serious frame of mind can be encouraged by arranging for the children to do some work after the sessions. As mentioned in the insert, children under 16 can work along with a parent or other responsible adult under the direction of the Volunteer Service Department. Many young ones consider this a beneficial aspect of the convention.

The Watchtower magazine, May 15, 1990, page 29

Although child training is primarily the duty of parents, elders also have a responsibility toward young ones in the congregation. In caring for God’s flock, overseers also need to shepherd the lambs. (1 Peter 5:1-3) What a fine example Jehovah has set in tenderly caring for even the little ones! (Isaiah 40:11) Responding to his example, Christian undershepherds will also want to display warm, loving interest in young people and make them feel a part of the congregation. Some youths have expressed the desire that the elders talk to them more often and help them in the field ministry.

Kingdom Ministry, November 1993, page 5

Pioneers, what can you do to help? Why not review your schedule to see how to involve schoolchildren in your arrangements for afternoons and weekends? Do you talk positively about your choice of full-time service? Are you showing by your countenance that you find joy in your ministry? Do you readily recommend it to others, especially younger ones? When working from door to door, is your speech upbuilding and positive? If so, then as a pioneer you too are sharing in this all-important training activity.

All in the congregation should be keenly aware of this important work of training young ones. Can you make definite arrangements to work in the field ministry with them? Can you practice a presentation with them in preparation for the door-to-door work? Are you cognizant of opportunities to encourage future spiritual activities when working in the ministry together?

The Watchtower magazine, February 1, 1995, page 21

But at the age of 14, I had to return to London and begin working for my living. Although I was reunited with my family, I now had to stand on my own feet spiritually, since no one at home shared my beliefs. Jehovah soon provided the help that I needed. Just three weeks after my arrival in London, a brother called at my home to ask for my father’s permission to take me to the local Kingdom Hall. The brother was John Barr, who is now a member of the Governing Body of Jehovah’s Witnesses. He became one of my spiritual “fathers” during those critical teen years.

…Since I was a spiritual orphan, an elderly anointed brother, “Pop” Humphreys, was assigned to take a special interest in me.

…Although I did not have much association with ones my own age, that precious fellowship with mature brothers taught me many useful lessons.

The Watchtower magazine, June 1, 1998, page 22

Children whose parents do not embrace the faith need much support. Including them in your family study may prove beneficial if that is acceptable to their parents. Robert, now a grown-up with a family of his own, attended Christian meetings with his parents when he was only three years old. He had fond memories of those meetings even after his parents stopped associating with the Christian congregation. When he was ten, he met a Witness boy who took him along to the meetings. The Witness boy’s parents gladly took Robert under their wing as a spiritual orphan and later studied with him…

All who show concern for spiritually fatherless children know that this pleases our heavenly Father, Jehovah.

Kingdom Ministry, November 2002, page 8 (full article)

Show Loving Interest in “Fatherless Boys”…

Likewise today, how beneficial it is when spiritually mature brothers and sisters take a loving interest in the fatherless boys and girls in the congregation! Do you know each one by name? Do you talk with them at Christian meetings and on other occasions? Invite them to join you in the field ministry

Kingdom Ministry, November 2003, page 3

It is the responsibility of Christian parents to study with their children. Those who need assistance in establishing or improving their family study may ask the elders for help. If circumstances make it advisable for another publisher to conduct a Bible study with an unbaptized son or daughter of a Christian family associated with the congregation, the presiding overseer or service overseer should be consulted. If such a study is approved, the one conducting it may report it just as he or she would any other Bible study.

The Watchtower magazine, September 1, 2007, page 28

Dennis, a father of five girls, says, “We encouraged our girls to befriend the older pioneers in the congregation, and whenever possible we showed hospitality to traveling overseers and their wives.” Can you also take the initiative to help your children to view the congregation as an extension of your family?

The Watchtower magazine, September 15, 2009, page 6

Can you older ones share with them in the ministry and make friends with them? Spend leisure time with young ones, creating an atmosphere of trust and friendship.

The Watchtower magazine, June 15, 2011, page 22

Over the years, Masanao, an elder in Japan, invited single ones and spiritually fatherless families to his family’s study.

The Watchtower magazine, August 15, 2011, page 19

Alex Reinmueller, a helper to the Publishing Committee, told of how he made the truth his own while pioneering in Canada when he was only 15 years old, often working by himself… David Schafer, a helper to the Teaching Committee, praised his mother for her strong faith and told of brothers who worked as loggers and helped him to auxiliary pioneer as a youth.

Live With Jehovah’s Day in Mind (2014), page 151

Zephaniah’s interest in Josiah illustrates for us Jehovah’s interest in needy, vulnerable young ones, such as children whose parent may have been disfellowshipped…Do you know of any other “fatherless” boys and girls in need of spiritual and practical mentoring? They might be spiritual orphans, children of single-parent families, or young ones who serve Jehovah without the support of their family. Quite often, the extent to which such ones stay close to the congregation and go on to mature spiritually is affected by the presence or absence of a spiritual mentor…

A single mother, for example, may be helped if mature Christians show interest in her children…Can you act in a considerate way toward young ones who might be plagued by loneliness? They may need empathy and confidential talk, which you could give ear to while sharing with them in the public ministry.

The Watchtower magazine, June 15, 2014, pages 31 and 32

Consider the case of Rico, a young boy in France, who was discouraged because his father, who did not share his beliefs, was opposed to Rico’s getting baptized. Rico thought that he would have to wait until he was of legal age to serve Jehovah fully. He was also sad that he faced ridicule at school. Frédéric, a congregation elder who was asked to study with the boy, relates: “I commended Rico because such opposition indicated that he had been courageous enough to express his faith.” These words of commendation strengthened Rico in his determination to remain exemplary and helped him to draw closer to his father. Rico got baptized when he was 12 years of age…

Or if you are involved in doing work around the Kingdom Hall, why not invite a young brother to work along with you?

Next: Jehovah’s Hands