necessities. Then at the close of the day, all members in many homes unite in family prayer with the father expressing the verbal petitions, many kneeling on such occasion. During the week personal Bible study is encouraged for each family member at his private convenience. Five hours each week the entire family attends three meetings of their local congregation of the New World society. Since such a family is made up of God-fearing dedicated ministers, time is set aside every week for ministerial service from house to house and holding Bible studies with other interested people. In this manner sacrifices of praise are offered upon God’s altarlike arrangement for Christians today. Even little children go along with their parents to hear the public declarations of praise being announced in the house-to-house ministry. In time the little Davids or little Dinahs too desire to add their contribution to the witness being given to the householders of the world.—Matt. 5:3; Ex. 12:26, 27; Eph. 6:18; Heb. 10:25; 13:10, 15; Matt. 21:15, 16.

17. What are some of the things that make for a smooth-running family?

¹⁷ For a smooth-running family, love, cooperation and discipline are necessary. The father is the presiding head, takes the lead and sets policy for the family. The wife is submissive to her husband. As a helper to him, a fellow worker, the mother implements matters by managing the household and keeps order while her husband is away. Children from infancy are taught to respect and obey parents, to submit to direction. Parents show love toward each other and toward their children. Where necessary, the rod of correction is used to curb youthful foolishnesses. Christian parents fully appreciate that they are responsible for their children’s spiritual welfare. By their faithful Christian example in conduct and service, Christian parents convey an indirect sanctification upon their minor children, which means blessing and favor from Jehovah.—1 Tim. 3:4, 5; Eph. 5:22; Prov. 22:6; 1 Cor. 7:14.

18. Enumerate some of the benefits that come to a unified theocratic family.

¹⁸ A unified theocratic family enjoys many beneficial results. The household is one blessed with understanding and balance. Unity is achieved in all household duties and domestic relations. There is a rich blending of personalities and relationships that cultivates love, joy, peace, self-control and long-suffering. Money matters do not cause friction. Materialism is put in the background, since spiritual-mindedness is put to the fore. Family recreation is shared together, producing much happiness, genuine humor and an inner stability. Children become endowed with spiritual aspirations. Teen-agers gain a maturity, a poise, a confidence, an outlook for the future that is remarkable. Bible principles are discussed, understood and then applied to daily life. All this safeguards the spiritual health of each family member; wrong desires are dispelled. Integrated family life pays off in every respect.—Gal. 5:22, 23.

19, 20. (a) How may youthful interests be wisely channeled, and by whom? (b) In contrast, why is it that New World society youths are so different from their youthful equals in the old-world society? (c) What situation still requires to be studied, and when?

¹⁹ Children and youths are not segregated off into Sunday-school classes or left to form neighborhood “gangs” or to join youth movements of various sorts. Rather, teen-agers spend their after-school hours with other youths of the New World society. They busy themselves profitably. They examine the thrilling facts and beauty of nature in all its many fields from God’s intriguing “book of nature.” Or they may share at times in extra-ministerial activities, which are soul-stirring. Alert theocratic parents seek to channel the enthusiastic interests of their youthful family members. Such parents wisely join their youths in nature studies, taking of hikes out into the country to learn from things of nature. Others organize sightseeing expeditions en route to and from their theocratic assemblies. Still others take their teen-agers along with them on various secular jobs where such is practical. Teen-agers get greater satisfaction from the warm companionship of their parents in such exploits into worthwhile fields of interest than by attending social parties.

²⁰ Already youths of the New World society are far ahead of their contemporaries in the old-world society where youths feel neglected, frustrated, become sex crazy, have the gambling spirit, take chances, are awkward, unbalanced, in fact, unprepared to meet later the responsibilities of mature adult life. On the other hand, theocratic youths have courage, are lively, know that they are wanted and loved, are enthusiastic and respectful, possess virtue and sex control that are enviable. All such are the mere beginning of fruitages of integrated family life. Divorces are avoided and marriages are made a success. The entire family is thus conducted with dignity, honor and joy that are a credit to their God, Jehovah. But one will say, That is all very wonderful where the entire family are Jehovah’s witnesses. Such will ask, How can a Christian conduct himself in a divided household and still maintain his membership in the New World society? The following article will consider this matter for us.

Youthful Ministers Bear Fruit

NO CHILD old enough to talk is too young to be a witness for Jehovah God. And not only can they witness but they can bear fruit, as the following experiences taken from the 1962 Yearbook of Jehovah’s Witnesses clearly show:

● A Witness housewife in Belgium repeatedly tried to interest her neighbor in Jehovah’s kingdom but without success. Then one day this neighbor called and requested a Bible and a Bible study in her home. What had brought about the change? The Witness’s children had been witnessing to their playmates and these, in turn, told their mother what they had heard, awakening her interest.

● A young Chilean Witness of twelve years discussed the Bible with his playmates, resulting in an invitation to the home of one of them to talk to a Catholic lady who was visiting the family. Preparing in advance, he was able to give an effective sermon and also to place the Bible-study aid From Paradise Lost to Paradise Regained. The lady was so impressed with his sincerity and ability that she not only requested to have a regular Bible study but insisted that the lad, instead of his parents, be the one to teach her.

● It is often true that adults pay more attention to a youthful minister than to one of their own age. Thus in one Haitian city where public lectures on the Bible were rather poorly attended, one Sunday the Kingdom Hall was filled to capacity. How so? Nearly every one of the newcomers had responded to the direct invitation of an eight-year-old who had visited all her neighbors to tell them about the Bible talks.

● In Greece a fourteen-year-old Witness who entered a clinic for an operation took with her the Bible-study aid From Paradise Lost to Paradise Regained. Making skillful use of her opportunities, she aroused the interest of the surgeon director of the clinic to such an extent that he took time every evening for eight days to study the book with her. Upon her leaving he readily subscribed for both The Watchtower and Awake! and arranged for a Bible study in his office, to be held twice a week. The study is continuing and he is now attending the meetings of Jehovah’s witnesses.