Youth in the Modern World

Adolescence​—A Most Hazardous Time!

ADOLESCENCE​—the time of life between childhood and maturity—​has been described as “the most hazardous developmental human experience” today. The person who said that explained: “The adolescent is endangered because the continuity of the generations has been broken. He stands for the first time utterly alone and unprotected by his elders. He is subjected to the stresses of culture shock, future shock and outright neglect.”​—Ruth Aikins, in Quality of Life—​The Early Years, a book sponsored by the American Medical Association.

Change has been so rapid! Moral values have collapsed. Unbelief has grown.

Young people, needing guidance, often do not find in their elders a strength of conviction, firm values or solid ethics. Many young people think the older generation behaved abominably. But youth should remember that while earlier generations may have ignored right principles, those principles have existed all along in the Bible. It shows what people should have done, and what God will soon do to solve earth’s problems.

The Value of Firm Convictions

Do your children see you as a firm support​—someone on whom to pattern their lives?

Joseph and Lois Bird wrote in Power to the Parents!: “The child is born into a world he cannot understand, a world in which he cannot survive without a great deal of support and protection. . . . He needs to know that the most significant adults in his life have found answers for their own lives, that they can make sense out of their world.”

“Our children need to find in us a strength of convictions, a set of firm values and ethics they see us live by. If they find vacillation, compromise, and hypocrisy in our actions, they will have difficulty building the strength necessary to maintain their own convictions as they mature.”

How blessed your children are if your family has such convictions, based on the truth of God’s Word! That Word can provide your family with firm values, strong spiritual goals, a solid faith in God, and an impelling desire to transmit that marvelous faith to your beloved young ones.

‘Pressured into Doing Wrong’

The pressure to copy our friends is a powerful force. A 16-year-old girl wrote: “When I was younger, I always got pressured into doing bad things, like smoking and stealing and all that. . . . I really didn’t have any desire to smoke a cigarette either, but I didn’t want everybody to say, ‘Oh, you’re chicken, you’re a jerk.’ . . . I have now realized that friendships built on compromise are pale friendships that fray easily.” A 12-year-old said: “When somebody pressures you, the best thing to do is ignore them or stay away from them, or to stay with friends that you like.” (Listen to Us, pages 110, 111) What wisdom from two youths​—it is better to change friends than to be tempted to violate what you know is right!

Long ago Jehovah warned Israel of this problem. He said that association with unbelievers would cause them to “invite you,” and you would eat some of their sacrifices. Then their daughters would marry your sons, and lead them to worship false gods. (Exodus 34:12-16) Young Dinah learned the danger of ungodly association, to her sorrow. When she unwisely visited Canaanite girls, a young man, described as “the most honorable of the whole house of his father,” violated her, prompting a great deal of bloodshed. (Genesis 34:1-31) How true the Biblical warning: “Bad company ruins good morals”! (1 Corinthians 15:33, Revised Standard Version) Or, as The Jerusalem Bible puts it: “Bad friends ruin the noblest people.”

The pages that follow provide further details, based on God’s Word, showing how families can unite in overcoming the challenges of this modern world.

Rearing Happy Children in a Troubled World

This is the first of two articles for study. This one is for the parents and the children, while the second one is for the young people themselves.

“If only they would develop this heart of theirs to fear me and to keep all my commandments always, in order that it might go well with them and their sons to time indefinite!”​—Deuteronomy 5:29.

1. Why is the subject of this lesson of such great importance to us?

“MY FIRST BABY!” What happy words from the mother who cuddles that small warm bundle to her breast! The Bible speaks of the tenderness of a nursing mother, using it as an example of the affection that should exist in the Christian congregation. Even unrighteous persons love their children and give them good things. How much more should we who love righteousness be concerned with our own young ones, and with training them for life in today’s world!​—1 Thessalonians 2:7; Psalm 127:3-5; Matthew 7:11.

2. What is the best source of advice and guidance regarding child rearing? Why?

² But the new parent soon realizes that rearing children is a grave responsibility. Where can you find sound advice and guidance? Why not look to the Creator? He arranged for childbirth. (Genesis 1:28) He has seen every child who has ever been born, and the results of what the parents did. His would be the best of instructions. They are recorded in the Bible​—along with examples of people who followed his principles, and of others who did not.​—Proverbs 3:5, 6.

3. (a) What are some of the things our children need? (b) Why should this not discourage us?

³ What does this marvelous book teach us about child rearing? It shows many things that modern specialists think they discovered on their own. Among other things, it shows children’s need for love and security. They should be taught about God and his Word. They need good education, wholesome experiences, fine examples and right association. They should learn obedience and respect for authority. They should be taught about morals and marriage, about the kind of husband or wife to want to have and to be, and how to be a good parent. That may sound like a big job for you as a parent. But remember, the Bible can provide wisdom. It can “give to the inexperienced ones shrewdness,” and to the young person “knowledge and thinking ability.” Let us examine some of the things it tells us about child rearing.​—Proverbs 1:4.

Biblical Examples

4. (a) What did children of God-fearing parents learn? (b) By whom and how was this teaching done?

⁴ The Bible shows that the children of God-fearing parents were brought up in security, by families that were concerned about their weaknesses and their need for protection. (Genesis 33:14; 43:8) Children were taught a means of making a living​—David was a shepherd boy, and Jesus was a carpenter. (1 Samuel 16:11; Mark 6:3) They also learned something far more important​—the wondrous ways of the great God JEHOVAH. This training was not given in catechism classes or in Sunday schools, but by the people who had the greatest interest in the children​—by their own parents. Jehovah expected the Israelites to make his ways known to their sons and their grandsons. (Deuteronomy 4:9, 10) Parents were to teach their children at all times​—at home or away, when lying down or getting up. They were to teach by word and by example, passing marvelous truths on to succeeding generations.​—Deuteronomy 11:18-21.

5. What does a famed Bible dictionary say about child training?

⁵ The famed French Dictionnaire de la Bible says that as soon as the child was able to talk he was taught a few passages from the Biblical law. “His mother would repeat a verse; when he knew it, she would give him another one. Later, the written text of the verses they could already recite from memory would be put into the children’s hands. Thus, they were introduced to reading, and, when they had grown, they could continue their religious instruction by reading and meditating on the law of the Lord.”a This reference work continues: “It was in the security of the family and on the knees of his father and mother that the child was to receive his first and most profitable moral lessons.”​—Vol. II, Column 1596.

6. (a) What exciting experiences did Israelite children enjoy? (b) Have your children enjoyed similar experiences, and if so, what were the benefits to them?

⁶ God knew that children respond to new experiences and that these can be a teaching aid. Thus, the “little ones” were taken on exciting trips to Jerusalem to hear God’s law read. (Deuteronomy 31:12, 13) Your children can enjoy similar blessings, attending regular circuit and district assemblies of Jehovah’s Witnesses where they can benefit from instruction, participate as volunteers, and make fine new friends. You can make such events high points of their lives, as the trips to Jerusalem were special events for the Israelite children.

7. Why is it so important to set the right example?

⁷ God knew the importance of a good example. Children copy what they see. They can learn a language​—as difficult as that is—​by imitating what they hear. God said: “If only [the people] would develop this heart of theirs to fear me and to keep all my commandments always, in order that it might go well with them and their sons to time indefinite!” The Bible says: “One who is good will leave an inheritance to sons of sons.” (Deuteronomy 5:29; Proverbs 13:22) Thus, much depends on you. As parents, we should do our utmost to set the right example, for certainly we would not want our children to be following a wrong one.

Bad Association

8. What questions should we ask ourselves about our children’s associations?

⁸ God also calls our attention to the dangers of bad association. His Word says: “Bad associations spoil useful habits.” (1 Corinthians 15:33) Thus, it is important to know with whom your children associate. Do you really know who their friends are? Do you have them bring their friends home, into the house, so that you can get to know them? Or do you simply put the children outside, to get them out of the way? Do you know what kind of language your children hear, and what their associates’ attitude is toward lying, stealing and drugs?

9. What positive steps could you take to help your children to find better friends?

⁹ If that association leaves something to be desired, where can your children find better friends? Within the congregation of Jehovah’s Witnesses​—where filthy language, lying, stealing and drug abuse are not tolerated. Have you wished that others in the congregation would associate more with your children? Then why not reach out to them? Have you taken the initiative? Why not invite other young people over to your house, or ask them to join you in Christian witnessing or to enjoy other wholesome activities?

10. How can you help your children to become better associates for others?

¹⁰ If you have tried this, and the problem of associations persists, it might be well to ask yourself, Why? Have you only recently started applying Bible principles? Sometimes young people who are brought to the Kingdom Hall have not yet corrected certain problems, to become good associates themselves. One young person said concerning another: “At the Kingdom Hall she is fine, but you wouldn’t believe what she does at school!” This girl’s loose sexual attitude on the school grounds made others not want to be identified with her. How can you help your children to make over their own mind in such matters? Your instruction, your family Bible study, your family participation in Christian witnessing, your own example in speech, behavior and honesty, and your efforts to reach the child’s heart with right principles can go a long way. When needed, the congregation’s elders may also be called upon to give loving help.​—James 5:13-15.

Family Problems

11. Why should you not despair if there are bad examples within your own family?

¹¹ But what if there are serious problems right within your own family? What if an unbelieving mate lives exactly contrary to wholesome Bible principles? Do not despair. Your right influence and the help of God’s spirit can work wonders. There are children who have soared above apparently insurmountable problems, becoming fine young people. Humans were made by God, and even little children can demonstrate amazing strength when directed in the right way by a friend, by a thoughtful older person, or by a sole believing parent in a largely unbelieving family.

12. How do the examples of Lot and Timothy provide encouragement in this matter?

¹² Consider the example of Lot. His family lived in wicked Sodom, and his wife apparently wanted to stay there. But Lot and his daughters fled and survived the city’s destruction. (Genesis 19:15-17, 23-26) Young Timothy had an unbelieving father, but his mother and grandmother taught him the Scriptures and saw him become a faithful follower of Jesus Christ and a loyal companion of the apostle Paul. (2 Timothy 1:5; 3:14, 15) So, even if you do not have a believing mate, God can help you to instill a deep love for truth and righteousness in the hearts of your children.

Knowledge and Education

13. (a) Why should young Christians take education seriously? (b) How does Solomon’s example show the importance of correct speech?

¹³ Do you encourage your children to learn, both in school and in the congregation? Is learning important to your family? It was to the Israelites. Theirs was a literate society. Their children could read the Scriptures. In addition to reading, your children will speak to others about God’s Word. Do they use correct grammar? Have you corrected errors you may have made for years, so that your children will hear you speak correctly? Solomon carefully chose words with which to praise God. Accordingly, we read: “The congregator sought to find the delightful words and the writing of correct words of truth.”​—Ecclesiastes 12:10.

14. How can we help our children to learn to make right decisions?

¹⁴ Obviously we want our children to become mature adults and to make right decisions in harmony with God’s Word. Thus, it would be good to start early in teaching them right principles​—not just commands to be obeyed but also the reasons for them. Then the children will learn how to make right decisions on their own.

15. (a) What important support do our children need from us? (b) About what do we need to be very careful?

¹⁵ Our children face a corrupt world. It is important for them to see in us a sense of strength and conviction, and they should know that if they are right, we will back them up, as Sarah defended Isaac from Ishmael. (Genesis 21:9, 10) We also should remember that by expecting right things, we are more apt to get them. “Do you know why you don’t have any trouble with us?” a young Witness asked her father. “Because you don’t try to trap us doing wrong​—you expect us to do right, and we wouldn’t do anything else.” How often parents accuse their children of something, then find out that they did not do it at all! If you accuse children of lying and the accusation is not true, they may think you expect them to lie, and the next time they may do so.

16. (a) What suggestions are made regarding Christian meetings? (b) What shows that these meetings are of great value to children? (c) Do you know of examples that illustrate their value to young ones?

¹⁶ Many persons have found it wise to take their children, from their earliest age, to meetings where God’s Word is discussed​—not sitting in a separate room with them, or walking them out to the back (except for brief moments, for good reason) but teaching them to sit calmly, to show respect for the meetings and to benefit from the good things discussed. Today, older persons, solid in the faith, remember the zeal of their parents who regularly took them great distances, perhaps in a rickety old car, to attend such meetings. A congregation elder remembers complicated prophecies he heard his parents discuss as they prepared the Watchtower study long ago, when he was a little child playing on the floor. Little did they imagine he was listening​—let alone that he would remember the explanation more than half a century later!

17. What Biblical examples can you cite of children being present at meetings, and what questions might we ask ourselves about these?

¹⁷ In Ezra’s day all those intelligent enough to listen stood from daybreak till noon to hear the Scriptures read. (Nehemiah 8:2, 3) If you had been alive then, would your children have been there, or would you have considered the material too deep and the reading too long and have sent them off to play? Joseph and Mary “were accustomed to go from year to year to Jerusalem for the festival of the passover.” That is why they were there when Jesus was 12 years old. (Luke 2:41-49) Would you have gone that distance, on foot or on the back of an ass, to attend that assembly? When multitudes, including “young children,” came to hear Jesus, and there was nothing for them to eat, Jesus miraculously fed them. (Matthew 14:21; 15:38) Would your children have been there, or would you have stayed home to feed them an apparently necessary meal?

18. In what further way can we show appreciation for Christian meetings?

¹⁸ Do your children know that you take Bible study meetings seriously? Do they see that you consider these meetings important enough not just for you to attend but for you to participate in, offering comments when these are requested? For example, will you have prepared this lesson with your children, and will both you and they offer at least one comment at the meeting in which it is discussed?

A High Goal

19. What positive attitude should we have about rearing our beloved children?

¹⁹ Does anyone do all these things perfectly? Of course not! The things discussed here are things toward which to work, not goals already achieved. In this world there will always be problems, but the Bible gives us ways of dealing with them, and if we try to do things God’s way, he will help. When asked why his children seem strong in the faith, one Christian father said: “I really don’t know. We didn’t do anything exceptional. We just tried to apply the counsel we got from the Bible and from the organization.”

20. (a) What are some of the things you can do to rear happy children today? (b) How do both the theme text at the beginning of this lesson and Proverbs 20:7 encourage us in this matter?

²⁰ When you come right down to it, that is what it takes to rear happy children today. Set the right example. Teach it to your young ones. Rejoice in the good things they do, and try to help them to correct the others. Share their joys and their life. Demonstrate love. Do things God’s way, and he will bless your efforts. Remember Solomon’s uplifting inspired words: “The righteous is walking in his integrity. Happy are his sons after him.”​—Proverbs 20:7.

[Footnotes]

God’s commands were to be written upon the doorposts and tied on the hands​—acts that would have had little value to people who could not read. (Deuteronomy 6:8, 9; 27:8) The king was to write his own copy of the law and read in it daily. (Deuteronomy 17:15, 18, 19) A young man of Succoth wrote the names of the leading men of his town.​—Judges 8:14.

Reading and writing were not limited to the educated class. In his commentary on the book of Judges, James D. Martin wrote that “some of our earliest evidence for alphabetic writing was scratched on cave walls by slaves in the mines of Sinai.” Amos was a humble sheep raiser. Micah was a rural prophet from the village of Moresheth. (Amos 1:1; Micah 1:1) Yet both wrote books of the Bible.

The apocryphal book of First Maccabees, likely written about the latter part of the second century B.C.E., indicates that people had copies of the Law in their houses. (1 Maccabees 1:55-57) The Jewish historian Josephus stated his first-century view that the Law orders that children “shall be taught to read, and shall learn both the laws and the deeds of their forefathers.”​—Against Apion, II p. 375 (25).

PARENTS AND CHILDREN, HOW WOULD YOU ANSWER THESE QUESTIONS?

□ Where should parents seek advice on child rearing, and why?

□ What are some Bible examples of proper child training?

□ In what practical ways can parents guard their children’s associations?

□ How can application of Bible principles overcome problems in divided households?

□ What steps should parents take, looking to the proper education of their children?

□ Can parents and children expect to do everything perfectly? Yet how may they succeed?

Happy Youth in a Corrupt World

This article was written particularly for youths. So we invite young people to take a lead in commenting when it is discussed at the Kingdom Hall.

“Remember your Creator in the days of your youth.”​—Ecclesiastes 12:1, The New English Bible.

1. Why do many people think this is not a good time to be young?

WHAT a fine time to be young! Does that sound strange to you? Many young people would point to the bad conditions they see​—to crime in the streets, immorality, drug abuse, teenage pregnancies, abortion and venereal diseases. They could point to the danger of atomic war or to the pollution that is ruining the earth. They might ask how this could possibly be a good time to be young, facing the future.

2. (a) Why is this really a fine time to be alive? (b) What effect should that fact have on you?

² Other young people know that Bible prophecies say that God will not let men destroy the earth. The Bible promises that God will change things​—that he will step in and bring about conditions of righteousness and peace. (Psalm 37:10, 11; 2 Peter 3:13; Revelation 21:1-4; 11:18) Do you believe those promises? If you do, they should have a great effect on your life, for they mean that you can have a bright future.

3. Why is no one too young to be concerned about serving God?

³ You may be thinking: ‘Oh, I’m too young for all of that!’ But are you? The Bible urges young people​—boys and girls—​to serve God. (Psalm 148:12, 13) It tells about a little Hebrew girl who led a Syrian army officer, Naaman, to become one of Jehovah’s servants. (2 Kings 5:2, 3, 15-17) It says children hailed Jesus, and that when religious leaders did not like that, Jesus asked them: “Didn’t you ever read the Scriptures? For they say, ‘Even little babies shall praise him!’” (Matthew 21:15, 16, The Living Bible) Jesus showed personal interest in young people. He said to let them come to him. And congregations of Jehovah’s Witnesses all over the earth are especially interested in young people today​—and in the fine things they do to serve God.​—Matthew 19:14.

Principles for a Happy Life

4. How can the Bible help you to lead a happier life?

⁴ You know that your parents want you to be happy. So does your heavenly Father, Jehovah God. His Word, the Bible, gives advice that can keep you out of a lot of trouble. It does not tell you every little thing that you should do, but, in many instances, it merely states principles. These are truths that give you the basis on which to decide things, so your own good judgment will tell you what is right. For example, here is a principle that was mentioned in the previous article and that you probably have heard discussed many times: “Bad associations spoil useful habits.”​—1 Corinthians 15:33.

5. (a) What are some ways that “bad associations” can spoil “useful habits”? (b) What do the scriptures cited in this paragraph show about (1) bad language, (2) dirty stories, (3) sexual immorality?

⁵ What does that mean? It means we are influenced by the people around us. If you spend a lot of time with people who use filthy language or who tell dirty stories, you probably will follow their example. If you associate with people whose ideas about sex and marriage are different from what you know God requires, you will get to the point of not being shocked by those things. You can have such association without realizing it. When you read books or watch films or television, you are taking the author’s ideas into your own mind. If these ideas are bad, they can dirty up your mind. The Bible does not say to enjoy such things, but to avoid them. (Ephesians 5:3, 4; compare 1 Corinthians 6:18.) It also says: “What! Do you not know that unrighteous persons will not inherit God’s kingdom? Do not be misled. Neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor men kept for unnatural purposes, nor men who lie with men, nor thieves, nor greedy persons, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners will inherit God’s kingdom.”​—1 Corinthians 6:9, 10.

6. (a) What problems have people had because they ignored the Bible’s counsel about bad association? (b) What should we remember about our minds, and where can we find good association?

⁶ We are influenced by the people around us. As The Living Bible puts 1 Corinthians 15:33: “If you listen to them you will start acting like them.” Young people have been tempted into smoking, drug abuse, stealing and all sorts of immoral things because people they associated with did these things or made fun of them for not doing them. Do you think people who make fun of you for doing right are worthwhile friends? It is important to remember that your mind is much like a computer. If you put wrong information into it, you will get wrong decisions out of it. So it would be wise to associate with godly persons​—with those who come to the Kingdom Hall and who apply what they learn there.​—Proverbs 18:24.

7. (a) Does everyone who comes to Christian meetings necessarily apply godly principles? (b) What example in Samuel’s day shows that this is nothing new? (c) What did Samuel do, and with what results?

⁷ But what should you do if someone who should set a good example does not do so? This happened more than once in Bible times. Young Samuel had the outstanding privilege of serving at Jehovah’s place of worship, but the sons of the high priest Eli set a very bad example. They were scoundrels who violated Jehovah’s law and even had immoral relations with the women who served where Jehovah was worshiped. But young Samuel knew what was right. He did not follow their bad example. The Bible says: “All the while the boy Samuel was growing bigger and more likable both from Jehovah’s standpoint and from that of men.” (1 Samuel 2:12-17, 22-26) Samuel was greatly blessed by God. He grew up to be a prophet, and he was used to write the Bible books of Judges and Ruth and part of the first book of Samuel, which bears his name. He is an example of the statement made in Proverbs 20:11: “Even by his practices a boy makes himself recognized as to whether his activity is pure and upright.” Obviously, when you see someone doing wrong, you want to be like young Samuel and not like Eli’s sons, who knew Jehovah’s way but did not follow it.

Your Christian Conscience

8. What might a young Christian’s Bible-trained conscience keep him from doing?

⁸ As a faithful young Christian, you know that there are things your Bible-trained conscience will not let you do. For example, you know that many holidays have a pagan origin. They have come from false religious customs. So your conscience will not let you celebrate them. You also know that schools often have nationalistic programs or ceremonies that exalt their nation over others, and thus they are not in keeping with your Bible-based view that “[God] made out of one man every nation of men.” (Acts 17:26) Also, you know that schools often push competitive sports to an excess, urging students to spend a great deal of time in such activities​—not just for recreation but with such a drive to win that violence may sometimes be the outcome.a

9, 10. How have some young Christians handled such problems?

⁹ Does following higher standards present problems for you? One young Witness commented: “We have few problems about our Christian consciences as long as the teacher knows our position in advance​—before the problem comes up.” Young people who calmly and respectfully explain the reason for a certain viewpoint based on their Christian conscience​—and do this before the teacher has taken a position in front of the class and the matter has become an emotional one—​find they have fewer problems in this regard.

¹⁰ A youngster who liked music and wanted to play in the school orchestra said: “I explained to the teacher at the beginning of school that I would like to be in the orchestra, but that there was some music I could not play, and I told her why.” When such music comes up, the teacher knows in advance that this student will sit quietly without playing. In fact, teachers have been known to rearrange an entire program to fit such a Christian conscience. Of course, as young people point out, it helps if you have a good reputation in all other school matters​—if the teachers know that you really live your religion and that you try hard in their classes.

Worthwhile Goals

11. (a) How can goals be of value to young people? (b) What are some worthwhile goals?

¹¹ What are your plans for the future? Do you realize that many people do not have any? They have no goals, so they have few successes. They take what comes but accomplish little. One goal might be to bring your grades up to a certain level. Another might be to learn a particular trade so as to be able to support yourself.

12. What are other, more important, goals?

¹² But the Bible shows we also need spiritual goals​—things for which to reach out in God’s service. It says the person “pursuing righteousness” will be loved by Jehovah and that he will “find life, righteousness and glory.” (Proverbs 15:9; 21:21) Jesus said: “From the days of John the Baptist . . . the kingdom of the heavens is the goal toward which men press.” Paul said: “I am pursuing to see if I may also lay hold on that for which I have also been laid hold on by Christ Jesus. . . . I am pursuing down toward the goal.” (Matthew 11:12; Philippians 3:12-14) Thus, it is fine to have worthwhile goals.

13. How important is accurate knowledge?

¹³ As a young person today, do you pursue knowledge? Many young persons do not. Yet knowing about Jehovah is very important. In prayer to his Father, Jesus said: “This means everlasting life, their taking in knowledge of you, the only true God, and of the one whom you sent forth, Jesus Christ.” (John 17:3) What reason could be more important than that?

14. What step-by-step progress can help you to know Jehovah and to understand his Word?

¹⁴ Do you find God’s Word and the Watch Tower publications that explain it interesting, or do you think they are hard to understand? If you find them hard to understand, My Book of Bible Stories will help you to get the whole history of the Bible in the right order. It will help you to fit things together and grasp them more easily. Then, the book Your Youth​—Getting the Best out of It will help you to understand Bible principles that will add joy to your life. The more you learn, the easier learning will become, and you will want to prepare deeper material, including the Watchtower lesson, the material for the Theocratic Ministry School and the weekly Bible reading. You cannot do this all in one day, but you can develop spiritual maturity if you set individual goals and progress step by step toward knowledge and ability.​—Proverbs 1:5; 2:10-12.

15. What other goals might you set for yourself?

¹⁵ Do you pursue privileges of Christian service? Do you have a personal goal of putting a certain amount of time in the house-to-house teaching work each week or month? Do you encourage other young people to come with you? Do you have a goal of becoming more capable of teaching during return visits and home Bible studies? Some young people have a yearly goal of being a pioneer (full-time volunteer preacher) during school vacation.

16. What long-range goals should be considered?

¹⁶ What about long-range goals? What do you want to accomplish by this time next year? Or in five years, if the end of this old system has not come by then? Do you have a long-range goal of becoming a regular pioneer minister or enjoying other privileges, such as being a member of the Bethel family that provides Bible literature for your part of the world? Setting goals, and working toward them, is a way of directing your life in a more useful way.

17. (a) Where can you find examples of people who developed such knowledge and ability during youth? (b) Do you know of examples that fit this description?

¹⁷ Think about the loving elders in your congregation and about your circuit and district overseers. At one time they were young people like you. But they reached out, years ago, developing knowledge and ability and serving God and their brothers. Does their example encourage you to make good use of the time you have in your youth? If so, you could become like the psalmist who wrote: “O God, you have taught me from my youth on, and until now I keep telling about your wonderful works.”​—Psalm 71:17.

Consider Timothy

18. How was Timothy an outstanding example of what we have been talking about?

¹⁸ Timothy was an outstanding example of this. Paul told him: “From infancy you have known the holy writings, which are able to make you wise for salvation through the faith in connection with Christ Jesus.” (2 Timothy 3:15) Timothy had learned the truth as a child, and he knew it was of great value. He grew in faith and knowledge. That fact did not go unnoticed, for the Scriptures say “he was well reported on” by the brothers. He was given the outstanding privilege of becoming the faithful coworker and traveling companion of the apostle Paul as that apostle established congregations in the non-Jewish world.​—Acts 16:2-5.

19. How was Timothy to keep people from looking down on his youth?

¹⁹ You can be like Timothy. Take a firm hold on the truth. Use the added time you have now, while you are free from the time-consuming responsibilities of a family and major assignments in the congregation. Study, develop knowledge and ability. Most young people remember that Paul told Timothy: “Let no man ever look down on your youth.” But it is important to remember how Timothy was to do that. Paul said: “Become an example to the faithful ones in speaking, in conduct, in love, in faith, in chasteness.” (1 Timothy 4:12) Also, he told Timothy: “Flee from the desires incidental to youth, but pursue righteousness, faith, love, peace, along with those who call upon the Lord out of a clean heart.” (2 Timothy 2:22) If you really pursue these things, you will find that this is indeed a wonderful time to be alive!

20. What is your own attitude, as you see this old world facing its end?

²⁰ The old world is facing a catastrophic end, but by following the examples of Samuel, Timothy and other faithful servants of God, you can look to better things. Seek God’s favor. Strive to survive the end of this old system and to live through into the righteous conditions near at hand. Yes, heed Paul’s counsel to “ponder over these things; be absorbed in them, that your advancement may be manifest to all persons.”​—1 Timothy 4:15.

[Footnotes]

YOUTHS, WHAT POINTS DO YOU REMEMBER ON SEEKING TRUE HAPPINESS?

□ Why is it now a fine time to be young?

□ Who were some children who served God in Bible times?

□ Why should we avoid bad associations?

□ How may you avoid problems at school?

□ Why should goals be important to you?

□ What worthwhile goals may you have now?

□ What long-range goals may you pursue?

□ What major goal may you strive for, and how?