MICHAEL and Alphina live in a rural valley among the green hills of KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. They faced many challenges in raising seven children. With the full support of his wife, Michael did his best to obey the Bible’s command to fathers: “Go on bringing [your children] up in the discipline and mental-regulating of Jehovah.” (Ephesians 6:4) But problems sometimes develop.

For example, it is common for African herdboys to combine the cattle of one another’s parents so as to have more time to play together. Sometimes they get into mischief and talk about things they should not discuss. When Michael’s sons went out to herd the family cattle, he gave them strict instructions not to associate with certain children. (James 4:4) Yet, on returning home from work, he sometimes found them doing so. As a result, he had to discipline them.—Proverbs 23:13, 14.

Do you think that Michael was too strict with his children? Some might feel that way, but Jesus Christ said that “wisdom is proved righteous by its works.” (Matthew 11:19) Michael and Alphina created a loving atmosphere in their home, spending time with their children and teaching them Bible accounts and truths.

Michael and Alphina have four daughters—Thembekile, Siphiwe, Tholakele, and Thembekani. All of them are full-time preachers of the good news of God’s Kingdom. Two of their sons serve as presiding overseers in congregations of Jehovah’s Witnesses. Their third son, whose wife is also a full-time evangelizer, serves as a ministerial servant.

A South African mother explains: “From the first day our daughter went to school, we encouraged her to relate the day’s events. For example, I would ask: ‘Who did you spend the lunch break with? Tell me about your new teacher. What does she look like? What activities are planned for the week?’ Once, our daughter came home and said that the English teacher was going to take the class to see a film about which they would later write a review. The title of the film was questionable. On examination, we found that it would not be suitable for a Christian. We discussed it as a family. The following day our daughter approached the teacher, explaining that she did not want to see the film, as the morals it portrayed would not be in accord with her Christian beliefs. The teacher thought the matter over and later thanked our daughter, saying that she didn’t want to take the class to see something she would regret.” The loving interest these parents consistently showed in the salvation of their daughter bore good fruitage. She has a happy, positive nature and now serves as a volunteer at the South Africa branch of the Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society.

A young man who serves at the South Africa branch of the Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society explains: “When I was a boy, I would assist my father around the house. I loved helping him, simply because Dad really appreciated the little that I did. He would use the time to tell me many things about Jehovah. For example, I recall one Saturday when we were working hard at mowing the lawn. It was really hot. Dad was sweating, so I ran and fetched two glasses of water and put ice in them. Dad said: ‘Son, do you see how wise Jehovah is? Ice floats on water. If it sank, all life at the bottom of lakes and ponds would die. Instead, ice serves as an insulating blanket! Doesn’t that help us to know Jehovah better?’a Later, when I was imprisoned for maintaining neutrality, I had time to think. Feeling down one night in my prison cell, I recalled those words of Dad. What meaning they had! I would worship Jehovah forever if I could.”

One South African father of two daughters and a son explains: “On frequent occasions, I had opportunities to discuss the sensitive subject of sexual matters even with the girls. My wife, though, paid particular attention to our daughters, using the book Your Youth—Getting the Best Out Of It. [See pages 26-31.] When my son was 12 years old, I decided to take him for a long walk in the mountains. On that occasion, we discussed in detail the development of the body of a boy and the privileged purpose this would later serve in marriage. I also discussed with him the need to avoid the degrading habit of masturbation and to view girls with honor and respect—as he views his mother and sisters.”

Joyous Rewards

The father and mother just mentioned worked hard and are happy that they had good results in raising their three children. All three are now adults, married to faithful Christians. Their son and sons-in-law all serve as elders in the Christian congregation, and two of the couples have been in the full-time evangelizing work for many years.

Yes, parents who work hard for the salvation of their household can expect a joyous reward from children who choose to respond to such Bible teaching, for Proverbs 23:24, 25 says: “The one becoming father to a wise one will also rejoice in him. Your father and your mother will rejoice.” Consider the large family mentioned in the introduction of this article. “When I think of the spiritual progress my children have made,” says Alphina, “my heart bubbles with joy.” May all Christian parents work toward this happy reward.