No. 26 Build a House That Will Endure (Symposium)
Safeguard Your Children From “What Is Evil”
[PLEASE NOTE: This talk includes two videos. Adhere closely to the outlined material. Present the material in a positive way that applies to all families, including single-parent families, blended families, and religiously divided households]
MEETING THE CHALLENGE OF SAFEGUARDING CHILDREN (1 min.)
Sons and daughters are a precious inheritance and a reward [Read Psalm 127:3]
They deserve your best efforts to protect them
In the following video, listen closely as parents comment on the challenges involved in protecting their children
VIDEO (1 min.)
RECOGNIZE POTENTIAL DANGERS (3 min.)
Jehovah God views the abuse of a child physically, emotionally, or sexually as evil
Jehovah’s Witnesses abhor child sexual abuse
Parents need to take all reasonable steps to protect their children from potential dangers [Read Proverbs 22:3]
In the majority of cases of child sexual abuse, the perpetrator was someone the child knew and trusted
While not becoming overly suspicious, shrewd parents are alert to the following potential dangers:
(1) Someone singles out your child for special attention with gifts or offers free babysitting or private outings with your child
(2) Someone is overly physical with your child, perhaps through excessive displays of affection, playful wrestling, or inappropriate tickling
(3) A relative has unsupervised access to younger siblings, stepchildren, cousins, nieces, nephews, or grandchildren
(4) Your child has association with others in places that are beyond your vision, such as on a school bus, in the backseat of a vehicle, at sleepovers and social gatherings, in auxiliary rooms and restrooms of meeting places, and at recreational areas, such as playgrounds and swimming pools
(5) Your child has unsupervised use of the Internet or social networks
Use discernment and good judgment to recognize potential dangers and safeguard your children from harm (Pr 24:3)
SAFEGUARD YOUR CHILDREN WITH GODLY WISDOM (5 min.)
Parents have a God-given responsibility to teach their children what the Bible says about proper sexual conduct (Eph 6:4)
Children, including little ones, deserve to learn about sex accurately from their God-fearing parents well before they are misinformed through the Internet, television, school, or peers
Cultural background and upbringing may make it difficult to discuss sexual matters with one’s child; nevertheless, responsible Christian parents will do so (w98 2/15 8-11)
Convey age-appropriate information to your children, not as one “talk” during their teen years, but as ongoing short discussions that gradually add to their knowledge (De 6:7)
Parents, ask yourselves: ‘Have I trained my children regarding what are proper displays of affection, the importance of wearing modest clothing, and the need for others to respect their privacy?’
‘Would my children know what to do if someone tried to show them pornography, if an adult asked them to do something Jehovah says is wrong, or if someone threatened them if they refuse to keep a secret?’
Do not frighten your children, but safeguard them by telling them what they need to know in order to recognize dangers (Ec 7:12)
Help your children train their conscience
Many parents have found the following material to be helpful:
(1) The video Become Jehovah’s Friend—Protect Your Children can be used to initiate training about how a child should respond if anyone attempts to touch him or her inappropriately
During practice sessions, Caleb and Sophia are taught to yell: “Stop doing that! I’m gonna tell on you.”
(2) Chapter 32 of the book Learn From the Great Teacher uses terms that children can easily understand
For example, it states: “Parts of your body are private. . . . Do not let anybody play with your sex organs.”
(3) Refer to such articles as “Teaching Your Child About Sex,” Awake! No. 5 2016, “Talk to Your Children About Sex,” The Watchtower, November 1, 2010, and “How to Protect Your Children,” Awake! October 2007
In the following video, note what some parents are doing to safeguard their children
VIDEO (2 min.)
PARENTS, YOU HAVE JEHOVAH’S SUPPORT (2 min.)
Jehovah intervened to protect his Son, Jesus, from serious threats during childhood (Mt 2:13-15)
Be assured that our heavenly Father appreciates your efforts to do the same for your little ones
Jehovah God will continue to help you to safeguard your precious inheritance, your children, from “what is evil” (Ro 16:19b)
Brother ____________________________ will now consider the final part of this symposium, “Build a House That Will Endure—Train Your Children in ‘the Way They Should Go’”
TO BE COVERED IN 14 MINUTES
