1, 2. Why might some parents have concerns when their children want to take the steps of dedication and baptism?

THOUSANDS of Bible students make their dedication to Jehovah and get baptized. Many are young people who have been raised in the truth and who have chosen the best way of life. (Ps. 1:1-3) If you are a Christian parent, you no doubt look forward to the day when your son or daughter will get baptized.​—Compare 3 John 4.

² Still, you might have concerns. Perhaps you have seen some youths get baptized but later question the wisdom of living by God’s standards. A number have even left the way of the truth. Hence, you might worry that your child will start out on the Christian course but then change and lose that original love of the truth. He or she might become like those in the first-century congregation in Ephesus of whom Jesus said: “You have left the love you had at first.” (Rev. 2:4) How can you try to avoid such an outcome and  help your child to “grow to salvation”? (1 Pet. 2:2) In answer, let us consider the example of Timothy.

3. (a) Under what circumstances did Timothy become a Christian, and how did he respond to Christian teachings? (b) Paul admonished Timothy about what three aspects of learning?

³ It was likely in 47 C.E., during the apostle Paul’s first visit to Lystra, that Timothy was introduced to Christianity. Though at the time Timothy was likely a teenager, he must have applied himself well. Two years later he became Paul’s traveling companion. Some 16 years after that, Paul wrote to Timothy: “Continue in the things that you learned and were persuaded to believe, knowing from whom you learned them and that from infancy you have known the holy writings [the Hebrew Scriptures], which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus.” (2 Tim. 3:14, 15) Note that Paul mentions (1) knowing the holy writings, (2) being persuaded to believe the things learned, and (3) becoming wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus.

4. What tools have you found to be effective when you teach your young children? (See opening picture.)

⁴ As a Christian parent, you want your child to know the holy writings, which today include the Hebrew Scriptures as well as the Christian Greek Scriptures. Depending on their ability, even very young children can gain a basic education about the people and events of the Bible. Jehovah’s organization has provided a number of tools that parents can use to help their children. Can you think of some that are available in your language? Remember, knowledge of the Scriptures is the foundation on which a strong relationship with Jehovah is built.

5. (a) What does “persuaded to believe” mean? (b) How do we know that Timothy was persuaded to believe the good news about Jesus?

⁵ Knowledge of the holy writings is important. However, more is involved in imparting spiritual education to children than simply teaching them about the people and events of the Bible. Timothy was also “persuaded to believe.” In the original language, that phrase means “to be assured of” or “to be convinced and certain of the truth of something.” Timothy knew the Hebrew Scriptures from infancy. But at some point he was convinced by compelling evidence that Jesus was the Messiah. Put another way, his knowledge was reinforced with conviction. In fact, Timothy’s conviction about the good news was so strong that he became a baptized disciple and joined Paul in the missionary work.

6. How can you help your children to be persuaded to believe what they learn from God’s Word?

⁶ How can you help build conviction in your children so that they are persuaded to believe, as Timothy was? First, be patient. Conviction does not come about overnight; nor does it pass from you to your offspring simply because you have been persuaded to believe. Each child needs to use his or her own “power of reason” to develop conviction about Bible truth. (Read Romans 12:1.) You as a parent play an important role in that process, especially when your child asks questions. Consider an example.

7, 8. (a) How does one Christian father show patience in teaching his daughter? (b) How have you found the need for similar patience?

 ⁷ Thomas, the father of an 11-year-old girl, relates: “My daughter might ask, ‛Could Jehovah have used evolution to develop life on earth?’ or, ‛Why don’t we get involved in the community​—with elections, for example—​to try to improve things?’ Sometimes I have to bite my tongue so as not to give a dogmatic answer. After all, conviction isn’t the result of one large chunk of truth. It comes from many small pieces of evidence.”

⁸ As Thomas knows, teaching takes patience. Actually, patience is important for all Christians. (Col. 3:12) Thomas realizes that there may be a need for many discussions over a period of time. He needs to reason on the Scriptures so that his daughter develops conviction about what she learns. “Especially on important points,” says Thomas, “my wife and I want to know if our daughter really believes what she is learning and if it makes sense to her. If she has questions, that’s good. Frankly, I would worry if she accepted something without asking questions.”

9. How can you inculcate God’s Word in your children?

⁹ With patient teaching from their parents, children will be able gradually to begin to grasp “the breadth and length and height and depth” of faith. (Eph. 3:18) We can look for what is appropriate to their age and ability. As they become convinced of what they learn, they will increasingly be able to defend their beliefs before others, including schoolmates. (1 Pet. 3:15) For example, can your children explain from the Bible what happens at death? Does the Bible’s explanation make sense to them? * Yes, inculcating God’s Word in your child will require patience, but it is worth the effort.​—Deut. 6:6, 7.

10. What should be an important part of your teaching?

¹⁰ Of course, your example is also important when it comes to building conviction. Stephanie, the mother of three daughters, says: “Ever since my children were very young, I have had to ask myself, ‘Do I talk to my children about why I am convinced of Jehovah’s existence, his love, and the rightness of his ways? Can my children clearly see that I really love Jehovah?’ I can’t expect my children to be persuaded unless I am.”

11, 12. What is wisdom, and why can we conclude that it is not measured solely by a person’s age?

¹¹ As we have seen, Timothy had (1) knowledge of the Scriptures and (2) conviction about his beliefs. But what did Paul mean by saying that the holy writings could make Timothy “wise for salvation”?

¹² Insight on the Scriptures, Volume 2, explains that, in the Bible, wisdom includes “the ability to use knowledge and understanding successfully to solve problems, avoid or avert dangers, attain certain goals, or counsel others in doing so. It is the opposite of foolishness.” The Bible says that “foolishness is bound up in the heart of a child.” (Prov. 22:15, ftn.) Logically, then, wisdom​—the opposite  of foolishness—​would be one evidence of maturity. Spiritual maturity is not determined primarily by age but by a person’s healthy fear of Jehovah and readiness to obey his commands.​—Read Psalm 111:10.

13. How can a young person demonstrate that he or she is wise for salvation?

¹³ Young ones who are reasonably mature spiritually are not “tossed about as by waves and carried here and there” by their desires or by pressure from their peers. (Eph. 4:14) Rather, they are making progress in having “their powers of discernment trained to distinguish both right and wrong.” (Heb. 5:14) They demonstrate that they are progressing toward maturity by making wise decisions​—even when their parents or other adults are not watching. (Phil. 2:12) That kind of wisdom is necessary for salvation. (Read Proverbs 24:14.) How can you help your children to acquire it? First of all, make sure that you clearly state your Bible-based values to your children. By your words and by your example, let them know that the values found in God’s Word are also your values.​—Rom. 2:21-23.

14, 15. (a) A young person contemplating baptism should consider what weighty issues? (b) How can you help your children ponder blessings that come from obeying God’s laws?

¹⁴ However, more is involved than simply telling your children what is right and what is wrong. You would also do well to help them reason on such questions as: ‘Why does the Bible forbid things that can be appealing to the flesh? What convinces me that Bible standards are always for my own good?’​—Isa. 48:17, 18.

¹⁵ A child who expresses interest in getting baptized should be helped to reason on yet another matter​—how he or she feels about the responsibilities that come with being a Christian. What are the benefits? What are the costs? How do the benefits greatly outweigh the costs? (Mark 10:29, 30) Those are  issues that one is likely to face after baptism. Therefore, it is crucial to think these matters through before taking that serious step. When children are helped to consider deeply the blessings of obedience and the consequences of disobedience, they are more likely to develop a personal conviction. Which one? That Bible standards are always in their best interests.​—Deut. 30:19, 20.

16. What should parents consider if a child who is already baptized begins to waver in faith?

¹⁶ What, though, if your son or daughter begins to express doubts at some point after baptism? For example, a baptized adolescent may seem attracted to the things of the world or may begin to question the wisdom of living by Bible principles. (Ps. 73:1-3, 12, 13) As a parent, realize that how you handle such questioning on the part of your son or daughter may influence whether your child will choose to draw closer to your faith or he will draw away from it. Be determined not to declare war with your child over this issue, whether he is still quite young or he is now an adolescent. Your goal should be to provide loving support and help in a winning way.

17, 18. If a young person has doubts, how can parents provide assistance?

¹⁷ Of course, a youth who is baptized has made a solemn dedication to Jehovah. That dedication is a promise to love God and to put his will above everything else. (Read Mark 12:30.) Jehovah does not take that promise lightly, and it should not be taken lightly by anyone who has made it. (Eccl. 5:4, 5) At an appropriate time and in a kind manner, remind your child of those facts. Before doing that, however, make good use of material that Jehovah’s organization has provided for parents. Your doing so may lay the groundwork for stressing both the seriousness and the blessings of being dedicated to Jehovah and of being a baptized Christian.

¹⁸ For example, helpful advice can be found in the appendix entitled “Questions Parents Ask,” at the back of the book Questions Young People Ask​—Answers That Work, Volume 1. It says: “Don’t hastily conclude that your teen has rejected your faith. In many cases, there is an underlying issue.” It could be peer pressure. Other possible causes may be loneliness or the feeling that other Christian youths are doing better spiritually. “Significantly,” the appendix continues, “issues such as these have little to do with the tenets of your faith. They have more to do with circumstances that make practicing faith a challenge​—at least for now.” The appendix then provides several suggestions about how a Christian parent might help a youth whose conviction is wavering.

19. How can parents help their children to become “wise for salvation”?

¹⁹ As a parent, you have the weighty responsibility​—and privilege—​to bring up your children “in the discipline and admonition of Jehovah.” (Eph. 6:4) As we have seen, that requires not only teaching them what the Bible says but also helping them to develop conviction about what they learn. Yes, they need a conviction that is so strong that it moves them to dedicate themselves to Jehovah and to serve him wholeheartedly. May Jehovah’s Word, his spirit, and your efforts as a parent help your children to become “wise for salvation.”

1, 2. Vbọzẹe ne evbibiẹ emọ eso na si osi vbe ivbi iran gha khian dinmwiamẹ?

ARRIAISẸN emwa ne a gu ruẹ e Baibol keghi ya egbe fiohan ne Jehova, vbe iyeke ọni, iran ghi dinmwiamẹ. Nibun vbọ keghi re igbama ni do vba evbibiran vbe odẹ ọghe ẹmwata, ni vbe ya ekhọe obọ iran zẹ odẹ ọghe ẹmwata. (Psm. 1:1-3) Zẹvbe evbibiẹ emọ ni ga e Jehova, ẹi mwẹ wa ma vbe yaro ye ẹghẹ ne ivbi uwa khian ya dinmwiamẹ.—Yae taa 3 Jọn 4.

² Ọrheyerriọ, u sẹtin ye gha si osi rhunmwuda igbama eso ni dinmwiamẹ nẹ, ni ye gbawawẹ deghẹ odẹ ọghe Jehova ẹre ọ gele maan sẹ. Uhiẹn nibun vbọ, kpa hin odẹ ọghe ẹmwata rre. Ọna sẹtin ya ruẹ gha si osi wẹẹ, izọghae ne ovbuẹ mwẹ vbe ugamwẹ e Jehova sẹtin do worua vbene etẹn ni ghaa rre Ẹfisọs vbe orre nokaro ghaa ye. Jesu keghi tama iran wẹẹ: ‘Wa ma ghi hoẹmwẹ mwẹ vbene uwa te ka hoẹmwẹ mwẹ vbe ẹghẹ okaro.’ (Arhie. 2:4) Vbua khian ru ne emwi vberriọ ghẹ sunu daa ovbuẹ nọ mieke na “miẹnfan”? (1 Pit. 2:2) Gia ziro yan igiemwi ọghe Timoti.

3. (a) De vbene Timoti ya khian Ovbiotu e Kristi hẹ? Vbọ rhiẹre ma wẹẹ ọ rhie emwi nọ ruẹ re ye uyinmwẹ? (b) De emwi eha ne Pọl wẹẹ ne Timoti rhie aro tua?

³ Odẹ ukpo 47 C.E. nọ re ẹghẹ okaro ne ukọ e Pọl ya mu otuẹ gha rrie Listra, ẹre Timoti ya rẹn vbekpae imamwaemwi ọghe Ivbiotu e Kristi. Ughaghe ehọnrre ẹre Timoti ghaa khin vbe ẹghẹ na, sokpan ọ keghi rhie emwi ne ọ ruẹ re ye uyinmwẹ. Ukpo eva ghi gberra nẹ, ọna suẹn gha lele Pọl ya gha kporhu vbe ehe ughughan. Vbe ukpo 16 ghi vbe gberra nẹ, e Pọl keghi gbẹn ebe gie Timoti. Ọ keghi kha wẹẹ: “U ghi gha lele avbe ẹmwata ne a maa ruẹn re, kevbe ne uwẹ vbe yayi gbain, rhunmwuda u rẹn emwa ni maa ruẹn emwi. U vbe rẹn wẹẹ, ke ẹghẹ ọvbokhan ruẹn gha dee, u keghi wa rẹn Ebe nii [abọ ọghe Baibol ne a ka ya urhuẹvbo e Hibru gbẹn], ne ọ sẹtin rhie nuẹn ighẹ ẹwaẹn nii ne ọ su ọmwa lae imiẹnfan, vbe ekpa ne a na ya Kristi yi.” (2 Tim. 3:14, 15) Yẹrẹro wẹẹ e Pọl ya unu kaẹn (1) ne a rẹn Evbagbẹn Nọhuanrẹn, (2) ne a yaeyi gbain ighẹ emwi ne a maa ọmwa re, kevbe (3) ne a gha mwẹ ẹwaẹn nii, nọ su ọmwa lae imiẹnfan lekpae amuẹtinyan ne ima mwẹ dae Kristi.

4. De emadogua ne u he loo ya maa ivbuẹ ne giẹre emwi? (Ghee efoto nọ rre omuhẹn.)

⁴ Evbibiẹ emọ ni ga e Jehova keghi hoo ne ivbi iran gha mwẹ irẹnmwi ọghe Evbagbẹn Nọhuanrẹn, ke ne a ya urhuẹvbo e Hibru kevbe ọghe Grik gbẹn. Ibiẹka gha sẹtin rẹn otọ okha ni rre Baibol ni ma lọghọ gbe. Vbe ẹdẹnẹrẹ, otu e Jehova kpemehe emadogua nibun ne evbibiẹ emọ gha sẹtin loo ya maa ivbi iran emwi. De nọ he ladian vbe urhuẹvbo ruẹ? U ghi yerre wẹẹ, irẹnmwi ọghe Evbagbẹn Nọhuanrẹn keghi re ẹyotọ ne a bọ asikẹgbe ne ima gu e Jehova mwẹ yan.

5. (a) Vbe a yae kha ne a “yaeyi gbain” ighẹ emwi ne maa ọmwa re? (b) Vbe ima ya rẹn hẹ wẹẹ te a maa e Timoti emwi ọ ke do gha mwẹ iyayi nọ wegbe vbekpae Jesu?

⁵ Irẹnmwi ọghe Evbagbẹn Nọhuanrẹn wa ru ekpataki. Vbọrhirhighayehẹ, ne a gha taa okha ni rre Baibol ma emọ ma sẹ. Yerre wẹẹ, te a ke egbe ọvbokhan maa e Timoti emwi, ọ ke do gha mwẹ iyayi nọ wegbe. Evba ya ifiẹmwẹ na kha “yaeyi gbain” vbe urhuẹvbo e Grik ọre, “ne a gha mwẹ ilẹkẹtin” ra “ne a gele ya emwi yi wẹẹ ẹmwata nọ.” Ọvbokhan ẹre Timoti ye khin vbe a suẹn gha ya Evbagbẹn Nọhuanrẹn maa re emwi. Sokpan zẹ vbene ẹghẹ ya khian, emwi ne a maa re keghi do yae gha mwẹ iyayi nọ wegbe wẹẹ, e Jesu ọre Mẹzaia. Irẹnmwi ọghẹe ẹre ọ ya iyayi ọghẹe deziẹn. Iyayi ọghẹe wegbe sẹrriọ wẹẹ, ọ na dinmwiamẹ, vbe iyeke ọni, ọ na deba e Pọl vbe iwinna arọndẹ ne a gie yo isi.

6. Vbua khian ya sẹtin ru iyobọ ne ivbuẹ hẹ, ne iran do gha mwẹ iyayi nọ wegbe nọ hẹnhẹn egbe yan ẹmwata ni rre Baibol?

⁶ Vbua khian ya maa ivbuẹ emwi hẹ, ne iran vbe do gha mwẹ iyayi nọ wegbe vbe na ghee Timoti? Okaro, gha mwẹ ẹbo izinegbe rhunmwuda iyayi i re evba biẹ ọmwa biẹ; a i vbe rri ọre vbe ukhu. Ne ivbuẹ mieke na do gha mwẹ iyayi nọ wegbe nọ hẹnhẹn egbe yan ẹmwata ni rre Baibol, te dọmwadẹ iran gha loo ẹwaẹn ne a ya ziro. (Tie Rom 12:1.) Ne ivbi uwa mieke na sẹtin gha loo ẹre ẹse ighẹ ẹwaẹn obọ iran ne a ya ziro, te uwa ne evbibiẹ emọ gha ru iyobọ nọ khẹke ne iran katekate vbe iran gha nọ ọta. Gia ziro yan igiemwi na?

7, 8. (a) De vbene ọtẹn nokpia ọkpa ya ye izinegbe maa ovbi ẹre emwi hẹ? (b) De odẹ eso ne uwa ne evbibiẹ emọ he ya mwẹ izinegbe vbe egbe ivbi uwa?

⁷ E Thomas nọ mwẹ ọmokhuo nọ rre ukpo 11 keghi kha wẹẹ: “Ugbẹnso, ovbi  mwẹ ghi nọ wẹẹ, ‘Ẹi re ẹmwata nọ wẹẹ te emwi hia didaghohi rre? Uwẹ ma yayi wẹẹ, obẹlẹ na ẹre Osanobua loo ro ya yi emwi hia ra?’ ‘Vbọzẹe ne ima i na deba emwa ni rre ẹdogbo ne ima ye sinmwi oseghe ẹvbo, ne ima mieke na ru iyobọ, ne emwi gha zẹ ye?’ I keghi begbe ne I ghẹ wa tama rẹn wẹẹ, ọna ọre imamwaemwi nọ gbae. Te I rhan otọ re ma rẹn evbọzẹe ne ọ na re imamwaemwi nọ gbae. Vbene ẹmwata, ọmwa i wa ya uhukpa do gha mwẹ iyayi nọ wegbe. te ọ rrie ẹghẹ imamwaemwi ọghe ẹmwata ke gbọzinia vbe ekhọe.”

⁸ E Thomas wa rẹn wẹẹ, ne irẹn mieke na sẹtin maa ovbi irẹn emwi, te irẹn gha mwẹ izinegbe. Vbene ẹmwata, akpa nọ khẹke Ivbiotu e Kristi hia ẹre nọ. (Kọl. 3:12) E Thomas rẹnrẹn wẹẹ, ọ gha rhie ẹghẹ, ovbi irẹn ke do gha mwẹ iyayi nọ wegbe rhunmwuda te ọ khẹke ne irẹn ya Evbagbẹn Nọhuanrẹn maa re emwi. E Thomas vbe amwẹ ọnrẹn keghi kha wẹẹ: “Ma keghi hoo ne ima rẹn deghẹ emwi ne ima maa ovbi ima re sẹ ọre ekhọe katekate deghẹ ọ na gha re emwi nọ wa ru ekpataki. Deghẹ ọ ma nọ ọta, orhiọn ima i sotọ. Ọ gha nọ ọta, ma ghi rẹn wẹẹ, ọ rẹn otọ emwi ne ima maa re.”

9. De iyobọ ne evbibiẹ emọ gha ru ne ivbi iran, ne Ẹmwẹ Osanobua mieke na gbọzinia vbe ekhọe iran?

⁹ Evbibiemọ ghaa ya izinegbe maa ivbi iran emwi, ọ gha ru iyobọ ne ivbi iran ya rẹn “uvbẹmwẹ, utanmwẹ, uyomwẹ kevbe udinmwimwẹ” ọghe imamwaemwi ọghe ugamwẹ ẹmwata. (Ẹfis. 3:18) Emwi ne emọ gha sẹtin rẹn otọ re ẹre ọ khẹke ne evbibiẹ emọ gha maa iran re zẹ vbene iran ya waan dee. Zẹ vbene iyayi ọghe emọ nii ya wegbe sayọ, erriọ iran khian vbe ya gha mwẹ udinmwẹ ne iran ya sinmwi oseghe ye emwi ne iran yayi. (1 Pit. 3:15) Vbe igiemwi, ivbuẹ gha sẹtin ya e Baibol rhan otọ re, evbọ sunu vbe ọmwa gha wu ra? Imamwaemwi na mu iran ekhọe ra? * Vbene ẹmwata, te evbibiẹ emọ gha mwẹ ẹbo izinegbe ne iran mieke na sẹtin maa ivbi iran Ẹmwẹ Osanobua, sokpan ẹrhiọn ne a loo ro vbenian keghi biẹ ọmọ esi.—Diut. 6:6, 7.

10. Vbọzẹe ne igiemwi esi ọghe evbibiẹ emọ na ru ekpataki vbe imamwaemwi ọghe ivbi iran?

¹⁰ Igiemwi ne evbibiẹ emọ rhie yotọ wa vbe ru ekpataki, rhunmwuda, ọ sẹtin ya ivbi iran do gha mwẹ iyayi nọ wegbe. E Stephanie, nọ mwẹ emọ ikhuo eha keghi kha wẹẹ: “Te ivbi mwẹ he ye waan dee, vbe I ke nọ egbe mwẹ ọta na wẹẹ, ‘I tama ivbi mwẹ ke ẹghẹ ya fi ẹghẹ evbọzẹe ne imẹ na yayi wẹẹ e Jehova rrọọ ra? I vbe tama iran evbọzẹe ne I na yayi wẹẹ, Osa nọ mwẹ ahoẹmwọmwa kevbe nọ ru emwi nọ gbae vbe ẹghẹ hia ẹre Jehova khin ra? Ivbi mwẹ bẹghe ẹre vbe odẹ ne I ya ru emwi wẹẹ I gele hoẹmwẹ e Jehova ra?’ Ne ivbi mwẹ mieke na gha mwẹ iyayi nọ wegbe, te ọ khẹke ne imẹ rhie igiemwi esi yotọ.”

11, 12. Vbe a ya ẹwaẹn kha? Vbọzẹe ne ẹwaẹn ne a mwẹ ma na hẹnhẹn egbe yan inu ukpo ne ọmwa he gbe vbe a agbọn?

¹¹ Zẹ vbene ima nanaẹn dee sin, ma bẹghe ẹre wẹẹ, e Timoti ghaa mwẹ (1) irẹnmwi ọghe Evbagbẹn Nọhuanrẹn kevbe (2) iyayi nọ wegbe. Sokpan, de emwi ne Pọl yae kha, vbọ khare wẹẹ, Evbagbẹn Nọhuanrẹn gha sẹtin ya e Timoti gha mwẹ “ẹwaẹn nii nọ su ọmwa lae imiẹfan”?

¹² Insight on the Scriptures, Volume 2 keghi rhan otọ re, evba ya ẹwaẹn kha vbe Baibol. Ọni ọre “ne a sẹtin loo irẹnmwi ya sọfurre ye ọlọghọmwa, a vbe yae gbaẹngbe  ne ẹbe, a vbe loo ẹre ya fian emwi gbua vbe odẹ ọghe orhiọn, a sẹtin vbe yae ru iyobọ ne emwa ọvbehe ne iran gha mwẹ alaghodaro vbe odẹ ọghe orhiọn. Ọna ọre ẹwaẹn. Ọ lughaẹn ne ukọnmwẹ.” E Baibol keghi kha wẹẹ “obọ ibiẹka ọ re a na miẹn uyinmwẹ . . . ukọnmwẹ.” (Itan 22:15) Ọna rhiema wẹẹ, odẹ ọkpa ne a ya rẹn ọmwa nọ mwẹ ẹwaẹn ọre wẹẹ, ọ gha yin uyinmwẹ enọwanrẹn. Sokpan ne a do gha yin uyinmwẹ enọwanrẹn nọ wẹro vbe odẹ ọghe orhiọn, ma hẹnhẹn egbe yan inu ukpo ne a he ya vbe agbọn. Ọ keghi hẹnhẹn egbe yan imuohan ọghe Jehova kevbe ekhọe ne a ya họn ẹmwẹ nẹẹn.—Tie Psalm 111:10.

13. De vbene avbe igbama ya rhiẹre ma wẹẹ iran mwẹ ẹwaẹn nọ su ọmwa lae imiẹnfan?

¹³ Igbama ni deziẹn ra ni wẹro vbe odẹ ọghe orhiọn i kie ẹkpotọ yọ ne ukpokpo otu ihegbe kevbe ahoo ọghe ikpakpa gha bi iran yo bi iran rre rhunmwuda te ọ yevbe na ghee “ulẹmwẹ ẹzẹ” nọ “mu yo mu rre.” (Ẹfis. 4:14) Iran keghi hia vbe odẹ ke odẹ ne iran gha mwẹ alaghodaro vbe nọ dekaan irẹnmwi nọ ya ọmwa “rẹn alughaẹn nọ rre ẹkpo emwi nọ maan kevbe ne ẹi maan.” (Hib. 5:14) Avbe igbama ghaa ya ẹwaẹn ru azẹ nọ gua ilele ọghe Baibol ro, ọ gha khọn rẹn wẹẹ evbibiẹ iran ra emwa ọvbehe i rre evba, ọ ghi rhiema wẹẹ iran mwẹ alaghodaro vbe odẹ ọghe orhiọn. (Fil. 2:12) Ẹwaẹn vbenian ẹre ọ su ọmwa lae arrọọ ọghe etẹbitẹ. (Tie Itan 24:14.) Vbua khian ya sẹtin ru iyobọ ne ivbuẹ hẹ, ne iran do gha mwẹ ẹwaẹn vbenian? Okaro, u ghi gi ivbuẹ rẹn wẹẹ, ilele ni rre Baibol ẹre ọ dia emwi hia ne u ru. Nogieva, u ghi gi ẹre gha rhiegbe ma vbe ẹmwẹ ne unu ruẹ kevbe uyinmwẹ ruẹ wẹẹ, ilele ni rre Baibol wa gele hiunsi vbe arrọọ ọghuẹ.—Rom 2:21-23.

14, 15. (a) De emwi eso nọ khẹke ne avbe igbama ka ziro yan deghẹ iran hoo ne iran dinmwiamẹ? (b) Vbua khian ya sẹtin ru iyobọ ne ivbuẹ ya rẹn wẹẹ afiangbe rrọọ deghẹ iran na gha lele uhi e Jehova?

¹⁴ Vbọrhirhighayehẹ, ne a wa gha tama emọ kẹkan, emwi nọ khẹke ne iran ru kevbe nọ ma khẹke ma sẹ hiehie. Ọ khẹke ne evbibiẹ emọ gha gu ivbi iran ziro yan inọta vbenian: ‘Vbọzẹe ne Baibol na gbikhaẹn  ye ahoo ọghe ikpakpa? Vbọzẹe ne I na yayi wẹẹ ilele ọghe Baibol keghi re ọghe umamwẹ imẹ?’—Aiz. 48:17, 18.

¹⁵ Adeghẹ ovbuẹ hoo nọ dinmwiamẹ, ọ khẹke ne u gi ẹre rẹn emwi eva—iwinna ra isievẹn nọ lelẹe khian kevbe afiangbe nọ gha kẹrikian. U vbe gi ovbuẹ rẹn wẹẹ, afiangbe na lae miẹn i gia gie. (Mak 10:29, 30) Emwi vbenian ẹre ọ khẹke ne evbibiẹ emọ gu emọ ziro yan vbene iran te dinmwiamẹ. Nọnaghiyerriọ, ọ khẹke ne evbibiẹ emọ gi ivbi iran rẹn afiangbe ne a lae miẹn vbe a ghaa họn ẹmwẹ ne Jehova kevbe evbọ kẹrikian deghẹ a ma họn ẹmwẹ nẹẹn. Ọna gha ya iran gha mwẹ iyayi nọ wegbe wẹẹ, ne a gha lele ilele ni rre Baibol vbe ẹghẹ hia keghi re ọghe umamwẹ iran.—Diut. 30:19, 20.

16. Vbọ khẹke ne evbibiẹ emọ ru deghẹ ovbi iran nọ dinmwiamẹ nẹ na suẹn gha gbawawẹ?

¹⁶ Vbua khian ru deghẹ ovbuẹ nọ dinmwiamẹ nẹ na suẹn gha gbawawẹ? Oyọnyọn ọghe agbọn na sẹtin viẹn ye ovbuẹ aro. Ọ sẹtin vbe gha biro eveva deghẹ esa rrọọ na gha lele ilele ni rre Baibol. (Psm. 73:1-3, 12, 13) Ovbuẹ gha zowẹ ihan vbenian, u ghi yerre wẹẹ, ẹwaẹn ẹre u khian loo nọ mieke na sẹtin mudia ye odẹ ọghe ẹmwata, vbe ẹi erriọ, ọ wa la uwu agbọn. Ghẹ yọ ọkpankpan yọ re egbe deghẹ ehọnrre nọ ra ọ ma he sẹ vberriọ. Gi ovbuẹ rẹn wẹẹ u hoẹmwẹ ọnrẹn ne u mieke na sẹtin ru iyobọ nẹẹn.

17, 18. De iyobọ ne evbibiẹ emọ gha ru ne ivbi iran ni gbawawẹ?

¹⁷ Ẹmwata nọ wẹẹ, te igbama nọ dinmwiamẹ ya egbe fiohan ne Jehova. Ẹdẹ ne ọmwa ya egbe fiohan ẹre ọ ru eyan wẹẹ, ugamwẹ ọghe Jehova ẹre irẹn khian mu ye okaro vbe arrọọ ọghe irẹn. (Tie Mak 12:30.) E Jehova i ya eyan vberriọ rhẹghẹrẹ, ọ ma vbe khẹke ne ọmwa nọ ru eyan vberriọ vbe yae rhẹghẹrẹ. (Asan. 5:4, 5) Ena ẹre ọ khẹke ne evbibiẹ emọ gha ye ivbi iran re rre, sokpan ọ gha re ẹghẹ nọ khẹke kevbe odẹ ọghe ọghọ vbe ute. Ọ vbe khẹke ne evbibiẹ emọ ka gha ru ezanzan vbe ebe na he gbẹnnẹ ladian vbe otu e Jehova, iran ke rhie adia ne ivbi iran. Odẹ vbenian, te evbibiẹ emọ kọe ye orhiọn ivbi iran vbene ọ ru ekpataki sẹ hẹ ighẹ eyan ne iran ru vbe iran ya egbe fiohan ne Jehova kevbe afiangbe ne a lae miẹn.

¹⁸ Vbe igiemwi, adia eso rre orriete vbe iyeke ne ebe, Questions Young People Ask—Answers That Work, Volume 1 vbe uhunmwuta nọ khare wẹẹ, “Questions Parents Ask.” Ọ keghi kha wẹẹ: “Ọ ma khẹke ne evbibiẹ emọ rherhe suẹn gha roro ẹre wẹẹ ovbi iran lahin odẹ ọghe ẹmwata rre nẹ. Ọmọ nii sẹtin gha mwẹ ọlọghọmwa nọ werriẹ aro daa. Ọ sẹtin gha re ukpokpo otu ihegbe. Ọ sẹtin vbe gha roro ẹre wẹẹ, irẹn i mwẹ alaghodaro vbe iko, vbene igbama nikẹre ye. A sẹtin vbe miẹn wẹẹ, emwi nọ ya ọmọ nii worua vbe odẹ ọghe orhiọn ma kaẹn imamwaemwi ọghe ugamwẹ ruẹ. Ọ gha kẹ, ọ gha re emwi ọvbehe fẹẹrẹ.” Azẹvbiro nibun wa rre orriete na, nọ gha ru iyobọ ne evbibiẹ emọ ne ivbi iran gbawawẹ.

19. De odẹ ne evbibiẹ emọ gha ya ru iyobọ ne ivbi iran ne iran do gha mwẹ “ẹwaẹn nii nọ su ọmwa lae imiẹnfan”?

¹⁹ Iwinna nọkhua kevbe ukpamuyọmọ nọ hiunsi ẹre evbibiẹ emọ mwẹ rhunmwuda, te iran gha maa ivbi iran emwi ‘zẹvbe emwa ni ya Osa yi.’ (Ẹfis. 6:4) Zẹ vbene ima ruẹ ọre dee sin, te evbibiẹ emọ gha maa ivbi iran emwi ne Baibol khare. Ọ ma fo ye evba. Iran ghi vbe ru iyobọ ne iran ya gha mwẹ iyayi nọ wegbe. Te ọ khẹke ne iyayi iran wegbe sẹrriọ wẹẹ, iran ghi ya egbe fiohan ne Jehova, iran vbe gha ya ekhọe hia gae. Erhunmwu ne ima na ọre ne Ẹmwẹ Osanobua, orhiọn nọhuanrẹn ọghẹe kevbe ẹrhiọn ne uwa ne evbibiẹmọ loo, ru iyobọ ne ivbi uwa ya gha mwẹ “ẹwaẹn nii nọ su ọmwa lae imiẹnfan.”