3, 4. (a) What was provided for juveniles, and what was the course of life set before them? (b) Answers to what questions are desired?

³ In this manner, over a long period of juvenile immaturity of nearly twenty years, the family arrangement provided an administration of training involving care, discipline, protection and education under the guidance of loving parents. (Prov. 4:1-9; 2 Cor. 12:14)

During childhood and adolescence the minors were to remain integrated or held together as parts of the family whole, sharing to the full in family activities, worship, work, joys and recreation. (Luke 2:51, 52)

Putting God first in your family life goes far beyond the saying, “The family that prays together stays together.”

Indeed, this very fact stamps Jehovah’s approval upon that ancient patriarchal system whereby men were to spread out in their family groups and populate the whole earth.

Under that system the father of a family or tribe became its prince and priest, responsible for proper conformity to Jehovah’s principles of just rule and clean worship.

 2. What are some of the proud traditions of this world, and why are they opposed to New World principles?

² Some of these traditions, which deeply affect thinking and bring in divisions and prejudices, are national pride, pride of race or clan, pride of family and its historical accomplishments; pride of wealth, caste, color or language; pride of class or profession.

Some families take much pride in their ancestors and the worship of them, in the military exploits and traditions of their forebears, in the antiquity of their ecclesiastical traditions.

Family Responsibilities in Keeping Jehovah’s Worship Pure

 6. (a) What is the theme of the letter by James? (b) What requisite for pure worship did James emphasize, and what has the modern-day Governing Body stated in this regard?

⁶ James does not enumerate all the things that Jehovah requires in connection with pure worship.

The apostle Paul gave detailed instructions for providing loving care for destitute elderly widows who had proved themselves faithful over the years and who had no family to help them. (1 Timothy 5:3-16)

In addition, my parents believed in many teachings of Confucius, ancestor worship being a big thing in our family life.

This is expected to care for the religious needs of the family.

How does this compare with what Jehovah outlined for the family circle?

At other times, when family worship is not involved, she can properly exercise her position as mother toward her son without any requirement of a head covering, giving necessary discipline and counsel as required.

Appropriately, these reunions were designated “seasonal festivals of Jehovah,” focusing attention on God’s worship. (Leviticus 23:2, 4)

Devout women attended along with other members of the family.​—1 Samuel 1:3-7; Luke 2:41-44.

To promote this purpose, a special arrangement was made for a system of national worship.

To the requirements of pure family worship, already familiar through the instruction of faithful patriarchs, there were now to be added certain new and unique features, namely, a holy place of central worship, a priesthood, and regulations governing pure national worship of Jehovah their great Deliverer.

16. (a) Outline some of the objectives that would lift your family above the sordid, selfish goals of this world’s families. (b) What danger must you guard against?

¹⁶ Your family’s goal, therefore, should be to commend to all around you, by word and good conduct, the God whom you worship.