Wednesday, May 21, 2008

The Church's Impact on the Family

"Let us not give up meeting together [in church], as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another…."1
A study conducted some time ago by sociologist Steven Nock of the University of Virginia showed that couples who regularly attend church are 42% more likely to be married for the first time. And those in the church who were committed to its beliefs had a 23% better chance of having a "very happy" marriage than those who don't attend church.
Furthermore, according to a report by Warren Mueller, where both parents attend church regularly, 72% of their children continue in the faith. Where only the father attends, that percentage drops to 55%, but where only the mother attends, just 15% of the children remain involved in the church.Need I say more?

Suggested prayer: "Dear God, please help me to be an active participant in a healthy church and have positive fellowship (relationships) with fellow Christians both for my own growth and to be an encourager to others. Gratefully, in Jesus' name. Amen."

1. Hebrews 10:25 (NIV).

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