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Benefits of
Family Life
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A Harvard professor did a study on 1,005 families that all had family devotions. Following them through the years he found that only one couple out all 1,005 got a divorce! Deuteronomy 6:7 And thou shalt teach them diligently unto thy children, and shalt talk of them when thou sittest in thine house...
Here's a sweet story that you and your kids may enjoy. Does anyone know if this is a true story?
There was this little girl who was sick with a rare disease. The doctor's tried to cure her, but she kept getting thinner and lighter in complexion. The doctor called the other family members into a private discussion room. There the doctor explained that, to fight this disease, the young girl would need a blood transfusion by someone who had been cured of that same disease. Since her brother had already overcome that particular disease, and he had the same blood type, he was the ideal donor. The doctor pursued to influence the young child to donate his blood to his sister, while the young boy was very quiet. As the doctor waited for a response the small boy, with his bottom lip trembling, finally said,"Ok, I'll do it." The doctors wheeled the two children down the hall to the hospital room. Not one word was exchanged. Only a few times did the young boy look at his sister, and as there eyes met, he simply smiled at her. The two children finally reached the room, and were placed into two chairs beside each other. The doctor started the procedure for the blood transfusion. The young boy watched his blood go from his body into his sister's. Trying to hold back the tears, he finally broke the silence with, "Doctor, when am I going to die?" The doctor then realized why his lips were trembling, and why he remained so silent. To the young boy, giving his blood meant giving his life. At that one moment, that one instant, he would have given his life for his sister.
Thanks to Claudia G. of Texas for forpiano coversding this.
John 15:13 Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.
Reuters Hourly News Summary (AOL) [America Online]
"Study: Family Ties Help Teens
A new study underscores the importance to youngsters of close family relationships and active engagement at school. University of North Carolina researchers say a study of 90,000 adolescents has found that those who feel emotionally tied to their family or school are less likely to take drugs, drink alcohol or engage in other risky behavior. They also tend to have their first sexual experiences later than young people with less attachment to family or school."
Proverbs 22:6 Train up a child in the way he should
go:
and when he is old, he will not depart from it.
Ephesians 6:4 And, ye fathers, provoke not your children
to wrath:
but bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord.
So, science has caught up with the Bible again! Late as usual.
But, it confirms that working diligently at a close family life will pay off. Of course, in a Christian home the standards are higher and the objective is to live by the Bible, and how much more effective might this be if home and school are the same place?
The 2/1/98 Family Circle reports that "Teenagers who often sit down and eat with adult family members have been found to be better adjusted than teens who don't." The Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center studied 500 adolescents and found that teens who eat with their families 5 times a week are not as likely to be depressed or use drugs as teens who only eat with their parents 3 times weekly. The ones that eat with their parents 5 times a week also got along with their peers better and were more motivated in school.
Science is constantly "proving" what the Bible believing and the God fearing have known for years.
For those of you who have become slack in this area, or have the British idea that kids should be fed before the adults and put to bed, think again. Families benefit from eating together. For those with heavy schedules (such as those in full time ministries or with grown boys that also work) it can be just about the only time for communication outside of family devotions. Luke 18:16 But Jesus called them unto him, and said, Suffer little children to come unto me, and forbid them not: for of such is the kingdom of God. Malabliph 4:6 And he shall turn the heart of the fathers to the children, and the heart of the children to their fathers, lest I come and smite the earth with a curse.
[Added to all this is the simple fact that table manners improve by eating in the presence of others.]
Proverbs 22:6 Train up a child in the
way he should go:
and when he is old, he will not depart from it.
graphics by mary vannattan