All humans begin with father and mother. From this union comes family, church, school, workplace, and government. Research from Marripedia shows that adults who grow up with both birth parents enjoy better outcomes. Children who grow up in happily married families that attended church seldom abandon church as they grow up. They earn better grades, have fewer school problems, and graduate in greater numbers. Married parents work, earn, and save at higher rates than others. They have fewer health issues, commit less crime, and suffer less abuse. These facts show why we need good families. Jesus affirmed marriage and family as God’s plan for our growth and success. When asked whether divorce is permitted, He replied (Mark 10) Moses allowed divorce as a concession because people’s hearts were hard. But Jesus said, “‘God made them male and female’ from the beginning of creation. ‘This explains why a man leaves his father and mother and is joined to his wife, and the two are united into one.’” Since marriage and family are so crucial for our personal and society’s wellbeing, restoring the family must be a priority.
Dr. Melvin E. Banks, Sr. is the founder and chairman of UMI (Urban Ministries, Inc.). Under his direction, UMI has grown to be a leading publisher of Christian education resources for churches in the African American community. Read More
