Where are today’s children?

 In percent of children ages 0–17 lived with two married parents. 0–17 lived with two married parents.

 Of the 4% (2.6 million children) not living with either parent in 2012, about 55 percent lived with grandparents.

 In percent of all births were to unmarried women. were to unmarried women.

Observations About the Family

 1. The rise in the number of cohabiting couples from 1996 cohabiting couples from 1996 to 2012 jumped almost 170 percent, to 2012 jumped almost 170 percent, to 7.8 million. to 7.8 million.

 2. Unmarried mothers are typically not in their teens. Most unmarried mothers today, demographers say, are in their 20s and early 30s.

 The divorce rate began falling in 1996 and is now just above 40 percent for first-time marriages.

 Why are so many couples delaying marriage? delaying marriage? In 2010 the average age to marry in the US was 28 years old for men and 26 years old for women. In 2010 the average age to marry in the US was 28 years old for men and 26 years old for women.

 1. Some choose a single lifestyle. Around 30% of Americans will never marry.

 2. Contraception and changing moral standards standards Sex doesn’t mean having children Sex doesn’t mean having children anymore. anymore. Living together is now socially Living together is now socially acceptable. acceptable.

 3. Personal priorities have changed. First education, then a good job, then First education, then a good job, then strong finances, and then marriage. strong finances, and then marriage. Particularly true for women. Particularly true for women.

 4. Having children doesn’t mean getting married. getting married.

 5. Expectations of marriage are high. Marriage is no longer necessary but an option - a personal choice. “The less we need marriage, the more we expect from it.” we expect from it.”

 So where does that place the church and Christians today?

 We must nurture our families. Ephesians 5 – the husband is to love his wife Titus 2 – the wife is to love her husband Scripture explains what love means.

 A Christ-centered home is the best home you can have. Ephesians 6:4 Children brought up in “the discipline and instruction of the Lord.”

 We need to make our families the best they can be.

 A. We can’t take things for granted. EducationActivitiesAssistanceMentoringCounseling

 2. We are the defenders of the family. Philippians 2:15-16 “... prove yourselves to be blameless and innocent, children of God above reproach in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom you appear as lights in the world, holding fast the word of life...” Philippians 2:15-16 “... prove yourselves to be blameless and innocent, children of God above reproach in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom you appear as lights in the world, holding fast the word of life...”

 The family is the answer for society.

 Jesus is the answer for the family.