Your family tree

Think a minute...Ever hear the expressions “Like father, like son?”  or “The fruit doesn’t fall far from the tree?”  Two families in America were studied for many years.

One was the Max Jukes family; the other was the Jonathan Edwards family. What was discovered in this study is very interesting.     

Max Jukes was a man who did not believe in God or strong principles of right and wrong, and he married a woman like himself. More than 1,200 of their descendants were studied for several generations.

310 became professional beggars; 440 died of sexually transmitted diseases; 130 were sent to prison, 7 of them for murder; over 100 became alcoholics; 60 became professional thieves and robbers; and 190 became prostitutes. Only 20 learned a profession, and10 of those learned their trade in prison.

Jonathan Edwards, however, was a man who daily lived by the principles of Jesus Christ, and he chose to marry a woman who also had a personal relationship with Christ.

Their descendants were studied over generations also. 300 of them became Christian ministers, missionaries, and theology professors; over 100 others became university professors; another100 became lawyers and attorneys; 30 became judges; 60 became medical doctors; another 60 became writers of published, popular books; 14 became presidents of universities; many others became successful business people; 3 became United States congressmen; and 1 became the Vice President of the United States.

 It is clearly true that our children end up following our example much more than following our advice! You cannot train up your child in the way you’re not going yourself. But you can start changing and going that way today—by asking the One Who invented families to forgive you for your wrong way of living.

Then ask Jesus Christ to take charge of your heart and character. As you start living His way every day, you will start showing your children the successful, right way of living. And they will also teach their children, who will then teach their children. Because well trained children grow up to train their children well.  Just Think a Minute…

Samoa Observer

Upgrade to Premium

Subscribe to
Samoa Observer Online

Enjoy unlimited access to all our articles on any device + free trial to e-Edition. You can cancel anytime.

>