The Urantia Book places a significant emphasis on the family as a fundamental social unit and as acrucial factor in the development of individuals and society. In this study aid we examine the family as the basic building block of human civilization.

We begin by examining the unity and diversity within the Divine Family, and God as a loving andmerciful Father to humanity. God loves each one of us as a unique child in the heavenly family and this leads us to recognizing our place in the family of God and the advantages we gain from understanding this network of family relationships.

We explore the evolutionary origins of the family institution beginning with how marriageprogressed from primitive times to the modern day and the differences between men and women. We study the development of the family from the primitive form to the more complex and organizedfamily units that exist today including the issues of gender and sex equality.

The family is seen asessential for the physical, social, and moral development of individuals. It provides a supportiveenvironment for the upbringing of children and is considered a crucial factor in transmitting cultural values and moral standards.

We examine the responsibility of parents in the upbringing of children emphasizing the importance of education and training in the early years of a child's life. Whilerecognizing the practical and social aspects of the family, we also examine the spiritual dimensions to family life and the potential for spiritual growth and development within the family context.

As anexample we study the family life of Jesus and the many qualities he learnt in his transition fromchildhood to early manhood. The Urantia Book indicates the importance of education and training and we study how our education system could change in order to develop more wisdom in children.

We look at future trends anddevelopments for the family in this difficult time of transition for the planet as society gets morecomplex. True religion and family life can contribute to fostering a better society in many ways as we can learn from those planets settled in light and life to which we aspire.

Love, mutual trust and faith combine in family life so that we can express our highest potentials and experience the joys of love and companionship. Almost everything valuable in society has its roots in the family.

. .