Christian Family

This course gives a Christian perspective on human development through the stages of life and applies scriptural principles to family roles and relationships.

Course Description

This course teaches God’s principles for stages of life and family relationships, particularly marriage and child raising. Through this study, students will be equipped to honor God in their current stage of life and in their relationships. They will be prepared to teach others biblical principles and practical applications of those principles. Students will be motivated to engage with their local church in making an impact for godliness in the families of their society and community.

Among other things, students will be learning about family discipleship of children and adolescents. Lesson 12, Assignment 3 instructs parents who are taking this course to plan daily devotional times for their family. Shepherds Global Classroom has produced a family discipleship book, Family Teaching Tools, which parents may want to use during their family devotions. This book is available for download from shepherdsglobal.org.

Directions for Class Leaders

Discussion questions and in-class activities are indicated by ►. For discussion questions, the class leader should ask the question and give students time to discuss the answer. If the same student usually answers first, or if some students do not speak up, the leader can direct the question to someone: “Igor, how would you answer this question?”

Each lesson ends with several optional questions for group discussion. The class leader may choose which questions to discuss with the group.

Much scripture is used in the course. Passages that should be read aloud in class are indicated by arrow bullet points. Everyone in the group should look at the scripture, while one student reads it out loud. At other times, scripture references are given in parentheses in the text. For example: (Ephesians 6:1). Those references are support for the statements in the text. It is not necessary to always read the passages in parentheses.

Brief discussions of two special topics are included at the end of this course. These topics do not completely relate to any other lessons and are not whole lessons in themselves. Yet, they are important topics to understand from a Christian point of view. The class should study and discuss Appendix A following Lesson 3 and should study Appendix B following Lesson 10. Reminders are given at the end of those two lessons.

Each lesson ends with assignments. Assignments should be completed and reported before the next lesson time. If a student does not complete an assignment, he can do it later. However, the leader should encourage students to keep on schedule so that they learn more from the class. In addition to completing the assignments for each lesson, students should read through the next lesson in preparation for the following class.

If students want to earn a certificate from Shepherds Global Classroom, they should attend the class sessions and complete the assignments. A form is provided at the end of the course for recording the assignments completed.