1. Understanding God’s Design for the Family |  09/15/24

Study questions

1.  How has your family of origin shaped your understanding of God and faith? 

     a) In what ways do you hope to shape your own family's spiritual journey differently?

2.  Read Genesis 1:27-28. How does this passage reveal God's purpose for families?

3.  The sermon mentions that we often expect the church to raise our kids for us.  Why do you think this happens? 

     a)  How can we shift this mindset?

4.  Discuss the three elements of family discipleship: 

     a. Teaching: What challenges do you face in teaching your family about Jesus? 

     b. Modeling: How can we better model discipleship in our daily lives? 

     c. Equipping: What's the difference between teaching/modeling and equipping?  Why is equipping important?

5.  How does the biblical design of family discipleship apply to those who are single, childless, or empty nesters? In what ways can single individuals or those without children participate in family discipleship within the broader church community?

6.  How does the analogy of training an astronaut illustrate the importance of equipping in discipleship?

7.  How might equipping our families for discipleship look different at various life stages, from young children to adult offspring?

8.  Identify one area where you can improve in teaching, modeling, or equipping your family (or those in your sphere of influence) this week. Or create a simple plan to intentionally disciple someone in your family or extended church family over the next month.

9.  Reflect on your own discipleship journey.  What tools or experiences has God used to equip you? 

     a). How can you pass these on to others? 

10. "God created our families to be the primary structure or vehicle for raising the next generation to become disciples of Jesus." How will you respond to this calling in your life and family?

2. Understanding God's Design for Marriage |  09/22/24

Study questions

1.  How does the architectural principle of 'form follows function' apply to God's design for marriage and family? 

     a) In what ways might our culture prioritize 'form' over 'function' when it comes to relationships?

2.  What are some ways we can ensure our marriages reflect God's relationship with the Church, as described in Ephesians 5:32?

3.  Read Malachi 2:14.  Discuss the concept of marriage as a covenant with God. How does this differ from viewing marriage as just a legal or social contract?

4.  Read Ephesians 5:21-28.  Paul mentions different roles for husbands and wives.  How can these roles be understood and applied in a way that honors both partners and reflects God's design?  

     a) What are some practical ways husbands and wives can live out the call to 'submit to one another out of reverence for Christ' (see Ephesians 5:21)?

5.  How might our marriages and families look different if we consistently viewed their purpose as being for God's glory rather than our own pleasure or fulfillment?

     a) The purpose of family is to create disciples of Jesus. How might this understanding change the way we approach marriage and parenting?

6.  Share with the group one way you feel challenged to change your approach to marriage or relationships based on this teaching.

• For married couples: Identify one area where you can better reflect Christ's love for the Church in your marriage this week.
• For singles: Reflect on how you can prepare yourself to be a godly spouse in the future, focusing on your personal growth and relationship with God.
• For all: Commit to praying for the marriages in your church community this week.

3. Understanding God's Design for Parenting |  09/29/24

Study questions

1.  What have you always considered the goal of parenting to be?  Why?

     a)  Read Deuteronomy 6:4-9.  How might our parenting change if we shift our focus from 'saving our children' to 'teaching them about God and modeling what it looks like to live with Him’?

2.  These verses emphasize loving God ourselves as the first aspect of biblical parenting.  Why do you think this is so crucial? 

     a) What challenges do you face in prioritizing your relationship with God?

3.  Discuss the importance of modeling what it looks like to live with God.  Share an example of when you've seen this done well, either in your own life or someone else's. 

     a) What are some specific ways we can model Christ-like behavior to our children, especially when we fail or make mistakes?

4.  How might our parenting approach change if we truly embraced the idea that our children belong to God rather than to us?

5.  How can we effectively teach our children about God's character and their relationship to Him without resorting to mere behavior modification?

6.  In what ways can we intentionally create opportunities to discuss spiritual matters with our children in everyday situations, as described in Deuteronomy 6:7?  

     a) Plan a specific time to have a spiritual conversation with your child(ren) or a younger person in the church family this week.

7.  The sermon talked about being present and adaptable in parenting.  Which of these do you find more challenging and why?

8.  For those without children or empty-nesters: How can you play a role in discipling the next generation within our church family?

9.  Evaluate how you spend your time.  Are there ways you can be more present for your children or for others in the church family?

4. Understanding God's Design for the Extended Church Family |  10/06/24

Study questions

1.  Read Deuteronomy 6:4-12 and note how God switches from speaking to Israel as a collective versus speaking directly to the individuals to make up the nation.  How does the concept of Israel as both singular and collective challenge our modern, individualistic approach to faith and community?

     a)   How does understanding the church as an extended family change your perspective on your role within it?

     b)  In what ways has our culture's emphasis on individualism and independence affected our ability to live out God's design for community within the church?

2.  Read Titus 2:3-8.  How might our approach to mentoring and discipleship change if we truly embraced the biblical model of older believers teaching younger ones?

3.  Read 1 Corinthians 12:26-27.  How might our church look different if we all actively used our spiritual gifts for the 'common good' as described in these verses?

     a)  What fears or obstacles might prevent people from embracing this responsibility?

4.  Share an experience where someone in the church (outside your immediate family) had a significant impact on your spiritual growth. What made it meaningful?

5.  In what ways can people without children themselves contribute meaningfully to family discipleship within the church?

6.  How can we balance our responsibilities to our immediate family with our calling to invest in the broader church family?

7.  Choose one of the following opportunities to do this week:

     a)  Identify one person in the church (of a different generation than you) that you could intentionally connect with this week. Make a plan to reach out to them.

     b)  Initiate a conversation with someone new at church next Sunday. Come prepared with a few questions to ask beyond just “hello."

     c)  Think about a younger believer in your life (family member, friend, or church acquaintance).  What's one practical way you could invest in their spiritual growth this month?

8.  As you go through this week, pay attention to opportunities God might be giving you to engage more deeply with our church family.  How might embracing your role in the extended family of God impact your legacy and the discipleship of future generations?  Pray for God to give you a greater vision of how He could use you in the lives of others, and for the courage to step out of your comfort zone in serving the church family.

5. Curveballs in Marriage  |  10/13/24

Study questions

1.  It’s easy to feel like a failure when we’re confronted with God's ideal for the family.  Have you ever felt this way?  How can we balance striving for God's design while accepting His grace in our imperfections?

2.  Read 1 John 1:6-7. How does ‘walking in the light’ relate to healing in our marriages and families? 

     a)  What makes this difficult to do?

     b)  In what ways might we be avoiding 'walking in the light' as described in 1 John 1:6-7, and how can we take steps to be more honest with ourselves and others?

3.  Read 1 Corinthians 5:1-2.  How can we balance showing grace and forgiveness while also maintaining healthy boundaries?

4.  Read Ephesians 4:17-18.  Why is the world’s way of thinking futile, and why does it result in a hardened heart?

     a) Read verse 32.   How can we do this when it seems so illogical and unfair and foolish?

5.  Read 2 Corinthians 5:18.  We’ve not only been reconciled by God to Himself, we’ve been given the ministry of reconciliation.  What difference does this make to the way we approach our marriage?

6.  What are some practical ways we can emulate God's forgiveness and seek reconciliation in our relationships, even when it feels impossible?

7.  What does it look like to truly love our spouse 'as Christ loved the church' in practical, everyday terms, especially when facing significant challenges?

6. Curveballs in Parenting  |  10/20/24

Study questions

1.  Share a parenting challenge you've faced or are currently facing.  How has it impacted your faith?

2.  Read John 9:2-3.  Jesus’ point was that even when we’re disabled, God is still able to glorify Himself through our life.  How can this make a difference when we face particularly hard situations as parents?

3.  Read Mark 2:17.  How can parents balance showing unconditional love while still upholding biblical values when their children struggle with sexuality issues?

4.  Read Genesis 39:9.  What does it mean practically to be 'so in love with God that our passion and affection for Him becomes greater than our desire and affection for things contrary to His will'?

5.  For those who are single parents or in blended families, what unique challenges do you face?  

     a)  How can the church family support you?

6.  The sermon emphasized the importance of being transparent about our own struggles with our children.  Why is this difficult?  

     a)  How might it positively impact your relationship with your kids?

7.  Discuss this quote from the sermon: "Our children don't need perfection, they just need us."  What does this mean to you practically?  

     a)  What does it look like to model 'devotion not perfection' in our relationship with God to our children? 

7. Modeling Living With Jesus  |  10/27/24

Study questions

1.  We see in the Biblical narrative several different ways of learning (teaching, practice, stretching opportunities, real-time feedback, mentoring and modeling).  Which of these do you find most effective in your own spiritual growth? 

     a)  How can you incorporate more of these into your family discipleship?

2.  Read 1 Corinthians 15:9, Ephesians 3:8, and 1 Timothy 1:15.  These verses show the progression of Paul's humility as he matured in faith.  How have you seen humility grow in your own life as you've followed Christ? 

     a)  How can humility enable us to be better parents?

3.  Read Deuteronomy 4:9.   What personal experiences of God have you had that serve as a basis for your convictions? 

     a)  How could they be part of your modeling life with God to your children?

4.  Read 1 Timothy 3:4-5.  Parenting requires good management skills, including being intentional about out priorities.   Take a moment to reflect on your priorities.  Do they align with the order taught in the Bible? 

     a)  What adjustments might you need to make? 

     b)  How might our priorities and time management reflect or contradict what we say is most important to us spiritually?

5.  In what ways might our attempts to appear 'perfect' as parents actually hinder our children's spiritual growth?

6.  Read Ephesians 6:4.  In what ways can fathers specifically step up to lead their families spiritually? 

8. Equipping our Children to Pray  |  11/03/24

Study questions

1.  Read 1 Corinthians 5:17.  In what ways can we shift from teaching prayer as a religious ritual or a last resort to modeling it as living in constant conversation with God? 

     a)  How can we encourage our children to see God as constantly present and willing to guide them, rather than just a 'Mr. Fixit' for emergencies? 

     b)  In what ways might we be unintentionally 'playing God' for our children instead of allowing them to develop their own reliance on Him?  

2.  Read Genesis 3:6-10.  Discuss the "fig leaf" analogy.  In what ways do we try to cover our own weaknesses instead of relying on God? 

     a)  How might our efforts to control our lives be hindering our children's understanding of prayer and reliance on God?

3.  How can we practically apply Deuteronomy 6:7 in our modern family life to create meaningful opportunities for prayer and spiritual discussion? 

    a)  What are some creative ways we can establish a regular family prayer rhythm that fits our unique schedule and dynamics?

4.  Read Nehemiah 2:1-5.  In what ways can we model for our children how to react to unexpected situations by immediately turning to God in prayer, like Nehemiah did? 

     a)  What are some practical ways we can model "living in conversation with God" for our children or younger family members?

5.  Read Matthew 6:9-13.  Discuss the six elements of prayer that Jesus taught: worship, seeking God's will, asking for needs, confession, seeking guidance, asking for protection. 

     a)  Which of these do you find easiest/hardest when you talk with God? 

     b)  What practical steps can we take to implement Jesus' teaching on prayer in our family's prayer times?  

9. Equipping Our Children to Spend Time With God in His Word  |  11/10/24

Study questions

1.  Read 2 Timothy 3:16-17 and 2 Peter 1:19-21.  From these verses in the Bible we believe the Bible is the inspired, inerrant, infallible word of God so it’s true, trustworthy, and unchanging.  Critics would say that is ‘circular reasoning’ or a ‘self-referential argument’ and therefore invalid.  Why is the testimony (the claims) of the Bible a legitimate basis for believing it?  

     a)  If the Bible is indeed the Word of God, how we should treat it—what difference should that make to how we live our lives?  

     b)  How might this impact our parenting?

2.  Read 2 Timothy 2:15.  What does it mean to ‘correctly handle the word of truth’?  

     a)  What specific things can we do to improve our understanding of biblical context and interpretation to 'correctly handle the word of truth’?  

     b)  How can we help our children do the same things?

3.  Why do you think it's challenging for many people, including Christians, to consistently spend time in God's Word?  

     a)  Do you see any spiritual battle in this?  

     b)  How can we help our children make spending time with God in His Word a priority?  

     c)  How can we effectively model Scripture memorization for our children without making it feel like a chore?

4.  How can we cultivate a genuine love for God's Word in our own lives?  

     a)  What obstacles do we face?

5.  Read 2 Timothy 3:16-17.  How has God’s Word equipped you for life?  

     a)  Share an example of how you've seen God's Word prove relevant and powerful in a real-life situation.  

     b)  How can we practically apply Scripture to everyday situations to show our children its relevance and power?

10. Equipping Our Children to Trust God  |  11/17/24

Study questions

1.  Read Deuteronomy 6:8-9.  How might our daily habits and routines serve as modern-day 'phylacteries' or 'mezuzahs' for our children?

     a)  What are some practical ways we can shift from simply teaching our children about God to helping them experience a relationship with Him? 

     b)  In what ways can we create a 'family culture' that naturally incorporates discipleship and trust in God?

     c)  How can we create an environment where "everyday conversations about Jesus are normal" in our homes?  How can we create an environment where honest questions and doubts about faith are welcomed and addressed?

2.  Read Proverbs 3:11-12, Proverbs 23:13-14 and Hebrews 12:5-11.  Discuss the challenges of balancing discipline with unconditional love.  How can we discipline in a way that reflects God's character?

3.  How can we prioritize church engagement without neglecting other important aspects of our children's development?

4.  For those without children or with grown children: How can you support and encourage parents in your community as they seek to disciple their children?

5.  How would you share the gospel with a child?  

     a)  Practice sharing the core truths of the gospel in a way that an Elementary School child could understand. 

     b)  How would you change it for a Middle Schooler?

11. Equipping Our Children to Stand Firm in Their Faith  |  11/24/24

Study questions

1.  Read 1 John 4:16-18.  How does perfect love drive out fear in practical terms?  

     a)  In what ways might we be unintentionally teaching our children to rely on external behaviors rather than a deep, loving relationship with God to stand firm in their faith?

     b)  How do the three core passions of acceptance, significance, and security manifest in your own life? 

     c)  Can you identify times when you've been tempted to satisfy these needs outside of your relationship with God, and what the result was?

     d)  How would your parenting change if you were focused more on these core passions of your children's soul?

2.  Read Ephesians 6:10-18.  What specific things are Paul saying we can do that protect us spiritually and enable us to stand firm in our faith?

     a)  In what ways can we more effectively use the 'armor of God' in our daily lives and teach our children to do the same?

3.  How can we as parents better model standing firm in our faith for our children? 

     a)  What specific behaviors can we change to be more transparent about our own spiritual struggles and growth?

4.  How might our approach to discipline and forgiveness impact our children's ability to receive God's forgiveness and stand firm in their faith?

12. Lessons Learned Along the Way  |  12/01/24

Study questions

1.  Read Deuteronomy 6:5-7.  How do these verses inform our approach to family discipleship, and what challenges might we face in implementing this in modern life?

     a)  How can we balance unconditional love for our children with the need to guide them towards godly living?

     b)  When we give our children freedom that is greater than their self-control, we encourage developmental confusion.  When we limit their freedom to less than their level of self-control, we encourage developmental frustration.  But when we give them freedom that is appropriate to their level of self-control we encourage developmental harmony.  How can we best adapt our parenting to our children’s age and stage?

2.  Read Ephesians 6:4.   In what ways might you be making parenting "about you" rather than about God's purpose for your children?

3.  Read Proverbs 15:23.  How can you and your spouse anticipate and be best prepared to capitalize on future teachable moments? 

4.  In light of 1 Timothy 4:6-7, how can parents better 'train themselves to be godly' in order to effectively disciple their children?  

     a)  How can parents balance the responsibility of being 'primarily responsible for the discipleship of our children' with relying on God's grace and guidance themselves?

Practical Applications:

• Create a "Spiritual Growth Chart" for your children. Identify key spiritual milestones you'd like to see and ways to measure and celebrate them.
• Plan ahead for upcoming teachable moments. Identify potential situations your children may face in the near future and prepare how you'll address them.
• Evaluate your use of personal pronouns (I, me, my) when correcting your children. Practice rephrasing corrections to focus on the issue rather than your feelings.
• Set aside time this week to pray specifically for God's guidance in loving your children as He does and discerning His plan for their lives.
• If you have young children, identify one area where you can implement more structure or control. For older children, consider one area where you can grant more freedom based on their demonstrated responsibility.