Sunday School Series Update - FAMILY (High School Only)

--What is the purpose of family?
--Why did God create the family for us?

The makeup of a family may look differently today than it did forty years ago, but God’s design for the family has not changed. Explain that this study will help students identify why God created the family for us to enjoy and live within on earth. They will gain a better understanding of why they are a part of their family and what their responsibility is to their family. This study will also help students better understand that the choices they make do not just affect them, but they affect their entire family.

Session 1
Family Is God’s Idea — Genesis 2:15-24; Deuteronomy 6:4-9
THE QUESTION
Why did God create the family?
THE POINT
The family is God’s unique environment for nurturing our development.

TALKING POINTS
--When God created man, He did not want him to be alone.
--Family is a natural part of the order of God’s creation.
--Every family has the capability of having relationships within their family unit.
--God created the family unit to be close and enjoy intimate relationships.
--Not all families are perfect, but they are still family relationships.
--God desires the family to help their children grow spiritually as individuals—and as a family unit.
--Parents are the primary spiritual developers of students.


Session 2
Planned for You — Romans 8:28; Genesis 37:1-11; Genesis 45:4-15
THE QUESTION
Why am I in this family?
THE POINT
God is working out His purpose through your family circumstances.

TALKING POINTS
--You may not understand why some things happen within your family, but God can and will take those things and use them for the good.
--God always has a plan in mind for you and your family.
--There is no such thing as a perfect family. Jacob’s family is one example of an imperfect family in the Bible.
--Every family has its own share of problems. Granted, there are some really difficult family situations in the world today.
--Problems within the family are opportunities for God to work.
--There is no problem within a family that God cannot fix and ultimately restore the family once again.
--Every family is different—with different circumstances and problems—but God has a great plan for each family.



Session 3
Your Responsibility — Ephesians 6:1-4; Exodus 20:12; Genesis 4:1-10
THE QUESTION
What are my responsibilities to my family?
THE POINT
God calls us to honor and respect family members.

TALKING POINTS
--Children and teenagers alike are to obey and honor their parents—it is a command from God.
--Obedience pleases God and has blessings/rewards attached to it.
--Every family member has God-given responsibilities within the family.
--We are to show respect toward each other within the family.
--Respect can include: caring for; being responsible for; being committed to; and respecting their personhood.
--We are to be committed to each other in the family desiring the best for each other.
--Each family member should always be looking out for the other family members.
--The story of Cain and Able represents what can happen when we do not respect one another.




Session 4
Choices Matter — 1 Samuel 2:12,22-25,31-36; 2 Timothy 1:3-9
THE QUESTION
Do my choices affect my family?
THE POINT
Your decisions have lasting impact.

TALKING POINTS
--Every choice you make in life impacts not just you but your family as well.
--Family members must choose wisely keeping in mind their choices affect more than just themselves.
--Some choices we make carry negative consequences as well as punishment. The negative result of our choices can impact our family.
--The negative choices of Eli’s sons carried consequences for them and impacted their family.
--Some choices we make carry positive consequences and will allow us to reap rewards. The positive result of our choices can impact our family.
--Timothy’s spiritual heritage had a positive impact on his life—and the lives of others.
--Bottom line is that while we are free to make choices, we must keep in mind the affect it will have on us and on our family.