Family Bible Study

Dear Family,

As you know Satan has a strong foothold on our society. He is attacking

from all angles in all types of ways. His arsenal is heavily equipped with alcohol,
drugs, violence, sexuality, TV, negative peer pressure, complacency, busyness
and so many other tools he has at his disposal.

The only way we can truly overcome Satan and the arsenal that he uses is
faith in Jesus Christ. Jesus says, “I am the way the truth and the life and no one
comes to the Father except through me.” (John 14:6) Romans 10:17 states it like
this, “ So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing comes by the Word of God.” If
we want our family to withstand the pressures of the world we must be in the
Word.

Unfortunately many families are too busy and have decided to put spiritual
development low on the priority list. We spend quality time in activities such as
work, sports, school, band and recreation, but have little or no time to spend
developing our relationship with God. Some families have left it to the church to
provide their only spiritual food on Sundays and Wednesdays. Because of that,
many of us are spiritually malnourished. We need to be in God’s Word more! We
need to teach our children the importance of Bible study!

That is the reason we have put together “The Family Bible Study Series”.
These lessons are designed to be very simple, basic and applicable to the entire
family. They are written at a level that someone unfamiliar with the Bible could
use these outlines. They can also be used as a starting point for a family that
may be older. Just take these lessons and add more depth to them. The most
important thing is for us to begin to open the Word of God as a family. This is
where we can develop a spiritual life that can withstand the storms of Satan! How
is your family spiritually?

You can NEVER start too young!

May God bless your efforts to develop strong God centered homes.

Tony Hall
Youth & Family Minister

NOTE: We will hand out a new Bible Study Manual every quarter. Typically the
booklet will contain 13 lessons. Since we have already started a new quarter this
booklet only contains 10.

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 Table of Contents

Keys to Having a Good Home Bible Study pg. 3

Lesson for Week One – “God’s Families” pg. 4

Lesson for Week Two – “God’s Plan for Children & Parents pg. 5

Lesson for Week Three – “A Family of Patience” pg. 6

Lesson for Week Four – “A Family of Kindness” pg. 7

Lesson for Week Five – “Being Thankful” pg. 8

Lesson for Week Six – “Being Responsible” pg. 9

Lesson for Week Seven – “Respecting Others” pg. 10

Lesson for Week Eight – “A Family that Shares” pg. 11

Lesson for Week Nine – “Self-control” pg. 12

Lesson for Week Ten – “Telling the Truth” pg. 13

Suggestions for Family Projects pg. 14

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 Keys to Having a Good Home Bible Study

?? Have a family meeting and discuss what night and time of the week
would be best to have the study.

?? Stick to the time that is agreed upon and start and finish on time!

?? Make a decision that this will be a family priority.

?? Start with a prayer.

?? Give each family member time to discuss what has happened during
their day.

?? Do not allow the discussion time to become a place for family gripes
and arguments.

?? Give each family member an opportunity to share how he or she was

able to work on last week’s lesson.

?? Always remember what the purpose of this study is…

- To develop a closer relationship with God.
- To develop a closer relationship with each other.
- To unite as a Godly family.

?? Take time to work on your family project.

?? End with a prayer.

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 God’s Families
Week #1

OBJECTIVE: To read and discuss what God says about Christian families.

Feasting on the Word:

Genesis 2:20-24
Deuteronomy 6:4-9

Family Discussion:

Who were the first man and woman?

How was Eve created?

Why was Eve created?

In Genesis 2:24, how is a family started?

Looking at Deuteronomy 6:4-9…

How much should we love God? (Vs. 5)

Where should we hold God’s commandments? (Vs. 6)

Whose responsibility is it to teach children about God? (Vs. 7)

How often should we talk about and teach God’s commands? (Vs. 7,8,9)

Can you as a family make a commitment to begin talking about God as a

family more?

Challenge: Take time to discuss your family’s favorite verses in the Bible.
Decide on a “theme” verse for your family. Have someone copy it or type it
on a piece of paper. Place the verse in several locations through out the
house to remind you of your family’s commitment to God.
Joshua 24:14-15

Family Project: Choose a Family project from the list provided. Continue
to work on it each week until the family has completed it. After completing
the project, choose another one and add to your Bible knowledge.

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 God’s Plan for Children & Parents
Week #2

OBJECTIVE: To read and discuss what God says about the relationship
between parents and children.
Feasting on the Word:
Deuteronomy 5:16
Ephesians 6:1-4
Family Discussion:

Children, who are you to obey? (Eph. 6:1)

Why are you to obey your parents? (6:1)

In verse 2, Paul writes to “Honor” your father and mother. What does honor
mean? Special esteem or respect – The American Heritage Dictionary

This was the first commandment with what? (6:2)

What was the promise? (6:3)

Fathers, to what should you not provoke your children? (6:4)

How should parents bring up their children? (6:4)

In training a child there must be teaching. What are ways a parent can
teach their children?

Concluding thoughts: This passage has beautiful balance. Children are

to obey their parents, and parents are to treat their children in such a way
that the children will want to obey.

Challenge: Take time to have the children list some things that
demonstrate their parents’ love for them. Parents take some time to share
some things that you feel are admirable qualities in your children. What are
some areas that the family needs to improve in? Conclude with a prayer
asking God to help your family grow in respecting and loving each other
more.

Family Project: Take time to work on your family project. (Refer to list.)

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 A Family of Patience
Week #3
OBJECTIVE: To read and discuss what God says about patience.

Feasting on the Word:

Genesis 12:1-5, then 17:15-17, then 21:1-3 (Abraham’s patience)
Ephesians 4:2
1 Thessalonians 5:14-15

Family Discussion:
What promises did God make to Abraham when he was 75 years old?

How old was Abraham when his son, Isaac, was finally born?

So, how long did Abraham have to wait for God’s promise to start coming
true?

God promised to make Abraham’s family into a great nation. How long do
you think it took for that promise to come true? (days? Months? Years?
Centuries?)

Read what Hebrews 6:13-15 says about Abraham!

Next time you have to wait awhile for something to happen, what can you
do to make the waiting easier? Discuss some examples.

Sometimes, to have patience means to wait for something to happen, like

Abraham did. Other times, to have patience means to be tolerant of other
people. What does Ephesians 4:2 and 1 Thessalonians 5:14-15 mean?
Think of some situations when it is hard to be patient with a family member.
How can you show patience to your family?

Challenge:
A proverb is a wise saying. Read these two proverbs about patience:
Proverbs 14:29 and 15:18. Now let each family member make up his or her
own wise saying about patience.

Family Project: Take time to work on your family project. (Refer to list.)

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 A Family of Kindness
Week #4
OBJECTIVE: To read and discuss what God says about kindness.

Feasting on the Word:

Mark 2:1-12 (the kindness of 4 friends)
Matthew 25:31-46

Family Discussion:
In the story in Mark 2, how did the friends of the paralyzed man show
kindness?

What might have happened to the paralyzed man if his friends had not
helped him get to Jesus?

How did Jesus show kindness to the paralyzed man? (2 ways)

In Matthew 25, Jesus explains that when we do something kind for another
person, we are also showing kindness to whom?

If Jesus were in the hospital, would you go visit him? If Jesus were hungry,
would you give him something to eat? Of course you would. When you
think of people who are in need, picture Jesus in that situation. It may make
it easier to show kindness!

Discuss Proverbs 14:21 and also verse 31. Think of some ways your family
can show kindness to needy people. Plan a project!

What is the opposite of kindness? Read Ephesians 4:31 and 32 to find out
how families should treat each other and how they should NOT treat each
other.

Challenge:
Each family member do at least one random act of kindness tomorrow.
Think of a way to be helpful to someone, or surprise somebody with an act
of love! Keep your idea a secret until it is done, then tomorrow night, tell
each other about your experience. How does it make you feel to be kind to
others?

Family Project: Take time to work on your family project. (Refer to list.)

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 Being Thankful
Week #5
OBJECTIVE: To read and discuss what God says about being thankful.

Feasting on the Word:

Luke 17:11-19
Leviticus 13:45-46
1 Thessalonians 5:18
Luke 9:16
Philippians 4:6

Family Discussion:
What did the Law of Moses command lepers to do? (Leviticus 13:45-46)
How would you have felt if you had leprosy and had to live as an outcast?

How many lepers came to Jesus? What did they want?

Jesus told the lepers to go and show themselves to the priest. What
happened as they went on their way?

How many of the men remembered to say thank you? What did Jesus say
to the man who came back? (verses 17-19)

Under what circumstances should we give thanks to God? Read

1 Thessalonians 5:18.

Read Luke 9:16. What did Jesus always do before eating a meal? Does
your family remember to thank God before each meal?

Many times when we pray, we are asking for things. What should we
remember to do when God answers our prayers? How do you tell God
thank you? Discuss Philippians 4:6.

Challenge:
Count your blessings. Have each family member tell 5 things they are
thankful for.

Family Project: Take time to work on your family project. (Refer to list.)

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 Being Responsible
Week #6
OBJECTIVE: To read and discuss what God says about being responsible.

Feasting on the Word:

Daniel 6:1-23
Colossians 3:22-24
1 Thessalonians 4:11-12
Family Discussion:
What responsibilities did King Darius give to Daniel? (verses 1-2)

Did Daniel do a good job? How do you know? (verse 3)

Some men were jealous of Daniel and wanted to get him in trouble with the
king, but they could not find anything wrong with his work. Why couldn’t
they find fault with Daniel? (verse 4)

Daniel was not corrupt or negligent. That means that he didn’t steal from
the king (he could be trusted), and he didn’t neglect to do what he was told.
Was Daniel was a responsible person? Are you?

Being responsible means being trustworthy. When Daniel was thrown into
the lions’ den, did Daniel find out that God was trustworthy? Was God the
one who was responsible for saving Daniel’s life?

Read the verses in Colossians. They are about how slaves should be
responsible even when their masters are not watching. How could this
same principle apply to you when you are working at school or at your job?
How could it apply to children when their parents give them chores to do?

The verses in 1 Thessalonians could be titled, “How To Live a Responsible

Life.” Talk about ways of putting that into practice.

Challenge:
List the responsibilities that each family member has at home. What can
each of you do to be more responsible? Who is always watching?

Family Project: Take time to work on your family project. (Refer to list.)

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 Respecting Others
Week #7
OBJECTIVE: To read and discuss what God says about respecting others.

Feasting on the Word:

1 Samuel, chapter 26
Luke 6:31
1 Peter 2:17 and Romans 12:10

Family Discussion:
King Saul tried many times to kill David. Then one day, David had the
chance to get revenge. He could have killed Saul while Saul was sleeping.
But, what did David do instead?

David showed respect to King Saul. Did Saul deserve it? Why do you think
David showed him respect anyway?

What did King Saul do when he found out that David had spared his life?
(verse 21)

Children—Tell about ways you can show respect to these people: parents,
grandparents, teachers, policemen, the elders.

Parents—Tell about ways you can show respect to these people:

Husband/wife, children, neighbors, employer, the elders.

Why do you think Luke 6:31 is called “the golden rule?” How can this verse
help you to show respect to others?

Do you think it is a command from God that you should respect other
people? Read 1 Peter 2:17 and Romans 12:10 to find out!

Challenge:
This week show respect for each other. Listen with interest when someone
is telling you about his or her day. Pick up your own messes. Don’t
aggravate each other. Treat everyone else the way YOU want to be
treated!

Family Project: Take time to work on your family project. (Refer to list.)

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 A Family that Shares
Week #8
OBJECTIVE: To read and discuss what God says about sharing.

Feasting on the Word:

John 6:1-13
Romans 12:13 and Hebrews 13:16
Acts 4:32-35

Family Discussion:
Why was there a crowd of people following Jesus? What did Jesus ask
Philip?

What did Philip reply? What food did Andrew find among the people?
Who’s lunch was it? What did Jesus do with his lunch?

How many people were fed because the little boy shared his lunch? Did
everyone get enough to eat? How much food was left over?

Can you make dinner-for-one become enough food to feed more than
5,000 people? Why not? How was Jesus able to do it?

What does Romans 12:13 say about sharing? How does God feel when we
share with others, according to Hebrews 13:16?

When the church began, the believers were united like one big happy
family. What did they do, according to Acts 4:32? The next verses tell us
that there were no needy persons among them. Why not?

What else can you share besides material things? Your time? Your love?
What else? The best thing of all that anyone can share is the good news of
Jesus Christ!

Challenge:
Discuss some ways that your family can share with others. Plan a sharing
project, such as giving some of your clothes to an organization that helps
the needy. Maybe you could donate cans of food, as well. Can you think of
other ways to share?

Family Project: Take time to work on your family project. (Refer to list.)

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 Self-control
Week #9
OBJECTIVE: To read and discuss what God says about self-control.

Feasting on the Word:

Matthew 26:57-67 and 27:19-31
Psalms 106:3
Romans 12:17-18
Titus 2:11-12

Family Discussion:
What bad things did the Jews and Romans do to Jesus? List as many as
you can remember. (Reread the story if you need to.)

When the Jews slapped Jesus and hit him with their fists, did Jesus go into
a rage? When Jesus was flogged, did he curse at anyone? When the
soldiers dressed Jesus up like a king and made fun of him, did Jesus fight
them? When the soldiers spit on him, did he spit on them, too? Did Jesus
have self-control?

How do you think God feels about people who practice self-control? Read
Psalms 106:3. Blessed is he who does right…how often?

When someone makes you mad, what is the wrong thing to do? What is
the best thing to do? Read Romans 12:17-18

When you are tempted to do wrong, how can you have self-control? Find
out by reading Titus 2:11-12.

Do you like to be punished? The best way to avoid punishment is to do

what is right! Discipline yourself! Remember self-control means YOU be in
charge of YOU!

Challenge:
Have you seen the bracelets that say “WWJD?” It means “What Would
Jesus Do?” The story you read today reminds you that Jesus had excellent
self-control. This week, every time you are tempted to do something wrong,
or to get angry, remember to ask yourself that question. Then do what
Jesus would do if he were in that situation!

Family Project: Take time to work on your family project. (Refer to list.)
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 Telling the Truth
Week #10
OBJECTIVE: To read and discuss what God says about telling the truth.

Feasting on the Word:

Acts 4:32 through 5:11
Revelation 21:8
Proverbs 12:22

Family Discussion:
What happened to Ananias when he told a lie? What happened to Sapphira
when she lied, too?

If Ananias and Sapphira had told the truth about how much money they
kept from the sale of the land, and how much they were giving to the
church, how would this story have been different?

Why do you think verse 11 says, “Great fear seized the whole church and
all who heard about these events”?

Who always knows when you are lying? What does God say in Revelation
21:8 about liars?

Read Proverbs 12:22. How does God feel about lying? How does he feel
about people who are honest?

Jesus had a saying that is repeated over and over in the New Testament.
Find out what it was by reading Matthew 18:3, Luke 21:3, and Luke 23:43.
Do you think Jesus always told the truth? Why?

Challenge:
Imagine what would happen if no one ever told the truth. Could you believe
your history teacher? Would you trust your doctor? What if an air traffic
controller lied to a pilot about a clear runway? Think of some more
examples. Why is it so important to always tell the truth?

Family Project: Take time to work on your family project. (Refer to list.)

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 Suggestions for Family Projects

?? Memorize the books of the New Testament.

?? Memorize the books of the Old Testament.

?? Develop an outreach of service that you and your family can do.

- Write cards to the missionaries.

- Write cards to the shut-ins, widows or widowers.
- Write notes of appreciation to your Bible class teachers.
- Rake someone’s yard.
- Put together a care package for someone in need.
- Take some of your allowance and go shopping for Christmas
presents for a needy child.
- Go visit the nursing home.

?? Memorize I Corinthians 13.

?? Memorize the 12 Apostles.

?? Memorize the 23rd Psalm.

?? Memorize the 12 sons of Jacob.

?? Memorize the verses that teach us the plan of salvation.

As you can see there are unlimited opportunities to develop your family.
Take time to come up with some of your own ideas to put Christianity to
work in your family! I know God will bless you!

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 Lewisville Church of Christ
901 College Parkway
Lewisville, TX. 75077
Phone: (972) 353-2518
Fax (972) 353-2568
Email: TonyLHall@msn.com

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