Family Bible Study Series

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, 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 or too old!

May God bless your efforts to develop a strong God-centered home.

Tony Hall
Youth & Family Minister

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Table of Contents

Keys to Having a Good Home Bible Study pg. 3

Lesson for Week One – “Christian Living” pg. 4

Lesson for Week Two – “Forgiveness” pg. 5

Lesson for Week Three – “Saying “I’m Sorry” pg. 6

Lesson for Week Four – “Obeying Authority” pg. 7

Lesson for Week Five – “Honoring God” pg. 8

Lesson for Week Six – “Armor of God” pg. 9

Lesson for Week Seven – “Read the Bible” pg. 10

Lesson for Week Eight – “Setting the Example of Christ” pg. 11

Lesson for Week Nine – “Prayer Life” pg. 12

Lesson for Week Ten – “Make Me a Servant” pg. 13

Lesson for Week Eleven – “You Are Needed” pg. 14

Lesson for Week Twelve – “Heroes of Faith” pg. 15

Lesson for Week Thirteen – “The Second Coming” pg. 16

Suggestions for Family Projects pg. 17

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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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 Christian Living
Week # 1

OBJECTIVE: To read and discuss some Biblical rules for Christian

living.
Feasting on the Word:
Colossians 3:1-17
Family Discussion:
What should you set your heart and mind on? (v. 1, 2) What should
you NOT set your mind on?
You are to put to death the sinful nature, including what? (v. 5-10)
When you die to your old self, you should, instead, be “clothed” with
what good values? (v. 12-14)
What should rule in your heart? (v.15)
What do you think it means to “let the word of Christ dwell in you
richly”? (v. 16) We are also commanded to sing songs to God with
what in our hearts?
Verse 17 is a good way to summarize the rules for Christian living.
How can you apply that rule to your daily life?
Discuss God’s rules for Christian families in verses 18-21.
Now read and discuss another passage of Scripture that gives
practical advice for living the Christian life: Romans 12:9-21.

Challenge:
Imagine what the world would be like if every person on earth followed
the rules for Christian living. What would be different? Crime? Hatred?
Bad language? Revenge? Greed? What else? Would we need prisons
if everyone followed the rules for Christian living? We might not have
need for judges, wardens, or policemen! What else can you think of? If
everyone lived like a Christian, it would be a perfect world, wouldn’t it?
(That’s what heaven will be like!)

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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 Forgiveness
Week #2

OBJECTIVE: To read and discuss what God says about forgiveness.

Feasting on the Word:

Read the paragraph below, then read Genesis 45:1-15 and 50:15-21
Romans 12:17-21
Leviticus 19:18 and Colossians 3:13

Family Discussion:
Joseph’s brothers sold him into slavery. They told Joseph’s father that
an animal had killed him. Joseph was a slave in Egypt, even spending
time in prison for a crime he didn’t commit. But God was with Joseph.
Years later, God used him to save people from a famine (even his own
brothers). Read what happened when the brothers found out that
Joseph was the ruler in charge of famine relief! (45:1-15)

Did Joseph forgive his brothers? What did he do to prove that he

forgave his brothers for what they had done? (50:15-21)

Joseph was a powerful ruler in Egypt. He could have locked his

brothers away in a prison for the rest of their lives, or even had them
killed! Why do you think Joseph chose not to get revenge? (50:19, 20)

What does the Bible say about revenge? Discuss Romans 12:17-21.

When you choose not to forgive someone, that is called “holding a

grudge.” Is it a sin to hold a grudge? Discuss Leviticus 19:18.

When it seems hard to forgive someone, think about Jesus dying on

the cross to forgive sins. Think of what he endured…
He did that to forgive YOU of YOUR sins! Is it too much for him to ask
you to forgive others? Think about Colossians 3:13.

Challenge:
Try carrying a brick around with you for a while. Think of the brick as a
grudge that you have against someone. The brick will become heavy
and burdensome. Eventually, it will be a relief to get rid of it. The point
is: Don’t carry a grudge…it’s not worth it!

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

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 Saying “I’m Sorry”
Week #3

OBJECTIVE: To learn the importance of saying “I’m sorry.”

Feasting on the Word:

Jonah, chapters 1 and 2
James 5:16
1 John 1:8-10
Luke 18:9-14

Family Discussion:
What did God tell Jonah to do? What did Jonah do instead?

Jonah knew he was guilty of disobeying God. When the storm arose,
the sailors asked Jonah what he had done to make his God angry. Did
Jonah blame it on someone else, did he tell a lie, or did he admit that it
was his fault? (verse12)

Jonah told the sailors to throw him into the sea. When they did, what
happened to the sea? Then what happened to Jonah?

What did Jonah do while he was inside the fish? (2:1) Do you think
God forgave Jonah? Why do you think so?

What should you do when you have committed a sin: Blame it on

someone else? Lie about it? Say you are sorry and stop doing wrong?

How does the Bible instruct us to say “I’m sorry”? Read and discuss
James 5:16 and 1 John 1:8-10.

Saying “I’m sorry” is very important, but it is also important to stop

doing what you did wrong. Some people are only sorry that they got
caught. Some are truly sorry enough to repent. How can you tell the
difference?

Challenge:
Compare the attitudes of the two men in the story found in Luke 18:9-
14. Who had the right attitude? How does this story apply to you?

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

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 Obeying Authority
Week #4

OBJECTIVE: To read and discuss what God says about obeying

authority.

Feasting on the Word:

Genesis 6:5 through 7:5
Romans 13:1-5
1 Peter 2:13-14
Ephesians 5:22-28 and 6:1-2

Family Discussion:
God gave Noah specific instructions. What did God want Noah to
build? Did he expect Noah to build it a certain way? What did God tell
Noah to take into the ark? Which people were allowed to enter it?

Did Noah obey God’s authority? Quote Genesis 6:22. What do you
think would have happened if Noah had disobeyed God?

Only Noah and his family were saved. What happened to everyone
else on earth (the ones who were disobedient to God)?

God has authority over every person. We must obey him. God also
expects us to obey other people who have authority over us. Read the
verses listed above from Romans and 1 Peter. Name all the people
whom you must obey (parents, boss, teacher, police, etc.).

Why do we have to have rules? Imagine what this country would be

like if there were no laws at all. What would school be like if there were
no rules?

What are God’s rules for families? Read and discuss Ephesians 5:22-
28 and 6:1-2.

Challenge:
What are your family’s rules? Discuss why those rules are necessary.
What are the consequences of disobeying the rules? What are the
benefits of obeying the rules?

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

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 Honoring God
Week #5

OBJECTIVE: To read and discuss the importance of honoring God.

Feasting on the Word:

Acts 14:8-17 (Paul and Barnabas honor God.)
Matthew 6:9
Psalms 33:8 and Psalm 100

Family Discussion:
What did Paul do for the crippled man?

How was Paul able to perform this miracle?

When Paul and Barnabas found out that the people wanted to worship
them, what did they do?

Paul and Barnabas honored God by giving Him the credit for the
miracle. They also honored Him by saying good things about Him to
the people. In verse 17, what four things did they say showed God’s
kindness?

One way to show honor to God is to use His name reverently.

In the Lord’s prayer, Jesus says, “Hallowed be your name.” What does
hallowed mean? (Look it up in the dictionary if necessary.)

Do you honor God by the things you say? Do you always use God’s
name in a respectful way?

Another way to show honor to God is to praise Him. The book of

Psalms is a collection of poems, prayers, songs and praises that honor
God. Read and discuss Psalm 100 and Psalm 33:8.

Challenge:
See if you can write a psalm of praise to God in your own words. It
doesn’t have to sound like “Bible language.” Just tell God how you feel
about Him, from your heart. If you are willing, you can share your
psalms with each other.

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

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 Armor of God
Week #6

OBJECTIVE: To read and discuss the Armor of God.

Feasting on the Word:

Ephesians 6:10-17
1 Peter 5:8-9
James 4:7

Family Discussion:
There is always a spiritual battle going on between good and evil. Give
examples of events that have made you aware of good vs. evil in the
world.

Paul uses the idea of a Christian soldier to illustrate this point. Why
does every Christian need the armor of God? (verse 11-13) Why
should we be on guard against the devil?

What is the belt of truth?

What is the breastplate of righteousness?

What does this phrase mean: having your “feet fitted with the
readiness that comes from the gospel of peace”?

What is the shield of faith?

What is the helmet of salvation?

What is the sword of the Spirit?

How does 1 Peter 5:8-9 describe the devil? How can Christians resist
him? What happens to the devil when we resist him? (James 4:7)

Challenge:
If there are small children in the family, sing “I’m in the Lord’s Army.”
For teens and adults, discuss the words of “Onward Christian
Soldiers.” Use one of these songs as your family anthem to remind you
to always resist the devil.

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

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 Read the Bible
Week # 7

OBJECTIVE: To discuss the importance of reading the Bible.

Feasting on the Word:

2 Timothy 2:15 and 3:16,17
2 Timothy 1:5 and 3:14, 15
Mark 12:18-27
Psalm 119:11 and verse 105

Family Discussion:
Timothy was a young preacher who often traveled with Paul. In
2 Timothy 2:15, what did Paul tell Timothy he should be able to do?
Does this apply to preachers only, or to all Christians?

Paul explained to Timothy why the Bible is useful to Christians.

Discuss each reason stated in 2 Timothy 3:16 and 17.

How did Timothy come to know the Scriptures, according to 2 Timothy

1:5 and 3:14-15? From this example, what responsibility do you think
Christian parents and grandparents have? Why?

Jesus taught that reading God’s Word is important. One day, the
Sadducees (certain Jews who didn’t believe in the resurrection of the
dead) asked Jesus a hard question. Read the story in Mark 12:18-27
and pay close attention to what Jesus said in his answer. (Twice Jesus
rebuked them for not reading or knowing the Scriptures!)

Read Psalm 119, verse 11. Now say it in your own words. Do the
same thing with verse 105.

Challenge:
Habits are hard to break, so…
Make it a habit to read your Bible every day. Discuss how each one in
the family can best work that into their schedules. At night? First thing
in the morning? If there are small children, parents can read Bible
stories to them at bedtime. Some people like to buy the Bible on tape
and listen to it in the car. Make daily Bible reading a priority!

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

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 Setting the Example of Christ
Week #8

OBJECTIVE: To discuss the need for setting a Christ-like example.

Feasting on the Word:

I Corinthians. 11:1
Matthew 5:13-16

Family Discussion:
Paul makes a very bold statement in I Corinthians 11:1.
Whose example did Paul say to follow?
Whose example was Paul following?
Does the fact that Paul said others should follow his example mean
that he was perfect?
In Matthew 5:13-16 God compares His people to what two things?
What does salt do for our food? (adds flavor)
What does light do for us? (guides us)
In what way are we to be like salt and light?
When we shine like Christ, what will others be led to do?
Can you see the evidence of people being led to Jesus through your
life?

Challenge:
If there are small children in the family, sing “This Little Light of Mine.”
Do we set examples to each other in our family? Discuss some specific
things that each family member does to set a Christ-like example. Are
there any specific areas that the family may need to improve?

Pray for strength to set the example of Christ in the world and in our
families!

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

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 Prayer Life
Week #9

OBJECTIVE: To discuss the power of prayer in Christian living.

Feasting on the Word:

1 Samuel, chapter 1 and 1 Samuel 2:18-21
1 Peter 5:7 and 1 John 5:14-15
Hebrews 4:16
James 5:16

Family Discussion:
In the story about Hannah, why did she so desperately want a baby?
So what did she do? (verse 10)
How did God answer her prayer? Why did she name the baby
Samuel? (verse 20) What promise did Hannah make to God? Did she
keep it?
Hannah gave up her precious son to serve God. What extra blessings
did God give to Hannah, according to 1 Samuel 2:18-21?
Do you think God cared about Hannah’s problems? How do you know
that He was listening to Hannah’s prayer? Do you think God cares
about you? Read 1 Peter 5:7. Does God hear your prayers? Read
1 John 5:14-15.
When we read the Bible, God talks to us. When we pray, we talk to
God. Isn’t it amazing that the one and only all-powerful God, the
Master of the Universe, invites you to come before his throne to talk to
Him personally? Read and discuss Hebrews 4:16. Can you picture
yourself there as you pray?
What does James 5:16 say about the power of prayer?

Challenge:
God answers prayer, but He doesn’t always say yes. Sometimes he
substitutes something better. Sometimes his answer is no. Sometimes
the answer is “later.” Take turns letting each family member tell about
something they prayed for and how God answered. Then say a prayer
together. (Watch for God’s answers!)

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

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 Make Me a Servant
Week #10

OBJECTIVE: To discuss being a servant.

Feasting on the Word:

Matthew 20:20-28
John 13:1-17

Family Discussion:
What did the mother of James and John request? (vs. 21)
Do you think that the mother and her sons truly understood what the
Kingdom was going to be? (Probably thought it was going to be an
earthly kingdom.)
How does Jesus respond to this request?
How did the other disciples feel when they heard what had been
asked? (vs. 24)
What did Jesus tell them one must do to become great? (Be a
servant.)
What is a servant?
In John 13, what is the job that none of the disciples wanted to do?
Why would this job be so undesirable?
Who should have been the “last” person to wash their feet? (The Son
of God)
Who washed the disciples feet?
Why did He wash their feet? (vs. 15)
What will happen if we serve others? (vs. 17)

Challenge:
As a family, list some ways that you can serve one another as you set
the example of Christ. Make a commitment to accomplish these acts of
servant-hood.

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

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 You Are Needed
Week # 11

OBJECTIVE: To discuss the value of attending Bible class and

worship services.

Feasting on the Word:

Acts 2:40-47
Acts 20:7
1 Corinthians 11:23-26
Hebrews 10:25 and John 4:24

Family Discussion:
The church began on a Sunday called Pentecost. About how many
people became Christians that day? (verse 41)

According to verse 42, what was the purpose of Christians meeting

together? Is that the same reason we meet for worship now?

As time passed, the first century church continued to meet together for
worship. According to Acts 20:7, on what day did Paul and his traveling
companions meet with the church in Troas? Why did they meet? What
did Paul also do during this time of worship?

The “breaking of bread” is what we now call the Lord’s Supper. Why is
it important to participate in this ceremony every week? The answer is
in 1 Corinthians 11:23-26.

Is it a command to attend worship services? Read and discuss

Hebrews 10:25 and John 4:24.

Challenge:
Parents, if you did not see to it that your children attended school
regularly, what would be the result? Why do you think school
attendance is mandatory? Some parents, who would NEVER consider
letting their children skip school (secular education) on a regular basis,
think nothing of skipping Bible classes (religious education) week after
week. Which is more important? What will be the result o f not attending
Bible class regularly? What is the result of attending?

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

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 Heroes of Faith
Week # 12

OBJECTIVE: To learn about great heroes of faith and develop our own
faith.

Feasting on the Word:

Hebrews, chapter 11- A New Testament summary of Old Testament
heroes…The Faith Hall of Fame!

Family Discussion:
What is the definition of faith? (11:1) Why is faith so important? (11:6)
Why does it require faith to believe the story of creation? Why was
Abel commended for his faith? What unusual thing happened to
Enoch? How do we know that Noah had faith?
Why did Abraham move to a foreign country? Did Abraham believe
that God could make him become a father in his old age? What was
Abraham willing to do to his son, Isaac, because of his faith in God?
Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, and Joseph believed God’s promise to make
their family into a great nation, the Jews. What did they do that proved
this?
How did Moses’ parents show their faith? Talk about the events in
Moses’ life that proved his faith in God.
Why did it take faith for the Israelites to pass through the Red Sea on
dry ground? Why did it take faith for them to conquer the city of
Jericho? Why wasn’t Rahab killed along with the other citizens of
Jericho?
More heroes of faith are mentioned in verse 32. What do you know
about those men? How did they prove their faith?

Challenge:
Discuss the hardships that believers have endured, listed in verses 33-
38. Wow! Has your faith ever been tested in such extreme ways? If
some day, Christians in America are persecuted for their faith, will you
have the courage to prove your faith?

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

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 The Second Coming
Week #13

OBJECTIVE: To discuss the second coming of Jesus.

Feasting on the Word:

2 Peter 3:3-14
1 Thessalonians 4:13-18
2 Thessalonians 1:6-10
Revelation 21:1-8

Family Discussion:
Why do some people (scoffers) think there will be no Second Coming?
Discuss how time is viewed differently by the Lord than by men.
Why has the Lord waited this long to come back? (2 Pet. 3:9)
What does it mean that “the day of the Lord will come like a thief in the
night”? Does anyone know when the Second Coming will be?
What is going to happen to the earth at the end of time?
Should we dread the Second Coming or look forward to it? (2 Pet.
3:11,12,13)
According to the verses in 1 Thessalonians, what will happen at the
time of the Lord’s coming? Who will rise first to meet the Lord on that
day? Then who? Where will the saved meet the Lord? And then what?
According to the verses in 2 Thessalonians, how will the angels be
involved in the Second Coming?
According to the verses in Revelation 21, what will heaven be like?
Who will be there? Who will not be there? What will happen to them?
Challenge:
Has it crossed your mind that Jesus’ coming could happen today?
What if it does? Are you ready to face the Lord in judgment?
Try this: Imagine that you knew for sure that the Lord was coming
tonight at midnight. Spend your day with that in mind. What will you
do?

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.
- Sponsor an orphan in our outreach in China. (See Greg
Taylor on how to reach, Ron Brown, the missionary for
China.)

?? 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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