The Model Family:
God the Father and Jesus the Son
by Ray and Charlene Notgrass

Introduction

The relationship between God and Jesus is intimate and strong. Scripture illustrates this by describing them respectively as Creator and Agent of creation (Colossians 1:16), God and His Word (John 1:1), and ultimate King and Sovereign Lord (1 Timothy 6:14-15). The description that captures our hearts, however, portrays them as a family: Father and Son (John 5:20). It is a relationship of love (John 17:26).

God and Jesus are a model family that we can look to as the best possible example of what our human family should be. In a day when many family relationships are fractured and dysfunctional, we need a clear example of a good family. Some of us were blessed to have grown up in a strong family. Many of us know families that we can look to as good examples of what it means to be a family. The best example we can have, however, is the family of Father and Son, God and Jesus.

The lessons in this study look at some of the essential characteristics of the relationship between the Father and the Son. These characteristics are applied to human families and to the church so that we can see how we are to live in godly relationships with one another. The Bible studies, discussion ideas, and activities are intended to deepen your family and church relationships and make them more like the perfect oneness that God and Jesus share.

We are all children. Paul says that when we are created, we are His children (Acts 17:28). Some of God's children come back to Him in faith and legitimately call on Him as "Abba" (the Aramaic word for Daddy) through "the Spirit of His Son" (Galatians 4:6). As children of God, Christians are also brothers of Jesus (Hebrews 2:11). In addition to being children of God, we are children of our physical parents. Even into middle age, most of us have ongoing relationships with our parents; and as long as we live, we bear the influence of our human mothers and fathers. In addition to being children, many of us are parents. We have the humbling responsibility of bringing up children "in the discipline and instruction of the Lord" (Ephesians 6:4).

Moreover, regardless of whether a Christian is married or single, a parent or without children, that Christian is a member of God's household, the church (Ephesians 2:19). As with the relationship between God and Jesus, Scripture describes the church in many ways, such as a temple (Ephesians 2:21), a body (1 Corinthians 12:27), and a kingdom (Colossians 1:13). The description that captures our hearts, however, is that of the church as God's family, with God as Father and fellow Christians as brothers and sisters (1 John 3:14). In great measure, therefore, family relationships define who we are and how we are to live. We can find no better way to learn how to live as a family than to look at the relationship between God and Jesus, the model family.

The Model Family Bible Curriculum includes:

Family Bible Classes

Our family has met with other families to study the Bible together since the spring of 1998. Participants have ranged in age from newborn to 87 years old! Family classes work! They have been a joy to our family.

What Did Jesus Do?

Imagine Jesus sitting on a hillside ready to teach the multitudes. Do you think some of the disciples went from family to family to gather up the little ones and take them over to a grassy patch on one side of the hill, while other disciples took the teens over to a rock on the other side, so the parents could stay and hear what Jesus had to say? That is not the way we picture those scenes.

One day the disciples came to Jesus and asked Him who was the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. Jesus called a child and set him before them, so they would better understand His answer. He told his disciples about:

Advantages of Families Meeting Together for Bible Study

  1. We Put Our Faith into Practice. When our classes include our children, it is easier to see the reality of what we are studying and our need to put it into practice. It is harder to talk merely of theory and vague ideas when our children are watching us.

  2. Fathers Learn to Interact on a Spiritual Level with their Children. Many fathers feel guilty about their lack of spiritual leadership in their homes. They know they need to lead their families in devotions and Bible study, but they are afraid. Perhaps they have never seen it done and don't know where to start. Some are afraid of failure. In a class setting, less experienced dads can observe those with more experience. They don't have to think about what to do because they can simply do what the class leader suggests.

  3. Mothers Receive Encouragement. Mothers enjoy seeing their husbands lead their families. Some mothers long for their husbands to lead their families spiritually. In a family class setting, they get an opportunity to experience it.

  4. Mothers, Fathers, and Children Enjoy New Activities. One of my favorite anecdotes about our family class experience concerns a family who visited our class just once. The wife told me that it was the first time she had ever seen her husband color. I have a great respect for this bold Christian man. I'm glad his children got to see him color.

  5. Family Classes Are a Good Use of Time. Family class time is a good time for families to spend together. Most families have at least some limits on the amount of time they can spend with one another, and many families feel extreme time pressures. For many people, church is one more activity that pulls their families in many directions. Family classes provide one solution.

Using The Model Family with Adults and Children of All Ages in a Class Setting

PRE-CLASS PREPARATION

Curriculum Needs

Purchase one Study Guide for Adults and Teens for each family and one Children's Workbook for each child ages 4 through 12.

Classroom Set-Up and Supplies

Setting up a family classroom is simple. All you need is a place that is comfortable for class members. A den or living room works great. Church adult classrooms work fine, too. There is no special need for tables. It is helpful, however, to have some sort of hard surface on which each child can draw, write, and color. We usually use a large, thin children's picture book. Most activities in the Children's Workbook can be completed using either a pencil or crayons. (Exceptions: the youngest children use plain white paper in Lessons 3 and 10, cotton balls and a non-toxic glue stick in Lesson 3, and index cards in Lesson 13.)

Families Sit Together

Each family should sit together during class. The family class setting serves to encourage families being together. The class leaders must make this clear at the beginning. This is not a time for children or teens to sit with their friends but with their parents.

Length of Classes

The material has been written for one 13-week quarter. However, many groups will find that it contains sufficient material in each lesson to use during two class periods. Thus the study can be expanded to cover two quarters, especially if the class length each week is less than one hour.

SUGGESTED APPROACH FOR CONDUCTING A FAMILY CLASS

Introduction and Bible Study

Begin the class by reading or discussing the lesson in the Study Guide for Adults and Teens, while children sit quietly. Go over the Bible study and discussion questions together. Some class members may want to prepare their lessons ahead of time, writing answers to the questions. This is preferable but not essential.

Family Time

After the lesson and Bible study, the class will break up into family units. Any singles in the class can join a family or a few singles can get together in a group. During this time, parents of children will help their children complete the appropriate pages in the Children's Workbook. Each lesson includes at least one Bible study sheet and one family application sheet. Parents of teens and singles can go over the Family Application questions during this time.

Sharing and Conclusion

After Family Time, the class comes back together for a discussion of the Family and Church Application questions.

Return to the Model Family page