U of N Family Ministries School (FMS) Curriculum Guidelines

A University of the Nations FMS should operate within the parameters listed below. The specifics in each school will vary due to several variables. Those variables include such things as the makeup of the student body, the cultural setting of the school, and the types of speakers available. These parameters are meant to help various locations interface their training programs, while at the same time allowing for individual creativity.

The curriculum has been broken down to include eight major categories, with one week of a school devoted to each of these categories. In a twelve-week school, that leaves four weeks that can be devoted to other categories. Under each section the purpose for that section is defined and a sample list of suggested topics is included.  The eight sections are to be viewed as the central core, around which the FMS program is to be built. Other topics can and will be covered during any given school, as long as the eight core sections are given adequate time and attention.

Furthermore, it is recommended that the two textbooks: Family Life as God Intended by Don Kirkby (updated and edited by Larry Ballard) and Happy Families (or the earlier addition Christian Counselling and Family Therapy Volume 3) by Dr. Bruce and Nellie Litchfield be required reading in the FMS. One or both of these textbooks should be used as the basis for weekly reading assignments and homework.

Section 1: World View of Family/Biblical Foundations (10-15 hours)

Purpose: To give students an understanding of the biblical view of marriage and family life.

Suggested Topics:
What is a Family?
Biblical History of Family
Forces Against the Family
Trends in Societies
Cross Cultural
Family Issues
The Battle for the Family
Extended Families
Where have we come from? Where are we? Where are we headed?

Section 2: The Marriage Relationship (10-15 hours)

Purpose: To give students basic instruction and input regarding the marriage relationship. To equip students in the use of a premarital preparation tool.

Suggested Topics:
Singleness
Premarital Preparation tools-PREPARE/ENRICH, FOCCUS, RSA-P, Becoming One by Albert and Jeanette Jupe
Leaving, Cleaving, Becoming
Communication
Roles/Decision Making
Authority/Submission
Understanding Your Partner
Phases of Marriage Relationships
Why Marriages breakdown
Restoring Broken Marriages
Finances
Sexuality
Root Issues in Marriages
Relating to In-laws
The Role and Place of the Elderly

Section 3: A Marriage Seminar (10-15 hours)

Purpose: To equip students with a Marriage Seminar package.

Section 4: Parenting Issues (10-15 hours)

Purpose: To give students basic, introductory, biblical material regarding parenting issues.

Suggested Topics:
The Unborn Child
Early Childhood
Adolescence/Teenagers
Discipline
Self Esteem
Fatherhood
Single Parenting
Family Life style-Family times, devotions
Grandparenting
Goal Setting for Children
Dual Career Families
Education/Day-careAdopted ChildrenFoster ChildrenHandicapped Children
Strong Willed Children

Section 5: A Parenting Seminar (10-15 hours)

Purpose: To equip students with a Parenting Seminar.

Section 6: Family Systems (10-15 hours)

Purpose: To introduce the students to the concept of Family Systems Counseling. To introduce students to basic Family Systems tools.

Suggested Topics:
Testing Techniques
Genograms
PO Charts
Family Systems Theory
Family Of Origin Issues
Models of family therapy
Generational Issues
Dysfunctional Family Systems
Healthy Family Systems
Co-Dependency

Section 7: Counseling Techniques and Skills (10-15 hours)

Purpose: To introduce students to basic counseling skills and techniques.

Suggested Topics:
The Eight Core Conditions of Counseling
Basic Christian Counseling Concepts
Group Counseling
Specialty Counseling Topics
Divorce/Remarriage
Incest
AbortionAddictive behaviors
Dysfunctional Families
Abuse
Shame
The Place of the Cross
The Role of the Holy Spirit
Bringing Families to Salvation

Section 8: The Role of the Family in Ministry (10-15 hours)

Purpose: To train families to minister together and to fulfill their destiny in ministry and missions.

Suggested Topics:
Families in MinistryPrinciples of Team Ministry
Family Camps/Seminars/Outreaches
Family Evangelism
Ministering Cross Culturally
The Home as a Training Center for Ministry

For additional information, contact: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Revised March 2012
Copyright 2002 by Larry Ballard, Milton, WI 53563