At a Glance
In 2014, Pew Research Center reported that for the first time, the number of children raised in a two-parent household was a minority. We have all recognized and felt the effects of this tragic breakdown in the family, so today, we want to look at God’s original design for the family. What were God’s original intentions and purposes for the family? This critical worldview question begs to be addressed in our day. Join us as we explore the Word in search of answers.
What You'll Hear
- Introduction (1:10)
- The breakdown of the family? (15:06)
- What does it look like when a family is functioning well? (25:52)
- Back to the breakdown in the family (29:40)
- God’s original design for family (37:23)
- Final thoughts (1:03:15)
Using the link above, you can read the transcript, listen along, and adjust the speed of the podcast while you listen.
"If the cell (family) is healthy, strong, and flourishing, so will the nation and when the cell (family) begins to die, the nation's going to die. And so to disciple nations, we've got to really pay attention to this most basic social unit."
Scott Allen (2:55)
Quotes
- 2:55 “If the cell (family) is healthy, strong, and flourishing, so will the nation and when the cell (family) begins to die, the nation’s going to die. And so to disciple nations, we’ve got to really pay attention to this most basic social unit.” Scott
- 25:53 “We need to recapture God’s vision for the family. And what does that look like? And, what does it mean when a family is functioning well?” Shawn
- 40:52 “So God created male and female, both in His image, and I think it’s really important to just root this ‘male and female’ back into God Himself. Because we bear God’s image… And to be something like God means we have to be male and female, those two categories–which are under attack today–are really basic and really important.” Scott
- 41:17 “Why did God have to create male and female? Well, because God Himself isn’t a unity, but a plurality, right? He’s a trinity, this is a really important Christian doctrine.” Scott
- 50:23 “Biblically a child is this precious image bearer of God with purpose. In other words, God makes us with this unique role to play in His great story.” Scott
Go Deeper
Healthy families produce healthy nations. Healthy families are those united by a solid spiritual foundation in Christ. Today, the prevailing culture has redefined marriage and family, and its habits of thought and practice dominate, even in the Church. Christian parents need a biblical vision of wholeness and joy in marriage and family life and a practical plan for applying the wisdom and power of God’s Word to their lives. As the Family Goes, So Goes the Nation is a primer of principles and practices that illuminates God’s pathway for righteous marriages, parenting, and family life. God’s way is the way of beauty, truth, and goodness, the way of celebration, blessing, and healing love in our homes and in our nations. God established the family as the bedrock of society to reveal the kingdom of Christ here on earth. Discover HIS way and and walk in it!
Footings for Children: Developing a Biblical Worldview So They Can Thrive
As parents and teachers, we want our children to thrive in life, to grow strong, and to flourish in every circumstance. We desire for them to prosper in the best sense, developing and using their abilities to bless others and the world around them all their days.
Yet, most would agree that the conditions for raising children are as intense and difficult as ever. While statistics highlight this fact, they are unable to portray the pain and disillusionment experienced.
How can we equip children to grow strong and actually thrive and flourish in this world?
We must impart to our children a foundational understanding of truth and reality upon which all future viewpoints will be formed and decisions will be made.
We must give them the footings on which they can understand all of life clearly and accurately. In short, today’s youth need a Biblical worldview.
This powerful, tested curriculum is designed to help parents, churches, and Christian educators disciple the children in their lives and is available to download free of charge.
A Teacher’s Guide is available to accompany several available student versions for adolescents, young readers (under age 11), non-readers, and even a devotional version for when time is limited. Two versions are available in Spanish!
Each version has 28 or more lessons that guide students in learning through Scripture, discussion, journaling, and activities. The lessons span six units that teach (a) About God, (b) Made in God’s Image, (c) God’s Purpose for Mankind, (d) Our Problem and God’s Solution, (e) God’s Design for the Family, and (f) God’s Design for Money.
We don’t usually think of parenting as a vocation, but it is. It’s also some of the most vital work we will do in our lifetimes.
How does a biblical worldview shape how we think about this important vocation? How does it shape our thinking about marriage, children, procreation and the rearing of children? The health and flourishing of our nations requires strong, flourishing families. These, in turn, are a fruit of a biblical worldview applied to our work in the home.
Our free course has an entire unit to help you understand these essential truths.
The Grand Design
DNA’s Grand Design course will surprise and delight you. Many participants find they are engaging elements of worldview and the biblical narrative in ways they never have before. Their self-understanding has improved, as they realize what it means to be transcendently and biologically male or female. This has breathed fresh life and purpose into areas that previously felt mundane and unimportant, and their family relationships have improved. It’s time that you discovered the Grand Design.
Take your first step by starting our free course today!
How the Script for Masculinity Turned Toxic–and How to Fix It
“Why Can’t We Hate Men?” asks a headline in the Washington Post. A trendy hashtag is #KillAllMen. Books are sold titled I Hate Men, No Good Men, and Are Men Necessary?
How did an ideology arise that condemns masculinity as dangerous and destructive?
Bestselling author Nancy Pearcey has a knack for tackling the tough issues of our day. A former agnostic, Pearcey was hailed in The Economist as “America’s pre-eminent evangelical Protestant female intellectual.” In this book, she takes readers on a fascinating romp through American history to discover how the secular script for masculinity turned toxic–and what action we can take to fix it.
We often hear that Exhibit A of toxic behavior is evangelical Christian men. But the social sciences tell a very different story. Studies find that family men who attend church regularly test out as the most loving husbands and the most engaged fathers. They have the lowest rate of divorce and–here’s the real stunner–the lowest rate of domestic violence of any group in America.
The sociological facts explode anti-male stereotypes and show that classic Christianity has the power to overcome toxic behavior and reconcile the sexes. That’s a finding that has stood up to rigorous empirical testing.
This book will equip thinkers and activists to challenge politically correct ideology and bring an evidence-based message of healing into the public square.
