Module Category: UofN Extension Studies

FFS Module 2 – Worldview of Family

Does the Bible still have authority today to speak about issues on family and how we live life? If so, what does the Bible say about family, marriage and the way we are supposed to live?

Welcome to the second online module of the FFS. This module is designed to be an introduction into worldview and looking at family and marriage from God’s perspective. Its purpose is to help you understand God’s intentions for the family and to discover biblical principles of marriage and family life.  We want you to understand the important issues of a good marriage and a healthy family, while also considering aspects of modern society’s view on these topics.

This module also contains some practical tools that can help you strengthen your family and relationships, as well as other families. Specifically the House of Oneness model, and the Love Languages as presented by Danny Silk.

Finally there is a book to read and answer questions about, so do not wait till the end of the module to start reading it!

FFS – Before you begin

To participate effectively in the FFS you must have some minimum internet and computer skills .

If you are already fluent in these areas, this short aptitude module will take you no time at all to complete. However, if you discover that there are areas you struggle with, this is the perfect time to quickly gain the necessary skills. You will be glad you did!

You will be asked to use Zoom, create and upload documents, access the Facebook site, use email and Whatsapp, and navigate the course website (which you are now visiting to read this page).

Once you have completed this module, you are ready to go for the FFS online! We are looking forward to having you as part of the group.

Click on the first module below to get started!

FFS – Personal Development Module

We don’t just want to get head knowledge and understanding, we hope this school also brings transformation. To keep track of our goals for growth we have created this module for personal development.

This module runs in the background during your full online program.

FFS Module 1 – Opening

Welcome to the first online module of the Foundations in Family Studies (FFS). This module is to help you get started in this online school. It gives an overview of the content of the FFS, kicks off the growth plan, and introduces the first resources.

The picture shows the “traditional” (for some cultures and from Genesis) definition of family: two parents and children. In this school we will look at the current worldview and how God created family, how sin destroyed it, and grace restores it.

Firstly, let’s refresh our understanding of what YWAM is. All of this content is done in the context of moving out to minister to the world around us. Being transformed so that we can become agents of transformation. FFS students are from every walk of life and every social system.

If you have not yet seen it, may we suggest that you watch the video Fragrance of Faith? It is only 35 minutes, and will reconnect you with the breadth and goals of YWAM.

Outreach and Application Module

How can you obtain recognition of the application of the material learnt during the study phase? Going on outreach for three months may not be an option for you. Here is a plan for your Application module that would allow you to provide evidence of your ministry and file for the appropriate credits.

The Outreach and Application module is worth 1 credit for every 50 hours of module work, including the teamwork, prayer, planning and evaluation. This could be accomplished in a week, or take up to 6 months to complete. You may want to accomplish this while you are learning in the FFS or AFS (very helpful) or complete it afterwards. As most students are already in ministry situations, this alternative is highly recommended. You are simply documenting the ministry you are already involved in that is appropriate for the FFS and AFS modules.

Students must submit for approval a plan before embarking on the work. The objective is to allow students to design application modules that fit well with their current ministry experience. To meet the requirements for a field assignment, at least 8 credits are necessary.

You can download this document here.

This process is currently under evaluation. There should be no reason that appropriate credits can be attributed if the application is carried out as specified; however, as with all credits currently going through the extension study accreditation scheme, this would need to be approved with an academic degree advisor.

Foundations for Family Studies Online

Next school: Starts April 2024

Are you considering work with families, couples and/or children? Have you done a YWAM DTS and want to equip families in your church, ministry or base? This foundational school will get you started with a Biblical understanding of family and provides tools to strengthen families and marriages. This accredited program is suited for both single and married people with a heart for transforming families.

(Although you can read this page in many languages, courses are only offered in certain languages.1)

This school will require online participation, a time commitment of about 8 hours per week, and at least one physical meeting (a couple of weeks or perhaps some other format) known as an intensive1. The school runs for fourteen months, finishing the lecture/online phase the following year. The intensive will probably be toward the end of the course, but this could vary with the different cohort groups.

The Foundations for Family Studies (FAM251) introduces students to the Biblical foundational concepts of family life. It presents a model for the study and understanding of the dynamics of family life, and introduces basic tools for working with individuals, couples and families. You will emerge equipped to provide resources for families in your locality. The lecture phase is broken down into these major topics.

  1. Worldview and Biblical view of family
  2. Introduction to the Family of Origin model and Genograms
  3. Marriage relationships
  4. Parenting
  5. Basic seminar skills
  6. Christian family in today’s world
  7. Basic skills for coaching
  8. Families in ministry

…and you will do this mostly from your home! All you need is a computer and a good internet connection!

Students can anticipate a challenge to grow and develop their Christian character traits. You will increase their competence in ministering to families. The FFS will, apart from strengthening your own family and relationships, prepare you to reach out to families in your sphere of influence i.e., the church, community, YWAM base.

This program is essentially on-line, but you benefit from a personal 1-on-1 tutor, group discussions with each module, individual feedback on your assignments, and regular contact with other students through student trios and group “coffee times”. Teaching content is offered via pre-recorded sessions, and these are designed to be short and easily understood. For many modules you will be able to meet with the teacher on-line for an interactive session. You will submit work in the form of written materials or sometimes short videos. You are also required to have a local personal coach who you can choose.

This school will be registered as 12 credits with the College of Family Studies (extension studies) of the UofN. All modules combined may be recognised as the second level FFS school FAM 251 (conditions apply). We expect you will also find opportunities for application (or outreach), during of after the school. ( Residential UofN courses include an outreach phase. In the case of the FFS online, it is possible to integrate outreach with your studies, or to compete outreach credits through application after you have finished the modules. Certain conditions apply). The details are to be confirmed with the school leader.

If you are interested in pursuing a degree in Family Studies, please indicate this when registering for this school, so we can discuss the requirements.

The online tuition fee for the FFS online is 4902 euros in Europe. This excludes costs for books (usually available as e-books at a minimal cost). The price includes access to all the online modules (as long as your work submissions and participation are up to date), personal staff tutoring and of course credit registration with the UofN.

The intensive (planned toward the end of the school) is estimated at 650 euros in Europe3, including accommodation and meals (the final price will depend the location, cohorts may be able to participate in an intensive locally).

1.This could vary in form depending on the location. Cohorts are currently anticipated in Europe, India, Brazil (Portuguese) and Madagascar (French).

2. A €22 non-refundable registration fee is included. It is possible to apply for a % bourse for the module tuition fees if your situation merits consideration. Your local cohort leader will be able to inform you about this after you have applied.

3. The cost for the intensive may vary significantly depending on the location and the modality of the intensive.

For questions contact us or email ffs@familystudies.online
Ready to apply? Fill out this form.

Pre-AFS – Family Systems Introduction

Pre-AFS introduction

This brief introduction is presented by Peter Thomas. You will need to have basic understanding of the Genogram to follow the content. Your understanding of these ideas will prepare you to work with the AFS module on Family Systems Theory. There is also a written summary, extracted from a manual written by Dr Bruce Litchfield. You are expected to be familiar with the terms Bowen theory uses and be able to apply these to the basic Genogram model.

Pre-AFS – Genogram introduction

During this module we will be looking at the basic Genogram in short videos. Trond Saethren takes us through the content that is part of the FFS, and which you will need to be familiar with before taking the AFS module on the Genogram.

Genograms

The realization and analysis of a Genogram is linked to the understanding of Family Systems (Bowen theory). In this section you will be introduced to the basic structure, symbols and purpose of a Genogram. You should be able to draw an analytical Genogram of your own family system and use this as a basis for exploring other family systems.

Advanced Family Studies Online

Are you ministering to families regularly? Have you done prior training* and want to deepen your knowledge & skills to work effectively with Families, yet you can’t leave your ministry for 3-5 months to do a University of the Nations school?

* If you have completed a YWAM DTS and a Foundations in Family Studies course or an FMS, then you qualify. If you have only completed a YWAM DTS and now have experience working with families and couples, you may also qualify to join. Please ask.
If you have not studied Family Systems or Genograms, you will be able to take two short courses as a prerequisite before starting the program.

TOPICS

In the Online Advanced Family Studies (AFS) you will take your skills to the next level :

  • Genograms and Family Systems
  • Motivational interviewing coaching skills
  • Parenting
  • Sexuality and Gender
  • Contemporary Family & Marriage issues
  • Theology of marriage
  • Dysfunction, stress and trauma in families
  • Developing culturally appropriate courses

…and you will do this mostly from your home! All you need is a computer and a good internet connection!

ONLINE & INTENSIVES

This school will be run mostly online, ending with an on-site intensive. The online modules will run in a cohort, meaning that we work through each module connected to a group of students. This program is essentially on-line, but you benefit from a personal 1-on-1 tutor, group discussions with each module, individual feedback on your assignments, and regular contact with other students through student trios and group “coffee times”.

The intensive is planned to run each year. The online modules will take place over the course of 14 months and require self-study, online teaching and Zoom (small) group meetings. These require about 25 hours (5 – 6 hours a week) each and will become available ever 5 or 6 weeks. You can choose to do 8 to 10 online credits, plus 3 credits during the intensive.

LANGUAGE OPTIONS

The Course material & lectures are offered in English. Depending students and staff there will be language groups, so you can do the processing and written work also in, for example, Korean, French or Portuguese. A minimum of 6 students is required to start a language cohort.

EXTENSION STUDY CREDITS & DEGREE

This school will be registered as 11 – 13 credits with the Family Resource Centre of the UofN. All modules combined may count towards the third level AFS school (FAM 351), building upon the existing Foundation for Family Studies. We expect you will do outreach or module application, details to be confirmed with the school leader. If you are interested in pursuing a degree in Family Studies, please indicate this when registering for this school, so we can discuss the requirements.

COST

The online tuition fee for the AFS is 490** euros (Europe) . This excludes costs for books (usually available as e-books at a minimal cost). It does include access to the online modules (as long as your work and attendance is up to date) and of course credit registration with the UofN.
The intensive (planned during the school) is estimated at 650** euros (Europe), including accommodation and meals (the final price will depend the location, cohorts may be able to participate in an intensive locally).

** Prices may vary depending your location and the courses taken. A non-refundable registration fee of €22 is included.

APPLICATION

Via this form you can indicate your interest and ask further questions.

To apply go here.

Click on the module content below to find out more about each topic.