Module Category: UofN Extension Studies

AFS Module 6 – Parenting & Attachment

There is hardly a job more common, yet so difficult to get right, than parenting. In one way or another we are all affected by (the lack of) parenting in our lives. As hard as it is to do it well, it is even harder to teach others to do this well. Parenting instruction easily becomes biased, or seen through a cultural lens.

This module will begin by exploring and evaluating a variety of lenses and cultural bias, each of which have led to different parenting styles and disciplines. 

We will then present a framework for parenting from one particular viewpoint (the Developmental Approach). This particular methodology will give students the opportunity to develop an understanding and culturally appropriate interpretation to parenting in various contexts, while remaining congruent with biblical values. By comparing other approaches (based on other methodologies), students can develop their capacity to communicate their values and chosen approach to parents.

The premise of this material is to teach students “how to see”, rather than give them instructions as to “what to do”. The student can then evaluate their ability to ask questions so as “to see” the child in the process of maturation. There will be several opportunities (via group discussion) for students to engage and respond with their observations. 

You will find exercise questions for each video session. The best way to work with these is to read the questions before watching the video, and then make notes as you go. These can then be tidied up as succinct answers to the questions.

FFS Module 8 – Families in Ministry

Lifelong, happy relationships and a strong family – who wouldn’t want that?
This dream that lives within each of us can become a reality, but it won’t happen by accident.
It needs to be planted, nourished, cared for, and defended.
It is fun!!

FFS Module 6 – What is marriage?

The objective of this module is to give you a good overview of the concepts behind marriage. We should be careful to talk about the idea of marriage, and not just the form. In many situations we see that couples have adhered to a form, but forgotten the idea, while others still believe in the idea but not the form. Forms can vary with cultures and sub-cultures, while good marriages are founded on very similar principles.

You will work through this process somewhat in reverse, coming to marriage preparation at the end of the module. There are opportunities for discussion around the presented topics, as well as some optional material that you can work through if you feel that you are already familiar with some of the presentations.

Our expectation is that you emerge from this module confident to accompany a couple in marriage preparation, in thinking through their wedding day, and in post-marriage coaching situations, as well as being able to address certain issues with those who are not yet in a relationship with marriage as a goal.

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 mode
  3. Introduction to Genograms
  4. Marriage relationships
  5. Parenting
  6. Basic seminar skills
  7. Christian family in today’s world
  8. Basic skills for coaching
  9. 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.

FFS Module 12 – Self Study module

Objective:

Study and write up on a specific theme that is relevant for the ministry you are involved in with Families / couples / singles. The final document should be suitable for presentation and perhaps publication. It may include any form of presentation (written, video, groups, worksheets, ppt. etc) appropriate for the content.

Modality

This is a short piece of work that should take you 25 – 30h and is worth 1 credit unit (LCU). Of course, you can work more hours, but you will only get 1 LCU for this module.

  1. Identify the subject and the goal
  2. Consider any literature or articles / videos that would be relevant
  3. Look at the subject from a Biblical perspective
  4. Envisage an original approach to the subject matter
  5. Produce a final, presentable piece of work 

FFS Module 5 – Marriage Coaching Basics

This module introduces you to Marriage coaching. Being married is not a pre-requisite, anyone can coach someone to become stronger in their relationships. The module consists of videos, and assignments for which you may need a partner (your spouse when married or a fellow student) to do the task.

You should take a moment to look over the whole course and make sure you can download the materials you need.

This module is presented by David and Nancy Harper. They are YWAM-ers since 1989, currently in and from Canada, who have coached and trained many couples over the years. From their website:

David comes from a missionary family, and spent his early years in Malawi and Zimbabwe. Nancy grew up in Vancouver, Canada, and we met as singles on a church planting team on the island of St Lucia. We knew we were called into missions full-time, and in 1989 joined Youth With A Mission (YWAM). Over the years we have had a special focus on training and sending out national missionaries as we worked in six different nations.

Our main calling has been discipling and mentoring leaders, using our skills as professional Life Coaches. In 2016 we pioneered Together, a ministry to missionary and leadership couples. We believe that a healthy, growing marriage is the foundation for lasting success in life and ministry, and we are building a global network of marriage coaches to help strengthen marriages.

We raised our four children on YWAM bases in the Caribbean, and today enjoy watching our four grandchildren grow up in Canada. We lead Together from our home in Nanaimo, Canada. Check out our YWAM home base at www.ywamnanaimo.com

FFS Module 4 – Parenting Children

In this module we will work through the Parenting Children material, written by Mark and Lindsay Melluish, pastors in the UK and leaders of the national New Wine movement.

We have chosen this approach due to it’s qualities as a value driven approach to parenting, and also as it has a full set of facilitating materials available. You will discover the book, the teaching videos, full transcripts of the teaching, a participants manual, a leaders manual, and an editable ppt presentation. There is also a leader’s guide for accompanying children through the same curriculum (written by Joële and Guy Zeller, Kings Kids). In addition, the written materials are also available in French, and could be translated into other languages.

You may, or may not be a parent. This does not prevent you from becoming engaged with parents and transmitting ideas that will help them. The way this course works depends heavily on the interaction that will take place between parents in small group situations. You will see that there is a lot of flexibility in the way the content can be presented.

This module will put you immediately in the driver’s seat, transmitting some of the content to a group of parents in your locality. When you emerge at the end of this module you will be equipped to take this content out to others*.

Take 20 minutes to look through the book and get an overview of the course.

Paul Marsh

* You should also be aware that you can design and submit further presentation of this material as an outreach credit for the FFS. If you wish do do this please use the dedicated registration form.

AFS – Before you begin

To participate effectively in the AFS 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 AFS online! We are looking forward to having you as part of the group.

Click on the first module below to get started!

FFS Module 3 – Genograms & Family Systems

In this module of the online FFS we will gain a basic understanding of genograms as well as experience in drawing a genogram from a personal, family perspective. Additionally, we will look at Murray Bowen’s Family Systems theory, and how this theory can be applied to our own family. Both these topics (Genogram and Bowen) are useful tools for ministering to families and can help us to observe our family story, evaluating where our families are strong and where they are weak.

This module has been compiled and is taught by Peter Thomas, our British colleague from Fortaleza, Brazil. He is married to Selma and they have 2 children: their youngest, Isabella and Danny, their son. He will introduce himself more during the module.