THEMES

Power Tools: Use this theme to show that in the tool belt of faith, it’s imperative to have the tools of prayer (1 John 5:14), daily input from God (Matthew 6:11) and accountability (1 John 4:4-5) to live victoriously over sin.

Becoming a Vessel of Reconciliation: It’s easy to put forgiveness and reconciliation on a back burner, but as Christ worked to reconcile us to God, we should also take up the challenge to be men of peace and reconciliation in our families and in our world. Unpack 2 Corinthians 5:19-21 as a small group to discover how to be at peace with God and become his ambassadors of peace.

Manly Mentoring: Younger men need wise influence. Spend several sessions talking about Godly influence, being a consistent witness of God’s love and mentoring others in a Godly lifestyle. Even if you don’t have sons, consider mentoring a younger man through work, coaching or in your neighborhood.

Great Leaders of the Bible: Through looking at the lives of strong Deborah, obedient Daniel, courageous Esther and restored Peter, a men’s small group can easily mine a wealth of lessons that are found in these Biblical leaders.

Spiritual Gifts: After studying leaders of the Bible, you can easily transition into how God might be calling the men in your study to use their spiritual gifts. Take several weeks to study 1 Corinthians 12 and Romans 8, fleshing out the difference between spiritual and natural gifts. Encourage the men in your group to ask the Lord to reveal what he’s already given them — along with asking him for new gifts (1 Corinthians 14:1). Help them navigate how to use those gifts for God’s glory.

TOPICS

Fighting Isolation: Having other men in your life adds value (Proverbs 27:17) and encouragement (1 Samuel 23:16), plus much-needed tough love (Proverbs 27:5-6). Spend small group time challenging each other to find ways to initiate relationships and/or deepen friendships that are just starting.

Finances: It’s easy for any man (or woman) to let money become bigger than God. Use your small group time for putting money back in its place by studying Luke 12:15, Romans 13:8 and Hebrews 13:5.

Dude Do-Overs: Ephesians 2:4-6 explains where we fit with Christ, but many men feel stuck back at “dead in transgressions.” As a group, explore the topic of receiving God’s forgiveness, forgiving yourself and moving forward into the new creation you are in Christ (2 Corinthians 5:17).

Biblical Fathering/Leading: Matthew 20:26-27 reminds us that positioning as a father takes great humility (or any position of authority for those without children). A study of Philippians 2:5-8 positions your small group to mine the truths of servant-leadership.

Discovering the Will of God: Proverbs 2:5 says the key to knowledge is fear of God. When we know God, we have a clearer understanding of his awe-worthiness, and have a deeper insight into his will for us.

Reading Proverbs 2: while highlighting ways you are instructed to search for God and his truth — will help your small group grow in this concept together.

THEMES

Freedom in Christ: What if you lived in a country that had limited freedoms you weren’t taking advantage of? Often that describes how Christians are living in God’s kingdom — failing to embrace that they are free from death, condemnation (from God, self and the world), the bondage of sin and more.

Cultivating Perseverance: Hebrews 12 tells us to run with perseverance, but that doesn’t mean just pulling up our big girl panties and doing it all alone! It means fixing our eyes on Christ, finding the joy set before us and enduring tough stuff with Jesus as our example. This theme can be broken down into topics such as work, family, health and spiritual perseverance.

Biblical Femininity: There doesn’t need to be confusion when it comes to gender roles. The Bible gives guidelines (but also great liberty) for our lives as women. While the Bible doesn’t get specific about who should take out the trash, there are great directives for those who are married (Ephesians 5:22-24) and single (1 Corinthians 7:34) and how to live a godly life.

Marching Orders: 1 Thessalonians 5 gives us many directives and helpful guidance for how we are to live “as children of the light and children of the day.” These verses are great for mining truth for daily living.

Discontented Heart: We hate to see a child who isn’t content, but what about us adults? How content are we with the gifts and blessings and even the times we don’t get what we want? You can spend several sessions fleshing out discontentment and see how God wants us to live as modeled in Philippians 4:11-13.

TOPICS

Bible Journaling: You don’t have to have fancy pens or be an artist to start a journal that you will love coming back to. By writing out favorite quotes/scripture, meaningful devotions or prayers (and answers to prayer), a small group on journaling is sure to spark creativity.

Getting Back to Grace: We are often preaching to ourselves all day long, but is it words of hope or condemnation? How easy for us is it to give ourselves a break? Revisit the idea of grace (both from God and ourselves), visit verses about grace (John 1:17, Romans 5:17), and take captive the thoughts that are stealing grace from your life and keeping you from pouring it out on others.

Counting It All Joy: We might be tempted to roll our eyes at the overly optimistic Pollyannas in our lives if we hear one more time to consider it joy when we have trials! But what’s really behind all that? Is James 2:2-4 just a joke or can it be reality? Other verses like Romans 5:3-4 support that there is joy to be found in the struggle.

Living Intentionally: In the craziness of life, being still, listening and experiencing God’s presence can seem like unattainable aspirations. As a small group, explore how to be more intentional about your day by studying Matthew 11:28-30, incorporating Sabbath back into your week and restoring the concept of rest back into your life.

Keeping It Simple: 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 are three power-packed verses that end with “...for this is the will of God for you in Christ Jesus.” If you are searching for how to discover the will of God, these three simple directives are a great challenge for small group study.

THEMES

Thriving in Marriage: This theme can cover several weeks of study with topics such as lifelong commitment (Genesis 2:24), healthy communication (James 1:19) and sacrifice (Ephesians 5:22-33)

Speaking to Each Other: Nobody is going to do this perfectly, but make it a goal to respect each other by processing how best to respond when you feel hurt and prioritizing loving communication (Proverbs 15:1).

Finances, Family, Friends: The “Three Fs” can be approached with great joy, but they can also cause marital strife if circumstances get tough. Have couples work through the hard stuff that they may have buried inside, and use Song of Solomon 2:15 as a prayer — don’t let the “little foxes” (or the “little Fs”) steal joy and spoil the beauty that God gives through marriage.

Becoming Best Friends: This theme is a great excuse to get out and have a “group date” field trip. Discuss how to cultivate and be intentional about regular dates, intimacy and shared interests.

Family of Origin: Use Genesis 2:20-25 as a jumping off point for discussing how family of origin can both support and tear apart marital bonds and how to make good boundaries with extended family going forward.

TOPICS

Being on the Same Team: This topic allows couples to identify practical ways they can uplift and serve their spouse because a strong team requires humility from both members. Study Philippians 2, looking to the example of Jesus as ultimate humility, resting in the assurance that this mindset “is yours in Christ Jesus.”

Allowing Room for Grace and Growth: As you get further away from the “honeymoon phase” and deeper into comfort and intimacy with your spouse, sin can creep in. Satan hates family and unity, so of course he attacks it with little annoyances and passive aggressiveness! Dig into Ephesians 4:17-32, teaching couples to put on the new, holy identity of Jesus and “give no opportunity to the devil.”

Roles and Goals in Marriage: Clear communication about expectations (which are not always realistic) is a good starting place for discussing the workload at home and making goals for the future — financial, career or expanding your family. In Ephesians 5:22-33, we see God’s directives for mutually loving and serving in marriage.

Coping with Change and Crisis: Proverbs 3:5-6, among other verses where God gives us guidance for times of worry and stress, is a great directive for how to lean into crisis in marriage.

Using Your Gifts to Serve Others: One of the best ways you can encourage your spouse is by identifying and affirming his or her gifts, and then helping him or her to put those gifts to use! Spend some time naming specific gifts in your spouse, and then outline a game plan for your family to practically join in loving others and sharing Jesus through those gifts.