Instant Small Group: 52 Sessions for Anytime, Anywhere Use

by Mike Nappa

Overview

It's been a crazy day at work, the house is a mess, and you have nothing in the refrigerator—and you're hosting your small group tonight. How can you possibly get a lesson ready in the midst of your chaotic life? Easy. Just open Instant Small Group.

This no-preparation-required teaching resource provides a year's worth of engaging, transforming, and easy-to-lead discussion guides for adult small groups. All 52 studies are "open and go" for those who, for whatever reason, don't have the time or energy to prepare. They can be used by anyone in the group—not just the leader—and are perfect for road trips, retreats, coffeehouse conversations, or even as personal devotionals. Bonus callouts with discussion-specific teaching tips, brief Bible background information, and add-on ideas are included, as well as an appendix titled "20 Tips for Dynamic Discussions."

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780801072819
Publisher:	Baker Publishing Group
Publication date:	07/01/2011
Pages:	204
Product dimensions:	5.50(w) x 8.40(h) x 0.60(d)

About the Author

Mike Nappa is publisher of FamilyFans.com, a monthly e-magazine, as well as a bestselling and award-winning author and editor of many books, ministry resources, and magazine articles. He holds a master's degree in English and a bachelor's degree in Christian education with emphasis in Bible and theology.

Table of Contents

Introduction: The Secret 13

How to Use This Book 16

Section 1 Discussion Guides about Christian Essentials 21

1 God, Our Father 23

Theme: God, our Father. Scripture: Luke 15:11-32; Psalm 68:5-6

2 Jesus, God's Son 26

Theme: Jesus, God's Son. Scripture: Matthew16:13-20; john 1, 1-5.14-18

3 The Holy Spirit 29

Theme: The Holy Spirit. Scripture: john 14:16-17, 26; Acts 2:1-13

4 The Spirit Realm 32

Theme: Angels and Demons. Scripture: Hebrews 1:14; Ephesians 6, 10-12

5 God's Word for Us 35

Theme: The Bible. Scripture: Psalm 119:105; 2 Timothy 3:16-17

6 In the Beginning 38

Theme: Creation. Scripture: Genesis 1; Colossians 1:15-17

7 Saving Us from Ourselves 41

Theme: Sin and Forgiveness. Scripture: Romans 6:23; 1 john 1:8-9

8 Amazing Grace 44

Theme: Grace, Scripture: Matthew 20:1-16; Ephesians.2:8-9

9 The Faith Factor 47

Theme: Faith. Scripture: Hebrews 11:1; john 20:24-29

10 The Body of Christ 50

Theme: The Church. Scripture: Acts 2:42-47; Ephesians 2:19-22

11 Praying Is Believing 53

Theme: Prayer. Scripture: Matthew 6:9-13; 1 Thessalonians 5:17

12 Praise Power 56

Theme: Worship. Scripture: john 4:20-24; Psalm 150

13 The Last Days 59

Theme: The Last Days. Scripture: Luke 21:7-17, 32-36

Section 2 Discussion Guides about Personal Growth 63

14 Follow the Leader 65

Theme: Discipleship. Scripture: Luke 5:1-11; Ephesians 5:1-2

15 Dealing with Disappointment 68

Theme: Failure. Scripture: Mark 14:66-72; Romans 7:14-25

16 Open the Present! 71

Theme: God's Gifts. Scripture: Romans 12:6-8; Matthew 25:14-30

17 Never Give Up 74

Theme: Hope. Scripture: Lamentations 3:21-26; Psalm 27:13-14

18 Better Than Circumstance 77

Theme: joy. Scripture: 1 Thessalonians 5:16; Psalm 100

19 God's Economy 80

Theme: Money. Scripture: 1 Timothy 6:6-11, 17-19

20 Perfect Peace 83

Theme: Peace. Scripture: John 14:27; Romans 14:19

21 Wait for It 86

Theme: Patience. Scripture: Isaiah 40:31; Ecclesiastes 7:8-9

22 Pride of Life 89

Theme: Pride. Scripture: Proverbs 16:18-19; Luke 18:9-14

23 Do You See What God Sees? 92

Theme: Perspective. Scripture: 2 Kings 6:8-23; Luke 19:1-10

24 Mirror Images of Christ 95

Theme: Sharing Faith. Scripture: John 13:34--35; Romans 1:16-17

25 Bloom It! 98

Theme: Spiritual Growth. Scripture: Philippians 1:6, 9-11; Galatians 5:22-23

26 True Is True 101

Theme: Truth. Scripture: John 8:31-41; 14:6

Section 3 Discussion Guides about Family and Community 105

27 Kid Connects 107

Theme: Children. Scripture: Mark 10:13-16; Psalm 127:3-6

28 Discipline Dynamics 110

Theme: Discipline. Scripture: Proverbs 3:11-12; Hebrews 12:5-11

29 Build Up the Body 113

Theme: Encouraging Others. Scripture: Ephesians 4:29-32; 1 Thessalonians 5:11

30 Bless ?Em All (Let God Sort 'Em Out) 116

Theme: Blessing Your Community. Scripture: Jeremiah 29:4-7; Luke 1O, l-9

31 Compassion Counts 119

Theme: Kindness. Scripture: Luke 10:30-37; Titus 3:3-6

32 Love Is a Four-Letter Word 122

Theme: Love. Scripture: 1 Corinthians 13:1-13; Romans 5:8

33 Moms and Dads Matter 125

Theme: Parenting. Scripture: Deuteronomy 6:6-9; Proverbs 22:6

34 Personal Top 10 128

Theme: Priorities. Scripture: Matthew 22:35-40; Colossians 1:18-19

35 Fight Fair 131

Theme: Researching Conflict. Scripture: Acts 15:1-35; Galatians 5: 13-15

36 R-E-S-P-E-C-T 134

Theme: Respect. Scripture: 1 Peter 2:13-17; Ephesians 6:1-6

37 How Low Can You Go? 137

Theme: Service. Scripture: john 13:1-17; Romans 12:10-17

38 Trust Exercises 140

Theme: Trusting God. Scripture: Mark 5:21-24, 35-42; Proverbs 3, 5-6

39 Work It Out 143

Theme: Work. Scripture: Ephesians 6:7-9; Titus 3:1-2, 8

Section 4 Discussion Guides about Holidays 147

40 New Year's Day 149

Theme: New Beginnings. Scripture: 2 Corinthians 5:17; john 3:1-8

41 Groundhog Day 152

Theme: God's Guidance. Scripture: Psalm 23; John 16:13-15

42 Super Bowl Sunday 155

Theme: Victory. Scripture: 1 Corinthians 9:16-27; 15:51-58

43 Valentine's Day 158

Theme: Marriage. Scripture: Ephesians 5:21-33; 1 Corinthians 7:1-5

44 St. Patrick's Day 161

Theme: Legacies. Scripture: 2 Timothy 4:14-15; Acts.9:36-43

45 Easter 164

Theme: Jesus's Resurrection. Scripture: Mark 16:1-11; 1 Corinthians 15:1-20

46 Mother's Day 167

Theme: Motherhood. Scripture: Ephesians 6:2-3; Philippians 4:8-9

47 Memorial Day 170

Theme: Heroes. Scripture: 1 Samuel 17:41-50; Judges 6:11-24

48 Juneteenth 173

Theme: Freedom. Scripture: Luke 4:16-21; John 8:34-36

49 Father's Day

177

Theme: Fatherhood. Scripture: Colossians 3:19-21; Romans 12:9-18

50 Halloween 180

Theme: Fear. Scripture: Mark 4:35-41; Psalm 56:11; 2 Timothy 1:7; 1 John 4:18

51 Thanksgiving 183

Theme: Gratefulness. Scripture: 1 Thessalonians 5:18; Luke 17:11-19

52 Christmas 186

Theme: Jesus's Birth. Scripture: Luke 2:1-20; John 3:16-17

Appendix: Twenty Tips for Dynamic

Discussions 189

Notes 195

Scripture Index 199

Theme Index 201

About the Author 203