Family small groups are designed to encourage families to connect each the week with an incredibly simple format to open and discuss God’s Word. Gather (with your family!) at the kitchen table, on the couch, or wherever is comfortable and discuss the following. Small groups should not be longer than about 10 minutes. Our goal is to help families build some easy, healthy spiritual rhythms, together.
- Begin in Prayer:
- Have one member of the family pray for your family’s time in small group.
- Ideas for prayer:
- Begin by seeking God’s face (Thank Him). Jesus, thank you for…
- Then seek God’s hand (Ask Him). Jesus, please help us by…
- Close: “in Jesus name… Amen”
- Open God’s Word: Use a Bible to read the text aloud together. Help kids to find the text by opening to the verse in their Bibles… or on your smart phone!
- Read Philippians 4:6-7 out loud together.
- Bible Questions/Discussion: Parents, ask your family the following questions. Discuss.
- After reading Philippians 4:6-7, answer the following questions:
- Phil. 4:6 tells us not to be anxious about anything. What does it mean to be anxious?
- Ask, have you been worried or anxious before? If yes, what about?
- What can we do to help when we feel worried or anxious?
- Why do you think that vs. 6 tells us to pray and present our requests to God with THANKSGIVING? How can being thankful change our attitudes about prayer?
- Look together at verse 7. When we present our requests (things we ask for) to God, what can we expect God to do?
- In what ways can we trust God in all things (fear, worry, etc.)? How have you seen God prove Himself faithful in the past? What Bible stories can we cling to that remind us He is trustworthy?
- What was your favorite thing you did this week? Why was it your favorite?
- After reading Philippians 4:6-7, answer the following questions:
- Close in Prayer:
- Before you pray, encourage one another by sharing 1 thing you LOVE about the person sitting next to you. Say, “One thing I LOVE about you is…”
- Have one member of the family close in prayer. Be sure to close with an AMEN!
- Just for FUN!: Would you Rather…
- Live in a house by the beach, or a log cabin in the mountains. Why?
- If you could go on vacation anywhere in the world, where would you go and why?
- If you had to eat the same meal for the entire week, what meal would you choose?
- Memory Verse Challenge: Practice with your family throughout the week to memorize the following verse: Proverbs 3:5 – Trust in the Lord with all your heart. Do not depend on your own understanding. In all your ways obey him. Then he will make your paths smooth and straight. (NIrV)
