September is here, and small groups are starting up in churches everywhere. For many of us, this is a reset point in the year. Life moves from summer’s looseness into routine, and it is a good moment to think about what we want to study together.
The Bible always speaks to our current moment. It grounds us when the world feels unstable and keeps Jesus at the center of our lives. If you are leading or joining a group this fall, here are five study topics worth considering, each with a practical plan to get you started.
1. Faith Over Fear
Fear and anxiety are not new, but they feel louder than ever. Rising costs, world events, and personal struggles weigh heavy. The Bible tells us not to fear because God is with us. Isaiah 41:10 promises His strength and help, while Philippians 4:6–7 reminds us to bring everything to Him in prayer.
The 5x5x5 Reading Plan is a simple way to practice this daily. It takes five minutes a day, five days a week, with one chapter each time. That steady rhythm helps push back fear by keeping Scripture close, even for people with busy schedules.
Isaiah 41:10 promises His strength and help, while Philippians 4:6–7 reminds us to bring everything to Him in prayer. For more encouragement, see my post on 10 Bible Chapters That Changed Me (And Still Do)
2. Unity in a Divided World
Division is everywhere – political, cultural, even inside churches. Yet Jesus prayed that His followers would be one. Paul’s letters to the Corinthians and Ephesians deal directly with fractured communities, urging love, humility, and service.
The Four Streams Bible Reading Plan leans heavily on the New Testament, Proverbs, and Psalms, circling back through the teachings of Jesus multiple times. For a group study on unity, this repeated focus helps keep the conversation on how believers should treat one another in practice, not just in theory.
For a group study on unity, this repeated focus helps keep the conversation on how believers should treat one another in practice. You can also read Whose Interests Are You Really Serving? for more on living with genuine concern for others.
3. Stewardship and Simplicity
How we handle money and possessions reveals where our trust lies. Jesus warned often about wealth becoming an idol. In uncertain economic times, Christians need reminders that everything we have is temporary and belongs to God.
The Entire Bible in a Year plan offers steady portions of Old Testament, New Testament, and either Psalms or Proverbs. This balance gives perspective; God’s people have always faced questions of trust, provision, and priorities. Walking through the whole story helps us see stewardship in its proper place: as worship.
4. Mental Health and the Psalms
The Psalms are brutally honest. David wrote of despair, loneliness, and fear, yet he also clung to God as his refuge. For anyone walking through anxiety, depression, or simple exhaustion, this is a part of Scripture that gives voice to real pain and reminds us that God listens.
The Daily New Testament plan provides one chapter a day with a short devotional. Pairing this with a Psalm each day is a simple adjustment that creates space for both encouragement in Christ and raw honesty in prayer. A small group could easily adopt this rhythm together.
5. The Sermon on the Mount
Few passages are more challenging than Matthew 5–7. Jesus describes a way of life that cuts against the grain: blessing enemies, rejecting pride, seeking first the Kingdom. It is not abstract spirituality. It is real discipleship.
The In-Depth Study of Matthew begins here and works slowly through the gospel. This kind of deep focus allows a group to wrestle with what Jesus actually said and then hold each other accountable for living it out.
Putting It into Practice
James 1:22 says, “Be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves.”
Every plan is only as good as what you do with it. Start with prayer, ask God to apply His Word to your life, and take action. Write down insights, highlight verses, and talk honestly in your group about what obedience looks like in daily life.
If you are joining a group this fall, which of these topics speaks to your season right now?
Share your thoughts in the comments!!! I would love to hear what you are studying.
R.A.
