Benjamin Murphy
Small Group Questions
Benjamin Murphy
Sermon Series Highlights
Sermon Series Highlights

Congratulations to the Meek

Introduction:

Who Are the "Meek"? (Matthew 5:5)

Forsaking all Self-interest to the Will of God for the Sake of others .

Philippians 2:3-8 - Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others. Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross.

Why Are We Congratulating the Meek?

How Do I Cultivate Meekness? (Psalm 37:1-11)

  1. You Don't Fret over the wicked or the state of the world.
  2. You Wholly Depend on God to Deal with Wrongdoers .
  3. You Wholly Depend on God for Vindication .
  4. You Ask God to remember those opposed to you.
  5. You Pray for pportunities to be Trained and Tested .

    Congratulations to the poor in spirit, you have the kingdom of heaven!

Sermon Notes (PDF): BLANK
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Small Group Discussion
Read Matthew 5:5 & Psalm 37:1-11

  1. What was your big take-away from this passage / message?

  2. Why do we find unbiblical definitions of meekness either unappealing (e.g., it’s weakness) or more appealing (e.g., it’s strength under control) than the definition presented during the message?

  3. Do you find the definition presented during the message unappealing? If yes, why? Utilizing Philippians 2:3-8, how would you define meekness?

  4. Why is genuine meekness essential to hungering for righteousness?

  5. What is one characteristic of meekness that you can commit to cultivating this week (Psalm 37:1-11)?

Breakout
Pray that the Lord will impress on you the imperative to be meek, and that as a congregation we will be committed to Biblical meekness.

Congratulations to those Who Mourn!

Introduction:

Who Are the "Those Who Mourn"? (Matthew 5:4)

Why Are We Congratulating those Who Mourn?

Revelation 21:4 - He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away.

Romans 7:24-25 - Wretched man that I am! Who will deliver me from this body of death? Thanks be to God through Jesus Christ our Lord!

How Do I Mourn? (James 4:8-10)

  1. What Keeps Me from Mourning?

    James 4:8-10 - Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded. Be wretched and mourn and weep. Let your laughter be turned to mourning and your joy to gloom. Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will exalt you.

    1. You aren't Drawing near to God.
    2. You're too Invested in your sin.
    3. You don't see Sin for what it is.
  2. How Do I Know I Really Mourn My Sin?

    3. 2 Corinthians 7:10 - For godly grief produces a repentance that leads to salvation without regret, whereas worldly grief produces death.

    → You Repent without Regret.

Sermon Notes (PDF): BLANK
Hint: Highlight blanks above for answers!

Small Group Discussion
Read Matthew 5:4 & James 4:8-10

  1. What was your big take-away from this passage / message?

  2. What exactly does it mean to “mourn” over your sin? Why is mourning necessary?

  3. What would you say to someone that says “I’ve never mourned over my sin. And I don’t really see why I need to!”

  4. How does God comfort those who mourn? What does that look like?

  5. Read 2 Corinthians 7:10. Explain the difference between worldly grief and godly grief. What does it mean that worldly grief brings death?

Breakout
Pray for one another.

Congratulations to the Poor in Spirit

Introduction:

Who Are the "Poor in Spirit"? (Matthew 5:1-3)

Romans 3:23 - for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God...

James 2:10 - For whoever keeps the whole law but fails in one point has become guilty of all of it.

Why Are We Congratulating the Poor in Spirit?

How Do I Become Poor in Spirit?

Luke 18:9-14 - He also told this parable to some who trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and treated others with contempt: “Two men went up into the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. The Pharisee, standing by himself, prayed thus: ‘God, I thank you that I am not like other men, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even like this tax collector. I fast twice a week; I give tithes of all that I get.’ But the tax collector, standing far off, would not even lift up his eyes to heaven, but beat his breast, saying, ‘God, be merciful to me, a sinner!’ I tell you, this man went down to his house justified, rather than the other. For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, but the one who humbles himself will be exalted.”

3 Signs That You Are Poor in Spirit:

  1. You Humble , Exalt yourself.
  2. You compare yourself to God , not Others.
  3. You bank on God's Mercy , not your Works.

    Congratulations to the poor in spirit, you have the kingdom of heaven!

Sermon Notes (PDF): BLANK
Hint: Highlight blanks above for answers!

Small Group Discussion
Read Matthew 5:1-3 & Luke 18:9-14

  1. What was your big take-away from this passage / message?

  2. What does it mean to be “poor in spirit”? How do we become poor in spirit?

  3. “... for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.” What is the significance of Jesus using the word IS? How would you explain this to a young child asking what it means that we get the “kingdom of heaven”?

  4. How do you convince someone they are poor in spirit if they consider themselves “not that bad of a person”?

Breakout
Pray for one another.

Called to Make Disciples

Introduction:

What Kind of Disciple Should I Be and Should I Train? (1 Kings 19:19-21)

  1. A disciple who Joyfully Responds to God’s call. (1 Kings 19:19-20a)

    1 John 5:3 - For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments. And his commandments are not burdensome.

  2. A disciple who willingly sacrifices whatever Gets In the Way . (1 Kings 19:20b-21a)

    Luke 9:61-62 - Yet another said, “I will follow you, Lord, but let me first say farewell to those at my home.” Jesus said to him, “No one who puts his hand to the plow and looks back is fit for the kingdom of God.”

    Hebrews 12:2 - Let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race set before us, looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith.

  3. A disciple who humbly remains Submissive and Teachable . (1 Kings 19:21b)

    2 Kings 2:12 - And Elisha saw it and he cried, “My father, my father! The chariots of Israel and its horsemen!” And he saw him no more. Then he took hold of his own clothes and tore them in two pieces.

    1 Corinthians 4:15 - For though you have countless guides in Christ, you do not have many fathers. For I became your father in Christ Jesus through the gospel.

    Titus 2:3 - Older women likewise are to be reverent in behavior, not slanderers or slaves to much wine. They are to teach what is good...

Sermon Notes (PDF): BLANK
Hint: Highlight blanks above for answers!

Small Group Discussion
Read 1 Kings 19:19-21

  1. What was your big take-away from this passage / message?

  2. What holds you back from being faithfully discipled and faithfully discipling?

  3. Who has poured into you and shaped the Christian you are today?

  4. Who is the Lord calling you to disciple right now and what steps can you take to make this happen?

Breakout
Pray for one another.

Called to Never Give Up

Introduction:

How WILL the Lord Help Me to Not Give Up? (1 Kings 19:1-18)

  1. He WILL point me to His Daily Provision . (1 Kings 19:1-8)
  2. He WILL get my Attention . (1 Kings 19:9-14)
    1. By drawing me out of my Pity Party . (1 Kings 19:9)
    2. By redirecting my Focus . (1 Kings 19:10-14)

      Romans 5:6, 8 - For while we were still weak, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly...but God shows His love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.

      2 Corinthians 12:9 - "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness."

  3. He WILL replace my half truths with His Whole Truth . (1 Kings 19:15-18)
    1. By reminding me that I have a Purpose . (1 Kings 19:15-17)

      Ephesians 2:10 - For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.

    2. By reminding me that I am not Alone . (1 Kings 19:18)

Sermon Notes (PDF): BLANK
Hint: Highlight blanks above for answers!

Small Group Discussion
Read 1 Kings 19:1-18

  1. What was your big take-away from this passage / message?

  2. How do you see your physical health affecting your spiritual health? How can you take advantage of God’s provision and make changes right now?

  3. Why do we often choose to throw a pity party when we feel discouraged rather than seek comfort and help? What should you do when you feel the urge to isolate yourself?

  4. Why must Jesus ALWAYS be your focus when you are struggling and feeling depressed?

Breakout (by gender)
Honestly share how you feel tempted to give up right now. Pray for one another.