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

Guest Speaker

Resolve to Rest

Introduction:

(Matthew 11:25-30):

  1. Recognize who invites you.
  2. Respond to the almighty.

    Jeremiah 18:11b-12 - "Return, every one from his evil way, and amend your ways and your deeds." But they say, "That is in vain! We will follow our own plans, and will every one act according to the stubbornness of his evil heart."

  3. Return to Jesus and find rest.
    1. In Solitude .

      Mark 1:35 - "And rising very early in the morning, while it was still dark, he departed and went out to a desolate place, and there he prayed."

      Luke 5:16 - "But Jesus often withdrew to lonely places and prayed."

    2. In Stillness .

      Psalm 46:10 - "Be still, and know that I am God..."

      Psalm 37:7 - "Be still before the Lord and wait patiently for him."

    3. In Silence .

      Habakkuk 2:20 - "The Lord is in his holy temple; let all the earth be silent before him."

      Isaiah 30:15 - "“For thus said the Lord God, the Holy One of Israel, “In returning and rest you shall be saved; in quietness and in trust shall be your strength."

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

Small Group Discussion
Covering Matthew 11:25-30

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

  2. What are some differences between our understanding of rest, and the rest that Jesus says He will give and that we will find?

  3. What are some differences between a worldly yoke and the yoke Jesus offers?

  4. Do you take time to be still each day? Why or why not?

  5. How might not being quiet and still in God’s presence negatively affect your practices of studying scripture and prayer? Conversely, how could being quiet and still have a positive impact on your other practices?

  6. If you regularly practice silent stillness, describe how it has deepened your friendship with Jesus.

Breakout
Encourage and pray for one another to “resolve to rest” in Christ in 2025.

A Worthy Life

Introduction:

A Worthy Life (Philippians 1:27-29):

  1. Stand firm in Unity . (Phil 1:27)

    Phil 2:3-4 - 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.

  2. Have no Fear . (Phil 1:28)

    Isaiah 41:10 - Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.

    Phil 4:6-7 - Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your mind in Christ Jesus.

  3. Receive the Gift of Suffering. (Phil 1:29)

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

Small Group Discussion
Read Phil 1:27-29

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

  2. We’re called to strive in unity with fellow believers. Read Philippians 2:3-4. In light of this verse, what specifically is keeping you from striving in unity with your fellow brothers and sisters in Christ? What can you do, or what do you need to change over the next month to improve in this area? Be specific.

  3. We’ve all experienced fear, but let’s encourage one another on this one. Share a time in your life when you experienced the emotion of fear, but you trusted God and saw Him deliver you from your fears. How did you do this, and what was the result?

  4. Read Acts 5:41. Have you accepted your free gift of suffering and rejoiced that you have been counted worthy to suffer for his name? Or are you rejecting the gift and replacing the rejoicing with anger, frustration, and desperation. Be honest. Be specific.

Breakout
Take time to lift each member of your group up in prayer specifically about what they’ve shared this evening.

Blinded by Anger

Introduction:

Blinded by Anger

When I'’'m Blinded by Anger... (Jonah 4):

  1. I cannot see that God's plan is better than Mine . (Jonah 4:1-4)
  2. I cannot see that My Comfort isn't the Point . (Jonah 4:5-9)
  3. I cannot see any Needs of Anyone Else . (Jonah 4:10-11)

    Matthew 12:40-41 - For just as Jonah was three days and three nights in the belly of the great fish, so will the Son of Man be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth. The men of Nineveh will rise up at the judgment with this generation and condemn it, for they repented at the preaching of Jonah, and behold, something greater than Jonah is here.

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

Small Group Discussion
Read Jonah 4

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

  2. Have you ever found yourself frustrated by God’s plan? How would you encourage someone who’s going through that right now?

  3. In what ways can the pursuit of comfort in the church today lead us to miss the point?

  4. What are some areas where you need to be transformed from “Jonah” to “Greater Jonah” thinking?

  5. Who is your Nineveh today? How is God calling you to view them with compassion?

Breakout
Pray for one another.

Armor Up

Introduction:

  1. What is Spiritual Warfare?
    (Ephesians 6:11-12)

    1. Evil spiritual forces actively trying to intervene in our pursuit of a relationship with Jesus.
    2. Most often associated with Satan , who is clearly identified as the enemy of our Soul.

  1. How do I recognize I'm in a spiritual battle?

      Three ways Satan attacks us:

    1. Satan attacks us through Accusations
    2. Satan attacks us through Temptation
      1. Desires of the Flesh
      2. Desires of the Eyes
      3. Pride of Life
    3. Satan attacks us through Deception

  2. How do I fight a spiritual battle? (Eph 6:13-17)

    1. We are called to Stand not Fight .
    2. We must adorn the full Armor of God .

  3. How do I win a spiritual battle?

    1. Jesus won the battle for us!

      2. Colossians 2:15 - He disarmed the rulers and the authorities and put them to open shame, by triumphing over them in Him.

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

Small Group Discussion
Read Ephesians 6:10-18

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

Breakout
Pray for one another.

When Change Is Overwhelming

Introduction:

When we're rocked by change, God steadies us because (James 1:17-18)...

  1. He is Good . (Jas 1:17a)

    Numbers 23:19 - "God is not man, that he should lie, or a son of man, that he should change his mind."

    Deuteronomy 32:4 - "The Rock, his work is perfect, for all his ways are justice. A God of faithfulness and without iniquity, just and upright is he."

  1. He is Unchanging . (Jas 1:17b)

    Romans 8:28 - "And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose."

When we're rocked by change, God steadies us because...

  1. He Chose you. (Jas 1:18)

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

Small Group Discussion
Read James 1:17-18

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

  2. How have you handled unexpected change in the past? How can you handle it in light of your relationship with Jesus?

  3. Why is it so important that we serve and know an unchanging God?

  4. What are some ways you can avoid being overwhelmed or anxious about change in life?

Breakout
Pray for one another.