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

Power & Witness

The Power of Man vs The Power of God.

Review:

When Wicked People Are Ruling the Nation:

  1. Wicked Leaders bring hard Times. (Acts 12:1-4)


  2. Hard Times bring hard Prayer. (Acts 12:5)


  3. Hard Prayer sees God Move. (Acts 12:6-19)


  4. God Moves and His Kingdom Advances. (Acts 12:20-25)
Psalm 2:1-4 - Why do the nations rage and the peoples plot in vain?
    The kings of the earth set themselves, and the rulers take counsel together,
    against the Lord and against his Anointed, saying,
    “Let us burst their bonds apart and cast away their cords from us.”
    He who sits in the heavens laughs; the Lord holds them in derision.
Psalm 37:12-13 - The wicked plots against the righteous and gnashes his teeth at him,
    but the Lord laughs at the wicked, for he sees that his day is coming.
Psalm 59:7-8 - There they are, bellowing with their mouths with swords in their lips—
    for “Who,” they think, “will hear us?”
    But you, O Lord, laugh at them; you hold all the nations in derision.

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

Small Group Questions (Whole Group):
Read Acts 12:1-25

  1. Why did God let James die, but delivered Peter? How would you have explained that had James" mother asked you? Is it even OK to ask "why" in cases like this?

  2. What was Herod’s crime against God (Acts 12:23)? How does someone commit that crime? Does this still happen today?

  3. Imagine a coworker opens up to you, saying how worried they are concerning who is going to be the next president. "If (whatever candidate) gets in there, we are in big trouble." In light of what we read in Acts 12, what would you say to this person in response?

Breakout Questions:
Pray for one another.

The Power of the Advancing Kingdom.

Review:

1 Corinthians 11:1 – Be imitators of me, as I am of Christ.

Hebrews 13:7 - Remember your leaders, those who spoke to you the word of God. Consider the outcome of their way of life, and imitate their faith.


What Kind of Example Are You...?

  1. In handling Criticism? (Acts 11:1-18)

    2. 5 Wrong Ways of Dealing with Criticism:

    1. Taking it personally
    2. Blaming others
    3. Criticize back
    4. Ignoring it
    5. Agree to appease

    5 Ways Peter Rightly Dealt with Criticism:

    1. Understand their point
    2. Understand the motivation behind it
    3. Take it head-on
    4. Be objective
    5. Use the Word of God

  2. In witnessing Boldly? (Acts 11:19-21)


  3. In personal Faithfulness? (Acts 11:22-26)


  4. In giving Generously? (Acts 11:27-30)

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

Small Group Questions (Whole Group):
Read Acts 11:1-30

Evaluation time! In the 4 areas we discussed, how would you rate the church and rate yourself, personally? Use the 1-10 scale, 1 is “We/I am completely weak here” and 10 is “We/I am a world-changer here”.

HBC                    You, personally

  • Handling Criticism
     
  • Boldly Witnessing
     
  • Personal Faithfulness
     
  • Giving Generously

Breakout Questions:

In this evaluation, where were you personally weakest? How can you grow in this area?

The Power is for Everyone!

Review:


God Shows No Partiality.

  1. Don't think you're Someone. (Acts 10:21-26)

    2. Review: Gal 6:3


  2. Don't look down on Anyone. (Acts 10:27-33)


  3. The gospel is for Everyone. (Acts 10:34-48)

Review:

Deuteronomy 10:17 - the awesome God who does not show partiality nor take a bribe.
Job 34:19 - Who shows no partiality to princes Nor regards the rich above the poor
Romans 2:11 - For there is no partiality with God.
Galatians 2:6 – God shows no partiality
Galatians 3:28 There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is no male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus.
Ephesians 6:9 - ...there is no partiality with Him.
1 Peter 1:17 - If you address as Father the One who impartially judges...

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

Small Group Questions (Whole Group):
Read Acts 10:21-48

*Be honest – ever feel like someone, or a demographic of "someones" didn't deserve to be saved? How should we deal with those feelings?

How did Peter’s vision show him not to call PEOPLE common or unclean, when the vision displayed a sheet and animals (Acts 10:28, see also Acts 10:11-13 in this chapter)?

How does the Gospel unify people groups despite radically different backgrounds?

Breakout Questions:

Pray against our prejudices. 

The Power of Listening to God.

Review:

Matt 7:7-8 | 2 Tim 3:17


How do I know when God speaks to me?
When God speaks to you...

  1. It happens when you are Seeking Him. (Acts 10:1-12)


  2. It's for God's purposes. (Acts 10:13-15)

    3. Review: Lev 11 | Lev 20:25-26


  3. It's Clear and Repeated . (Acts 10:16)


  4. It's Confirmed by others. (Acts 10:17)

    5. Review: Prov 12:15 | Prov 15:22

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

Small Group Questions (Whole Group):
Read Acts 10:1-20

  1. Describe a time you clearly heard from God. How did you know it was God speaking

  2. How can you tell the difference between something God told you, and something that came from your imagination?

  3. List ways that God speaks to people today. How can you get an answer from God concerning something you are praying about?

Breakout Questions:

  1. Share something SPECIFIC you need prayer for!
  2. How will you know when/how God answers that prayer?

The Power of God@Work!

Review:


Is My Ministry About Me or About Jesus?

  1. Do I make People the priority? (Acts 9:32)

    2. Review: John 21


  2. Do I want people to See Jesus' greatness... or Think I am great? (Acts 9:33-35)


  3. Do I manage Interruptions and Overtime well? (Acts 9:36-42)

    4. Review: Mark 5:40


  4. Is Prayer my "go-to"? (Acts 9:40)


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

Small Group Questions (Whole Group):
Read Acts 9:32-43

  1. What do Aeneas, Tabitha, and Simon have in common? What does this say about our approach to ministry?

  2. Many Jews hated tanners because they worked with dead animals. Do you have any prejudices? How can you overcome them?

  3. *How did you do on the questions evaluating your ministry? In what areas do you struggle?

    1. Do I Make People the Priority? (Acts 9:32)
    2. Do I Want People to See Jesus’ Greatness... or Think I Am Great? (Acts 9:33-35)
    3. Do I Manage Interruptions and Overtime Well? (Acts 9:36-42)
    4. Is Prayer My “Go-To”? (Acts 9:40)

Breakout Questions:
Pray for one another.