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

Ephesians

The Business of Disciplining

Introduction:

Proverbs 23:13 - Do not withhold discipline from a child; if you strike him with a rod, he will not die.

Hebrews 12:11 - For the moment all discipline seems painful rather than pleasant, but later it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it.

A "ROD" of Discipline - Some DO's and DON'Ts (Ephesians 6:1-4; Proverbs 23:13)

Rebuke the Heart , not just Behavior. (Prov 4:23)

Proverbs 4:23 - Above all else, guard your heart, for it is the wellspring of life.

  • DO pick the Right Battles .
  • DON'T hang Apples on the tree .
  • DO discuss heart matters at times of Non-conflict .
  • DON'T miss the Gospel Opportunity .
Operate in God's Authority , not just Your Own. (Prov 3:11-12)

Proverbs 3:11-‬12 - My son, do not despise the Lord's discipline or be weary of His reproof, for the Lord reproves him whom He loves, as a father the son in whom he delights.

  • DO point them to God's Authority in Discipline .
  • DON'T forget that they are God's Children First .
  • DO seek Forgiveness from your kids When you Fail .
  • DON'T Undermine other authorities.
Deliver in Love , not just In Reaction. (Prov 13:24)

Proverbs 13:24 - Whoever spares the rod hates his son, but he who loves him is diligent to discipline him.

  • DO keep Love Primary .
  • DON'T Give Up in the process.

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

Small Group Discussion
Read Ephesians 6:1-4

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

  2. Where do you struggle with getting to the heart issues? How can you grow in this?

  3. How can you better operate in God’s authority in the area of discipline?

  4. Why is delivering discipline in love so important? What do you need to do better here?

  5. Discuss any other parenting DO’s and DON’T’s for disciplining.

Breakout
Pray for one another!

The Business of Loving

Introduction:

(Ephesians 5:25-33)

  1. Love your wives... because You have no alternative . (Eph 5:25)

    1 Corinthians 13:4-7 - Love is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; it does not rejoice at wrongdoing, but rejoices with the truth. Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.

    Matthew 22:39 - You shall love your neighbor as yourself.

    Matthew 5:44-45 - But I say to you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, so that you may be sons of your Father who is in heaven.

  2. Love your wives... by What you say . (Eph 5:26-27)
    1. Holy words.
    2. Loving words.
    3. Checked words.
  3. Love your wives... by What you do . (Eph 5:28-30)
    1. Checked actions.
    2. Affectionate actions.
    3. Sacrificial actions.

      4. Genesis 2:15 - The LORD God took the man and put him in the garden of Eden to work it and keep it.

  4. Love your wives... as A living gospel . (Eph 5:31-33)

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

Small Group Discussion
Read Ephesians 5:25-33

  1. What portion of the Scripture or the message challenged you most?

  2. Read Romans 5:8-10. In view of these verses and the verses presented in point 2, what rationale or reason do you have to not love your wife?

  3. What are some cultural reasons why husbands find it difficult to express love for their wives? What are Biblical reasons why husbands must express love for their wives?

  4. Does Ephesians 5:31-33 change your understanding about the purpose of your marriage? In what ways?

  5. What is one thing you will commit to doing this week so that your marriage will accurately present the gospel?

Breakout
Pray for one another!

The Business of Submission

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

Small Group Discussion
Read Ephesians 5:22-24

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

  2. Why do you think this topic (wives submitting to their husbands) gets such an emotional reaction?

  3. What do you think is the biggest motivator for wives to submit to their husbands? Why?

  4. List some specific blessings that come to wives when they submit to their husbands.

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.

Walking Wisely

Introduction:


Ephesians 5:15-16 - Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, making the best use of the time, because the days are evil.


LOOK CAREFULLY – How is YOUR Walk?

  1. Is my walk Working? (Eph 2:10)

  2. Is my walk Worthy? (Eph 5:2, 4:1-2)

  3. Is my walk Wise? (Eph 4:17, 5:8, 5:15-16)

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

Small Group Questions (Whole Group):
Read Ephesians 5:15-16 

  1. Honestly, what ways do you personally waste too much time?

  2. From Ephesians 2:10, how do we know what works God prepared for us beforehand? How can we discover them?

  3. Ephesians 5:8 says walk as children of light; what does that mean, exactly? How does a person obey this? What effect will this have?

Breakout Questions:
What circumstance of life has put you in a unique opportunity to serve Christ? How are you doing with "making the best use of the time"?