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

Evangelism

Intentional Faith: A "How To" Guide - How to Rescue a Stray

Introduction:

1 John 2:19 - They went out from us, but they were not of us; for if they had been of us, they would have continued with us. But they went out, that it might become plain that they all are not of us.

How to Rescue a Stray (James 5:19-20):

  1. Learn how to Recognize a stray. (Jas 5:19a, 20a)

    Matthew 9:13 - For I came not to call the righteous, but sinners.

    Romans 5:8 - but God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us...

  2. Remember what's at stake. (Jas 5:20b)

    Revelation 21:8 - But as for the cowardly, the faithless, the detestable, as for murderers, the sexually immoral, sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars, their portion will be in the lake that burns with fire and sulfur, which is the second death.

  3. Take Responsibility . (Jas 5:19b, 20a)

    2 Corinthians 5:18, 20 - All this is from God, who through Christ reconciled us to himself and gave us the ministry of reconciliation... Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, God making his appeal through us.

  4. Encourage Repentance . (Jas 5:19b, 20)

Sermon Notes (PDF): BLANK
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Small Group Discussion
Read James 5:19-20

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

  2. How do you know when someone is “wandering from the truth”? How do you know when to stop pursuing a stray?

  3. What is the motivation behind rescuing a stray? How much does this motivation move you?

  4. Why is repentance a necessary part of receiving Jesus? Can you receive Jesus without repenting? Why or why not?

  5. Have you been going after a stray? Share your experience with the group (no names!).

Breakout
Who do you know who has “wandered away” from Harvest? Pray for them, and call / text them NOW.

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Harvest DNA – Part 4: Unafraid Witness.

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Review / Introduction:


Your walk with Christ determines your witness for Christ!

Matthew 5:16 - In the same way, let your light shine before others so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.

1 Peter 3:15 - but in your hearts, regard Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you.

Proverbs 28:1 - ...the righteous are bold as a lion.

Three Things You Need to Know to Be a Bold Witness (1 Peter 2:11-12):

  1. Know what you are: Alien. (1 Peter 2:11a)

    2. Philippians 3:20 - But our citizenship is in heaven...

  2. Know what to fight: Your Sin. (1 Peter 2:11b)
  3. Know how to act: Honorable. (1 Peter 2:12)

Sermon Notes (PDF): BLANK
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Small Group Questions (Whole Group):
Read 1 Peter 2:11-12

  1. What is the connection between your walk with Christ and your witness for Christ? Why?

  2. How do passions wage war on your soul? Even though a believer cannot lose their salvation, how is sin still harmful to the soul?

  3. How would you instruct someone wanting to fight their "besetting" sin? 
     

Breakout Questions:

How, specifically / personally, do you need to "put distance" between you and your sin? Pray for each other to apply wisdom in this war on sin. 

I Will Not Fear Witnessing for Christ.

Review / Introduction:


How to Fearlessly Give Your Testimony:

  1. Tell about your life Before Christ. (Acts 22:1-5)

      Identify with your listener(s):

    1. Identify their Language. (Acts 22:2)
    2. Identify their Merit. (Acts 22:3)
    3. Identify with their Truth resistance. (Acts 22:4)
  1. Tell how you Came to Christ. (Acts 22:6-11)

    1. Reveal how you Recognized the truth. (Acts 22:6-7)
    2. Reveal your own Foolishness. (Acts 22:8)
    3. Reveal the Name of your salvation. (Acts 22:8)

  2. Tell how Christ Changed you. (Acts 22:12-21)

    1. I see things New. (Acts 22:13)
    2. I have a new Purpose. (Acts 22:15)
    3. I have Peace with God. (Acts 22:16)

Sermon Notes (PDF): BLANK
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Small Group Questions (Whole Group):
Read Acts 21:37-22:21 

  1. How did Paul defend himself against these accusations? How do you know when to defend yourself or ignore false accusations?

  2. Why is it so important to identify with your listeners when giving your testimony? Specifically, how can YOU do that when sharing?

  3. Why is it important to recognize some point of merit of your listeners (Acts 22:3)? What effect does this have on your listeners?

  4. How much specific detail should you share about your past sin? Why?
     

Breakout Questions:

Each of you, using these principles, share your testimony in 3 minutes or less (time each other!). Cover these three areas:

  1. My life before Christ
  2. How I met Christ
  3. How Christ changed me

Unstoppable Witness - Part 2

Intro / Review:

Witnessing for Christ: 3 Things You Should Never Assume:


  1. Don't assume Religious people are saved. (Acts 19:1-7)

    2. Review:

    • 1 Cor 3:16
    • 1 Cor 6:19
    • Rom 8:9

5 Clear Evidences for Biblical Transformation:

  1. You have a new love for God's Word. (1 Pet 2:2)

  2. You have a new awareness of right and wrong. (Heb 5:13-14)

  3. You have a new desire to be like Jesus Christ. (Rom 8:29)

  4. You have a new desire to proclaim Christ to others. (Col 1:28-29 | Acts 1:8)

  5. You have a new love for other Christians. (1 John 3:14)

  1. Don't assume you can win Everybody. (Acts 19:8-9)


  2. Don't assume you can see All God is doing through you. (Acts 19:10)

Sermon Notes (PDF): BLANK
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Small Group Questions (Whole Group):
Read Acts 19:1-10

  1. What questions did Paul ask in Acts 19:2-3? What do you think prompted him to ask those questions?

  2. Do you think these disciples (Acts 19:1-7) were saved before Paul ministered to them? Why or why not?

  3. How do you know if you received the Holy Spirit? How can you tell if another person has received the Holy Spirit?

  4. What are the evidences that someone is hardening their heart (Acts 19:9)? How did Paul respond? How should WE respond?

Breakout Questions:

Discuss: Have you held any of the assumptions discussed in the message (religious
people are saved, you can convince anyone into the kingdom, you know all that
God is doing through you)?

Pray: To become a Spirit-powered, God-glorifying witness. 

Unstoppable Against Idols

Review / Intro:


How Do You Witness to Greeks? (Acts 17:16-34)


  1. Meet them where they Are. (Acts 17:22-23)

  2. Just share the Basics. (Acts 17:24-29)

Who is God? (101):

  1. God Created you. (Acts 17:24)


  2. God Provides for you. (Acts 17:25)


  3. God Cares about you. (Acts 17:26)


  4. God wants a Relationship with you. (Acts 17:27-28)


  5. Rethink how you View God. (Acts 17:29)

  1. Encourage a Decision. (Acts 17:30-31)


  2. Leave the Results to God. (Acts:17-32-34)

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

Small Group Questions (Whole Group):
Read Acts 17:16-34

  1. Why was Paul's approach different in witnessing to these "marketplace" people than it was to the Jews in the synagogue? What does this say about how we should approach people with the Gospel?

  2. List some things about God that Paul taught. Why did he focus on these things in particular? See Acts 17:24-31.

  3. Was Paul's preaching successful in Athens? Why or why not? See 2 Corinthians 2:14.

  4. When was the last time your spirit was provoked (righteous anger) to the point where you had to act (Acts 17:16)?

Breakout Questions:

Pray for one another to have opportunity and boldness in sharing the love of God with people.