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

Judges

When You've Failed.

Introduction:

We Have 3 Options When We Fail: (Judges 16:23-31):

  1. Live in Defeat .
  2. Live in Denial .
  3. Live in Discipline .

The Process of Restoration:

  1. God brings Discipline (Not punishment).
  2. Discipline brings Heart-change.
  3. Heart-change brings deeper Commitment.

    Psalm 119:67 - Before I was afflicted I went astray, but now I keep your word.

  4. Deeper Commitment brings new Opportunities.

Sermon Notes (PDF): BLANK
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Small Group Discussion
Read Judges 16:23-31

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

  2. Explain the difference between regret, remorse, and repentance. Why does God call you to repentance instead of just calling you to regret or remorse?

  3. Why do you think some Christians choose to wallow in shame instead of move on in God’s path to restoration?

  4. If we are forgiven in Christ, why is restoration often a long and hard process? Why doesn’t God just “wipe the slate clean”?

  5. Explain punishment vs discipline:
    - Why is the believer in Christ not “punished”?
    - What is the endgame of discipline?

Breakout
Pray for one another - to handle failure God’s way.

Be Led Not into Temptation.

Introduction:

When You Fall to Temptation (Judges 16:1-22):

  1. You didn't recognize your sin Tendency . (Judges 16:1-3)
  2. You flirted instead of Fled . (Judges 16:4-20)

    Proverbs 16:18 - Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall.

    1 Cor 6:18 - Flee from sexual immorality.

    1 Cor 10:14 - Therefore, my beloved, flee from idolatry.

    2 Tim 2:22 - So flee youthful passions and pursue righteousness, faith, love, and peace...

    1 Tim 6:9,11 - (6:9 = temptation to love money) But as for you, O man of God, flee these things...

    1 Cor 10:13 - No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it.

  1. You end up a Slave .(Judges 16:21)
  2. You aren't Abandoned by God. (Judges 16:22)

    Matthew 6:13 - And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.

Sermon Notes (PDF): BLANK
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Small Group Discussion
Read Judges 16:1-22

  1. Happy Anniversary! Name one thing you praise God for regarding Harvest Bible Chapel.

  2. What was your big “take-away” from this passage / message?

  3. Why do you think Samson carried the gates of Gaza away instead of fighting? Why do you think Samson played around with Delilah’s interrogation of his strength? What do these accounts tell you about Samson at this time in his life?

  4. Samson’s story boils down to three wrong women. Why do you think some people repeatedly choose to be with the wrong type of person?

Breakout
Do you recognize your sin tendency / area of weakness? Pray for the discernment and faith to flee when temptation comes!

Strength for Victory.

Introduction:

Ephesians 6:12 - For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places.

Three Must-Dos in Spiritual Warfare (Judges 15):

  1. Know your Enemy . (Judges 17:1-17)
  1. Give glory to God for Victory . (Judges 15:18a)
  2. Recognize Your Non-spiritual needs. (Judges 15:18b-20).

Sermon Notes (PDF): BLANK
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Small Group Discussion
Read Judges 15

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

  2. Why did Judah hand over Samson instead of defending him? What does this say about their spiritual condition?

  3. Why does it seem most strife comes from within the church, between God’s people, not from those outside the church? Can you give an example from a different church without including names?

  4. How do unmet physical needs affect your spirit (see Judges 15:18-20)? Do you have any non-spiritual needs that you have been neglecting? How are you going to go after having them met?

  5. Samson is in the Faith Hall of Fame in Hebrews 11:32. From Judges 15, what do you think Samson has done to deserve this honor?

Breakout
Pray for one another - to be equipped for spiritual warfare.

Don't Waste Your Resources.

Introduction:

2 Peter 1:3 - His divine power has granted to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of him who called us to his own glory and excellence...

How Do I Know I'm Heading Down the Wrong Path? (Judges 14):

  1. I completely disregard God's Authority (Judges 14:1-4).

    Luke 6:46 - "Why do you call me ‘Lord, Lord,’ and not do what I tell you?"

  2. I am willing to compromise for a little Pleasure (Judges 14:5-7).
  3. I waste time in Worldly pursuits (Judges 14:10-20).

    Colossians 2:9-10 - For in him the whole fullness of deity dwells bodily, and you have been filled in him, who is the head of all rule and authority.

    Colossians 3:3 - For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God.

Sermon Notes (PDF): BLANK
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Small Group Discussion
Read Judges 14

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

  2. How do you address someone who calls him/herself a Christian, but doesn’t seem to acknowledge Jesus’ Lordship (believes “Jesus is my Savior”, but “it doesn’t matter how I live”)?

  3. Why do you think Samson was oblivious to the danger signs of his spiritual decline? Are you able to see them in your life?

  4. List the resources God has given you in Christ. Are you using them?

Breakout
Confession time: what is your biggest time-waster? Are you willing to be accountable in this group to redeem that time?
Pray for one another.

Living Separated to God.

Introduction:

1 John 2:15 - Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him.

2 Timothy 4:10 - For Demas, in love with this present world, has deserted me and gone to Thessalonica.

Three Truths About Separation: (Judges 13:1-25):

Romans 12:1-2 - I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.

  1. Separation is NOT about focusing on External things.
  2. Separation is a Reality and a Process.

    Galatians 6:14 - But far be it from me to boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world.

  3. Separation was Modeled perfectly by Jesus Christ.

    John 17:15-17 - I do not ask that you take them out of the world, but that you keep them from the evil one. They are not of the world, just as I am not of the world. Sanctify them in the truth; your word is truth.

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

Small Group Discussion
Read Judges 13

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

  2. In thinking of “separation from the world”, do you tend to be more of a hermit or a chameleon? Why?

  3. How can you recognize when “worldliness” creeps into your life, that you are “drifting away” in your walk with Christ?

  4. You can “crowd out” worldliness by filling your affections with the cross of Christ. Specifically, how can you actively do that?

  5. Romans 12:1-2 tells us to “renew our minds”. Explain what this means, and how you renew your mind.

Breakout
Pray for one another. How can we, as individuals and a church, strive to be in the world but separate from the world?