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

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What kind of church is this?

Pillar #1 Proclaiming the authority of God's Word without apology

Pillar #2 Lifting high the name of Jesus through worship

John 4:24 - God is spirit, and those who worship him must worship in spirit and truth.

Preaching with AUTHORITY demands...

  1. I was created to WORSHIP.

    Isaiah 43:21, 1 Peter 2:9, Hebrews 13:5, Matthew 4:10, John 4:23, Revelation 4-5, Psalms

  2. Jesus answers the worship QUESTIONS. (John 4:21-24)

    1. Where should I worship? ANYWHERE. (Jn 4:21)

    2. Who should I worship? The God of ISRAEL. (Jn 4:22)

    3. How should I worship? In SPIRIT and TRUTH. (Jn 4:23-24)

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

Small Group Questions (Whole Group):
Read John 4:21-24

  1. What has been your past worship experience / understanding in the church? More spirit or more truth?
     
  2. Why is worship such a controversial subject? How would you answer someone who says, “It doesn’t really matter how you worship. You can worship doing anything.”

Breakout Questions:

  1. Rate yourself as a worshiper on a scale of 1 to 10 (10 = passionate, 1 = desert dry). Why would you give yourself this number? What can you do to be better prepared to worship with the congregation Sunday?
     
  2. Pray for one another.
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Unapologetic Preaching

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What kind of church is this?

Pillar #1 Proclaiming the authority of God's Word without apology

  1. The Church has been entrusted by God with the job of UPHOLDING His truth.

  2. The Church has been entrusted by God with the job of PROCLAIMING His truth.

    3. Titus 2:15 - Declare these things; exhort and rebuke with all authority. Let no one disregard you.

Preaching with AUTHORITY demands...
  1. ... the CONTENT is from the BIBLE.
    What does the Bible say?

  2. ... the APPLICATION is APPARENT.
    What does the Bible say to do?

  3. ... NO ONE is EXEMPT.
    What does the Bible say that I need to do?

Sermon Notes (PDF): BLANK
Hint: Highlight blanks above for answers!
Sermon Audio: (no recording)

Small Group Questions (Whole Group):
Read Titus 2:15

  1. How do you know if a sermon is ”good”? What makes a sermon “bad”? What criteria do you use? What criteria would the Bible give us to discern whether the preacher “proclaimed the Word of the Lord”?
     
  2. Why do some churches/preachers get away from clear preaching of God’s Word?

Breakout Questions:

  1. How much actual authority do you allow the Bible to have in your life? Is there any area in your life in which you are rejecting a clear command from God?
     
  2. Pray for one another.
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Uncompromising Purpose

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  1. The church has a MISSION from the Lord.

    2. HBCPN Mission Statement: Glorify God through the fulfillment of the Great Commission (Matthew 28:19-20) in the spirit of the Great Commandment (Matthew 22:37-40).

    What is a Disciple?
    • A disciple WORSHIPS Christ (John 4:23)
    • A disciple WALKS with Christ (Colossians 1:10)
    • A disciple WORKS for Christ (1 Corinthians 15:58)

  2. The church is DELIBERATE in fulfilling the mission.

    3. Acts 2:42-47

    How Do We Make Disciples?

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

Small Group Questions (Whole Group):
Read Matthew 28:19-20, Matthew 22:37-40

  1. Why do you think churches get so sidetracked in politics/social work/entertainment instead of making disciples?
     
  2. How do you know when an authentic disciple is made?

Breakout Questions:

  1. What are you doing right now to obey Jesus’ command to make disciples? If the answer is “nothing, really”, what can you be doing to start serving Christ in ministry?
     
  2. Pray for one another.

Rest Assured

How to Grow in the Assurance of Your Salvation:

2 Corinthians 13:5, Jeremiah 17:9

1 John 5:13 - I write these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God that you may know that you have eternal life.

2 Peter 1:1-10

  1. I grow in assurance when I focus on His POWER. (2 Pet 1:1-3)

  2. I grow in assurance when rest in His PROMISE. (2 Pet 1:4)

  3. I grow in assurance when I PRACTICE godly qualities. (2 Pet 1:5-7, 10)

  4. I grow in assurance when I PERSEVERE through time. (2 Pet 1:8-9)

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

Small Group Questions (Whole Group):
Read 2 Peter 1:1-10

  1. Why do you think it’s so important to be confident in your salvation? How does confidence affect your walk with Christ? How does not being confident affect your walk?
     
  2. Why do you think many Christians struggle with assurance? What would you say to a friend who confides in you, “I just don’t know if I am really saved?”

Breakout Questions:

  1. On a scale of 1­-10 (1 = I have NO idea, in fact, I may be a Pagan, 10 = I am 100% positive) rate your assurance of your own salvation as of right now.
     
  2. What can you do to grow in assurance right now? Tonight? This week? (2 Peter 1:1-10).
     
  3. Pray for one another.

The Evidence of New Life Test - Part 2

Circle whether you Agree, are Undecided, or Disagree according to each of the statements on assurance below:

  1. I am growing in PRAYER.

    2. Agree Undecided Disagree

    Genesis 4:26 - At that time people began to call upon the name of the Lord.


  2. My non-Christian friend notice something DIFFERENT about me.

    3. Agree Undecided Disagree

    1 Peter 4:3-5 - The time that is past suffices for doing what the Gentiles want to do, living in sensuality, passions, drunkenness, orgies, drinking parties, and lawless idolatry. With respect to this they are surprised when you do not join them in the same flood of debauchery, and they malign you; but they will give account to him who is ready to judge the living and the dead.


  3. I love SHARING Christ with others.

    4. Agree Undecided Disagree

    2 Cor 5:20 - Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, God making his appeal through us. We implore you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God.


  4. I love other CHRISTIANS.

    5. Agree Undecided Disagree

    1 John 3:14 - We know that we have passed out of death into life, because we love the brothers. Whoever does not love abides in death.


  5. I love giving MONEY to the work of the Lord.

    6. Agree Undecided Disagree

    Matthew 6:21 - For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.

Sermon Notes (PDF): BLANK
Hint: Highlight blanks above for answers!
Sermon Audio: (no recording)

Small Group Questions (Whole Group):
Read 2 Corinthians 13:5

Breakout Questions:

  1. Discuss these “signs of new life” and rate yourselves, 1-­10 (1 = very little appetite for this, 10 = huge appetite for this) on how much of an appetite you see in yourself for these. Be honest. Talk to each other about how you can mature in these areas.
     
  2. Pray for one another.