Benjamin Murphy
Small Group Questions
Benjamin Murphy
Sermon Series Highlights
Sermon Series Highlights
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Embrace or Eliminate?

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Christmas POP Quiz:
  1. True / False
  2. True / False
  3. True / False
  4. True / False
  5. True / False
Wise Men

Chief Priests and Scribes

Herod

Which side have you aligned with?
  1. Jesus is a THREAT, I must eliminate him!

  2. Jesus is the KING, I must embrace him!


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

Small Group Questions (Whole Group):
Read Matthew 2:1-16

  1. Why is Jesus such a threat to people? Why do you think many people hate Him and His Word, even if they are unfamiliar with either (or both)?
     
  2. What amazes you the most about Matthew’s account of the birth of Christ?
     
  3. How do you think Christians should respond to all of the “anti­-Christmas” propaganda?

Breakout Questions:

Pray for one another

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Whose Child is This?

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Who is Jesus?

  1. ANTICIPATION ! (Matt 1:1-17)


  2. CONTROVERSY ! (Matt 1:18-35)

Why I believe in the virgin birth of Jesus Christ (and why it matters).
  1. God's Word is TRUSTWORTHY .

  2. God's Word is CLEAR .

  3. God says it is a SIGN .

  4. God is ABLE to do it.

  5. It was NECESSARY .

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

Small Group Questions (Whole Group):
Read Matthew 1

  1. Is the virgin birth of Jesus an important doctrine? Is it a “hill to die on”? Why or why not?
     
  2. How would you classify it? Critical / Important / Not Important / Indifferent


Breakout Questions:

  1. Have you ever struggled believing this doctrine? Is there anything (else) in the Bible you have struggled believing? Why?

Pray for one another

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Unforgiven: Blasphemy of the Spirit

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Who is Jesus?

  1. "Lunatic!" Says those that don't KNOW Him. (Mk 3:21-22)

  2. "Liar!" Says those that don't REJECT Him. (Mk 3:22-30)

    3. What is the unforgivable sin?


    How do I know I haven't done it?


    Hebrews 2:3 - how shall we escape if we neglect such a great salvation?

    Hebrews 6:4-6 - For it is impossible, in the case of those who have once been enlightened, who have tasted the heavenly gift, and have shared in the Holy Spirit, and have tasted the goodness of the word of God and the powers of the age to come, and then have fallen away, to restore them again to repentance

    Hebrews 10:26,29 - For if we go on sinning deliberately after receiving the knowledge of the truth, there no longer remains a sacrifice for sins... How much worse punishment, do you think, will be deserved by the one who has spurned the Son of God, and has profaned the blood of the covenant by which he was sanctified, and has outraged the Spirit of grace?

  3. "Lord!" Says those who EMBRACE Him. (Mk 3:31-35)

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

Small Group Questions (Whole Group):
Read Mark 3:21-35

  1. Why do you think some people hold on to wrong opinions about Jesus without every really investigating Him for themselves (like His family who heard He was crazy, so they went after Him without verifying anything themselves, Mk 3:21)?
     
  2. How would you define the “unforgivable sin” (Mk 3:29)? (Hint for discussion leader: It is a wholesale rejection of Jesus Christ, just as these scribes saw Jesus at work and attributed His power to Satan.)
     
  3. What did Jesus mean by saying those who “do the will of God” are His “brother and sister and mother” (Mk 3:35)?

Breakout Questions:

Have you ever worried that you committed “blasphemy of the Holy Spirit”? What do you think about that now? Pray for one another.

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Discipling: Equipping for Work

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So You Want a Fruitful Ministry Like Jesus?


  1. Focus on MISSION . (Mk 3:7-12)

  2. Invest in PEOPLE . (Mk 3:13-19)

Eight People You Will Work With In Ministry:

  1. GUNG-HO Guy (Simon Peter)

  2. EMOTIONAL Powder Keg (James and John)

  3. BEHIND the scenes Worker Bees (Andrew, Philip, Bartholomew, James Son of Alphaeus)

  4. The CONTROVERSIAL Convert (Matthew)

  5. Constant SKEPTIC (Thomas)

  6. MAMA'S Boy (Thaddaeus)

  7. POLITICAL Campaigner (Simon the Zealot)

  8. The BACKSTABBERS (Judas Iscariot)

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

Small Group Questions (Whole Group):
Read Mark 3:7-19

  1. Which of the 12 apostles do you think you identify with the most closely? Why?
     
  2. Which of the 12 apostles’ personality types do you find you have the hardest time working with? Why?
     
  3. In what way does your personality require grace and patience?

Breakout Questions:

Pray for one another.

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Sabbath: Rules or Rest?

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What is the Sabbath? CEASE / REST


You Need to Choose: Legalism or Jesus?

  1. Choose your BELIEFS: Legalism or the BIBLE . (Mk 2:23-28)

  2. Choose your PRIORITY: Legalism or LOVE . (Mk 3:1-5)

  3. Choose what to KILL: Legalism or JESUS . (Mk 3:6)

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

Small Group Questions (Whole Group):
Read Mark 2:23-3:6

  1. Share your ideas about the Sabbath. What was your understanding of the Sabbath when you were raised? Have your ideas changed? If so, how? What do you think is the purpose of the Sabbath?
     
  2. Complete this sentence: I feel closest to God (and/or most restful) when ...

Breakout Questions:

Pray for one another.