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

Power in Personal Evangelism.

Review:


Personal Evangelism 101:


  1. Look for those that are Seeking. (Acts 8:26-29)


  2. Meet people where they Are. (Acts 8:30-35a)

    3. Review: John 4


  3. Make it about Jesus. (Acts 8:35b)


  4. Encourage a Decision. (Acts 8:36-40)

(Listen to Baptism 101)

  • What is baptism?
    Baptism is a visible, God-chosen, God-commanded, response to my faith. See Acts 2

  • Who is baptism for?
    It is for people who have received Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior.

    • Common Excuses for not getting Baptized:

    1. "I was baptized when I was a baby."
    2. "I'd offend my parents and and family." See Acts 5:29
    3. "I need to wait until I'm on track spiritually."
    4. "I don't like being in front of people."
    5. "I need to pray about it."

  • What is the purpose of baptism?
    It is the profession of faith. See Rom 6:1-5

  • When should a person be baptized?
    It is to be done immediately upon belief.

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

Small Group Questions (Whole Group):
Read Acts 8:26-40

  1. How can you tell if an unsaved person YOU know (coworker, gym buddy, neighbor, whatever) is seeking?

  2. In Acts 8:35, we see Philip’s message was about Jesus. What specifically do unsaved people need to know about Jesus?

  3. *Imagine a Christian friend of yours never got baptized, but asked you, "Why should I get baptized?" How would you answer this?

Breakout Questions:
Pray for one another.

The Power is Not for Sale.

Review:


Repent: 4 Sins that Will Keep You From Christ


  1. Thinking too much of Yourself. (Acts 8:9-11)

    2. See Matt 5:3


  2. Thinking too much of Religion. (Acts 8:12-13)


  3. Thinking too much of Money. (Acts 8:14-19)

    4. See Rom 8:9 | Isa 55:1
    Listen to I Love to Give!


  4. Thinking only of Consequences. (Acts 8:20-25)

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

Small Group Questions (Whole Group):
Read Acts 8:9-25

  1. Do you think Simon was saved in this passage? Why or why not? Do you think HE thought he was? Why or why not?

  2. How did Peter know Simon’s heart wasn’t right (Acts 8:21-22)?

  3. Is "fear of consequences" a right motivation to get saved? Why or why not?

Breakout Questions:
Pray for one another.

A Biblical Response to Tragedy.

How to View a Tragedy, According to Jesus.


  1. Tragedy can happen to Anyone.


  2. Tragedy is always Unexpected.


  3. Tragedy is a wake-up call for the Living.

    4. Review: Eccl 7:2 | John 3:16


  4. Tragedy is a reminder to the Church for Urgency.


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


Small Group Questions (Whole Group):
Read Luke 13:1-5

  1. What do you typically say when people ask your opinion about events like the shooting in Orlando?

  2. How did Jesus respond when asked about a similar massacre (Luke 13:1-3)? Why did He also mention the "tower in Siloam" incident (Luke 13:4)? Why is His response to the tower scene exactly the same as the Pilate scene (compare Luke 13:3 and Luke 13:5)?

  3. *Imagine a similar tragedy happening in the Pittsburgh area. For discussion's sake, let's say a "gentlemen's club" downtown experiences a shooting that kills many people. Describe specifically how we as a church should respond. 

Breakout Questions:

  1. Personally and as a small group, what should your response be to tragedy, according to Jesus? Have a plan now for when it happens!

Power and Sovereignty.

Review:

Listen to Incomparably Sovereign

When I believe God is sovereign...

  1. I believe He uses trials for Good! (Acts 8:1-4)

    2. Review: Gal 4:13 | Phil 1:12

    Suffering is a vehicle to witness!!


  2. I believe He can save Anyone! (Acts 8:1, 3)


  3. I believe He has Work for me to do. (Acts 8:5-8)
 

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

Small Group Questions (Whole Group):
Read Acts 8:1-8

  1. Concerning Stephen’s death and the persecution fallout, how would you describe God’s involvement in that? Did God actively “CAUSE” Stephen’s death and the persecution? Did God just “ALLOW” it?

  2. Consider your answer to number 1 above. What is God’s involvement in a trial you are facing right now? Is He causing it, allowing it, unaware of it… what?

  3. Why do you think God so often chooses to use suffering to accomplish His purposes?

Breakout Questions:

  1. Pray for faith to trust God’s sovereignty and purposes through whatever trial you are going through.

The Power of the Word. - Part 2

Review:


Why dying for Jesus is a Glorious Thing:

  1. You experience God's Glory! (Acts 7:54-56)

    2. See 1 Peter 4:13-14


  2. You give the ultimate Witness! (Acts 7:57-58)

    3. See Matt 26:63-64 | Acts 22:20


  3. You go to Heaven! (Acts 7:59)

    4. See 2 Corinthians 5:8 | Philippians 1:23


  4. You get to reflect Jesus! (Acts 7:60)

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


Small Group Questions (Whole Group):
Read Acts 7:54-60

Icebreaker: Besides Jesus / the Gospel, what or who would you be willing to die for (if anything)?

  1. What is the significance of Jesus standing up in this scene? How does this give YOU confidence?

  2. Would you be ready to die for Christ? Do you think you’d feel differently when the time came? Why or why not?

Breakout Questions:

Be honest: have you ever thought about dying for Christ? Would you take a mission trip to a country hostile towards the Gospel if you believed God called you to? If you are struggling with this willingness to give it all for Jesus, pray about that as a breakout group!