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

Walking Wisely

Introduction:


Ephesians 5:15-16 - Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, making the best use of the time, because the days are evil.


LOOK CAREFULLY – How is YOUR Walk?

  1. Is my walk Working? (Eph 2:10)

  2. Is my walk Worthy? (Eph 5:2, 4:1-2)

  3. Is my walk Wise? (Eph 4:17, 5:8, 5:15-16)

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Small Group Questions (Whole Group):
Read Ephesians 5:15-16 

  1. Honestly, what ways do you personally waste too much time?

  2. From Ephesians 2:10, how do we know what works God prepared for us beforehand? How can we discover them?

  3. Ephesians 5:8 says walk as children of light; what does that mean, exactly? How does a person obey this? What effect will this have?

Breakout Questions:
What circumstance of life has put you in a unique opportunity to serve Christ? How are you doing with "making the best use of the time"?

What Were You Expecting?

Introduction:


The Biblical facts:

  1. You are born with a Sinful, Selfish nature. (Isaiah 53:6)

  2. You are Surrounded by a world full of people with sinful, selfish natures. (Romans 3:23)

  3. The world is under a Curse. (Romans 8:20-22)

  4. Satan is, for now, called the Ruler of this world and has incredible influence on it. (John 12:31, 14:30, 16:11).

Five Gifts Jesus has Provided that Give us Peace in a Hard World:

  1. People (John 13:34)

  2. Promises (John 14:2)

  3. Presence (John 14:16-17)

  4. Power (John 15:5)

  5. Prayer (John 16:23-24)

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Small Group Questions (Whole Group):
Read John 16:33, and read corresponding verses with each point. 

  1. Tell of a time you were majorly disappointed by something (serious OR fun story!).

  2. Why do people seem to expect an “easy life"? How do your expectations affect other areas of your life?

  3. How can we actively love others (in our Small Groups, in the church) the way Jesus loves us? Be specific!

  4. What does it mean to "abide in Christ" (John 15:5, 10)? Is this a “passive” activity, or is there "action" to take on your part? Explain. 
     

Breakout Questions:

Confess areas of your life where you’ve had wrong expectations. Which "gift from Jesus" (hint: the 5 sermon points) do you personally need to experience most right now?

Shaped by the Master Sculptor

Allow God To SCULPT Your Life While In The Land Of The DYING

  1. Submit to God's Sovereignty. (Rom 8:28 | Jer 29:11)

    1. Discover the power of "TIPHLAH" (Job 1:22)

  2. Confess your Weakness.

    1. Don't deny it or indulge it (Psalm 61:2) The ELIOENAI Treatment – 9 times

    2. Remember what we really are

      1. Weak Sinners (Rom 5:6, 8 | Matt 26:41)

      2. Self - exaltation denounced by Paul (Rom 12:3b)

      3. God knows your frame (Psalm 103:12-14)

    3. Realize that accepting weakness can breed strength (2 Cor 12:10)

    4. Strength comes from humbly abiding in God's Presence (Ps 91:1 | Isaiah 57:15)

    5. Don't LIMIT the Holy One by a lack of trust or unbelief (Psalm 78:41)

  3. Understand God's Big Picture

    1. Develop a "Better than I deserve" mentality (Rom 6:23 | Luke 17:10)

    2. Remember God is the Creator and Owner

      1. You NEVER have a right to be ANGRY WITH GOD!!! (Matt 5:22)

    3. Remember: A strong root always produces fruit

  4. Leave Self on the Shelf

    1. Change your focus to the Lord – BELIEVE (Psalm 16:8-9 | Isaiah 26:3)

      1. Not like Job (Job 29:20-23)

    2. BELIEVE (2 Cor 1:3) – "the God of all comfort"

      1. God is NOT a persecutor, abandoner, adversary, accuser, or prosecutor

      2. Replace your Why with a What (Acts 9:6 | 2 Cor 1:4)

    3. Don't just Live With your mistakes, Learn From your mistakes

      1. Don't live in the WHAT IF, but in the What Now (Phil 3:13)

    4. Confess rather than depress (1 John 1:9 | Proverbs 28:13)

    5. Use your gifts to serve others (Js 4:6 | 1 Pet 5:5b)

  5. Praise God for His Provision

    1. Praise is the ULTIMATE "Depression Medicine" (Psalm 61:8)

    2. Take a "Scripture Prescription" and rejoice

      1. Psalm 16:8-9 | Phil 4:6 | 1 Cor 15:55-57 | Rom 8:37)

  6. Testify to God's AMAZING GRACE

    1. The LIBERATING "Stephen Principle" (Acts 7:51-60 | Rom 1:20 | Eph 2:10)

Sermon Notes (PDF): BLANK
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Getting Back to an Eternal Perspective

Introduction:


It Gets Better: An Eternal Perspective Keeps You On Track.

  1. It gets better, and no one is more Excited than God. (Mal 3:16-17)


  2. It gets better, but not for Everyone. (Mal 3:18-4:1)
  1. It gets better, in Every Way. (Mal 4:2-3)

    2. Luke 1:78 - ...the sunrise shall visit us from on high.


  2. It gets better, and I'll wait Faithfully. (Mal 4:4-6)

    3. Review: Matthew 17:10-13

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Small Group Questions (Whole Group):
Read Malachi 3:16-4:6

  1. What exactly does it mean to "fear the Lord" (Mal 3:16)? List ways people display the fear of the Lord, and ways people don't. (Bonus if your list comes from things we've seen in Malachi.)

  2. How much does eternity fill your thoughts? How can you grow in having eternal perspective?

  3. "No One Is More Excited than God" about eternity. How do we know this from Malachi 3:17?

  4. Bonus theological discussion: How do you understand Malachi 4:5-6 in light of the ministry of John the Baptist and the future (not yet fulfilled) Day of the Lord?

Breakout Questions:

Pray for one another to constantly be seeking to get back, and stay, on track - especially in the 5 areas Malachi mentions: Worship, Marriage, Holiness, Giving, and Looking Beyond Today(Eternal Perspective). 

Getting Back to Faithful Giving

Introduction:


Review: Luke 3:10-14 | Matthew 6:21 – For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.


Faithful Giving

  1. How should I give? (Mal 3:6-9)

    2. 2 Corinthians 8:3 - For they gave according to their means, as I can testify, and beyond their means,of their own accord...


  2. Why should I give?
  1. Because giving to God is good for your Wallet. (Mal 3:10-12)

  2. Because giving to God is good for your Soul. (Mal 3:13-15)

Sermon Notes (PDF): BLANK
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Supporting Series on Biblical Giving from God's Word:
I Love to Give
(4 part series with audio sermon and notes)

Covering 2 Corinthians 8 - 9

 

Small Group Questions (Whole Group):
Read Malachi 3:6-15

  1. Why is "getting on track" with giving so important towards "getting back on track" with God? What does this say about our attitude towards money?

  2. What does the New Testament say about "how to give" (see 2 Corinthians 8:3)? How would you respond to someone who says, "You don't have to tithe, that's Old Testament Law."

  3. Why do you think God wants tested in the area of giving? How can YOU test Him (specifically) as He called you to?

  4. The more you give to God, the more God gives to you. Why is this so? How would you respond to someone who doesn’t believe that?

Breakout Questions:

Pray for one another. Ask, "How have you been doing getting 'Back on Track'?" What area that Malachi addresses (so far in our series) has impacted you the most? (worship, marriage, holiness, giving)