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

I Will Live by My Convictions.

Review / Introduction:


What is Conviction?

Definition: A strong Personal belief, derived from God's Word, that determines a specific Conduct or Course.

Conviction Clarifications:

    Five "Nots" About Convictions

  1. Convictions are not always Instant
  2. Convictions are not about Personal Preferences
  3. It's not about Adopting someone else's convictions
  4. It's not about Disregarding advise
  5. Convictions are not Enforceable on others

Examples:

  • Schooling
  • Ministries

Impact:

  • Conviction drives out fear

Living with Conviction is Living Without Fear:

  1. I will not fear Disapproval? (Acts 21:1-6)

  2. I will not fear Drama? (Acts 21:7-12)

  3. I will not fear Death? (Acts 21:13-16)

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Small Group Questions (Whole Group):
Read Acts 21:1-16 

  1. What personal convictions have you been criticized for? (While sharing, don’t criticize each other's' convictions.)

  2. Was Paul being disobedient to the Holy Spirit (Acts 21:4, 11)? Why or why not?

  3. How do you KNOW when the Holy Spirit is speaking to you through another person, and it’s not the other person just giving their personal opinion?

  4. How do you know when a conviction is from the Lord, and a conviction is just "from yourself / just in your head"?

Breakout Questions:
Pray for one another to seek (and keep) godly, biblical convictions.

I Will Not Fear.

Introduction:


Top 10 Fears in 2017:

  1. Holes
  2. Flying
  3. Germs
  4. Small Spaces
  5. Thunder / Lightning
  6. Dogs
  7. Open / Crowded Spaces
  8. Heights
  9. Snakes
  10. Spiders
    11. Mayonnaise (Bonus)

What Are You Afraid Of?

Proverbs 28:1 - The wicked flee when no one pursues, but the righteous are bold as a Lion.

  1. Should I be afraid of my Past? (Romans 8:33-34)

  2. Should I be afraid of anything Today? (2 Timothy 1:7)

  3. Should I be afraid for my Future? (Psalm 118:6, Hebrews 13:6)

Acts 23:11 - The following night the Lord stood by him (Paul) and said, "Take courage..."

Acts 28:15 - On seeing them (Paul's Christian brothers), Paul thanked God and took courage.

Psalm 56:4 - In God, whose word I praise, in God I trust; I shall not be afraid...

Sermon Notes (PDF): BLANK
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Small Group Questions (Whole Group):
Read Proverbs 28:1 

  1. What were you afraid of as a child? How did you handle it?

  2. What do you think the are biggest fears of people who don’t know the Lord? What do you think are the biggest fears "church people" have?

  3. Do you fear God's judgment on your sin? Why or why not? What does Romans 8:33-34 say about this?

  4. Proverbs 28:1 - Why are the wicked fearful? Why are the righteous "bold as a lion"? What accounts for the fear / boldness?

Breakout Questions:
What is your biggest fear (or temptation to fear) today?
How can the Lord help you overcome that fear?

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)

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