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

I Will Not Fear. I Will Be Content.

Review / Introduction:



Sit in your PEW

  1. Persecution

  2. Endurance

  3. Witness

Make a MESS

  1. Make the most of every situation.

  2. Evil people will hate you.

  3. Share Christ.

  4. Stand strong.

FLY little songbird

  1. Fear no evil.

  2. Live with persecution.

  3. Yearn for witnessing opportunities.

Psalm 6:2-3 - Be gracious to me, O LORD, for I am languishing; heal me, O LORD, for my bones are troubled. My soul also is greatly troubled. But you, O LORD—how long?

Psalm 77:7-9 - "Will the Lord spurn forever, and never again be favorable? Has his steadfast love forever ceased? Are his promises at an end for all time? Has God forgotten to be gracious? Has he in anger shut up his compassion?"


How Can I Be Content in Hardship?


  1. Learn to see Hardship as Dependance.

    2. 2 Corinthians 12:7-10 - So to keep me from becoming conceited because of the surpassing greatness of the revelations, a thorn was given me in the flesh, a messenger of Satan to harass me, to keep me from becoming conceited. Three times I pleaded with the Lord about this, that it should leave me. But he said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me. For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong.


  2. Learn to see things to be Thankful for.

    3. 1 Thessalonians 5:18 - give thanks in all circumstances...


  3. Learn to see the Bigger picture.

    4. Hebrews 12:2 - looking to Jesus... who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God


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

Small Group Questions (Whole Group):
Read Acts 25:1-12 

  1. If God is sovereignly using a trial in your life, is it OK to pray for the ongoing trial to end?

  2. What advice would you give someone who says, "I have been suffering with this hardship for years. I have been so discouraged because God obviously isn't answering my prayers."?

  3. What is your big take-away from this passage / message?

Breakout Questions:

What hardship have YOU been enduring for a long time? How are you doing with being content in the trial? What do you need to do if you are struggling with being content?

I Should Fear, Lack of Urgency!

Review / Introduction:



How to Miss Your Opportunity to Receive Christ:

  1. Don't Apply what you learn. (Acts 24:24-25a)

    2. Hebrews 10:26-27 - For if we go on sinning deliberately after receiving the knowledge of the truth, there no longer remains a sacrifice for sins, but a fearful expectation of judgment, and a fury of fire that will consume the adversaries.

  1. Keep Putting if off. (Acts 24:25b)

    2. Hebrews 3:7-8 - Therefore, as the Holy Spirit says, "Today, if you hear his voice, do not harden your hearts..."


  2. Care more about Lesser things. (Acts 24:26-27)

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

Small Group Questions (Whole Group):
Read Acts 24:22-27 

  1. Felix was alarmed when Paul shared with him (Acts 24:25). What's the difference between being alarmed and being convicted?

  2. Why did Felix keep stalling in dealing with Paul (and the Gospel) (Acts 24:22, 25-27)? What is the danger of stalling? Read Hebrews 3:7-8.

  3. What was your big "take-away" from this passage / sermon?
     

Breakout Questions:

Pray for one another.

I Will Not Fear Accusations.

Review / Introduction:



How to Fearlessly Defend your Faith: (Acts 24:10-21)

  1. Be Ojbective.

  2. Use the Bible.

  3. Stick to the Issues.

The Example for Paul:

  1. Broke Roman law? (Acts 24:11-13)

  2. Broke Jewish law? (Acts 24:14-16)

  3. Broke God's law? (Acts 24:17-21)

1 Peter 3:15 - but in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect...

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

Small Group Questions (Whole Group):
Read Acts 24:1-21 

  1. Paul made his defense "cheerfully" (Acts 24:10). How can we have that attitude when we feel on the defensive?

  2. Acts 24:15 talks about the resurrection of the just and the unjust. Explain what that means. See John 5:28-29, Revelation 20:11-15.

  3. Why is it important to stay objective when sharing? What are ways we can make it subjective? Why could this be a problem?

  4. What is your big take-away from this passage?

Breakout Questions:

Pray for one another - to be fearless.

God is Sovereign, I Will Not Fear.

Review / Introduction:



God @ Work Through Providence (Miracles that Don't Look Like Miracles at the Time):

  1. God works through unexpected Trials. (Acts 23:12-15)

  2. God works through unexpected People. (Acts 23:16-22)

  3. God works through unexpected Circumstances. (Acts 23:23-35)

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

Small Group Questions (Whole Group):
Read Acts 23:12-35 

  1. "God works through miracles and providence". What do those terms mean, and what's the difference? Why does it seem God usually chooses to work through providence over just doing a miracle?

  2. Tell of a time you've clearly seen God's provision through His providence. In other words, what was a situation where you looked back and said "God was working the whole time! I see it now!" (like Joseph in Genesis 50:20)

  3. What was your "big take-away" from this passage?
     

Breakout Questions:

Share a hardship you are experiencing now - how might God be working through this? How is God using this to change YOU?

I Will Not Fear Wolves.

Review / Introduction:



Matthew 10:16-18 - "Behold, I am sending you out as sheep in the midst of wolves, so be wise as serpents and innocent as doves. Beware of men, for they will deliver you over to courts and flog you in their synagogues, and you will be dragged before governors and kings for my sake, to bear witness before them and the Gentiles..."

How to be a Fearless Snake / Dove:

  1. Be wise! Think Defensively. (Acts 22:22-29)

  2. Be innocent! Live Blamelessly. (Acts 22:30-23:5)

  3. Be wise! Strike Deliberately. (Acts 23:6-10)

  4. Be innocent! Trust Fearlessly. (Acts 23:11)

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

Small Group Questions (Whole Group):
Read Acts 22:22-23:11 

  1. What does it mean to be "wise as serpents and innocent as doves" (Matthew 10:16-18)? Restate this in your own words. What is the danger of being just one or the other?

  2. What are ways Christians can “use the world to our advantage” as Paul did in Acts 22:25?

  3. Re-read Acts 23:5. What does this say about how we should regard OUR leaders, even if we don't particularly like them?

  4. How did the Lord's promise of Paul testifying in Rome give Paul courage? What promises of God give YOU courage?

  5. What is your one big "take-away" from Paul's ordeal in this passage?

Breakout Questions:

Pray for one another to be "wise as serpents and innocent as doves".