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

7 Words from the Cross - Part 2

"Truly, I say to you, today you will be with me in Paradise."

Review: Luke 23:39-43

  • When does a person go to heaven? 2 Cor 5:8  |  Phil 1:23
  • What is heaven like? 2 Cor 12:4  |  Matt 22:12-14  |  Rev 19:7  |  Rev 21:2
  • How do I have assurance that I'm going to heaven?
 

Sermon Notes (PDF): BLANK
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Small Group Questions (Whole Group):
Read Luke 23:39-43

  1. Read Matthew 27:44. Why do you think this one criminal stopped mocking Jesus and instead cry out to Jesus?

  2. What questions about heaven were cleared up for you from Jesus' statement to this criminal (Truly, I say to you, today you will be with me in paradise)?

  3. What does this account teach about how a person gets saved / receives salvation / gets right with God?

Breakout Questions:
Pray for one another.

7 Words from the Cross

"Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do."

Review: Mark 11:25-26  |  Luke 11:4  |  Luke 17:4  |  1 Cor 2:8

 

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Small Group Questions (Whole Group):
Read Luke 23:34

  1. Why did Jesus say, "They know not what they do?" What does that tell you about those who executed Him? See (1 Corinthians 2:8).

  2. Were all of these men forgiven because of Jesus' prayer? Explain your position!

  3. Why are we, even in the church, "all about forgiveness" until it is our turn to forgive someone?

  4. How does Jesus' prayer on the cross motivate me to forgive?

Breakout Questions:

Who do you need to forgive? Have you taken that step? What’s stopping you? Pray for that person, if there is one, and discuss (and hold each other accountable) for next steps!

Is Christ Enough?

Introduction:


The Path to Significance: Three Questions to Answer With Christ. (Philippians 3:7-16):

  1. What's important to me? Knowing Christ. (Phil 3:7-8)
  2. Who am I? Righteous in Christ. (Phil 3:9-11)
  3. What's my purpose in life? Becoming Like Christ. (Phil 3:12-16)

    4. John 17:17 - Sanctify them in the truth; your word is truth.

    Romans 15:16 - ...sanctified by the Holy Spirit.

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

Small Group Questions (Whole Group):
Read Philippians 3

  1. Honesty time: for you, what would you naturally want to find your significance (sense of self-worth) in?
    How does that compare with knowing Christ, according to Paul (Phil 3:8)?

  2. According to Phil 3:15 (and previous the 3 verses Phil 3:11-14), what is "mature thinking" regarding pursuing Christ-likeness? What specifically would be "immature thinking"?

  3. You can't make yourself grow, but you can do things to put yourself in a position to maximize your growth. What are the things you can do to help your growth?

Breakout Questions:

Pray for one another to be full of God, not full of ourselves. 

Grace in the Garden

Introduction / Context:


Romans 1:21-22 - "For although they knew God, they did not honor him as God or give thanks to him, but they became futile in their thinking, and their foolish hearts were darkened. Claiming to be wise, they became fools..."

Ephesians 5:25 - "Husbands, love your wives, as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her..."

5 Examples of Grace Displayed at the Fall (Genesis 3):

  1. Grace is Exclusively for Humans. (Gen 3:14)
  2. Grace promises Ultimate Victory. (Gen 3:15)

    3. 1 Corinthians 15:57 - "But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ."

  3. Grace permits Continued Creation. (Gen 3:16)
  4. Grace leaves us Frustratingly Fallen. (Gen 3:17-19)
  5. Grace gives Accessible Life. (Gen 3:22-24)

    6. 2 Corinthians 5:17 - "Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come."

    Revelation 22:14 - "Blessed are those who wash their robes, so that they may have the right to the tree of life and that they may enter the city by the gates."

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

Small Group Questions (Whole Group):
Read Genesis 3

  1. The Fall is possibly one of the most basic and well known stories in the Bible, and yet there's so much depth here. Discuss some of the complex concepts you've learned from this story.

  2. It has been said before that most people suffer from two problems: failing to see how big their sin is and failing to see how big God's grace is. Do you believe this? Why or why not?

  3. Describe a time where you have experienced God's grace in your failures.

Breakout Questions:

What is causing you to be distant from God right now? How are you going to respond to His grace?