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

God's Judgment: WHY and HOW, Part 2

Review / Introduction:

Judgment is a Response to Man's Pride. (Nahum 1:8-15)

If God was using Nineveh, why is He now punishing Nineveh?

Isaiah 10:5-7, 12, 15 - 5 Woe to Assyria, the rod of my anger; the staff in their hands is my fury!
6 Against a godless nation I send him, and against the people of my wrath I command him,to take spoil and seize plunder, and to tread them down like the mire of the streets.

7 But he does not so intend,and his heart does not so think; but it is in his heart to destroy, and to cut off nations not a few
12 When the Lord has finished all his work on Mount Zion and on Jerusalem, he will punish the speech of the arrogant heart of the king of Assyria and the boastful look in his eyes.
15 Shall the axe boast over him who hews with it, or the saw magnify itself against him who wields it? As if a rod should wield him who lifts it, or as if a staff should lift him who is not wood!

Parable: Isaac and Nick

2 Samuel 22:26, Psalm 18:27, Proverbs 3:34, James 4:6, 1 Peter 5:5

God Opposes the proud but gives Grace to the humble.

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

Small Group Questions (Whole Group):
Read Nahum 1:7-15

  1. If God was USING Nineveh (Assyrians) to punish Israel, why would God punish Nineveh? See Isaiah 10:5-15

  2. What is pride? In what ways are YOU tempted to be prideful?

  3. Why is God so opposed to pride?

Breakout Questions:

Pray for one another- specifically to be able to identify your own areas of pride!

God's Judgment: WHY and HOW, Part 1

Introduction:

Judgment is Fueled By God's Jealousy. (Nahum 1:1-7)

Acts 20:27 - or I did not shrink from declaring to you the whole counsel of God.

Nahum

Nineveh

Gods Judgment: God's righteous act of identifying sin and condemning sinners

Exodus 20:3 – You shall have no other gods before me.

Exodus 34:14 - ...for you shall worship no other god, for the LORD, whose name is Jealous, is a jealous God...

Deuteronomy 4:24 – For the LORD your God is a consuming fire, a jealous God.

God is jealous for 3 things that belong to Him:

  1. His Glory.
  2. His Work.
  3. His People.

2 Thessalonians 1:6 - ...God considers it just to repay with affliction those who afflict you

God has a holy concern for what He Loves, and God is Jealous for you.

God's judgment is Fueled by His jealousy.

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

Small Group Questions (Whole Group):
Read Nahum 1:1-7

  1. Explain why God is jealous (Nahum 1:2). Why does that fuel His judgment? How is jealousy and judgment tied into God's love?

  2. How should a Christian respond to the Bible’s teaching on God’s judgment?

  3. Respond to this statement: "Isn’t it arrogant for God to demand to receive glory for Himself?”.

  4. What was your big “take-away” from this passage / sermon?

Breakout Questions:

Pray for one another!

I Will Not Fear, I Will Be Strong.

Review / Introduction:

1 Corinthians 10:13 - No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it.

2 Corinthians 12:1-6

The Path to Living in God's Strength in 3 Easy Steps! (2 Cor 12:7-10)

  1. Step 1: Acknowledge God's Sovereignty. (2 Cor 12:7)
  2. Step 2: Get Real with God. (2 Cor 12:7)

    3. Isaiah 40:31 - they who wait on the Lord shall renew their strength

  3. Step 3: Be Weak, so that grace is your strength. (2 Cor 12:9)
  4. Last Step: How Do I Know I Am Living In God's Strength? When I am Content. (2 Cor 12:10)

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

Small Group Questions (Whole Group):
Read 2 Corinthians 12:1-10

  1. What was the worse piece of advice / lamest attempt at being comforted that you have ever experienced / heard?

  2. "Satan wants to tear you down and God wants to build you up - and they are both using the same thing to do it." React to this statement in light of Biblical and personal testimony.

  3. What's the difference between "saying your prayers" and "praying"?

  4. How do you know, truly know, that you are living in God’s strength? (See 2 Cor 12:10)

  5. What was your one big "take-away" from this passage / message? 
     

Breakout Questions:

When was the last time you truly prayed, on your face, crying out before the Lord? How can you be more consistent in doing so? Challenge one another on this and pray for one another. 

The Courageous Mother

Not to be confused with Wonder Woman™

  1. Motherhood (Titus 2:3-5)
  2. The Gospel (Romans 1:1-7, 16)
  3. Gospel + Motherhood = Courageous Motherhood

    4. Motherhood is primarily about Chaos and Order (Genesis 2-3).

    • Mothers have a new Power

Steven Canfield - Harvest Bible Chapel Pittsburgh East (Associate Pastor)

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

Small Group Questions (Whole Group):
Read Titus 2:3-5

  1. What ways do God's grace allow you to be a better mother?

  2. How did you see God's grace presented in your mother's care for you growing up?

  3. How can you give grace back to your mother this week?

Breakout Questions:
Pray for your mother and specifically the mother's in your group.

Imago Dei - In His Image

Does God Need A Little Help From His Friends?

Intro:
 Eccl 3:11
 Genesis 1:26 - 

QUESTION: Are we made in HIS image or is HE in our image? We will decide either by Observation or by Revelation. (Prov 29:18)

Exodus 32

The Israelites tried re-making God and they got a Holy Cow! What did you get?

Bob Huber - North Street Christian Church

Four spiritual pointers to help you live IMAGO DEI:

  1. God does not have a Self - Image problem!
  2. God's created spiritual image in man has become Tainted since the fall
    • God's image does not need Redeemed.
    • God’s Image in Me does need redeemed.

    Review: Isaiah 6:1-8

  3. The image of God is Perfected in the Gospel of His Son – Jesus Christ

    4. Review: John 14:8-9 | John 8:54-58 | Colossians 1

  4. The Church is the chosen vessel to portray God as He presents Himself.

    5. 2 Corinthians 2:14-16

  5. Imago Dei – a serious call and mission! So does God need a little help from His friends? The answer is to OBEY HIM!

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

Small Group Questions (Whole Group):
Imago Dei Small Group Discussion Starters:

  1. Listen to the David Crowder Song PRAISE THE LORD.
    Discuss: In what ways have you tried to shape God into the image you imagined/wanted Him to be? In what ways has God not met you expectations? In what ways has He proven Himself to be better than you imagined?

  2. Read Ecclesiastes 3:11. What does it mean that God has "put eternity on our hearts?"

  3. Discuss: What are the ramifications of shaping your worldview BY OBSERVATION versus BY REVELATION?

  4. Read Colossians 1:15-20. Find and discuss the various qualities, roles and positions attached to Jesus. What does He have to do with us understanding the image of God? See John 14:6-14.

  5. What role does the church play in Imago Dei? "We are not here to refine the image of God, we are here to reflect the image of God." See 2 Corinthians 2:14-16.

  6. In C.S. Lewis's Prince Caspian, Lucy (the youngest of the children) says to Aslan (the lion who is the Christ figure) upon seeing him after a period of absence: 
       Lucy to Aslan - "You're bigger."
       He answers, "That is because you are older, little one." 
       "Not because you are?" she responds. 
       "I am not. But every year you grow, you will find me bigger." answers Aslan.
    Discuss: Are you finding God to be bigger and more satisfying as you continue to grow in the faith?

Breakout Questions:
Pray for one another