Benjamin Murphy
Small Group Questions
Benjamin Murphy
Sermon Series Highlights
Sermon Series Highlights
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Abraham: Faith.

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Introduction:

Faith is: Believing the Word of God, no matter how I feel, because God promises a good result.

3 Reasons Faith is Difficult. (Genesis 22:1-28)
  1. Faith doesn't make (human) Sense. (Gen 22:1-2)
  2. Faith means Doing hard things. (Gen 22:3-8)
  3. Faith requires Total commitment. (Gen 22:9-12)

Faith is always Rewarded.

Hebrews 11:17-19 - By faith Abraham, when he was tested, offered up Isaac, and he who hadrecieved the promise was in the act of offering up his only son, of whom it was said "Through Isaac shall your offspring be named." He considered that God was able from the dead, from which, figuratively speaking, he did recieve him back.

Sermon Notes (PDF): BLANK
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Small Group Discussion

WHOLE GROUP
Read Genesis 22:1-18

  1. Define “faith”. What are some wrong ideas about what faith is?

  2. Why did God test Abraham (Gen 22:1)? Does God still test people today? Do you believe God has ever tested you?

  3. What is the hardest thing you’ve ever done because of your faith?

BREAKOUT
Is there any area YOU have struggled to be “100% all in”? Be honest, encouraging, and judgment-free! Pray for one another to over-come that struggle area of faith.

Life after Salvation: Where's the Effort?

Introduction:

Three Parts to Salvation (2 Peter 1:3-10)

  • Justification: Past
  • Sanctification: Present
  • Glorification: Future

Results When Every Effort is Made:

  1. Making every effort results in Spiritual Maturity. (2 Pet 1:8)

    2. Jeremiah 29:13 - "You will seek me and find me, when you seek me with all your heart."

  2. Making every effort keeps us from Habitual Sin. (2 Pet 1:9)
  3. Making every effort produces Confidence in our salvation. (2 Pet 1:10)

Ryan Stroupe - Harvest Bible Chapel Pittsburgh North Small Groups Ministry Leader

Sermon Notes (PDF): BLANK
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Small Group Questions (Whole Group):
Read 2 Peter 1:3-10

  1. Why should we want to do more than just "punch our ticket to Heaven"? What would you say to someone that doesn't want to do more than the bare minimum to get to Heaven?

  2. Why do we as Christians ignore Sanctification and focus on Justification and Glorification?

  3. As Small Groups what are some practical ways we can assist a fellow Christian or Small Group Member get past a habitual sin? 

  4. What are ways we can teach our children to start making every effort at a young age, i.e. teenagers?

  5. How much effort do you put into your relationship with God compared to other areas of your life? Would you say God is outside your house, in your "Good Room", or is running your entire house?

Breakout Questions:
Pray for one another.

Taking the Test

Intro: Mark 12:30-31 | 1 John 3:10-24

  1. Study Failure: Heart of Cain (1 John 3:10-15)
  2. Study Success: The Heart of Christ (1 John 3:16-18)

      3 Aspects to Loving Like Christ

    1. The Love of Christ is Willing (1 John 3:16)
    2. The Love of Christ is Fueled by Compassion (1 John 3:17)
    3. The Love of Christ is Driven to Action (1 John 3:18)
  3. Take the Test: Is My Heart like Cain or Christ (1 JOhn 3:19-24)
  4. Pass the Test: Gain a Heart of Confidence (1 John 3:23-24)

    5. Galatians 5:14 - For sthe whole law is fulfilled in one word: "You shall love your neighbor as yourself."

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

Small Group Questions (Whole Group):
Read 1 John 3:10-24

  1. How can we guard ourselves against falling into the spiral of jealousy*/resentment/hatred?
     
  2. What challenges do we face in loving others the way that Christ does?
     
  3. How can we build the habit of testing our hearts in order to avoid bitterness?
     
  4. Beyond assurance of our own faith, what benefits can we gain from complete confidence in our relationship with God?

Breakout:
Pray for each other

Seeking Wisdom During Trials

Introduction (Job 28:20-28)

Seeking Wisdom

  1. Wisdom cannot be found Apart from God. (Job 28:20-27)
  2. Wisdom is found with God. (Job 28:28a)

Proverbs 9:10 - "The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and the knowledge of the Holy One is insight"

James 1:5 - "If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him"

2 Ways to Fellow with God and His Word during Trials

  1. Utilize Small Groups
  2. Pray the Bible

    3. Seeking Wisdom

  3. Wisdom brings us Closer to God. (Job 28:28b)

Michael Wolski - Harvest Bible Chapel Pittsburgh North A/V Ministry Leader

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

Small Group Questions (Whole Group):
Read Job 28:20-28

  1. Where do you typically go first for your 'wisdom' during a trial?

  2. Why do you think Christians struggle with seeking God for wisdom first?

  3. What’s the worst advice you’ve received? Now applying biblical wisdom, how would that advice change [i.e. slight alteration, 180-degrees]?

  4. What has been the most difficult piece of biblical wisdom you’ve received? [i.e. forgiveness, just waiting, etc.]

  5. What is your go-to verse, chapter, book, etc. in God’s Word that has helped you out the most during a trial? What about that particular passage gives you comfort, guidance, etc.?

  6. What fellowship activities with God and His word have worked best for you during a trial?

  7. (For the sliding scale fans) On a scale of 1 <-> 10, how much do you enjoy sliding scale questions?

Breakout Questions:
Pray for one another.

The Last Jesus

Introduction (Mark 10:31, 35-45)

"But many who are first will be last, and the last first." - (Mark 10:31)

  1. Only One can be First (Mark 9:33-35 | Luke 22:24-27).
  2. The First are Killers (Luke 9:52-55 | Matt 5:21-22).
  3. The Last are Servants .
    1. The Transforming power of being last.
    2. First, Adjust our Attitudes (Phil 2:3-11).
    3. Second, Adjust our Actions (John 13:1-5, 15-17).

Jesus knew that the Father had put all things under his power, and that he had come from God and was returning to God; so he got up from the meal, took off his outer clothing, and wrapped a towel around his waist. After that, he poured water into a basin and began to wash his disciples’ feet, drying them with the towel that was wrapped around him. - (John 13:1-5 NIV)

"For I have given you an example..." - (John 13:15)

Rich Sprunk - Harvest Bible Chapel Pittsburgh North (Elder)

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

Small Group Questions (Whole Group):
Read a selection of the passenges above...

  1. Why was it necessary for Jesus to come in poverty rather than power in His first advent?

  2. In what ways do we seek to be first in the world?  In the Church?

  3. If we should not seek to be first in the Church, how should one lead?

  4. Is it an exaggeration to say those who seek to be first are killers?
    Consider these verses:

    1. Luke 9:53-55

    2. John 8:44

    3. Genesis 4:3-8

    4. Genesis 4:23-24

    5. Exodus 2:11-15a

    6. 1 Samuel 25:10-13, 21-22

    7. 2 Samuel 11:14-17

    8. James 4:1-4

    9. Matt 5:21-22

    10. Luke 22:36-38, 49-51

    11. Mark 10:33-34

  5. What are some ways people serve?  Are we susceptible to involving ourselves in “activities” as a substitute for serving?

  6. Why, in God’s economy, are the last not losers?  Why, in the world’s eyes, might we look like losers?

    1. What are some ways we can adjust our attitudes?  About who and what do we need to adjust our attitudes?

    2. What are some ways we can adjust our actions?

    3. Will our actions matter if we have not first adjusted our attitudes, i.e., the motives of our hearts?

“For I have given you an example….”

Breakout Questions:
Pray for one another.