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

God's Design for Marriage

Introduction:

Genesis 1:1 - In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth.

God's Design for Marriage (Genesis 2:18-25):

  1. Leave for your new priority.
  2. Cleave to your wife exclusively.
  3. Weave your lives together in unity.

    Matthew 19:6 - So they are no longer two but one flesh.

    Matthew 19:6 - What therefore God has joined together, let not man separate.

3 Things to Embrace to Grow in Unity:

  1. I keep no Secrets .
  2. I do nothing that makes my spouse Uncomfortable .
  3. My money is Our money .

Sermon Notes (PDF): BLANK
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Small Group Discussion
Read Genesis 2:18-25

  1. What was your big take-away from this passage / message?

  2. Why did God have Adam name the animals (Gen 2:19-20)? What was the point of that assignment?

  3. Why is “leaving father and mother” the necessary first step in marriage? What does it mean to “leave”?

  4. What does it mean that marriage is a “covenant”? For those married - how does that determine the way we conduct ourselves as a spouse?

  5. What is the best piece of marriage advice you’ve ever heard?

Breakout
Pray for one another.

In the Beginning, God Created.

Introduction:

Genesis 1:1 - In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth.

Why I Believe in Creation (Genesis 1:1):

  1. The alternative is clearly False .

    Hasn't science proven evolution?

    But what about the cavemen?

    Mark 10:6 - But from the beginning of creation, 'God made them male and female.'

    But what about fossils?

    What about genetic mutations?

  2. Science Confirms creation.

    Psalm 14:1 - The fool says in his heart, "There is no God." They are corrupt, they do abominable deeds; there is none who does good.

  3. God Said He created the heavens and the earth in six literal days. (2 Thes 3:13-15)
  4. Jesus Believed and Taught creation.

    Matthew 19:4 - He answered, "Have you not read that he who created them from the beginning made them male and female..."

Why it Matters

  1. It Determines How We View God's Word .

    2 Timothy 3:16 - All Scripture is breathed out by God...

  2. It Determines How We View God .

    Psalm 100:3 - Know that the LORD, he is God! It is he who made us, and we are his; we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture.

  3. It Determines How We View Salvation .

    Romans 5:15 - But the free gift is not like the trespass. For if many died through one man's trespass, much more have the grace of God and the free gift by the grace of that one man Jesus Christ abounded for many.

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Small Group Discussion
Read Genesis 1:1

  1. What was your big take-away from this passage / message?

  2. How would you respond to a fellow Christian saying, “It doesn't really matter if Christians believe in creation. That's just a secondary issue.”?

  3. Why can't Christians believe God used evolution/millions of years to create? Why is that inconsistent with the Bible?

  4. How is creation tied into our salvation? Read 1 Corinthians 15:45.

Breakout
Pray for one another.

In the Meantime: Don't Be Lazy

Introduction:

Proverbs 26:13 - The sluggard says, "There is a lion in the road! There is a lion on the streets!"

1 Thessalonians 4:11 - and to aspire to live quietly, and to mind your own affairs, and to work with your hands, as we instructed you

How to Deal with Lazy Freeloaders in the Church (2 Thessalonians 3:6-18):

  1. Set an Example . (2 Thes 3:7-9)

    1 Corinthians 9:9 - For it is written in the Law of Moses, "You shall not muzzle an ox when it treads out the grain." Is it for oxen that God is concerned?

    1 Timothy 5:8 - But if anyone does not provide for his relatives, and especially for members of his household, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever.

  2. Don't be an Enabler . (2 Thes 3:10-12)
  3. Avoid Him. (2 Thes 3:13-15)

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Small Group Discussion
Read 2 Thessalonians 3:6-18

  1. What was your big take-away from this passage / message?

  2. Why is refusing to work a sin? Why is work so important to God?

  3. How would you respond to someone who says “Isn’t it harsh to not give food to someone just because they refuse to work?”

  4. How specifically can the church fulfill the command to keep away from someone who refuses to work, yet treat him as a brother at the same time (2 Thes 3:6, 14, 15)?

Breakout
Pray for one another.

In the Meantime: Pray

Introduction:

Three Things to Pray For While We Wait for Jesus (2 Thessalonians 3:1-5):

  1. The Message to go out. (2 Thes 3:1)
    1. The Word of God to Advance .

      Psalm 147:15 - He sends out his command to the earth; his word runs swiftly.

    2. The Word of God to be Accepted .
  1. The Messengers to be protected . (2 Thes 3:2-3)
    1. Protection from evil Men .
    2. Protection from the evil One .
  2. The Motivation to come from the Lord (2 Thes 3:4-5)
    1. God's Love .

      John 14:15 - If you love me, you will keep my commandments.

    2. Christ's Steadfastness .

      Deut 6:24 - And the LORD commanded us to do all these statutes, to fear the LORD our God, for our good always...

      1 Peter 2:23 - When he was reviled, he did not revile in return; when he suffered, he did not threaten, but continued entrusting himself to him who judges justly.

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Small Group Discussion
Read 2 Thessalonians 3:1-5

  1. What was your big take-away from this passage / message?

  2. What are some reasons you think many Christians struggle with consistent prayer? What one piece of advice would you give someone who struggles with consistent prayer?

  3. Why are New Testament evangelistic prayers (see 2 Thes 3:1) directed at those who are bringing the Word, instead of those who need saved? How should this shape the way we pray?

  4. What are specific ways “wicked and evil men” (see 2 Thes 3:2) inflict harm on those in the church? How does God “deliver” (ie, rescue) us from them?

Breakout
Pray for some of the things this passage calls us to pray for.

In the Meantime: Stand Firm

Introduction:

Three Things To Ask Yourself When You Have Doubts If You Are Really Saved (2 Thessalonians 2:13-17):

  1. Have I been Changed ? (2 Thes 2:13a)

    Four Amazing Aspects of Salvation:

    1. God Loves you.
    2. God Chose you.
    3. God Saved you.
    4. God is Changing you.

Change in:

  1. Affections
    1. Love God's Word

      1 Peter 2:2 - Like newborn infants, long for the pure spiritual milk, that by it you may grow up to salvation

    2. Love other Believers

      1 John 3:14 - We know that we have passed out of death into life, because we love the brothers. Whoever does not love abides in death.

  2. Actions
    1. Repentance

      Matthew 3:8 - Bear fruit in keeping with repentance.

    2. Growing into Christlikeness

      Romans 8:29 - For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son...

  3. Ambition
    1. Witnessing

      2 Corinthians 5:20 - Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, God making his appeal through us.

    2. Money

      Matthew 6:21 - For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.

  1. Do I Believe the Gospel ? (2 Thes 2:13b-14)
  2. Am I unwilling to Compromise ? (2 Thes 2:15-17)

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

Small Group Discussion
Read 2 Thessalonians 2:13-17

  1. What was your big take-away from this passage / message? What was the most helpful thing for you in regard to assurance?

  2. How would you respond to a friend opening up to you saying, “Sometimes I have doubts. How do I know if I am saved?”

  3. How would you explain “God chose you” (2 Thes 2:13)? Why do people struggle with the doctrine of election? How would you counsel someone really struggling with this?

  4. Look at (2 Thes 2:15) again. In what areas are you tempted to compromise, either in behavior (“stand firm”) or belief (“hold to the traditions”)?

Breakout
Pray for one another.