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

Armor Up

Introduction:

  1. What is Spiritual Warfare?
    (Ephesians 6:11-12)

    1. Evil spiritual forces actively trying to intervene in our pursuit of a relationship with Jesus.
    2. Most often associated with Satan , who is clearly identified as the enemy of our Soul.

  1. How do I recognize I'm in a spiritual battle?

      Three ways Satan attacks us:

    1. Satan attacks us through Accusations
    2. Satan attacks us through Temptation
      1. Desires of the Flesh
      2. Desires of the Eyes
      3. Pride of Life
    3. Satan attacks us through Deception

  2. How do I fight a spiritual battle? (Eph 6:13-17)

    1. We are called to Stand not Fight .
    2. We must adorn the full Armor of God .

  3. How do I win a spiritual battle?

    1. Jesus won the battle for us!

      2. Colossians 2:15 - He disarmed the rulers and the authorities and put them to open shame, by triumphing over them in Him.

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

Small Group Discussion
Read Ephesians 6:10-18

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

Breakout
Pray for one another.

When Change Is Overwhelming

Introduction:

When we're rocked by change, God steadies us because (James 1:17-18)...

  1. He is Good . (Jas 1:17a)

    Numbers 23:19 - "God is not man, that he should lie, or a son of man, that he should change his mind."

    Deuteronomy 32:4 - "The Rock, his work is perfect, for all his ways are justice. A God of faithfulness and without iniquity, just and upright is he."

  1. He is Unchanging . (Jas 1:17b)

    Romans 8:28 - "And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose."

When we're rocked by change, God steadies us because...

  1. He Chose you. (Jas 1:18)

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

Small Group Discussion
Read James 1:17-18

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

  2. How have you handled unexpected change in the past? How can you handle it in light of your relationship with Jesus?

  3. Why is it so important that we serve and know an unchanging God?

  4. What are some ways you can avoid being overwhelmed or anxious about change in life?

Breakout
Pray for one another.

Why Obedience Matters

Introduction:

Why Obedience Matters (Jeremiah 40:1-6):

  1. God's word does not Change .
  2. There is consequence to both Disobedience and Obedience.
  1. Protection
  2. Provision
  3. Hope
  1. Obedience matters because it shapes our Character .

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

Small Group Discussion
Read Jeremiah 40:1-6

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

  2. What does Jesus say about obedience?

  3. Are there any areas in your life where you may be putting off obedience?

  4. Considering the first two questions, why do you think it is important for us to obey God?

Breakout
Pray for one another.

The Useful Servant

Introduction:

Characteristics of a Useful Servant: (1 Samuel 3:10-21)

  1. A Useful Servant: is Submissive to God's Word. (1 Sam 3:10-14)
  2. A Useful Servant: Truthfully Speaks God's Word. (1 Sam 3:15-18)

    Proverbs 30:56 - "Every word of God proves true; he is a shield to those who take refuge in him. Do not add to his words, lest he rebuke you and you be found a liar."

  1. A Useful Servant: is Blessed by God's Word. (1 Sam 3:19-21)

Steps we can take when Declining in Usefulness:

  1. Step Away
  2. Step Up

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

Small Group Discussion
Read 1 Samuel 3:10-21

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

  2. Why do you think Eli didn’t fully submit to God’s instruction?

  3. In what areas are you lacking useful servitude to God and how can you be better?

  4. What are some ways you’ve seen God’s blessings in your life when serving Him faithfully?

  5. Step away vs Step up… when should each approach be used? Specifically to Step Up, what are some examples of doing this?

Breakout
Pray for one another.

Questions from the Congregation - Part 17

Note: The time signatures [00:00] below indicate the start of a question if you'd like to skip to a particular one of interest in the audio file.

  1. [00:00] - Q: My question is how as followers of Christ are we to equip ourselves and our children (besides prayer) to stand up against evil ideology but particularly LGBTQ agenda in our schools and the "in your face" push throughout media. How do we teach our kids to respond to teachers/peers when confronted with these movements?
    A: See - TBD

  2. [00:00] - Q: Why should I pray for this world if the Bible says that the world is going to get worse?
    A: TBD

  3. [00:00] - Q: There's a lot of dialogue in our country about rights. What rights are actually given to us by God?
    A: See TBD - TBD

  4. [00:00] - Q: In light of many current events, shortages, and inflation, I feel the need to hoard food and necessities. Is it wrong to have an excess of these items in stock. Does that show a lack of faith in God’s provision?
    A: See TBD - TBD

  5. [00:00] - Q: What is a woman?

    A: TBD

  6. [00:00] - Q: What are your thoughts about churches with women pastors? What does the bible say about this?
    A: See 1 Timothy 2:12-15 - TBD

  7. [00:00] - Q: People at work say Christians can swear. Can they swear to be relevant?
    A: See Ephesians 5:4
    TBD

  8. [00:00] - Q: What does the Bible say about the use of Western Medicine example anti depressants, pain killers, medical marijuana, etc.?
    A: See Proverbs 31:6 TBD

  9. [00:00] - Q: Psalms are psalmists praises and often supplications, too. They are not necessarily God's promises. How shall we then treat those supplications? For example 1, Ps 6:23a, Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life. Is this true for US? For example 2, Ps 90:15, Make us glad for as many days as you have afflicted us, for as many years as we have seen trouble. Does this prayer being included in Bible mean approval of this supplication by God? Can WE make the same supplication?
    A: See TBD - TBD

  10. [00:00] - Q: If Jesus was a Galilean Jew, why aren’t we?
    A: See TBD - TBD

  11. [00:00] - Q: Are there spirits outside of angels and demons on earth? Is there any scripture that would lead us to believe that people once they die would be a spirit on earth?
    A: See TBD - TBD

  12. [00:00] - Q: Are we missing something when it comes to the Sabbath and the value of rest? Jesus addresses the Pharisees' legalistic approach to the Sabbath and much of the OT has been fulfilled through the cross, but this is the only one of 10 commandments that isn't expected to be followed still.
    A: See TBD - TBD

  13. [00:00] - Q: Does Nicodemus believe that Jesus is who he says he is?
    A: See John 19:39 - TBD

  14. [00:00] - Q: Gen. 3:15 makes mention of Satan's "offspring". Did Satan procreate with humans? Who was Satan's offspring?
    A: See John 8:44 - TBD

  15. [00:00] - Q: What do you think is the strongest evidence outside of the Bible that Jesus of Nazareth is a historical existence?
    A: See TBD - TBD

  16. [00:00] - Q: In Daniel chapter 10 at the very end of the chapter it says “but I will tell you what is inscribed in the book of truth there is none who contends by my side against these except Michael your prince.” Why is Michael called a prince? Are there other angels known as princes like Michael?
    A: See TBD - TBD

  17. [00:00] - Q: When do the O.T. saints get their glorified bodies? If it is not at the time of the rapture when the dead rise first, can you explain?
    A: See TBD - TBD

  18. [00:00] - Q: Why does the Lord send Saul an evil spirit several times in 1 Samuel? Why would the Lord do that? We are told to ‘resist the devil and he will flee…’?
    A: See TBD - TBD


    Any question that was missed due to time constraints during the service Pastor Jeff will address the answer     on the blog.

Sermon Notes (PDF): BLANK

Small Group Questions (Whole Group):

Review the questions submitted above. Discuss any of these that stuck out to you, or that maybe your group finds particularly interesting.

Breakout Questions:
Pray for one another!