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

How Does the Church Deal with False Teaching?

Introduction:

The Truth About False Teaching: (Titus 1:10-16)

  1. It cannot go Unnoticed . (Titus 1:10)

    2 Timothy 4:3 - For the time is coming when people will not endure sound teaching, but having itching ears they will accumulate for themselves teachers to suit their own passions.

    Acts 17:11 - "they received the word with all eagerness, examining the Scriptures daily to see if these things were so."

The Four Levels of Theological Disagreement:

  1. Heresy
  2. Destructive Thinking
  3. Ignorance
  4. Difference of Opinion
  1. It must be Silenced and Rebuked . (Titus 1:11-14)

    2 Timothy 2:24-26 - And the Lord's servant must not be quarrelsome but kind to everyone, able to teach, patiently enduring evil, correcting his opponents with gentleness. God may perhaps grant them repentance leading to a knowledge of the truth, and they may come to their senses and escape from the snare of the devil, after being captured by him to do his will.

  2. It should Serve as a Warning . (Titus 1:15-16)

Luke 6:45 - "For the mouth speaks what the heart is full of."

Jeremiah 6:16 - This is what the LORD says: "Stop at the crossroad and look around. Ask for the old, godly way, and walk in it. Travel its path and you will find rest for your souls."

Sermon Notes (PDF): BLANK
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Small Group Discussion
Read Titus 1:10-16

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

  2. What does it mean to be a Berean (Acts 17:11)? How can you grow in your ability to be discerning about what you hear/read?

  3. What are the four levels of theological disagreement? Why is it so important to be able to discern the differences between these four levels?

  4. What are some of the most destructive lies/false teachings that the church has to face right now?

  5. How do false teachers serve as warnings to us? What should we learn from their negative example?

Breakout
Pray for the leaders of HBC!

How is the Church Led?

Introduction:

5 Musts for Church Leaders: (Titus 1:1-9)

  1. You must see yourself as Entrusted by God. (Titus 1:1-3)
  1. You must be pouring into Specific People . (Titus 1:4-5)

    Acts 20:28 - Pay careful attention to yourselves and to all the flock, in which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to care for the church of God, which he obtained with his own blood.

  2. You must start in your Home . (Titus 1:6)

    1 Timothy 3:5 - for if someone does not know how to manage his own household, how will he care for God's church?

  3. You must be Blameless in your walk. (Titus 1:7-8)
  4. You must love God's Word . (Titus 1:9)

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

Small Group Discussion
Read Titus 1:1-9

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

  2. How would you define “leadership”? What characteristics do you personally look for in church leaders?

  3. Are these principles for elders only for church leaders, or are they for every believer in Christ? Explain your position.

  4. How should you confront a church leader who isn’t living by the guidelines Paul laid out for church leadership?

Breakout
Pray for the leaders of HBC!

What Do I Need to Remember?

Introduction:

Solomon's Study Guide for Ecclesiastes:
(Ecclesiastes 12:9-14)

  1. My search for wisdom Will be Painful and Satisfying . (Eccl 12:9-12)
  1. My life is all about WWorshipping and Obeying the Lord. (Eccl 12:13)

    Ecclesiastes 12:13 - The end of the matter; all has been heard. Fear God and keep His commandments, for this is the whole duty of man.

  2. My thoughts, words, and actions are Eternally Significant . (Eccl 12:14)

    David Gibson - "Ecclesiastes says that a day is coming when some people will discover that they are not ready for the most important event in the world. And it won’t be a dream. Their life has been one long exercise in avoiding reality and ignoring what is coming toward them – death and judgment are coming."

    2 Corinthians 5:10 - For we must all appear before the judgement seat of Christ, so that each one may receive what is due for what he has done in the body, whether good or evil.

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

Small Group Discussion
Read Ecclesiastes 12:9-14

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

  2. Why do we get off track so often on our spiritual journey? How does the Lord get our attention and goad us in the right direction (Eccl 12:11)? How is He calling you to change right now?

  3. How can you tell if you are living for the Lord or for yourself? What are the tell-tale signs of leading a self-centered life?

  4. Why does Solomon end Ecclesiastes with a word on judgement (Eccl 12:14)? How should this change the way we live from one day to the next?

Breakout
Pray for one another.

Am I Living on Purpose?

Introduction:

Your Best Life (For Now...):
(Ecclesiastes 10:16-12:8)

  1. Be a good citizen without an Attitude . (Eccl 10:16-20)
  2. Give generously without Hesitation . (Eccl 11:1-6)

3 Reasons to Give Generously:

  1. God Gives Back to the Generous. (Eccl 11:1-2)

    2 Corinthians 9:6 - The point is this: whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows bountifully will also reap bountifully.

  2. Giving demonstrates your Faith . (Eccl 11:3-4)

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

  3. Giving lets you see God at Work . (Eccl 11:5-6)
  1. Enjoy life without Regret . (Eccl 11:7-12:8)

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

Small Group Discussion
Read Ecclesiastes 10:16-12:8

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

  2. What would you say to a fellow believer who seems to complain too much about the government (Eccl 10:20)? (Maybe: What SHOULD you say?)

  3. How do you know when to give to someone in need (Eccl 11:2)? What makes you hesitate to give? What does Solomon say about giving?

  4. Why is it harder to start seeking the Lord later in life (Eccl 12:1)?

Breakout
Pray for one another.

What Good is Wisdom?

Introduction:

Control What You Can, Forget What You Can't:
(Ecclesiastes 9:11-10:15)

  1. I can't control Popular Opinion ...
    ... but I can control My Reputation .
    (Eccl 9:13-10:1)
  1. I can't control People's Conduct ...
    ... but I can control How I Respond to People . (Eccl 10:2-7)

    Proverbs 15:1 - A soft answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.

  2. I can't control Accidents Happening ...
    ... but I can control How Carefully I Work . (Eccl 10:8-11)
  3. I can't control What People Say ...
    ... but I can control What I Say . (Eccl 10:12-15)

    Matthew 12:34 - For out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks.

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

Small Group Discussion
Read Ecclesiastes 9:11-10:15

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

  2. Share something in your life that you have no control over. In that situation, what CAN you control (about yourself)?

  3. In which area do you have the hardest time with self-control? Why? How can that change for you?

  4. Since God’s wisdom is always successful and effective, why do you think the world is so enamored with foolishness (celebrity opinions, fools elected as rulers)? See Eccl 9:16-17, 10:5-6.

Breakout
Pray for one another as we officially launch Small Group season!