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

Gratitude

Introduction:

Three Reasons We Are Giving Thanks Today (Psalm 138):

  1. Adoration : We give thanks for what God is Doing . (Ps 138:2-3)
  2. Anticipation : We give thanks for what God is Going to Do . (Ps 138:4-6)
  3. Assurance : We give thanks that God Always finishes His work . (Ps 138:7-8)

Hint: Highlight blanks above for answers!

Small Group Discussion
Read Psalm 138

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

  2. Psalm 138:3 and Psalm 138:7 tell us that God doesn’t always change our circumstance when we pray, but He strengthens us. Tell of a specific time when you were strengthened by God, even though your circumstances didn’t change.

  3. In Psalm 138:8, we have both a declaration of certainty God will finish His work (v8a) and a plea for God to finish His work (Psalm 138:8c). What does this say about the nature of faith?

Breakout
Pray prayers of specific things you are thankful for.

How to Love Difficult People: How to Love Those Who Hurt You

Introduction:

How can I love someone after a hurt? (Genesis 45:1-15)

When I trust God is at work...

  1. I reject Revenge . (Gen 45:1-3)
  2. I recognize God redeems wrongs . (Gen 45:4-8)

    Romans 8:28 - And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.

  3. I release My resentment . (Gen 45:5,9-13)

    Genesis 41:51-52 - Joseph called the name of the firstborn Manasseh. "For," he said, "God has made me forget all my hardship and all my father's house." The name of the second he called Ephraim, "For God has made me fruitful in the land of my affliction."

  4. I run After reconciliation . (Gen 45:14-15)

    Romans 12:18 - If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all.

Sermon Notes (PDF): BLANK
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Small Group Discussion
Read Genesis 45:1-15

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

  2. Why is our natural reaction to hurt that we should “get even”?

  3. Have you seen God redeem wrongs against you? How should seeing God at work free you from carrying resentment?

  4. As difficult as forgiveness can be in some situations, why are we called to continually forgive?

  5. Why do we “run after” reconciliation?

Breakout
Pray for one another.

How to Love Difficult People: How to Love Your Enemies

Introduction:

Who Are My Enemies?

  1. My enemies are people With bad intentions .
  2. My enemies are Who I say they are .

Jesus's Example (Romans 5:8-11)

Romans 5:8,10-11 - but God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us... For if while we were enemies we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, now that we are reconciled, shall we be saved by his life. More than that, we also rejoice in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received reconciliation.

Titus 3:3-5 - For we ourselves were once foolish, disobedient, led astray, slaves to various passions and pleasures, passing our days in malice and envy, hated by others and hating one another. But when the goodness and loving kindness of God our Savior appeared, he saved us, not because of works done by us in righteousness, but according to his own mercy...

To Love My Enemies:

  1. I must prepare To be humiliated . (Luke 6:27b-30)
  2. I must see that Reciprocity is not love . (Luke 6:32-34)
  3. I must Intentionally love them the way God does . (Luke 6:31,35-36)

Sermon Notes (PDF): BLANK
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Small Group Discussion
Read Luke 6:27-36

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

  2. What are obstacles we face in loving our enemies?

  3. Think of a time you were humiliated by someone – how were you wounded (physically, mentally, emotionally, or in your concept of self)? How is it different if we are humiliated for Christ (i.e., is there a greater purpose for our suffering)?

  4. What are some ways you live reciprocally with others? What changes will you need to make to move beyond reciprocal living?

  5. What can we do to love our enemies?

  6. BONUS QUESTION: What is the reward for loving our enemies? Is that reward valuable to you?

Breakout
Pray for one another.

How to Love Difficult People: How to Love People I Disagree With

Introduction:

How Do I Love Christians That I Disagree With? (Romans 14:1-12):

  1. I must continually Humble Myself . (Romans 14:1-4)

    1. By embracing those who are Different Than Me . (Romans 14:1a)
    2. By avoiding arguments about Non-Essentials . (Romans 14:1b)

      2 Timothy 2:14 - Remind them of these things, and charge them before God not to quarrel about words, which does no good, but only ruins the hearers.

    3. By refusing to give myself over to Hatred . (Romans 14:2-3)
    4. By remembering that I am not the Master of Anyone . (Romans 14:4)
  2. I must not hold them to My Personal Convictions . (Romans 14:5-9)

    Colossians 2:16 - Therefore let no one pass judgment on you in questions of food and drink, or with regard to a festival or a new moon or a Sabbath.

  3. I must entrust them to God and Focus on My Own Walk . (Romans 14:10-12)

    John 21:22 - Jesus said to him, "If it is my will that he remain until I come, what is that to you? You follow me!"

Sermon Notes (PDF): BLANK
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Small Group Discussion
Read Romans 14:1-12

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

  2. What are some issues of opinion/preference that you see Christians arguing about and dividing over?

  3. Why is it so hard to love people that we disagree with?

  4. What does it look like to welcome one another at Harvest Bible Chapel? Is there a time and a place for debating issues or discussing disagreements?

  5. Why is it wrong to hold other Christians to your own personal convictions that are not clearly laid out in Scripture?

Breakout
Pray for one another.

How to Love Difficult People: How to Love Your Neighbor

Introduction:

Questions to Answer To Love Your Neighbor (Luke 10:25-37):

  1. Why Should We love our neighbor? (Luke 10:25-28)

    1. When we love others, we Show Our Love For God . (1 John 4:20-21)
    2. When we love others, we Are Most Like God . (1 John 4:7-8)
    3. When we love others, we Live . (Luke 10:28)
  2. Who is our neighbor? (Luke 10:29-37)
  3. WHat Do We Need To love our neighbor? (Luke 10:33-37)

    1. Awareness – See the need. (Luke 10:33a)
    2. Ccompassion – Feel the need. (Luke 10:33b)
    3. Tactile Action – Meet the need. (Luke 10:34-37)

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

Small Group Discussion
Read Luke 10:25-37

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

  2. What motivation is most compelling for you to do a better job of loving your neighbor?

  3. Which of your neighbors do you need to show love to?

  4. Which of the ACT steps are you missing? Awareness? Compassion? Tactile action? Make a plan to do something different.

Breakout
Pray for one another.