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

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!"

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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)

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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.

The Lost Art of Discernment. How Can I Help You?

Introduction:

1 Thessalonians 5:12-15

Discerning Needs in the Church:

  1. The idle need Admonished . (1 Thess 5:14a)
  2. The fainthearted need Encouraged . (1 Thess 5:14b)
  3. The weak need Help . (1 Thess 5:14c)

    Galatians 6:1 - Brothers, if anyone is caught in any transgression, you who are spiritual should restore him in a spirit of gentleness.

  4. You need Discernment . (1 Thess 5:14)
  5. We all need Grace . (1 Thess 5:14-15)

    1. Be Patient .
    2. Be Merciful .
    3. Be Good .

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Small Group Discussion
Read 1 Thessalonians 5:12-15

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

  2. How can you tell the difference between the idle, the fainthearted, and the weak?

  3. How can you specifically carry out the command to admonish someone in the church who is just attending and watching, but not getting involved (v14)? What would you say to that person?

Breakout
Pray for one another.

The Lost Art of Discernment. What is Best?

Introduction:

Philippians 1:9-11

1 Corinthians 6-8-10 Principle: Five Questions to Ask To Make the Best Decision in a "Grey Area":

  1. Is it Permissible ? (1 Cor 6:12)

    1 Corinthians 6:12 - "All things are lawful for me," but not all things are helpful.
    "All things are lawful for me," but I will not be dominated by anything.

  2. Is it Beneficial ? (1 Cor 6:12)

    1 Corinthians 6:12 - "All things are lawful for me," but not all things are helpful.
    "All things are lawful for me," but I will not be dominated by anything.

  3. Could it get me under its Power ? (1 Cor 6:12)

    1 Corinthians 6:12 - "All things are lawful for me," but not all things are helpful.
    "All things are lawful for me," but I will not be dominated by anything.

  4. Could it cause a brother to Stumble ? (1 Cor 8:12-13)

    1 Corinthians 8:12-13 - Thus, sinning against your brothers and wounding their conscience when it is weak, you sin against Christ. Therefore, if food makes my brother stumble, I will never eat meat, lest I make my brother stumble.

  5. Is it Glorifying to God? (1 Cor 10:31)

    1 Corinthians 10:31 - So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.

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Small Group Discussion
Read Philippians 1:9-11 and 1 Cor 6:12, 1 Cor 8:12-13, 1 Cor 10:31

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

  2. Why is it important to discern what is best, not just what is “right and wrong”? See Philippians 1:10.

  3. Name a “grey area” you’ve personally struggled with. How does the 1 Corinthians 6-8-10 principle help you come to a conviction in that area?

Breakout
Pray for one another.

If you are struggling with discernment in the form of an addiction. Check out the 5-part series where the church faces this series need head-on. Don’t hesitate to reach out to the pastors or elders of the church to get help!

The Lost Art of Discernment. What is God's Will?

Introduction:

What is God's Will for Me? (Romans 12:1-2):

  1. Alter Get On It. (Romans 12:1)

    Psalm 116:12 - What shall I render to the LORD for all his benefits to me?

  2. Bible Get In It. (Romans 12:2a)

    Joshua 1:8 - This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success.

    Psalm 1:2-3 - his delight is in the law of the LORD, and on his law he meditates day and night. ...In all that he does, he prospers.

  3. Choices Get Making Them. (Romans 12:2b)

God's Will for His People:

  1. It Is God's Will That I Am Saved. (1 Timothy 2:3–4)
  2. It Is God's Will That I Am Filled With The Holy Spirit. (Ephesians 5:17-18)
  3. It Is God's Will That I Am Morally Pure. (1 Thessalonians 4:3)
  4. It Is God's Will That I Submit To The Government. (1 Peter 2:13-15)
  5. (Sometimes) It Is God's Will That I Suffer. (1 Peter 4:19)
  6. It Is God's Will That I Am Thankful In All Circumstances. (1 Thessalonians 5:18)

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

Small Group Discussion
Read Romans 12:1-2

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

  2. What ways, right or wrong, have you heard people try to discover God’s Will?

  3. How would you explain to a nonbeliever what it means to be a “living sacrifice” for God?

  4. Confession time: what are some negative things you fill your mind with? In what ways are you filling your mind with the Word of God?

  5. How does being fully dedicated to God, and having your mind renewed by His Word, let you automatically know what His will is?

Breakout
Pray for one another.