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

Don't Myth Christmas - Part 2

Christmas POP QUIZ:

  1. The "Wise Men" were at the manger scene when Jesus was born. T   |   F
  2. The Bible says there were three Wise Men. T   |   F
  3. The Bible says the Wise Men rode on camels. T   |   F
  4. The Wise Men were kings. T   |   F
  5. The Wise Men were Oriental and Ethiopian. T   |   F

Intro:

  • WISE MEN:
  • CHIEF PRIESTS:
  • HEROD:

Which Character Are You? (Matt 2:1-16)

  1. Herod: I'm King of my Life, not Jesus.
  2. Chief Priests: The King is born? Meh .
  3. Wise Men: I will Worship the king.

3 Things to Worship Like the Wise Men:

  1. Pursue Him
  2. Humble yourself before Him
  3. Give to Him

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

Small Group Discussion
Read Matthew 2:1-16

GROUP

  1. What surprised you the most about the story of the Wise Men and Herod? What myths have you believed about this account (e.g., there were three of them, they were there right when Jesus was born, etc)?

  2. What is the significance of the gifts given in Matt 2:11? Why is giving a part of worship?

BREAKOUT

Pray for one another!

Don't Myth Christmas - Part 1

Intro:

John 8:41 - ...They said to him, "We were not born of sexual immorality. We have one Father--even God."

Why I Believe Jesus Was Born of a Virgin:

  1. It is the Straightforward teaching of scripture.

    Genesis 3:15 - I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your offspring and her offspring...

  2. God is Able to do it.

    Luke 1:37 - Nothing will be impossible with God.

  3. It is Essential for salvation.

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

Small Group Discussion
Read Matthew 1:18-25

GROUP

  1. Why is the virgin birth an essential doctrine of our faith? What would it mean if Jesus WAS just “Joseph’s son”?

  2. Why do you think so many churches / pastors / Christians deny the straightforward teaching of God’s Word regarding the virgin birth? What reasons would motivate someone to deny it?

BREAKOUT

Pray for one another!

In Heaven: The Worthy One

Intro / Review:

Who is Worthy?

  1. The Worthy One is Sought one. (Rev 5:2-4)

    2. 1 John 5:19 - We know that we are from God, and the whole world lies in the power of the evil one.

    2 Corinthians 4:4 – In their case the god of this world has blinded the minds of the unbelievers, to keep them from seeing the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God.

  1. The Worthy One is Found. (Rev 5:5-7)
  2. The Worthy One is Worshipped. (Rev 5:8-14)

    3. Review: Ps 148:7-10 | Ps 150:6 | Psalm 68:1-4

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

Small Group Discussion
Read Revelation 5

GROUP

  1. Explain why John wept (Rev 5:4). Specifically, what evils on earth are YOU wanting to see eliminated?

  2. Why do you think God the Father (on the throne) didn’t just open the scroll? Why did it have to be the Lamb (Jesus)?

  3. What as-of-yet-unanswered prayer of yours will you see - for sure - answered in heaven?

BREAKOUT

Pray for one another!

In Heaven: The Worshiped One

Intro / Review:

The Throne and the Worship.

  1. On the Throne: The Worshiped one. (Rev 4:2-3)
  2. Around the Throne: The Worshipers. (Rev 4:4-7)
    1. 24 elders
    2. 4 living creatures
  1. Torwards the Throne: The Worship. (Rev 4:8-11)

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

Small Group Discussion
Read Revelation 4

GROUP

  1. Of this description of heaven, what surprised you or stuck out to you the most?

  2. How would you respond to someone who says, “I really don’t care for the music part of church, I just come for the sermon.”?

    Don’t give a “Sunday School answer - what would you really say to such a person?

  3. List the reasons God is praised from verses 8-11. Which one of these fires you up the most? Why?

  4. Why is “creation” a subject included in worship in heaven? What does that say about how we should view the doctrine of creation?

BREAKOUT

Pray for one another to grow as worshipers - on earth as it is in heaven!

To the Lukewarm Church: Come to Christ!

Intro / Review:

Progress Report: Laodicea. (Rev 3:14-22):

  1. The CRITICISM. Your lukewarmness makes Jesus Spew. (Rev 3:15-17)
  2. The COMMAND. Go after what Jesus Offers! (Rev 3:18-20)
  3. The CALL. Be Seated with Jesus. (Rev 3:21-22)

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

Small Group Discussion
Read Revelation 3:14-22

GROUP

  1. Do you think Jesus was addressing SAVED or UNSAVED people in Laodicea? Defend your answer!

  2. How does Rev 3:17 describe the American church? Explain.

  3. Why is Jesus so “hard” with the way He speaks to this church? How is He being loving and gracious (Rev 3:18-19)?

BREAKOUT

Are you, or have you been acting, lukewarm? This is your wake-up call. What’s your plan to repent (Rev 3:19)? Pray for one another!