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

Worship

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Harvest DNA – Part 2: Unashamed Praise.

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Review / Introduction:


"I think we delight to praise what we enjoy because the praise not merely expresses but completes the enjoyment; it is its appointed consummation... the delight is incomplete till it is expressed." - C.S. Lewis

Why I Am Compelled to Worship (Psalm 34):

  1. God has never Disappointed me. (Psalm 34:4-10)
  2. God has taught me how to Live. (Psalm 34:11-16)
  3. God has Comforted me through difficult times. (Psalm 34:17-20)
  4. God has taken away my Guilt. (Psalm 34:21-22)

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

Small Group Questions (Whole Group):
Read Psalm 34 (stand and read aloud; sing a favorite hymn as a group if compelled)

  1. How would you define "worship" to a child? How would you explain to that child the purpose of worship in music at the church?

  2. What are the nuances in the synonyms for worship in Psalm 34:1-3?

    - bless:

    - praise:

    - boast:

    - magnify:

    - exalt:

  3. What would you say to someone who says to you, "I tried trusting God once, and He disappointed me." How can we reconcile this statement with Psalm 34:10?

  4. In church, does the music prepare you for the sermon, or does the sermon help make you a better worshiper? (Note to discussion leader: My <Jeff’s> opinion is the latter, but this isn’t really a dogmatic "right or wrong" issue. It is just meant to think through why we do what we do at HBC.)

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

  6. Bonus: What is your favorite worship song / hymn? What is meaningful to you about that song?

Breakout Questions:

How would you rate yourself as a worshiper? From this text / message, how will you seek to become a more passionate worshiper? 

Getting Back to Worship

Introduction:


How to Get Back to Real Worship

  1. Breathe In the Love of God. (Mal 1:1-5)


  2. Breathe out Reverence for God. (Mal 1:6-14)

Am I a Worshiper or a Faker?

  1. Do I offer God my Best? (Mal 1:6-9)


  2. Do I just go through the Motions? (Mal 1:10-14)

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

Small Group Questions (Whole Group):
Read Malachi 1:1-14

  1. Malachi 1:2-3 talks about God's love: What exactly is God saying? How does this prove His love?

  2. Why is love the motivator for worship (see also Romans 2:4)?

  3. Have you ever doubted God's love because things weren't happening the way you expected? Share the experience with the group.

  4. Define reverence: Why do you think this is a lost concept in our culture today?

  5. How would you reply to this statement: "This stuff in Malachi doesn't apply to us today. We don't offer sacrifices anymore!"

  6. What are ways, today, that you can "breathe out" reverence for God?

Breakout Questions:
Complete transparency: How are you doing with sincerely worshiping God? What changes do you need to make to be able to "breathe" (in God's love / out reverence for God)?

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Essential Elements of Worship

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  1. We Sing and we Witness. (Ps 96:1-3)

    2. Because He is Magnificent and He is Creator. (Ps 96:4-6)


  2. We Acknowledge, we Give and we Tremble. (Ps 96:7-9)

    3. Because He is Sovereign and He is Judge. (Ps 96:10)


  3. We Rejoice and we Celebrate. (Ps 96:11-12)

    4. Because He is Righteous and He is Faithful. (Ps 96:13)

Mark Ort - Elder HBCPN

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

Small Group Questions (Whole Group):
Read Psalm 96

  1. Why does Harvest Bible Chapel place such an emphasis on high impact worship services?

  2. What is meant by 'ascribe to the Lord'? Why would God want people to recite His attributes?

  3. How are worship and evangelism related? And what steps can you take to share the gospel with more confidence and with more frequency?

  4. What obstacles are holding you back from passionately worshiping the Lord? How can you overcome these obstacles?

Breakout Questions:
Pray for one another.

A song for the Sabbath

Guest Speaker - Darren Miller

It is GOOD to give THANKS to the Lord. (Ps 92:1)

Our worship absolutely must be EMOTIONAL.

It is by God's WORKS in our lives that we joyfully worship. (Ps 92:4)

It is "STUPID" to not acknowledge God's worthiness. (Ps 92:6)

Worshipping God with all our emotions is REVITALIZING. (Ps 92:12-14)

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

Small Group Questions (Whole Group):
Read Psalm 92

  1. What are some opportunities you find or make throughout the week to worship outside church? How can you make more opportunities for yourself?
     
  2. What are some ways you can (and do!) personally worship without the use of music?
     
  3. How can you worship God even when you are in a season of discouragement?
     
  4. What are some of the ways you’ve seen God move in your life as a result of emotional worship?

Breakout Questions:
Pray for one another!

Highly to Be Praised

Guest Speaker: Mark Ort


Effects of Psalm 145:

  1. We gain a PROPER VIEW of God.


  2. God receives glory through our PRAISE .


  3. Our PRAYER LIFE is enhanced.


  4. We become EFFECTIVE WITNESSES of His greatness.

Mark Ort - HBCPN Elder

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

Small Group Questions (Whole Group):
Read Psalm 145

  1. What did you learn about the character of God in this passage that you did not know before?
     
  2. What aspects of your prayer life need to change in light of Psalm 145?
     
  3. Is it important or necessary to recite God's attributes back to Him in our prayers?
     
  4. How does Psalm 145 affect your evangelism? Who do you need to talk to specifically and what will you tell them?


Breakout Questions:
Pray for one another!

Homework:
Write your own four or five sentence prayer of exultation and post it on the refrigerator as a reminder to praise God! Maybe even start your own prayer and praise journal.
Read 1 Kings 8 (prayer for the temple)