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

The Unstoppable Word.

Review / Intro:

Acts 9:25 – Damascus
Acts 9:30 – Jerusalem
Acts 13:50 – Antioch
Acts 14:6 – Iconium
Acts 14:19 – Lystra
Acts 16:23 - Philippi
Acts 17:5 - Thessalonica


Two Life Changing Decisions You Must Make About the Bible. (Acts 17:11)


  1. I will Receive it Eagerly.

    I'm Ready to Receive the Word When:

    1. My desire is to stop sinning. (1 Pet 1:22-2:3, James 1:21)


    2. My desire is to do God's will. (John 7:17)


  2. I will Examine it Daily.

    Review: Proverbs 2:1-5


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

Small Group Questions (Whole Group):
Read Acts 17:10-15

  1. What made the Bereans "noble"?

  2. How can I receive the Word of God with eagerness (Acts 17:11) if I am not doing that NOW

  3. Should you examine the Scriptures to verify EVERY message you hear? Why or why not?

Breakout Questions:

Pray for one another to grow as Bible students. Pray for our upcoming Bible 101 series.

Unstoppable and World-Changing!

Review / Intro:


The Four Crucial Elements of the World-Changing Message:


  1. Jesus Christ had to die for my Sins. (Acts 17:3)

    Romans 5:19 - For as by the one man's disobedience the many were made sinners, so by the one man's obedience the many will be made righteous.

Four Reasons Jesus Had to DIE for My Sin:

  1. To be my Sacrifice. (John 1:29)

  2. To be my Propitiation. (1 John 4:10)

  3. To bring Reconciliation. (Romans 5:10)

  4. To pay for my Redemption. (Mark 10:45)

  1. Jesus Christ had to rise from the dead to give me Life. (Acts 17:3)

    Four Reasons Jesus Had to RISE from the Dead:

    1. Because He Said He would. (Luke 18:32-33)

    2. Because the Old Testament Promised the Christ would rise. (Psalm 16:10)

    3. Because that's how He gives His Righteousness. (Romans 4:25)

    4. Because that's how He gives His Eternal life. (1 Corinthians 15:17-18)


  2. Jesus Christ has to be my King. (Acts 17:7)

    Luke 6:46 - Why do you call me 'Lord, Lord,' and not do what I tell you?



  3. There is a Cost to following Jesus. (Acts 17:6-9)

    Matthew 16:24 - Then Jesus told his disciples, "If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me."

    John 13:16, 15:20 – a servant is not greater than His master

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

Small Group Questions (Whole Group):
Read Acts 17:1-9

  1. What would you say are the essentials of the Gospel? Do you agree with the four presented in this message? Why or why not? Would you add anything, or remove any of these four?

  2. How do you think Paul kept from being discouraged, since it seems in every city he preached in the synagogue, he faced a serious backlash?

  3. Acts 17:5 says the Jews were jealous. What do you think caused this jealousy?

Breakout Questions:

Pray for one another to be bold witnesses who KNOW the Gospel and SHARE the whole Gospel. 

Parenting on Purpose - Part 4

The Turnaround: The Discipline of Discipline

Review:

  1. A Wrong Attitude about Discipline will Make You Discipline Wrongly

    1. Wrong Attitudes:

      1. Correction alone is Enough. (Ephesians 6:4)

      2. Every perceived Wrong deserves discipline. (Proverbs 18:13)

      3. Discipline always equals Spanking.
  1. Will Make You Discipline Wrongly:

    1. I discipline because of my Emotions. (James 1:20)


    2. I discipline when it's Convenient.


    3. I discipline without ever Praising.


    4. I discipline with Improper methods.

  1. A Biblical Attitude about Discipline will Make You Discipline Biblically

    1. Biblical Attitudes:

      1. Discipline is motivated by Love. (Hebrews 12:5-9)


      2. Discipline is about Correction not Punishment.


      3. Discipline must be God-glorifying. (James 1:5)

    2. Will Make You Discipline Biblically:

      1. I give appropriate Expectations.

        • Clear
        • Reasonable (age appropriate)
        • Definable
        • Enforcable

      2. I follow through as Soon as possible. (Ecclesiastes 8:11)


      3. I discipline with Proper methods. (Prov 13:24, Prov 22:15, Prov 23:13-14)

        • Don't threaten; inform
        • Make sure the offense had been committed; verify
        • Go to a private setting
        • Review
        • Have the child assume the position
        • Only hind quarters
        • Allow them to regain composure
        • Encourage
        • Make them appologize
        • Hug; pray

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

Small Group Questions (Whole Group):
Read various passages from sermon

  1. What are some wrong ideas of discipline you’ve heard? What makes them wrong

  2. What’s the Biblical purpose of discipline? How does this reflect the character of God? How does this affect how you should go about it?

  3. Give reasons why you should never discipline in anger.

  4. How do you know when you disciplined your child properly? What are the signs you see from your child?

Breakout Questions:

Pray for God’s wisdom for yourself, and other parents, in administering Biblical Discipline. 

Parenting on Purpose - Part 3

The Teaching: Homemade Disciples

Review and Intro:

Ephesians 6:4 - Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger, but bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord.

WHO


WHY


WHERE / WHEN


TODAY: - we are going to cover HOW and WHAT

How is a Parent to Teach? Specific Ways to Teach Your Children:

  1. By asking Questions and evaluating life circumstances.

    Deuteronomy 6:7 - You shall teach them diligently to your sons and shall talk of them when you sit in your house and when you walk by the way and when you lie down and when you rise up.


  2. By being an Example.

    Philippians 4:9 - The things you have learned and received and heard and seen in me, practice these things...


  3. By intentionally conducting a family "Worship Time".

What Is A Parent To Teach? Specific Things to Teach Your Children:


  1. Children (1st 5 years) – Teach Obedience.

    Ephesians 6:1-2 - Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. HONOR YOUR FATHER AND MOTHER (which is the first commandment with a promise).


  2. Youth (age 6-12) - Teach Character qualities.

    1. Attentiveness

    2. Initiative

    3. Contentment

    4. Gratefulness

  3. Teens (13-18) – Teach preparation for Adulthood.

    1. To apply the Word of God in decision-making.

    2. To find their identity in Christ.

    3. To make wise choices in the area of friendships and companions.

    4. To be strong against sexual temptation.

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

Small Group Questions (Whole Group):
Read Deuteronomy 6:7, Philippians 4:9, Ephesians 6:1-2

  1. Part of fulfilling the command to "go make disciples" is teaching your own children. Do you agree or disagree? Why?

  2. Discuss specific ways you are actively teaching your children. If you are not currently doing anything, or if your children are still babies, what ways are you going to implement teaching in your home?

  3. What's the best way to teach/encourage your child to receive Christ as Lord and Savior? At what age (of the child) should you start? How do you know when s/he has received Jesus?

Breakout Questions:

Pray for yourself, as a parent to see yourself as a disciple-maker. Discuss how you can do
this better than you currently are. What 3 changes are you going to make?

Parenting on Purpose - Part 2

The Team: Mom and Dad Unite!

Review and Intro:

Psalm 146:9 - The Lord protects the strangers; He supports the fatherless and the widow.

James 1:27 - This is pure and undefiled religion in the sight of our God and Father, to visit orphans and widows in their distress, and to keep oneself unstained by the world.

Deuteronomy 10:18 - He executes justice for the fatherless and the widow, and loves the sojourner, giving him food and clothing.

  1. A Message for Married Couples:

    Genesis 2:24 - Therefore a man shall leave his father and his mother and hold fast to his wife, and they shall become one flesh.


  2. A Word for Fathers: Do not provoke your kids, bring them up.

    Ephesians 6:4 - Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger, but bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord.


    How to provoke...

    1. Discipline in anger

      James 1:20 - for the anger of man does not produce the righteousness of God.


    2. Compare your children to siblings or others (favoritism)

      2 Corinthians 10:12 - Not that we dare to classify or compare ourselves with some of those who are commending themselves. But when they measure themselves by one another and compare themselves with one another, they are without understanding.


    3. Chastise your child in front of others

      Matthew 18:15 - If your brother sins against you, go and tell him his fault, between you and him alone. If he listens to you, you have gained your brother.


    4. Make fun of the child / call him names

      Ephesians 4:32 - Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.


    5. Have unrealistic expectations

      2 Peter 3:18 - But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be the glory both now and to the day of eternity. Amen.


    ...how to bring them up.

    1. Make time to talk / Interact

      Ephesians 5:16 - making the best use of the time, because the days are evil.


    2. Be consistent with discipline

      Proverbs 13:24 - Whoever spares the rod hates his son, but he who loves him is diligent to discipline him.


    3. Admit when you are wrong

      Proverbs 28:13 - Whoever conceals his transgressions will not prosper, but he who confesses and forsakes them will obtain mercy.


    4. Look for ways to praise the child

      Romans 13:7 - Pay to all what is owed to them: taxes to whom taxes are owed, revenue to whom revenue is owed, respect to whom respect is owed, honor to whom honor is owed.


    5. Keep your promises

      Matthew 5:33 - Again you have heard that it was said to those of old, 'You shall not swear falsely, but shall perform to the Lord what you have sworn.'


  3. A Word for Mothers: Make your home ordered and holy.

    Titus 2:4-5 - train the young women to love their husbands and children, to be self-controlled, pure, working at home, kind, and submissive to their own husbands, that the word of God may not be reviled.


    Make your home ordered...

    ...and make your home holy.

    Romans 12:2 - Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.


    Moms: Embrace two areas of responsibility for a holy home:

    1. Guard the home environment.

    2. Teach them how to filter everything through the Word of God.

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

Small Group Questions (Whole Group):
Read Ephesians 6:4, Genesis 2:24, Titus 2:4-5

  1. How would you define the role of the father, biblically? Where do you see this failing in our culture? In your home? (only answer last question if YOU are the father)

  2. How would you define the role of the mother, biblically? Where do you see this failing in our culture? In your home? (only answer last question if YOU are the mother)

  3. What does it mean to provoke your children to anger (Ephesians 6:4)? Why is this directed towards fathers, specifically? What happens when a child IS provoked to anger? How can you prevent this?

  4. List the right priorities for mom (discussed in the message, and see Genesis 2:24 & Titus 2:4-5). What happens when these are out of order, ex., children are put above husband?

Breakout Questions:

Pray for struggling families you know - for dads to be dads and moms to be moms, biblically. 

Examine your own home - is it a "holy place", ie, set aside for God? Are there any sinful or worldly things in your home that can be giving your child(ren) mixed messages? What needs to be eliminated?