Benjamin Murphy
Small Group Questions
Benjamin Murphy
Sermon Series Highlights
Sermon Series Highlights
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Joseph: Trust.

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Introduction:

Ephesians 1:11 – who works all things according to the counsel of His will

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.

Three other factors:

  1. Sin
  2. Time
  3. Purpose

God doesn't cause the evil, but He brings something good from it.

When I Choose to Trust that God is in Control... (Genesis 50:15-21)

  1. I don't need to be in Control. (Gen 50:19)
  2. I can see the Good He has done. (Gen 50:20)
  3. I am free to just Love people. (Gen 50:21)

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

Small Group Discussion

WHOLE GROUP
Read Genesis 50:15-21

  1. Do you believe God is sovereign over all that happens, or just some of what happens? Do you believe man's free will can interfere with God's plan? Be honest. How do your beliefs line up with Joseph's in this passage?

  2. God uses evil done to us - ultimately for good. How can a victim of abuse or rape honestly believe God can and will use that for good?

  3. Name a time that you saw God use the actions of an evil person to ultimately bring something good.

BREAKOUT

Tell of the hardest time you've ever had to forgive someone. How did you do it? Pray for one another that you each can have a heart of forgiveness and trust in God's sovereign will.

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Abraham: Faith.

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Introduction:

Faith is: Believing the Word of God, no matter how I feel, because God promises a good result.

3 Reasons Faith is Difficult. (Genesis 22:1-28)
  1. Faith doesn't make (human) Sense. (Gen 22:1-2)
  2. Faith means Doing hard things. (Gen 22:3-8)
  3. Faith requires Total commitment. (Gen 22:9-12)

Faith is always Rewarded.

Hebrews 11:17-19 - By faith Abraham, when he was tested, offered up Isaac, and he who hadrecieved the promise was in the act of offering up his only son, of whom it was said "Through Isaac shall your offspring be named." He considered that God was able from the dead, from which, figuratively speaking, he did recieve him back.

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

Small Group Discussion

WHOLE GROUP
Read Genesis 22:1-18

  1. Define “faith”. What are some wrong ideas about what faith is?

  2. Why did God test Abraham (Gen 22:1)? Does God still test people today? Do you believe God has ever tested you?

  3. What is the hardest thing you’ve ever done because of your faith?

BREAKOUT
Is there any area YOU have struggled to be “100% all in”? Be honest, encouraging, and judgment-free! Pray for one another to over-come that struggle area of faith.

Life after Salvation: Where's the Effort?

Introduction:

Three Parts to Salvation (2 Peter 1:3-10)

  • Justification: Past
  • Sanctification: Present
  • Glorification: Future

Results When Every Effort is Made:

  1. Making every effort results in Spiritual Maturity. (2 Pet 1:8)

    2. Jeremiah 29:13 - "You will seek me and find me, when you seek me with all your heart."

  2. Making every effort keeps us from Habitual Sin. (2 Pet 1:9)
  3. Making every effort produces Confidence in our salvation. (2 Pet 1:10)

Ryan Stroupe - Harvest Bible Chapel Pittsburgh North Small Groups Ministry Leader

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

Small Group Questions (Whole Group):
Read 2 Peter 1:3-10

  1. Why should we want to do more than just "punch our ticket to Heaven"? What would you say to someone that doesn't want to do more than the bare minimum to get to Heaven?

  2. Why do we as Christians ignore Sanctification and focus on Justification and Glorification?

  3. As Small Groups what are some practical ways we can assist a fellow Christian or Small Group Member get past a habitual sin? 

  4. What are ways we can teach our children to start making every effort at a young age, i.e. teenagers?

  5. How much effort do you put into your relationship with God compared to other areas of your life? Would you say God is outside your house, in your "Good Room", or is running your entire house?

Breakout Questions:
Pray for one another.

Taking the Test

Intro: Mark 12:30-31 | 1 John 3:10-24

  1. Study Failure: Heart of Cain (1 John 3:10-15)
  2. Study Success: The Heart of Christ (1 John 3:16-18)

      3 Aspects to Loving Like Christ

    1. The Love of Christ is Willing (1 John 3:16)
    2. The Love of Christ is Fueled by Compassion (1 John 3:17)
    3. The Love of Christ is Driven to Action (1 John 3:18)
  3. Take the Test: Is My Heart like Cain or Christ (1 JOhn 3:19-24)
  4. Pass the Test: Gain a Heart of Confidence (1 John 3:23-24)

    5. Galatians 5:14 - For sthe whole law is fulfilled in one word: "You shall love your neighbor as yourself."

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

Small Group Questions (Whole Group):
Read 1 John 3:10-24

  1. How can we guard ourselves against falling into the spiral of jealousy*/resentment/hatred?
     
  2. What challenges do we face in loving others the way that Christ does?
     
  3. How can we build the habit of testing our hearts in order to avoid bitterness?
     
  4. Beyond assurance of our own faith, what benefits can we gain from complete confidence in our relationship with God?

Breakout:
Pray for each other

Seeking Wisdom During Trials

Introduction (Job 28:20-28)

Seeking Wisdom

  1. Wisdom cannot be found Apart from God. (Job 28:20-27)
  2. Wisdom is found with God. (Job 28:28a)

Proverbs 9:10 - "The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and the knowledge of the Holy One is insight"

James 1:5 - "If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him"

2 Ways to Fellow with God and His Word during Trials

  1. Utilize Small Groups
  2. Pray the Bible

    3. Seeking Wisdom

  3. Wisdom brings us Closer to God. (Job 28:28b)

Michael Wolski - Harvest Bible Chapel Pittsburgh North A/V Ministry Leader

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

Small Group Questions (Whole Group):
Read Job 28:20-28

  1. Where do you typically go first for your 'wisdom' during a trial?

  2. Why do you think Christians struggle with seeking God for wisdom first?

  3. What’s the worst advice you’ve received? Now applying biblical wisdom, how would that advice change [i.e. slight alteration, 180-degrees]?

  4. What has been the most difficult piece of biblical wisdom you’ve received? [i.e. forgiveness, just waiting, etc.]

  5. What is your go-to verse, chapter, book, etc. in God’s Word that has helped you out the most during a trial? What about that particular passage gives you comfort, guidance, etc.?

  6. What fellowship activities with God and His word have worked best for you during a trial?

  7. (For the sliding scale fans) On a scale of 1 <-> 10, how much do you enjoy sliding scale questions?

Breakout Questions:
Pray for one another.