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

Intentional Faith: A "How To" Guide - How to Profit from Trials

Introduction:

My Trial: --------------------------------------------------

How to Profit from Trials: Change The Way You See Them (James 1:1-12)

  1. See trials as Strengthening you. (Jas 1:3-4)
  2. See trials as Teaching you. (Jas 1:5-8)
  3. See trials as Humbling you. (Jas 1:9-11)
  4. See trials as Testing you. (Jas 1:12)

    Hebrews 12:2 - looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.

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Small Group Discussion
Read James 1:1-12

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

  2. How are trials a “test” (Jas 1:3, 12)? What do they reveal?

  3. James 1:4 says to let steadfastness have its full effect. What are ways people refuse to obey this and resist what God wants to accomplish in trials?

  4. What does it mean that steadfastness makes us “perfect and complete, lacking in nothing” (Jas 1:4)?

  5. Share a time when you asked God for wisdom in a trial, and He clearly answered (Jas 1:5).

Breakout
Pray for one another - to see trials according to God’s purposes.

Missions: Get Thanksgiving!

Introduction:

Thanksgiving:

  1. History of Thanksgiving (Gen 1:9-13)
  2. No setting law period on eating food (Gen 4:10, 9:4)
    1. Ten generation from Adam to Noah (Gen 5)
    2. Ten generations from Noah to Abraham (Gen 11)
    3. Isaac, Jacob, Joseph (Gen 24-50)
    4. 430 years in Egypt (Ex 12:40)
  3. Giving laws on food (Ex 22:29, 23:19 34:26 Le 23:9-22 Nu 28:1,2 Dt 26)
  4. Promise-reminder laws carring for 40 years (Jos 5:6, Dt 8:4)
  5. God's promise is fulfilled & Israel in the promised land (Ik 6:1)

    480 + 970 - 568 = 844

  6. New Testament first-fruits indicate messiah & christians (Rom 16:5, 1 Cor 16:15)

Thanksgiving for Today:

  1. Israel's thanksgiving is physical . (Pr 23:9-10, Ex 23:17)
  2. Christian's thanksgiving is both physical & spritual . (1 Cor 15:20, 22-23, Ex 23:15, Dt 16:16)

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Small Group Discussion

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

  2. Reflect upon Barnabas’ mission field. How can you apply His enthusiasm to spread the gospel on the other side of the globe in your area of influence here?

Breakout
Pray for one another, for the leaders and new elder of our church, Justin Cady. Pray for the missionaries that we support such as Martha and Barnabas in Thailand.

Pray that we would seek to be a church that goes, gives, and prays.

Missions: Get Moving!

Introduction:

Getting on Mission: What Should I Do If I Care? (Romans 15:22-33)

  1. I should joyfully Go to Serve Those in Need . (Rom 15:22-25)

    1 Corinthians 11:1 - Be imitators of me, as I am of Christ.

  2. I should generously Give to Provide for Those in Need . (Rom 15:26-29)

    2 Corinthians 8:2-4 - For in a severe test of affliction, their abundance of joy and their extreme poverty have overflowed in a wealth of generosity on their part. For they gave according to their means, of their own accord, begging us earnestly for the favor of taking part in the relief of the saint.

    John 4:22 - "For salvation is from the Jews."

    2 Corinthians 9:7 - Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.

    2 Corinthians 9:11-12 - You will be enriched in every way to be generous in every way, which through us will produce thanksgiving to God. For the ministry of this service is not only supplying the needs of the saints but is also overflowing in many thanksgivings to God.

  3. I should passionately Pray for Fellow Ministers of Those in Need . (Rom 15:30-33)

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Small Group Discussion
Read Romans 15:22-33

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

  2. How is the Lord calling you to get up and go right now?
    How can we serve together as a small group?
    What are the next steps to make this happen?

  3. What holds people back from generously giving to the church, charitable organizations, and those in need?

  4. Read 2 Corinthians 9:7 - What does it look like to be a cheerful giver?
    Does this describe you?

  5. Who in particular is the Lord calling you to “strive together with in prayer” on a regular basis? E.g. a missionary, a pastor, a ministry leader, a fellow believer at work or at church.

Breakout
Pray for one another, for the leaders of our church, the members of our church, and the missionaries that we support.

Pray that we would seek to be a church that goes, gives, and prays.

Missions: Get Motivated!

Introduction:

Getting On Mission: Why Should I Care? (Matthew 9:35-38)

  1. I care because people are Hurting . (Matt 9:36)

    Exodus 32:32 - But now, if you will forgive their sin--but if not, please blot me out of your book that you have written.

    Romans 9:3 - For I could wish that I myself were accursed and cut off from Christ for the sake of my brothers, my kinsmen according to the flesh.

    Luke 19:41-42 - And when he drew near and saw the city, he wept over it, saying, "Would that you, even you, had known on this day the things that make for peace! But now they are hidden from your eyes."

    2 Corinthians 5:14 - For the love of Christ controls us...

  2. I care because of where people are Heading . (Matt 9:37)
  3. I care because God Does . (Matt 9:37b-38)

    John 17:9 - I am praying for them. I am not praying for the world but for those whom you have given me...

    Ephesians 6:18-19 - praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. To that end keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints, and also for me, that words may be given to me in opening my mouth boldly to proclaim the mystery of the gospel...

    Colossians 4:2-4 - Continue steadfastly in prayer, being watchful in it with thanksgiving. At the same time, pray also for us, that God may open to us a door for the word, to declare the mystery of Christ, on account of which I am in prison--that I may make it clear, which is how I ought to speak.

    Romans 10:14, 17 - How then will they call on him in whom they have not believed? And how are they to believe in him of whom they have never heard? And how are they to hear without someone preaching? And how are they to preach unless they are sent? ...So faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ.

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Small Group Discussion
Read Matthew 9:35-38

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

  2. Why do you think many churches have drifted away from the Great Commission?
    How can we prevent Harvest Bible Chapel from drifting away from the Great Commission?

  3. When was the last time you shared the Gospel with an unbeliever? What happened?

    When was the last time you invited someone to be your guest at HBC? What happened?

  4. What do you think would cause you personally to witness to people more often?

Breakout
Pray for one another, and HBC, to grow in compassion for the lost.

Pray to the Lord of the Harvest to send out laborers into His harvest.

Praying on Purpose - Praying for Justice

Introduction:

How Should I Respond to Injustice? (Psalm 58)

  1. I should recognize that Corruption is inevitable . (Ps 58:1-5)
  2. I should pray that God Will Act . (Ps 58:6-9)

    Matthew 5:44 - "But I say to you, “Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you."

    Luke 23:34 - "Father, forgive them. For they do not know what they are doing."

    Acts 7:60 - "Lord, do not hold this sin against them."

  3. I should rejoice that God is the Righteous Judge . (Ps 58:10-11)

    Ezekiel 33:11 - "As I live declares the LORD GOD, I have no pleasure in the death of the wicked, but that the wicked turn from his way and live."

    Galatians 6:9 - "Let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up."

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Small Group Discussion
Read Psalm 58

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

  2. As you reflect upon the Praying on Purpose series, how do you want your prayer life to change or improve moving forward?

  3. What is an imprecatory psalm? Should we pray imprecatory prayers today? If the answer is yes, how do we find a biblical balance between praying for justice and praying for grace?

  4. What is the difference between righteous anger and unrighteous anger? Which do you often display on a regular basis?

  5. Re-read Psalm 58:10-11 - Why should it encourage us to know that the Lord is a righteous judge as well as a righteous rewarder?

Breakout
Pray for one another!