Harvest Bible Chapel Pittsburgh North

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

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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.

Rich Sprunk - Harvest Bible Chapel Pittsburgh North (Elder)

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Small Group Questions (Whole Group):
Read a selection of the passenges above...

1. Why was it necessary for Jesus to come in poverty rather than power in His first advent?

2. In what ways do we seek to be first in the world?  In the Church?

3. If we should not seek to be first in the Church, how should one lead?

4. Is it an exaggeration to say those who seek to be first are killers?
   Consider these verses:

   1. Luke 9:53-55

   2. John 8:44

   3. Genesis 4:3-8

   4. Genesis 4:23-24

   5. Exodus 2:11-15a

   6. 1 Samuel 25:10-13, 21-22

   7. 2 Samuel 11:14-17

   8. James 4:1-4

   9. Matt 5:21-22

   10. Luke 22:36-38, 49-51

   11. Mark 10:33-34

5. What are some ways people serve?  Are we susceptible to involving ourselves in “activities” as a substitute for serving?

6. Why, in God’s economy, are the last not losers?  Why, in the world’s eyes, might we look like losers?

   1. What are some ways we can adjust our attitudes?  About who and what do we need to adjust our attitudes?

   2. What are some ways we can adjust our actions?

   3. Will our actions matter if we have not first adjusted our attitudes, i.e., the motives of our hearts?

“For I have given you an example….”

Breakout Questions:
Pray for one another.

Note: The time signatures [00:00] below indicate the start of a question if you'd like to skip to a particular one of interest in the audio file.

1. [02:50] - Q: What's the point of praying for something if God is going to do what he wants either way?
   A: See James 5:16 - The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working.  |  Matthew 7:7-11   | Hezekiah in Isaiah 38
    
2. [06:55] - Q: What is your view on the teaching of Joel Osteen?
   A: Acts 4:12
    
3. [11:00] - Q: "Racial and cultural differences (and subsequent discrimination) seem to be becoming an increasingly important and controversial topic in our world. As a church body and as individuals, how can we show and share Christ's love (race doesn't matter) in a region and church body that lacks diversity?"
    
4. [16:04] - LIVE TXT Q: In the Bible it talks about the four corners of the Earth (Isaiah 11:2 and Revelation 7:1), what exactly are the four corners of the Earth? What does that resemble?
    
5. [18:01] - LIVE TXT Q: What does the Bible say about what our political response to "illegal" immigration should be?
    
6. [20:23] - Q: Can you give me some background re-Hezekiah's tunnel (2 Kings 20:20)?
   A: 2 Chronicles 32  |  John 9 (the pool of Siloam)
    
7. [25:51] - Q: Is there a difference between Hell and the Lake of Fire?
   A: See Luke 16:23-24   |  Revelation 20:15
    
8. [27:23] - Q: Rev 20:12 - "And I saw the dead, great and small standing before the throne, and books were opened. Another book was opened, which is the book of life. The dead were judged according to what they had done as recorded in the books." Besides the "Book of Life", what are the names of the other "Books" being referred to?
   A: See: Daniel 7:10  |  Romans 8
    
9. [29:31] - Q: If people kill themselves, do they go to hell? Explain the blasphemy of the Holy Spirit.
   A: The only sin that sends anyone to Hell (condemn a person), is to reject Jesus Christ
    
10. [32:52] - LIVE AUDIENCE Q: I have friends that are constantly on social media and claim to be Christians but are in an open same sex marriage situation. What does the bible say about that and how should we respond to them when talking to them about that and their life choices?
    A: 1 Cor 6  |  As Christians, we need to speak the truth in love, and that applies to any type of sin. Re-listen to Jeremiah Canfield's message from last summer, The Bible's and My Response to Homosexuality.
     
11. [36:05] - Q: In Ezekiel 9, what is the significance of the writer's case? And the man carrying it? Thank you. It is interesting how God says "son of man" and "this is what the sovereign Lord says..." very interesting book. Very very deep.
    A: Romans 1:18-32
     
12. [38:30] - Q: What is the motivation to joining the church, as opposed to just regularly attending?
    A: It says that I belong here and that I'm responsible for what happens here. It says that this is a place of accountability for you and that you're committed. For a pastor it means that you want to serve the Lord and His Kingdom.
     
13. [39:52] - Q: Could you please address Prov. 26:4-5?
     
14. [41:56] - Q: What if you accepted Jesus but you still sin. You try your best not to but you're still doing it. What does God think about it?
    A: See: Romans 7:15-20  |  1 John 1:9  |  2 Cor 5:21
    
    Any question that was missed due to time constraints during the service Pastor Jeff will address the answer in a blog posting on the website.

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Small Group Questions (Whole Group):

Review the questions submitted above. Discuss any of these that stuck out to you, or that maybe your group finds particularly interesting.

Breakout Questions:
Pray for one another!

Hebrews 9:27 - And just as it is appointed for man to die once, and after that comes judgment...

Hebrews 6:4-6 - For it is impossible to restore again to repentance those who have once been enlightened, who have tasted the heavenly gift, and have shared in the Holy Spirit, and have tasted the goodness of the Word of God and the powers of the age to come, if they then fall away, since they are crucifying once again the Son of God to their own harm and holding Him up to contempt.

Isaiah 55:6 - Seek the Lord while He may be found, call upon Him while He is near.

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Small Group Questions (Whole Group):
Read Nahum 3

1. Read Nahum 3:5-7. Why does God make the judgment so shameful?

2. Why did God mention what happened to Thebes (No amon, Nahum 3:8-11)?

3. When was the last time you have warned someone about God's judgment? Why are we so reluctant to do so?

4. What was your big "take-away" from this passage / message? What was your big "takeaway" from the series?

Breakout Questions:

Pray for one another.

Matthew 8:12 - thrown into the outer darkness. In that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.

Matthew 10:28 - And do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather fear him who can destroy both soul and body in hell.

Revelation 20:15 - And if anyone's name was not found written in the book of life, he was thrown into the lake of fire.

Matthew 11:24 - But I tell you that it will be more tolerable on the day of judgment for the land of Sodom than for you.

Matthew 25:46 - these will go away into eternal punishment, but the righteous into eternal life.

Romans 3:23 – for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God

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Small Group Questions (Whole Group):
Read Nahum 2

1. Based on cartoons, jokes, and old myths - what are some unbiblical ideas about hell that you have seen / heard?

2. Why are more and more people, even in the "evangelical church", denying the doctrine of hell, despite what the Bible says?

3. Paraphrase Nahum 2 in a sentence or two. Why would such a prophecy about Nineveh be preserved for US in God's Word? Why does God want us to know this?

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

Breakout Questions:

Pray for one another!

7 But he does not so intend,and his heart does not so think; but it is in his heart to destroy, and to cut off nations not a few
12 When the Lord has finished all his work on Mount Zion and on Jerusalem, he will punish the speech of the arrogant heart of the king of Assyria and the boastful look in his eyes.
15 Shall the axe boast over him who hews with it, or the saw magnify itself against him who wields it? As if a rod should wield him who lifts it, or as if a staff should lift him who is not wood!

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Small Group Questions (Whole Group):
Read Nahum 1:7-15

1. If God was USING Nineveh (Assyrians) to punish Israel, why would God punish Nineveh? See Isaiah 10:5-15

2. What is pride? In what ways are YOU tempted to be prideful?

3. Why is God so opposed to pride?

Breakout Questions:

Pray for one another- specifically to be able to identify your own areas of pride!

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Small Group Questions (Whole Group):
Read Nahum 1:1-7

1. Explain why God is jealous (Nahum 1:2). Why does that fuel His judgment? How is jealousy and judgment tied into God's love?

2. How should a Christian respond to the Bible’s teaching on God’s judgment?

3. Respond to this statement: "Isn’t it arrogant for God to demand to receive glory for Himself?”.

4. What was your big “take-away” from this passage / sermon?

Breakout Questions:

Pray for one another!

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Small Group Questions (Whole Group):
Read 2 Corinthians 12:1-10

1. What was the worse piece of advice / lamest attempt at being comforted that you have ever experienced / heard?

2. "Satan wants to tear you down and God wants to build you up - and they are both using the same thing to do it." React to this statement in light of Biblical and personal testimony.

3. What's the difference between "saying your prayers" and "praying"?

4. How do you know, truly know, that you are living in God’s strength? (See 2 Cor 12:10)

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

Breakout Questions:

When was the last time you truly prayed, on your face, crying out before the Lord? How can you be more consistent in doing so? Challenge one another on this and pray for one another. 

Steven Canfield - Harvest Bible Chapel Pittsburgh East (Associate Pastor)

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Small Group Questions (Whole Group):
Read Titus 2:3-5

1. What ways do God's grace allow you to be a better mother?

2. How did you see God's grace presented in your mother's care for you growing up?

3. How can you give grace back to your mother this week?

Breakout Questions:
Pray for your mother and specifically the mother's in your group.

Does God Need A Little Help From His Friends?

Intro:
 Eccl 3:11
 Genesis 1:26 - 

Bob Huber - North Street Christian Church

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Small Group Questions (Whole Group):
Imago Dei Small Group Discussion Starters:

1. Listen to the David Crowder Song PRAISE THE LORD.
   Discuss: In what ways have you tried to shape God into the image you imagined/wanted Him to be? In what ways has God not met you expectations? In what ways has He proven Himself to be better than you imagined?

2. Read Ecclesiastes 3:11. What does it mean that God has "put eternity on our hearts?"

3. Discuss: What are the ramifications of shaping your worldview BY OBSERVATION versus BY REVELATION?

4. Read Colossians 1:15-20. Find and discuss the various qualities, roles and positions attached to Jesus. What does He have to do with us understanding the image of God? See John 14:6-14.

5. What role does the church play in Imago Dei? "We are not here to refine the image of God, we are here to reflect the image of God." See 2 Corinthians 2:14-16.

6. In C.S. Lewis's Prince Caspian, Lucy (the youngest of the children) says to Aslan (the lion who is the Christ figure) upon seeing him after a period of absence: 
      Lucy to Aslan - "You're bigger."
      He answers, "That is because you are older, little one." 
      "Not because you are?" she responds. 
      "I am not. But every year you grow, you will find me bigger." answers Aslan.
   Discuss: Are you finding God to be bigger and more satisfying as you continue to grow in the faith?

Breakout Questions:
Pray for one another