Harvest Bible Chapel Pittsburgh North

Is My Ministry About Me or About Jesus?

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

Small Group Questions (Whole Group):
Read Acts 9:32-43

1. What do Aeneas, Tabitha, and Simon have in common? What does this say about our approach to ministry?

2. Many Jews hated tanners because they worked with dead animals. Do you have any prejudices? How can you overcome them?

3. *How did you do on the questions evaluating your ministry? In what areas do you struggle?

   1. Do I Make People the Priority? (Acts 9:32)
   2. Do I Want People to See Jesus’ Greatness... or Think I Am Great? (Acts 9:33-35)
   3. Do I Manage Interruptions and Overtime Well? (Acts 9:36-42)
   4. Is Prayer My “Go-To”? (Acts 9:40)

Breakout Questions:
Pray for one another.

What to Expect When You Are Born Again:

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

Small Group Questions (Whole Group):
Read Acts 9:20-31

1. Why didn’t God do a miracle for Saul like He did when He got the apostles out of jail (Acts 9:25)? What does this tell you about God? What does this tell you about man’s responsibility in hardships?

2. Why did the disciples send Saul out of town (Acts 9:30)? Why didn’t they just let him keep preaching?

3. The disciples walked in the fear of the Lord and the comfort of the Holy Spirit (Acts 9:31). How do you, and we as a church keep this balance?

Breakout Questions:

Ask “how well does our church take care of new believers”? What do we do well? Where can we improve? Pray for one another.

What to Expect When You Are Born Again:

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

Small Group Questions (Whole Group):
Read Acts 9:20-31

1. Why didn’t God do a miracle for Saul like He did when He got the apostles out of jail (Acts 9:25)? What does this tell you about God? What does this tell you about man’s responsibility in hardships?

2. Why did the disciples send Saul out of town (Acts 9:30)? Why didn’t they just let him keep preaching?

3. The disciples walked in the fear of the Lord and the comfort of the Holy Spirit (Acts 9:31). How do you, and we as a church keep this balance?

Breakout Questions:

Ask “how well does our church take care of new believers”? What do we do well? Where can we improve? Pray for one another.

Review:

What We Learn About Grace:

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

Small Group Questions (Whole Group):
Read Acts 9:1-19

1. *Read 1 Timothy 1:15-16. How does Paul’s conversion story serve “as an example”?
    
2. Why do you think Saul was so zealous to hunt down and arrest Christians (Acts 9:4)? How do you see such zeal against Christians today? Do you think it’s the same kind of motivation?
    
3. Why do you think God got Ananias involved (Acts 9:10-12)? What does this say about how God may use you to disciple someone?
    
4. Paul obviously had a special calling (Acts 9:15). Does every believer have a special calling, or just some? Defend your answer biblically!

Breakout Questions:
Pray for one another. Pray specifically for those baptized: Corinne, Sherri, Stephen, Kate!

Review:

What We Learn About Grace:

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

Small Group Questions (Whole Group):
Read Acts 9:1-19

1. *Read 1 Timothy 1:15-16. How does Paul’s conversion story serve “as an example”?
    
2. Why do you think Saul was so zealous to hunt down and arrest Christians (Acts 9:4)? How do you see such zeal against Christians today? Do you think it’s the same kind of motivation?
    
3. Why do you think God got Ananias involved (Acts 9:10-12)? What does this say about how God may use you to disciple someone?
    
4. Paul obviously had a special calling (Acts 9:15). Does every believer have a special calling, or just some? Defend your answer biblically!

Breakout Questions:
Pray for one another. Pray specifically for those baptized: Corinne, Sherri, Stephen, Kate!

Guest Speaker - Mark Ort (HBCPN Elder)

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

Small Group Questions (Whole Group):
Read Romans 8:1-4

1. What is the purpose of the Law? Is the Law good?

2. If it were possible to obey every aspect of the Law, would that be enough to save someone? Provide scripture as to why or why not?

3. Describe the difference between ‘guilt’ and ‘conviction’.

4. What is the Holy Spirit’s role in a believer dealing with feelings of guilt?

5. What does the theological term ‘justification’ mean? 

Breakout Questions:
Pray for one another.

Guest Speaker - Mark Ort (HBCPN Elder)

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

Small Group Questions (Whole Group):
Read Romans 8:1-4

1. What is the purpose of the Law? Is the Law good?

2. If it were possible to obey every aspect of the Law, would that be enough to save someone? Provide scripture as to why or why not?

3. Describe the difference between ‘guilt’ and ‘conviction’.

4. What is the Holy Spirit’s role in a believer dealing with feelings of guilt?

5. What does the theological term ‘justification’ mean? 

Breakout Questions:
Pray for one another.

Guest Speaker - Richie Reeder HBCPE Pastor

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

Small Group Questions (Whole Group):
Read Psalm 145

What Do You Celebrate?

1. If what we celebrate shows what we value, than what is your celebration (or lack thereof) showing about what you value?

2. What about when I dont' feel like celebrating (praising God)? David had a history with God…what's your history with God? What has he done in your life that you need to be giving Him public praise for?

3. How does you daily routine incorporate praising God?

30 Observations of who GOD is from Psalm 145:
King, Great, Unsearchable, Mighty, Glorious, Wondrous, Awesome, Good, Famous, Righteous, Gracious, Merciful, Compassionate, Loving, Patient, Steadfast, Powerful, Faithful, Everlasting, Kind, Strong, Provider, Sustainer, Satisfier, Near, Preserver, Listener, Just, Worthy, Eternal…

1. Which of these characteristics encourages you / strengthens you / means the most to you?
    
2. How can this passage change our prayer life?
    
3. Take the attributes of God in this passage and do some introspection - Which characteristic of God do you need to ask the Holy Spirit to infuse into you?

4. Do you agree with the assertion that most Christ followers can improve how we celebrate?

5. What if your Facebook Wall and Instagram Feed reflected how great your God is, rather than "how great you are?"

Faithful Celebration of God is:

• Intentional
• Inter-Generational
• Theological
• Personal
• Prayerful

1. Which of these themes from Psalm 145 resonated with you the most? Which of these is the most challenging for you?
    
2. Name several of the Verbal Phrases and Celebratory Actions from Psalm 145.

David’s Celebratory Actions:
Extol God, Bless His Name, Praise Him Greatly, Commend God’s works to others, Declare God’s mighty acts, Meditate on His majesty & wondrous works, Speak of His might & great deeds, Declare His greatness, Pour forth (or CELEBRATE) the fame His goodness, Sing Aloud of His righteousness, SPEAK of the Kingdom, TELL of His power, Make Known his deeds, Call on Him, Fear Him, Love Him, and SPEAK the praise of the Lord!

1. Give an example of what it would look like to live out these actions in your life.
    
2. How can you effectively COMMEND God’s works to the next generation?

Breakout Questions:
Pray for one another.

Guest Speaker - Richie Reeder HBCPE Pastor

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

Small Group Questions (Whole Group):
Read Psalm 145

What Do You Celebrate?

1. If what we celebrate shows what we value, than what is your celebration (or lack thereof) showing about what you value?

2. What about when I dont' feel like celebrating (praising God)? David had a history with God…what's your history with God? What has he done in your life that you need to be giving Him public praise for?

3. How does you daily routine incorporate praising God?

30 Observations of who GOD is from Psalm 145:
King, Great, Unsearchable, Mighty, Glorious, Wondrous, Awesome, Good, Famous, Righteous, Gracious, Merciful, Compassionate, Loving, Patient, Steadfast, Powerful, Faithful, Everlasting, Kind, Strong, Provider, Sustainer, Satisfier, Near, Preserver, Listener, Just, Worthy, Eternal…

1. Which of these characteristics encourages you / strengthens you / means the most to you?
    
2. How can this passage change our prayer life?
    
3. Take the attributes of God in this passage and do some introspection - Which characteristic of God do you need to ask the Holy Spirit to infuse into you?

4. Do you agree with the assertion that most Christ followers can improve how we celebrate?

5. What if your Facebook Wall and Instagram Feed reflected how great your God is, rather than "how great you are?"

Faithful Celebration of God is:

• Intentional
• Inter-Generational
• Theological
• Personal
• Prayerful

1. Which of these themes from Psalm 145 resonated with you the most? Which of these is the most challenging for you?
    
2. Name several of the Verbal Phrases and Celebratory Actions from Psalm 145.

David’s Celebratory Actions:
Extol God, Bless His Name, Praise Him Greatly, Commend God’s works to others, Declare God’s mighty acts, Meditate on His majesty & wondrous works, Speak of His might & great deeds, Declare His greatness, Pour forth (or CELEBRATE) the fame His goodness, Sing Aloud of His righteousness, SPEAK of the Kingdom, TELL of His power, Make Known his deeds, Call on Him, Fear Him, Love Him, and SPEAK the praise of the Lord!

1. Give an example of what it would look like to live out these actions in your life.
    
2. How can you effectively COMMEND God’s works to the next generation?

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. [01:32] - Q: Can you do whatever you want to in heaven?
    
2. [02:35] - Q: How did we get the Bible we have today (with books, chapters, and verse numbers)?
   A: See Luke 24:44
    
3. [06:49] - Q: If infant baptism is not Biblical, what is the justification of so many churches/denominations practicing it? What is the history/origin of the practice?
   A: See Acts 2:37
    
4. [13:39] - Q: What’s your favorite cliché that Dan Smith uses?
   A: "Prayerlessness is carelessness!"
   A: "Hell is too long to be wrong, so you better get it right!"
    
5. [17:22] - Q: Can Christians lose their Salvation?
   A: No! See: John 10:28-30 and 1 John 2, security (the fact: objective) vs. assurance (the feeling: subjective) 
    
6. [21:12] - Q: So if you are supposed to be able to see Jesus in heaven, how can that happen? The bible says that He is so bright you can't look at Him or see Him.
   A: See Rev 1
    
7. [21:58] - Q: Please discuss what the Bible says about why women of all ages should dress modestly.
   A: See 1 Tim 2: 9-10, Rom 14:13. Modesty = having regard for others
    
8. [26:05] - Q: Other than His birth, what reliable history is out there about the childhood, teen, and younger man years of Jesus? Since much of that isn't in the Bible...I think...
   And if it is not in the Bible, should we assume not to trust it anything else that is out there?
   A: See John 2:11, Luke 2:41
    
9. [29:34] - Q: Can you explain the term "ministry" and broad examples of ministries?
   Can I make something that I love, that isn't "churchy," a ministry that is God-honoring and valuable in a Kingdom perspective?
   A: Ministry = service in the name of the Lord with the mindset of advancing His kingdom or glorifying His name.
    
10. [33:11] - Q: Can we pray to the Holy Spirit, that is asking for wisdom or discernment, or are we only supposed to direct our prayers to God the Father. And what is the biblical basis for this?
    A: See Matt 6, Luke 11 (Jesus teaches how to pray), John 17 (Jesus praying), John 14:14 (Jesus teaching prayer to God the Father), Rom 8:26 (the Holy Spirit prays with us), John 15:16 (we pray in the name of the Son). No biblical basis to pray to anyone else.

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

Small Group Questions (Whole Group):

Review and discuss the questions and answers given on Sunday's Q&A day together. Have you found any additional biblical support for the answers given?

Breakout Questions:
Pray for one another.