Harvest Bible Chapel Pittsburgh North

Guest Speaker - Daniel Thompson

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Small Group Questions (Whole Group):
Read Romans 5:1-11

1. In your own words, describe what peace from God is. It may also be helpful to describe what peace is not.
    
2. It has been said (but apparently not by Einstein) that "insanity is doing the same thing over and over and expecting different results". In any case, insanity is definitely a loss of touch with reality. In what ways have you lost touch with the realities discussed in this portion of Romans 5? In light of these realities, what things do you need to do differently in order to expect different results for handling the fears in your life?
    
3. What fear (in the list from Sunday or any other fear) has any control in your life? Why is this so? What truth do you need to remind yourself of to have peace instead of this fear?
    
4. List some people in your life who you would be willing die for or at least risk death for. Assuming that none of your enemies were on that list, how much more grateful should we be for what Christ has done for us: dying for His enemies?
    
5. These fears, and many others (including completely irrational ones), are very much a reality for those that don't know Christ as their Savior and Lord. Describe how this motivates you to share the gospel with the lost. Provide examples of things you can say to explain true peace to those who do not have it.

Breakout Questions:
Pray for one another!

Guest Speaker - Darren Miller

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Small Group Questions (Whole Group):
Read Psalm 92

1. What are some opportunities you find or make throughout the week to worship outside church? How can you make more opportunities for yourself?
    
2. What are some ways you can (and do!) personally worship without the use of music?
    
3. How can you worship God even when you are in a season of discouragement?
    
4. What are some of the ways you’ve seen God move in your life as a result of emotional worship?

Breakout Questions:
Pray for one another!

Guest Speaker - Pastor Robert Huber

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Small Group Questions (Whole Group):

1. Discuss the organic roots of the church found in the idea that the church is the "gathering of the called out ones."
    
2. When observing the popularized evangelical church, what might one assume that church is about?
    
3. What church demographics (size, location, income, staff, programs etc.) would be necessary in order to find authentic relationships, a "spirit and truth" kind of worship, believing prayer and the life-altering message of the cross?
    
4. Read Acts 2:42 - What are the four marks of the early church?
   Discuss the terms:
   postles Doctrine -
   Fellowship -
   Breaking of Bread -
   Prayer -
    
5. Read John 13:34,35 - What is the defining mark of Christ's disciples? Discuss koinonia.
    
6. When you think of great worship, what comes to your mind? Read Romans 12:1,2 - what is this "spiritual act of worship?" (NIV) "reasonable service?" (NKJV) "your spiritual worship?" (ESV)
    
7. Read Hebrews 13:15,16 - What does the Hebrew writer say about our "good words" and our "good works"?
    
8. How important is the message of the cross to the "church being the church"?
    
9. Read I Corinthians 1:18. Discuss - Why wouldn't Paul have said that the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing but reasonable to those who are being saved?
    
10. Discuss, "the message of the cross must be central". What kind of gospel (good news) would we have if the message of the cross were eliminated? How is the power of the cross experienced?

Breakout Questions:
On a scale of 0 to 10, how would you rate your prayer life? (0 being nil and 10 being "without ceasing".)

Describe a time when you "wrestled" in prayer. Can you "wrestle in prayer" over every matter? What kind of need would cause you to "wrestle with God"?

Pray for one another!

Guest Speaker: Mark Ort

Mark Ort - HBCPN Elder

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Small Group Questions (Whole Group):
Read Psalm 145

1. What did you learn about the character of God in this passage that you did not know before?
    
2. What aspects of your prayer life need to change in light of Psalm 145?
    
3. Is it important or necessary to recite God's attributes back to Him in our prayers?
    
4. How does Psalm 145 affect your evangelism? Who do you need to talk to specifically and what will you tell them?

Breakout Questions:
Pray for one another!

Homework:
Write your own four or five sentence prayer of exultation and post it on the refrigerator as a reminder to praise God! Maybe even start your own prayer and praise journal.
Read 1 Kings 8 (prayer for the temple)

How to Recognize a Real Mountaintop Experience:

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Small Group Questions (Whole Group):
Read Mark 9:1-13

1. Do you come prepared to encounter the Lord on Sunday? How would you tell someone to prepare themselves for Sunday service?
    
2. For what purpose did Jesus become transfigured before the 3 disciples? Why was it Moses and Elijah who showed up? Why did Jesus' death keep becoming the focus of the conversation (Mk 9:9-10, 12, cf. Luke 9:31)

Breakout Questions:
Pray for our church - we would be a place where God continues (increasingly so!) to show up and show us His glory.

Following Jesus Requires

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Small Group Questions (Whole Group):
Read Mark 8:34-38

1. What would you say to someone who says, "I would like to come to church, but I don't want to give up my party lifestyle." What would Jesus say in light of Mark 8:34-38?
    
2. Why would someone be ashamed of Jesus and His words (Mark 8:38)? What does that mean? Do you ever feel ashamed to speak up for Jesus?

Breakout Questions:
Is there any area in which I am not "dead to self"? Any area I have resisted giving up that I know I need to? Pray for one another!

Three Questions About Jesus You Have to Get Right

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Small Group Questions (Whole Group):
Read Mark 8:22-33

1. In Mk 8:29, Jesus made the issue about Him personal ("Who do you say that I am?"). How would you explain to someone what it means to make Jesus "personal"?
    
2. Why did Jesus not want His disciples telling people He is the Christ?

Breakout Questions:
Pray for one another.