Don Denyes // Rockford Campus // May 25, 2025

SMALL GROUP
DISCUSSION GUIDE

THIS WEEK’S KEY PASSAGE: Luke 18:15-30

REMINDERS

Men @ Magnify Summer Bonfire (Wednesday, May 28, 7:00-9:00pm, The Barn 5330 Kies Road, Rockford)

All Men at Magnify are invited to hang out around a bonfire, eat snacks, play yard games, and talk about being a Godly Man in 2025. No need to register. Just bring a camp chair, a friend, your sons, grandsons, or nephews and if you want, a snack or drink to pass.

Check out the website for more details here.

Life Together – HS Juniors and Seniors (June 9-13)

Students going into high school junior and senior years are invited to be part of a life-changing trip focused on serving, community, worldview, and what it means to glorify God in the whole of life. They will be blessed by a week of fellowship, learning, encouragement, and building relationships as they do life together. Magnify Rockford Campus will be their basecamp as they serve during the week. Then they will head out to a fun location for the end of the week. See the website for more information.

Summer is Coming!

Summer events are on the way! Stay in the know by keeping an eye on our events page.

TOGETHER IN LIFE

Over the weekend we celebrated Memorial Day, a day for remembering those who sacrificed their lives for our country. Did you serve in the military or know someone who did? What was that like for you, and what memories does this holiday bring up? What are some ways you have memorialized the important people in your life?

TOGETHER IN THE WORD

THIS WEEK’S KEY PASSAGE: Luke 18:15-30

Note: If you are meeting as a group, we encourage you to read the text together out loud.

KEY QUESTION:

• Is there anything in your heart or life that is hindering you or others around you from entering into and experiencing the kingdom of God, whether it’s an attitude of the heart, a behavior pattern, a belief in your own righteousness, or a fear of letting something go? 

GOING DEEPER:

Coming to Christ like a Child

Luke records two different interactions with Jesus that illustrate two different attempts to enter into the kingdom of God. These interactions stand in contrast with one another and teach us important truths about the kingdom.

In the first interaction, people were bringing children and infants to Jesus so that he could touch them. The disciples rebuked the people, but Jesus called the people to Him, saying “Let the children come to me, and do not hinder them, for to such belongs the kingdom of God. Truly I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God like a child shall not enter it.” (Luke 18:16-17). 

Mark 10:14 tells us that Jesus was indignant when the disciples hindered the children from coming to Him. Don believes this is because they were misrepresenting the welcoming character of God. 

QUESTIONS

• In what ways can you and I inadvertently misrepresent the welcoming and loving character of God? Read Philippians 2:14-15 and Titus 2:1-14. How do our attitudes and behaviors impact the way others view the kingdom of God? 
• In what ways could you and I also inadvertently hinder others from coming into the kingdom of God? If you saw the sermon, consider some of the reasons Don gave for the disciples hindering the children. How can you commit to welcoming others in instead?

Receiving the Kingdom

When Jesus warned that “whoever does not receive the kingdom of God like a child shall not enter it,” He was not speaking about their humility but about their helplessness. Infants and children can offer nothing to earn their way into salvation. To receive the kingdom of God like a child is to confess that we have nothing to bring for our salvation and to understand that we are only given salvation by God’s undeserved, unearned, and lavish grace that He pours out on us – sinners He’s chosen to rescue from ourselves. 

QUESTIONS

• When you think of the grace of God, what do you think of? 
• Have you ever consciously or subconsciously relied on your own righteousness in your salvation or in your daily relationship with Jesus? 
• How often do you remember and celebrate the undeserved and lavish grace of God to save you and sustain you in your salvation?

Coming to Christ like the Rich Ruler

The second account tells the story of a rich young ruler who came to Jesus in search of salvation. The gospels tell us that he is eager, respectful, and desiring to know more about God. Yet at the end of his interaction with Jesus he walks away sad and unsaved. Luke tells us about this interaction to show us something else about coming to Christ.

QUESTIONS

• Jesus began His interaction with the ruler by calling attention to the character of God. How often do you dwell on the nature and attributes of God? 
• Jesus then affirmed the Law of God. The ruler believed that he’d kept the law in full since his youth, and Jesus doesn’t correct him. Yet there was something the ruler was missing. Do you ever consciously or subconsciously try to affirm your goodness instead of confessing that you are a broken sinner deserving of punishment and in need of grace?
• Next Jesus displayed the love of God. He knew that the ruler would reject Him, yet He still loved him. Do you ever withhold or believe God withholds love from those outside of the elect? How can you embrace God’s love for everyone, even those who are currently living outside His will?
• Lastly, Jesus asked the ruler for a commitment. Jesus knew the ruler was an idolator and coveter. He believed he wanted God, but what he truly loved was his standard of living and his money. What outside of Christ holds a position of love in your heart? Is there anything that you’re afraid to put in God’s hands for fear that He will take it away?
• How does remembering God’s love for you shown on the cross and in your life help you let go of fear and embrace sacrificial faith?

TOGETHER IN ACTION

• Talk as a group about ways that you can welcome others in – whether it’s into your group, your church, or your life – so that they may see and know the love of Jesus. 

TOGETHER IN PRAYER

• Ask God to continue to work in you by His Spirit so that you will grow in Christlike character and represent Him well to a watching world. 
• Ask Him to show you if there’s anything that you’re afraid to put in His hands as you unreservedly follow Him.  
• Ask Him to help you remember that it’s not by your own righteousness but by grace that you are saved from your sins, and to help you celebrate that grace everyday.