Stu Quackenbush | Rockford Campus | Sept. 13, 2026
SERMON DISCUSSION GUIDE
THIS WEEK’S KEY PASSAGE: Acts 1:1-11
REMINDERS – Launch Season
This is a busy time in life and in our church, we want to keep you up-to-date on what’s going on. Please be sure to keep an eye on your emails, texts, and in the church service for invitations to what is going on at Magnify Church.
Group Launch – Sun. 9/20 @ 5:30pm – 7:00pm
If you are looking for a group to join or looking for people to join your group, now’s the time.
GROUP LAUNCH is our biggest push to connect people into meaningful community that helps one another grow by being in a small group.
Registration is required, please sign-up ASAP!
Group Leader Training Class – weekly, 10/3 – 11/1
This fall, we will be launching another 5-week class for our group leaders to help give helpful tools into your hands to lead well.
Starting the first Sunday of October (10/3), we will meet from 6-7pm in Room 420 (downstairs, near Door 3).
We’ll be working through content from the book Leading Small Groups That Thrive. We’ll cover everything from groups in discipleship, to establishing purpose and navigating life together.
RSVP with Madi (manderson@magnifychurch.org) or Trent (theaton@magnifychurch.org).
You can keep up with all our current news and events through our online bulletin.
See the events page on the website for more updates.
TOGETHER IN LIFE
As you begin the Fall season, what are 2 things that loom large in your mind – good things or hard things. What things are you repeatedly thinking about or keep finding yourself talking about right now?
Examples:
- Upcoming Fall plans
- Health or medical updates
- Family or Friend dynamics
- School, Work, or Home projects
- Hurts and Hang-ups
- Opportunities and Gifts
TOGETHER IN THE WORD
READ ALOUD: Luke 1:1-4, Luke 24:36-53, Acts 1:1-11
KEY QUESTION: What is it that you depend on to help strengthen and encourage you each day?
QUESTIONS:
- The books of Luke-Acts consume +25% of the New Testament. Are there any stories or sections from these books that you know or are important to you?
- If so, what are they and why?
- What do you regularly turn to on a weekly or daily basis to help you “get through”? What forms of recreation, rest, entertainment or food/drink, etc. help give you encouragement?
- What’s are the benefits of these?
- What potential pitfalls do these introduce?
- Remember: every good gift comes from above. It’s how we use it that makes the difference between a gift or a trap to fall into sin!
- Where do you see the work of God the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit overlapping in the texts you read?
- What might it look like to ignore the Holy Spirit’s work?
- What does it look like to defy the Holy Spirit’s leading?
- Stu said: “We can’t do God’s work without God’s Spirit”.
- Where are you working hard, but praying little?
- Where are you attempting something primarily in your own strength where you should depend on God?
- Stu said: “We never outgrow our need to rehearse the foundational truths of the Gospel.”
- How often do you meditate on what Jesus has done and is doing?
- Rehearse the Good News of the Gospel before you stare at your problems. What might it look like to do this, practically?
TOGETHER IN PRAYER & ACTION
Think about this: In what areas of your life are you ignoring or defying the Holy Spirit? Share this with a close brother or sister in Christ to be in prayer for each other.
Commit: Set a daily reminder to pray for 60-seconds for this person and for your soul to grow in this area.
Pray: Depend upon the Holy Spirit to help you every day, all day long. As you rise, work, play, and rest, take brief moments to ask: “Lord, what are you up to and how can I know your love for me better and better, now?”
