Stu Quakenbush // Rockford Campus // December 7, 2025
SERMON DISCUSSION GUIDE
THIS WEEK’S KEY PASSAGE: Ephesians 4:30-32
REMINDERS
Christmas at Magnify
It’s not too late to download our Advent Reflection Guide for prompts on reflecting on the hope, peace, joy, and love that we have in Christ.
Check out the Christmas at Magnify page for a list of all the Advent and Christmas events at all three campuses.
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See the events page on the website for more updates.
TOGETHER IN LIFE
What is your favorite Christmas cookie?
TOGETHER IN THE WORD
Read Ephesians 4:30-32 aloud together.
QUESTIONS
- What stands out to you in this passage?
- According to the sermon, what does it mean to grieve the Holy Spirit?
- Why do you think the attributes that Paul lists in verse 31 – bitterness, wrath, anger, clamor, slander, and malice – are things that grieve God?
- Which person are you:
- The one with bitterness, anger, and wrath who speaks clamor or slander? (Remember, this doesn’t always have to be loud or obvious to the people around us.)
- Or the person who is tenderhearted, remembering the degree to which you’ve been forgiven by Christ and the grace by which you are still forgiven on a daily basis, and then extending that forgiveness and grace to others, even those you don’t like?
- In the sermon, Stu shared that we often see those who sin against us or around us as one-dimensional people who are bad. But when we sin, we’re more likely to see ourselves as basically a good person. How is this true of you?
- Thinking about the question above, how does Christ’s call to be kind, tenderhearted, and forgiving of others now become more clear?
- This passage is clear that those who are in Christ are sealed by the Holy Spirit for the day of redemption (verse 30) – i.e. we belong to Jesus and are secure in our salvation. Jesus also tells us in John 10:27-30 that no one is able to snatch those who belong to Him out of His hand. So why should disciples of Jesus still be concerned about grieving the Holy Spirit?
- Is there any area of your heart and life where you still experience bitterness, wrath, anger, clamor, slander, malice, or unforgiveness?
- What is something you can do this week to get rid of all bitterness, wrath, anger, clamor, slander, and malice and to put on the kindness, tenderheartedness, and forgiveness that Christ calls you to wear?
TOGETHER IN PRAYER & ACTION
- Dwell on how much you have been forgiven in Christ. Ask God to show you if there is anyone in your life who you are holding to a higher standard than yourself. If so, act quickly to repent and forgive.
- Ask God to show you what steps you can take to get rid of all bitterness, wrath, anger, clamor, slander, and malice and to put on kindness, tenderheartedness, and forgiveness just as you have been forgiven in Christ.
