Stu Quackenbush // Rockford Campus // January 18, 2025
SERMON DISCUSSION GUIDE
THIS WEEK’S KEY PASSAGE: Ephesians 5:22-33
REMINDERS
GROUPS AT MAGNIFY
Many different groups are kicking off a new session for the Winter months (January – March) now!
Be sure to check out our GROUPS or EVENTS page for details on many different options available.
GROUP LAUNCH (Life Groups – Singles + Couples Adult Small Groups)
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
Share about a recent moment where you felt a sense of stress or pressure.
What made it feel so challenging? What were some of your first “go-to’s” in that moment to help you deal with your stress?
What makes you feel a sense of peace, comfort, or assurance in the midst of those difficult moments?
TOGETHER IN THE WORD
Read Ephesians 5:22-33 aloud together.
KEY QUESTION: How can you look to Jesus to meet your needs for security, comfort, and significance?
QUESTIONS
- Stu began the morning by bringing this comic strip…
- Does this resonate with you? What does this comic strip say about the way we often approach our disagreements in marriage?
- In this passage, what does Paul say is the picture that marriage is supposed to paint?
- How should our union with Christ affect our marriages?
- In what way does being united with Christ impact your own marriage?
- What other marriages around you do you notice are reflecting Christ’s love for the church? How so?
- This morning, Stu interviewed a couple to see how practically these lessons are played out in real-time. Together, ask and answer the same questions that Stu posed to them:
- How does having Jesus as the source of your security and significance change the way you love your spouse?
- Wives, what does submission look like for you in everyday life?
- Husbands, what does submission look like for you in everyday life?
- During conflicts, what is your natural tendency? Do you ramp up and lash out? Do you shut down and ice out?
- What do you need to do to work against your sin tendency?
- What can you do to repair and start working toward unity when it’s hard?
- If you were to give advice to another couple on how to be successful in marriage, what would it be?
TOGETHER IN PRAYER & ACTION
- Examine what makes you feel secure and significant, especially in your marriage.
- Do you feel a deep need for _________ that isn’t being met in your spouse?
- Respect, Appreciation, Admiration, Freedom from Pressures?
- Do you want your spouse’s undivided attention and affirmation?
- Is there a way that you are looking to your spouse in ways that you should not and cannot receive the fullness of what you’re longing for?
- Do you feel a deep need for _________ that isn’t being met in your spouse?
- Look to Jesus, not your spouse.
- As a first step in a given moment to receive the love and respect you crave, pray that God would meet that need in His way, rather than the ways your heart is seeking in that moment.
- Read passages in Scripture that will help your mind be transformed to
- Sacrifice your pride and time.
- In what ways do you think you “deserve” something of your own that God is asking to sacrifice for the sake of your marriage and spouse?
- Remember your union.
- When the emotions are running strong and the weightiness of conversation feels heavy – take a deep breath and remind yourself that you and your spouse ARE ONE.
- Remind yourself of who Jesus would like you to be to your spouse – especially when they are hurting you.
- Whether you’re single or married: be reminded that every moment is an opportunity to depend upon the Lord and to look to Him for your security, significance, affirmation, respect, and love that you long for.
- Everything you need, you have in Christ.
