Stu Quakenbush // Rockford Campus // September 7, 2025

SERMON DISCUSSION GUIDE

THIS WEEK’S KEY PASSAGE: Ephesians 1:1–10

REMINDERS

Men’s & Women’s and Fall Studies

New fall studies are beginning soon! There are multiple times available for each, so sign up for the time and study that fits best. Women’s groups begin as early as September 14, and men’s groups begin the week of September 15.

Men’s Fall Breakfast

Men at Magnify at all campuses will be kicking off our fall studies with a big breakfast on Saturday morning, September 13. Register today for a great time of fellowship, teaching, and worship.

TOGETHER IN LIFE

Stu opened the sermon by asking the question, what do you love? What’s something you’re loving right now? 

TOGETHER IN THE WORD

Read Ephesians 1:1–10 aloud together.

QUESTIONS

• Psalm 42 says “As a deer pants for flowing streams, so pants my soul for You, O God.” Does your soul pant for God? Do you feel a longing to know Him more?
• Ephesians 1:1-10 reminds believers that we are in Christ. Do you believe that you are fully united to Christ and now live in Him, blessed with every spiritual blessing you could imagine? 
• If you were to ask the people around you and also the people who know you best, would they say that your life reflects the constant joy of a life changed by union with Christ and praise for the spiritual blessings you’ve been given in Christ (redemption, forgiveness, adoption, union with Christ, and grace)?
• Verses 4 and 5 say that we were chosen and predestined for adoption into the family of God. Do you believe that you are both safe and significant in God’s eyes and His love for you? 
• Stu shared three lies that can get in the way of fully experiencing the joy and praise of the gospel: 1) God is angry with me, 2) God forgives me but tolerates me, 3) God is far off. Have you ever believed any of these lies? Do you wrestle with any of these lies now? 
• If any of these lies have kept you from experiencing the transforming joy of union with Christ and adoption into God’s family, how can you claim Ephesians 1:1-10 to help you take untrue thoughts captive to Christ?

TOGETHER IN ACTION

• Read Ephesians 1:1-14 this week and talk to people everyday about who God is and what He has done. 
• Talk with a friend about a way God is inviting you to dedicate time to knowing Him. 

TOGETHER IN PRAYER

Pray Psalm 146:1-5 (NIV)

1 Praise the Lord.
   Praise the Lord, my soul.
2 I will praise the Lord all my life;
    I will sing praise to my God as long as I live.
3 Do not put your trust in princes,
    in human beings, who cannot save.
4 When their spirit departs, they return to the ground;
    on that very day their plans come to nothing.
5 Blessed are those whose help is the God of Jacob,
    whose hope is in the Lord their God.