Louie Konopka // Rockford Campus // May 3, 2026

SERMON DISCUSSION GUIDE

THIS WEEK’S KEY PASSAGE: 2 Timothy 2:1-2

REMINDERS

THANK YOU – Magnify Church Group Leader Appreciation Day – May 17

Groups are core to the disciple-making process. The ability to share our lives with others and love one another with those we do life together with is life-making and life-changing.

Thank you for all the many ways that you work to lead the way for our groups to be able to receive the love of Christ, to share it in your group, and to then let that pour outward to the world around us.

We are going to CELEBRATE all that God is doing in Groups this coming May 17, between our 1st and 2nd service (10:15-11am) at the Rockford and Northview campuses to say THANK YOU to our group leaders.

Please stop by the kiosk in the atrium spaces to let us shake your hand, pat you on the back, and offer a token of our appreciation to you for the work you do to lead in love.

Reach out to Trent with any questions you may have (theaton@magnifychurch.org).

 

Summer at Magnify

The gears of summer planning are turning and the activities are about to begin!

We have many ways that we gather together as a church – from little kiddos through our “Just Older Youth (JOY)” groups. We want to help all our church family grow in community and in Christ.

Be sure to check out the events page for the Summer at Magnify details.

 

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

This Sunday morning, we celebrated as a church family the exciting change of installing Steve Welch as our new Senior Pastor!

With changes can come lots of emotion and thoughts about the future. Share with your group what this has been like for you.

What are 3 things you are hopeful for for our church family this coming year?

 

TOGETHER IN THE WORD

Read 2 Timothy 1:13-18 and 2:1-7 aloud together.

KEY QUESTION: How can I be all-in with my time, talent, and treasure to support the church with a willing spirit and great attitude?

OUTLINE:

Pastor Emeritus Louie Konopka shared 10 Features of Christianity and gave a charge and call to both Steve Welch and Stu Quakenbush as they seek to lead our church into this new chapter of ministry. The 10 Aspects of Christianity were:

1. Christianity is Authoritative (Matt. 28:18-20)
2. Christianity is Revelatory (Romans 1:20)
3. Christianity is Historical (1 John 1:1-4)
4. Christianity is Redemptive (Isaiah 53:6)
5. Christianity is Representative (Romans 5:19)
6. Christianity is Exclusive (John 14:6)
7. Christianity is Personal (Galatians 2:2o)
8. Christianity is Demanding (Matthew 22:36-40)
9. Christianity is Contemporaneous (John 8:58)
10. Christianity is Christ

These 10 will be passed on through…

• Jesus (Matthew 11)
• Believers/The Church (Ephesians 4)

Change comes not through…

• Awareness
• Teaching
• Accountability

Life change only comes through: the work of the Spirit of God in the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ.

The Charge (the Pastor’s Job Description):

Assist God as faithfully as you know how and to get as many people into Heaven as He wants in the best shape possible.

 

QUESTIONS:

• What stood out to you from this weekend’s sermon?
• As you consider the 10 Aspects of Christianity that Louie laid out, what do you resonate with the most? What seems most compelling? What is confusing or challenging?
• In what ways does Christian belief become transferred from one generation to the next?
• How have you come to grow in your beliefs about Jesus Christ and His teachings?
• In what ways does the Church play a role in helping people become like Jesus?
• How are you gifted and skilled to play a part in this work of the Church?
• How does Awareness, Teaching, and Accountability help us grow in our faith? Where does it come up short (as Louie mentioned)?
• Why is it critical we understand the source of our life change?
  • How does this help us have proper understanding of how others might change their lives, too?
• As you consider the charge to the pastor from Louie written above, what role do you play in this?
  • How does your attitude help or hinder the work of the Church?
  • How does your efforts help or hinder the work of the Church?
  • Which of these do you feel like you can improve upon so that we may be united as one (John 17:20-21)?

TOGETHER IN PRAYER & ACTION

• Pray for the future of Magnify Church. Pray that God would lead us as He leads the pastors and deacons to do the work of ministry wherever we go. Pray that the Father would give Steve, Stu, and the rest of the staff and church-at-large a vision for His kingdom here on earth. And pray for discernment, wisdom, and guidance as we take one faithful step after another.
• Pray that God would show you how you have a part to play in the success of this church. Pray that God would help you to know your strengths and weaknesses, so that you can have confidence in what He has gifted you to do to bless and serve the church. Pray that He would help you grow in giving your all and having a great attitude while doing it.