Stu Quackenbush // Rockford Campus // April 26, 2026

SERMON DISCUSSION GUIDE

THIS WEEK’S KEY PASSAGE: Genesis 37:5-36

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 baptisms of both the young and the old.

Share your baptism story with your group. Who was involved? What was it like? What do you remember? Looking back on your baptism, how would you encourage someone who has not yet been baptized to take that next step?

If you’ve not been baptized, talk about it with your group. Share what may be holding you back.

BAPTISM Reach out to us to find out how you can take this very important step in the process of being a disciple of Jesus Christ.

 

TOGETHER IN THE WORD

Read Genesis 37:5-36 aloud together.

KEY QUESTION: What sin(s) are you most tempted to justify? How does the Gospel confront you in this?

QUESTIONS

• What set the stage for Joseph’s brothers anger? Have you ever experienced a situation where you were justifiably angry with family? Or where it was the family that was upset with you?
• Stu said: “Justified Sin: The most dangerous sins in our lives are the ones we can explain.”
  • Do you have any examples from your experience where you’ve seen people explain away their sin?
  • Where do you tend to feel this most frequently in your own life?
  • Why is Justified sin so deadly?

• What do you think about the above “Path of Sin”?
• In what ways do we end up feeling trapped in our sins?
• Jonathan Edwards quote: “Be killing sin, or sin will be killing you”
  • Why should we want to kill sin in our life?
  • What have you found helpful to killing sin in your life?
• How do you look to Christ to free you from this pathway of sin?
• How does God’s grace free us from the chains of sin, especially habitual sin?

NEXT STEPS

• What sin in my life needs attention that I am trying to ignore?
• How is that being experienced by others?
• What justifications am I using?

TOGETHER IN PRAYER & ACTION

• Pray and confess to God your sin from this week. Pray especially: “Search me, O God, and know my heart! Try me and know my thoughts! And see if there be any grievous way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting!” (Ps. 139:23-24)
• Choose one area of sin to bring before God daily, casting your burdens on Jesus and trusting in His grace and mercy.