Don Denyes // Rockford Campus // March 23, 2025

SMALL GROUP
DISCUSSION GUIDE

THIS WEEK’S KEY PASSAGE: Luke 17:1–10

REMINDERS

Men and Women’s Spring Bible Studies
Sign ups are open now for Men and Women’s Spring Bible Studies. Visit the Events section on the website to learn more.

Holy Week Experience (Sunday, April 13th, 5:30–7pm)
Come and experience the events of Holy Week, the week leading up to Jesus’ crucifixion, at this event designed by Kid and Student ministries. Ponder the extent of His love for you while you walk through five self-guided stations at your own pace. The stations include clearing the temple, the anointing at Bethany, the garden, the last supper, and Good Friday. A meal will be provided at the beginning of the evening.

Easter Drama – Flames of Hope (April 17–19)
In our world where wars, disasters, political struggles, and desperate people surround us, the amazing Easter story comes to life on stage before us. Experience the passion of Jesus and the events that follow. Hunted by both religious leaders and irate Romans wanting to silence them, believers face fierce persecution, imprisonment, disasters, and even martyrdom under emperor Nero. What hope do they have? What hope does our world have? Be encouraged with the good news embedded in this immersive drama with an incredible cast, orchestra, live animals, authentic sets and costumes, creative choreography, and special effects.

TOGETHER IN LIFE

Are you participating in or following March Madness? If you’re participating, how did you pick your bracket? Did you have a strategy or simply pick based on the color of their uniforms?

TOGETHER IN THE WORD

THIS WEEK’S KEY PASSAGE: Luke 17:1–10

Note: If you are meeting as a group, we encourage you to read the text together out loud.

KEY QUESTION:

• Do you have as serious a view of your sin as Jesus does?

GOING DEEPER:

Do you think of temptation to sin as something that is sure to come? Do you have as serious a view of your sin as Jesus does? Read 1 Corinthians 10:12–14. What safeguards, accountability, and support do you have in place to guard against temptation and steer you toward greater holiness?

In the verses prior to this week’s passage, Jesus shared parables and teachings to expose the Pharisees’ hypocrisy and sin patterns. In this week’s passage, Jesus turns His attention to His disciples, warning them to not pay attention to themselves. Don suggests that Luke’s purpose in putting these ten verses together is to speak to what it looks like to live in a faith community.

When Living in a Faith Community: Pay Attention to Sin

Jesus’ first teaching in this section is on sin. He begins by addressing the temptations that He says are “sure to come” in the lives of believers, and warns His disciples not to be those who tempt another person into sin. He then addresses how His followers are to react when someone sins against them. His teaching was not just for His disciples in that moment but for everyone who would call themselves a follower of Jesus from that point on.

QUESTIONS

• Consider Jesus’ words in Luke 17:1–2 and Don’s story of a pastor who prayed that God would take his life should he ever be headed to adultery. Why do you think Jesus suggests such a severe punishment for those who would cause others to stumble into sin? Do you have as serious of a view of your sin as Jesus does?
• Do you think of temptation to sin as something that is sure to come? Read 1 Corinthians 10:12–14. What safeguards, accountability, and support do you have in place to guard against temptation and steer you toward greater holiness?
• In Luke 17:3–4 Jesus addresses what to do when someone sins against you. In Matthew 18:15–17 Jesus says that love is sometimes best expressed as a rebuke. Do you find that you’re ever too fearful to rebuke someone who’s sinned against you? Do you ever resent the rebuke of someone you’ve sinned against? If so, how can you see this as a gift that can steer you into genuine repentance and greater sanctification?
• Jesus goes on to say that members of the body of Christ must forgive those who turn toward them in genuine repentance, regardless of how many times they are sinned against. Why do you think rebuke, genuine repentance, and genuine forgiveness are crucial elements of a healthy Bible-believing church?

When Living in a Faith Community: Pay Attention to Faith

In verses 5–6 Jesus’ disciples feel overwhelmed by this call to holiness and forgiveness and cry out for increased faith. Jesus responds by telling them that they have all the faith they need—even faith as small as the tiniest seed can have profound effects once activated. In the sermon Don said it this way: “If you’re a believer, faith is there. Tap into it! God has put it in us by the Holy Spirit. And even small faith can do amazing things.”

QUESTIONS

• Don went on to say, “If we would exercise the faith given to us by God, it would be astounding what could happen.” Do you believe that God has given you all the faith you need?
• What are some areas in which you could exercise greater faith in our great God?
• Do verses five and six challenge you in any way? If so, how? If not, why not?

When Living in a Faith Community: Pay Attention to Service

Jesus knew that a faith that can plant a tree in the sea is in danger of producing pride. So he wrapped up this section of teaching by reminding His disciples of the importance of remembering that they are servants. True followers of Christ remember that increased faith does not result in elevation of position, but rather greater humility.

QUESTIONS

• Why do you think it’s important for followers of Jesus to remember that they are simply servants of Christ?
• Read Acts 17:24–25. If God doesn’t need our service, what is the purpose of our service?

TOGETHER IN ACTION

Talk with your small group, family, and friends about how you can live as a faith community that pays attention to the management of sin, the manifestation of faith, and the mindset of a servant.

Ask someone in your life to walk alongside you as a partner in faith and service, encouraging one another in your growth in holiness and reminding one another to live full of faith and humility. If you don’t know who to ask, pray with faith that God will bring this person into your life.

TOGETHER IN PRAYER

Join the body of Christ at Magnify Church in praying Philippians 1:9–11. Write this verse down where you will see it daily and remember to pray it for yourself and our entire church body.

And it is my prayer that your love may abound more and more, with knowledge and all discernment, so that you may approve what is excellent, and so be pure and blameless for the day of Christ, filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise of God. – Philippians 1:9–11