Stu Quackenbush // Rockford Campus // September 29, 2024

 

Storytellers: The Power of Christ over Sickness and Death (Part 1)

SMALL GROUP DISCUSSION GUIDE

 

REMINDERS

GROUPS SUMMIT (Sun. Sept 29, 5:45-7pm – Rockford Campus Auditorium)

The Groups Summit is tonight, September 29th, and will be an evening of fellowship and fun as we circle up around our value of RELATE. We will be hearing stories and teaching about why Groups matter so much to Magnify Church—past, present, and future. All groups should plan to attend, as well as anyone who is interested in joining a group or who wants to learn about groups at Magnify.

We’ll be hosting a social time between 5:30-6pm with hors d’oeuvre and small desserts. Programming starts promptly at 6pm. You can find more information on the events section of the website.

NOTE: Group leaders can register themselves and send Trent or Kim Fernando a note on how many people from their group plan to attend.

 

LEADER DEVELOPMENT CLASS (Sun. Oct 6, 6–7pm – Rockford Campus Room 300)

We’re relaunching our LDC this fall! Come join fellow group leaders from various ministries to both get sharper and help sharpen others in faith. Whether you’ve led a group for 20 years or you’re just getting started, this class is open to all leaders young and old. No RSVP necessary.

New Leaders: Please plan to attend 8 of these classes over the course of Oct. 2024 through April 2025.

Veteran Leaders: Please plan to attend 4 of these classes between Oct. 2024 through April 2025.

 

OTHER OPPORTUNITIES

Remember that there are lots of other opportunities to study, serve, or get connected listed on our events page. For example, if you’re not yet a member, consider attending our Membership Class. If you’re looking for more opportunities to grow, there are Women’s and Men’s Groups that have just launched studies.

And if you’re already busy and need to protect margin, it’s ok! Don’t feel pressure to do one more good thing.

 

TOGETHER IN LIFE

Football has begun, baseball is heating up, and BBA is just around the corner. Are there any sports you’re particularly excited about right now? If not, share something you enjoy doing while others are watching the game.

 

TOGETHER IN THE WORD

THIS WEEK’S KEY PASSAGE: Luke 8:40-48

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

 

Jairus and Jesus

Jairus the synagogue ruler—probably a friend of the scribes and Pharisees—falls at Jesus’ feet to beg for His help. An important man, he is willing to humble himself for the sake of his dying daughter. On the way, Jesus pauses to help someone else, forcing Jairus to wait.

QUESTIONS

• Share about a time when you were humbled. Who was the audience? What was at stake? Was it ultimately a good outcome or a bad one?
• How do you tend to deal with waiting? How do you think you would feel in Jairus’ situation?
• Is there anything in your life now that you are waiting on the Lord for?

 

The Fringe of His Robe

A woman in need of healing comes to Jesus, but she does not interrupt Him. Instead, Jesus interrupts their journey to seek her out. She believed she would be healed even by secretly touching the edge of His outer garment, and she was. As Stu said, “Jesus is still willing to heal when faith is small and fear is high.”

QUESTIONS

• Have you ever felt like a bother to Jesus or the church? Why or why not?
  • How might Jesus’ reaction to this woman help you understand how He sees you?
  • Is there anyone who feels like a bother to you that might deserve a moment of your time?
• How would you characterize your faith right now? Does it feel weak or strong?

Remember what we heard a previous week: it’s not the strength of your faith that saves you, but the strength of the object of your faith. Whether your faith is strong this week or barely hanging on, if your faith is in Jesus, you are secure.

 

The Miracle of Peace

After He healed the woman, Jesus said “go in peace.” While we might be praying for a miracle in one situation or another, we know that Christ already accomplished the greatest miracle for us on the cross, when He made a way for sinners to have peace with God. Whatever illnesses we still face, they cannot separate us from the love of God.

QUESTIONS

• How easy or difficult is it for you to remember and appreciate the gift of peace with God?
• How easy or difficult has it been for you to experience the peace of God the past few weeks?
• Is there anyone in your life that lacks peace? What’s one way you could help be a minister of peace in their lives?

 

TOGETHER IN ACTION

Our next step as a church this week is to reevaluate how we view our daily life or present circumstances in light of the fact that we have peace with God through Christ. Take time as a group to explore your perspective and where it might need to change.

Make a point to connect with at least one person in your group and one person outside of your group to remind them that God loves them and feels compassion toward them. Post a sticky note somewhere for yourself as a reminder to rest in that reality each day, too.

 

TOGETHER IN PRAYER

“These things I have spoken to you while I am still with you. But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, he will teach you all things and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you. Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid.” John 14:25–27 (ESV)

Pray for one another regarding any of the challenges this week’s sermon has revealed in your lives. Pray especially for faith in God’s love, compassion, and peace—which is there even when we may not feel it.