April 21, 2024: Life's Pathways

Craig Kallgren

Life’s Pathways

Craig Kallgren

April 21, 2024

Psalm 1 

WEEKLY REFLECTIONS

  1. Have you thought lately about God's blessings? Take a few minutes and think about all God is doing in your life. 

  2. How often are you reading and meditating on God's Word? Is it more or less time than last year at this time?

  3. How are you guarding your heart from the evil in this world while still engaging with the lost?

  4. 2 Timothy 3:17 speaks of being equipped. Do you feel equipped for the work God has called you to? If not, how can you be?

  5. Can others around you see the fruit of the Spirit demonstrated in your life? How can that improve?

April 14, 2024: Praying Like Paul

Ephesians 1:15-23

Praying Like Paul

Mike Giesenhagen

April 14, 2024

Ephesians 1:15-23

Question 1:

1.  Test 1:

2.  Test 2:

3.  Test 3:

Question 2:

1.  Blessing 1:

2.  Blessing 2:

3.  Blessing 3:

Question 3:

1.  Power 1:

2.  Power 2:

3.  Power 3:

WEEKLY REFLECTIONS

  1. What is Paul’s primary response when he hears of the Ephesians faith in Jesus and love for all God’s people?

  2. What obstacles make it difficult to love all God’s people?  Is it easier for you to love God’s local church or the universal Church?

  3. Prayer Project: Is there anyone that God calls you to love more than you currently do?  What is standing in the way?  How can you ask God to help you love them more?

  4. What is the hope that we have been called to?  How were we called to this hope?

  5. What are the riches of God’s inheritance?

  6. How do we see the power of God at work in our lives today?

  7. How does a proper understanding of God’s power affect our lives today?  What benefits can we gain from that understanding?  What would be a misapplication of God’s power?

April 7, 2024: The Will of God

Ephesians 1:1-14

The Will of God

Mike Giesenhagen

April 7, 2024

Ephesians 1:1-14

Notes on Ephesus:

1.  God ___________ Us _____________ ___________...

2.  Through ______________ _______________...

3.  Because _________ __________ _________.

4.  God Has a _______________ ________________.

5.  God Will _________________ _________________. 

WEEKLY REFLECTIONS

  1. What do we know about the city of Ephesus that is the recipient of this letter from Paul?

  2. What “spiritual blessings” does Paul mention in Ephesians 1:1-14?  Who provides these blessings?

  3. How are these spiritual blessings given to the believers in Christ?

  4. What reasons does Paul mention for why God gives these blessings?  What does He get out of it?  What is the purpose?

  5. What is the significance of God’s eternal plan?  What does that teach us about Him?  What does it teach us about ourselves?

  6. What are some example of ways that God has followed through on his plans?  What do we see in the Scripture?  What have you seen and experienced?

March 31, 2024: Easter Sunday

The Power of the Gospel

Mark 16:1-8

Pastor Mike Giesenhagen

The Power of the Gospel

Mike Giesenhagen

March 31, 2024

Mark 16:1-8

Notes:  

WEEKLY REFLECTIONS

  1. What is the significance of Christ’s death on the cross?  Why is this important to the Christian faith?

  2. What has Christ forgiven in you at the cross?

  3. What is the significance of the curtain being torn in two?

  4. What is accomplished through the Resurrection?  What does God demonstrate to be true?

  5. Prayer Project: What is the most difficult thing to understand or receive about the Gospel?  What makes it difficult to claim this reality each day? 

  6. What does it mean that we “join Christ in the Resurrection”? How has Christ made us “alive” in Him?

March 24, 2024: More than Moses

Pastor Mike Giesenhagen

Exodus 3-4

More Than Moses

Mike Giesenhagen

March 24, 2024

Exodus 3:1-4:17

Context:

Objection 1:

God’s Response:

Objection 2:

God’s Response:

Objection 3:

God’s Response:

Objection 4:

God’s Response:

Objection 5:

God’s Response: 

WEEKLY REFLECTIONS

  1. What’s unexpected about how God plans to set the Israelites free from Egypt? How does this relate to evangelism (Luke 10:2-3)?

  2. How might we feel intimidated about the idea of sharing the Gospel? What makes us feel inadequate to the task?

  3. What can we tell others about the God who sends us into the “harvest field”?  What are the important points of the Gospel?

  4. When someone hears the Gospel, who are they ultimately responding to?  What is our role in the process?

  5. In what ways might we feel ill-equipped to tell others about Jesus?  How can God help us with that?

  6. How does God respond to Moses’s request to be removed from his call?  What does He feel?  What does He do?

March 17, 2024: Pointing to Jesus

2 Timothy 4:1-5

Pointing to Jesus

Mike Giesenhagen

March 17, 2024

2 Timothy 4:1-5

1.  _______________  Your ________________.

2.  _______________ the __________________.

3.  __________________ them __________________.

4.  Provide __________________ for _______________. 

WEEKLY REFLECTIONS

  1. What is the purpose of evangelism?  What is the goal of evangelism conversations?

  2. Additional Study: 2 Timothy 1-4.  What words and phrases show up consistently?  What are the themes? How would you summarize Paul’s letter in one sentence?

  3. How confident are you in telling your testimony?  How clear is it to understand what Jesus has done for you?

  4. What is the Gospel?  How would you explain it to someone who has little to no exposure to religion?

  5. How can Christians invite others to be a part of our faith journey?

  6. How did you receive the Gospel?  When did you realize your faith had become your own?  How was the opportunity to follow Christ presented to you?

March 10, 2024: Starting the Conversation

Acts 17:16-34

Pastor Mike Giesenhagen

Starting the Conversation

Mike Giesenhagen

March 10, 2024

Acts 17:16-34

1.  We Must ___________ the ____________.

2.  There is ___________ in ____________________.

3.  ________________ the ______________ Things.

4.  Be Clear that You ____________ _____________.

5.  Focus on the ________________.

6.  Trust ___________ for the ________________. 

WEEKLY REFLECTIONS

  1. What is your tendency when you see people who think or behave differently from you?  How does Paul respond in Acts 17?

  2. What is the difference between “dialogue” and “preaching”? 

  3. What are some good and true things that people support in our society?  What godly things do they support, even if they don’t follow God?

  4. What makes Christianity different from other religions of the world?  Where does our hope for salvation come from?

  5. When does the Holy Spirit enter the picture for our convictions? How should this affect our approach in sharing the Gospel?

  6. Prayer Project: How can we trust God with the results of spiritual conversations?  What goal should we strive for?  What should we trust him with?  Who is God leading you to talk to?

February 25, 2024: Created for Community

Genesis 1:26 - 2:25

Created for Community

Mike Giesenhagen

February 25, 2024

Genesis 1-2, Ephesians 2:11-22

1.  Relationship is ___________ for ____________.

2.  Relationship is _________ of ________ _________.

3.  Community is ___________ to ___________ ______

4.  Remember How __________ _____________ ______

5.  There are ____________ of ___________________ 

WEEKLY REFLECTIONS

  1. Do you think people are more or less connected to each other in today’s society?

  2. Are people “hard-wired” for relationship?  What does the Bible teach us in Genesis 1-2?

  3. What does the Trinity teach us about relationship?

  4. How does the New Testament depict the life of a Christian?  How does it describe our relationships with other people?

  5. How do the person and work of Christ teach us about the importance of community?

  6. Prayer Project: How do our relationships reflect and magnify the Gospel?  How do we convey the Gospel through our relationships both inside and outside of the Church?

  7. What are the benefits of friendship with others?  What are the challenges?

February 18, 2024: Countdown to Conversation

1 Corinthians 9:19-23

Countdown to Conversation

Mike Giesenhagen

February 18, 2024

1 Corinthians 9:19-23

Context:

1.  We Must Know ___________ to __________ ______.

2.  Adopt a __________________ __________________.

5 _________________________________________________

4 _________________________________________________

3 _________________________________________________

2 _________________________________________________

1 _________________________________________________

3.  The _________________ is ____________________. 

WEEKLY REFLECTIONS

  1. What does it mean to have a “missionary mindset”?

  2. How is it difficult to understand the viewpoints of others?  How can we learn to understand them better?

  3. How does the Gospel affect the way we interact with others?

Prayer Project: Who is one person you would like to understand better? How can you seek to understand their point of view?

February 11, 2024

A God-Sized Problem

Mike Giesenhagen

February 11, 2024

Romans 5

1.  __________ is a God-Sized ________________.

a.  _______ is __________ and _______________.

b.  We’re All ___________ of ___________.

c.  _______ _____________ Our ______________.

2.  ___________ is the God-Sized ________________.

3.  Only ____________ Can __________ the ________.

WEEKLY REFLECTIONS

  1. When you hear the word “sin”, what comes to mind?  What does a sinner look like?  How serious is sin?

  2. How does the bible describe the affects of sin?  What does it do to the sinner?  How does it affect others?  How does it affect our relationship with God?

  3. Who does the bible say is guilty of sin?

  4. How does sin distort good things?  How should a Christian respond to sin in their own life?

  5. Can we conquer sin on our own?  What is God’s solution to sin in the Scripture?

  6. Additional Study: Read Matthew 23 and 1 Timothy 1:1-17.  How are the mindsets of Paul and the Pharisees similar?  How are they different?

  7. How should our understanding of sin affect the way we interact with people outside of the church?

February 4, 2024: The Shift: Living in a "Post-Christian" Nation

The Shift

Mike Giesenhagen

February 4, 2024

Luke 10:1-24

1.  Jesus _________ His People __________.

2.  ____________ the ______________ Isn’t _________.

3.  __________ for People of ______________.

4.  Expect _____________________.

5.  Keep __________ at the ______________.

WEEKLY REFLECTIONS

  1. How does the Bible show Christians sharing the Gospel?  Where do they share about Jesus?  And with whom?

  2. How is the Gospel received in the New Testament?  Are there any places or audiences that are more receptive?  Who might be less receptive?

  3. How can we know who to share the Gospel with?  Who needs it?  How do we discern if God is calling us, or if we have chosen them on our own?

  4. Additional Study: Are there examples in the New Testament where people reject the Gospel? Why do they reject it?  Who is the one who proclaimed the message to them?

  5. What was your most recent experience with evangelism?  How did it go?

  6. Prayer Project: How do you feel about evangelism?  What is most exciting about it?  What is most nerve-wracking about it?

  7. Who is the determining factor in whether someone is saved?  How should this affect our approach to evangelism?

January 28, 2024: What’s Your Story

John 21

What’s Your Story?

Mike Giesenhagen

January 28, 2024

John 21

1.  Remember What ___________ Has __________.

2.  Jesus ___________ Our ______________.

3.  Jesus _______________ Our __________________.

4.  Jesus’s ____________ is _____________.

WEEKLY REFLECTIONS

  1. Icebreaker: When did you start to become curious about Jesus?  When did you start to believe in him?

  2. Additional Study: What bible stories are examples of God demonstrating his faithfulness to biblical characters?

  3. How does God address our doubts?  How have you worked through doubts in your own faith?

  4. How has God helped you through seasons of difficulty?

  5. Prayer project: How has God helped you deal with sin and its consequences in your life?  How can this testimony encourage others to trust in Christ?

  6. What does Jesus mean when he says, “if I want him to remain alive until I return, what is it to you?”  Where should our focus lie?

January 21, 2024: Heroes of the Faith

Ron Peterson

Heroes of the Faith

Ron Pederson

January 21, 2024

Hebrews 11

1.  Heroes ______________ God’s ____________.

2.  Heroes are _________________ to God’s _______.

3.  Heroes are _________________ to God’s _______.

WEEKLY REFLECTIONS

  1. Icebreaker: Who was your childhood hero?  Why did you look up to them?

  2. Who are your current heroes?  Why?

  3. What makes someone a hero?

  4. Would you want to be a hero?

  5. What would make someone a Christian hero?

  6. Do you need to be a pastor to be a Christian hero?

January 14, 2024: Help People Love God

Matthew 9:35-38

Help People Love God.

Mike Giesenhagen

January 14, 2024

Matthew 9:35-10:1

1.  Jesus ____________________ ___________________.

2.  Jesus Meets ________________ _____________.

A.  _____________ in their synagogues…

B.  __________________ the good news…

C. ______________ every disease and sickness…

3.  Jesus ___________ ___________ to ________ _____.

4.  Jesus ____________ ___________ in _____________.

WEEKLY REFLECTIONS

  1. Icebreaker: How did you personally begin to follow God?  Who was an instrumental part of that process?

  2. Additional Reading: Matthew 8-10.  What kinds of people does Jesus interact with?  What kinds of things does he do?

  3. What does compassion look like in the ministry of Christ?  Who receives compassion in this passage?

  4. What tangible needs does Jesus meet?  What is the purpose of his meeting these needs?  How can we apply this in our lives today?

  5. Who invited you to take an active part in the Christian faith?  How did they invite you?  And how did you respond?

  6. When have you been invited to take a step of faith outside your comfort zone?  What were you asked to do?  What was the result?

January 7, 2024: Love People

Luke 10:25-37

Love People.

Mike Giesenhagen

January 7, 2024

Luke 10:25-37

1.  Loving ______ and _________ are ______________.

2.  Love _____________ with the ________ of _______.

A.  Love ________ _____________.

B.  Love _____________.

C. Love __________ __________________.

3.  Love is _____________________.

4.  Love is _____________________.

WEEKLY REFLECTIONS

  1. Icebreaker: How have you experienced God’s love for you in 2023?  How do you hope to experience his love in 2024?

  2. How are love for God and love for people connected?  How do these work with each other?

  3. Who does Jesus call us to love?

  4. What are some of the ways we are called to love other Christians in the New Testament?  (e.g. “One Another” passages)

  5. How does Jesus teach people to treat their “enemies”?  How did Jesus treat us when we were his enemies?

  6. Additional Study: 1 Corinthians 13:1-7.  What does this chapter teach us about the importance of love?  What does it teach us about the characteristics of love?

  7. What are some of the obstacles that make it difficult to love others?  What do you think is your greatest obstacle to loving people well?

December 31, 2023: Love God

Mark 12: 28-34

Pastor Mike Giesenhagen

Love God.

Mike Giesenhagen

December 31, 2023

Mark 12:28-34

1.  ____________ Comes From ____________.

2.  With All Your ____________.

3.  With All Your ____________.

4.  With All Your ____________.

5.  With All Your ____________.

WEEKLY REFLECTIONS

  1. Icebreaker: How have you experienced God’s love for you in 2023?  How do you hope to experience his love in 2024?

  2. What does it mean to love God with all your heart?  What does that look like?

  3. What does it mean to love God with all your soul?  What does that look like?

  4. What does it mean to love God with all your mind?  What does that look like?

  5. What does it mean to love God with all your strength?  What does that look like?

  6. Additional Study: How are these passages about loving God the same?  How are they different? Read Deut 6:1-9, Matt 22:34-39, Mark 12:28-34, Luke 10:25-28

  7. Why do you think God repeats this four times in the Scripture?  Why do you think that love is broken apart each time (heart, soul, mind, strength)

  8. Which way is easiest for you to love God?  Which one is most difficult?  Why?

December 24, 2023: Light Up the Dark

John 3:16-21

Pastor Mike Giesenhagen

Light Up the Dark

Mike Giesenhagen

December 24, 2023

John 3:16-21

WEEKLY REFLECTIONS

  1. Icebreaker: What is your favorite Christmas tradition?  How do you remember Christ in your Christmas traditions?

  2. What does it mean that God loves us?  What words would you use to describe his love for us?

  3. How easy is it for you to receive God’s love?  What thoughts or ideas might make it difficult to think that God loves you?

  4. When you think of light against darkness, what does that look like?  What does the bible teach us about who the light is?

  5. How does God determine who should be saved?  What is the difference between the light and darkness?

  6. How does Christmas demonstrate his plan for salvation?  How does it bring us hope in this world?

December 17, 2023: God with Us

Philippians 2

God with Us

Mike Giesenhagen

December 17, 2023

Philippians 2:1-11

Step 1:  ___________ the _________ of _____________

A.  He _________________________ _______________.

B.  He _____________________ ___________________.

C. He ____________ _________________ ___________.

Step 2: ___________ the ___________ of _____________.

Step 3: ___________ in the ___________ of ___________.

WEEKLY REFLECTIONS

  1. Icebreaker: Who is someone you know that is great with children?  What behaviors do you see that help them with kids?

  2. How are you encouraged by Christ this Christmas season?

  3. What does humility look like when we interact with others?  How can we live humbly?

  4. How does Jesus demonstrate his care for others in the incarnation?  What is it that he has given up to dwell among us?  What is unique about the birth of our king of kings?

  5. How does Jesus’s life demonstrate his love for his people? 

  6. How can we love others like Jesus did this Christmas season?  What would that look like?  Who might you be able to love and encourage in your sphere of influence?

  7. What is your favorite way to celebrate the birth of Christ?