Dec. 25, 2022

Behold!

Behold!

Mike Giesenhagen

December 25, 2022

Luke 2:1-40

1.  Christmas is _______________  _______________.

 2.  Christmas Causes ______________  ___________.

 3.  Christmas is for ________  ___________________.

 WEEKLY REFLECTIONS

 1.   What’s the best news you’ve ever received?  How did it make you feel?  What did you do with the news?

 2.   What do the following words mean: Savior, Messiah, Lord?

 3.   What might prevent us from experiencing the joy of salvation at Christmas?  How can God help us to overcome these obstacles?

 4.   Who did Christ come to save?  Why would God come into the world to save his people?

 5.   Additional Study: Matthew 1:18-2:23.  Which character in the Christmas story do you relate to most?  Why?  What makes each in the Matthew and Luke accounts different from each other?

Dec. 18, 2022: The Lord of Love

Psalm 86

The LORD of Love

Mike Giesenhagen

December 18, 2022

Psalm 86

1.  We Need to _______________ to Him.

2.  We Need to ____________________ Him.

3.  We Need to ____________ on Him.

4.  We Need to _____________ in Him.

WEEKLY REFLECTIONS

 1.   Have you ever given someone the “silent treatment”?  Or have you ever received it?  What causes people to be silent toward one another, and how is that different from Psalm 86?

 2.   How can we speak to God?  What does this look like in your life?  When do you do it?  What do you talk about?

 3.   How is God different from all other gods?  How has He proven himself trustworthy?  What does this mean about our relationship with Him?

 4.   How can we hear from God?  What does it look like when we want to hear from another person, and how can we apply those same things to God?

 5.   Additional Study: Luke 10:38-42.  With the busyness of Christmas upon us, what can we learn from Mary about how to interact with Jesus this week?  How can we find our rest and peace in Him?

Dec 11, 2022: Finding Joy (Part 2)

Psalm 32

Finding Joy

Mike Giesenhagen

December 11, 2022

Psalm 32

1.  ___________  Doesn’t _____________.

 2.  _______________________ Finds ___________________.

 3.  ______________ to the __________________.

 4.  _________________ in ___________________________.

 WEEKLY REFLECTIONS

 1.   Have you ever tried to hide something from God?  What was it?  Why did you want to hide it from him?  Did it work?

 2.   How would you describe God’s disposition?  What is his default feeling or position when he thinks about you?  How do the Scriptures describe his relationship with his people?

 3.   What does it mean when God is described as our “refuge”? How do we embrace that?  What prevents us from approaching him that way?

 4.   What is the difference between the relationship between a horse and its rider versus a parent and child?  Which more closely represents your relationship with God?

 5.   Additional Study: Luke 15.  What do these three stories in Luke 15 tell us about how God views us as the children that “once were lost, but now are found”?

Dec 4, 2022: The Peace of God

The Peace of God

Mike Giesenhagen

December 4, 2022

Psalm 103

1.  Remember _________  __________________.

 2.  Receive the ___________ of ______________.

 3.  Embrace _________  ____________________________.

 4.  __________ in the ________________ of ________.

 WEEKLY REFLECTIONS

 1.   How has God helped you in your life?  What benefits and blessings have you received from him?

 2.   What does it mean when it says God won’t “harbor his anger forever”?  How do we know this is true?  What does it tell us about how God sees his people?

 3.   What must we do to have our sins taken from us “as far as the east is from the west”?

 4.   What does it mean that God loves us from “everlasting to everlasting”?  How does that differ from the language that “we are dust” and “the life of mortals is like grass”?

 5.   How do we find refuge in God?  How does God’s refuge prepare our hearts for peace?  How can this bring us peace this Advent season?

 6.   Additional Study: Hebrews 9-10.  What does this tell us about the work of Christ on the cross?

Nov 27, 2022: Advent Hope

A Study of Advent Hope in Psalm 102

Advent Hope: Confidence in Christ’s Appearing

Neil Schindler

November 27, 2022

Psalm 102

Our struggle: Sustaining hope in an afflicted world (v1-11)

What is biblical hope, and why is it hard to maintain?

Romans 8:24-25

 The psalmist’s struggle for hope: Broken strength + God’s anger

 God’s past promises as foundations for hope (v12-17)

1) The promise of God’s forever, faithful reign

 2) The promise of God’s future compassionate action

 3) The promise of God’s appointed time having now come

 4) The promise of God’s name and glory spreading worldwide

 Jesus’ Advent accomplishments as reasons for ongoing hope (v18-28)

1) Jesus’ glorious appearing has been recorded faithfully for us

 2) Jesus’ work has indeed freed and created a people for God

 3) Jesus’ praises are indeed spreading around the world

4) Jesus’ unchanging nature means an unchanging redemption hope

WEEKLY REFLECTIONS

 1)     Is there a word or phrase or idea from Psalm 102 which God impressed on your heart as significant and necessary to apply in your life?

 2)   Are you prone to use the word “hope” as a stand-in for “wishing for something”?  How so?

 3)   Discuss some of the many ways you see people in our day trying to deny the reality of sin and trying to reverse the curse of decay and death by their efforts.  In comparison, how do you think the author of Psalm 102 would classify their “hope” in these efforts?

 4)   Read the verses around Paul’s statement about creation being “subjected to futility” (Romans 8:18-21) —is there any mention of hope there?  How might we as Christians speak about our hope in God’s ultimate purposes, even while feeling broken and “withered” (Ps. 102:4, 11) like the psalmist?

 5)   Why do you think it is so common around Advent/Christmas for people to feel a lack of hope?  How might reminding each other about the nature of Jesus’ “Advents” (understanding where we live in between Jesus’ first and second coming) help to guard against this tendency as believers?

 6)   Read Hebrews 10:35-39.  How do these verses pertain to our hope in Jesus’ return, and what it means about our salvation?  (Consider especially how the author of Hebrews uses Habakkuk 2:3-4 concerning God’s promise to come and make things right.)

 7)   Re-read Psalm 102:25-28.  Consider some of the many ways your life has changed in the past year (perhaps share these changes with others or write them down in a list).  Now, compare them to God: Is there any way in which he has changed, even among all these changes?  Take some time to thank God for his unchanging nature and promises and how it sustains your hope (using Psalm 102:25-28 as a launching point).

Nov 13, 2022: What About Disagreements?

Acts 15:1-41

Matthew 18:15-35

What About Disagreements?

Mike Giesenhagen

November 13, 2022

Acts 15 and Matthew 18:15-35

15 “If your brother or sister sins, go and point out their fault, just between the two of you. If they listen to you, you have won them over. 16 But if they will not listen, take one or two others along, so that ‘every matter may be established by the testimony of two or three witnesses.’ d 17 If they still refuse to listen, tell it to the church; and if they refuse to listen even to the church, treat them as you would a pagan or a tax collector.

-     Matthew 18:15-17

 1.  We Must __________________  _____________________.

 2.  We Must Understand God’s __________ for ________.

 a.  It’s __________ to ___________ _______________.

 b.  It’s ____________________ in the _____________.

 c.  We’re All  _____________ ___________________.

 3.  We Must _____________ the ________________.

 4.  We Must __________  _____________  ______________.

 5.  We Must _____________  ___________________.

 WEEKLY REFLECTIONS

 1.   When you have a disagreement with someone, how do you normally handle it?  How did your family handle disagreements and conflict as you were growing up?

 2.   What aspects of Matthew 18 do you see in Acts 15?  How does this biblical principle play out in this context?  What is the goal behind both of these chapters?

 3.   Why is it important to understand how God feels about unity, reconciliation, and his people?  How does this shape our approach when it comes to conflict within the Church?

 4.   Why is it important to keep the focus on the issue, rather than the opponent, in our conflict?

 5.   What is the significance of unity as we come out of conflict?  What do we do when we continue to disagree about the issue at hand?

 6. Read Genesis 3.What does this chapter of Scripture tell us about how difficult it will be to maintain unity with others?Would you say it is easy to stay unified or difficult?

Nov. 6, 2022

What about Repentance

Hello, World!

What About Repentance?

Mike Giesenhagen

November 4, 2022

Acts 15:1-21

1.  It Involves Our ____________ AND ________________.

 a.  God __________  our _____________.

 b.  We’re ___________  Toward  ___________.

 2.  Changed _________ Comes Out of _______  _______.

 3.  Repentance is to ________  __________________.

 WEEKLY REFLECTIONS

 1.   When you hear the word “repentance”, what comes to mind?  What does it mean?  What does it look like?

 2.   1 John 2:16 describes sin in three ways: the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life.  What are some examples of these things and how they might show up in our lives today?  (Add’l resources: Matt 4:1-11, Luke 4:1-13)

 3.   What is the difference between a change of position and a change in direction?  How do these things work together in the Christian faith?

 4.   What is the difference between our changed behavior flowing out of God’s grace as opposed to leading to God’s grace?  Who does this imply is in control?

 5.   How do we benefit from the fruit of repentance in our lives?  What are the tangible positives?

Oct. 30, 2022: What About Law?

What About Law?

Mike Giesenhagen

October 30, 2022

Acts 15:1-21

1.  We Are _____________ by ______________.

 a.  God _____________ Gentiles Without _______.

 b.  God ____________ Gentiles Without _________.

 c.  __________ Successfully Follows ____________.

 d.  __________ Can Be for ________________.

 2.  Christ _______________ the ________.

 3.  _______________________________________________.

 WEEKLY REFLECTIONS

 1.   The Pharisees were passionate about food laws, Sabbath, and circumcision, and they wanted to add those requirements to the Gospel.  What are we tempted to add as requirements to the Gospel today?

 2.   Read Acts 10.  In verse 44, it says that “While Peter was still speaking these words, the Holy Spirit came on all who heard the message”?  What does this tell us about God changes hearts?  How does Peter interpret it in Acts 11:15-18 and Acts 15:7-11?

 3.   What is the difference between abolishing and fulfilling a law?  What implications would it have if the law were abolished?  What does it mean that Christ fulfilled it?  (Matt 5:17, Heb 10:9-10)

 4.   How should our understanding of the Law change in the world of the Resurrected Christ?  How should this affect our identity in Christ?  How should it impact the way we treat others?

Oct. 23, 2022: Tunnel Vision

Acts 14:1-27

Tunnel Vision

Mike Giesenhagen

October 23, 2022

Acts 14

1.  You Can’t ______________  ___________________.

 2.  Some Make It __________  ___________  ________.

 3.  _______________________ Will Be _______________.

 4.  But _______________ is ___________________.

 WEEKLY REFLECTIONS

 1.   Ice Breaker: What are some trivial things that still divide people (e.g. does pineapple belong on pizza)?  Why do you think people disagree so much?

 2.   Paul and Barnabas are hailed as gods in Acts 14 by the Gentiles.  How does the world at large view Christians today?

 3.   What are some Biblical examples of challenges Christians might face?  What are the sources of these frustrations?

 4.   How can we remind ourselves of Christ’s faithfulness and goodness?  When things get difficult, how can we remind one another to turn back to God?  What verses, songs, or materials have you found particularly helpful?

Oct. 16, 2022

Good News 101

Mike Giesenhagen

October 16, 2022

Acts 13:13-52

1.  Jesus ____  the __________ ____________!

 a.  Find _______________  ______________.

 b.  Share ___________  _____________.

 c.  Point to _________________.

 d.  Provide an _______________ to ____________.

 2.  Some People _______________ _______________.

 3.  Continue _____________ for __________________.

 WEEKLY REFLECTIONS

 1.   What is the Good News of Jesus Christ?  How would you explain it to a 5 year old?

 2.   If you believe in Jesus, why?  How did you come to the conclusion that faith in Jesus was worthy of your time and energy?  If not, what objections do you have?

 3.   What Scriptures would you use to explain the Good News of Jesus to other people?  Take a moment to explain to someone how that Scripture explains what Jesus has done for us.

 4.   How can someone respond to the Gospel?  If the Spirit convicts their heart, how sho

5.   Why would someone consider themselves “unworthy of eternal life”?  What does the Gospel tell us about this unfortunate condition?

 6. When Paul and Barnabas encounter opposition in Pisidian Antioch, how do they respond?What do they do?How can we apply that in our lives today?

Oct. 9, 2022

One More Step

One More Step

Mike Giesenhagen

October 9, 2022

Acts 12:25-13:13

1.  ________ the __________________ _______________.

 2.  Be Ready to ______, And to __________ _________.

 3.  God’s ______________ is ________ _______________.

 4.  Look for ____________; Expect _________________.

 WEEKLY REFLECTIONS

 1.   What kinds of questions do people in our society like to ask?  Are these good questions?  Are there better questions we could ask?  Why?

 2.   What biblical examples do we have of people who step out in faith?  How does God respond?  What happens?  (e.g. Hebrews 12)

3.   When you think of your favorite hobbies or best skills, how did you get started with those things?  Who did you learn from?  What can you invite someone else to take part in?

 4.   What types of ministry do you feel are outside your gifts and abilities?  How could you support such ministries from afar?  What ministries could you take more ownership in?

 5.   Have you had a time in your life where you saw God’s opportunities abundantly?  When was that season, and what do you think contributed to so many opportunities to grow closer to God?

Oct 2, 2022

A Royal Knockout

Mike Giesenhagen

October 2, 2022

Acts 12

1.  __________________ God’s ____________________.

 2.  __________________ Gods _____________________.

 3.  _________________ in God’s ___________________.

 WEEKLY REFLECTIONS

 1.   What are some of the differences you see between King Herod and the apostle Peter in Acts 12?  What drives them?

 2.   What areas of our lives are difficult to turn over to God?  What makes these things difficult to surrender?

 3.   What does the word “sovereignty” mean?  How does it apply to God?

 4.   What are some examples of how God’s plan is preserved in dire circumstances?  (e.g.  Genesis 37-50, Exodus 6-14, 2 Kings 18-19, etc)  What does this tell us about God?

 5.   Prayer and Reflection: How engaged are you in God’s community?  How fervent are your prayers for others?  Are there people who know you and your faith well enough to speak into your life?

Sept. 25, 2022

What is a Christian?

Mike Giesenhagen

September 25, 2022

Acts 11:19-30

1.  Christians ________________ to ________________.

 2.  Christians _______________ to ____________ ________.

 3.  Christians ________ _______ to _______ about ______!

4.  Christians ______________ _______________.

 WEEKLY REFLECTIONS

 1.   Have you ever lived in a big city?  What was it like?  How was it different from a rural area like ours?  What was good about it?

 2.   If a 7 year old asked you, “What is a Christian?” how would you respond?

 3.   What does it mean for a Christian to be “in Christ”?  What do the Scriptures tell us about that? (e.g. 2 Cor 5:17, Romans 8:1)

 4.   How did the early church interact with one another?  How did they take care of one another?  What have we seen in the book of Acts? (e.g. Acts 2:36, 4:32, 9:30, 11:29-30)

 5.   If you were to describe your outreach temperature on a scale of 1-10 (1 being ice cold, 10 as a burning flame), where would you say you’re at?  What influences your temperature?  What would increase it?

6.   How do we see the early church prioritizing Christ in their lives?  What would that look like today?

September 18, 2022

A Changed Perspective

Mike Giesenhagen

September 18, 2022

Acts 11:1-18

1.  ____________________ is Not ____________________.

 2.  God Makes His _____________ _______________.

 What Are Some Ways God Speaks in this Passage?

 3.  _______________ God’s ___________________.

 WEEKLY REFLECTIONS

 1.   Have you ever thought something was true, only to find out it wasn’t?  What was the “truth” that was exposed as a lie?

 2.   What are some examples of traditions in the Scriptures that Jesus rebukes?  How does Jesus correct these misunderstandings?

 3.   How does God speak to Peter and the Church in this passage?  Have you seen God speak in similar ways in your life?

 4.   How did the people respond to Peter’s testimony?  How was that different from their initial response?  What changed?

 5.   Are there any Christian clichés or traditions that are not actually Scriptural?  What advice have you received that is rooted in Scripture?

 6.   How can we be we are submitting to God’s will, and not our own?

September 11, 2022: A New Frontier

Acts 10:1-48

A New Frontier

Mike Giesenhagen

September 11, 2022

Acts 10:1-48

1.  God __________ His _________ for His ______________.

2.  God’s _________ May _____________  _______.

3.  We Should ____________ When God ____________.

4.  God’s ____________   ______________  _____________.

a.  No One is _____________ from God’s Grace.

b.  No Sin is ________ _________ for God’s Grace.

c.  We Can _________ __________ in God’s Grace.

WEEKLY REFLECTIONS

1.   How has God prepared you for specific challenges in your life?  How have you seen his plan unfold in your own life?

2.   When has God led you to do something you didn’t expect?  How did He help you through it?

3.   What might prevent us from answering God’s call?  What obstacles might we encounter in our own heart?  What obstacles might we encounter in the world around us?

4.   Who might God be calling you to proclaim the Gospel to?  Are there any people (or groups of people) that God has placed on your heart to pray for?  What kind of opportunity would you like to see God provide for you to show his love?

5.   Is there anything in your life that you think would be hard for God to forgive?  What would it take for you to bring that to God in confession to ask his forgiveness?   How confident are you in God’s grace in your life?  What would make you more confident?

September 4, 2022

Little Resurrections for Great Gospel Impact

Little Resurrections for Great Gospel Impact

Neil Schindler

September 4, 2022

Acts 9:32-43

Aeneas and Tabitha: “Little resurrections” pointing people to Jesus The context: The gospel’s spread to “all Judea and Samaria”

Aeneas: From “stuck” in bed to useful for the Lord

Tabitha: From “finished” to springing up for more good works

God’s purpose: That such news would lead to people trusting Jesus

How might these short accounts apply to our Christian walks today?

1) Jesus loves to work wonders through “ordinary” body members

2) Even “good” distractions must be put outside to seek God’s will

3) Good works don’t “earn” favor…but God loves to highlight them!

Sermon-based small group discussion questions

Neil Schindler

Acts 9:32-43 – September 4, 2022

Little Resurrections for Great Gospel Impact

1) Are there any Bible passages about which you have been tempted in the past to think, “This isn’t as important; I can just skim over it?”  Why did you think this way, and how did God convict you otherwise?

2) Think about a situation where you or someone close to you was “physically stuck” (i.e. long illness/COVID, cancer treatment, major surgery recovery), and no amount of health care or fervent prayer had changed things.  Regardless of the whether God chose to “heal” or not, and regardless of his means, how now do you see God’s merciful purposes on display through that “stuck” season (note: John 9:3; Isaiah 55:6-13; James 5:7-11)?

3) Why do you think Peter was so confidant telling Aeneas, “Jesus Christ heals you; rise and make your bed?”  Are there steps we as Jesus’ followers should take before making any similarly bold pronouncements, considering both the Holy Spirit’s nature and the difficulty of knowing God’s ultimate will (what will happen)?

4) Did you resonate with the application point of needing to “put outside good distractions” which might prevent you from hearing God’s voice?  What are some distractions you know you need to be careful for, so that you don’t “go on autopilot” in assuming God’s will?  What does it look like for you to “put them outside?”

5) How do you personally confront temptations in your heart—or unbelievers’ assumptions (i.e. “karma”)—which presume that our individual good works are being “recorded” by God in such a way that we can expect to get favors in return from God someday (like Tabitha’s miracle)?  Which Bible passages might you use to repel this pernicious line of thinking?

6a) If Tabitha’s record of plentiful good works didn’t “earn” her this miracle of a temporary resurrection, why then might God have chosen her—and not others—to raise from the dead?

6b) Given Paul’s argument that “death is gain” for the Christian, since being with Jesus is “better by far” (Philippians 1:20-23), in which way was her resurrection a “reward?”  Note Proverbs 11:30-31—in particular the “repayment” language and how it connects to spiritual fruitfulness.

Questions for further individual or group study:

7) How comfortable are you with the concept of God working acts of physical healing in the world today, in response to the prayers of his people?  How much potential discomfort is linked to seeing selfish motives / abuses among some professing Christians wanting to be “famous” (i.e. Simon in Acts 8:9-24)?  On the other hand, how might texts like John 14:12-13, 15:1-8, and James 5:13-18 challenge you to trust that Jesus might be pleased to use even you, and pray fervently and accordingly?

8) Take note of the resurrection accounts which are found in the Bible—are there any words/phrases, character similarities, responses, or elements of setting which they all have in common?  Think: How are all the “temporary” resurrections in Scripture meant to shed light on the permanent resurrection (first spiritual, and finally one day physical) which Jesus’ own resurrection has guaranteed for us, his followers?

Actual resurrection passages: 1 Kings 17:17-24; 2 Kings 4:18-37; 13:20-21; Luke 5:17-26; Luke 7:11-17; Luke 8:40-56; Luke 24:1-12+44-48; John 11:1-44; Acts 20:7-12; 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18; Revelation 20:4-6+11-15

Other allusions and resurrection themes: Job 19:23-27; Isaiah 25:6-9; 26:18-19; 53:9-12; Ezekiel 37:1-14; Hosea 6:1-3; Matthew 17:1-7; Matthew 22:31-32; John 6:35-40; 1 Corinthians 15; Philippians 3:20-4:1

August 28, 2022: The Body of Christ

1 Corinthians 12

The Body of Christ

Mike Giesenhagen

August 28, 2022

1 Corinthians 12

1. We’re Here for __________ __________.

2. Christ ____________ Us.

3. The Body of Christ is _______________.

4. The Body of Christ Needs __________.

5. The Body of Christ is _______ _______.

6. We ___________ Each Other.

7. We ___________ Each Other.

WEEKLY REFLECTIONS

1.   Have you ever been in a small group?  If so, how has a small group been a benefit to your life? If not, what would prevent you from joining one?

2.   What does it mean when Christ Unifies Us?  How does he bring us together?  What common ground do we have in Christ?

3.   What is something you have learned from someone different from you?  What is a lesson you have learned from them that you would not have learned on your own?

4.   How can we benefit from the different gifts and experiences that each of us have?  Have you seen this in your own life?

5.   How do our different experiences strengthen our church and our small groups?

6.   How can a small group support us in difficult times?   There are many ways to serve.  How might God be calling you to serve the Church or a small group this year?

August 21, 2022: In Over Our Heads

Acts: 9:20-31

In Over Our Heads

Mike Giesenhagen

August 21, 2022

Acts 9:20-31

WEEKLY REFLECTIONS

1.   How was Saul received by the people after his miraculous conversion on the Road to Damascus?  Why was he received this way?

2.   Who, if anyone, might be surprised to see you following Christ?  What would they expect instead?

3.   How could God use your life experience to minister to others?  What have you been through that might be able to encourage others?

4.   How did Saul’s exit from Damascus differ from his entrance?

5. How was Saul helped by others in this passage?  How have you been helped through difficult times by the Church?  How could the church help you now?