March 26, 2023: Facing Our Faith

Acts 21:1-36

Resolving for Faithfulness

to the Holy Spirit

Neil Schindler

March 26, 2023

Acts 21:1-36

1.  Paul’s situation: A dangerous resolve for Jerusalem (v 1-16)

 The context of Paul’s resolve – “constrained by the Spirit”

 The 1st test of Paul’s resolve: The Tyre disciples’ warnings

 The 2nd test of Paul’s resolve: Agabus’ warning

 2.  The result of Paul’s perseverance: A predictable arrest (v 17-36)

 “Honor the law:” A public plan to thwart the previous predictions

 The fulfillment of the Spirit’s warnings…and Paul’s resolve

 WEEKLY REFLECTIONS

 1.   How should we faithfully share difficult messages from the Spirit?

 2.   How might we sort out “contradictory” leadings from the Spirit?

 a.   Is there one option which doesn’t truly have godly motives?

b.   Is it possible to be faithful to both/all leadings in some way?

c.   If mutually exclusive, is there one you sense best honors God?

March 19, 2023

Guarding God’s Grace

Guarding God’s Grace

Mike Giesenhagen

March 19, 2023

Acts 20:17-38 and Ephesians 2

1.  We _________  __________  God’s Grace.

2.  We  ________  ____________ by God’s Grace.

3.  God’s Grace is _________________________.

4.  ______________  ____________ in God’s Grace

WEEKLY REFLECTIONS

 1.   How would you define God’s Grace?  How have you heard it described?

 2.   When have you received “unmerited favor” from someone?  What did you receive?  How did that impact you?

 3.   What does the nature of God’s grace teach us about ourselves?

 4.   What can we learn about God through his gracious provision in Christ Jesus?

 5.   What is our role in receiving God’s grace?  What do the Scriptures tell us about grace?  (consider Acts 11:19, 15:11 Romans 5:1-2, 6:23, 11:6)

 6.   How can we become distracted from God’s grace?  What might we try to accomplish in our own strength?  What might we pursue instead of God?

 7.   Prayer Project: What does it mean that “God’s grace is sufficient” for you? How does the sufficiency of his grace affect your life today?

March 12, 2023: The Resurrection of Eutychus

Acts 20: 1-12

The Path of the Righteous

Mike Giesenhagen

March 12, 2023

Acts 20:1-21

1.  ______________________  Christ is Not ____________.

2.  We Need _____________________________________.

3.  We Need _____________________________________.

WEEKLY REFLECTIONS

1.   What challenges do we face when it comes to our faith today?

2.   What types of opposition to faith do we see in the Scriptures?  How might we see similar opposition today?

3.   What types of distractions might pull us away from Christ?

4.   What circumstances might make it difficult to pursue Christ for a period of our lives?

5.   Who would you consider a brother or sister in Christ?  Who is someone who knows you well enough to speak into your walk with Jesus, to encourage and challenge you when you need it?

6.   How does the story of Eutychus remind us of the Gospel in Christ?

7.   Prayer Project: How can Paul be so steadfast in his pursuit of the Gospel?  Are there any obstacles that make it difficult for you to be similarly steadfast in your faith?

March 5, 2023: The Itch of Idolatry

Acts 19:21-41

The Itch of Idolatry

Mike Giesenhagen

March 5, 2023

Acts 19:21-41

1.  Idolatry is ______________________________.

 2.  Idolatry is ______________________________.

 3.  Idolatry is ______________________________.

 4.  Idolatry is ______________________________.

 5.  Idolatry is ______________________________.

 WEEKLY REFLECTIONS

 1.   How do we see the people of Ephesus respond to the Gospel as Paul is preaching?  How does Demetrius show us the priorities of the local people?

 2.   How does our society reflect the indulgent nature of idolatry?  How does that manifest?

 3.   How does our society cling to its idols?  What makes it so hard to turn from idols?

 4.   How does pride play into the problem of idolatry?  How do we see idols formed out of personal and communal pride?

 5.   How have the priorities of “righteous behavior” changed over time?  How have the priorities of God’s people shifted over the course of Scripture?  Over the course of your lifetime?

 Prayer Project: Are there ways that we try to take on the role of “savior” instead of Christ?  How might we be tempted to try to “fix” things on our own instead of turning to Him?

February 26, 2023: The Power of Christ

Acts 19:8-20

The Power of Christ

Mike Giesenhagen

February 26, 2023

Acts 19:8-20 

 1.  Miracles _____________ to ___________.

 2.  We Must ________________  __________  ________.

 3.  Following Christ is _____________ than ____________.

 4.  We Must ________________ to ______________.

 WEEKLY REFLECTIONS

 1.   What is your reaction when you read or hear about miracles?  Have you ever been blessed by an unexplainable event?

 2.   While miracles are rare, even in the context of Scripture, what is their purpose?  Who performs every miracle?

 3.   What is the problem with the language used by the Jews in Acts 19:13?  What does this imply about their relationship to Christ?

 4.   What does the spirit’s statement tell us about our relationship with Christ?  What does it teach us about how we can and should know him?

 5.   How do the people respond when they witness the power of Christ in their midst?  What other responses have you seen in Scripture?

 6.   Prayer Project: Paul was a self-righteous Pharisee.  The Ephesians worshipped Artemis.  What does the “old self” look like in your life?  And how has the new creation in Christ been made different?

February 19, 2023: Walking with the Spirit

Acts 19:1-7

Walking in the Spirit

Mike Giesenhagen

February 19, 2023

Acts 19:1-7

Article 6: The Holy Spirit

We believe that the Holy Spirit, in all that He does, glorifies the Lord Jesus Christ.  He convicts the world of its guilt.  He regenerates sinners, and in Him they are baptized into union with Christ and adopted as heirs in the family of God.  He also indwells, illuminates, guides, equips, and empowers believers for Christ-like living and service.

1.  The Holy Spirit is ____________________________.

 2.  The Holy Spirit is ____________________________.

 3.  The Holy Spirit is ____________________________.

 WEEKLY REFLECTIONS

 1.   When you hear the phrase “Holy Spirit” or “Holy Ghost”, what comes to mind?  Who is He?  What is his role?

 2.   If God is described as one God in three persons (Father, Son, and Spirit), what does that tell us about who the Spirit is?  What attributes does He therefore possess?

 3.   Additional Study: How has the Spirit empowered God’s people throughout the book of Acts?  How has God’s power been on display throughout the book of Acts?

 4.   What do the powerful verbs of Article 6 (indwells, illuminates, guides, equips, and empowers) teach us about the Holy Spirit?  What is the purpose of the Spirit helping us in these ways?

 5.   What do the personal verbs of Article 6 (convicts, regenerates, baptized, adopted) teach us about the role of the Holy Spirit?  What do they teach us about ourselves?

February 5, 2023: Expect The Unexpected

Expect the Unexpected

Mike Giesenhagen

February 5, 2023

Acts 18:1-17

1.  _______________ Unexpected ____________________.

2.  Find What ________________ You _________________.

3.  __________  __________ From _________________.

4.  __________ in the Lord’s _______________________.

5.  _________________ Unexpected __________________.

WEEKLY REFLECTIONS

 1.   Context in Corinth: What do we know about Corinth?  What was the city known for?  What can 1 and 2 Corinthians help us to understand about the city?

 2.   How has God blessed you in spite of a difficult circumstance?  What was the circumstance?  What was the blessing?

 3.   What are some things that bring us together?  How can we find common ground with people outside the Church?

 4.   Why does rejection seem so scary?  What makes it difficult to get past rejections in our lives?  How can we ask for God’s help?

 5.   How has God provided for you in the face of difficulty?  Have you ever had to stand firm for your faith?

 6.   Have you ever received a blessing from an unexpected source?  What was the blessing?  And where did it come from?

Jan 29, 2023: Sovereign Over Society

Acts 17:16-34

Sovereign Over Society

Mike Giesenhagen

January 29, 2023

Acts 17:16-34 

1.  The ___________ of Our ____________ ______________.

2.  _____________  >  ________________.

3.  ________ ____________ > _________ ________________.

4.  The _____________ is __________ than ________.

  

5 Common Stages of Evangelism and Outreach

 1.   _________________________________________

2.   _________________________________________

3.   _________________________________________

4.   _________________________________________

5.   _________________________________________

WEEKLY REFLECTIONS

 1.   Context in Athens: The Athenians had many idols to their gods in Athens.  What sorts of things are idolized in our society?

 2.   Do you see any elements of Stoicism and/or Epicureanism in our society today?  If so, what are they, and how does that relate to the Gospel?

 3.   Why is it important to remember that God is completely different from and superior to all creation?  How do we see this demonstrated in Scripture?

 4.   What does it mean that God is sovereign over creation?  What does this mean for our relationship to him?

 5.   How is the Gospel relevant to both the religious and the secular?  How does Jesus address both their needs?

 6.   Prayer Point: If you have been praying for an opportunity to build relationship with a specific person, what stage do you think they’re at?

Jan 22, 2023: Reigning over Religion

Acts 17:1-15

Reigning Over Religion

Mike Giesenhagen

January 22, 2023

Acts 17:1-15, 1 Thess 2:13-16, Romans 2-3

1.  ____________________  ≠  _____________________.

 2.  The Gospel is for  ________  ___________  __________.

 3.  The ________________  >  The _______________.

WEEKLY REFLECTIONS

 1.   Reflection in Acts: Who have been the most common opponents to the apostles in Acts?  Why have they opposed the apostles as they proclaim the Gospel?

 2.   What is the biggest disagreement that these opponents have toward the Gospel?

 3.   If you were to summarize Christianity as quickly as possible, how would you describe it?  Try to keep it less than 5 sentences.

 4.   Why do you think there was so much distance between the Jews and Gentiles in the book of Acts?  What groups of people behave in similar ways today?

 5.   What does it mean when we say that we are saved by Christ alone?

January 15: The Great Escape

Acts 16

The Great Escape

Mike Giesenhagen

January 15, 2023

Acts 16:16-40

1.  God is Greater than ___________ ________________.

 2.  God is Greater than ___________ ________________.

 3.  God is Greater than __________ _________________.

 WEEKLY REFLECTIONS

 1.   Have you ever been in trouble when you didn’t do anything wrong?  What did that feel like?  How did you respond?

 2.   Why is it important to understand the nature of spiritual warfare (Ephesians 6)?  What can Acts 16 teach us about spiritual warfare and Christ?

 3.   How does God’s presence interact with the Roman world in Acts 16?  How can this encourage us in our faith today?

 4.   Who was set free by the earthquake?  What does this teach us about God and his people?

 5.   Additional Study: Much of Acts 16 takes place in the city of Philippi.  How might Paul’s experiences in Philippi influence his letter to them in the book of Philippians?

 6.   Prayer Project: Have you seen God bring any opportunities for you to live out his love?  Who has He been bringing to mind for you?

Jan 8, 2023: A New Resolve

Acts 15:36 - 16:15

A New Resolve

Mike Giesenhagen

January 8, 2023

Acts 15:36-16:15

1.  God’s _____________ > Our ___________________.

 2.  _________________ for _______________________.

 3.  “Resolution” 1: Pray for _______________________.

 4.  “Resolution” 2: Pray for _________ _____________.

 WEEKLY REFLECTIONS

 1.   Read Acts 14 and 16:1-15.  What do you notice about the locations in these passages?  What does this tell us about Paul and his ministry?

 2.   Has God ever redirected you from one path to another?  What happened?  How did it turn out?

 3.   How often do you interact with people who do not attend church?  Where do you most often see them?  How might it be possible to build relationships with more people who don’t know Jesus?

 4.   Who, if anyone, has God placed on your heart as someone you would like to get to know better?  How could you invest in that relationship?

 5.   Prayer Project: What is it about outreach that is most difficult for you?  Is it a lack of desire?  A lack of time?  A lack of understanding or training?  A lack of opportunity?  Whatever it is, ask God to reveal these obstacles to you, and then ask him for his help in these areas.

Jan 1, 2023: Friend of Sinners

Luke 7:33-35

Jesus, Friend of Sinners

Mike Giesenhagen

January 1, 2023

Luke 7:33-35

1.  We Can Never ______________  _______________.

2.  But God ____________  His ________________.

3.  Jesus Can ________________  __________________!

WEEKLY REFLECTIONS

 1.   What does it mean that Jesus is a “friend of sinners”?  What does a sinner look like?  Who would fit in that category?  Is that good or bad?

 2.   Have you ever felt like it didn’t matter what you did, but that someone would always be disappointed in you?  What was the situation?  And who would be disappointed?

 3.   The Bible says that we have all fallen short of God’s perfect standard (Romans 3:23).  How does He respond?  How is this the same/different from other people?

 4.   Which character in today’s sermon do you relate to most?  (Matthew, Peter, Mary)  Why?  Is there another character in the Bible who is a good example of how God transforms lives?

 5.   Additional Study: Consider the starting point and transformation of other major characters in the bible.  Abraham (Genesis 12-25).  Moses (Exodus 2-Deuteronomy) Ruth (Ruth 1-4) David (1 Samuel 15-2 Samuel), etc...  Where do they start?  How does God transform them?  Where do they end up/how does God use their life?

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).