September 24, 2023: God of the Impossible

Daniel 2

God of the Impossible

Mike Giesenhagen

September 24, 2023

Daniel 2

1.  The King’s ________________ ________.

a.  People are ____________________.

b.  People Have _______________ ____________

c.  People are ______________ _______________

Theological Truth:

2.  Daniel ________________ in ________________.

Theological Truth:

3.  God ______________ the _____________ _________

Theological Truth:

4.  God ______________ His ___________.

Theological Truth:

5.  The ___________ ___________________.

Theological Truth:

WEEKLY REFLECTIONS

1.   Ice Breaker: Have you ever been faced with an impossible task?  What was the task?  How did you respond?

2.   What does this chapter teach us about humanity?  How do the king and his wise men demonstrate the ways of the world?

3.   How does Daniel respond to the threat against his life?

4.   What does Daniel’s psalm of praise show us about God’s character?  (vv 19-23)

5.   What does Daniel’s ability to understand Nebuchadnezzar’s dream teach us about God?

6.   What is the big idea from the interpretation of the dream?  How can this be an encouragement to us today?

7.   What does the king’s response to Daniel teach us about God in Daniel 2?  How can this be an encouragement to us today?

September 17, 2023: The Lord is Faithful

The LORD is Faithful

Mike Giesenhagen

September 17, 2023

Daniel 1

1.  The LORD is _________________ _______________.

2.  We are Called to ______________ ____________.

3.  God ____________ to our ____________________.

4.  God’s ________________ is ___________________.

WEEKLY REFLECTIONS

1.   Ice Breaker: Have you ever felt like you didn’t fit in with the people around you?  What was it like?

2.   Additional Study: 2 Kings 17-25.  What do these chapters teach us about the context of the book of Daniel?  What happened to Israel and Judah?  Why is Daniel in exile?

3.   How does Daniel respond to his immersion in Babylonian culture?  How does he make his stand in the midst of his circumstance? 

4.   How does God respond to Daniel and the others’ act of faithfulness?

5.   What positive results come of Daniel’s decision?  What circumstances remain unchanged?

6.   How can we be encouraged by the longevity of Daniel’s ministry?

September 10, 2023: God's Goodness or Ours?

Jonah 4

Pastor Mike Giesenhagen

Mercy and Justice

Mike Giesenhagen

September 10, 2023

Jonah 4

1.  God’s __________ > Our ______________.

2.  We Cannot _________________ _________.

3.  God Loves His _____________ ____________. 

WEEKLY REFLECTIONS

1.   How have we seen God’s mercy in the book of Jonah?  What does this teach us about his character?

2.   Prayer Project: Are there any people (individuals or groups) who you would struggle to see receive God’s mercy?  What would make this difficult for you?

3.   Is Jonah’s anger justified in Jonah 4?  What might contribute to his anger?  How does God respond?

4.   How does Jonah try to convince God to do what he wants?  Have you ever tried to bargain with God?

5.   What does the lesson of the plant demonstrate about Jonah?  How can we learn from his error?

6.   What do we learn about God’s character from how he sees Nineveh in Jonah 4:10-11?

September 3, 2023: The Shortest Effective Service

Jonah 3

Pastor Mike Giesenhagen

Second Chances

Mike Giesenhagen

September 3, 2023

Jonah 3

1.  God is the ____________________  ____________.

2.  God’s ______________ > Human _______________.

3.  Faith is the _____________ of __________________.

4.  God’s ____________ is a ______________. 

WEEKLY REFLECTIONS

1.   Ice Breaker: Have you ever gotten a second chance?  Do you wish you had a second chance to do something?  What happened?

2.   How have we seen God’s sovereignty in the book of Jonah?  What are other examples of his sovereignty in the Scriptures?

3.   Why did the Ninevites respond to the message Jonah preached? 

4.   Who would you expect to respond to God’s call in this story?  Jonah?  Or the Ninevites?  What do we see happen in Jonah 3?

5.   What does it mean to “believe in God”?

6.   Prayer Project: God shows mercy to Jonah and the Ninevites alike.  What does this teach us about his grace and mercy?

August 27, 2023: God in Our Distress

Back From the Dead

Mike Giesenhagen

August 27, 2023

Jonah 1:17-2:10

 1.  God is the _____________ _____________________.

 2.  God ____________ our __________________.

 3.  God ___________ Us from _____________ ________

 4.  ________________ Comes From ________________.

 WEEKLY REFLECTIONS

 1.   How did Jonah survive being thrown overboard?  Who saved him?  What does this tell us about his savior?

 2.   Have you ever noticed God answering your prayers?  What happened?  Have you ever felt like your prayers went unanswered?  How did you respond?

 3.   How serious was Jonah’s condition in the sea?  How does he describe it in his prayers?

 4.   What good things can we learn from Jonah’s prayer?  What parts of his prayer might point to his own pride?

 5.   Prayer Project: What does it mean to say “Salvation comes from the LORD”?  How does that affect our personal life in Christ?  How should that affect the way we see the world around us?

August 20, 2023: No Port in This Storm

Jonah 1

No Port in This Storm

Mike Giesenhagen

August 20, 2023

Jonah 1

 1.  ______________ is Rooted in ________ _________.

 2.  _________ Wants Our _________________.

 3.  God’s ____________ is __________________.

 4.  __________, ____________, or ______________.

 WEEKLY REFLECTIONS

 1.   Jonah fled from God’s command (1:3).  What might cause people to run from God’s commands?  What might cause them to run from his presence?

 2.   What misunderstandings of God might cause people to run from him instead of toward him?  How can these misunderstandings be corrected?

 3.   Has God ever gotten your attention in a notable or significant way?  What was it that got your attention?  What did he reveal to you in that time?

 4.   How have you seen God demonstrate his sovereignty in your life?  How does the LORD demonstrate his sovereignty over other gods, humanity, and nature itself?

 5.   Prayer Project: Have you had moments in your life where you tried to run from God?  Have you even been resigned to your fate before God?  When have you surrendered yourself to God?  What’s the difference?

August 8, 2023: Reconciling Community

Philemon

Reconciling Community

Mike Giesenhagen

August 6, 2023

Philemon

 1.  Reconciliation is a __________, Yet _________ Pursuit.

 The Cost for Paul:  _______________

 The Cost for Philemon: ________________

 The Cost for Onesimus: ________________

 2.  Reconciliation May Include _______________.

 3.  Reconciliation Must Include ________________.

 WEEKLY REFLECTIONS

 1.   Have you ever had a relationship that was strained?  Who was it with?  What caused the strain?  How did it resolve?

 2.   Have you ever had to sacrifice on the behalf of someone else?  Or have you received the benefit from someone else’s sacrifice?  What happened?

 3.   Sometimes we say we need to “be the bigger person” when in conflict with someone else.  How does this demonstrate the sacrifice and forgiveness needed for reconciliation?

 4.   Have you ever had to ask someone for their forgiveness for a wrong that you had committed?  How did that go?

 5.   What does the Gospel teach us about God’s response when we ask for his forgiveness?

 6.   Have you ever had to forgive someone for something seemingly unforgiveable?  How did God help you through that process?

July 30, 2023: Helping People Love God

Helping People Love God

Mike Giesenhagen

July 30, 2023

Colossians 4:2-18

 1.  _______________ is __________________.

 2.  ___________________ the ________________.

 Step 1:

 Step 2:

 Step 3:

 Step 4:

 3.  Be _____________ and ________________.

 4.  Find Your ___________.

 5.  Find Your _____________________.

 WEEKLY REFLECTIONS

 1.   What does your prayer life look like?  How is it going well?  What is one way you would like to grow in this area?

 2.   How well prepared are you to share the Gospel?  If someone were to ask you what it means to be a Christian, what would you tell them?  How would you support your position?

 3.   What does it mean for your conversations to be “full of grace”?  How do you view interactions with people beyond the Church?  How well prepared are you to talk about Christ with them?

 4.   The members of the early Church served one another in a variety of ways.  How are you currently serving the body of Christ?  What gifts or talents could you use to serve the Church?

 5.   The members of the early Church were a close knit community.  How are you engaged in meaningful community with other Christian brothers and sisters?  Where do you connect?

July 16, 2023: Reality Meets Reality

Col 3:1-7

Pastor Mike Giesenhagen

Reality Meets Reality

Mike Giesenhagen

July 16, 2023

Colossians 3:1-17

 1.  Christ ______________ Our __________________.

 a.  The Work of ______________ is ____________.

 b.  The Promise of _____________ is __________.

 2.  We Are __________ _________ in ______________.

 a.  _______ _________ the _______ _________.

 b.  This is For _________ ________ _______.

 c.  Be ____________ in the _________ of ______.

 3.  Christ __________ Us __________________.

 WEEKLY REFLECTIONS

 1.   How can Christians be confident in the Assurance of Salvation?  What Scriptures support this doctrine?

 2.   How much of our sin was forgiven on the cross?  How do we know?  Is this a simple or difficult thing for us to understand?

 3.   What is the purpose of turning away from our sinful ways?  Who does it benefit, and how?

 4.   What is the significance of Paul’s instruction to “rid yourselves of all such things as these”?  What does the word “yourselves” add to this command?

 5.   What is the purpose of “setting our minds on things above”?  How does that help us in our pursuit of Christ (consider also Galatians 5:16)

 6.   This passage begins and ends with a reminder of Christ (3:1-4, 15-17).  How can this help us as we relate to our brothers and sisters in the Church?

July 9, 2023: Christ Over Culture

Colossians 2:16-23

Christ Over Culture

Mike Giesenhagen

July 9, 2023

Colossians 2:16-23

 1.  ___________ __________ in __________ __________.

 2.  ________ _________  >  ______ _________________.

 3.  Check Your ___________________ to ___________.

 WEEKLY REFLECTIONS

 1.   Why does the author, Paul, begin his defense against false teaching by affirming the Colossians’ identity in Christ?

 2.   What is the significance of circumcision, food laws, festivals, and Sabbath to the early church?  How have these been addressed in the New Testament?  See: Acts 15, Romans 14, Gal 5:1-12

 3.   What is the difference between “shadow” and “substance”?  How does a shadow and its origin work together?

 4.   How should we, as Christians, perceive grace and obedience?  How do these work together in our lives?

 5.   How might we, as Christians, be prone to similar mistakes as the false teachers of Colossians 2?  How can we avoid repeating their mistake?

June 25, 2023: Dealing with False Teaching

Pastor Mike Giesenhagen

Col 2:6-23

Fullness in Christ

Mike Giesenhagen

June 25, 2023

Colossians 2:6-15

1.  ______________ Comes Back to ___________.

 2.  Beware _________ and _________  _____________.

 3.  Consider the ____________.

 4.  __________ is Our ___________  _______________.

 5.  Christ’s _____________ is Our __________ ________

 WEEKLY REFLECTIONS

 1.   Paul indicates that the Colossians should be rooted, built up in, and established in Christ.  What do these verbs tell us about our standing in Christ?

 2.   What are some “hollow and deceptive philosophies” we see in our world today?  Why are these things appealing to us as people?

 3.   Additional Study: Mark 7:1-23.  Jesus speaks against the “human traditions” of the Pharisees.  How do we see this kind of hollow and deceptive philosophy in our world today?

 4.   Colossians 2:10 tells us we are “full” in Christ and that he is the head over all powers and authorities.  How can this bring encouragement to us as followers of Christ?

 5.   Which of the images in Colossians 2:11-15 (circumcision, burial, resurrection, made alive, forgiven, victorious) is most encouraging to you?  Which one is most difficult for you?

June 18, 2023: Maturity in Christ

From Col 1:24-2:7 by Niel Schindler

Accepting Agony in Announcing Christ

Neil Schindler

June 18, 2023

Colossians 1:24 – 2:7

 Paul’s motivation in his labors: “Filling up Christ’s afflictions” (v24)

What does it look like to “rejoice in sufferings?”

 What might be classified as “lacking” in Christ’s sufferings?

 Why Paul eagerly embraces affliction: to fulfill God’s word! (v25-27)

 What is the goal of agonizing over gospel labors? (v28-29)

The goal: Announcing Christ to make others more mature in him

 The two-fold means of proclamation: Teaching and warning

 Undergoing agony willingly—our will + Jesus’ energy

 Three goals motivating our “gospel agonies” for others (v1-7)

 Application for fathers, not-yet-fathers, and never-to-be-fathers

 WEEKLY REFLECTIONS

 1.   What insight, principle or observation from this weekend’s message did you find to be most helpful, eye opening or difficult?  Explain.

June 11, 2023: Sin and Justification

Savior Vs. Sin

Mike Giesenhagen

June 11, 2023

Colossians 1:19-23

 Today’s Question:  Are People Generally Good?

 1.  Sin _________________ Us from _____________

 A.  We’re ______________ by _____________

 B.  We’re ______________ by _____________

 2.  Christ _______________ Us to _____________.

 A.  We Are ________________ by ________________

 B.  We Are ________________ to ________________

 3.  ___________ ___________ in ____________________

 One View: The ____________ Button

           The Problem:

 Another View: The __________  ____________

           The Problem:

WEEKLY REFLECTIONS

 1.   Are people born generally good?  Generally bad?  Or somewhere in between?  Why do you think that’s true?

 2.   How has sin affected each of us?  What are some of the ways we see the effects of sin in our world?

 3.   How do our thoughts and reflections reflect the sins of our hearts?  In what ways might a person be tempted to sin against God?

 4.   What is the purpose of Christ’s redeeming work on the cross?  What has it done for us positionally before God?  What has it done for us relationally with God?

 5.   When you hear the word “sanctification”, what comes to mind?  What is the purpose of sanctification? How is it related to or different from maturity?

 6.   Is it possible for a person to live without sin?  Why or why not?

June 4, 2023: The Supremacy of Christ

From Col 1:15-23

The One We Worship

Mike Giesenhagen

June 4, 2023

Colossians 1:15-20

 Today’s Question:  Who is Jesus Christ?

 1.  Christ is Fully __________________

 Related Doctrine:

 Related Heresies:

 -     ______________  and  ______________

 2.  Christ is Fully __________________

 Related Doctrine:

 Related Heresies:

 -     ______________  and  ______________

 3.  Christ is Fully __________________

 Related Doctrine:

 Related Heresies:

 -     ______________ and _______________

 4.  Christ Has Full ____________________.

 Related Doctrine:

 WEEKLY REFLECTIONS

 1.   Why would it matter if Jesus was not fully God?  What difference would it make to the Christian faith?

 2.   Why would it matter if Jesus was not fully human?  What difference would it make to the Christian faith?

 3.   How does Christ reveal both his divinity and his humanity in the Gospels?  Give some examples of each.

 4.   How can Christ’s sovereignty be a comfort to Christians in today’s world?

 5.   Which heresy discussed this week do you think is most common today?  How do you see it expressed in the world around us?

May 28, 2023: Our Family in Christ

Colossians 1:1-14

Our Family in Christ

Mike Giesenhagen

May 28, 2023

Colossians 1:1-14

Themes in Colossians:

A.

 B.

 C.

1.  Our ______________ is in _____________.

 2.  Our “____________” ________________ Matter.

 3.  We Ought to _______________ One Another.

 WEEKLY REFLECTIONS

 1.   Additional Study: Read through Colossians in a single sitting.  What themes do you notice in the text?  What seems to be the focus of the letter?

 2.   Why does Paul emphasize the name of Christ so much in this letter?  What does this tell us about how we relate to one another?

 3.   Who is someone that has impacted your faith in a positive way?  How did they impact you?  Have you thanked them for their impact in your life?

 4.   How do you think people would speak about your faith in Christ?  What would be the words they would use to describe your faith?  What would you like them to see?

 5.   How often do you pray for your brothers and sisters in Christ?  What do those prayers sound like?  How can we learn from Paul’s example in Colossians 1 regarding prayer for each other?

May 21, 2023: The Ministry of Presence

Acts 28

The Ministry of Presence

Mike Giesenhagen

May 21, 2023

Acts 28 

1.  The Ministry of _____________________.

2.  The Ministry of _____________________.

3.  The Ministry of _____________________.

4.  The Ministry of _____________________.

WEEKLY REFLECTIONS

 1.   Ice Breaker: What types of things distract you from being fully “present” with the people around you?  How do they receive your distracted presence?

 2.   How have you been encouraged by someone who served you in a meaningful way?  What did they do?  How did you respond?

 3.   How have you seen God answer prayers in your life?  How has someone else’s prayer benefited you?  How has God answered your prayers for someone else?

 4.   Have you ever been encouraged by someone just because they “showed up”?  Who was it?  And why was it so significant that they were present with you?

 5.   Have you ever had the opportunity to share Christ with someone in need?  How did they respond?  How did you know it was the right time to speak?

May 14, 2023: Taking Heart While Navigating God's Means

Pastor Neil Schindler

Taking Heart While Navigating God’s Means

Neil Schindler

May 14, 2023

Acts 27

Tracing back God’s will in Paul’s long-awaited journey to Rome

  Paul’s two messages about the sea voyage to Rome

Paul’s rational “premonition” and why it was ignored (v1-12)

 A 2nd warning à a hopeful message based on God’s “ends” (v21-26)

  Responding to various threats to God’s will by practical “means”

1) The storm (physical nature; v13-20)

 2) Self-centered sailors (uncaring people; v27-32)

 3) Suspenseful fear and lack of strength (psychological; v33-38)

 4) Soldiers fearing accountability (attacking people; v39-44)

  Practical navigation of potential threats to God’s will in our lives

Two general examples of applying “means” instead of just waiting

Four Scriptural “means” of trust in countering threats to God’s will

 WEEKLY REFLECTION

 1.   What insight, principle or observation from this weekend’s message did you find to be most helpful, eye opening or difficult?  Explain.