June 21, 2026: Love When It's Difficult

Romans 12:9-21

Love When It’s Difficult

Mike Giesenhagen

June 21, 2026

Romans 12:9-21

 Love must be sincere. 

Hate what is evil; cling to what is good. 

Be devoted to one another in love. 

Honor one another above yourselves. 

Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord. 

Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. 

Share with the Lord’s people who are in need. 

Practice hospitality. 

Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse. 

Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everyone. 

If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. 

Do not take revenge, my dear friends, but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written: “It is mine to avenge; I will repay,” says the Lord. 

On the contrary: “If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink. In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head.” 

Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good. 

Discussion Questions 

  1. Which of these instructions comes most naturally to you? Which would you say is already a part of your life?

  2. Which of these instructions struck you as something to consider more carefully? Are there any words that you have not given the proper credence to? Perhaps “glossing over” it more casually than desired?

  3. Which of these instructions has obvious merit, but is difficult for you to put into practice? Why? What obstacles stand in the way?

  4. Which of these instructions is most difficult for you to receive, agree with, or implement? Why?

  5. Why does this passage highlight God’s sovereign wrath (12:19)? How is this important in the context of humanity?

  6. Which of these instructions will you ask God to help you with this week?

  

June 14, 2026: God's Gracious Gifts

Paster Mike is preaching from Romans 12:3-8

God’s Gracious Gifts

Mike Giesenhagen

June 14, 2026

Romans 12:3-8

 1.   _______________ _________________ Us

  A.  Grace Comes from ____________.

 B.   Grace Includes ____________ _______________.

  C.  Grace Includes the ___________ of __________.

 2.   ______________ in Spiritual Gifts is _________________.

 3.   Spiritual Gifts are for the ____________ ____________.

 Discussion Questions

  1. Why does Paul emphasize the grace given to him in Romans 12:3?

  2. What is the source of our unity and our hope within the Church?

  3. What is the importance of “sober judgment”? What impact would this have on the unity of the church?

  4. Prayer Project: Are you more inclined to think too highly of yourself? Or too lowly?

  5. What are the implications of the spiritual gift of faith? What does this imply about our relationship with other Christians?

  6. Partner Project: Find someone who you trust. Ask them how they have seen God work in you. What gifts have they seen in you?

  7. Additional Study: Read 1 Corinthians 12 and Ephesians 4. According to these texts, what is the purpose of spiritual gifts?

June: 7, 2026: A Living Sacrifice

Romans 12:1-2

Pastor Mike Giesenhagen

A Living Sacrifice

Mike Giesenhagen

June 7, 2026

Romans 12:1-2 

1.   The ________________ is Our _____________________. 

2.   __________________ Involves ______________________. 

3.   Be _______________________ in Your _______________. 

4.   Pursue ________________ _____________________.

Discussion Questions

  1. What are the “mercies” that Paul references in Romans 12:1? What has been demonstrated in Romans to this point?

  2. What is the significance of the term “brothers and sisters” in verse 1?

  3. What does Paul mean by a “living sacrifice”? What would this look like in our daily lives?

  4. Have you ever broken a habit? What prompted the change? How easy/difficult was it? How long did it take?

  5. What does it mean to be transformed by the renewing of your mind? Who does the transforming?

  6. What is the importance of discerning God’s will?  What is the significance of this discernment in the context of the Roman church?

May 31, 2026: Grafted Branches

Paster Mike is Preaching from Romans 11:11-36

Grafted Branches

Mike Giesenhagen

May 31, 2026

Romans 11:11-36

1.   _____________ has a _________________.

2.   ___________________ God’s ___________________.

3.   Don’t Be ________________________; ______________!

4.   Never _________________ ________________.

5.   God’s ________________ is ______________________.

Discussion Questions

  1. Have you ever seen God work in unexpected ways in your life? What is an example you could share with a friend?

  2. Has God’s plan and your preference ever been out of sync? How did they differ? What ended up happening?

  3. What is the significance of the Olive tree in Romans 11:17-24? Why are branches broken off in this passage? What is the warning to God’s people today?

  4. What is the significance of the examples of Paul’s ministry to the Gentiles, along with the hardening “in part” of Israel? What encouragement can we take from these examples?

  5. How would you explain 11:28 to a friend? “As far as the gospel is concerned, they are enemies for your sake; but as far as election is concerned, they are loved on account of the patriarchs.”?

  6. What role does the doxology (11:33-36) play in this passage?

 

May 24, 2026: The Remnant of Grace

Paster Mike is Preaching from Romans 10:16-11:10

ld!

The Remnant of Grace

Mike Giesenhagen

May 24, 2026

Romans 10:16-11:10

1.   _____________ Comes by ____________________.

2.   ______________________ Comes through ___________.

3.   _______________________ Comes by _______________.

4.   _____________ the ____________ of the ____________.

Discussion Questions

  1. Context: Read Romans 9-11. What is the recurring lament that Paul has been emphasizing in these chapters? (e.g. Romans 10:1)

  2. Additional Study: How does Psalm 19 demonstrate the spread of God’s message to the world? What are the two ways his Will is made known in this Psalm?

  3. What did Israel misunderstand in 10:19-20? What is the difference between the people in verse 20 and 21?

  4. Key Verse: How would you interpret and explain Romans 11:6 to a friend? “And if by grace, then it cannot be based on works; if it were, grace would no longer be grace.”

  5. Who has God placed in your life that would benefit from receiving the Gospel of Christ? How can you share with them the message concerning Christ (10:17)?

May 17, 2026: Go With the Gospel

Pastor Mike Giesenhagen

Romans 10:1-17

Go With the Gospel

Mike Giesenhagen

May 17, 2026

Romans 10:1-17

1.   __________ Righteousness is _________ Righteousness

A.  Christ _____________ the _________ for His People.

B.   Following the ____________ is __________________.

C.  We Cannot ________________ ________________.

2.   _____________ in the ________________ of _________.

3.   ____________ with the ______________________.

Discussion Questions

  1. How would you interpret or explain Romans 10:3 “Since they did not know the righteousness of God and sought to establish their own, they did not submit to God’s righteousness”?

  2. Romans 10:5 says the person who follows the Law will live. Is it possible to follow the Old Testament perfectly today? Why or why not?

  3. Why is it important to confess with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord”? What does this teach us about our faith?

  4. What does it mean to “believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead”? What does this teach us about our faith?

  5. According to Romans 10:9-13, what is the basis for salvation according to the Christian faith?

  6. What is the expected response to the Gospel described by Paul in Romans 10:14-17?

May 10, 2026: Coming Together

Romans 9

Coming Together

Mike Giesenhagen

May 10, 2026

Romans 9

1.   _____________________ ≠ ____________________.

2.   It’s Not About _________________________.

3.   God’s _________________ > Our __________________.

4.   God ___________________ Us _____________________.

5.   The _________________ ___________ is Our

________________________.

Discussion Questions

  1. Ice Breaker: Do you have a particular group of people that you feel particularly compelled to share the Gospel with? If so, who?

  2. Additional Study: What is the difference between Isaac and Ishmael in Genesis 15-22? What is the difference between Jacob and Esau? Why does God favor one over the other?

  3. Romans 9:11 says “before the twins were born or had done anything good or bad…”. Why is this part of the story important for Paul’s argument in Romans 9?

  4. What is the purpose of the potter and clay example in Romans 9:20-21?

  5. How do the quotations from Hosea and Isaiah apply to the church in Rome? What similarities can we apply to our current context?

  6. What is the difference between Jesus as the “stumbling stone” and Jesus as the “cornerstone” in our life?

May 3, 2026: Blessed Assurance

Isaac Janssen

Romans 8:31-39

Blessed Assurance

Isaac Janssen

May 3, 2026

Romans 8:31-39

Context:

Big Idea:

1.   We Have Been _________________ _______________.

A.

B.

2.   God’s Love for His ______________ is _____________.

A.

B.

C.

Discussion Questions

  1. Ice Breaker: How would you define love? How would you explain love to a young child? How does God demonstrate love in the Bible?

  2. What does assurance mean? How can we be confident in the assurance of salvation?

  3. How does God’s sovereignty affect our understanding of salvation? (8:33-34)

  4. How do our circumstances affect God’s love for us?

  5. What can we learn from our circumstances?

  6. How does the Holy Spirit help in this process?

  7. Prayer Project: Is there anything you think can separate you from the love of God? What obstacles might you encounter? How can God help remove those obstacles?

April 26, 2026 - Not Yet

Romans 8:18-30

Pastor Mike Giesenhagen

Not Yet

Mike Giesenhagen

April 26, 2026

Romans 8:18-30

1.   All _______________ is ______________________.

2.   We ___________ with _______________ _____________.

3.   The ______________ is __________ to ____________.

4.   The ______________ is __________ to ____________.

5.   God’s ________________ ____________ ____________.

Discussion Questions

  1. Ice Breaker: Have you ever had to wait for something until it arrived? What were you waiting for? What was that experience like?

  2. What evidence do you see that the world we live in is “groaning” or “subjected to frustration”? How are these things evident among humanity?

  3. What are the risks of waiting too patiently for the Lord’s return? What are the risks of waiting too eagerly?

  4. Additional Study: What do you look forward to in eternity? What promises do you remember in the Bible (e.g. Revelation 20-21)

  5. What does Romans 8:27 teach us about the Spirit’s presence in our prayer life? How does His intercession help us to pray?

  6. How have you seen God use difficult circumstances for your good? How have the struggles helped shape you? What has been an unexpected blessing to you?

April 19, 2026 - Life in the Spirit

Romans 8:1-17

Life in the Spirit

Mike Giesenhagen

April 19, 2026

Romans 8:1-17

1.   Only ____________ Can _______________ Us.

2.   The Spirit ________________ the ______________.

3.   The Spirit __________ Us ______________ to _________.

a.  He _____________________ Us.

b.  He _____________________ Us.

c.  He _____________________ Us.

d.  He _____________________ Us.

Discussion Questions

  1. What does it mean when it says there is “no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus”?

  2. What was the law powerless to do (v3)? Why was Jesus able to accomplish what the law could not?

  3. What is the difference between the flesh and the Spirit? How do we know which one we are following and pursuing?

  4. Prayer Project: Are there any parts of your life that are currently controlled by the flesh, rather than the Spirit? Ask God to reveal these areas to you. Ask also for the Spirit help you with a way out.

  5. According to the EFCA Statement of Faith, the Holy Spirit convicts, regenerates, adopts, indwells, illuminates, guides, equips, and empowers believers. Which of these is most difficult for you to believe/understand? Why?

  6. Paul says that we are “co-heirs with Christ” (8:17). What does our shared inheritance with Christ look like?

April 12, 2026 - The Internal Struggle

Romans 7:7-25

Pastor Mike Giesenhagen

The Internal Struggle

Mike Giesenhagen

April 12, 2026

Romans 7:7-25

Context: Romans 7:4, 6.

1.   God’s ________________ is __________________.

a.  The Law ______________ Sin

b.  The Law ______________ Sin

c.  The Law ______________ Sin

d.  Sin _________________ God’s Law.

2.   Sinful _________________ ____________ _____________.

a.  Sin is ___________________.

b.  Sin is ___________________.

c.  Sin is ___________________  _________________.

3.   Spiritual ______________ ____________ __________.

4.   Christ Will ___________ the _____________.

Discussion Questions

  1. How does the Law reveal sin for what it is?

  2. How does sin twist the law for our destruction?

  3. Why is it so difficult to do what we know is right according to God’s law? How have you seen this war waged in your own life?

  4. How can we be deceived by sin into breaking God’s law?

  5. What does Paul mean when he says “it is no longer I who do it, but it is sin living in me” (7:17,20)

  6. How does the cycle of sin and shame end?

April 5, 2026 - Easter Sunday

Pastor Mike Giesenhagen

Mark 15:33 - 16:8

I Want You to Know…

Mike Giesenhagen

April 5, 2026

Mark 15:33-16:8

1.   Jesus ______________ for our _______________.

2.   Jesus _______________ ___________ and ___________.

3.   The _______________________ ______________________

God’s _________________________.

Discussion Questions

  1. When you think of Good Friday and Resurrection Sunday, what encourages you most?

  2. Which aspect of the Gospel is most encouraging to you? Challenging? Difficult to Understand?

    1. Forgiveness: Eph 1:7, Heb 9:22

    2. Justification: Rom 3:26, 6:23

    3. Redemption: Rom 3:24, 1Cor 6:20, Gal 5:10

    4. Reconciliation: Col 1:21-22, Rom 5:10

    5. Adoption: John 1:12, Gal 4:5

    6. Regeneration: 2Cor 5:17, Col 2:13

    7. Salvation: John 3:16-17

  3. How does the Resurrection prove God’s power over sin and death?

  4. How does the Resurrection reinforce God’s sovereign authority here on earth?

March 29, 2026 - Alive to Thrive

Romans 7:1-6

Pastor Mike Giesenhagen

Alive to Thrive

Mike Giesenhagen

March 29, 2026

Romans 7:1-6

1.   The ____________ is _____________________.

a.  The _________ is ___________-______________.

b.  The _________ cannot _________________.

2.   We Are ___________ from the _____________.

a.  We Have “__________ ________” the _________.

b.  We ________________ to _________________.

3.   We Have ___________ ___________ in ______________.

a.  Cage 1: We WERE in the ______________.

b.  Cage 2: We WERE under the _____________.

c.  We ______________ the _____________.

Discussion Questions

  1. Prayer Project: Romans 7:6 says that we are released from the law to serve the Spirit. Are there any desires of the flesh that need to be put to death in Christ this week? Are there any fruit of the Spirit that you would like God to grow? (See Galatians 5:16-23)

  2. How have you prepared your heart for Holy Week? What are you looking forward to as we celebrate the death and Resurrection of Christ?

  3. Suggested Readings for Holy Week: (Try to focus on the people’s responses to Christ)

    1. Monday: Matthew 26-27

    2. Tuesday: Mark 14-15

    3. Wednesday: Luke 22-23

    4. Thursday: John 18-19

    5. Friday: Psalm 22

    6. Saturday: Psalm 23

    7. Sunday: Psalm 24

  4. How do the people of the Scripture respond to Jesus as the Messiah?

March 15, 2026 - New Life in Christ

Romans 6:1-14

Pastor Mike Giesenhagen

New Life in Christ

Mike Giesenhagen

March 15, 2026

Romans 6:1-14

1.   We Have ________________ to _________________.

a.  Sin is __________________________.

b.  Sin is __________________________.

c.  Sin is __________________________.

2.   We Have __________ ____________ in ______________.

3.   Be _______________________ in _________________.

4.   Follow ______________ ______________ ___________.

Discussion Questions

  1. How does Paul describe the nature of sin in this passage? Consider 6:2, 6, and 12 in particular.

  2. What does it mean to be “dead to sin”?

  3. What are some of the obstacles that make it difficult for people to turn from sin?

  4. What does the imagery of “death” signify in this passage? What does “joining” in Christ’s death have to do with the power of sin?

  5. What is the significance of the sign of baptism, as written in Romans 6:3-4? Why does Paul include the sign of baptism in this passage?

  6. Additional Study: Galatians 5:13-26. Compare the extended passage from Galatians 5 with Romans 6:13. With these verses in mind, what does it look like to “not offer any part of yourself to sin as an instrument of wickedness, but rather offer yourselves to God as those who have been brought from death to life”?

March 8, 2026 - The New Adam

Romans 5:12-21

The New Adam

Mike Giesenhagen

March 8, 2026

Romans 5:12-21

1.   Sin is _________________ ______________________.

a.  Sin is __________________ ___________________.

b.  Sin is _________________ ____________________.

c.  ________________ is a ___________ of ________.

2.   God’s Grace _________________ Over_____________.

3.   ________________ is ________________ for __________.

4.   The _____________ Shows Our _______________,

_______________ _______________ Over ____________.

Discussion Questions

  1. What is the evidence that sin has affected all humanity? What sign has been given according to 5:12?

  2. Additional Study: read Genesis 3. What are some of the other consequences of sin mentioned in Genesis 3?

  3. What is the difference between the entity of sin and the practice of it? Which type of sin is addressed in this passage? Which is addressed by the Gospel?

  4. What are three ways that Paul contrasts Adam and Jesus in 5:15-17? How do we know that Christ is superior in each comparison?

  5. 5:18-19 show that sin has spread to all humanity through natural means. How, then, can Christ’s righteousness spread to all people?

  6. In 5:20, Paul writes, “where sin increased, grace increased all the more.” Does this give us reason to sin freely? If not, what does it mean?

March 1, 2026 - Was, Is and Is to Come

Pastor Mike Giesenhagen

Romans 5:1-11

Was, Is, and Is to Come

Mike Giesenhagen

March 1, 2026

Romans 5:1-11

1.   Christ is our ______________ ______________________.

2.   We Have ______________ to _______ ______________.

3.   We Are ____________ with God’s ______________ ________________.

4.   We Can _____________ in __________ ______________.

5.   We _______________ in ____________ _______________.

Discussion Questions

  1. This passage emphasizes the security Christians have in justification. What are the words used in 5:6-8 to describe Christians before justification takes place? What do these mean?

  2. What are the benefits of justification described in Romans 5:1-11? Which of these benefits are already accessible? Which will come in the future?

  3. Additional Study: Leviticus 16. In Leviticus 16, God describes the process that must take place on the Day of Atonement. How is this different from what we see in Romans 5:1-2?

  4. What is the role of the Holy Spirit as described in Romans 5:5? What is His purpose in the life of the believer?

  5. Additional Study: James 1:2-4, 1 Peter 1:6-7. These are 3 NT passages that describe the process of developing endurance through suffering. How have you seen suffering produce benefit in your life or the world around you?

  6. This passage describes hope and reconciliation. How would you define reconciliation with God based on this passage? What does it mean? What are the benefits?

February 22, 2026 - Faith and Righteousness

Romans 4

Faith and Righteousness

Mike Giesenhagen

February 22, 2026

Romans 4

1.   Faith ________________ ___________________.

2.   Faith _________________ __________________.

3.   Faith ________________ the ______________.

4.   Faith ________________ the ______________.

5.   Faith ________________ the ______________.

6.   Follow _______________ _________________.

A.  _________________ in ________________.

B.   _________________ in ________________,

C.  _________________ ______________ Righteousness. 

Discussion Questions

  1. Additional Study: Read Genesis 15 (or 11-25 for the whole story). What did Abram believe that Paul is referring to in Romans 4?

  2. What does the phrase “credited as righteousness mean”? How would you explain that to a friend?

  3. What are the blessings received through God’s righteousness in Jesus Christ?

  4. What is the importance of the timing of when Abraham was “credited” with righteousness? Why does Paul emphasize that this took place prior to circumcision?

  5. Why would the promise that comes by faith be more trustworthy than the promise of the Law? How can Paul argue that it is “guaranteed to all Abraham’s offspring”?

  6. Prayer Project: How can we learn from the example of Abraham that Paul uses in Romans 4:18-25? Which part of the process is most difficult for you?

February 15, 2026 - The Glorious Gospel

Romans 3:21-31

Mike Giesenhagen

The Glorious Gospel

Mike Giesenhagen

February 15, 2026

Romans 3:21-31 

Context: What has Paul written about in Romans 1-3?

Two Verbs Attributed to Humanity in Romans 3:21-26.

_________________________ AND ________________________

1.   We Are All ______________ of _______________.

2.   We _____________ the ______________________.

A.   We Are ______________ by __________ _________.

B.   ______________ is _________________ by _________.

C.  Our ______________ is in ___________ ___________.

3.   The ____________ is ___________ than ____ _________.

Discussion Questions

  1. What is the righteousness of God that has been made known to us? How have we seen this righteousness in the world?

  2. What does it mean to be saved by grace through faith in Jesus Christ? How would you explain these things to a friend?

    1. What does salvation “by grace” mean?

    2. What do we place our faith in?

    3. Who is Jesus Christ? What is he like?

  3. What does Romans 3:23 mean when it says “all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God”?

  4. How are we justified freely through the shedding of Jesus’s blood on the cross?

  5. Which dimension of God’s work in the Gospel is most encouraging to you? Which is most difficult to believe or understand? (e.g: justification, forgiveness, redemption, regeneration, reconciliation, salvation)

  6. How does faith in Christ “uphold the law”, rather than nullifying its value? Why would the law be fulfilled more completely through faith than works?