November 2, 2025 - The Bible Fills Us

Deuteronomy 8

The Bible Fills Us

Mike Giesenhagen

November 2, 2025

Deuteronomy 8 

Remember how the Lord your God led you all the way in the wilderness these forty years, to humble and test you in order to know what was in your heart, whether or not you would keep his commands. 3 He humbled you, causing you to hunger and then feeding you with manna, which neither you nor your ancestors had known, to teach you that man does not live on bread alone but on every word that comes from the mouth of the Lord.

Context:

1.   Approach Your Bible ____________________________.

2.   Approach Your Bible ____________________________.

Discussion Questions

1.   When you think about reading the Bible, what thoughts come to mind? How would you describe your thoughts to a friend as you consider reading the Word?

2.   If you were to put your perspective of reading the Bible on a spectrum between “overwhelming” and “familiar”, which side would you say you are closer to?

3.   Do you view reading the Bible as a spiritual “snack” or a “feast”?

4.   Which describes you better: “I’m willing to hear from God” or “I’m desperate to hear from God”?

5.   Are you interested in the Scriptures? Or are you internalizing them?

6.   What resources have you found helpful as you study the Bible? How did you come across these resources?

October 26, 2025 - The Bible Transends Us

Isaiah 55

Pastor Mike Giesenhagen

The Bible Transends Us

Mike Giesenhagen

October 26, 2025

Isaiah 55 

8 “For my thoughts are not your thoughts,

neither are your ways my ways,”

declares the Lord.

9 “As the heavens are higher than the earth,

so are my ways higher than your ways

and my thoughts than your thoughts.

1.   Approach Your Bible ________________________.

a.  Recognize __________ _____________________.

b.  Recognize the ____________ ________________.

2.   Approach Your Bible ____________________________.

Discussion Questions

1.   What does it mean when we say “God has spoken” in the Scriptures? What is the Holy Spirit’s role in inspiration?

2.   How does God’s inspiration of the Scriptures affect the way we should approach it? How should it change our posture when we read it?

3.   When was the last time the Bible comforted you? Challenged you? Motivated you? Convicted you?

4.   What does it mean when we say the Holy Spirit illuminates the text as we read it?

5.   How can we ask God to help us as we read the Scriptures?

October 19,2025 - Who’s Side are You On?

Preaching - Tyler Heerdt

1 Samuel 4-6

Whose Side Are You On?

Tyler Heerdt

October 19, 2025

1 Samuel 4-6

Discussion Questions

1.   Search the Scripture: Read 1 Samuel 4-6. Consider the role of God in the story. How do the Israelites treat God? What do they do well? What are some of their struggles in the story?

2.   Additional Study: Read Exodus 25:10-22, Exodus 40:1-5, Leviticus 16, Numbers 3:27-32, and Numbers 4:1-20. What do these passages teach us about how God views the Ark of the Covenant? How does the behavior of the Israelites in 1 Samuel 4 compare to these passages?

3.   What happened to the Ark after it was brought to the battlefield?

4.   How was the Ark restored to its proper place? What does this teach us about God? What does He need from us?

5.   Prayer Project: Is there a difference between wanting God to join our side vs. wanting to join his side? How would these things look different? Which one should be the desire of our hearts?

October 12, 2025 - Disciple-Making: The Good Soil

Matthew 13:8-9, 23

Disciple-Making: The Good Soil

Mike Giesenhagen

October 12, 2025

Matthew 13:8-9, 23

1.   Good Soil _______________ _________________.

2.  God Takes _____________ __________________.

a.  God Expects ___________________.

b.  God Desires ____________ ___________.

c.  Fruit Grows ___________ __________ _______.

d.  __________ Grows the Fruit.

3.  Good Soil ______________ __________ __________.

Discussion Questions

1.   Ice Breaker: Which of the 4 soils stands out to you? Why is that particular soil noteworthy?

2.   Additional Study: What does the Bible have to say about fruit? Helpful Passages include Matthew 3:8-10, 7:15-20, 21:18-20; Mark 4:1-20; Luke 6:43-45, 8:1-15, 13:6-9; John 15:1-16; Psalm 1:1-3; Phil 1:9-11; and others.

3.   How seriously does God view fruitfulness in light of these passages?

4.   What does good fruit look like? How is it discerned from bad fruit?

5.   What types of things might be important, but are not a part of our fruitfulness?

6.   Prayer Project: Consider the warnings of the 4 soils. Ask God to help you discern unhealthy parts of your spiritual life?  Is there any hard-heartedness? Is there any self-reliance? Is there distraction or deception in your life? What practices are cultivating your heart toward God?  Write these things down and pray for God’s help to make you available to his fruit.

October 5, 2025 - Disciple-Making: The Thorny Soil

Matthew 13:7, 22, 24-30

Disciple-Making: The Thorny Soil

Mike Giesenhagen

October 5, 2025

Matthew 13:7, 22, 24-30

1.   Thorny Soil Involves _____________ _______________.

a.  The __________ of Life ______________ Us.

b.  The __________ of Life ______________ Us.

2.  The Thorns are ____________________.

a.  __________ _________ the Thorns

b.  Seek Out _____________.

c.  Seek _______ _______________.

Discussion Questions

1.   Ice Breaker: When have you noticed someone around you distracted? What were they doing? What should they have been doing?

2.   What types of things do people worry about? What are some things that you worry about?

3.   Who does worry pit against one another? What two forces are competing for our time and energy when we worry?

4.   How can we be deceived by wealth (or other worldly pleasures)? What makes these things so enticing?

5.   Additional Study (Matthew 6:19-34): What types of things does Jesus tell us to worry about? What is the warning Jesus gives regarding the deceitfulness of wealth?

6.   Prayer Project: How can the thorns in our lives be dealt with? Are there any thorns that you need to eradicate? Are there any that you need support to remove? Are there others that God will need to address Himself?

September 28, 2025 - Disciple-Making: The Rocky Soil

Matthew 13:5, 20-21

Disciple-Making: The Rocky Soil

Mike Giesenhagen

September 28, 2025

Matthew 13:5, 20-21

1.   Rocky Soil _______________ __________________...

2.  Rocky Soil ____________ __________________.

3.  The Problem: _________ ______________.

4.  The Solution: _____________ _______ ___________.

Discussion Questions

1.   Ice Breaker: When have you started something with great enthusiasm, only to see that enthusiasm dwindle quickly?

2.   What causes our passion and enthusiasm for a new interest or hobby to dissipate over time?

3.   According to Matthew 13:5, 20-21, what is the reason that the seed end up dying in the rocky soil? What is the internal problem? What are the external circumstances?

4.   Search the Scripture: What are some examples of people who have lost their way when it comes to trusting God in the Scriptures?

5.   Additional Study (Ephesians 4): What are some suggestions for how God can “deepen the soil” of our hearts? What practices or activities might help us as we live in the Spirit?

6.   What does your current relationship with God look like? How do you enjoy spending time with Him? Are there any practices you would like to try in your relationship to God?

September 21, 2025: Disciple - Making: The Hard Path

Mike Giesenhagen - Matthew 13;1-23

Disciple-Making: The Hard Path

Mike Giesenhagen

September 21, 2025

Matthew 13:1-23

1.   Poor ________________ à Hard _______________.

Examples:

Misunderstanding ________________: ________________

Misunderstanding ________________: ________________

Misunderstanding ________________: ________________

Misunderstanding ________________: ________________

2.  The Solution: a ___________ __________.

Discussion Questions

1.   Additional Study: Matthew 13:10-15. Jesus explains his use of parables in these verses. What can we learn from his discussion of parables here? What should we be aware of when reading God’s Word?

2.   Search the Scripture: What are other examples where God’s word was ignored in the Scriptures? What happened? What did they do instead? What was the result?

3.   Prayer Project: Is there any hardness in your heart? If so, what kind of hardness is there? Ask the Lord to help you identify any hard places and to soften your hear to receive His Word.

September 14, 2025: Making Disciples

Pastor Mike is preaching from Matthew 28:16-20

Making Disciples

Mike Giesenhagen

September 14, 2025

Matthew 28:16-20

1.   The ___________________ of ______________.

2.   Disciples ______________ ____________________.

3.   Disciples __________ _________________________.

4.   Disciples ____________ ______________ ____________.

5.   Disciples _______________ __________ ______________.

Discussion Questions

1.   What are some reasons for doubt that you have heard or observed?

2.   Search the Scripture: What is the Gospel of Jesus Christ? How would you communicate it to another? (Examples: Ephesians 2:1-10, 1 Cor 15:1-5, Romans 6:23, etc)

3.   What makes it difficult to trust in the authority of Jesus? What doubts might one encounter? What obstacles might stand in the way?

4.   What is the significance of baptism in Matthew 28?

5.   What are the things that Jesus has commanded in Matthew 28:20?

6.   Why does Jesus reaffirm his presence with his people in Matthew 28:20?

September 7, 2025: Coming Together

Pastor Mike Giesenhagen

Galatians 5:22 - 6:10

Coming Together

Mike Giesenhagen

September 7, 2025

Galatians 5:22-6:10 

Context:

1.   _____________________ is _____________________.

 Things to Develop: Things to Avoid:

(6:1) (5:26)

(6:2) (5:26)

(6:2, 5) (5:26)

(6:6) (6:3)

(6:6) (6:4)

2.   We Should _____________ _____________ _________.

HEFC Points of Connection 

1.   Attend Sunday Services

2.   ______________ to __________ __________

3.   _______________ on __________ ______________

4.   Leadership, Discipleship, Other Service

Discussion Questions

1.   Search the Scripture: What are the benefits of community listed in Galatians 5:22-6:6? What are the things we need to avoid? What other examples of “one another” commands do we see in the New Testament? (e.g. “bear one another’s burdens…)

2.   Who do you have in your life (outside of your family) that knows you well enough to speak truth into your circumstances?

3.   Which aspect of Galatians 6:1-6 is most difficult to apply to your own life?

4.   How does service relate to the “doing good” mentioned in Galatians 6:9-10?

5.   Prayer Project: When you read “Each one should test their own actions…” in 6:4, have you recently considered how you connect to and serve the community of the church? What has God revealed to you?

6.   Are you more prone to overserve or underserve? This may change over time. If you lean one way or the other, is there a specific circumstance that led to this position?

7.   How might God be calling you to get involved at HEFC?

August 31, 2025: Sabbatical: Now What?

Guest Preacher: Kelly Johnson NCD

Matthew 11:28-30

Sabbatical: Now What?

Kelley Johnson NCD

August 31, 2025

Matthew 11:28-30:

Matthew 11:28-30: The Message:

Resilient Ministry Themes:

*  Spiritual Formation:

*  Self-Care:

*  Emotional and Cultural Intelligence:

*  Marriage and Family:

*  Leadership and Management:

Navigators Sabbatical Phases: Page 4

Phase I - Release and Relinquish:

Phase II - Rest and Recovery

Phase III - Reflect and Refocus

Phase IV - Realignment and/or Reassignment

Phase V – Re-Entry and Re-Engagement

Expectations Grid:

* Conscious:

* Realistic:

* Communicated:

* Agreed Upon:

Return Slowly:

“Normal” might get Redefined or Reshaped:

Gifts for the Returning Pastor:

Time:

Grace:

Reconnections:

Application:

August 10, 2025: God Is Not Like Us

Preacher: Dave Lahr

Isaiah 46:9-11, Jeremiah 9:23-24

God Is Not Like Us

Seeing God Rightly

August 10, 2025

Dave Lahr

Isaiah 46:9-11, Jeremiah 9:23-24 

Our Problem

·         Human ____________________

·         Human ___________

·         Human ____________________

·         Human _____________

God is not like us. He is…

·         ______________ (Job 9:32-33)

·         ______________ (2 Pet 3:8; Exodus 3:14; John 8:58)

·         ___________  _________________ (Ps 89:6: Is. 40:18; Is. 46:5)

·         _________ (Deut 6:4)

·          __________________ (Job 37:16)

·         ___________________ (Jer 32:17; Matt 19:26; Eph 3:20-21)

·         _____________,  or _____________ (Ps 102:25-27; Micah 3:6)

·         _______________ (Ex 34:6; 1 John 1:9)

Our Response

·         Worship with _________________  _______

·         Pray with ____________________

·         Walk with ___________

Reflection/Discussion Question

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

July 20, 2025: Made Worthy by the Lord

Guest Preacher: Cody Speh

Colossians 1:9-14

Made Worthy by the Lord

Cody Speh

July 20, 2025

Colossians 1:9-14 

  • We are...

o   Qualified

o   And Filled

o   To Walk

Reflection/Discussion Questions

1.   How does God qualify us? What are we qualified for?

2.   What is the difference between the domain of darkness and the kingdom of his beloved Son (Jesus)?

3.   What is the will of God?

4.   How can we be filled with knowledge, wisdom, and spiritual understanding?

5.   Why do we need to be strengthened?

6.   What can we give thanks to God for?

July 13, 2025: The Christian Life Is Out of This World

Guest Preacher: Frank Lanier

Hebrews 13

The Christian Life Is Out of This World

Frank Lanier

July 13, 2025

Hebrews 13 

1.   Examples that are out of this world (13:7 – 8)

2.   Worship that is out of the world (13:9 – 16)

3.   A life that is out of this world (13:16 – 19)

Reflection/Discussion Question

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

June 29, 2025: The Making of a Resilient Pastor

Guest Preacher: Kelley Johnson

Leviticus 25:1-7; Matthew 11:28-30

The Making of a Resilient Pastor

Kelley Johnson

June 29, 2025

Leviticus 25:1-7; Matthew 11:28-30 

Introduction:

Resilient Ministry Themes:

Leviticus 25:1-4:

Matthew 11:28-30:

Sabbatical Benefits: Pastor:

Sabbatical Benefits: Church:

My Part in the Sabbatical:

Reflection/Discussion Questions

1.   Read Matthew 11:28-30.

2.   What are some of the action verbs we see in this passage?

3.   What do they call us to do? Which apply to the Lord?

4.   Discuss your reaction to this statement: “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.”

5.   What does the phrase “…you will find rest for your souls.” mean and how do we get there?

6.   What does it mean to be “yoked” with Jesus? What would that look like?

7.   What are some things you can do to support your pastor’s Sabbatical? Who do you need to talk to about it?

8.   What’s your biggest takeaway from Matthew 11:28-30

June 22, 2025: Christ the Unshakeable

Pastor Mike Giesenhagen

Hebrews 12:18-29

Christ the Unshakeable

Mike Giesenhagen

June 22, 2025

Hebrews 12:18-29 

The Comparison: 2 Mountains

1.   The _________________ Mountain

2.   The _________________ Mountain

3.   Our Current Reality:

4.   _______________ in __________________.

Discussion Questions

1.   Additional Study: Read Exodus 19-20. What similarities do you see in these chapters that are also present in Hebrews 12:18-21? What is the context of this flaming, physical mountain?

2.   Describe the relationship between God and his people at the first mountain (Hebrews 12:18-21).

3.   What things are different about the second mountain in Hebrews 12:22-24? What things remain the same?

4.   Who is the author referring to when he says “do not refuse him who speaks”? (12:25)

5.   What is the difference between the shakeable things and the unshakeable things? What would you put in each category?

6.   If we receive a kingdom that cannot be shaken, what are the benefits of that for us?

7.   What does it mean that God is a “consuming fire”?