January 2, 2022: Love God

Matthew 22:37-40 and Deuteronomy 5:1-6:5

Love God

Matthew 22:36-40; Deuteronomy 5:1-6:5

Mike Giesenhagen

January 2, 2022

1.   Make ______ Your _________ ________.

2.   ___________ Other _________________.

3.   _______ _______ and _______ His ____.

4.   Make ______________ _____ for _____.

 5.   Let ______ ________ ______!

WEEKLY REFLECTIONS

 1.  When you hear, “Love God with all your heart, soul, mind, and strength,” what comes to mind?  What would that look like?

 2.  What are some of the idols that can take God’s place in our lives?

 3.  What are some of the manmade distractions that can occupy our time and pull us away from God and his will?

 4.  What’s the best way to know God?  What does it mean to honor his name?  How do our actions and our behaviors contribute to this together?

 5.  What does it mean to take a Sabbath?  When was the last time you spent an extended intentional time with God?  What were some techniques or guidelines you followed?

 6.  Is it difficult for you to understand how God loves you?  How does it feel to think that you bring God joy and delight?  What might make that difficult to receive?

December 26, 2021: Good News Gone Bad

Good News Gone Bad

Mike Giesenhagen

December 26, 2021

1.   Herod ___________ the Good News.

2.   Herod ___________ the Good News.

3.   Herod ___________ the Good News.

4.   Herod ___________ the Good News.

5.   We Can ___________ the Good News!

6.   God’s Will _________ Be ___________!

WEEKLY REFLECTIONS

 1.  How would you communicate the Good News of the Gospel to someone?  What are the most important points to emphasize?

 2.  Why is Herod so upset about the news?  What areas of our lives might be difficult to turn over to Christ?

 3.  Herod’s violent actions are hard to comprehend.  How can that be reconciled with an understanding of the Bible and God’s goodness?

 4.  What can we learn from the Magi in this story?  What can we learn from the example of Herod?

 5.  What does it mean to receive the Gospel?  What obstacles or mental hurdles might make that difficult for someone to do that?

 6.  How do we see God working in this passage?  What encouragement can we draw from that?