Grant Fishbook, Lead Teaching Pastor

“…for there is no other name under heaven…by which we must be saved!”
– From Acts 4:12

1. The name of Jesus is God-given and means .

“…you shall call his name Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins.” Matthew 1:21

Jesus is the Greek form of Yeshua (Joshua), meaning “The Lord saves.”

2. The name of Jesus is infused with and soul-transforming .

Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to mankind by which we must be saved. Acts 4:12

…if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. Romans 10:9

…God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow…and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord… Philippians 2:9–11

“In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, rise up and walk.” Acts 3:6

3. The name of Jesus contains and spiritual .

The name of the Lord is a fortified tower; the righteous run to it and are safe. Proverbs 18:10

² These are the names of the twelve apostles: first, Simon (who is called Peter) and his brother Andrew; James son of Zebedee, and his brother John; ³ Philip and Bartholomew; Thomas and Matthew the tax collector; James son of Alphaeus, and Thaddaeus; ⁴ Simon the Zealot and Judas Iscariot….

⁷ “As you (emphasis mine) go, proclaim this message: ‘The kingdom of heaven has come near.’ ⁸ Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse those who have leprosy, drive out demons. Freely you have received; freely give.” Matthew 10:2-4; 7-8

And I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son. You may ask me for anything in my name, and I will do it. John 14:13-14

4. The name of Jesus is worthy of and .

He [Jesus] has become as much superior to angels as the name he has inherited is more excellent than theirs.” Hebrews 1:4

Small Group Questions

1. Do you know the meaning of your name? Is it connected to a family member or is there a story behind it being chosen for you?
2. What does the name of Jesus mean to you?
3. How do you apply the phrase “In Jesus’ Name” in your everyday life? How could you expand the weight and meaning of that declaration?
4. How big are your prayers? How could you increase the size of your ask knowing that nothing is impossible with or for God?
5. How would you characterize your current relationship with Jesus? Describe what takes place when it’s just Jesus and you.
6. How can we pray for you right now and throughout the week?

 

Angel Finsrud, Connection Pastor

is not optional
but is.

If we want to live transformed lives,
we have to with the work of God in our lives.

Start by asking yourself: do I transformed?

Ephesians 4:17–24
¹⁷ So I tell you this, and insist on it in the Lord, that you must no longer live as the Gentiles do, in the futility of their thinking. ¹⁸ They are darkened in their understanding and separated from the life of God because of the ignorance that is in them due to the hardening of their hearts. ¹⁹ Having lost all sensitivity, they have given themselves over to sensuality so as to indulge in every kind of impurity, and they are full of greed.
      ²⁰ That, however, is not the way of life you learned ²¹ when you heard about Christ and were taught in him in accordance with the truth that is in Jesus. ²² You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; ²³ to be made new in the attitude of your minds; ²⁴ and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness.

Transformation takes .

If we want to experience transformation, we must be willing to .

Matthew 13:44–46
⁴⁴ “The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field. When a man found it, he hid it again, and then in his joy, went and sold all he had and bought that field.
      ⁴⁵ “Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant looking for fine pearls. ⁴⁶ When he found one of great value, he went away and sold everything he had and bought it.

Mark 10:17–22
¹⁷ As Jesus started on his way, a man ran up to him and fell on his knees before him. “Good teacher,” he asked, “what must I do to inherit eternal life?”
      ¹⁸ “Why do you call me good?” Jesus answered. “No one is good—except God alone. ¹⁹ You know the commandments: ‘You shall not murder, you shall not commit adultery, you shall not steal, you shall not give false testimony, you shall not defraud, honor your father and mother.’”
      ²⁰ “Teacher,” he declared, “all these I have kept since I was a boy.”
      ²¹ Jesus looked at him and loved him. “One thing you lack,” he said. “Go, sell everything you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.”
      ²² At this the man’s face fell. He went away sad, because he had great wealth.

Three questions to answer today:

1. Do I want to be transformed by Christ, or would I rather hang on to control over my life?
2. Will I make time for transformation to happen in my life?
3. Am I willing to surrender everything to experience the transformation that allows me to be an heir to God’s kingdom, not just someday, but today?

Small Group Questions

1. What’s your dream vacation?
2. Of the three barriers to transformation above (desire to be transformed, making time for transformation, or accepting the cost of transformation), which is most challenging for you?
3. What aspect of life (time, money, identity, body, words, opinions, etc.) do you find difficult to surrender to God’s rule and reign?
4. What is one way you currently make time or would like to start making time for transformation in your life?
5. Is there an aspect of God’s kingdom you deeply desire to experience in your life today? What is it?
6. How can we pray for you right now and throughout the week?

 

Grant Fishbook, Lead Teaching Pastor

The God of the Universe, the God who made you, sees you,
knows you, and loves you wants to reshape all the parts of you
that are not aligned with his perfect plan for your life.

Are you open to that transformation?

6 Basic Needs for Human Survival

1. Oxygen
Your spiritual need is met because God is the Breath of Life.

Then the Lord God formed a man from the dust of the ground and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life, and the man became a living being. Genesis 2:7

This is what God the Lord says—
the Creator of the heavens, who stretches them out,
     who spreads out the earth with all that springs from it,
     who gives breath to its people,
     and life to those who walk on it. Isaiah 42:5

2. Water
Your spiritual need is met because God is Living Water.

“But whoever drinks the water I give them will never thirst. Indeed, the water I give them will become in them a spring of water welling up to eternal life.” John 4:14

3. Food
Your spiritual need for nourishment is met because God is the Bread of Life.

Then Jesus declared, “I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never go hungry, and whoever believes in me will never be thirsty. John 6:35

4. Shelter
Your spiritual need is met because God is our Refuge.

Whoever dwells in the shelter of the Most High
     will rest in the shadow of the Almighty.
I will say of the Lord, “He is my refuge and my fortress,
     my God, in whom I trust.” Psalm 91:1-2

5. Meaningful human connection
Your spiritual need is met through a God who calls you into community.

How good and pleasing it is
     when brothers dwell together in unity! Psalm 133:1

6. Sleep
Your spiritual need is met because God encourages and modeled rest.

Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened and I will give you rest. Matthew 11:28

Small Group Questions

1. According to Grant’s introduction, are you in survival mode?
2. Where have you seen faith, hope, and love in the past month?
3. How does God most often speak to you?
4. Which of the 6 basic human needs is the most important to you why? How would you answer the question spiritually?
5. Where is God calling you to be transformed?
6. How can we pray for you right now and throughout the week?

 

Grant Fishbook, Lead Teaching Pastor

Jeremiah 18:1–6
This is the word that came to Jeremiah from the Lord: ² “Go down to the potter’s house, and there I will give you my message.” ³ So I went down to the potter’s house, and I saw him working at the wheel. ⁴ But the pot he was shaping from the clay was marred in his hands; so the potter formed it into another pot, shaping it as seemed best to him.
      ⁵ Then the word of the Lord came to me. ⁶ He said, “Can I not do with you, Israel, as this potter does?” declares the Lord. “Like clay in the hand of the potter, so are you in my hand, Israel.

A breakdown of this passage:
This is the word that came to Jeremiah from the Lord: ² “Go down to the potter’s house, and there I will give you my message.” ³ So I went down to the potter’s house…

³ So I went down to the potter’s house, and I saw him working at the wheel.

4 Lessons from the Potter’s House

1. I am in the hands of the

2. The necessity of

3. I have to

Recap: This is the word that came to Jeremiah from the Lord: ² “Go down to the potter’s house, and there I will give you, my message.” ³ So I went down to the potter’s house, and I saw him working at the wheel. ⁴ But the pot he was shaping from the clay was marred in his hands;

4. Marred vessels can be  

⁴ But the pot he was shaping from the clay was marred in his hands; so the potter formed it into another pot, shaping it as seemed best to him.

Isaiah 43:1b-3a
“Do not fear, for I have redeemed you;
      I have summoned you by name; you are mine.
When you pass through the waters,
      I will be with you;
and when you pass through the rivers,
      they will not sweep over you.
When you walk through the fire,
      you will not be burned;
      the flames will not set you ablaze.
For I am the Lord your God,
      the Holy One of Israel, your Savior;

⁵ Then the word of the Lord came to me. ⁶ He said, “Can I not do with you, Israel, as this potter does?” declares the Lord. “Like clay in the hand of the potter, so are you in my hand, Israel.”

Small Group Questions

1. What is the most prized possession you gave to your parents, as a child, OR what have you received from someone that was truly a “treasure” to you?
2. Do you have any experience with pottery? What spiritual lessons did you learn from this activity?
3. What happened in your heart when Grant shared the story about Dr. Robert Kleck’s “scar” experiment? How do your “scars” affect the way you interact with people?
4. Which of the four lessons are you learning right now?
5. What does it mean to you to accept the invitation of God to go to the Potter’s house? How are you actively taking Jesus up on His offer and invitation?
6. What do you need prayer for today?

 

Grant Fishbook, Lead Teaching Pastor

Do not conform to the pattern of this world,
but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.
Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—
his good, pleasing and perfect will.
Romans 12:2

Paul says there are two options on the table:
or

Key Truth
If you are not intentionally being transformed by , you are unintentionally being conformed to the .

Renewal happens…

Through

Through

Through

Through

Through

Through choosing to

These practices don’t earn transformation—they .

The question isn’t whether you are being shaped.
The question is: are you in?

Small Group Questions

1. What is the worst gift you ever received? How did you respond when you received it?
2. Read Romans 12 out loud. What does the Holy Spirit highlight for you in the chapter?
3. How would you describe renewing your mind? In what ways are you actively doing that practice on a daily basis?
4. Where in your life do you long for transformation? Why is that one area so important to you?
5. How is God currently shaping you? Are you accepting it willingly, or is it a struggle?
6. How can we pray for you right now and throughout the week?

 

Grant Fishbook, Lead Teaching Pastor

2 Corinthians 4
       ¹ Therefore, since through God’s mercy we have this ministry, we do not lose heart. ² Rather, we have renounced secret and shameful ways; we do not use deception, nor do we distort the word of God. On the contrary, by setting forth the truth plainly we commend ourselves to everyone’s conscience in the sight of God. ³ And even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those who are perishing. ⁴ The god of this age has blinded the minds of unbelievers, so that they cannot see the light of the gospel that displays the glory of Christ, who is the image of God. ⁵ For what we preach is not ourselves, but Jesus Christ as Lord, and ourselves as your servants for Jesus’ sake. ⁶ For God, who said, “Let light shine out of darkness,” made his light shine in our hearts to give us the light of the knowledge of God’s glory displayed in the face of Christ.
      ⁷ But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us. ⁸ We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; ⁹ persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed. ¹⁰ We always carry around in our body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be revealed in our body. ¹¹ For we who are alive are always being given over to death for Jesus’ sake, so that his life may also be revealed in our mortal body. ¹² So then, death is at work in us, but life is at work in you.
      ¹³ It is written: “I believed; therefore I have spoken.” Since we have that same spirit of faith, we also believe and therefore speak, ¹⁴because we know that the one who raised the Lord Jesus from the dead will also raise us with Jesus and present us with you to himself. ¹⁵All this is for your benefit, so that the grace that is reaching more and more people may cause thanksgiving to overflow to the glory of God.
      ¹⁶ Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. ¹⁷ For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. ¹⁸ So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.

4 Reasons why we should not give up:

1. Because the matters

Verse 1: Therefore, since through God’s mercy we have this ministry, we do not lose heart.

Because the matters

Verse 7: But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us.

Because the matters

Verse 13–14: It is written: “I believed; therefore I have spoken.” Since we have that same spirit of faith, we also believe and therefore speak, because we know that the one who raised the Lord Jesus from the dead will also raise us with Jesus and present us with you to himself.

Because the matters

Verse 17–18: For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.

Small Group Questions

1. What was the highlight of your entire holiday season—Thanksgiving through Christmas?
2. What makes you sigh?
3. Read 2 Corinthians 4 out loud. What is God saying to you through this passage?
4. What matters to you, spiritually, as you approach 2026? Where will you place your heart so that you don’t give up?
5. How can you fix your eyes on Jesus this coming year?
6. How can we pray for you right now and throughout the week?

 

Grant Fishbook, Lead Teaching Pastor

Isaiah 9:2
The people walking in darkness have seen a great light;
      on those living in the land of deep darkness a light has dawned.

Isaiah 9:6
For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.

Jeremiah 29:12–13
Then you will call on me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.

Matthew 1:18–38
This is how the birth of Jesus the Messiah came about: His mother Mary was pledged to be married to Joseph, but before they came together, she was found to be pregnant through the Holy Spirit. Because Joseph her husband was faithful to the law, and yet did not want to expose her to public disgrace, he had in mind to divorce her quietly.
      But after he had considered this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, “Joseph son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife, because what is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins.”
      All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had said through the prophet: “The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel” (which means “God with us”).
      When Joseph woke up, he did what the angel of the Lord had commanded him and took Mary home as his wife.

Luke 1:26–35, 28
God sent the angel Gabriel to Nazareth, a town in Galilee, to a virgin pledged to be married to a man named Joseph, a descendant of David. The virgin’s name was Mary. The angel went to her and said, “Greetings, you who are highly favored! The Lord is with you.”
      Mary was greatly troubled at his words and wondered what kind of greeting this might be. But the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary; you have found favor with God. You will conceive and give birth to a son, and you are to call him Jesus. He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his father David, and he will reign over Jacob’s descendants forever; his kingdom will never end.”
      “How will this be,” Mary asked the angel, “since I am a virgin?”
      The angel answered, “The Holy Spirit will come on you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. So the holy one to be born will be called the Son of God…
      “I am the Lord’s servant,” Mary answered. “May your word to me be fulfilled.”

Luke 2:8
And there were shepherds out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night.

“Do not be afraid.”

Isaiah 30:21
Whether you turn to the right or to the left, your ears will hear a voice behind you, saying, “This is the way; walk in it.”

Then pealed the bells more loud and deep:
“God is not dead, nor doth He sleep;
The Wrong shall fail, the Right prevail,
With peace on earth, good-will to men.”

 

Emily Jamieson, Guest Speaker

Matthew 1:18-23 (The Message paraphrase)
The birth of Jesus took place like this. His mother, Mary, was engaged to be married to Joseph. Before they came to the marriage bed, Joseph discovered she was pregnant. (It was by the Holy Spirit, but he didn’t know that.) Joseph, chagrined but noble, determined to take care of things quietly so Mary would not be disgraced.
      While he was trying to figure a way out, he had a dream. God’s angel spoke in the dream: “Joseph, son of David, don’t hesitate to get married. Mary’s pregnancy is Spirit-conceived. God’s Holy Spirit has made her pregnant. She will bring a son to birth, and when she does, you, Joseph, will name him Jesus—‘God saves’—because he will save his people from their sins.” This would bring the prophet’s embryonic sermon to full term:
      Watch for this—a virgin will get pregnant and bear a son;
      They will name him Immanuel (Hebrew for “God is with us”).

Isaiah 7:14
Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign: The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and will call him Immanuel (God with us).

Isaiah 9:2, 6–7a
² The people walking in darkness
      have seen a great light;
on those living in the land of deep darkness
      a light has dawned.
⁶ For to us a child is born,
      to us a son is given,
      and the government will be on his shoulders.
And he will be called
      Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,
      Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
⁷ Of the greatness of his government and peace
      there will be no end.

John 1:1–5 (New International Version)
In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.
He was with God in the beginning.
Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made.
In him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind.
The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.

John 1:1–5 (The Message paraphrase)
The Word was first, the Word present to God, God present to the Word.
The Word was God, in readiness for God from day one.
Everything was created through him; nothing—not one thing—came into being without him.
What came into existence was Life, and the Life was Light to live by.
The Life-Light blazed out of the darkness; the darkness couldn’t put it out.

Psalm 119:105
Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path.

Grant Fishbook, Lead Teaching Pastor

Hark! The herald angels sing,

The story of Jesus begins with a heavenly interruption:

The heavens declare the glory of God;
      the skies proclaim the work of his hands.
Day after day they pour forth speech;
    night after night they display knowledge.
There is no speech or language
    where their voice is not heard.
Their voice goes out into all the earth,
    their words to the ends of the world. Psalm 19:1–4

Luke 2:4–14
So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David. ⁵ He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child. ⁶ While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, ⁷ and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no guest room available for them.
      ⁸ And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. ⁹ An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. ¹⁰ But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. ¹¹ Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. ¹² This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.”
      ¹³ Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying,
      ¹⁴ “Glory to God in the highest heaven,
                and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.”

“Glory to the newborn King!”

For to us a child is born, to us a son is given,
      and the government will be on his shoulders.
And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,
      Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Isaiah 9:6

“Peace on earth and mercy mild…”

“God and sinners reconciled.”

2 Corinthians 5:17–20
Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here! ¹⁸ All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation: ¹⁹ that God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ, not counting people’s sins against them. And he has committed to us the message of reconciliation. ²⁰ We are therefore Christ’s ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us. We implore you on Christ’s behalf: Be reconciled to God. 

Hark! The herald angels sing,
“Glory to the newborn King;
Peace on earth, and mercy mild,
God and sinners reconciled!”

Joyful, all ye nations, rise,
join the triumph of the skies;
with th’angelic hosts proclaim,
“Christ is born in Bethlehem!”
Hark! the herald angels sing,
“Glory to the newborn King.”

Small Group Questions

1. What is your favorite Christmas song?
2. Read Luke 2 out loud. What stands out to you? Why?
3. How do Communion and Christmas connect in your heart?
4. How can you interrupt your Christmas angst with worship and a spiritual redirect?
5. What does peace look like to you? How can you find more of it this Christmas season?
6. How can we pray for you right now and throughout the week?

 

Brian Behrends, Creative Pastor

Psalm 150
Praise the Lord.
Praise God in his sanctuary;
      praise him in his mighty heavens.
Praise him for his acts of power;
      praise him for his surpassing greatness.
Praise him with the sounding of the trumpet,
      praise him with the harp and lyre,
praise him with timbrel and dancing,
      praise him with the strings and pipe,
praise him with the clash of cymbals,
      praise him with resounding cymbals.
Let everything that has breath praise the Lord.
Praise the Lord.

God uses song…

• To bring down walls (Joshua 6:20)
• To break chains (Acts 16:26)
• To take down armies (2 Chronicles 20:21–24)
• To silence the enemy (Psalm 8:2)
• To join us with heaven’s song (Revelation 4:8)

Isaiah 7:14
“Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign: The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and will call him Immanuel.”

3 Repeating Movements
      1.  
      2.     
      2.      
      3.

Philippians 4:4 
Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!

Hebrews 10:23
Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful.

The Truth of Christmas:
We Jesus to come.

O Come, Emmanuel (Isaiah 7:14)

“Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign: The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and will call him Immanuel.”

O Come, Branch of Jesse’s Stem (Isaiah 11:1)

“A shoot will come up from the stump of Jesse; from his roots a Branch will bear fruit.”

O Come, Bright and Morning Star (Numbers 24:17 Good News Translation)

“I look into the future, And I see the nation of Israel. A king, like a bright star, will arise in that nation.”

O Come, Desire of Nations (Haggai 2:7 New King James Version)

“I will shake all nations, and they shall come to the Desire of All Nations, and I will fill this temple with glory,’ says the Lord of hosts.”

Small Group Questions

1. On a scale of 1-10, how much do you enjoy Christmas music and why?
2. Why do you think God talks about and uses music so much in scripture?
3. Do you find it easy or difficult to connect with God through song? Why?
4. Most of “O Come, O Come, Emmanuel” is a simple invitation for God to come. How can we practically invite God into our lives this Christmas season? How can we invite others?
5. How can we cultivate a habit of praise, even when life feels chaotic or difficult?
6. What’s one way you’d love to see God at work in your life this season, and how can we help you take the next step in that?
7. How can we pray for you right now and throughout the week?