North Central Church Messages

Fill-In Notes: https://churchlinkfeeds.blob.core.windows.net/notes/39900/note-259566.html Continuing the Conversation 1. What rises to the surface when everything gets quiet? When you remove noise, screens, and conversation, what shows up first anxiety, restlessness, boredom, relief? What might that reveal about whats really shaping your inner life? How could naming that honestly before God change you? 2. What are you most tempted to reach for when you feel uncomfortable? When solitude feels awkward or tense, what do you instinctively grab your phone, productivity, conversation, food, distraction? 3. Where is your identity most anchored right now? In success? Ministry fruit? Approval? Busyness? Being needed? 4. What would it realistically look like to practice solitude this week? Not ideally realistically. When could you schedule 10 intentional minutes? What obstacle will likely resist you? How can this group encourage you to follow through?

Fill-In Notes: https://churchlinkfeeds.blob.core.windows.net/notes/39900/note-258941.html Continuing the Conversation Why might solitude prayer often lead people to more clarity on their direction or decisions? What distractions make it hard for you to pray the way Jesus did? How does Jesus prayer in Gethsemane reshape your understanding of honest submission prayer? Mark 14:3239 (NLT) What is one concrete way you can imitate Jesus practice of solitude this week?

Fill-In Notes: https://churchlinkfeeds.blob.core.windows.net/notes/39900/note-258141.html Continuing the Conversation Why do you think real formation often happens in silence rather than activity? How might the pianist illustration help you understand spiritual formation? What usually surfaces for you when you slow down and get quiet? How might your life look different if silence became a regular rhythm?

Fill-In Notes: https://churchlinkfeeds.blob.core.windows.net/notes/39900/note-257531.html Continuing the Conversation What competes most with your ability to be with Jesus during your week? Why is it easier to do things for Jesus than to slow down and be with Him? What distractions do you need to step away from to experience Jesus presence more clearly? What is one realistic way you could practice solitude this week simply to be with Jesus?

Fill-In Notes: https://churchlinkfeeds.blob.core.windows.net/notes/39900/note-257531.html Continuing the Conversation What competes most with your ability to be with Jesus during your week? Why is it easier to do things for Jesus than to slow down and be with Him? What distractions do you need to step away from to experience Jesus presence more clearly? What is one realistic way you could practice solitude this week simply to be with Jesus?

Fill-In Notes: https://churchlinkfeeds.blob.core.windows.net/notes/39900/note-256693.html Continuing the Conversation Go around your room and let every person answer this one question for each of these 4 movements (one at a time) that guide the day: Describe what this movement could look like for you in a potential 24hr Sabbath flow: STOP Choosing When Enough Is Enough = To cease work, striving, and productivity. Name your STOP list (What you will not do on this day?) REST Letting Your Body, Mind Soul Recover = To engage in activities that restore body soul energy rather than drain it. 1-2 of these: Unhurried sleep * Walks * Reading that calms rather than stimulates DELIGHT Relearning Joy Without Guilt = To enjoy Gods good gifts with gratitude, not guilt. Good food * Music * Time w/pple who bring joy * Beauty, laughter, creativity WORSHIP Re-centering Life on God = To intentionally turn attention affection toward God. 1 of these: Scripture reading * Prayer * Singing * Gathering w/Gods pple (when possible)

Fil-In Notes: https://churchlinkfeeds.blob.core.windows.net/notes/39900/note-256236.html Continuing the Conversation 1. Jesus chose rest ahead of time, not only when feeling dead tired. Question: Looking at a normal week, what usually determines when you restexhaustion, convenience, or intentionand what would need to change for rest to become a protected rhythm rather than a last resort? 2. Jesus used Sabbath to engage God, not avoid life. Question: When you finally slow down, where do you naturally turn for relief or enjoyment, and how do those habits either draw you closer to God or quietly replace Him? 3. Sabbath helped Jesus rehearse who He was before what He would do. Question: During busy seasons, how does your sense of worth tend to drifttoward productivity, usefulness, or approvaland how might Sabbath help re-center your identity as a son or daughter rather than a performer? 4. Jesus joy flowed from trust in the Father, not ideal circumstances. Question: What brings you the deepest sense of delight when you rest, and what might that reveal about what youre trusting to satisfy your heart?

Fil-In Notes: https://churchlinkfeeds.blob.core.windows.net/notes/39900/note-256236.html Continuing the Conversation 1. Jesus chose rest ahead of time, not only when feeling dead tired. Question: Looking at a normal week, what usually determines when you restexhaustion, convenience, or intentionand what would need to change for rest to become a protected rhythm rather than a last resort? 2. Jesus used Sabbath to engage God, not avoid life. Question: When you finally slow down, where do you naturally turn for relief or enjoyment, and how do those habits either draw you closer to God or quietly replace Him? 3. Sabbath helped Jesus rehearse who He was before what He would do. Question: During busy seasons, how does your sense of worth tend to drifttoward productivity, usefulness, or approvaland how might Sabbath help re-center your identity as a son or daughter rather than a performer? 4. Jesus joy flowed from trust in the Father, not ideal circumstances. Question: What brings you the deepest sense of delight when you rest, and what might that reveal about what youre trusting to satisfy your heart?

Fill-In Notes: https://churchlinkfeeds.blob.core.windows.net/notes/39900/note-255621.html Continuing the Conversation What might it look like to choose rest before you feel desperate for it? When you finally slow down, what do you naturally turn toward for reliefand how does that compare with turning toward God for delight? How does your sense of identity tend to drift during a busy week, and what reminders of who you are in Christ would you need Sabbath to restore?

Fill-In Notes: https://churchlinkfeeds.blob.core.windows.net/notes/39900/note-255621.html Continuing the Conversation What might it look like to choose rest before you feel desperate for it? When you finally slow down, what do you naturally turn toward for reliefand how does that compare with turning toward God for delight? How does your sense of identity tend to drift during a busy week, and what reminders of who you are in Christ would you need Sabbath to restore?

Fill-In Notes: https://churchlinkfeeds.blob.core.windows.net/notes/39900/note-254890.html Continuing the Conversation 1. Where do you feel the strongest internal resistance to Sabbath, and what might that resistance be revealing about your heart? 2. When you imagine a 24-hour Sabbath that truly gives life, what activities help you stop, rest, delight, and worshipand which ones quietly drain you? 3. How might practicing Sabbath reshape the way you understand Gods love and your value as a person?

Fill-In Notes: https://churchlinkfeeds.blob.core.windows.net/notes/39900/note-254890.html Continuing the Conversation 1. Where do you feel the strongest internal resistance to Sabbath, and what might that resistance be revealing about your heart? 2. When you imagine a 24-hour Sabbath that truly gives life, what activities help you stop, rest, delight, and worshipand which ones quietly drain you? 3. How might practicing Sabbath reshape the way you understand Gods love and your value as a person?

Fill-In Notes: https://churchlinkfeeds.blob.core.windows.net/notes/39900/note-254331.html Continuing the Conversation 1. When you think about your current walk with Jesus, which of the threebeing with Him, becoming like Him, or doing as He didfeels strongest? Which feels weakest? 2. What makes it hard to slow down and abide with Jesus in everyday life? What pressures or distractions compete for your attention? 3. How have you seen real character changeeither in yourself or someone elseover time through following Jesus 4. Where do you see the temptation to do for God without first being with God? 5. What is one practical way our group could help each other stay connected to Jesus this season?

Fill-In Notes: https://churchlinkfeeds.blob.core.windows.net/notes/39900/note-254331.html Continuing the Conversation 1. When you think about your current walk with Jesus, which of the threebeing with Him, becoming like Him, or doing as He didfeels strongest? Which feels weakest? 2. What makes it hard to slow down and abide with Jesus in everyday life? What pressures or distractions compete for your attention? 3. How have you seen real character changeeither in yourself or someone elseover time through following Jesus 4. Where do you see the temptation to do for God without first being with God? 5. What is one practical way our group could help each other stay connected to Jesus this season?

Darkness feels realfear, confusion, guilt, stress. Christmas doesnt pretend the darkness isnt there, but it reveals a Light strong enough to break it.

Darkness feels realfear, confusion, guilt, stress. Christmas doesnt pretend the darkness isnt there, but it reveals a Light strong enough to break it.

Fill-In Notes: https://churchlinkfeeds.blob.core.windows.net/notes/39900/note-253688.html Continue the Conversation What part of God with us changes how you see Jesus? Where do you feel Gods presence most clearly? Why does Jesus humanity matter for your everyday life? Who around you needs the presence of Jesus through you?

Fill-In Notes: https://churchlinkfeeds.blob.core.windows.net/notes/39900/note-253688.html Continue the Conversation What part of God with us changes how you see Jesus? Where do you feel Gods presence most clearly? Why does Jesus humanity matter for your everyday life? Who around you needs the presence of Jesus through you?

Fill-In Notes: https://churchlinkfeeds.blob.core.windows.net/notes/39900/note-253090.html Continue the Conversation What part of Jesus humility stands out most? Why is humility so hard in our culture? How might you introduce model Jesus accurately to the hurting humble ones in your life.? Where could you practice the mindset of Jesus in the everyday stuff of life?

Fill-In Notes: https://churchlinkfeeds.blob.core.windows.net/notes/39900/note-253090.html Continue the Conversation What part of Jesus humility stands out most? Why is humility so hard in our culture? How might you introduce model Jesus accurately to the hurting humble ones in your life.? Where could you practice the mindset of Jesus in the everyday stuff of life?

Fill-In Notes: https://churchlinkfeeds.blob.core.windows.net/notes/39900/note-253090.html Continue the Conversation What part of Jesus humility stands out most? Why is humility so hard in our culture? How might you introduce model Jesus accurately to the hurting humble ones in your life.? Where could you practice the mindset of Jesus in the everyday stuff of life?

Fill-In Notes: https://churchlinkfeeds.blob.core.windows.net/notes/39900/note-252502.html Continuing the Conversation 1 Why do broken promises hit so hard?

2 Which part of Jesus arrival shows Gods faithfulness most clearly?

3 Where do you struggle to trust Gods timing?

4 Whats one promise from Scripture you want to grip more tightly this week?

Fill-In Notes: https://churchlinkfeeds.blob.core.windows.net/notes/39900/note-252502.html Continuing the Conversation 1 Why do broken promises hit so hard?

2 Which part of Jesus arrival shows Gods faithfulness most clearly?

3 Where do you struggle to trust Gods timing?

4 Whats one promise from Scripture you want to grip more tightly this week?

Fill-In Notes: https://churchlinkfeeds.blob.core.windows.net/notes/39900/note-251865.html Continuing the Conversation What weights (not necessarily sins) are currently slowing down your spiritual momentum? Where do you feel tempted to quit or coast in the race God gave you right now? Why? What would it look like this week to fix your eyes on Jesus in a concrete, repeatable way? What one step could you take to run with clearer focuseither removing something harmful or adding something healthy?

Fill-In Notes: https://churchlinkfeeds.blob.core.windows.net/notes/39900/note-251865.html Continuing the Conversation What weights (not necessarily sins) are currently slowing down your spiritual momentum? Where do you feel tempted to quit or coast in the race God gave you right now? Why? What would it look like this week to fix your eyes on Jesus in a concrete, repeatable way? What one step could you take to run with clearer focuseither removing something harmful or adding something healthy?

Fill-In Notes: https://churchlinkfeeds.blob.core.windows.net/notes/39900/note-251362.html Continuing the Conversation Which part of the gospel increases your joy when you think about giving? What seeds is God inviting you to plant more consistently right now? What recent financial decision revealed something important about your heart? Which area of Gods kingdom building is He prompting you to invest in during this season?

Fill-In Notes: https://churchlinkfeeds.blob.core.windows.net/notes/39900/note-251362.html Continuing the Conversation Which part of the gospel increases your joy when you think about giving? What seeds is God inviting you to plant more consistently right now? What recent financial decision revealed something important about your heart? Which area of Gods kingdom building is He prompting you to invest in during this season?

Fill-In Notes: https://churchlinkfeeds.blob.core.windows.net/notes/39900/note-250574.html Continuing the Conversation Which image speaks most to you right nowsalt or lightand why? Where do you sense your influence fading or hidden in daily life? What basket tends to cover your lightfear, busyness, or distraction? How could your actions this week cause someone else to praise God? Who is one person God may be asking you to influence through quiet faithfulness?

Fill-In Notes: https://churchlinkfeeds.blob.core.windows.net/notes/39900/note-250574.html Continuing the Conversation Which image speaks most to you right nowsalt or lightand why? Where do you sense your influence fading or hidden in daily life? What basket tends to cover your lightfear, busyness, or distraction? How could your actions this week cause someone else to praise God? Who is one person God may be asking you to influence through quiet faithfulness?

Fill-In Notes: https://churchlinkfeeds.blob.core.windows.net/notes/39900/note-250027.html Continuing the Conversation Which phrase from this passagenew creation, reconciled, ambassador, or righteousmost shapes how you see yourself? Why? Where do you sense God leading you to represent Him this weekas His ambassador? Whats one old identity (past sin, failure, or label) that you need to leave behind to live as in your new identity as a new creation? If someone who trusted you asked, Whats your faith all about? how might you describe Godno longer counting peoples sins against them?

Fill-In Notes: https://churchlinkfeeds.blob.core.windows.net/notes/39900/note-250027.html Continuing the Conversation Which phrase from this passagenew creation, reconciled, ambassador, or righteousmost shapes how you see yourself? Why? Where do you sense God leading you to represent Him this weekas His ambassador? Whats one old identity (past sin, failure, or label) that you need to leave behind to live as in your new identity as a new creation? If someone who trusted you asked, Whats your faith all about? how might you describe Godno longer counting peoples sins against them?

Fill-In Notes: https://churchlinkfeeds.blob.core.windows.net/notes/39900/note-250027.html Continuing the Conversation Which phrase from this passagenew creation, reconciled, ambassador, or righteousmost shapes how you see yourself? Why? Where do you sense God leading you to represent Him this weekas His ambassador? Whats one old identity (past sin, failure, or label) that you need to leave behind to live as in your new identity as a new creation? If someone who trusted you asked, Whats your faith all about? how might you describe Godno longer counting peoples sins against them?

Fill-In Notes: https://churchlinkfeeds.blob.core.windows.net/notes/39900/note-249442.html Continuing the Conversation Who handed faith to you, and who will you hand it to next? What competes for your attention more than Gods voice right now? What past moment (in Scripture or in your life) has taught you something lasting about God? Are there any ways you could intentionally teach or model something about God this week to someone younger in faith?

Fill-In Notes: https://churchlinkfeeds.blob.core.windows.net/notes/39900/note-249442.html Continuing the Conversation Who handed faith to you, and who will you hand it to next? What competes for your attention more than Gods voice right now? What past moment (in Scripture or in your life) has taught you something lasting about God? Are there any ways you could intentionally teach or model something about God this week to someone younger in faith?

Fill-In Notes: https://churchlinkfeeds.blob.core.windows.net/notes/39900/note-249442.html Continuing the Conversation Who handed faith to you, and who will you hand it to next? What competes for your attention more than Gods voice right now? What past moment (in Scripture or in your life) has taught you something lasting about God? Are there any ways you could intentionally teach or model something about God this week to someone younger in faith?

Fill-In Notes: https://churchlinkfeeds.blob.core.windows.net/notes/39900/note-249442.html Continuing the Conversation Who handed faith to you, and who will you hand it to next? What competes for your attention more than Gods voice right now? What past moment (in Scripture or in your life) has taught you something lasting about God? Are there any ways you could intentionally teach or model something about God this week to someone younger in faith?

Fill-In Notes: https://churchlinkfeeds.blob.core.windows.net/notes/39900/note-247699.html Continuing the Conversation Where do people your age usually look for hope, and how do those hopes fail when life gets hard? What does it practically mean to flee for refuge to Jesus in your daily life? How can you tell if your anchor (your source of stability) is really in Christ or in something else? When have you felt the storms of life threaten to pull you away? How did God hold you steady? If Jesus has already gone before us into Gods presence, how should that shape the way we face fear, guilt, or the future?

Fill-In Notes: https://churchlinkfeeds.blob.core.windows.net/notes/39900/note-247699.html Continuing the Conversation Where do people your age usually look for hope, and how do those hopes fail when life gets hard? What does it practically mean to flee for refuge to Jesus in your daily life? How can you tell if your anchor (your source of stability) is really in Christ or in something else? When have you felt the storms of life threaten to pull you away? How did God hold you steady? If Jesus has already gone before us into Gods presence, how should that shape the way we face fear, guilt, or the future?

Fill-In Notes: https://churchlinkfeeds.blob.core.windows.net/notes/39900/note-248459.html

Fill-In Notes: https://churchlinkfeeds.blob.core.windows.net/notes/39900/note-248459.html

Fill-In Notes: https://churchlinkfeeds.blob.core.windows.net/notes/39900/note-247699.html Continuing the Conversation How does viewing your current trial as temporary change the way you respond to it? In what ways has God already used past hardships to strengthen your faith? When life feels unfair or painful, what truths about Gods character anchor your hope? What would it look like for your faith to shine brighter than gold in your relationships or workplace? Who in your life might be watching how you endure sufferingand what might they learn about Jesus through you?

Fill-In Notes: https://churchlinkfeeds.blob.core.windows.net/notes/39900/note-247699.html Continuing the Conversation How does viewing your current trial as temporary change the way you respond to it? In what ways has God already used past hardships to strengthen your faith? When life feels unfair or painful, what truths about Gods character anchor your hope? What would it look like for your faith to shine brighter than gold in your relationships or workplace? Who in your life might be watching how you endure sufferingand what might they learn about Jesus through you?

Fill-In Notes: https://churchlinkfeeds.blob.core.windows.net/notes/39900/note-246186.html Continuing The Conversation Whats one way your roots in Jesus could go deeper this week (like prayer, Scripture, loving or forgiving your enemies )? Where do you see empty wisdom about human identity in culture that seems attractive but doesnt actually give life? Whats something in your life you keep chasing to feel completegrades, sports, achievement, relationshipsand how does Jesus already meet that need? How might you explain being made alive with Jesus to a friend who doesnt believe? Whats one practice that helps you keep following and abiding in Jesus daily, not just occasionally?

Fill-In Notes: https://churchlinkfeeds.blob.core.windows.net/notes/39900/note-246186.html Continuing The Conversation Whats one way your roots in Jesus could go deeper this week (like prayer, Scripture, loving or forgiving your enemies )? Where do you see empty wisdom about human identity in culture that seems attractive but doesnt actually give life? Whats something in your life you keep chasing to feel completegrades, sports, achievement, relationshipsand how does Jesus already meet that need? How might you explain being made alive with Jesus to a friend who doesnt believe? Whats one practice that helps you keep following and abiding in Jesus daily, not just occasionally?

Fill-In Notes: https://churchlinkfeeds.blob.core.windows.net/notes/39900/note-245629.html Continuing The Conversation Where are you most tempted to look for your identity apart from Jesus? Which old false self habits (vv. 59) are hardest for you to leave behind? What could putting on Jesus (vv. 1214) look like in your daily routine this week? How has your faith community helped you remember who you really are in Jesus? Where might you need to give yourself permission to change grow slowly trusting renewal instead of demanding perfection?

Fill-In Notes: https://churchlinkfeeds.blob.core.windows.net/notes/39900/note-245629.html Continuing The Conversation Where are you most tempted to look for your identity apart from Jesus? Which old false self habits (vv. 59) are hardest for you to leave behind? What could putting on Jesus (vv. 1214) look like in your daily routine this week? How has your faith community helped you remember who you really are in Jesus? Where might you need to give yourself permission to change grow slowly trusting renewal instead of demanding perfection?

Fill-In Notes: https://churchlinkfeeds.blob.core.windows.net/notes/39900/note-244902.html Continuing the Conversation In what ways might you be tempted to wear a mask? How has/is Jesus forming your identity? Who might you be called to serve this week?

Fill-In Notes: https://churchlinkfeeds.blob.core.windows.net/notes/39900/note-244902.html Continuing the Conversation In what ways might you be tempted to wear a mask? How has/is Jesus forming your identity? Who might you be called to serve this week?

Fill-In Notes: https://churchlinkfeeds.blob.core.windows.net/notes/39900/note-244309.html Continuing the Conversation 1. The Pharisee represents the false self built on pride and comparison, while the tax collector came with honesty and humility. Where do you think people are most tempted to pretend presenting a polished version of themselves instead of their real need before God or others? 2. Jesus came as a doctor for the sick, but we often resist admitting our need. What are some signs in your own life that you might be ignoring or minimizing your sickness, and how might you usually hide it? 3. Keller says, The gospel exposes us before it comforts us. Has God ever lovingly unmasked youshowing pride, sin, or weakness? If so, how did that moment eventually lead to freedom or growth? 4. The tax collector didnt earn justificationit was received through surrender. What does it look like, in a practical sense, to come with open hands before God in your daily life right now?

Fill-In Notes: https://churchlinkfeeds.blob.core.windows.net/notes/39900/note-244309.html Continuing the Conversation 1. The Pharisee represents the false self built on pride and comparison, while the tax collector came with honesty and humility. Where do you think people are most tempted to pretend presenting a polished version of themselves instead of their real need before God or others? 2. Jesus came as a doctor for the sick, but we often resist admitting our need. What are some signs in your own life that you might be ignoring or minimizing your sickness, and how might you usually hide it? 3. Keller says, The gospel exposes us before it comforts us. Has God ever lovingly unmasked youshowing pride, sin, or weakness? If so, how did that moment eventually lead to freedom or growth? 4. The tax collector didnt earn justificationit was received through surrender. What does it look like, in a practical sense, to come with open hands before God in your daily life right now?

Fill-In Notes: https://churchlinkfeeds.blob.core.windows.net/notes/39900/note-243027.html Continuing The Conversation Dont let money become your master. Kill the idol of materialism by treasuring Jesus above all. What are some warning signs that money (or possessions) might be becoming someones master? How could trusting treasuring Jesus above all else break materialisms power over you? What practical step could you take this week to loosen greeds grip on your heart? (e.g., generosity, gratitude, simplicity)