Northstar Pulaski Podcast

Reflection questions related to our B.O.L.D. living Rule of Life:> Be with & Bless others: What excuses am I using to avoid or ignore opportunities to practically serve or extend love to a neighbor (co-worker; stranger; etc) this week?> Observe & Obey the Holy Spirit: Where might God be calling me to trust Him this week, rather than trying to control things on my own?> Love and Live like Jesus: How am I trusting God's presence more than my abilities?> Demonstrate & Declare the Kingdom: How can I help cultivate a culture of faithfulness in my family and community this week?

Reflection questions for our B.O.L.D. living Rule of Life:> Be with & Bless others -- Where is God inviting me to invest in future generations?> Observe & Obey the Holy Spirit -- Where is God leading me to trust beyond what I can see?> Love & Live like Jesus -- Do I extend forgiveness consistently, or only when it feels deserved?> Demonstrate & Declare the Kingdom of God -- Is my identity rooted in God's promises—or my present circumstances?

Reflection questions for our B.O.L.D. Living Rule of Life:> Be with & Bless others -- Am I using influence to serve or to secure myself?> Observe & Obey the Holy Spirit -- Do I see my story as part of God's mission for others?> Love and live like Jesus -- Do I extend grace in a way that reflects God's grace toward me?> Demonstrate & Declare the Kingdom of God -- Does my life reflect confidence in God's sovereignty, regardless of my circumstances?

Reflective questions from Genesis 36-40, integrated into our B.O.L.D. living "Rule of Life"> Be with & Bless others:  Am I blessing others even when I feel overlooked or mistreated?>Observe & Obey the Holy Spirit:  Am I willing to speak truth (with grace), even when it's difficult or costs me something? (baker's outcome)>Love & Live like Jesus:  Am I present enough to notice when others are troubled and need care, even in the midst of my own hardship? >Demonstrate & Declare the Kingdom:  Does my life reflect trust in God's presence regardless of circumstance?

Questions to consider from our Rule of Life of B.O.L.D. living:Be with & bless others --- Where is God calling me to step into tension, even when relationships are complicated or messy?Observe & obey --- What am I “holding onto” that represents security apart from God?Love & live like Jesus --- How do I respond when deeply wronged (grace or revenge)?Demonstrate & declare --- Does my life show evidence of repentance, surrender, and transformed identity in Jesus Christ?

Reflection Questions to consider:Surrendered to Jesus> Where am I tempted to control outcomes instead of trusting God's promises? (Isaac, Jacob)> Do I tend to justify small compromises because of fear and/or insecurity?> Am I relying more on strategy or surrender in my walk with God?> Where might generational patterns still be shaping me (fear, deception, control)?Sent on Mission> When facing conflict, do I fight, flee, or faithfully trust God to provide another way? (Isaac & the wells)> Am I willing to take the “loss” in order to preserve peace and witness?> Where is God inviting me to trust Him to make space instead of forcing it? (ie Rehoboth)> How can I see my everyday environments (work, neighborhood) as places where God is at work this week — even in tension?Committed to One Another> Where might favoritism or comparison be damaging relationships around me? (Isaac/Rebekah, Leah/Rachel)> Am I contributing to unity—or quietly fueling division?> How do I respond when I feel overlooked, unloved, or second place? (Leah)> Am I willing to pursue honest confession and reconciliation, even when it's costly?

Use Discovery Bible Study method to pray, read through, and discuss Philippians 2:1-4.(optional: supplemental teaching video)next step questions:-- What (or who) is it that you ultimately look to to sustain you, to satisfy you, to encourage you, to fulfill you? -- In what ways do you tend to be selfish when it comes to your time?-- What are some tangible ways you, as a community, can realign your mind, love, unity in Spirit, and purpose around the mission of Jesus?

In this opening session of our series, we spend some time casting vision for the next four months and then dive into John 15 to look at the practice of abiding.

Discovery Bible StudyFor DBS discussion:1) What misconception may have prompted Jesus to tell this parable at that time?2) What truth is Jesus teaching the crowd that followed him that day?3) Does this truth apply to us today? What can we learn from this parable?For AFTER THE VIDEO discussion:1) What does this parable teach about the Kingdom of God?2) How can I be investing my life for the sake of the Master's Kingdom?3) Am I looking for opportunities "to seek and to save the lost?"4) For whom am I praying that he/she will come to know Jesus?5) Can I honestly say that Jesus is reigning in me?For a similar, but different, parable about the Kingdom of God, read Matthew 25:14-30. DBS the passage and discuss the following questions:1) What is the meaning of the parable, and what does it teach about the Kingdom of God?2) Am I using my abilities and resources for the Master? Explain.