Northstar Pulaski Podcast

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.

Discovery Bible Study⬆️ JESUS -- What would it take for you to risk everything for the sake of being heard or seen or helped? > Share a time when you acted/reacted in a way you did not care what others thought-- Picture yourself in 1st century Jericho, what would it be about Jesus that stirred your curiosity in Him?-- What do you want Jesus to do for you…right now…in your life? > Spend some time praying over these requests-- What does crying out to Jesus look like for you? > Share a time when you have reached a point in your life when this was the only viable option➡️ MISSION-- Can you think of any time when you may have hindered someone's curiosity in Jesus by something you said and/or how you acted toward them (including passive aggressive looks)?-- Hugh Halter: “You are always in discipleship mode.  Either you are pointing people to Jesus or away from Jesus” > How have you been pointing someone to Jesus by how you acted/reacted? > How have you pointed someone away from Jesus by how you have acted/reacted?-- What is one simple thing you can do this week to point _________ (a specific person) toward hope and mercy through Jesus?-- What is a tangible way of you can show the love of Jesus to someone outside of your community of faith this week?⬅️ COMMUNITY -- What is a tangible way your MC can encourage one another this week?-- What is a tangible way you can serve someone in your MC this week?-- Can you commit to praying over one another this week by name?

DISCOVERY BIBLE STUDY ⬆️ JESUS 1) What other prophecies do you know Jesus fulfilled? + Resource: https://www.gotquestions.org/prophecies-of-Jesus.html2) Why do you think it was important to Jesus to share the plans with his crew, even though they would not understand?3) Why do you believe Jesus is who He says He is? + When did you realize your heart believed it?4) With so many different denominations and theologies ‘out there', not to mention technology/social media, how do you know what you currently believe about Jesus is true to scripture?➡️ MISSION5) How is your life different because of pursuing and becoming like Jesus? + What is different? + Do you have any stories of how family/friends/co-workers have noticed a difference?6) Have you ever faced any consequence or pressure from your faith in and pursuit of Jesus?7) Have you taken a step of obedience in your faith, without fully knowing where it would lead? + Share stories8) How can you begin to take tangible and intentional steps toward living for and sharing about Jesus this week? Spend a few moments praying over this…then share⬅️ COMMUNITY 9) Confession: Have you recently refused or neglected trusting in Jesus (by how you have lived, loved, reacted)?10) How do you typically handle unmet expectations? + Share a time when you did not handle an unmet expectation in a healthy way11) How do you handle moments when you have explained something (multiple times)  and yet it is not heard, much less understood?12) How can your community support you in living for and sharing about Jesus this week?13) Spend time praying over one another