Northstar Pulaski

10/08/2026

FORMATION QUESTIONS for Ephesians 4-6

SURRENDERED TO JESUS:
1. Which familiar habit or response is difficult for me to surrender to Jesus because it gives me (comfort, control, approval, escape, etc) — and how can I begin to trust Jesus with that underlying need? (4:20–24)
2. How could a more consistent attentiveness to the Holy Spirit change my daily choices, how I use my time and/or my interaction with people around me? (5:15–21)
3. What is my influence toward those closest to me (i.e. my spouse/children/or people in my circles), and what can I surrender to be more loving and living like Jesus for their good? (5:21–33; 6:4)

SENT ON MISSION:
4. If I became more intentional about serving and/or giving to others, what would change in how I earn, spend, and notice people in need? (4:28)
5. Are there environments where I have accepted something as ‘normal’, while knowing does not reflect Jesus well; and if so, what would loving and living like Jesus require me to do? (5:8–14)
6. What am I afraid of, if I speak or act openly about Jesus, and how might humbly depending on God through prayer reshape the way I enter that conversation? (6:18–20)

COMMITTED TO ONE ANOTHER:
7. How can a better understanding of my forgiveness in Christ free me to humbly confess my responsibility in a relationship and begin pursuing reconciliation? (4:25–32)
8. What does the Holy Spirit need to change (in me) in order to more tangibly love a fellow believer whose perspectives/hobbies/personality is different from mine? (4:7–16)
9. What would it look like for me to lean on the Lord’s strength, especially when I am weak in my faith; and how willing am I to let others know where I need prayer? (6:10–18)

B.O.L.D. LIVING RULE OF LIFE:
(Choose one challenge to practice intentionally this week)

BE WITH & BLESS OTHERS
>> Help someone stand firm → meet with someone facing discouragement or temptation, read the armor passage together, and pray for strength to remain faithful in truth, peace, and trust in God (6:10–18)
>> Contribute to someone’s growth → offer a gift/resource you have to help someone in your MC that may help them take a step of obedience/faithfulness, and if/when possible, serve alongside them (4:11–16)
>> Be a blessing → prayerfully set aside part of this week’s income to help meet a specific need in your church family or neighborhood (4:28)

OBSERVE & OBEY THE HOLY SPIRIT
>> Risk telling the truth → ask the Spirit to reveal where you have misled someone or hidden your responsibility, then speak honestly to the person affected and own your part (4:25)
>> Yield your preference → Prayerfully release your insistence/desire on getting your way and give someone else’s wisdom meaningful influence (5:18-21)

LOVE & LIVE LIKE JESUS
>> Practice costly love in marriage → ask your spouse what would help them feel cared for and/or respected, then make one practical ‘sacrificial’ change to meet their need (5:21–33)
>> Change the tone of parenting → parents, ask your child how your words/actions affect them; confess/apologize if it has been harsh and practice a gentler response this week (6:4)
>> Practice honor at home → children & teens: what responsibilities have your parents given to you, that you have not done, & practice doing it without a reminder or complaining (6:1–3)

DEMONSTRATE & DECLARE THE KINGDOM OF GOD
>> Make light visible → if/when tempted into a dishonest or unloving action, graciously refuse and offer an honest/loving alternative; if the conversation opens, explain how following Jesus shapes that choice (5:8–11)
>> Speak with courage → ask another believer to pray over you for courage/boldness, then pursue a respectful conversation with someone about who Jesus is and the hope he offers (6:19–20)

Pray over these things this week and humbly share the journey of living them out when you gather with your MC See less

10/06/2026

Here are the Formation Questions and Rule of Life practices for this week's reading through Ephesians 4-6:

FORMATION QUESTIONS
SURRENDERED TO JESUS:
1. Which familiar habit or response is difficult for me to surrender to Jesus because it gives me (comfort, control, approval, escape, etc) — and how can I begin to trust Jesus with that underlying need? (4:20–24)

2. How could a more consistent attentiveness to the Holy Spirit change my daily choices, how I use my time and/or my interaction with people around me? (5:15–21)

3. What is my influence toward those closest to me (i.e. my spouse/children/or people in my circles), and what can I surrender to be more loving and living like Jesus for their good? (5:21–33; 6:4)

SENT ON MISSION:
4. If I became more intentional about serving and/or giving to others, what would change in how I earn, spend, and notice people in need? (4:28)

5. Are there environments where I have accepted something as ‘normal’, while knowing does not reflect Jesus well; and if so, what would loving and living like Jesus require me to do? (5:8–14)

6. What am I afraid of, if I speak or act openly about Jesus, and how might humbly depending on God through prayer reshape the way I enter that conversation? (6:18–20)

COMMITTED TO ONE ANOTHER:
7. How can a better understanding of my forgiveness in Christ free me to humbly confess my responsibility in a relationship and begin pursuing reconciliation? (4:25–32)

8. What does the Holy Spirit need to change (in me) in order to more tangibly love a fellow believer whose perspectives/hobbies/personality is different from mine? (4:7–16)

9. What would it look like for me to lean on the Lord’s strength, especially when I am weak in my faith; and how willing am I to let others know where I need prayer? (6:10–18)

B.O.L.D. LIVING RULE OF LIFE:
(Choose one challenge to practice intentionally this week)

BE WITH & BLESS OTHERS
➡️ Help someone stand firm → meet with someone facing discouragement or temptation, read the armor passage together, and pray for strength to remain faithful in truth, peace, and trust in God (6:10–18)
➡️ Contribute to someone’s growth → offer a gift/resource you have to help someone in your MC that may help them take a step of obedience/faithfulness, and if/when possible, serve alongside them (4:11–16)
➡️ Be a blessing → prayerfully set aside part of this week’s income to help meet a specific need in your church family or neighborhood (4:28)

OBSERVE & OBEY THE HOLY SPIRIT
➡️ Risk telling the truth → ask the Spirit to reveal where you have misled someone or hidden your responsibility, then speak honestly to the person affected and own your part (4:25)
➡️ Yield your preference → Prayerfully release your insistence/desire on getting your way and give someone else’s wisdom meaningful influence (5:18-21)

LOVE & LIVE LIKE JESUS
➡️ Practice costly love in marriage → ask your spouse what would help them feel cared for and/or respected, then make one practical ‘sacrificial’ change to meet their need (5:21–33)
➡️ Change the tone of parenting → parents, ask your child how your words/actions affect them; confess/apologize if it has been harsh and practice a gentler response this week (6:4)
➡️ Practice honor at home → children & teens: what responsibilities have your parents given to you, that you have not done, & practice doing it without a reminder or complaining (6:1–3)

DEMONSTRATE & DECLARE THE KINGDOM OF GOD
➡️ Make light visible → if/when tempted into a dishonest or unloving action, graciously refuse and offer an honest/loving alternative; if the conversation opens, explain how following Jesus shapes that choice (5:8–11)
➡️ Speak with courage → ask another believer to pray over you for courage/boldness, then pursue a respectful conversation with someone about who Jesus is and the hope he offers (6:19–20)

Pray over these things this week and humbly share the journey of living them out when you gather with your MC

10/06/2026

Hey guys, here is the reading plan for October through December. May your time in the Word continually help transform the way you love and live like Jesus!

09/28/2026

Here are the Formation Questions to think about as you read Ephesians 1-3:

SURRENDERED TO JESUS:
1. What do I rely on to feel secure or valuable, and how would my choices change if I lived more deeply from being adopted and loved in Christ?

2. What part of my life am I reluctant to let God reshape, even though I trust him to forgive me?

3. What do my prayers reveal about what I most want from God, and how might Paul’s prayer in 3:14–19 reshape those desires?

SENT ON MISSION:
4. Whom do I instinctively tend to keep at a distance, and what fear/assumption/or desire for comfort/social status/selfishness/pride is shaping that response?

5. Where might God be inviting me to bring hope or belonging, and what would I need to rearrange or release to make room for that person?

COMMITTED TO ONE ANOTHER:
6. How can a better understanding of a shared belonging in Christ challenge my typical inclination to keep people at a distance, especially the ones I would consider ‘not like me’?

7. What might I discover about Christ’s love by allowing someone in our spiritual family to know my needs and care for me?

B.O.L.D. LIVING RULE OF LIFE:
(Choose at least one challenge to practice intentionally this week)

BE WITH & BLESS OTHERS
➡️ Invite someone ‘new’ over for dinner; meet for coffee; or go for a walk this week…and give them your undivided attention. (pray about who it is and for the plans that are made)

OBSERVE & OBEY THE HOLY SPIRIT
➡️ Pray for the Holy Spirit to help you recognize a barrier you have built between someone simply because they are not ‘like’ or ‘fit’ in your circle; then be willing to humbly take a risk to initiate a conversation

LOVE & LIVE LIKE JESUS
➡️ When someone at home or work makes a mistake or does not meet your expectation, respond with patience, and offer practical help as an expression of the grace you have received

DEMONSTRATE & DECLARE THE KINGDOM OF GOD
➡️ Think about a moment when you have experienced the grace of God through Jesus, especially after ‘falling short’ or making a mistake, and that grace literally gave you hope and strength. Look for opportunities to share that moment with someone who needs hope an d strength this week.

Pray over these things this week and humbly share the journey of living them out when you gather with your MC

09/24/2026

This week’s Bible Reading Convos for Colossians:

*Colossians Formation Questions*

*SURRENDERED TO JESUS:*
1. Where do I see Jesus growing me, and where am I resisting the change He is inviting me toward?

2. As I read Colossians, what do I need to “put off”, and what Christlike quality do I need to “put on”? Who could help me practice that change?

*SENT ON MISSION:*
3. Where do I notice a need for peace, belonging, or hope among the people I regularly encounter? What would tangible love look like there?

4. Paul connects wise conduct with gracious speech. How could my actions and words help someone encounter the love and hope of Jesus this week?

*COMMITTED TO ONE ANOTHER:*
5. Paul calls us to bear with and forgive one another. Which relationship needs a humble next step from me, such as listening, apologizing, or beginning a truthful conversation?

6. Whose growth in Christ am I actively supporting, and whose help am I willing to receive? What would make those relationships more mutually supportive?

*B.O.L.D. LIVING RULE OF LIFE:*
Choose one challenge to practice intentionally this week

*BE WITH & BLESS OTHERS*
➡️ Invite someone to a meal; take a walk together; or offer help with an everyday task

*OBSERVE & OBEY THE HOLY SPIRIT*
➡️ Take some time to pray over Colossians 3:12–15. Is there a situation where the Holy Spirit is promoting you to step into obedience (especially one you have been avoiding)?

*LOVE & LIVE LIKE JESUS*
➡️ Intentionally practice Colossians 3:12-14, especially in moments where your character is regularly tested

DEMONSTRATE & DECLARE THE KINGDOM OF GOD
➡️ Intentionally pray for opportunities to talk about and/or tangibly model the love and hope of this week

*pray over these things this week and humbly share the journey of living them out when you gather with your MC*

FORMATION QUESTIONS FOR COLOSSIANS SURRENDERED TO JESUS: 1. Where do I see Jesus growing me, and where am I resisting the change He is inviting me toward? 2. As I read Colossians, what do I need to “put off”, and what Christlike quality do I need to “put on”? Who could help me practice that ...

09/19/2026

Here is our set list, to help you prep your heart and mind for tomorrow’s Family Worship! We are looking forward to seeing everyone for our last “worship at the lake“ of 2026

10am potluck breakfast

Glorious Day
House of the Lord
Who Else
All Creatures

https://open.spotify.com/playlist/4AOAG3NZSSyRuBQ27afINA?si=kvZTuDdeQHqfFhHI5RPn0Q&utm_source=copy-link&pi=vi8_s9iaTn6nj

We will be worshiping with the following songs at our next Family Worship gathering:

09/15/2026

Here are this week's formation questions and Rule of Life practices for COLOSSIANS:

▶️ SURRENDERED TO JESUS:
1. Paul desires everyone to grow into maturity in Christ. Where do I see Jesus growing me, and where am I resisting the change He is inviting me toward?

2. What areas of my life do I still allow other people’s approval and/or my personal comfort/control to be the strongest influence on my life? What would surrender look like in one specific decision this week?
3. As I read Colossians, what do I need to put off, and what Christlike quality do I need to put on? Who could help me practice that change?

▶️ SENT ON MISSION:
1. Where do I notice a need for peace, belonging, or hope among the people I regularly encounter? What would tangible love look like there?
2. What unfamiliar or uncomfortable situation might I need to enter to love someone well (or better)? What fear or assumption makes me hesitate?
3. Paul connects wise conduct with gracious speech. How could my actions and words help someone encounter the love and hope of Jesus this week?

▶️ COMMITTED TO ONE ANOTHER:
1. Where do I need to lead with honest confession—owning my actions without excuses—so that trust and unity can grow?
2. Paul calls us to bear with and forgive one another. Which relationship needs a humble next step from me, such as listening, apologizing, or beginning a truthful conversation?
3. Whose growth in Christ am I actively supporting, and whose help am I willing to receive? What would make those relationships more mutually supportive?

B.O.L.D. LIVING RULE OF LIFE: Practicing Colossians this week…Choose one challenge to practice intentionally. Tell someone in your church community what you are doing, then reconnect to share what happened and what you learned

🔥 BE WITH & BLESS OTHERS🔥 ➡️ Invite someone to a meal, take a walk together, visit, or offer help with an everyday task
🔀 Connection to Colossians → Compassion and kindness become visible through the attention and care we offer people
Tychicus’s encouragement also reminds us that presence and personal connection strengthen others (Colossians 3:12; 4:7–9)

🔥 OBSERVE & OBEY THE HOLY SPIRIT🔥 ➡️ Make time to pray with Colossians 3:12–15 open. Discern a situation in which following Jesus requires you to prayerfully take a step you have been avoiding
🔀 For example → admit a wrongdoing and ask for forgiveness, ask for help with a hidden struggle, enter an unfamiliar setting to meet people and learn, offer to pray for someone right then and there, initiate a reconciling conversation and commit to listening)
🔀 Connection to Colossians → This applies your emphasis on responding to the Spirit through the letter’s calls to spiritual wisdom, watchful prayer, and Christlike action (Colossians 1:9–10; 3:12–15; 4:2)

🔥 LOVE & LIVE LIKE JESUS🔥 ➡️ Practice, on a daily basis, one quality of Jesus (Colossians 3:12-14) where your character is regularly tested
🔀 For example → let someone finish speaking before responding (patience); include someone who is regularly overlooked (kindness); receive feedback without immediately defending yourself (humility)
🔀 Connection to Colossians → Doing everything in Jesus’ name gives everyday words and actions the purpose of representing him faithfully (Colossians 3:12–17)

🔥 DEMONSTRATE & DECLARE THE KINGDOM OF GOD🔥 ➡️ Share a tangible expression of Jesus’ love and a natural invitation to hear about him this week
🔀 For example → share a brief story about how Jesus is helping you face uncertainty/forgiveness/or find hope; explain how following Jesus is shaping a choice you are making; offer practical support; invite someone who expresses an interest in hearing more to a meal/coffee/or group gathering
🔀 Connection to Colossians → Our lives and words can become an invitation into the love and hope of Jesus (Colossians 4:2–6)

08/31/2026

This is our last week reading through Matthew (chapters 25-28).

Here are some formation questions to consider while you read.
I dare you guys to experiment with practicing the Rule of Life challenges as well. It is not about success/failure as much as it is about growing in your intention to love and live like Jesus:

SURRENDERED TO JESUS:
1. How often do I tend to look to Jesus based on what He can do for me…rather surrendering to Him simply because He is enough?
2. What area of my life do I need to surrender to Jesus and wholeheartedly pray, “Not my will, but Yours, Jesus?”
3. When I know I have ‘missed the mark,’ do I move toward Jesus for grace, or isolate myself in shame?

SENT ON MISSION:
1. Who is the Holy Spirit nudging me to demonstrate the love and hope of Jesus toward (outside of my typical friend group)?
2. What kinds of risks have I taken in the last week (or month) to love and live like Jesus?
3. What is keeping me from living tangibly on mission, regardless of current life situation, even though Jesus promises us His authority and presence?

COMMITTED TO ONE ANOTHER:
1. Are we building a community where struggling and failing people can be restored rather than discarded?
2. How am I personally investing in my community, and using my God-given gifts, to foster this kind of restoration?
3. How can our community become more intentional about pursuing forgiveness, conflict resolution, humility, transparency, and sacrificial love? (and there are no issues with any of these, it may because your community is not deep enough to really experience them yet0

B.O.L.D. LIVING RULE OF LIFE:

BE WITH & BLESS OTHERS:
>> Spend intentional time this week with someone who is grieving, anxious, or carrying a heavy burden, and resist the urge to fix the situation
>> Stay present, listen, and pray with them

OBSERVE & OBEY THE HOLY SPIRIT:
>> Begin each morning with Jesus’ prayer: “Not my will, but Yours”
>> Identify one area where obedience feels costly and take one tangible step of surrender

LOVE & LIVE LIKE JESUS:
>> Read Matthew 26–28 slowly throughout the week and notice how Jesus responds to betrayal, injustice, suffering, and failure
>> Choose one relationship in which you can imitate His truthfulness, restraint, forgiveness, or sacrificial love

DEMONSTRATE & DECLARE THE KINGDOM OF GOD:
>> Pray for and initiate one spiritual conversation with someone this week
>> Take a chance just to share how your life has changed because of Jesus

08/15/2026

We cannot wait to see everyone tomorrow for Worship at the Lake! Along with our meal together, story sharing, singing and praying…we will also celebrate water baptism for (at least) 3 people!!

Bring some friends, a breakfast dish to share, a lawn chair, and a heart/mind that is ready to worship Jesus!

We hope to see you at 10am (4337 Towes Ferry Rd Dublin)

07/12/2026

Reflective questions for Exodus 26-30:

SURRENDERED TO JESUS:
➡️ Am I pursuing God’s presence, or have I become more focused on what I want Him to do for me?

➡️ Where is Jesus inviting me to slow down and allow Him to shape my character before asking Him to increase my influence?

➡️ What have these chapters revealed about the Father’s heart that changes the way I think about God?
>> Where have I grown overly casual about God's holiness or overly fearful of His nearness, instead of holding both together?

SENT ON MISSION:
➡️ How might Jesus be inviting me to represent Him more faithfully in the home, workplace, neighborhood, and/or community this week?

➡️ Where is God asking me to depend more on prayer and less on my own strength?

COMMITTED TO ONE ANOTHER:
➡️ Who has God placed in my life that I need to intentionally carry before Him in prayer this week?

➡️ How can we become a community where people experience God’s presence (wherever we are) rather than simply attend religious activities?

B.O.L.D. RULE OF LIFE:
Be with & Bless others ➡️ Invite someone to share a meal, coffee, or a walk this week

Observe & Obey the Holy Spirit ➡️ Set aside ten uninterrupted minutes each day simply to be with Jesus.

Love and Live like Jesus ➡️ Choose one ordinary part of your day— your commute/work/chores/dinner table — And intentionally practice the awareness that Jesus is present with you...Let that awareness shape your words, attitudes, and actions

Demonstrate & Declare the Kingdom ➡️ This week, look for one opportunity to share not just what you believe about Jesus, but what you’ve discovered about the Father’s heart through Him