(Standalone sermon)
Create the Culture.
(The sermons)
(Read along)
A reading guide.
A week-by-week way to sit with Create the Culture on your own or with your community. Read the passage, reflect, and practice being present to God.
01In MadisonMidday prayer & intercessionAugust 31 to September 6 · Read Luke 1
Read
Supporting scripture
“Seek the peace and prosperity of the city… pray to the Lord for it, because if it prospers, you too will prosper.”
Reflect
Flourishing isn't abstract. Flourishing has a zip code.
Practice · Midday prayer & intercession
Pause in the middle of your day to be with Jesus. Set aside 5 to 10 minutes at midday to become aware of God's presence and pray for the people, places, and situations God brings to mind. As you pray, begin to notice your actual city. Your neighborhood, your coworkers, your schools, your local businesses, and the people you encounter every day.
Pray
Jesus, where are You at work around me today? Who are You inviting me to pray for?
02In MadisonPray as you walkSeptember 7 to 13 · Read Luke 2
Read
Supporting scripture
“Who is my neighbor?”
Reflect
The lawyer's question in Luke 10 was an attempt to limit love. Jesus' answer expands it. Neighbor isn't defined by proximity or comfort, but by need and opportunity.
Practice · Pray as you walk
Take a walk around your neighborhood this week. As you walk, pay attention to the people, homes, businesses, schools, parks, and places around you. Pray for the people who live around you and ask God to bring His peace, presence, and kingdom to your neighborhood. Then take the next step: sign up for the Madison Good Neighbor Gathering on September 13.
Pray
Jesus, help me see my neighborhood the way You see it.
03TogetherShared mealsSeptember 14 to 20 · Read Luke 3-4
Read
Supporting scripture
Reflect
Acts 2 wasn't a one-time spiritual high. It was ordinary, repeated life together. Meals, teaching, generosity, prayer. Community was structural, not incidental.
Practice · Shared meals
Share a meal with someone this week. Invite someone over, grab coffee, eat lunch with a coworker, or make space at your table for someone you don't normally spend time with. The goal isn't a perfect meal. The goal is shared life.
Pray
Jesus, who are You inviting me to make room for?
04TogetherCovenant communitySeptember 21 to 27 · Read Luke 5-6
Read
Supporting scripture
“…spurring one another on toward love and good deeds…”
Reflect
Loving our city well isn't sustainable alone. Covenant means showing up when it's inconvenient and staying when it's hard.
Practice · Covenant community
We aren't formed alone. Take a next step toward deeper community this week. Sign up for a Formation Group or a Community. Choose consistency over convenience. Choose people who can know you, encourage you, challenge you, and walk with you.
Pray
Jesus, who am I committed to doing life with?
05Create the CultureCreate a Rule of LifeSeptember 28 to October 4 · Read Luke 7-9
Read
Supporting scripture
“You are the salt of the earth… the light of the world.”
Reflect
Culture is the sum of a community's practices, values, and rhythms. If we don't intentionally create a culture shaped by Jesus, we'll default to the culture around us. Hurry, individualism, consumption, outrage.
Practice · Create a Rule of Life
A Rule of Life is a trellis, not a cage. Use our website and daily rhythms resources to build yours this week. newculturechurch.com
Pray
06Be With JesusSilence & ScriptureOctober 5 to 11 · Read Luke 10-12
Read
Supporting scripture
“Remain in me, as I also remain in you… apart from me you can do nothing.”
Reflect
Before Jesus asks us to do anything, He asks us to be with Him. You cannot become like someone you don't spend time with.
Practice · Silence & Scripture
Set aside intentional time to simply be with Jesus. Put away your phone. Find a quiet place. Sit in silence and slowly read Luke 10 to 12. Resist the urge to accomplish something. You don't have to produce anything. Just be with Jesus.
Pray
Jesus, what am I noticing as I slow down and become present to You?
07Become Like JesusFastingOctober 12 to 18 · Read Luke 13-17
Read
Supporting scripture
“…conformed to the image of His Son.”
Reflect
Formation isn't about becoming a generic good Christian. It's about becoming more fully who God made you to be, with the character of Christ growing in you.
Practice · Fasting
Pay attention to what Jesus is forming in you. As you read Luke 13 to 17, notice the attitudes, desires, reactions, and relationships Jesus is inviting you to surrender and reshape.
Pray
Jesus, make me more like You. What part of my character are You inviting me to grow in?
08Do What Jesus DidFastingOctober 19 to 25 · Read Luke 18-21
Read
Supporting scripture
“As the Father has sent me, I am sending you.”
Reflect
Being with Jesus and becoming like Jesus were never meant to stay private. They lead somewhere. Out into the world, to the people around us.
Practice · Fasting
Practice fasting this week. Choose something to fast from and use hunger, discomfort, or desire as an invitation to turn your attention toward God. Fasting isn't just about giving something up. It's about making space to hear and respond to Jesus.
Pray
Jesus, what are You sending me toward?
09Do What Jesus DidCommunion & missionOctober 26 to 31 · Read Luke 22-24
Read
Supporting scripture
“…go and make disciples of all nations…”
Reflect
Jesus died. Jesus rose. Jesus is alive. And we are sent.
Practice · Communion & mission
Slow down and remember the story we're a part of. Reflect on Jesus' death and resurrection. Receive Communion with your community and remember that the risen Jesus sends His people into the world.
Pray
Jesus, where have You sent me? Who are You inviting me to love? What would it look like to carry Your love into my city this week?