Know Grow Show

Weekly Podcast from Cornerstone Church, North Gower, Ontario.  www.knowgrowshow.ca https://knowgrowshow.online.church/   Series: Journey Songs The Passage: Psalm 129 The One Thing: A song to lead you through oppression 414 Cluster Discussion Starters: 414 Cluster Discussion Starters  1. Why was it important to the Jews that they had songs like Psalm 129 in their song book? Should we be singing songs like this on Sunday mornings?   2. Nathan said one of the key messages of Psalm 129 is "You're defined by Christ, not by your past". Easier said than done. Why is this such a important matter? What does it mean to be "defined by Christ"?   3. Nathan said that God's wrath is actually His love seen from the other side (similar to how Hulk seems good to those he's rescuing but terrifying to the bad guys). How does this help us come to grips with the doctrine of God's wrath / anger?   4. This week memorize and keep repeating to yourself Psalm 129:4 "But the LORD is righteous; he has cut me free from the cords of

Weekly Podcast from Cornerstone Church, North Gower, Ontario.  www.knowgrowshow.ca https://knowgrowshow.online.church/   Series: Journey Songs The Passage: Psalm 127 and Psalm 128 The One Thing: A song to lead you into greater trust and obedience 414 Cluster Discussion Starters: 1. Consider your home or home life: what idea(s) is it built on? 2. What are some wrong ideas that our homes can be built on? 3. What ideas does Deuteronomy 6:4-9 give us for building our homes on? 4. Psalm 127 and 128 present one blessing. What other blessings does God promise to those who are single, don’t have children or have significant challenges in their home life? 5. Sit down with those in your household (or by yourself if you’re single) and agree on a one sentence idea that you agree to build your home on. (For example: “Our home exists to make God look amazing” or “Our home is a safe place where people can be challenged to grow in trusting Jesus”.)

Weekly Podcast from Cornerstone Church, North Gower, Ontario.  www.knowgrowshow.ca https://knowgrowshow.online.church/   The Passage  Psalm 126  The One Thing  A song to lead you from what was to what will be  414 Cluster Discussion Starters  If you could create a Rube Goldberg Machine, what would it do? Think about a time you repented of something – describe the feelings you felt before, during and repenting. How would you explain repentance to someone else? Does the language used in verses 4-6 resonate with your experience? What can we do to “normalize” repentance, so it’s more of a regular part of our Christian walk and not such a big deal? How does the Father’s response to the repentant son in Luke 15:22-24 encourage you? Think about the Rube Goldberg Machine of Joy (Repentance > Restoration > Rejoicing > Renown > Realization). What do you think is the next step that God is calling you to? Give Him permission to do in you what needs to be done.   

Weekly Podcast from Cornerstone Church, North Gower, Ontario.  www.knowgrowshow.ca https://knowgrowshow.online.church/   To listen on your favourite podcast provider (Spotify, Stitcher, Apple or Google) visit knowgrowshow.ca and click on the podcast tab. How would you describe trust in God? What does it mean to trust in God? Dan talked about the Biosphere 2, and about how God uses adverse circumstances in life to build strength and hope within us. "Our souls need adversity”, Dan said. Do you agree with this? How has God used adversity in your life to bring about good in your life?  Dan talked about going back to the ancient paths (Jeremiah 6:16). What are some basic spiritual habits or practices that you need to reintroduce into, or reinforce in, your life? 

Weekly Podcast from Cornerstone Church, North Gower, Ontario.  www.knowgrowshow.ca https://knowgrowshow.online.church/   To listen on your favourite podcast provider (Spotify, Stitcher, Apple or Google) visit knowgrowshow.ca and click on the podcast tab.   The Passage  Psalm 123  The One Thing  A song to lead you out into gratitude  414 Cluster Discussion Starters  The Psalmist uses two images: a flood and a snare. Which best would describe your life if God was “not on your side”? How do we get God “on our side”?  What is involved?  What is the spiritual state of someone caught in a snare? What is it important that the snare is broken, not just loosened?   Starting with “if it wasn’t for Jesus” share a single sentence story of how Jesus has changed your life. Discuss your stories with each other. 

Weekly Podcast from Cornerstone Church, North Gower, Ontario.  www.knowgrowshow.ca   To listen on your favourite podcast provider (Spotify, Stitcher, Apple or Google) visit knowgrowshow.ca and click on the podcast tab.     The Passage: Psalm 123  The One Thing: A song to lead you out of overwhelm  Discussion Starters  1 In what ways have you felt overwhelmed by these past few months?  2 Are you generally more spatially aware (aware of God’s grace and presence) or more “obstacley aware” (aware of obstacles, problems and sins) whether your own or others? How is God calling you to become more “spatially aware”?  3 Why does the Psalmist focus on God’s hands, the hands of the Master? What does this image of God’s hands communicate to us? If we could see God’s hands, what might they look like?  4 This week take time in quiet to sit at the feet of God, your Master. Imagine His hands on His lap in front of you. Choose to focus on these hands and give to Him all the things that are overwhelming you. Then listen

Weekly Podcast from Cornerstone Church, North Gower, Ontario.  www.knowgrowshow.ca   To listen on your favourite podcast provider (Spotify, Stitcher, Apple or Google) visit knowgrowshow.ca and click on the podcast tab.   The Passage: Psalm 122 The One Thing: A song to lead you to worship   Discussion Questions How did God speak to you through today’s message?  What are the challenges to experiencing Christian community together at the moment? How can we have fellowship within the current restrictions?  Place yourself in Psalm 122. Which of the following best describes your current location?  At the city gates, unsure how to proceed, waiting for someone to bring you along with them? (v1-2)  Worshipping God for His character and faithfulness along with other Christians (v3-5)  Actively praying for God's Kingdom (His peace, security and goodness) to come in its fullness in your life and throughout earth (v6-9)  Think of someone you know who needs YOU to say to them "Let us go to the house of the Lord

Weekly Podcast from Cornerstone Church, North Gower, Ontario.  www.knowgrowshow.ca   To listen on your favourite podcast provider (Spotify, Stitcher, Apple or Google) visit knowgrowshow.ca and click on the podcast tab.   Church 414 Conversation Starters  The Passage  Psalm 121  The One Thing  A song to guide through vulnerability  414 Cluster Discussion Starters  Dan said "When we feel vulnerable: were conflicted: we want to protect ourselves, but at the same time we want to know that we’re not alone”. How have you seen this tension play out in your own life?  How do you need to know God in this moment? As the one who will not let your foot slip (121:3), as the one who is your shade at your right hand (121:5) or as the one who will keep you from all harm? (121:7)? Why is this important to you right now?  The idea of “God watching over” occurs 5 times in this Psalm. As God watches over you, what expression does He have? 

Weekly Podcast from Cornerstone Church, North Gower, Ontario.  www.knowgrowshow.ca   To listen on your favourite podcast provider (Spotify, Stitcher, Apple or Google) visit knowgrowshow.ca and click on the podcast tab.   The Passage: Psalm 120 The One Thing: A song to lead you through battle Have you experienced “Surge capacity depletion” during Covid? (surge capacity refers to internal physical and emotional systems that humans draw on for survival in emergencies). If so, how has it impacted you? Erwin McManus says “The peace that your soul longs for is the very peace the world needs”. What do you think he means? Do you agree with him? Dan said “Community is the refusal to struggle alone” What sort of things are you tempted to struggle alone with?

Weekly Podcast from Cornerstone Church, North Gower, Ontario.  www.knowgrowshow.ca   To listen on your favourite podcast provider (Spotify, Stitcher, Apple or Google) visit knowgrowshow.ca and click on the podcast tab.   The Passage: 2 Corinthians 33:4,7, Psalm 126:3 The One Thing: Remembering leads to worship. Discussion Questions Think of a “mountain top memory” from this past year. Think of a “valley bottom memory” from this past year. Dan talked of 2 Corinthians 3:4, 7 as God’s verse for him for now. “We put no stumbling block in anyone’s path, so that our ministry will not be discredited. Rather, as servants of God we commend ourselves in every way… in truthful speech and in the power of God; with weapons of righteousness in the right hand and in the left.”. What do you think these weapons of righteousness are and why are they important?

Weekly Podcast from Cornerstone Church, North Gower, Ontario.  www.knowgrowshow.ca   To listen on your favourite podcast provider (Spotify, Stitcher, Apple or Google) visit knowgrowshow.ca and click on the podcast tab.   This message is the message that God has given our National Superintendent, Dr Stephen Elliott for this moment for the Wesleyan Church.   

Weekly Podcast from Cornerstone Church, North Gower, Ontario.  www.knowgrowshow.ca   To listen on your favourite podcast provider (Spotify, Stitcher, Apple or Google) visit knowgrowshow.ca and click on the podcast tab. The Passage Esther 4:12-17; Psalm 86:11 The One Thing Know whose you are. Know why you are. Growgroup questions Know K1 As we’ve journeyed through Esther together, what is one thing that you feel God has been saying to you? Grow G1 The “one thing” for today is “Know whose you are. Know why you are”. Why is so vital to discover whose you are before knowing why you are? G2 Compare Esther’s words in 4:11 with Esther’s words in 4:16. Look at what she says and how she says it. What has changed? What was it that Mordecai said that brought about such a transformation? G3 Why is it so much easier to accept the status quo than it is to be an agent of change? What are the ways that Christians can get activated for God’s work? G4 In verse 14 Mordecai could have said “I know that you have come to

Weekly Podcast from Cornerstone Church, North Gower, Ontario.  www.knowgrowshow.ca   To listen on your favourite podcast provider (Spotify, Stitcher, Apple or Google) visit knowgrowshow.ca and click on the podcast tab. The One Thing Know the hill you’re willing to die on. Scriptures Esther 3:2; Psalm 115:3,16; Daniel 10:10-14; Ephesians 6:12-13; Ephesians 5:15-19; 1 Thess. 4:3-4; 1 Thess. 5:16-18; 1 Tim. 2:3-4; Micah 6:8; 2 Tim 3:10-12; Luke 14:26-33. Know K1 Think of an example of someone either in your life, in the news, in the Bible or in history who has believed strongly enough in something to die for that belief. Share what you know about that person. Grow G1 Esther 3:1-4. Why do you think that not bowing down to Haman was the hill that Mordecai was willing to die on? Do you agree with his decision? G2 Daniel 10:10-14. What do we learn about (a) the spiritual realm and (b) the physical realm from this interaction between the Demon Prince of the Kingdom of Persia and the angels? How should this

Weekly Podcast from Cornerstone Church, North Gower, Ontario.  www.knowgrowshow.ca   To listen on your favourite podcast provider (Spotify, Stitcher, Apple or Google) visit knowgrowshow.ca and click on the podcast tab. The Passages: Exodus 17:8; Deut. 25:17-19; 1 Sam. 15:1-3,9; Gal. 6:7; Esther 3:5-11; 1 John 2:1; Rom. 6:13-14; 2 Cor. 5:21;   The One Thing: Get serious with sin Know K1 Have you ever been part of, or witnessed, a generational feud? What started it? Grow G1 Haman, "the enemy of the Jews” (3:10) is referred to as “that Jew” (5:13). In what ways is this similar or different to the kind of language being used today in the media and society? G2 How important do you think it is to know the back story of the Exodus, the Amalekites and Saul to appreciate the message of Esther? Could God speak to us through this book even if we didn’t know all this? G3 Esther 3:5-6 shows that Haman’s decision to wipe out the Jews was the result of Mordecai not honouring him. Why didn’t Mordecai just bow down? W

Weekly Podcast from Cornerstone Church, North Gower, Ontario.  www.knowgrowshow.ca   To listen on your favourite podcast provider (Spotify, Stitcher, Apple or Google) visit knowgrowshow.ca and click on the podcast tab. The Passage Esther 1:9-22, Matthew 10:22, Ephesians 5:21-26, Galatians 5:19, Malachi 2:16, John 10:10, Hebrews 12:1-3, Galatians 6:8-9.                     The One Thing Lessons from Vashti: Do what is right. Not what is easy. grapple and grow questions Know K1 Think of a time when you did the easy thing rather than the right thing? Then think about a time you did the right thing instead of the easy thing? Grow G1 What clues can we glean about Vashti’s character from Esther 1? What kind of a person was she? G2 Consider what Vashti went through. Why might Vashti question the idea that God is in control. G3 How can the idea of “God is in control” be a comfort to people going through hard times? Are there ways that the idea “God is in control” has the opposite effect? Is there another p

Weekly Podcast from Cornerstone Church, North Gower, Ontario.  www.knowgrowshow.ca   To listen on your favourite podcast provider (Spotify, Stitcher, Apple or Google) visit knowgrowshow.ca and click on the podcast tab. Grapple and Grow: Family Discussion The One Thing: Admit your brokenness. God can make you beautiful (Lessons from Xerxes) The Passage: Isaiah 61:1-3, Esther 3:7-10, Psalm 1, 1 Cor 15:33-34, James 1:19-21, Romans 3:23-24 Know K1 Have you ever had a song that you’ve sung, perhaps for years, and then one day you say “Wait a minute…!” and you realize you’ve been singing something that you don’t agree with? Grow G1 Read these edited words from Erna Kim Hackett: “Christianity suffers from a bad case of Disney Princess theology. As each individual reads scripture, they see themselves as the Princess in every story. They are Esther, never Xerxes or Haman. They are Peter, never Judas. They are the woman anointing Jesus, never the Pharisee. They are the Jews escaping slavery, never Egypt.” (ly

Weekly Podcast from Cornerstone Church, North Gower, Ontario.  www.knowgrowshow.ca   To listen on your favourite podcast provider (Spotify, Stitcher, Apple or Google) visit knowgrowshow.ca and click on the podcast tab.   Grapple and Grow Family Discussion   The One Thing: Find God on the pages of your life The Passage: Esther chapters 1-10 Know K1 Would you have gone back to Jerusalem with Zerubbabel, Ezra or Nehemiah, or would you have stayed in Susa? What would have helped you decide? Grow G1 Think about the series theme “Carving a legacy out of chaos”. Like Esther it can feel like so much of our life is out of our control. How can we go about creating a legacy when it feels like so much of life is chaos? G2 Read God’s promise in Jeremiah 29:13 “You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart. I will be found by you”. This promise was given BEFORE they were taken into exile. How essential was exile in creating a “seeking heart” in God's people? G3 Dan said that Esther was the

Weekly Podcast from Cornerstone Church, North Gower, Ontario.  www.knowgrowshow.ca   To listen on your favourite podcast provider (Spotify, Stitcher, Apple or Google) visit knowgrowshow.ca and click on the podcast tab. The One Thing: Our Father frees us as we follow Him The Passage: Matthew 5:13 Know K1 Think about a time when you forgave someone else – what was it like for you before, during and after you forgave them? Grow G1 How have you grown in your prayer life or faith walk since we the “Heart to Heart with Heaven” series? Thank God for this growth. G2 Which truth from Matthew 6:9-10 is God impressing on your heart at the moment: That He is with us and way beyond us? That He is worthy? That He is working? G3 Which is of the great conditional promises in Matt 6:11-13 do you need to start believing: Our Father feeds us as we have faith in Him? Our Father forgives us as we forgive? Our Father frees us as we follow Him? G4 Dan said that Psalm 19:7-13 unlocks Matthew 6:13. Look at some of the w

Weekly Podcast from Cornerstone Church, North Gower, Ontario.  www.knowgrowshow.ca   To listen on your favourite podcast provider (Spotify, Stitcher, Apple or Google) visit knowgrowshow.ca and click on the podcast tab. Grapple and Grow Family Discussion The One Thing: Our Father forgives us as we forgive The Passage: Matthew 5:12, 14-15 Know K1 Think about a time when you forgave someone else – what was it like for you before, during and after you forgave them? Grow G1 Why is forgiveness such an essential part of being human? Why did Jesus make it part of His Kingdom prayer in Matthew 6? G2 Think back to Randy’s 3 stage process towards forgiveness (1 - Talk about the emotions, 2 – Start to empathize with the person who offended you, 3 – Move towards forgiveness) Why are we so reluctant to forgive? Why is it so hard to do? G3 What are some of the things we tend to do instead of forgiving others? What is the cost of not forgiving? G4 Is it harder do you think to forgive someone or to receive forgivene

Weekly Podcast from Cornerstone Church, North Gower, Ontario.  www.knowgrowshow.ca   To listen on your favourite podcast provider (Spotify, Stitcher, Apple or Google) visit knowgrowshow.ca and click on the podcast tab. The One Thing: Our Father fully furnishes us as we walk by faith The Passage: Matthew 5:11 Know K1 Have you experienced God’s miraculous provision or have you heard any stories from others? Grow G1 Why does Jesus teach us to pray about God meeting our basic needs only “this day” …why not the rest of our lives? How does Matthew 6:31-34 shed light on this? G2 The wealthy are tempted to say “I don’t need you God”. The poor are tempted to say “You don’t love me God”. Which you do identify with? What scriptures can aid you in countering these lies? G3 What is the difference between being an “owner of stuff” versus a “steward of resources”? G4 You can be the answer to someone else’s Matthew 6:11 prayer. Do you believe that? G5 Read Acts 4:32-35. What is the connection between a) God’s grace