Know Grow Show

Prayer is our action

Weekly Podcast from Cornerstone Church, North Gower, Ontario.
https://www.knowgrowshow.ca/
The Passage
Numbers 14:10-20
The One Thing
Prayer is our action
Know 
K1 The Israelites in Numbers 14 teach us that “Bad attitudes are infectious”. Are you someone who is more easily infected by other’s bad attitudes or who infects others with your bad attitude? 
Grow 
G1 What did you think of the pole analogy: that each end of the pole is clear (one end is God’s action, the other end is our action), but the middle of the pole (where God's sovereignty and human agency meet) is mysterious? 
G2 How do you make sense of Number 14:20 where God says to Moses “I have forgiven them as you asked”. How can this encourage us to pray with boldness and faith? 
G3 Dan presented 3 options to explain what happened: a) God changed his mind b) God didn’t really mean He was going to destroy the Israelites b) God foreknew that He would threaten to destroy the Israelites but would relent because of Moses’ prayer. Which do you think makes best sense of the evidence? 
G4 Dan said that when we’re faced with the mystery of God, we pray His character that He’s already revealed. Do you think this is wise advice? Why or why not? 
G5 Dan said that Jesus is the image of the invisible God, the One who represents the Mystery of God to us as humans AND He is the image of humanity, the One who represents us in perfection to God, through interceding for us. Thank Jesus for occupying this middle ground and bringing God and humankind together.  
Show 
S1 Think of one thing that God has shown you or birthed in you over this series. Write it down and thank Him for it. Share this insight with someone you know.  

Prayer invites God's action

Weekly Podcast from Cornerstone Church, North Gower, Ontario.
https://www.knowgrowshow.ca/
The Passage
1 Kings 18:21-39 , Daniel 10:1-21
The One Thing
Prayer invites God's action
Know
K1 When have you felt utterly powerless? (If there is a trauma associated with this memory, feel free to move on to the next question).
Grow
G1 Dan said that prayer is synergy (working together): what do you think he meant by that?
G2 Which is more true: "we are powerless therefore we pray" or "we aren't powerless because we can pray"?
G3 In 1 Kings, the people went from saying nothing to falling facedown on the ground saying "The LORD, He is God". What part did Elijah play, and what part did God play in this transformation?
G4 Dan said "Prayer opens the door to God's power". Why don't we open this door more often?
G5 In Daniel 10:12-14, 20-21 we see a glimpse as to what happens in the spiritual realms when God’s people pray. What do you make of all the details in this account? If you were to make a movie of this account, what would it look like?
G6 Why do you think God included this Daniel 10:12-14, 20-21 in the Bible? How does it change your attitude to prayer?
Show
S1 Think of a situation, either “in here” (personal or in your social circle) or “out there” (geopolitical, global or a justice issue) in which you feel powerless. Read through either the 1 Kings 18 passage or the Daniel 10 passage and start to invite God’s action into that situation, through prayer.

Prayer is honesty

Weekly Podcast from Cornerstone Church, North Gower, Ontario.
https://www.knowgrowshow.ca/
The Passage
1 Cor 2:9-12, Ps 139:4, Ps 62:8, 1 Sam 1:15, 1 Jn 1:8, Col 2:13, Lam 2:18-20, Ps 55:16
The One Thing
Prayer is honesty
Discussion starters
Know
K1 Do you think God ever gets bored of our prayers? Why or why not?
Grow
G1 Dan mentioned honesty in CONFESSION and honesty in EMOTION. What other things do we struggle with being honest with God about?
G2 Do you think using strong language in prayer is OK?
G3 What is the difference between respect and politeness in prayer? How is honesty a form of respect? How is politeness a form of disrespect?
G4 What other cultural pitfalls do you think that, as Canadians, we need to avoid in our prayer life?
G5 What is one practical way that we can allow ourselves to express emotion more in prayer?
Show
S1 Dan said that there are two truths that can lead us into deeper honesty with God: (1) God already knows (Ps 139:4) and (2) God can be trusted (Ps 62:8). This week before you pray, take a moment or two to meditate on one of these verses and notice if it impacts your prayer.

Prayer is waiting

Weekly Podcast from Cornerstone Church, North Gower, Ontario.
https://www.knowgrowshow.ca/
The One Thing: Prayer is waiting
Discussion Questions
Know
K1 What ordinary life tasks would you find difficult if you had biceps but no triceps, or triceps but no biceps?
Grow
G1 Lamentations 3:25 says 25 The Lord is good to those whose hope is in him, to the one who SEEKS him; 26 it is good to WAIT quietly for the salvation of the Lord. How might these be considered opposite sides of the same coin, or opposite muscles in the same group?
G2 Waiting on God and seeking God both have their "dangers of excess". What are these dangers? How does waiting help us fight the danger involved in seeking? And vice versa?
G3 What did you think of the Lectio Divina exercise? Did it come easy to you? Do you think you'll try it again?
G4 What did you feel God say to you through the Lectio Divina? Share with the group if you are comfortable doing so.
Show
S1 Have you signed up for the "Set Free Retreat" (14-15 May) or "the Way" (15 week renewal pathway starting 17 May)? Sign up at www.knowgrowshow.ca/setfreetheway

Prayer is seeking

Weekly Podcast from Cornerstone Church, North Gower, Ontario.
https://www.knowgrowshow.ca/
Passage: Psalm 27
The One Thing: Prayer is seeking
KNOW
Dan share how pleased he was that he and Wendy decided (last minute) to get off the hop-on-hop-off tour bus in Rome and actually walk down into the Circus Maximus. Have you ever gone out of your way to do something or go somewhere that was inconvenient but you're so glad you did?
GROW
Ps 27:4 How can we live out the spirit of Psalm 27:4 in the practicalities of day-to-day life?
Dan said "God ultimately gives us what we seek". Do you agree? Why or why not?
Luke 10:41-42 Dan said that the main hindrance to single minded devotion is distraction. What should or could Martha have done differently in this scenario?
Some of the distractions to single hearted devotion are sin (Ps 66:18), self (Jas 4:2-3), doing life my way (Deut. 1:43-45), hypocrisy (Isa 1:15), faithlessness (Jas 1:6-8). Which of these idols do you need to declutter from your life?
Ps 27:8 What do you make of the idea of the Psalmist's heart communicating to the Psalmist? Have you ever experienced this phenomenon? What might we call this today?
Psalm 27:8 shows the Psalmist listening to his heart. Jeremiah 17:9 tells us that the heart is deceitful above all things. How do we know when to listen to our heart and when to reject it?
Psalm 27:8 What is God's face? Is it wise to seek God's face (read Exodus 33:20). What is this verse getting at and how can we live it out?
SHOW
Have you signed up for the "Set Free" Retreat (14/15 May) or "The Way" Renewal Pathway (starting 17 May)? If not, visit knowgrowshow.ca/setfreetheway

Prayer is remaining

Weekly Podcast from Cornerstone Church, North Gower, Ontario.
https://www.knowgrowshow.ca/
Passage: John 15:5-6
The One Thing: Prayer is remaining
Know 
K1 Dan talked about drifting while listening to someone talk. Has Covid made it easier or harder for us to actively listen to others? 
Grow 
G1 What did God say to you through the message on Sunday? 
G2 Dan's main point is "Prayer is remaining". Do you see remain as a positive verb or a negative verb? Why is Jesus so strong in his language in John 15 to remain? 
G3 Dan said that according to John 15:5-6 we either thrive or we wither. Do you agree with Dan or are there other options on the continuum? 
G4 Reflect on your current spiritual state. Is your trajectory towards thriving or withering?  
G5 What are some of the telltale signs to indicate that we might be drifting? 
Show 
S1 Is God perhaps prompting you to take part in the "Set Free" Virtual Retreat (May 14: 7:30 - 10:00pm + May 15 : 10:30-6:00pm) or "the Way" 15 week discipleship pathway (starting on Monday May 17th, 7pm-8pm)? 
S2 What is one thing you will do / are doing this week to remain in Jesus? 

Prayer is an Exchange

Weekly Podcast from Cornerstone Church, North Gower, Ontario.
https://www.knowgrowshow.ca/
Passage: Matthew 11:25-30
The One Thing: Prayer is an Exchange
In what ways would you consider prayer to be an exchange (a swap or a trade)? 
Matthew 11:25-26 Who does God hide Himself from? Who does He reveal Himself to? Read verses 20-24. What might be God's motivation in hiding Himself? 
Matthew 11:27 Read this verse slowly. Trace the way each person is connected to the other.  
Matthew 11:27 The word "reveal" from verse 25 is repeated here. Why is this important? What is Jesus communicating? 
Matthew 11:28 What are the "requirements" to come to Jesus? Talk about the scene Dan painted of the child standing at the door both excited and afraid to come in.  
What is the yoke that Jesus invites us to take? 

Prayer (Keeping company with God)

Weekly Podcast from Cornerstone Church, North Gower, Ontario.
https://www.knowgrowshow.ca/
Passage: Revelation 2:4-5
The One Thing: Prayer (Keeping Company with God)
1. Someone with no faith background asks you to define prayer. What do you say?
2. What do you think of the tagline of the series: "Keeping company with God"?
3. Matthew 13:22 – why is it noteworthy that the two things mentioned that can choke the God's word in our lives are (a) the worries of this life and (b) the deceitfulness of wealth
4. Romans 12:2 In what was can prayer be part of renewing our minds? Share your thoughts about how our souls / minds need an oil change.
5. Revelation 2:4-5 Share with the group your experience of being guided through this listening to God exercise. Was there a section of the exercise that God particularly spoke to you through?
6. Why is listening prayer so vital? Why is it so difficult? What percentage of your prayer life is spent listening to God? Think of one way to grow in this area.

Satisfied Jesus (Isaiah 53:11-12) Easter Sunday

Weekly Podcast from Cornerstone Church, North Gower, Ontario.
https://www.knowgrowshow.ca/
Passage: Isaiah 53:11-12
The One Thing: Satisfied Jesus

Crushed Jesus (Isaiah 53:10)

Weekly Podcast from Cornerstone Church, North Gower, Ontario.
https://www.knowgrowshow.ca/
Passage: Isaiah 53:10
The One Thing: Crushed Jesus