Know Grow Show

Esther - Know what hill you're willing to die on

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 passage change how we live?
G3 What do you think is harder: to die for Jesus or to live a long and faithful life for Jesus?
G4 Martin Luther King said “No one really knows why they are alive until they know what they'd die for”. Would you be willing to die for your faith? Can someone be a Christian without being willing to die for Jesus? Explain your answer, using scripture if possible.
G5 Don’t be afraid and don’t forget that we are more than conquerors in Christ Jesus (Romans 8:37-39).
Show
S1 Start praying this next week for God to give you the eyes of discernment to see what is really going on in the world around you – whether it’s in your home, in the grocery store, in politics. And start praying in faith for God to breakthrough in power and for His will to be done.

Esther - Get serious with sin

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? What would you have done in his place?
G4 Let’s back up to Saul. Read 1 Sam 15:7-11. Why do you think Saul spared Agag? What would you have done in Saul’s place? What if someone had told you what the consequences of your actions would be in Susa 500 years later?
G5 In what ways are we tempted to be soft on sin in our own lives? Do you believe that there can be generational consequences to someone’s sin? What would be an example of this?
G6 Mordecai’s six incredible u-turns included
Honour (6:11)
Justice (7:10)
Influence (10:3)
Authority (8:2)
Inheritance (8:2)
Prestige (1:6, 8:15)
How do we see these U-turns apply to us at the cross?
Show
S1 Read 1 John 2:1. This verse contains both a “Warning” against sinning and a “Way Back” from sin. Which applies to you right now? Is God warning you? Is He reminding you of the way back? Listen to Him.

Esther: Do what's right. Not what's easy.

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 phrase we could use that would be communicate more accurately the way God interacts with this world He created?
G4 Read Matthew 10:22 – Why is standing firm so important in following Jesus? And why is standing firm so difficult?
G5 Dan talked about 2 chess players: the first always won because he played both sides of the chess board. I.e. he couldn’t lose. The other used his wisdom and skill and defeat a never-ending line of opponents. Which would you be more impressed with? How might this illustration be helpful in understand what God’s “sovereignty” looks like? How does the cross show us a God who is wins the ultimate victory, but not simply by “playing both sides of the chess board”?
G6 Our series is called “Carving a legacy from chaos”. What would you say is Vashti’s legacy?
Show
If you identify with Vashti, read Hebrews 12:1-3 and Galatians 6:8-9 and listen to what God says to you.

Esther - Admit your brokenness. God can make you beautiful.

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/3dquoNK) Why do you think this is? How would it change your reading of David and Goliath if you read yourself as Goliath instead of David?
G2 As you locate yourself in Esther, do you resemble Xerxes at all? In what way? Ask God what He wants you to do about it?
G3 Read the lyrics from “I’m broken and it’s beautiful” (bit.ly/31eOCYw). What positive message is Kelly Clarkson trying to communicate? Are there any lyrics in the song that are at odds with the hope of the gospel?
G4 Read Isaiah 61:1-3. Think of a specific area of weakness or sin or brokenness in your life? What does Jesus want to replace it with? Prayer these verse and give your brokenness to Jesus and receive His beauty.
G5 How do you think identifying yourself as the villain of the story instead of the hero (or as the broken instead of the beautiful) could actually lead to hope instead of despair? What place is there in the Christian life for positive self-talk?
G6 Society and Satan want you to FIND yourself. God wants you to LOCATE yourself. What is the difference, and why is it so important we understand the difference?
Show
S1 Throughout this week keep reminding yourself “I know I’m broken but through Jesus I’m made beautiful”

Esther - Find God on the pages of your life

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 step mum of King Artaxerxes who allowed Nehemiah to go back to Jerusalem to rebuild. Though scripture does not make this connection, how might Esther have had an influence on Artaxerxes?
G4 During the exile the Jews were in captivity to 3 successive empires (Assyrians, Babylonians and Persians), none of which still exist today. How does knowing this affect how we view the big news stories of today?
G5 Esther was part of the group who chose not to return to Jerusalem. How do you think they worshipped God if they could not access the temple or sacrificial system (representing God’s covenant with them)? What do you think “being a Jew” meant for these people?
G6 What do you think of the fact that God is not mentioned in Esther? What do you think God might be trying to say through the complete absence of His name in this book?
Show
S1 Take time to look at your life and see how God has been at work in the “just happened to” moments in your history. Look at your current situation: why might God have placed you where you are “for such a time as this?”

Our Father frees us

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 ways the Bible is described and how it benefits you. Which one strikes you the most? Why do you think this is?
G5 Do you think we should pray the Lord’s prayer with the “extra bit” on the end of it (taken from 1 Chron 29:11)? Why or why not?
G6 Dan said that the extra bit at the end of the Lord’s prayer (“Yours is the kingdom, the power and the glory forever and ever. Amen.”) may be because a scribe suffered from “sitcom syndrome” (wanting to resolve the prayer in a nice neat convenient way). In what way is the original prayer more powerful / useful in ending at “deliver us from evil”?
Show
S1 Take time to “go back into the room and close the door”. Quietly read over Matthew 6:5-15 and listen to what the Holy spirit is saying to you.

Our Father forgives us

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 forgiveness from someone?
G5 In Nathan’s words in what way does the Cross of Jesus level the playing field?
G6 Are there any risks of forgiving someone too quickly? Is there anyone who is beyond forgiveness?
Show
S1 Take time to meditate on the prayer “Forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us”. What trespasses that others have committed against you do you need to forgive in order for you to receive the fullness of God’s forgiveness?

Our Father Fully Furnishes Us

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 being powerfully at work and b) there being no needy persons?
G6 Do you practice tithing (taking 10% of your earnings and give it back to God)? Take the plunge and trust God. Test Him in this (Malachi 3:8-10).
Show
S1 For the Big Give, ask God to show you specifically a) who He wants you to bless and b) how much He wants you to give / what He wants you to give. Then listen for His prompting, His quiet voice. Once you have a person and an amount, don’t question it: this is God talking. Go ahead and do what He’s asking you to do.

Our Father is working

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 is working.
The Passage: Matthew 5:10
Know
K1 Dan talked about finding good theology in Belinda Carlisle’s 1987 song “Heaven is a place on earth”. What’s your favourite song from the 80s?
Grow
G1 In your life with Jesus - do you ever feel like you are the National Capital Region – straddling two kingdoms, as it were?
G2 Had you heard of Ravi Zacharias before today’s message? Did he have an impact on your life?
G3 How can meditating about our deathbed motivate us to live God-honouring lives?
G4 Dan talked about salvation as you coming into God’s Kingdom and sanctification as God’s Kingdom coming into you. Why is sanctification such a LONG process compared to salvation?
G5 Read Colossians 1:13. Think about each word. What encourages you about this verse?
G6 Imagine your life as the water bottle from Dan’s example. Answer these two questions:  1) Am I fully in God’s kingdom and how do I know? 2) Which parts of my life have I not allowed God’s kingdom to fill me up? Take time to pray to God about these things.
G7 Dan talked about the 3 rival kingdoms from Eph 1:1-3 (The World, the Flesh and the Devil). What does each of these mean and how can you fight them? (Reflect on 1 Cor 10:3-5).
Show
S1 The Big Give is coming up in 2 weeks (Saturday 6th June). What can you do as a household to bring hope into someone’s life?

Our Father is worthy

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
Matthew 6:9b
The One Thing
Our Father is worthy
Know
K1 G1 What does your name mean? (If your name doesn’t have a meaning, what would you like your name to mean?
Grow
G1 What do you think of the Message translation of ‘hallowed by your name’: “Reveal who You are”?
G2 Dan said that someone’s name is a shorthand way of referring to “everything about them” (their character / personality etc). How does this help us understanding the meaning of Matt 6:19?
G3 In Exodus 3:15, what did God reveal about Himself when He told Moses that His name is “I AM” or “the self-existent one” (Yahweh in Hebrew). If this is God’s proper name, why do you think we don’t use it very much?
G4 Dan said that “hallowed be your name” is not about Him becoming more holy, but refers to US changing OUR view of God. How can the idea of us “coming into God’s orbit / gravitational field” help us apply this?
G5 Dan said praying Matthew 6:19 is us saying to God “Change me!” Consider how praying “hallowed be your name” might be both exciting and scary at the same time.
G6 In Exodus 3:15, God says that His name is “I am”. In John 8:58, Jesus calls Himself “I am”. In Philippians 2:9-11 Jesus’s name is exalted above all. Allow the Holy Spirit to minister to you as you connect the dots.
Show
S1 Meditate on Philippians 2:6-11. Notice each time you see God’s nature or name referred to. Pray this back to God as a prayer. Memorize it. Internalize it.