Know Grow Show

The Weary Rejoices - Hope (Advent 1)

Weekly Podcast from Cornerstone Church, North Gower, Ontario. 
www.knowgrowshow.ca
https://bit.ly/recentchurch
 
The Passage: Isaiah 40:1-5
The One Thing: A special kind of year needs a special kind of Advent
What does comfort mean to you? What is the scene?  Where are you? What’s around you? How are you feeling? What are you holding? What can you see? What can you hear? What can you smell?  
In what ways could Advent / Christmas 2020 be considered a blank canvas? Is this a positive or negative thought for you?  
What are some ways that we could fill this Advent with (a) nostalgia and (b) noise? Explain how these would lead to an unsatisfying Advent / Christmas experience? 
Schedule some time this Advent to "go into the wilderness" and start building a highway for God into your life. What are some things that you need to repent of? Are there any mountains of pride that need to be levelled, or valleys of insignificance that need to be raised? Bring these to Jesus at the cross. 
If you don’t have an Advent Devotional, call or email the office (office@knowgrowshow.ca) and ask for your free copy.  

A song to lead you into whole-life worship (Journey Songs)

Weekly Podcast from Cornerstone Church, North Gower, Ontario. 
www.knowgrowshow.ca
https://bit.ly/recentchurch
 
The Passage: Psalm 133-134
The One Thing: A song to lead you into whole-life worship
Dan said this: '"God’s message to you through Psalm 133 is “Your contribution is so valued. So precious.” And then in 134 He says “You’re not essential. My worship continues regardless”' Why do you think both emphases are important aspects of worshipping God? Which is more important: that we are valued or that we are not essential? Why? 
Psalm 133 is about unity. What is it about unity that makes is so important? What are some ways that we can misunderstand unity or get it wrong? 
Dan said that unity should never be our goal. It should only ever be a by-product. What did he mean by this? Do you agree with him? 
In what way is God with us when we're together (Psalm 133)? When we're apart (Psalm 134)? Think of scriptures to back up your answer. 
Think back over the series, "Journey Songs". Flick back through Psalm 120-134. Which of the Psalms of Ascent has God used to speak to you? What has He said? 

Journey Songs: A song to lead you into God's presence

Weekly Podcast from Cornerstone Church, North Gower, Ontario. 
www.knowgrowshow.ca
https://knowgrowshow.online.church/
 
The Passage: Psalm 132
The One Thing: A song to lead you into God's presence
Is God central in your life or is He on the shelf? How can you tell? 
David vowed to build God a “house” (a temple). God said “no” (1 Chron. 28:2) and instead built David a “house” (a dynasty, a lineage). What does this tell us about the relationship between God and David? 
Kiriath Jearim (“Jaar”) is only 15km from Jerusalem. What prevented the people bringing God (the Ark of the Covenant) home? Why was he sidelined here for 20 years? 
When God came “home” to Jerusalem, David danced before God with “all his might” (2 Sam 6:14). Why did dance like this? And why did Michal (his wife) despise David in her heart (6:15)? What do we learn about David and Michal through this scene? Are you a David or a Michal? 
Acts 7:48 tells us that God does not dwell in buildings – He is too “big”. Yet 1 Cor 6:19 tells us that WE are the temple of the Holy Spirit. What does this teach us about “us”...our “soul” - how can God “fit” in us? 

Journey Songs: A song to lead you into contentment

Weekly Podcast from Cornerstone Church, North Gower, Ontario. 
www.knowgrowshow.ca
https://knowgrowshow.online.church/
 
The Passage: Psalm 131
The One Thing: A song to lead you into contentment
Would you say that you are content? Share what areas of life you are least content in? 
Why do you think the Psalmist suggests that the opposite of pride (131:1) is contentment (131:2)?  
When following Christ, does WHO I AM flow out of WHAT I DO, or does WHAT I DO flow out of WHO I AM? 
What is your response to hearing about “the Mother heart of God”? Can you think of any other verses that describe God in mother-like or feminine terms? 
Listen to Kate’s words about her weaned son: “I’m still kind of his gateway to everything else in the world and he interprets his world through the way I react to him”. How might her words be useful in helping us relate to God? 

Journey Songs: A song to lead you into gospel hope

Weekly Podcast from Cornerstone Church, North Gower, Ontario. 
www.knowgrowshow.ca
https://knowgrowshow.online.church/
 
The Passage 
Psalm 130 
The One Thing 
A song to lead you into gospel hope 
414 Cluster Discussion Starters 
1. Psalm 130:1-2 paint a picture of extreme desperation. Psalm 130:3-4 reveals a deep confidence. How can these opposing emotions of desperation and confidence both be true of the believer? 
2. Psalm 130:4 in the ESV says: “But with you there is forgiveness, that you may be feared”. How does God’s forgiveness of the sinner lead to the sinner’s fear of God? Identify different types of fear we see in the Bible / in life. 
3. Can you be a Christian without asking God for forgiveness? What is it about today’s society that seems to resist this idea of “accepting forgiveness”?  
4. Discuss this idea of forgiveness being WITH God (verse 4), unfailing love being WITH God (v7) and full redemption being WITH God (v7). Why are these things pictured as being WITH God? How do they interrelate with each other? Which encourages you the most? 

A song to lead you through oppression

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 the wicked”. Be aware of how your feelings and emotions change as you chew over this verse. 

A song to lead you into greater trust and obedience

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”.)

Journey Songs: A song to lead you from what was to what will be

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. 
 

Journey Songs: A song to lead you into greater confidence in God

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? 

Journey Songs: A song to lead you into gratitude

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.