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70 Day Bible Reading Challenge (Luke 22.31-32) Jesus prays for you

GROWGROUP QUESTIONS
SOAP: Luke 19-24 (SOAP Focus Luke 22:31-32)
The One Thing: Jesus prays for you
 
Growgroup questions
Take time to allow each person in the growgroup (split off into smaller groups if the group is too large) to share one of their SOAP passages this week:
S: what SPECIFIC Bible verse stood out to me?
O: general OBSERVATION. What is the Bible passage saying?
A: APPLICATION. How do I apply this to my life?
P: PRAYER: Write a 1 or 2 sentence prayer, telling God what’s most on my heart and mind today.
Discussion questions / personal growth questions about Sunday’s message.
Know
K1 Think of a challenging time in your life that brought about something unexpectedly wonderful in your walk with the Lord.
Grow
G1 Satan asked to sift the disciples “like wheat”. This means being “taken apart”, “picked apart”, or “shaken down”. At the time, we might not notice when Satan is sifting us. Think back on your life: looking back, can you think of a situation in which you would now say that Satan sifted you like wheat?
G2 Does the fact that Satan had to ask Jesus’ permission either encourage or discourage you? Talk through your response.
G3 Jesus obviously had a purpose in allowing Satan to sift the disciples. What do you think Jesus’ deeper purposes might have been?
G4 Think about other scriptures that talk about God using hardship to bring us to maturity (e.g. pruning, purifying, burning). Meditate on these verses and ask God to reveal Himself through them to you.
G5 Imagine you are talking to one of the following:
Joseph still in jail after 10 years.
Moses still wandering in the wilderness after 35 years
Esther having been taken from her home and forced to married a King.
Knowing what you know about how the story ends, what would you say to them? How would you encourage them? Counsel them?
Show
S1 By yourself, take time in silence to imagine Jesus praying for YOU (Romans 8:22, Hebrews 7:22). Thank Him for this wonderful truth.

70 Day Bible Reading Challenge (Luke 19-24)

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
SOAP
Luke 19-24 (SOAP Focus Luke 19:37-42)
The One Thing
The sound of hard rock worship
Growgroup questions
Take time to allow each person in the growgroup (split off into smaller groups if the group is too large) to share one of their SOAP passages this week:
S: what SPECIFIC Bible verse stood out to me?
O: general OBSERVATION. What is the Bible passage saying?
A: APPLICATION. How do I apply this to my life?
P: PRAYER: Write a 1 or 2 sentence prayer, telling God what’s most on my heart and mind today.
Additional questions (if needed) about the Sunday message passage.
Know
K1 In what ways does nature help you experience God or deepen your walk with Him?
 
Grow
G1 Luke 18:39 Why did the Pharisees tell Jesus to rebuke His disciples? Think about what had just happened, what was happening…where they were…who was around.
G2 What did Jesus mean when He said “if they keep quiet the stones will cry out?”
G3 The word for “cry” in “the stones will cry out” in Greek is “krazo”. Most times its used it refers to someone crying out in fear or pleading or anger or need. How does this impact how we read Luke 19:40?
G3 Nature isn’t sentient (it cannot think or choose). So how can it “praise God”? (Psalm 19:1-4). Can an unbeliever praise God without knowing? Explain your answer.
G4 Does the emotion or feeling in Luke 19:41 impact the atmosphere of the verses before? What do you think Jesus’ emotional state was during this whole time?
G5 Dan said “In the very moment that the stones have taken on the very human characteristics of speech, of worship, of righteous anger, it’s in that moment that the people have taken on the characteristics of the stones (“hardness of heart”). According to Ezekiel 36:24-28 what is the cure for a hard heart?
Show
S1 Plead with God to show you where you have allowed your heart to become calloused and hard. Use Ezekiel 36:24-28 as a prayer and give God your permission to do a heart transplant on you. If you do this, share with Dan or someone you trust this important news.

70 Day Bible Reading Challenge (Luke 14-18)

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.
SOAP
Luke 14-18 (SOAP Focus Luke 18:1-6)
The One Thing
Pray and don’t give up.
Growgroup questions
Take time to allow each person in the growgroup (split off into smaller groups if the group is too large) to share one of their SOAP passages this week:
S: what SPECIFIC Bible verse stood out to me?
O: general OBSERVATION. What is the Bible passage saying?
A: APPLICATION. How do I apply this to my life?
P: PRAYER: Write a 1 or 2 sentence prayer, telling God what’s most on my heart and mind today.
Additional questions (if needed) about the Sunday message passage.
Know
K1 Luke 18:1 Why do you need to hear Jesus’ encouragement to “pray and not give up”? 
Grow
G1 Dan read humour into Jesus’ telling of the parable in Luke 18:2-4? Do you think this is appropriate? Why or why not?
G2 Why did Jesus use a negative character in the unjust judge to show what He is NOT like? Why didn’t He use a positive example to show what He IS like?
G3 How does Luke’s “heart for the outsider” help us read and understand the three passages in Luke 18:1-17?
G4 Luke 11:8 In what ways do you need to practice “shameless audacity” in your prayer life?
G5 Dan said that faith is praying with (a) the confidence / perseverance of the widow (b) the humility of the tax collector and (c) the trust of the child? Which of these are you “best” at? Which is a growth area? How can you develop this?
G6 Luke 18:6. When the Son of Man comes will He find faith in your household? In your life? Talk to Him about this?
Show
S1 Start asking God to reveal His desire about how you will engage with Cornerstone’s week of prayer and fasting (May 6-11).

70 Day Bible Reading Challenge (Luke 9-13)

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.
SOAP
Luke 9-13 (SOAP focus: Luke 13:1-5)
The One Thing
Jesus came to turn outsiders into insiders.
Growgroup questions
Take time to allow each person in the growgroup (split off into smaller groups if the group is too large) to share one of their SOAP passages this week:
S: what SPECIFIC Bible verse stood out to me?
O: general OBSERVATION. What is the Bible passage saying?
A: APPLICATION. How do I apply this to my life?
P: PRAYER: Write a 1 or 2 sentence prayer, telling God what’s most on my heart and mind today.
Additional questions (if needed) about the Sunday message passage.
Know
Where do you see an “us versus them” mentality in today’s world? Society? Church? Your own life?
Grow
G1 How do you think Luke’s identity as an “outsider” (he was a Gentile who never met Jesus) might have influenced how he wrote his account?
G2 Read Luke 10:21. Why do the words that Jesus says in this verse fill Him with joy? Does this mean that God is “anti-intellectual”?
G3 Should Luke 10:21 impact how we do our ministry? If so, how?
G4 Why do you think it is so hard to “care” when we read tragedies in the newspaper?
G5 Have you ever treated anyone in an “us versus them” way? Have you ever been at the receiving end of this?
G6 Consider Bill Henson’s words: “A gospel that excludes or rejects has no power to reach already banished and mistreated persons”. Are there any groups of people that the church seems to treat in an “us versus them” way? If so, who? How can we overcome this?
Show
S1 Meditate on 2 Corinthians 5:14-6:2 Who is God calling you to spend time with, to get to know, to turn from a “them” into an “us”?
 

70 Day Bible Reading Challenge (Luke 1-8))

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.
SOAP
Luke 1-8 (SOAP focus: Luke 8:34-39)
The One Thing
Never fear. Jesus is here.
Growgroup questions
Take time to allow each person in the growgroup (split off into smaller groups if the group is too large) to share one of their SOAP passages this week:
S: what SPECIFIC Bible verse stood out to me?
O: general OBSERVATION. What is the Bible passage saying?
A: APPLICATION. How do I apply this to my life?
P: PRAYER: Write a 1 or 2 sentence prayer, telling God what’s most on my heart and mind today.
Additional questions (if needed) about the Sunday message passage.
Know
K1 (Luke 8:32) Was Jesus merciful to the demons by letting them enter the pigs?
Grow
G1 What's something God has done in your life recently (small or big), and how can you share it with others?
G2 (Luke 8:22-53) Who is Jesus to you? (Healer? Protector? Calmer of storms? Counsellor? Saviour? etc) Take some time this week to thank Him for being this in your life.
G3 (Luke 8:39) Have you ever shared told a non-Christian about something God did in your life? How did it go?
G4 (John 9:25) Read this verse about the blind man in John 9:25. Why was this “one thing” he knew enough to convince him?
Show
S1 (Luke 8:27, 35) What is your before (verse 27) and after (verse 35) story?

70 Day Bible Reading Challenge (Revelation 20-22)

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.
SOAP
Revelation 20-22 (SOAP focus: Revelation 21:3)
The One Thing
Jesus is coming
growgroup questions
Take time to allow each person in the growgroup (split off into smaller groups if the group is too large) to share one of their SOAP passages this week:
S: what SPECIFIC Bible verse stood out to me?
O: general OBSERVATION. What is the Bible passage saying?
A: APPLICATION. How do I apply this to my life?
P: PRAYER: Write a 1 or 2 sentence prayer, telling God what’s most on my heart and mind today.
Additional questions (if needed) about the Sunday message passage.
Know
K1 In light of Revelation 21 and 22, do you think it’s possible to be “so heavenly minded” that we become “no earthly good”? What is the real problem with people who are accused of this?
Grow
G1 What is the significant of there being “no sea” in the new heavens and the new earth? How does this give you hope in this life?
G2 How should the continuity between this world and the new creation affect the way we relate to this creation?
G3 Imagine what a week in the new heaven and the new earth will look like? How will we interact with God? What will take the place of the Sunday “church” experience?
G4 Once you get beyond the strangeness of some of the symbolism of the new city of God (21:10-21) what are some of the ways the details can encourage us?
G5 Chapter 21:25: why is being communicated by the fact that “on no day will its gates ever be shut”?
Show
S1 What situations in your life do you need to pray “Come, Lord Jesus”?
 
(some of these questions were taken from the Christ-Centered Exposition Commentary)

70 Day Bible Reading Challenge (Revelation 15-19)

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
Revelation chapters 15-19. SOAP passage = Revelation 19:6-8
The One Thing
Prepare for the wedding of eternity
growgroup questions
Take time to allow each person in the growgroup (split off into smaller groups if the group is too large) to share one of their SOAP passages this week:
S: what SPECIFIC Bible verse stood out to me?
O: general OBSERVATION. What is the Bible passage saying?
A: APPLICATION. How do I apply this to my life?
P: PRAYER: Write a 1 or 2 sentence prayer, telling God what’s most on my heart and mind today.
Additional questions (if needed) about the Sunday message passage.
G1 Imagine that tomorrow the headline is that Washington has been attacked, and the US as a world superpower has been decimated in a wide-reaching decisive and coordinated attack. There is no more military. There is no more Wall Street. There is no leadership succession. The US is officially done. There is no comeback. What would some of the ripple effects be around the world: economically? Technologically? Societally? Legally? Militarily? Trade-wise? How would this event impact you personally?*
G2 Engage with this definition of the wrath of God from the New Bible Dictionary: “God’s wrath refers to the permanent attitude of the holy and just God when confronted by sin and evil. It is a personal quality, without which God would cease to be fully righteous and His love would degenerate into sentimentality. His wrath, however…is not wayward, fitful or spasmodic, as human anger always is. It is as permanent an element in His nature as His love”. How is this helpful? Are there any parts that you wrestle with? What are we missing if we leave out the wrath of God?
G3 In chapter 16 nearly all of the plagues mirror plagues mentioned in the book of Exodus. What do you think God is communicating through this comparison?
G4 John prophesied the fall of the Roman Empire hundreds of years before it actually happened. Imagine if you were a Christian in Rome at the time that Revelation was written. What might your response be to Revelation 17 and 18? How does God want to encourage you in 21st Century Canada?
G5 The two main characters in these chapters are “Babylon the Prostitute” and the “Bride of Jesus (the Church)”. Why did God use these two archetypes to get his message across?
G6 Consider the economic and trade fallout pictured in 18:9-20. Do you see any parallels between these verses and what you see in the world today?
*I’m not drawing a parallel between the USA and “Babylon” in chapter 18. But as the world superpower, it helps us empathise with the fall of the Roman Empire in the 400s AD, prophesied in Revelation.

70 Day Bible Reading Challenge (Revelation 11-14)

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
Revelation chapters 11-14. SOAP passage = Revelation 13:10
The One Thing
The perseverance and faith of the saints
Growgroup questions
Take time to allow each person in the growgroup (split off into smaller groups if the group is too large) to share one of their SOAP passages this week:
S: what SPECIFIC Bible verse stood out to me?
O: general OBSERVATION. What is the Bible passage saying?
A: APPLICATION. How do I apply this to my life?
P: PRAYER: Write a 1 or 2 sentence prayer, telling God what’s most on my heart and mind today.
To access John’s 1 page outline of Revelation, visit this URL: tinyurl.com/uy9o4hp
Additional questions (if needed) about the Sunday message passage.
G1 John said regarding Revelation: “The picture itself is not the message, rather the interpretation of the picture is the message.” How does this insight help us engage with Revelation?
G2 “If you don’t take Revelation literally, you’re not taking it seriously?” How would you respond to this challenge?
G3 John shared some principles to help us when reading the Bible: (1) Consider the context. (2) Scripture will never contradict itself (2) Scripture can be used to interpret scripture. Have you used any of these principles in your bible study before? How can these principles grow our confidence in what God says to us through the Bible?
G4 John focused on Revelation 13:10 (NASB): “If anyone is destined for captivity, to captivity he goes, if anyone kills with the sword, with the sword he must be killed. Here is the perseverance and the faith of the saints” How would this verse have been an encouragement to the suffering church in the Roman Empire? How can it help us pray for those in the persecuted church today?
G5 John explained that perseverance is not simply “blindly accepting our fate”. What is the difference between fatalism and perseverance? How does God’s words to Smyrna in Revelation 2:8-11 help us grapple with this idea of perseverance?
G6 Read Ephesians 6:12. Think about how this verse helps us filter and understand the book of Revelation?
G7 Think about your own life – how is God calling you to persevere in challenging circumstances? Ask Him to fill you with His Spirit to enable you to keep on keeping on: not just surviving, but thriving.

70 Day Bible Reading Challenge (Revelation 6-9)

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
Revelation chapters 6 – 10. SOAP passage = Revelation 9:20-21
The One Thing
We prefer false idols we can control to a real God who we cannot.
Growgroup questions
their SOAP passages this week:
S: what SPECIFIC Bible verse stood out to me?
O: general OBSERVATION. What is the Bible passage saying?
A: APPLICATION. How do I apply this to my life?
P: PRAYER: Write a 1 or 2 sentence prayer, telling God what’s most on my heart and mind today.
Additional questions (if needed) about the Sunday message passage.
G1 What is the overall picture of Jesus we get from Revelation chapter 6 through 10?
G2 What results when we focus on only the love of God, at the exclusion of His holiness or justice?
G3 Revelation 6 talks about wars, famine and death – from your understanding, is this vision being fulfilled now, or at some point in the future? Explain your answer.
G4 In between the judgments on earth, there are interludes in heaven (example, 7:9 – 8:5). Why is important that we’re reminded of these heavenly scenes? What do they communicate?
G5 Should we understand as God causing these tribulations or allowing these tribulations? Explain your answer.
G6 How can we account for the unrepentant attitude of those in 9:20-21? What do you think could have brought about their repentance, if anything?
G7 How should 9:20-21 impact our prayer life / daily witness and efforts to share the gospel of Jesus?

70 Day Bible Reading Challenge (Revelation 1-5)

 
 
 
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. 
Take time to allow each person in the growgroup (split off into smaller groups if the group is too large) to share one of their SOAP passages this week:
S: what SPECIFIC Bible verse stood out to me?
O: general OBSERVATION. What is the Bible passage saying?
A: APPLICATION. How do I apply this to my life?
P: PRAYER: Write a 1 or 2 sentence prayer, telling God what’s most on my heart and mind today.
Additional questions (if needed) about the Sunday message passage.
G1 Rev 5:4: Why did John weep when no one could open scroll?
G2 Rev 5:9: Why is important that the one who will judge humankind is the one who died to save us?
G3 Why do you think so much symbolism is used in Revelation? Why didn’t God just “say what He meant?”
G4 Which church in Revelation 2 or 3 most closely represents Cornerstone? Represents you?
G5 Why does John pronounce a specific blessing on those who read aloud Revelation, who hear it and take it to heart? Why should this encourage us?
G6 Through your 70-day Bible reading challenge, what is “the Spirit saying” that you need “ears to hear”?