Know Grow Show

The Servant King - Mark 15: 21-41

Weekly Podcast from Cornerstone Church, North Gower, Ontario. 
 
www.knowgrowshow.ca
The One Thing
The Christian: Obedient Rebel. To obey Jesus is to rebel.
The Passage
Mark 15:21-41
growgroup / discussion questions
Know
What’s worse for you: to be overlooked or insulted? Why?
Grow
Can you think of any Christians who are Obedient Rebels, in the sense Dan preached about?
Dan quoted Hebrews 8:12: For I will forgive their wickedness and will remember their sins no more. However in Matthew 12:36 Jesus says But I tell you that everyone will have to give account on the day of judgment for every empty word they have spoken. Which is it? Does God stop remembering or not? What, if anything, is the difference between forgetting and not remembering?
Mark 15:32 tells us that those crucified with Jesus insulted Him; however Luke 23:39-40 tells us that one insulted Him while the other defended Him. How can we account for this apparent conflict?
How does the fact that Jesus was forgotten, insulted and forsaken impact how we read Romans 5:3-4: And we boast in the hope of the glory of God. Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope.
Think of ways a Believer’s commitment to obeying God might make her a rebel in society's eyes.
In our culture is the average Christian perceived more as harmless or dangerous? Why is this? Which image should we be trying to cultivate?
Show
Read James 4:4. Consider your life... Are you a friend of the world and an enemy of God or an enemy of the world and a friend of God? Take time to talk honestly with God about your answer.

The Servant King - Mark 15.1-20

Weekly Podcast from Cornerstone Church, North Gower, Ontario
www.knowgrowshow.ca
The One Thing
Your life for mine. My life is yours.
The Passage
Mark 15:1-20
discussion questions
Know
Have you ever been caught up in a moment of mob mentality? If not, what about negative gossip? Why are these so infectious and why are we often so slow to stop them?
Grow
If you were at church on Sunday, how was it to have communion served as a part of the sermon, rather than separately?
Do you think that there is any significance to the fact that Barabbas name means “A son of the father”. If so, what?
What reasons can we give for the crowd being so determined to crucify Jesus in Mark 15?
In Mark 14:62-63 Jesus was condemned by the Sanhedrin for admitting to being the Messiah, the Son of the Blessed One. Yet in Mark 15:2, the charge brought by the Sanhedrin to Pilate is for being The King of the Jews. Why the change in charge?
15:10 seems to show us that Pilate knew it was a bogus charge being brought against Jesus. Why then did he go ahead with it?
Though scripture doesn’t say, do you think that Barabbas was changed by the events of that day? If so, how?
What did you think of the thought that the cross that Jesus ended up being crucified on may have been the exact cross that was prepared and set aside for Barabbas? How does this change how you read Mark 15?
In his book The Furious Longing of God Brennan Manning said this: “I came to the inescapable conclusion that the degree of Abba’s love for me is in direct proportion to his love for Jesus...God loves me as much as He loves Jesus”. Share with each other in what ways (emotional, physical, psychological) this should impact us.
Take turns to turn to the person to your right hand side and say to them "God loves you as much as He loves Jesus. Do you know this?”. Allow each person to respond before carrying on.
Show
This week say to someone in your life “God loves you as much as He loves Jesus. Do you know this?
Throughout the week carry around with you this week’s One Thing: “Your life for mine. My life is yours”. Say it to yourself often (in the shower, kitchen, office, on a walk). Let your soul hear you say it. Write it down, stick it on your bathroom mirror, put it in your pocket.

The Servant King - Mark 14:27-31, 66-72

Weekly Podcast from Cornerstone Wesleyan Church, North Gower, Ontario
www.knowgrowshow.ca
The One Thing
Has regret made lunch meat of you? Make it your launch pad.
The Passage
Mark 14:27-31; 66-72
Discussion Questions
Know
What are some of your favourite sounds from childhood?
Grow
Have you ever known someone who has regret in their life that they cannot seem to move on from? What has been your advice to them?
Luke’s account says that when the rooster crowed, Jesus turned and looked straight at Peter (Luke 22:61). Why do you think Mark omits this detail from his account?
Was it two rooster crows (Mark 14:72) or one rooster crow (Luke 22:60, John 18:27)? Does this give us cause to doubt the reliability of scripture? Why or why not?
Peter fixated on the first statement of Mark 14:27 ([1] You will all fall away) and missed the other statements ([2] After I have risen [3] I will go ahead of you into Galilee). Why was it so vital that Peter listen to all three? How might things have gone differently if he had?
Do you more naturally focus on your sin (the Mess), the gospel (the Method) or the God’s purpose for your life (the Mission)? What is something you can do to embrace all three?
Read Luke 21:31-32. What did Dan mean when he said: “That regret that caused us such shame is now re-purposed for God’s glory. What Peter learned in that place of darkness is now part of his toolbox”?
Show
Take time this week to respond to God. Allow Him to reveal to you any unresolved regrets you have. If there’s a regret that you have kept quiet and hidden, but it’s eating you up inside, confess them fully to God (and to a trusted friend or even set up a time with Dan even) and receive His grace and trust Him for the gift of a new start in Him.

The Servant King - Mark 14.43-65

Weekly Podcast from Cornerstone Wesleyan Church, North Gower, Ontario
www.knowgrowshow.ca
The One Thing
The truth that finished Jesus is the same truth that frees you
The Passage
Mark 14:43-65
Know
“You want the truth? You can’t handle the truth!” Have you ever been told an uncomfortable truth about yourself? How did you respond?
Grow
In Mark’s account Judas is never heard from again after 14:45. What are your thoughts / feelings towards Judas?
Who do you think the young man was in 14:51? Why do you think Mark includes him in his account?
Peter abandoned Jesus (14:50) but he also attacked the high priests’ servant (14:47) and at great risk entered the High Priests’ courtyard (14:54). Remembering that Mark is based on Peter’s eye-witness account, how do you think Peter felt about how he behaved this night?
Do you see any of yourself in Peter? How so?
From chapter 14:63, was Jesus condemned because of the truth He told about Himself or the lies that others told about Him? How does this help us understand the Cross?
In 14:62 why did Jesus not just keep quiet? What would have been the outcome if He had?
List the various ways we see the corruptness of the Chief Priest and the Sanhedrin. Why did they act so corruptly?
What feelings / emotions does this passage create in you towards Jesus? Ask God to help you not just know the truth in your head, but respond to it in your heart.
The truth that finished Jesus is the same truth that frees you. Share your heart response to this statement?
Show
Make this Easter be the start of something new for you. Is God moving you towards baptism this Easter? Or who in your life do you need to invite to the Easter Sunday service to hear the message of the God’s saving grace? Go round the circle and each share your response.

The Servant King - Mark 14.32-42

The One Thing
To win the day, watch and pray
The passage
Mark 14:32-42
Know
Can you remember an embarrassing time when you feel asleep?
Grow
What accounts for all the disciples all falling asleep when Jesus needed them most?
Think of ways that we can ‘fall asleep’ when others are in need of our help.
What are the signs in Mark 14:32-42 that Jesus was under incredible stress?
14:38 – Why is “watching and praying” the remedy to the danger of falling into temptation?
Jesus’ crucifixion was His idea (read John 10:18). So how do we account for his prayer in Mark 14:35-36 that He could somehow avoid it?
Imagine finding out that in 24 hours you would die violently and painfully. How would you handle that knowledge? How would you spend those hours? What did Jesus do?*
How would you explain to a non-Christian what caused Jesus such agony as He prayed in the garden?*
Show
During this week pray the I.C.A.N. prayer over a situation that is hanging over you / causing you distress.
Start with intimacy: “Abba”
Call to mind God’s character: “Everything is possible for you”
Aim for authenticity and honesty: “Take this cup from me”
Rest in non-resistance to God’s will: “Yet not what I will, but what you will”

The Servant King - Mark 14.12-26

Weekly Podcast from Cornerstone Wesleyan Church, North Gower, Ontario
www.knowgrowshow.ca
Passage
Mark 14:12-26
The One Thing
Good news: God breaks bread with those who break His heart. 
Know
How would you like people to remember you after you die?
Grow
How does the way Jesus sent the disciples to find the upper room give evidence that Jesus was in charge of the whole situation?
How does Jesus’ control of events surrounding His passion encourage you when you face difficulties?
What might the disciples have thought when Jesus said that one of them would betray Him?
Do you think you would have suspected your own heart if you had been there?
How does this passage express the tension between free will and the sovereignty of God?
In what way did all the disciples betray Jesus?
Why might the Last Supper also be called the First Supper? What did Jesus inaugurate?
Has the Lord’s Supper sometimes become so familiar for you that it is no longer amazing?
What did Jesus mean by saying, “This is My body” and “This is My blood”?
Could Judas have chosen not to betray Jesus? Consider John 13:18
Show
In what way has every person betrayed Him and put Him on the cross? How can that betrayal be forgiven? [i]
 
[i] Questions taken from “Christ Centered Exposition Commentary”

The Servant King - Mark 14.1-14

Weekly Podcast from Cornerstone Wesleyan Church, North Gower, Ontario
www.knowgrowshow.ca
Passage
Mark 14:1-14
The One Thing 
Do you recognize the King?
Know
Have you ever not recognized someone you should have known the identity of? Or have you ever mistaken someone for someone else? Tell us the story.
Grow
Read Mark 14:1-11: What is the value of celebrating feasts and festivals? What are the most important celebrations for Christians?
What was the costliest offering you have ever made to Jesus?
Mary didn’t care about social taboos or personal embarrassment when she worshiped Jesus. How can we follow her example today?
Mary’s critics said that the value of her gift exceeded the limit of what should be spent on Jesus. How are we today similar to those critics?
Did Jesus dismiss His followers from taking care of the poor? What is the biblical evidence for you answer?
In Luke 14:27-28 Jesus says a person should “calculate the cost” of becoming a disciple. Here we learn that true love never calculates the cost. How do these two lessons fit together?
Show
What is the balance between practical, responsible stewardship and radical, extravagant giving? How do we avoid using the former as an excuse to escape the latter?

The Servant King - Mark 13.14-37

Weekly Podcast from Cornerstone Wesleyan Church, North Gower, Ontario
www.knowgrowshow.ca
The PassageMark 13:14-37 The One ThingOur soul’s greatest threat isn’t suffering. It’s sleeping.Know
If you knew that your house was about to explode in 60 seconds, what 2 things (not children) would you grab on your way out?
Grow
Read 13:29 and then read 13:32. 29 seems to indicate that we can know when the end will come. Verse 32 seems to reject that we can know. Any thoughts about how we can reconcile these two verses?
Read 13:32. We believe that God is a Triune God – three persons, one God. But here we read that God the Father can know something which God the Son does not know. Trying figuring that one out! Any thoughts?
What does verse 35 tells us about how should be approaching our ambitions and our possessions, even our lives? What is one thing that we can do to narrow the gap between how we are living and the fact that God is the owner and He is returning?
Read 13:36. What might it mean for God to find you sleeping?
How can we know for sure that we are awake and not slumbering? (Read Romans 13:11-14 and Ephesians 5:14-20 for clues)
Do you think that Jesus will return in this generation? Why or why not?
The first "Shocking Thing That Leads To Suffering" (Abomination the Causes Desolation)  was a pig being sacrificed on the altar. The second was the Roman Standards in the temple. What do you think the third Shocking Thing That Leads To Suffering might be? Do you think we will know it when we see it?
Show
What is one thing that you can do to prepare yourself and your family for the return of the Master, Jesus?
Take 5 minutes to watch this video called Asleep In The Light (youtu.be/-byXywvdCuk). What is God saying to you through this song?

The Servant King - Mark 13.3-13

The One Thing
Resist fear. Resist complacency. Be prepared.
The Passage
Mark 13:3-13
Know
What’s your response to the well-used phrase “God won’t give you more than you can handle?” Agree? Disagree?
Grow
In 13:4 the disciples wanted to know when Jesus’ prophecy will come true. Would you rather know ahead of time if something bad is going to happen to you or not?
When considering the future, particularly the end times, are you at more risk of being fearful or complacent? Why do you think this is?
Read Acts 8:9-11. Simon the Sorcerer was a false messiah. What do false messiahs look like today? How can we identify them and avoid being deceived?
Perhaps we won’t be flogged in the synagogues (13:9), but what kinds of sacrifices might we have to make “on account of Jesus”? What parts of the world do you know where Christians are having to pay this kind of physical price?
When you hear statistics like 37 million Christians were undergoing significant persecution in 2018, what’s your response? What, if anything, do you think we should be doing about this?
Do you think sufferings that Christians have to go through is worth the end result? Other than rewards in heaven, what other benefits can you see from Christians suffering?
Which is a more accurate understanding of passages like James 1:2-4 and Romans 5:3-5:
God brings about suffering and persecution in order to bring about maturity in His children.
God redeems suffering and persecution in order to bring about maturity in His children.
Show
Take time to pray for one of the countries in the 2018 World Watch List (the link is provided in the growgroup questions email sent out by Dan)

The Servant King - Mark 12.38-13.2Hey

Weekly Podcast from Cornerstone Wesleyan Church, North Gower, Ontario
www.knowgrowshow.ca
The Passage
Mark 12:38-13:2
The One Thing
Trusting in God will outlives temples for God. Every time. Forever. 
Know
Other than rock, paper, scissors, what other games did you play as a child with your siblings or friends?
Grow
What do you want to have written on your headstone when you die? In other words, how do you define success for yourself?
As the widow made her offering that day, what expression do see on her face? Explain your answer.
The scribes looked like they had it all. So did the wealthy people. And we’d have probably pitied the widow. Why would we have been wrong?
12:43 Jesus called the disciples over to check out what he was seeing. What was it about the widow that got Him so excited?
John Wesley lived on 28 pounds a year, even though his earnings went from 30 pounds a year to 120 pounds a year. The rest he gave away. What do you think about this philosophy of living? How do you see it reflected in society? In your own life?
What is the contrast that Mark is trying to draw between his account of the widow (12:41-44) and the conversation between the disciples and Jesus about the temple stones (13:1-2)? Why is this important?
What are your thoughts about Pastor Larry Blaikie’s words: “God does not want our money he wants us. But if He does not have our wallet, he does not have us.”. Do you agree or disagree? Share your thoughts.
Read 2 Corinthians 9:7. What is Paul telling us in this verse?
Now read the verse before (verse 6) and the verse after (verse 8). How do these help us understand verse 7?
Show
Having heard what you’ve heard about the widow and John Wesley, how might God be calling you to reassess your standard of living versus your standard of giving?