Know Grow Show

The Servant King - Mark 6.14-29

Weekly Podcast from Cornerstone Wesleyan Church, North Gower, Ontario
www.knowgrowshow.ca
 
 
 
 
growgroups will be starting up soon, but until then, here are some questions for personal study, or for discussion around your meal table at home.
Herod assumed that Jesus was John the Baptist risen from the dead - perhaps he heard about Jairus' daughter being raised from the dead. What does this tell you about how word spread around the region of Galilee? 
Foreshadowing refers to the author hinting at something coming in the future (we see it a lot in movies). How does Mark 6:14-29 foreshadow or help us understand events later in the book of Mark (specifically Jesus' death)?
Nathan explained the messy history of Herod's family - how does hearing about the sin and brokenness in his history help us understand why Herod did what he did in this chapter?
6:20 - Herod was puzzled by John, but liked to listen to him. Have you ever appreciated listening to a Christian speaker who at the same time troubled you? Why do you think this is?
In what ways does our passage today show us that John had principles?
In what ways does our passage today show us that Herod lacked principles?
"If you don't stand for something, you'll fall for anything" What do you stand for? How can you be assured that these are godly principles?
What is the difference between having principles and being legalistic?

The Servant King - Mark 6.1-13

Weekly Podcast from Cornerstone Wesleyan Church, North Gower, Ontario
www.knowgrowshow.ca
 
 
 
 
growgroups are taking a break for the summer, but here are some questions for personal study, or for discussion around your meal table at home. 
 
"The person who lives a life of unbelief will never know what they’re missing. 
The person who lives a life of faith knows exactly what they have. And they wouldn’t change it for the world!"
Know
6:1Jesus went home to Nazareth. What do you think were his expectations for his arrival?
Grow
6:3 – Why did knowing Jesus’ family cause the people in Nazareth to take offense at Him?
Dan says that the life of unbelief is a self-fulfilling prophecy: if we expect nothing from God, we receive nothing. How have you seen this principle at work in your own life?
How do we draw the line between faith (trusting God to do something amazing) and presumption (insisting that He must do something)? Think of examples of presumptive prayer you’ve seen. How did this strike you?
6:7 The bible doesn’t say, but when Jesus gave the disciples the authority to cast out demons, do you think they felt different afterwards? If so how?
Does the phrase “familiarity breeds contempt” reflect your relationship with Jesus at all? In what way? Take some time to talk to Him about it.
The person who lives a life of unbelief will never know what they’re missing.
The person who lives a life of faith knows exactly what they have. And they wouldn’t change it for the world!
Which describes you?
How can someone move from a life of unbelief to a life of faith? How do you even go about it?
Why do you think we don’t see more miracles today? Are we in danger of being a ‘Nazareth’? If so, how?
Do you believe that someone can be a Christian and miss the reason that God created them for? Why or why not?
Show
What is holding you back from ‘traveling light’ and living out God’s purpose for you here on earth?

The Servant King - Mark 5.21-54

Weekly Podcast from Cornerstone Wesleyan Church, North Gower, Ontario
www.knowgrowshow.ca
 
 
 
 
growgroups are taking a break for the summer, but here are some questions for personal study, or for discussion around your meal table at home. 
"We find exactly what we need at Jesus' feet. 
Mark 5:21-43
The woman touched Jesus' robe in the crowd and was healed in secret. Why didn't Jesus just let her go? Why did He chase her down and expose her before the crowd? How would her story have been less impactful if He'd just let her go in quiet?
Conversely, when Jairus came to Jesus in public, why did he heal his daughter in private, in secret? What was He trying to achieve, when He was so public about the woman's healing?
If Jesus had asked the woman with the 12 year menstrual bleed to wait for a few moments, Jesus could have healed Jairus' daughter before she died. Why do you think Jesus chose to spend this time with this woman allowing Jairus' daughter to die?
Can you think of some Bible verses that define faith for us? What are they?
Michael Card said that all the people in Mark 5 found exactly what they needed at Jesus' feet. How does this apply to people who ask for healing or an answer to prayer but don't receive it in the way they think they should?
Dan said that you cannot tell Jairus' daughter's story without the story of the woman who was bleeding for 12 years, and vice versa. Why is it so important to tell these stories together? (Think about contrasts, similarities between the two accounts). 
Has God healed you or answered your prayer in a clear, amazing way? Have you shared this with anyone? If not, start sharing your story and allow God to get the glory. 
What do you need? Spend some time this week at the feet of Jesus - trust that you will find exactly what you need there.
 
 To read more about the definitions of faith at the end of the sermon, check out Dale Fincher's book "Coffee Shop Conversations: Making the Most of Spiritual Small Talk (pp. 101-102)"
 
 

The Servant King - Mark 5.1-20

Weekly Podcast from Cornerstone Wesleyan Church, North Gower, Ontario
www.knowgrowshow.ca
 
 
 
growgroups are taking a break for the summer, but here are some questions for personal study, or for discussion around your meal table at home. 
Try to imagine the life story that might have led to the demon-possessed man (Dave) living the life he did before he met Jesus.
It appears that the Legion of Demons possessing this guy gave him super human strength (to break shackles etc). How does this strike you?
Do you agree or disagree that some forms of deviant behaviour are influenced by demons?
Why did Jesus simply not send the Legion of demons into the abyss? Why did He capitulate to their demands to go into the pigs?
What does the reaction of the pigs in verse 13 teach us about the demons?
Do you think horror movies help or hinder our understanding of the supernatural? Why do you think this?
5:15 When the townsfolk saw the man in his right mind, we are told immediately that “they were afraid”. Why this response? Why not gratitude or awe? Try to place yourself in their shoes.
5:19-20 Why did Jesus tell the man to go home to his own people and tell them what had happened? Wasn’t it enough that they’d seen? Look at their response. What does this tell us about the power of our own Jesus story?

The Servant King - Mark 4.35-41, 45-56

Weekly Podcast from Cornerstone Wesleyan Church, North Gower, Ontario
www.knowgrowshow.ca
 
 
 
growgroups are taking a break for the summer, but here are some questions for personal study, or for discussion around your meal table at home. 
Have you ever been "stuck in a moment that you can't get out of?
Dan said "but at the end of the day, it doesn’t matter how easy or hard life is. What matters is the truth of what we are building our lives around." How would you describe the central truth that your life is built around? 
Dan said "The question is not how comfortable is your life? The question is how prepared are you for the inevitable bad weather that is coming your way". Are you prepared for the furious squalls that life will bring you?
In Mark 4:38 Jesus is asleep in the storm. In Mark 6:48 Jesus is praying on the hillside while the disciples struggle below. Has Jesus ever felt far away from you? Have you ever wondered if He is concerned about you in the midst of your struggle?
Mark 4:38 "Teacher, don't you care if we drown?" Is this a prayer of faith or a prayer of doubt? Why do you think this?
Jesus said "Take courage. It is I (I am). Don't be afraid" (Mark 6:50) Take some time with Jesus and listen to Him as He says this to you. In what circumstance do you need to hear this truth today?
Dan said that "Often the chaos of our life is the path that Jesus walks on to get to us". Do you believe this? How have you experienced this?
Is Jesus the skipper of your boat in the midst of your storms?
 
 
 

Jeff's Transformation Story

Jeff is a local business man from North Gower, Ontario. He's also a skeptic who has been transformed by an encounter with Jesus. 
In his words: "I have not relinquished my skepticism of easy answers to complex questions. And that’s OK.  God gave me a stubborn brain. But no matter the question I take on, in Christ, I always seem to find a magnificent answer that makes perfect sense."
Listen to his story, shared at North Gower's Church In The Park 2018. 

The Servant King - Mark 4.21-34

Weekly Podcast from Cornerstone Wesleyan Church, North Gower, Ontario
www.knowgrowshow.ca
 
 
 
 
No questions this week. Too much to do!
Sorry :-)

The Servant King - Mark 4.1-20

Weekly Podcast from Cornerstone Wesleyan Church, North Gower, Ontario
www.knowgrowshow.ca
 
 
 
 
growgroups are taking a break for the summer, but here are some questions for personal study, or for discussion around your meal table at home. 
Dan shared that the main point of the message today is this: "As we read the Bible, God uses it to break up the soil of our fearful and divided hearts, so that we can be part of His ongoing harvest". 
Parables are like a rock in a road - to those not interested they are in the way...an obstruction. To those who want more, they are an opportunity: lift up the stone and discover the treasure underneath. How does this picture help us understand the purpose of parables?
As you read the Bible, are you vaguely bored or do you have the heart of an adventurer? Why do you think this is? How can you help your spirit of an adventurer grow to the next level?
Dan said that we are listening Jesus preach a message about listen to God's message.
Dan said that Satan, like the birds in the analogy, will try to steal away the seed of God's word in our lives through distraction or de-prioritizing. How have you experienced Satan steal away the word from your life?
Dan said we all assume that we are the good soil. Why is this a) not realistic b) dangerous?
Speaking honestly, would you consider yourself to be a) the pathway b) the stony soil c) the thorny soil or d) the good soil? What evidence helped you make that assessment? 

Befriending the Vikings (Sarah Davies)

Weekly Podcast from Cornerstone Wesleyan Church, North Gower, Ontario
www.knowgrowshow.ca
 
 
Sarah shares with us about her pioneer work at Copenhagen University with Power to Change (https://p2c.com/)
FREE SMART PHONE RESOURCES!
Sarah mentioned two evangelism resources: Soularium and Perspectives. You can get them for free on your smart phone!
Look for the Perspectives app on your smart phone store http://www.perspectivecards.com/app/.
Look for Soularium on the google play store or apple store. 
QUESTIONS
Sarah shared in Danish culture it's considered immature to believe in God: "Why believe in God if there's science". Do you see some of the same tendencies in Canadian culture? If so, how?
Sarah said that talking about faith is taboo in Danish society. What is it about faith that makes it sometimes so sensitive to talk about?
Sarah said that 'nationals are better at reaching their own people'. Think of some reasons why this might be. 
Pray for Olivia and Clarissa and the future work of Agape / Power to Change in Denmark. 
Sarah shared this statistic: "Quebec has the largest unreached population in North America: 99.3%* of the population have never heard the Gospel (roughly 8 million people)" - *Daniel Henderson (goo.gl/xyynFp). Were you surprised by this fact? What does it mean for us to have a mission field this size on our doorstep?
Listen to Sarah's epiphany: God cares more about sanctifying us, making us more like Jesus, that He does about our comfort
Sarah said that we can be "honest with God": much more than we probably are. In what way is God calling you to be honest with Him?
Read Romans 4 and 5 and then Hebrews 11 and 12. How do these chapters encourage you in your faith?
 
Steps for online giving to Sarah for her future work in Montreal with Power to Change. 
Go to p2c.com
Click on donate in the top right
Click Staff Ministry Donation
Type "Sarah Davies" into the search area
"Ministry for Sarah Davies" should come up as an option; select it and you will be taken directly to her page. 
 
 
 

The Servant King - Mark 3.20-35

Weekly Podcast from Cornerstone Wesleyan Church, North Gower, Ontario
www.knowgrowshow.ca
 
 
 
growgroups are taking a break for the summer, but here are some questions for personal study, or for discussion around your meal table at home. 
3:21 Jesus' family come to 'take charge' of Him. Dan explained this would have probably been because of a sense of family shame. What other reasons might there have been?
3:22 Why did the teacher's of the law accusation (that Jesus was driving out demons by the prince of demons) not make any logical sense?
3:26 Why do you think Jesus refers to Satan as 'the strong man'?
3:26 Dan said that Jesus was plundering the strong man's home of souls. How can this help us understand salvation?
3:28 Michael Card says that about verse 29 "If a person denies the vehicle of forgiveness (the Holy Spirit), he has cut himself off from the possibility of being forgiven. It is not the “unpardonable” sin. It is a sin whereby you place yourself beyond pardon". Does this make sense to you? Does this help you understand verse 28. Why or why not?
3:34 What does it mean to you to be considered by Jesus as His relative?
Where are you at the moment: are you still in Satan's dungeon, still unrescued, or have you been adopted by God? Talk to Him about this. 
How would you finish the sentence "Jesus is..."