Know Grow Show

The Servant King - Mark 10.45 (Key Verse)

Know
What has been your worst / funniest restaurant experience?
Grow
If you were at the Big Give, share a story you have.
How have you personally seen Cornerstone serving outside its walls this year? Share your stories.
How have you been involved? How has this impacted you?
In what was is Mark’s gospel the gospel according to Peter?
Read Mark 10:37 - What do you think motivated James and John to make this request?
What else do you know about James and John from the Bible?
Read Mark 10:38 – What did Jesus mean by ‘you don’t know what you’re asking’?
Read Mark 10:43-44 – Is Jesus saying that it is legitimate, in some way, for us to pursue greatness or being first? Explain your answer.
Dan said that through the past year we’ve shown ourselves as a church that serves? What indicators support this?
What areas of service do we still need to grow in?
Show
Now that growgroups are wrapping up, what’s something that you can do over this summer as a deliberate act of service.

Ultimate Questions - Is the Bible trustworthy?

Weekly Podcast from Cornerstone Wesleyan Church, North Gower, Ontario
www.knowgrowshow.ca
 
 
Know
Have you got any stories about GPS, maps, or map apps unexpectedly taking you off course? If not, share with the group about a time you got lost.
Grow
Was there anything that Dan shared in his message that surprised you or stood out to you?
Dan talked about some people needing a second opinion that the Bible is trustworthy (that for some it’s not enough that the Bible itself says it is trustworthy). What do you think of this?
Is it better to have a simple faith that trusts the Bible without outside evidence, or is it better to have a faith that seeks out this outside information to support the Bible? Share your reason for your answer.
Read 2 Peter 1:20 – What does it mean that the prophets were ‘carried along by the Holy Spirit’ when they spoke from God? Were they parrots repeating what God said or was there a level of human agency involved? Discuss this as a group.
Of the M.A.P., which evidence was most convincing for you – the Manuscript evidence, the Archaeological evidence, or the Prophecy evidence? Share with the group why.
There is no original text of the Bible left (for example Moses writings from his own hand or Paul writings from his own hand). Was this a surprise to you? What impact does this have on how you view the Bible?
What would you say to someone who says to you “All you have is copies of copies of copies so you can’t trust the Bible”?
What would you say to someone who said “Jesus just fulfilled the prophecies of the Messiah by deliberately going out of his way to fulfil them”? Can you think of any OT prophecies He fulfilled that He would have had no control over?
If you believe the Bible is trustworthy, thinking back through your own life, when and how did you reach this conclusion?
Dan shared that Sunday’s sermon was about trying to instil in us greater confidence in the Bible. Would you say he succeeded with you? Why or why not?
Show
Knowing what you now know about the external evidence for the trustworthy nature of the Bible, how (if at all) is this going to change your Bible reading approach or habits?

Inheritance - Joshua 23.1-24.33

Weekly Podcast from Cornerstone Wesleyan Church, North Gower, Ontario
www.wearecornerstone.ca
 
 
 
Know
Joshua reminds God’s people of how God has led them and fought for them. What is one thing that you need to be regularly reminded about God, that perhaps you forget all too easily?
Grow
Joshua gathered the leaders of Israel around him to hear his last words (23:1-2). Who would you gather around you if you knew you did not have long to live?
What would you say to them?
What are some false gods that you are tempted to cling to, that you need to throw away (24:14)? Be as honest as you can.
We are a reminded people: Why does God remind His people of what He has done (23:3)?
We are a commanded people: What does are some of the commands that God gives in 23:6-8 and 23:11.
Joshua commands the Israelites to obey God (23:6) and love God (23:11). Read 1 John 5:2-4 – how does this help us understand the connection between love and obedience?
Staying with the idea of love and obedience, read Matthew 24:12 – how does wickedness lead to love getting cold?
We are a promised people: Dan said that if we live on mission for Jesus we will never be bored, it’s when we live for ourselves that life gets ‘lacklustre’. Do you agree with him? Why or why not?
We are a warned people: Read Joshua 23:15-16. Why is God so harsh with His warning? When and where do we see these consequences played out later in Israel’s life?
Do you think that as a Christian, it’s possible to reach a point of disobedience that in effect our relationship with Jesus is over (that we’re no longer saved)? Why or why not? Use scriptures to support your answer.
Read 24:14. Does this mean that the Israelites were still literally carrying around idols or gods with them? If so, why hadn’t they thrown them away yet?
Read 24:15. Are you and your household serving the Lord? If so, what indicators do you see? If not, how can your group pray for you?
Think back through the inheritance series. What's one thing that you will takeaway from the book of Joshua? Perhaps you were challenged or changed or encouraged in some way. Perhaps it's something new you've learned. Share with the group.
Show
Have your growgroup decided how to get involved in the Big Give yet? Have you reached out to Terry Black and offered your services? If not, you still have time!

Inheritance - Joshua 22.1-34

Weekly Podcast from Cornerstone Wesleyan Church, North Gower, Ontario
www.wearecornerstone.ca
 
 
 
 
Know
Have you ever been quick to judge, and then realize you were way off track in your assessment? Share with the group what this was like for you (being careful to respect people’s privacy as you share – don’t let this turn into a gossip session).
Grow
Read chapter 22 verse 5. This can be viewed as a helpful guide to living the Christian life. Which of these reminders speak most powerfully to you? Why is this?
How should the Western tribes have done before mobilizing for war?
Why do you think the Western tribes were so quick to mobilize for war (think about what they had been doing for the past seven years)?
When looking at a resolving a conflict or misunderstanding, which part of the process is easiest for you?
Hold up (resist your assumptions)
Speak up (reach out in dialogue)
Listen up (rigorously listen to understand)
Climb down (report back with humility and repent if necessary)
Huddle up (recommit to unity in Christ)
Out of the above steps, which is most difficult for you? Why do you think this is?
Dan said that both the Western Tribes and the Eastern Tribes had good intentions. Think about our own context: how can misunderstanding arise even when both sides have pure motives?
Can you think of any other Biblical examples where this has happened (where conflict has arisen despite pure motives)?
Why is it wise to ask the question “What’s one more thing I need to know about this situation”? Talk this through with each other.
Dan said that truth is like a skeleton and that love is like the flesh. How is this a helpful picture in aiding us as we communicate with each other in times of suspicion and or doubt?
Are there any conversations that you believe God wants you to have, stemming from this study of Joshua 22?
Show
Discuss as a growgroup how you could envisage yourselves being involved with the Big Give (2nd June). Choose a spokesperson to contact Terry Black and offer your group’s services. Ask her how best your growgroup could be used.

On mission with Christ (Pete Naylor)

Weekly Podcast from Cornerstone Wesleyan Church, North Gower, Ontario
www.wearecornerstone.ca
 
 
 
Growgroup Questions 06 May 2018
Speaker: Pete Naylor
Title: On Mission with Christ 
Passage: Acts 8:1-8; 26-40
 
Know
What encouraged you about Pete’s message today?
 
Grow
Trace the connection between the descriptions given in Acts 8:1 and 11:19-20 - What effect does persecution have on the Mission?  (see also Paul’s words in Philippians 1:12-13).
Likewise, Acts 8:3 says that “Saul began to destroy the church.”  What was really happening?
 
The intense persecution that resulted in Stephen’s death also resulted in intense proclamation of Christ(8:5).  In Canada, when we experience various forms of persecution, does it cause us to speak up, or shut up? 
Can you think of some current happenings in Canada where Christians have (or should be) taking opportunities to proclaim Christ?
 
Philip started proclaiming Christ in Samaria with amazing results. How does this differ from what we might have expected from what we previously know about Samaria?
Yet, the Holy Spirit was clearly leading, preparing the way! What does John chapter 4 show us about the work of Christ in preparing this region to receive the Gospel?  (see especially 4:39-42).
 
Acts 8:26, the Lord sends Philip away from the very place where he is experiencing the greatest ministry success. How would you feel about this? What does Phillip’s willingness teach us about his relationship with Christ?
 
What passage for scripture did Philip use to teach the Ethiopian about Jesus?  What does this teach us about the use of scripture in the Mission of the Gospel.  (Consider also Jesus’ technique in Luke 24, especially v.27.)  (see also, John 5:39-40)!!
 
Philip proclaimed the Gospel to the Ethiopian man. In what way does the Ethiopian then make his proclamation of faith in Christ?
 
Bottom Line: Philip is attentive to Sprit’s leading and submissive to where/when/how God calls him to go. Not surprisingly, we see amazing Gospel-Mission results!  It seems that all too often our Missional efforts produce too few results. What are some things that could change about us as individual Christians and Churches, that we too could experience empowered and impactful Christ-centred Mission in our communities?
 
Show
Pete said how his church “Finds the needs in the community that aren’t being met and tries to meet them”. Try to apply that to North Gower and area. What are some needs that we as a church could be meeting?
Pete said “Think of 3 people and make them your personal mission”. Who would you be intentional praying for, investing, loving and sharing Christ with?

Ultimate Questions - The Problem of Evil

Weekly Podcast from Cornerstone Wesleyan Church, North Gower, Ontario
www.wearecornerstone.ca
 
 
 
Know
Try to put the problem of evil in your own words
Have you ever wrestled with the problem of evil yourself?
Grow
What would it be like to worship a God who was all-powerful but not all-good? 
What would it be like to worship a God who was all-good but not all-powerful
What does it mean that God is the uncreated Creator or the Uncaused Cause? Why is it so important to have a first cause to everything?
How would you respond to some who said that Creation could not have been perfect if there was the potential for sin?
With all the suffering that has happened throughout history, and if God knew it all beforehand, why do you think He didn't just decide not to create anything?
What is the difference between moral evil and natural evil?
How is the presence of evil a powerful evidence for the existence of God?
How does our free will as humans help explain the problem of evil?
Show
With all the suffering in the world, why has God not yet brought everything to an end (2 Peter 3:9 gives us a clue)?

Inheritance - Joshua 20.1-21.45

Weekly Podcast from Cornerstone Wesleyan Church, North Gower, Ontario
www.wearecornerstone.ca
 
 
Know
Can you think of any famous stories (movies, book, folk tales) that have the theme of seeking refuge?
Grow
What was the purpose of the cities of refuge? What do we learn about God as we see how He made this provision?
Share your response to the fact that it was the responsibility of the nearest relative of the individual who died to find and kill the person responsible.
What does this arrangement teach us about God and about mankind?
What might be the significance of the fugitive waiting to leave his or her place of refuge until the death of the high priest? Numbers 35:26-28 provides a clue.
Why is it important that the Cities of Refuge were on high ground and evenly spread throughout the land?
What did you make of hearing about other Places of Refuge in such far flung places like New Guinea and Hawaii that served the same purpose as the Cities of Refuge in Joshua? What would you say to someone who says it’s just a coincidence?
What are some comparisons and contrasts between cities of refuge and our salvation in Jesus Christ?
Show
Have you fled to Jesus for refuge from sin and from your past? If so, take a minute to share what that was like? If not, what’s fleeing to Jesus for sanctuary?

Inheritance - Joshua 13.1-19.51

Weekly Podcast from Cornerstone Wesleyan Church, North Gower, Ontario
www.wearecornerstone.ca
 
The One Thing
Stop whining. Start working and enjoy the inheritance God won for you.
The passage
Joshua 13-19
Growgroup questions
Know
Think about a time when you moved location or house. Share one thing (either positive or negative, memorable or funny) that stands out to you from that transition.
Grow
The word inheritance is used over 50 times in these 6 chapters. Why is the word inheritance so important in the book of Joshua?
Why did the Levites not receive any land as inheritance? Read Deuteronomy 18:2 to learn more.
Why do you think there is so much detail of borders and boundaries in Joshua 13-19? Couldn’t the space have been used better in your mind?
Read the complaint of the people of Joseph in chapter 17:14 and 16. Read Joshua’s response to their complaints in verse 15 and 17. How do you think he handled their complaints?
Share about a time you’ve had a similar attitude to the people of Joseph in your spiritual walk.
Read Caleb’s words in 14:10-12. How is his attitude different from the people of Joseph?
Is there any word or phrase in what Caleb says that strikes a chord with you?
Show
Think of some practical steps that you or your growgroup can take to live life in the spirit of Caleb.

Inheritance - Joshua 10.25-12.24

Weekly Podcast from Cornerstone Wesleyan Church, North Gower, Ontario
www.wearecornerstone.ca

Fear and Joy (Easter Sunday)

Weekly Podcast from Cornerstone Wesleyan Church, North Gower, Ontario
www.wearecornerstone.ca