your intimate relationship with God
Think of a life expressed as worship when you pursue life “upward”. Upward is an intimate relationship with God pursued through worship, prayer, Bible engagement and its corresponding spiritual disciplines.
your intentional relationship with other Jesus followers
An intentional relationship with other Jesus followers. We call it community or doing life together. It is pursuing and experiencing God together, loving each other, sharpening one another, growing together, serving alongside each other and simply doing life together.
your influence into the world around you
Influencing the world around you. How we live “incarnationally” like Jesus every place we go. It is telling our Jesus story with our words and actions as a reflection of our encounters with God through worship, prayer, Bible engagement, serving, giving, etc. Think of it as the application piece to our faith that impacts the lives of those who have yet to come to faith.
We are excited that you are taking the “Next Steps” in your faith journey. We have seven short videos with action steps for each, designed to deepen your understanding of and faith in Jesus.
Personal and group discussion questions from our weekly messages.
How am I doing and where can I grow?
Water baptism is an outward declaration of an inward, personal decision of obedience to make Jesus Christ the Lord of your life.
More About Baptism
Gatherings, Join an activity or Life Group, Take someone to coffee, serve on a team, attend a Canvas event…
We are excited that you are taking the “Next Steps” in your faith journey. We have seven short videos with action steps for each, designed to deepen your understanding of and faith in Jesus.
God designed us to live our best life with others. At Canvas, our Connect team is devoted to creating opportunities for people to experience God in a life-changing way through building healthy community.
What is Refresh? It is a simple way to engage with God and
others by reading, reflecting and responding to His word which will energize our faith.
God did not design us to live life alone. At Canvas, we are devoted to creating opportunities for people to experience God in a life-changing way through building healthy community.
Serving fills the “trifecta” as an expression of worship to God, to build up the body of Christ, and as a witness to others.
The gifts are best discerned and fleshed out in and through community.
The DiSC is a easy-to-understand personality assessment resource that helps us better understand ourselves and those around us. Take the free assessment and then watch our “My Name Is” message series to have a better grasp on understanding the beauty of how God uniquely designed each one of us.
Host a life group, plan a block party, join a community partner.
We are excited that you are taking the “Next Steps” in your faith journey. We have seven short videos with action steps for each, designed to deepen your understanding of and faith in Jesus.
Get involved with a Serve Team!
Be a thread in the fabric of the community.
(Matthew 4:1-11, 14:23, Luke 6:12)
What is it? Although we may respond in different ways to time alone, solitude is a discipline in which each of us can find fulfillment and freedom. This is because solitude is actually about us seeking a deeper relationship and intimacy with Jesus.
Why should I learn and practice this discipline? Solitude places us in a position to listen to the Holy Spirit and enables us to be present with God without distractions. When we are with God in solitude it draws us to a spiritual place so we can grow and be better present with the Lord and eventually with and for others.
How do I do it?
Share your experience with a mentor, friend or mature believer
Bonus Thoughts: Take advantage of the “little solitudes” throughout your day. These are smaller moments where you can connect with God wherever you are. Time alone in your car to and from work or running errands, a walk in your neighborhood, a cup of coffee and a comfy chair in your home. I love to hike alone, finding places to sit, listen and reflect on a word or characteristic of God.
For more information on Solitude: https://onelifeleaders.com/blog/celebration-of-discipline-week-6-solitude
(1 Kings 19:11-13, Habakkuk 2:20, James 1:26, 3:5-12, Revelation 8:1)
What is it?
Silence is being quiet before God, and making the cacophony of voices in our world fade into oblivion. Silent and Listen both use the same letters, and that ‘coincidence’ seems intentional. Silence goes hand in hand with the discipline of Solitude—these two disciplines prepare us to listen and receive what God has for us today. Silence is a form of fasting from noise and talk, but not meant to be a permanent state of being. Silence is for a season.
Why should I learn and practice this discipline?
Silence prepares us for surrender by not bringing our agenda to the front. Silence allows us to hear the still, small voice of God. Silence allows God the freedom to speak to us through others. Sitting in silence is an act of faith as we believe God will make himself known to us in some way.
How do I do it?
What are some of the obstacles to practicing this discipline?
(Joel 2:15, Ezra 8:21-23, Matthew 6:16-18)
Share your experience with a mentor, friend or mature believer
For further information on Fasting: https://onelifeleaders.com/blog/celebration-of-discipline-week-3-fasting
What is it?
Service is a freeing expression of adoration and worship to God and love for others. We have the privilege of ministering to others through simple acts of kindness or the discipline of service, which in turn brings glory to God and furthers his mission.
Why should I learn and practice this discipline?
Jesus calls us to do this! Anyone who wants to serve me must follow me, because my servants must be where I am. And the Father will honor anyone who serves me. (John 12:26 NLT).
Jesus modeled for us this truth of serving others. For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve others and to give his life as a ransom for many. Matthew 20:28 (NLT).”
Jesus both taught and modeled the importance of being a servant. Serving others is a great way to spread the gospel to our friends, family, coworkers, and our community. Partnering with the church in serving helps accomplish the mission of Canvas and the biblical mandate that Jesus has placed in our hearts.
How do I do it?
At Canvas we strive to never do ministry at the expense of the volunteer, so we want to help you find your best service opportunity. Here are suggested ways to get started:
Go to our Serve page https://canvas.church/kalispell-serve/ and check the service opportunities or ministries you would like to learn more about. A team leader will contact you to provide more information and/or help get you started!
What if it doesn’t work out? Try one of the service opportunities for a few weeks to see if it is something you enjoy doing. If it is…fantastic! If you find it isn’t a good fit for you, that’s ok, you can always try another ministry area. Sometimes you will participate in a ministry for a season and decide to take a break or to explore a new one. We want you to be successful in the area you serve. You might even pitch a new ministry idea to one of our team members and see how we might be able to make it happen.
Watch The Next Steps Video on Serving: https://canvas.church/next-steps
For more information on the discipline of service: https://onelifeleaders.com/blog/celebration-of-discipline-week-8-service
Unlike our western concept of the term “servant” which is viewed through a lens of slavery and in the context of enslavement. Biblically the word carries more of a freeing expression of adoration and worship to God and loves for others. Paul tells us in Romans 12:1, Therefore, brothers and sisters, in view of the mercies of God, I urge you to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God; this is your true worship. Because of what God has done for us, his sacrifice for us on the cross, we respond by sacrificing our time and talents as a true expression of worship for him to others. Another word for servant is minister. We have the privilege of ministering to others through acts of kindness and the discipline of service. We see Jesus served the disciples and the community throughout scripture. In 1 Peter 4:10 it says, “God has given each of you a gift from his great variety of spiritual gifts. Use them well to serve one another.” The spiritual gift or gifts that God gives us are not meant just for ourselves but for the benefit and blessing of others.
Do an honest assessment of how you are doing in the following areas.
On a scale of 1-10, 10 being highest, how would you rate yourself in the growth area of
Upward: ______
Inward: ______
Outward: ______
What will help you grow in that particular area? What action steps will you take to help make this growth area happen?
Do you have a nagging internal voice that speaks a constant stream of fear, insecurity, or condemnation to your heart? You're not alone! Furtick says he fights negative messages daily---and wins. Learn how to tune in to God's quiet, empowering call by silencing the enemy's lies and embracing the truth.
By Steve Furtick
A Storyteller’s Journey with Those Who Dared to Follow Jesus.
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by Charles Martin
Explore the inward, outward, and corporate disciplines of the Christian faith---and learn how central spiritual practices such as prayer, fasting, simplicity, solitude, confession, and celebration can become part of your daily activities, bringing God's abundance to your life. Features a brand-new foreword and chapter on "growth of the soul." Hardcover.
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Can a simple concept shift your entire world? Bob certainty thinks so. When it comes to loving your neighbors, rather than focusing on having the "right answers" or checking the "right boxes", what if you decide to simply do love? To shamelessly show love and grace to those around you? What would that look like?
by Bob Goff
Named by Christianity Today as one of "the top 50 books that have shaped evangelicals," Packer's modern classic has been helping Christians discover the joy of Knowing God for more than 45 years. Rooted in profound theological knowledge, yet readable and practical, this thought-provoking work will renew and enrich your understanding of the Lord. 296 pages, softcover from InterVarsity.
by J.I. Packer
Break free of destructive patterns of thought---so God can transform your life! Replace self-doubt and negative thinking with joy, peace, truth, prayer, and praise. Groeschel shows you how to take the necessary steps to remove damaging lies, rewire your brain, renew your mind, reframe your vision, revive your soul, and restore a healthy perspective. 256 pages, hardcover from Zondervan.
by Craig Groeschel
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