MESSAGE: Project Mars                               Date: 6/29/2025

COMMUNICATOR: Pastor Kevin Geer

CHECKING IN: Was there a moment this week where you really felt God’s presence or saw Him at work? What made that moment so powerful or meaningful to you?

Share Wins: How have you experienced the fruit of the Spirit in your life this week? (See Galatians 5:22–23). Have you seen God answer a prayer, remind you of His presence, or use you to encourage someone? In what ways do you see Jesus actively working in your life or in the world around you?

THINK, DISCUSS, LIVE: These questions are ideal for personal devotion or group discussions, guiding you to grow spiritually, engage deeply in biblical community, and live out your faith in the world around you. 

1. What “drives” you in your life right now? (Hobbies, career, sports, relationships, possessions, fear or another object or emotion) How does that compare to the drive and passion shown by early believers after encountering Jesus?

2. Acts 1:8 speaks of receiving power to be witnesses. In what ways have you experienced the Holy Spirit giving you boldness or opportunity to share your faith?

3. Reflect on Mark 5:19-20. Why do you think Jesus told the healed man to go home and share, rather than follow Him?  What does this teach us about where our mission field starts? Did the man obey Jesus?

4. Have you ever felt like the man in Mark 5—radically changed by Jesus? If so, how did that change impact your life and reshape your life story? If not, what might be holding you back from experiencing or expressing that kind of life transformation? 

5. Heart Check: Do you currently feel a passion to share your faith? If not, what might be getting in the way? Fear of rejection, not sure where to begin, your faith story isn’t compelling enough, some other reason. What’s one step you could take this week to reignite that passion? Look again at Mark 5:20. 

6. Jesus said in Matthew 10:32–33 that publicly acknowledging Him really matters. How does that hit you today—does it challenge you, encourage you, or both? Where do you find it hardest to be open about your faith? And what do you think is at the root of that struggle?

7. Let’s talk geography: Where is your Jerusalem, Judea, Samaria, and “ends of the earth”? (Look again at Acts 1:8). Think about names, places, people in your life. Where is God calling you to GO (figuratively or literally)? When will you start? 

8. Who in your life do you admire for the way they share their faith? What specifically makes their approach so authentic and impactful? Identify two practical things they do that you could begin applying to help you more confidently and effectively share your own faith.
9. James 1:5 promises that God will generously give wisdom to those who ask. How does that encourage you when it comes to sharing your faith or taking your next step spiritually? What’s one way you can intentionally ask for and apply God’s wisdom this week in your faith journey?

1. TAKING NEW GROUND! Pray intentionally for friends, coworkers, and neighbors who don’t know Jesus. Asking God to soften their hearts and open doors for conversation.

Write out your faith story.

• Spend 20% on life before Jesus.
• Focus 80% on what He’s done in your life since.
• Include specific, current examples of personal life change.

Practice sharing your story with a trusted friend or family member.

• Get feedback and build confidence.

Be ready to share the hope of Jesus with those who need Him most.

1. THE TRANSFORMATIONAL MODEL: Update your current position within the Canvas Circle, Jesus Friends Circle, and Lost Friends Circle. In what specific ways are you growing more like Jesus, reflecting His love and teachings to others, and drawing closer to the center of the diagram?

2025 LIFE CHANGE CHALLENGE: We’ve created a Bible reading plan to help us go through the entire New Testament in a year. Read or listen to just one chapter a day, five days a week. Simply go to the Canvas Church app. and click on ‘Bible Reading Plan.’ If you prefer to listen, that option is available too! Join us on this life changing journey! 

INDIVIDUAL AND GROUP PRAYER OPTIONS: “A maturing community is a confessing community—not a church without sin, but a church without secrets.”― Tyler Staton, Praying Like Monks, Living Like Fools: An Invitation to the Wonder and Mystery of Prayer

1. Praise Sentences: Take a moment to offer short sentence prayers of thanks to God for who He is and what He has done this week. Allow multiple people to pray, even more than once. Then, lift up the needs shared within your group. Finish by thanking Him for hearing your prayers.  
2. Invite Jesus into the challenges you or a loved one are facing right now, trusting in His presence and guidance. As you pray aloud, encourage one another with your words.
3. Pray for the person on your right, it can be out loud or in silence, if in silence nudge the person next to you letting them know you are done. 

PRAYER PRACTICE ON YOUR OWN: In every situation—big or small—pause and ask, “God, what do You want me to know?” Then ask, “What do You want me to do?” It could be something simple or something big. Try it this week and see how God shows up! Make sure you tell someone what God is doing in and through you!