MESSAGE: The Five Chairs                         Date:7/6/2025

COMMUNICATOR: Pastor Wes Davis

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. Is there a dream you’ve been holding onto that hasn’t happened yet—maybe a trip you’ve always wanted to take, something you’ve wanted to accomplish, or even something simple you’ve hoped to experience? What is that dream, and what’s one small step you could take this week to move closer to it?
2. Wes shared about his sabbatical plans focused on rest, family, and spiritual growth. What would it look like for you to intentionally pursue more rest, time with family and deeper spiritual growth this summer?
3. Psalm 139 invites God to search our hearts, which sounds good—until He shows us something we don’t want to see. Why do you think we’re okay with that search until it gets uncomfortable? If you asked God to show you what’s holding you back spiritually, what do you think He might reveal?
4. Wes mentioned five levels of relational intimacy (Stranger, Acquaintance, Friend, Close Friend, Lifelong Friend). At what level would you currently place your relationship with God—and what step could you take to move deeper? 
5. Paul said, “I want to know Christ” (Philippians 3:10). What’s the difference between truly knowing Jesus and just knowing about Him? Can you think of a time in your life that shows the difference?
6. Philippians 3:10 talks about experiencing the same power that raised Jesus from the dead. Do you think that’s really possible today? What might that look like in your own life as a follower of Jesus? And how do you respond to Paul’s bold statement, “I want to suffer with Him, sharing in His death”? Does that inspire you—or make you hesitate?
7. Wes talked about how deeper relationships are often formed through shared experiences or struggles. Can you think of a time when going through something hard with someone brought you closer to them—or to God? What was the outcome, and how did it change your relationship with God or with that person?
8. 1 John 4 emphasizes that truly knowing God leads us to love others more deeply. How has your growing relationship with God recently influenced the way you treat or love people? Do you notice a connection between the closeness of your relationship with God and the quality of your relationships with others (and vice versa)? Share a personal example of how you may have experienced this.
9. In the movie Up, Carl needed a reminder that life wasn’t over—there was still a new adventure ahead, even after loss. Is there a loss or disappointment in your life that God might be inviting you to move forward from? Maybe it’s forgiving someone, letting go of something, or stepping into a new season with Him. What might that look like for you?

TAKING NEW GROUND! This week, take new ground by reflecting on your closeness with Jesus. What does intimacy with God look like in your life? How can you tell when you’re especially connected to Him? Can you think of a recent moment when you felt especially close to Jesus—what was happening in your heart or circumstances during that time?

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. 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. 
3. Prayer Clusters: Meet in groups of two or three (same gender) to share praises and prayer requests. Pray together and for one another during the week. Let those in your group know you prayed—send a quick text of encouragement.

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!