MESSAGE: Authority                                           Date: 9/7/2025

SERIES: Launch 

COMMUNICATOR: Pastor Kevin Geer

CHECK-IN & SHARE WINS: What was one highlight from your week? Where have you seen Jesus at work—in your life or in the world around you? Celebrating wins helps fuel God’s mission and inspire others to join in.

THINK, DISCUSS, LIVE: These questions are great for personal reflection, group discussion, or both. They’re meant to help you grow in your faith, deepen your connection with your Jesus friends, and live it out in the world around you. 

• Who was the strictest authority figure in your life—parent, teacher, coach, or boss—and what’s the funniest or most ridiculous rule they made you follow? (Bonus points if it still makes you roll your eyes or laugh today!)

• What comes to mind when you hear the word “authority”? How do people usually respond to authority—in positive or negative ways? How about you? 

• Read Daniel 7:13–14 shows that Jesus’ authority was foretold long before His birth. How does seeing Jesus as the fulfillment of this prophecy strengthen your trust in Him and in God’s word? 

• During His ministry, Jesus showed authority over sickness, sin, death, and spiritual forces. Which of these examples encourages you the most today, and how does it strengthen your faith or give you confidence to trust and follow Him?

• In Matthew 28:18, Jesus says He has all authority in heaven and on earth. When you think about the challenges you’re facing right now, how does that truth encourage you or comfort—or even change the way you look at them? 

• Why do you think Jesus reminded His disciples of His authority before sending them out on the Great Commission? How does remembering His authority give you courage and boldness to share the gospel, serve others, or step into new opportunities for mission—even when it feels challenging?

• Jesus’ victory over sin and the powers of darkness demonstrates His ultimate authority (Colossians 2:13-15). What’s one area of your life where you can step into obedience with confidence because of His authority?

• What makes it challenging for people—or for you personally—to accept and obey authority? Can you think of a situation or rule that especially tests you? 

• Since Jesus is the ultimate authority, the “Therefore” in verse 19 calls for action. What changes in your lifestyle, priorities, or daily rhythms is He asking you to make so you can actively live on mission—even when it feels intimidating or costly? Try to be specific. 

10. TAKING NEW GROUND! This week, take new ground by paying attention to how you respond to authority. Which rules or authority figures are easier for you to respect, and which ones do you struggle with? What commands from Scripture do you already know but find hard to follow? What’s one specific step you can take to pivot toward obedience in that area? Share it with a trusted Jesus-friend and invite them to walk with you as you keep growing in biblical obedience.

THE TRANSFORMATIONAL MODEL: Update where you are in the Canvas Circle, Jesus Friends Circle, and Lost Friends Circle. In what specific ways are you becoming more like Jesus, showing His love, and moving closer to the center of the diagram?

LOOKING FOR WAYS TO ENGAGE WITH SCRIPTURE CONSISTENTLY? We’ve put together a Bible reading plan to help you read through the entire New Testament in one year. Just one chapter a day, five days a week—plus a short bonus passage to reflect on. You can find it on the Canvas Church app—just tap “Bible Reading Plan.” Prefer to listen? That’s an option too! Join us on this life-changing journey with Jesus.

INDIVIDUAL AND GROUP PRAYER OPTIONS: 

• Time to Pray: What’s one thing to celebrate and thank God for—and one thing to bring to Him in prayer?

• Praise Sentences: Take a moment to thank God in short sentence prayers—for who He is, what He’s done this week, and for people in your group. Let several people pray, even more than once. Then, pray for any needs shared, and close by thanking God for hearing you.

• 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.

WORDS THAT IGNITE: Slow down and sit with the word Obedience. Biblical obedience means hearing God’s Word, trusting His authority, and responding with action. It’s choosing to align your life with His commands out of love for Him—not just out of duty. Obedience isn’t blind rule-following; it’s trusting the heart of the One who gives the commands. What’s one real-life way you can align with Jesus’ authority in obedience this week—whether at home, at work, at school, while driving, or in your role as a spouse, parent, friend or all the above?