MESSAGE: Butter Won’t Sharpen You                 Date: 5/11/2025

SERIES: F.R.I.E.N.D.S.

COMMUNICATOR: Pastor Kevin Geer

CHECKING IN: What’s one moment or experience from your week that really stood out to you, and why do you think it made such an impact?

Share Wins: How have you experienced God’s (insert 1-2 fruit of the Spirit here) this week? Have you seen Him answer a prayer, remind you of His presence, or use you to bless someone? How do you see Jesus 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. November 17 is National Butter Day! If you could add butter to any food—no limits—what would it be? Maybe bring that food to share next week. 
2. Read Proverbs 13:20. What does this verse reveal about the impact of spending time with wise versus foolish people? Share a personal experience that illustrates this truth from your own life. 
3. See Proverbs 27:17. Can you share a time when someone challenged or inspired you (sharpened) in a way that helped you grow? What did they say, and how did it make an impact? 
4. Reflect and discuss: In what ways can you help ‘sharpen’ or strengthen someone else—encouraging their growth or character? How can you do this in a spirit of love, humility, and gentleness?
5. Read Exodus 18:5-9. Why is it important to share stories of God’s faithfulness with others, like Moses did with Jethro? What does Jethro’s reaction to God’s work in Israel (rejoicing) teach us about celebrating others’ victories? 
6. Wise friends help us recognize and celebrate God’s goodness. Read Exodus 18:11—how does Jethro respond to the amazing things God did for Israel? When you hear about God doing something incredible, how do you usually respond: Do you celebrate enthusiastically, stay quiet, or focus on how it could have been done better? 
7. Gossip is often information we don’t need and probably shouldn’t know. So how do you handle it when someone wants to share gossip with you? Do you join in? Just listen without adding anything? Stay quiet to keep the peace? Gently let your friend know you’d rather not take part? How do you choose to respond?
8. Read Exodus 18:17–18, 23. How do you think you would’ve responded if you were Moses—being told you were leading the wrong way and that someone else had a better solution? Balk at the idea? Listen and thank them for the great suggestion? Smile and  acknowledge the feedback but not implement it? 
9. Peace is contagious. Who can you share it with—and who can you be an example of peace for? 
10. Who in your life helps sharpen you, keeping you grounded and on the right path—and whose life do you do the same for?
11. In your faith journey, do you feel ready to walk alongside someone else and support them—or are you in a season where you need someone to walk with you? What makes you believe this? 
12. TAKING NEW GROUND!  This week, take new ground by intentionally encouraging your Jesus friends. Think about how you can uplift them—whether it’s through a prayer of blessing, a meaningful verse, or sharing something God is teaching you. A simple message can remind them how valued and loved they are.

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:  “prayer is not merely asking for needs, but a conversation with God about what matters to both of you.” Dallas Willard

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. 
4. Prayer Clusters: Groups of two or three (by gender) and share your week together. Pray together and for each other. Send them a text, or leave a message letting them know you have prayed for them this week. 

PRACTICE ON YOUR OWN: What if you made it a daily habit to ask God what He wants you to know? Whether in every situation or just the ones that come up, take a moment to ask. Then, ask what He would like you to do—whether it’s a specific action or a way to apply what He reveals. Try it and see what happens!