A Five Month Discipleship INITIATIVE

The discipleship journey begins when you put your faith in Jesus. We call this transformative decision “salvation.” It’s in this moment that the blood of Jesus covers your sin and seals your eternal destiny in heaven.

Adam’s disobedience in the Garden of Eden brought sin and death into the world. Because of this, we are born sinners and are far from the perfection that God desires and requires. Without divine intervention, we were destined for eternal separation from God after death.

God had a plan to reconcile this because of his love for his greatest creation but it required the greatest sacrifice in history.

Jesus is the son of God and demonstrated his love for humanity when he put on flesh and was born as a baby in Bethlehem on the first Christmas. He went on to live a perfect life and died a sinner’s death on the cross. But, the story doesn’t end there. On the third day, he rose from the dead, conquering sin and death forever. Because Jesus was the perfect sacrifice, his blood covers our sin and allows us to be in communion with a perfect God. This truth is called “the gospel” or good news.

Romans 10:9-10 tells us that “If you declare with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,”and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you profess your faith and are saved.”

When you confess your sin and put your faith in Jesus’ sacrifice, you are a new creation and are born into the family of God. It’s at this moment that your journey of becoming a disciple begins.

At Canvas, we believe that we’re never more like Jesus than when we’re serving others. You have an opportunity to do this by joining one of our many serving teams! Why is this important? We’ve listed a few reasons below.

1. Following Christ's Example: Jesus Himself modeled a life of service. He said in Mark 10:45, “For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.” Serving others reflects Christ's love and humility.

2. Building Community: The local church is a body of believers, as described in 1 Corinthians 12:12-27. Each member has unique gifts and roles that contribute to the health of the whole body. Serving one another fosters unity and strengthens relationships within the community.

3. Edifying the Church: Ephesians 4:11-13 tells us that God has given leaders and teachers to equip believers for works of service so that the body of Christ may be built up. When we serve, we help each other grow spiritually.

4. Obedience to God's Command: In Galatians 5:13, Paul reminds us that we are called to freedom but should serve one another humbly in love. Serving others is not only an expression of our faith but also an act of obedience to God's will.

5. Impacting the World: Through serving others, especially those in need (James 1:27), we become a light in our communities, demonstrating the love of Christ in tangible ways. This can lead others to faith as they witness our actions reflecting God's love.

6. Personal Growth: Serving helps us develop qualities such as patience, compassion, and humility (Philippians 2:3-4). It also allows us to use our God-given talents and abilities for His glory while growing closer to Him.

We aren’t meant to do life alone and surrounding yourself with other believers is vital for your continued growth as a disciple of Jesus. This is a part of God’s design for his people. You can find this community at Canvas by joining one of our many different small groups. Why is this important? We’ve listed a few additional reasons below.

1. Encouragement & Support: The Bible emphasizes the importance of encouraging one another. Hebrews 10:24-25 states, "And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching." Being in community helps believers encourage each other in their faith journeys.

2. Fellowship: Acts 2:42 describes the early Church as being devoted to fellowship. Community allows Christians to share their lives and experiences with one another, fostering strong relationships that reflect God's love.

3. Service: Christians can use their God-given gifts to serve others within their community. 1 Peter 4:10 encourages believers to use whatever gift they have received to serve others, faithfully administering God’s grace in its various forms. Working together amplifies their impact on those around them.

4. Accountability: Being in a Christian community provides an environment where individuals can hold each other accountable in their spiritual lives (Proverbs 27:17 says, “As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another.”). This accountability helps believers grow closer to God.

5. Spiritual Growth: Community is essential for spiritual growth through teaching and learning from each other (Matthew 28:19-20 calls us to make disciples). Engaging in bible studies and spiritual conversations in a small group environment produces a deeper understanding of Scripture, as well as practical application of its teachings.

We believe that you cannot out-give God because he first gave everything for us. Giving the first of your income every week to God is a principle that goes all the way back to an ancient tradition in the Old Testament where the Israelites would give the first portion of their harvest to God. This discipline is a vital part of the discipleship journey for many reasons included below.

1. Obedience: The Bible teaches us the importance of tithing and giving back a portion of what we have received. In Malachi 3:10, God invites us to bring the whole tithe into the storehouse so that there may be food in His house, promising blessings in return.

2. Supporting The Mission: Your giving financially supports Canvas Church, helps sustain its operations, including paying staff, maintaining facilities, as well as funding various ministries and outreach programs. This enables the church to fulfill its mission of loving God, loving people, and serving others.

3. Gratitude: Giving is a tangible way to express gratitude for the sacrifice of Jesus and for God's blessings in our lives. 2 Corinthians 9:7 states that “God loves a cheerful giver,” reminding us that our giving should come from a place of love and appreciation.

4. Eternal Investment: When we give to the church, we invest in the eternity of others by making it possible for them to find salvation through Jesus (Matthew 28:19-20).

Sharing your faith may feel like a daunting task, but it is something that we are clearly called to do as followers of Jesus. See some of the top reasons why below.

1. The Great Commission: In Matthew 28:19-20, Jesus commands His followers to "go therefore and make disciples of all nations." This instruction highlights the importance of sharing the Gospel and spreading the message of Christ to others.

2. Testifying God’s Love: Sharing your faith is a way to express God's love and grace to those around you. In John 13:34-35, Jesus says that we should love one another, and our love for one another will be a testimony to the world about Him.

3. Transformation Through Christ: Personal testimonies can powerfully demonstrate how God transforms lives. In 2 Corinthians 5:17, we learn that if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. Sharing our stories can encourage others who might be on the fence about seeking God.

4. Building Community: Sharing experiences from your faith journey with other believers fosters community and provides encouragement. Hebrews 10:24-25 encourages us to spur one another on toward love and good deeds, emphasizing the need for fellowship in strengthening our faith.

5. Eternal Perspective: Ultimately, sharing your faith contributes to fulfilling God’s purpose for humanity—leading souls to salvation through Jesus Christ (John 3:16). It reminds us of the eternal implications of our decisions and influences how we interact with others.