GREATER THAN. What shines from the passage? What is something that stood out, drew your attention or impacted you the most?

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2 GREATER THAN A SERIES ON THE BOOK OF COLOSSIANS The Book of Colossians is about Jesus with a capital J. The goal of this short letter is to help us understand the supremacy of Jesus in all things. It s not that Colossians is not practical; it helps us understand our identity and know our purpose, it shows us the path to true freedom, and teaches us about life-giving relationships. But, more than anything else it helps us see Jesus in all His glory, and when we get a glimpse of Jesus as the One who is before all things and over all things, it changes the way we see all things. A NOTE ABOUT...NOTES The word of God is to be soaked up. Too often we are excited, encouraged and even challenged by a sermon we hear, only to forget what we ve heard the moment we hop in our cars. The problem: not us but our method. Like a rich cup of tea, our lives need to steep in God s word. It s important to take the time to let the Bible brew in our hearts and in our minds, so that we can soak up what we ve heard. We can do this is by reflecting on the Bible - making personal connections to the passage and by finding ways to apply what we ve learned to our lives. Along with study questions to be discussed in our community groups, we ve included space for personal reflection. Our hope is that answering the following 3 questions will help you to extract the most from God s word: What shines from the passage? What is something that stood out, drew your attention or impacted you the most? Do you have any questions about the passage that you might want to ask God? This might be something that was difficult to understand or that you disagreed with. How can you apply what you ve learned to your life? What course of action might you need to take?

3 GREATER THAN A SERIES ON THE BOOK OF COLOSSIANS COLOSSIANS 3:5-11 2

4 STUDY QUESTIONS ONE: Read Colossians 3:5-11. How did the Holy Spirit challenge you and comfort you through this section of God s word? TWO: In your opinion, do we talk about sin too much or not enough? Why might it be important and what are the benefits to understanding sin and it s consequences? THREE: Read Romans 6:1-2. If Christians have their lives hidden with Christ and will appear with Him in glory (Colossians 3:3-4), why bother to avoid sinning? See Ephesians 4:30, 1 Corinthians 3:12-15, 2 Corinthians 5:10, 1 John 1:9, 3:9, 1 Peter 3:7, Romans 6:13. FOUR: Read Colossians 3:5 and 3:8. How should we treat sin? See also Matthew 18:7-9 and Romans 8:13. Currently, do you tend to be ruthless or reckless in your fight against sin? Practically, what steps need to be taken in your life in order to put to death all sin and temptation? FIVE: Spend time defining the list of words in verse 5 and verse 8. Describe various ways and situations they occur. Is there any person you need to reconcile with and ask forgiveness from? Create a plan to do that this week.

5 GREATER THAN A SERIES ON THE BOOK OF COLOSSIANS COLOSSIANS 3:

6 STUDY QUESTIONS ONE: Read Colossians 3: In your opinion, which of the Christian virtues given here by Paul comes most naturally to our society? Is most countercultural? Which virtue are you personally challenged most to grow in? How do you plan to go about putting on this virtue of Christ? TWO: Verse 13 tells us that we are to forgive each other. What makes forgiveness so difficult? See Matthew 6:12, Why do you think Paul and Jesus tell us that we MUST forgive others? Why the strong language? Is there anyone you need to forgive? Spend time reflecting on how the Lord forgave you as motivation to do this. THREE: Read verse 14. Practically, how do we go about inwardly having greater love for one another? i.e. What makes you love someone more? FOUR: On a scale of 1-10, how well are you doing in having the word of Christ dwelling in you (See v.16)? What are some ways you ve found helpful in accomplishing this? As a community group and as a church, how can we do a better job in teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom? FIVE: What does do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus look like for you in your sphere of life (see verse 17 and 1 Cor 10:31)? What aspects of your Christian life are you compartmentalizing and not living as though you ve been changed by Christ?

7 GREATER THAN A SERIES ON THE BOOK OF COLOSSIANS COLOSSIANS 3:

8 STUDY QUESTIONS ONE: Read Colossians 3: What are some of the concerns or hesitancies you have regarding the issue of gender roles within the household? Why do you think the majority of individuals within our society are opposed to this teaching? What questions do you have related to this topic? TWO: Read the following passages to help you along in your discussion: Genesis 1:26-27, 2:18, Proverbs 31:10-31, 1 Corinthians 11:3, 7-9, Galatians 3:28, Ephesians 5:22-33, 1 Peter 3:1-7. From the verses, what do we learn that biblical manhood and womanhood is NOT? What should submission and headship look like at home? When a spouse is not a follower of Jesus? When is it difficult to fulfill these God given responsibilities? THREE: Why should we adhere to these gender roles within a marriage, especially since they are so counter-cultural? FOUR: For those who are single, what can be taken away from this Biblical teaching on marriage? FIVE: Spend time praying for one another. Ask God to give you the joy and strength to fulfill the role appointed to you.

9 GREATER THAN A SERIES ON THE BOOK OF COLOSSIANS COLOSSIANS 3:

10 STUDY QUESTIONS ONE: Read Colossians 3: What did the Holy Spirit highlight for you in these 2 verses? Do you have any questions you would like to discuss? Share either a memory with your children or with your parents that played an important role in shaping your or their personal growth. What are some of the parenting styles you ve copied from your parents and applied to your own children? Done differently? TWO: Keep the following verses in mind throughout your discussion: Exodus 20:12, Deuteronomy 6:4-8, Psalm 127:3-5, Proverbs 1:8-9, 22:6, Romans 1:30, Ephesians 6:1-4, 2 Timothy 3:2. As a group, what would you say are the primary goals and responsibilities of parents? What are some valuable ways of tying to accomplishing these purposes? THREE: Why might God be pleased when children obey their parents (v. 20)? As a parent, what is it that your children do that makes you feel honored? FOUR: Read verse 21. What does it mean for a child to be discouraged? What is the opposite of a child being discouraged? How do Fathers end up provoking their children to the point of discouragement? How can Father s raise their children to ensure they don t become discouraged? FIVE: How can this teaching about children and fathers be relevant for those who don t have children or don t have a dad? SIX: Spend time praying for the parents and children in our church.

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12 In writing to the Colossians Paul teaches that all parts of our salvation are to be found in Christ alone, that they may not seek anything elsewhere; and he puts them in mind that it was in Christ that they had obtained every blessing that they possessed, in order that they might the more carefully make it their aim to hold Him fast to the end. And indeed even this one article would be perfectly sufficient of itself to make us reckon this epistle, short as it is, to be an inestimable treasure. For what is of greater importance in the whole system of heavenly doctrine than to have Christ drawn to the life, so that we may clearly contemplate His excellence, His office, and all the fruits that accrue to us therefrom? -John Calvin

13 GREATER THAN A SERIES ON THE BOOK OF COLOSSIANS COLOSSIANS 3:22-4:1 12

14 STUDY QUESTIONS ONE: Read Colossians 3:22-4:1. How did the Holy Spirit convict you and encourage you through this section of Scripture? Do you have any questions regarding this passage you would like to further examine and discuss? TWO: Currently, is there an area of work where you find it difficult to work with sincerity of heart as for the Lord and not for men? How might you better honor God through your work and the way you work? THREE: Wrongly or rightly, what are some things that motivate or demotivate us in regards to work? According to this passage, what factors and motivators does Paul list that ought to govern the behavior of slaves and masters, or in our context, employees and employers? Moving forward, how can go about remembering this truths as we work? FOUR: What does it mean and look like to correctly fear the Lord (v. 22)? How might one incorrectly fear the Lord? FIVE: Pray for one another, asking God to use your work as a way of bringing Him honor.

15 GREATER THAN A SERIES ON THE BOOK OF COLOSSIANS COLOSSIANS 4:2-6 14

16 STUDY QUESTIONS ONE: Read Colossians 4:2-6. What stood out to you from this passage? What areas of your life were challenged to change or grow in? TWO:Normally, what do you find yourself saying and asking for in prayer? Do you find it difficult to continue steadfastly in prayer? Why? Why do you think God might delay in answering your prayers and desire for you to persevere in prayer? What are some ways we can pray with an attitude of thanksgiving? Why does Paul enlist the prayers of the church in Colossae? i.e. Why not just pray for it himself? Are there certain people or ministries you are impassioned to pray for, that God may open to [them] a door for the word? THREE: Currently, how central is evangelism in your Christian walk? What are some of the struggles or fears you are facing in this regard? What are some factors that can prevent effective evangelism? Discuss what it looks like to proclaim the gospel in the manner described in verses 5-6? Which of these areas could you personally improve upon? Who has God put on your heart to proclaim the gospel to? How can you go about making plans to do this? FOUR: Spend time praying for one another. Ask God to open doors to speak boldly, clearly and persuasively of the good news of Jesus Christ.

17 GREATER THAN A SERIES ON THE BOOK OF COLOSSIANS COLOSSIANS 4:

18 STUDY QUESTIONS ONE: As a group, think back through the entire book of Colossians: What are some of the major themes? Personally: How have you been impacted? How have your thoughts and actions changed? What will you take away? TWO: In what ways did the Holy Spirit use Colossians 3:7-18 to impact your life? THREE: What lessons and encouragements can be gleaned from the story of John Mark s abandonment (Acts 13:13-14, 15:36-4) and reconciliation with Paul (Colossians 4:10, 2 Timothy 4:11, Philemon 24)? From the story of Demas? See Colossians 4:14 and 2 Timothy 4:9-10. Note the different spiritual tra jectories of John Mark and Demas. FOUR: Despite the fact they aren t exactly spiritual super-heroes (besides maybe Mark and Luke), Paul believes it s worthy and of value to mention the people listed in verses What implications do this have for your life? FIVE: Read Colossians 4:15. What constitutes a church? What are some of the instructions the Bible gives for a church? How is your community group different from a church? How can your community group go about doing a better job in accomplishing all that a church is intended to do and be?

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