Colossians 3:1-11
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This is the sixth sermon in our series on the Colossians. This sermon is “Growing in Christ”.
Questions and going deeper resources
Small group questions
CONNECT: How can you be on guard against taking up or promoting counterfeit forms of spirituality?
WARM-UP
- Have you ever had to change jobs to another company in the same field? What was it like doing the same job under different ownership?
- Whose ownership are we under? Why? How does this shape the way we live our lives?
Read Colossians 3:1-4
- How have we been ʻraised with Christʼ? What event can give us the ultimate confirmation of our hope of our relationship with God and future?
- Where are we to set our hearts and minds? What does this mean in practice for us? Where are we usually drawn to setting our hearts and minds?
- Where is our life ʻhiddenʼ at the moment? How can this give us a secure hope?
- When will this all be revealed? In what ways can you shape your life in the light of this certain expectation and hope?
Read Colossians 3:5-11
- What things are we to put to death? What sort of things does the world tell us to ʻput to deathʼ?
- What are some practical ways to put these things away if tempted by them?
- How does Paul remind us of both the seriousness of these things but the hope of Jesus in these verses?
- How can we be assured of Godʼs forgiveness if we fall into any of these lists in V5 and V8? To which life do these things belong?
- What does it mean to take off the old self and put on the new? In what ways is the new completely different to and better than the old? What things can help remind you of the new self?
- What next steps could you take to grow in your intimacy with and knowledge of God?
- Are there any barriers between those who are in Jesus? What barriers may we be tempted to put up? What is the thing that unifies us?
APPLY: What things of the old life do you need to take off? What things can you put on to help you?
Prayer
Lord, thanks that you have brought us from death to life in Jesus. Help us to keep our eyes, our wills, our desires, and our actions focused on you. Keep us from the things of old and help us to grow in the new. Amen.
Going deeper resources
On Your Frontline This Week: How can you pray for the politics of our country & the politics on your frontline?
Listen, Watch, and Read:
- Listen: “Life and Death” by Simon Manchester
- Listen: “A spirituality that works personally” by William Taylor
- Listen: “Behaving” by Alistair Begg
- Read: “Holiness” by JC Ryle
SERIES Resources:
- Read: St Bart’s Colossians Series Overview
- Book: NIV Scripture Journal for Colossians
- Book: “Paul for Everyone: The Prison Letters” by Tom Wright
- Commentary: “Colossians” by Michael Bird (eBook)
- Video: “Letter to the Colossians” by N. T. Wright
- Video: Bible Project Overview of Colossians
- Course: (Paid) “Paul and his Letter to the Colossians” on Udemy
