CONNECT: What are the challenges in your walk with God presently? How could you take another next step?

WARM-UP

1. Have you ever had an encounter with someone famous or “important”?
2. What are the ways in which the world diminishes Jesusʼ greatness? What are the ways in which you are sometimes tempted to diminish your view of Jesusʼ greatness?

Read Colossians 1:15-20

1. What does Paul mean by the “Son” being the image of the invisible God”?
2. If someone wanted to know who God is or what God is like, why do they only need to look to Jesus?
3. What are the ways in which Jesus is supreme in creation? Are there any domains le out?
4. In what way do the priorities of our church reflect that Jesus is in charge?
5. What does Paul mean by Jesus being the beginning and firstborn from among the dead? How does this fill you with expectant hope?
6. What is it about Jesusʼ greatness that fills you with wonder and awe? How is this reflected in your life?

Read Colossians 1:21-23

1. What is the way in which Paul claims that Jesus is supreme in salvation? What is meant by Jesus having reconciled the Colossians through the blood of the cross?
2. Why is it necessary to have peace with God? How can we grasp and enjoy peace with God today?
3. How has Jesusʼ death and resurrection transformed our past, present, and future?
4. In what way has Jesusʼ death and resurrection reconciled the entire cosmos to himself?
5. How were the Colossians being challenged to ʻaddʼ to the Good News? How are we sometimes challenged or tempted to ʻaddʼ to the Gospel?
6. How does Jesusʼ greatness provide you with security day-to-day? How can you practically keep growing in your recognition of how great Jesus is?
7. If Jesusʼ is comprehensively supreme in creation and salvation, what should our response be to him?

APPLY: What is one way this week that you can grow in your recognition and enjoy the reality of Jesusʼ greatness?

On Your Frontline This Week: This is the perfect window of invitation for Alpha - starting May 9. Who are you going to invite this week?

Listen, Watch, and Read:          

• Listen: “An underwritten spirituality with no threat of default” by William Taylor
• Listen: “A transformational spirituality worth pursuing” by William Taylor
• Read: “Translation and Paraphrase of Colossians 1:15-20” by Michael Bird
• Read: “Why does my work matter to God?” by Charles Hippsley (LICC)
• Read: “Colossians: A Christology Worth Singing” by Josh Hayes (the Bible Project)

SERIES Resources:

• Series Overview: Booklet (and Audiobook)  COMING SOON
• 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
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