Colossians: Jesus Above All - Week 7

Week 6: Colossians 3:1-17
These questions are written to be used during our house church meetings in Katy on Tuesday nights and in Sugar Land on Wednesday nights. If you are unable to attend a gathering this week, we encourage you to use these questions at home to sink more deeply into this series on Colossians.

Icebreaker
What are some instances where it is important to “keep your eye on the ball” (keeping your eyes where you want to go)?

Background
This is an epistle (or letter) written by Paul in the early 50’s while he was in prison. The letter was intended for the church in Colossae which was planted by Epaphras. This Colossian church plant was in the middle of a pagan city with a high population of Jews. The main purpose of this letter is found in chapter 2 verse 8, to protect the church from man-made philosophies and traditions.

Read and Reflect
Read Colossians 3:1-17
Don't be hesitant to use a dictionary or online resource (like Biblegateway.com) to look up any words you don't understand or names you are not familiar with. However, if you find yourself unsure of the message or lesson of a passage, we encourage you to bring this passage to God in prayer. Ask questions and sit with the biggest point of resistance while you rest, work, and commute. Bring your thoughts to your family or a trusted friend. Let God speak through his Word, through your meditations, and through the community of faith.

Discussion

1. What is the passage saying? Try to restate it in your own words. What do you find interesting or what causes more questions?
2. What do you notice about the order of this passage? It may help to quickly summarize each paragraph to see Paul’s movement.
3.  Do you see the things that should be put to death present in the church? Do you see the things Christians are called to put on in the church? Is it okay for both to be present in a church? Why or why not?

Go Deeper

• Passages like this have bite - there is always something that either pricks our hearts or that we ignore…As you reflect on what is biting at you today, remember the difference between shame and guilt. Guilt says, “I have failed”, but shame says, “I am a failure.” Do not fall into shame; fall into God who provides a better way. Read the things we are called to put on and really consider what it would look like to intentionally practice one of them for the next month.