GROUP GUIDE
Leading a group through these questions? Here’s a simple guide for 1.5-2 hour GROUP meeting.
Welcome and Opening Prayer. (5 minutes)
Read the passage aloud. (5 minutes)
Guide the group through the questions. (30-60 minutes)
Take time to share prayer requests and pray for each other. (15-30 minutes)
TEACHING RECAP
Summary: As we try to run after the “good life,” how do we know that we’re going in the right direction? It certainly is possible to go the wrong way and not know it for a while. As we step into Colossians, we’ll see that, for Paul, the answer comes by growing in our knowledge, friendship and obedience to the real Jesus. When we spend time with the authentic, we will increasingly and naturally recognize and reject the counterfeit.
Main Points:
Paul thanks God that the Colossians have faith and fruit in Jesus.
Paul asks God to help the Colossians continue to mature in Jesus.
Paul addresses false perspectives by sharpening his focus on the real Jesus.
On-Ramps:
How do you decide if something is true and good?
What role does prayer play in your daily decisions?
Are you growing daily in knowing and doing God’s will?
Read Colossians in one sitting. (Extra credit for Matthew 5-7).
Discussion
What stands out to you from this passage? How does this passage most challenge or encourage you?
As you go through verses 3-14, list the specific ways that Paul is thankful for the church in Colossae and how he is praying for them.
This week’s sermon refers to Colossians 2:8. What warning does Paul give the church in this verse? Is this warning relevant to you and the people that you care for? How so?
Jeremy mentioned that some hollow, deceptive and persuasive philosophies do seem wise. As you look at the world around you, what examples of this immediately come to mind?
Jeremy took this further by explaining that some people who carry these philosophies call themselves Christians but they are not connected to the real Jesus. In what ways have you encountered this?
Re-read the last sentence of the summary above. In thinking about your journey with Jesus, how have you experienced spending time with the authentic and rejecting the counterfeit?
Share your answers to the three questions in the On-Ramps. Reflect deeply, honestly and openly.
How do you want to respond to this passage in your daily life?
PRAYER
From this week’s passage we see Paul’s example of praying regularly, gratefully and with a focused on God’s kingdom. With that in mind how can we pray for you as a group?
Next week: Colossians 1:15-23
