The Good News Changes Everything
Key Points:
- The “Good News” is the message that Jesus came to rescue us. Paul had seen this firsthand in his own story. Colossians 1:13
- The Good News changes lives everywhere it goes. God wants to transfer all of us “into the kingdom of his dear son.” Colossians 1:6
- The Good News changes the way believers see reality. As citizens of a new kingdom, we live to honor God and we grow into the people he truly made us to be. Colossians 1:9-12.
- The Good News changes what is actually true about us. When our sins are forgiven, we are “born again” and recreated into the people God wants us to be. Colossians 1:12-14, John 3:3
- What is your initial reaction to this topic? What jumped out at you?
- Do you follow the news? Why or why not?
- Read Colossians 1:13. In your own words, what is “the gospel”? When was the first time you really understood it?
- What do you think it means to live in the “kingdom of darkness” versus the “kingdom of light?” Is it just about being a good, moral person versus being a bad or immoral person? Explain.
- Share a story of someone’s life that was changed after hearing the good news of Jesus. How does your story compare?
- Read Colossians 1:9-12. How has the message of Jesus changed your perspective on life? Give an example.
- What does it mean that the message of Jesus changes what is actually true about us? How would you communicate that to someone who struggled with guilt or shame?
- Read John 3:3. Why do you think Jesus describes faith as a type of “rebirth?” What should all of us take away from this teaching of Jesus?
- Write a personal action step based on this conversation.
The Ancient Secret of God’s Eternal Plan
In Colossians 1:24-2:5, the Apostle Paul reveals the “mystery” of God’s plan from the beginning of time. The people of God in the Old Testament (OT) – the nation of Israel – felt special to have been singled out and given so much attention by God. But when Jesus came, things started changing. The offer of connection with God – and the hope and freedom that comes with it – started reaching well beyond the Jewish community into all the world.
Christ Can Live in Anyone Who Believes
For centuries, the Jewish people had suffered because of their unfaithfulness to God. After returning to Israel from exile in Babylon, they were ready to take God seriously and keep the covenant he made with Israel. But then Jesus came and said that this old covenant was changing.
Colossians 1:26-27 This message was kept secret for centuries and generations past, but now it has been revealed to God’s people. For God wanted them to know that the riches and glory of Christ are for you Gentiles, too.
Now, God was calling all people to himself – Jew and Gentile alike. This “mysterious” new covenant wasn’t about being Jewish, but about believing in Jesus Christ (Romans 3:22; Ephesians 3:6).
The Heart of the Message Is Christ Himself
The heart of this mysterious new message is not impersonal religious devotion like the religious leaders of Jesus’s day had, but personal relationship with Jesus Christ that his earliest followers had.
Colossians 1:27 And this is the secret: Christ lives in you. This gives you assurance of sharing his glory.
[Related: The Grounds of Our Assurance]
Authentic, Personal Faith Can Give Believers Complete Confidence
The assurance Christians have isn’t based on their religious observance or their unique religious traditions, but on their connection to the source of their faith – Jesus himself. Assurance comes from Christ in us (Ephesians 1:12-14).
Colossians 2:2 I want them to be encouraged and knit together by strong ties of love. I want them to have complete confidence that they understand God’s mysterious plan, which is Christ himself.
The results of this faith are the changed lives God wants for all of us (Colossians 2:5). This is a work God does in us through his Holy Spirit and is the evidence of a changed heart.
The good news about this good news is that our confidence is not in our own performance, devotion, or knowledge but in the person of Jesus Christ and his performance, devotion, and knowledge.
Because of Jesus, we don’t have to jump through religious hoops, compete with others, or live in fear. The great mystery is that God wants to be in relationship with everyone who will believe in him – and that includes all of us. But will we accept God’s invitation?
- What is your initial reaction to this topic? What jumped out at you?
- Have you ever felt excluded from a group? What happened?
- Why do you think religious communities tend to separate insiders from outsiders?
- What are some of the reasons that you think people end up as outsiders?
- Read Colossians 1:24-27. In your own words, explain the secret of the gospel. Why do you think God kept it secret for so long?
- According to Ephesians 2:8-9, how is a person saved? Why is the answer to that question so wonderful?
- Read Colossians 2:2. In what way does knowing Jesus give you confidence?
- “The great mystery,” Paul is revealing here is that Christ wants to live in you. How does the reality of Christ living in us change our lives in positive ways?
- Paul rejoices because the faith of the Colossians was strong. Share a time when your faith in God was strong.
- Write a personal action step based on this conversation.
This topic is part 3 of the Enough series. For sermon resources, click here.
10 Facts that Prove the Supremacy of Christ
Talking Points:
- #1 Jesus Reveals the invisible God – In the physical, visible Jesus, we see all the characteristics of the spiritual, invisible God. Colossians 1:15
- #2 Jesus rules over creation – Jesus is sovereign over all of creation. This should make us revere him, but it should also give us great comfort because he is for us, not against us.
- #3 Everything was created through him – Jesus is not created, but creator. God the Father spoke, and Jesus was the agent who carried out creation of both heavenly and earthly things. Colossians 1:16
- #4 Everything was made for Jesus – Not only was Jesus active in creating everything, but everything was made for him. This means that the goal of creation is to glorify Jesus.
- #5 Jesus holds all creation together right now – He is not on the heavenly sidelines but is directly involved in the administration of everything. Colossians 1:17
- #6 Jesus is the head of the Church – The church, called Jesus’ “body,” is everyone in all of history who has ever trusted Jesus alone for their salvation and forgiveness. Colossians 1:18
- #7 Jesus reigns over death – Jesus defeated death when he went to the cross and was resurrected on the third day.
- #8 Jesus is fully God – Jesus isn’t “God Jr.” or “Diet God, Now with 0 Sugar!” He is God with a big “G.” Colossians 1:19
- #9 Jesus has the power to save you – Jesus alone has the power to save all of us. He made peace through his self-sacrifice on the cross. Colossians 1:20
- #10 Jesus has the desire to save you – Not only can Jesus save us, he wants to. Colossians 1:21-22
- Initial reactions to this topic? What jumped out at you?
- What was your picture of Jesus when you were a kid? Where did that picture of Jesus come from?
- Read the list of statements about Jesus. Which one stands out to you most? Why?
- What is your overall impression of Jesus from this passage (Colossians 1:15-23)?
- Read Colossians 1:15. What can we learn about the character of God from Jesus?
- Read Colossians 1:16-17. Describe Jesus’s role in the creation of the world at the beginning and today. What does this teach us about God’s relationship with the world?
- Read Colossians 1:19. What does this verse say about who Jesus is? How would you explain this verse to someone who has questions about Jesus’s identity?
- What’s one new thing you learned about Jesus through this topic?
- Is there a step you need to take based on today’s topic?
Keeping Christ in the Christian Life
Key Points:
- Following Jesus is not about meeting the expectations of others. Expectations others put on us, unless they are biblical, shouldn’t be the guiding stars of our Christian experience.
- Following Jesus is not about keeping religious rules. Only Jesus himself can set us free from sin – a work he does in us from the inside-out.
- Following Jesus is about cultivating a deep connection to him. When we remove deep relationship with Jesus from our faith, we have taken Christ out of the Christian life.
Quote This:
Colossians 2:13 You were dead because of your sins and because your sinful nature was not yet cut away. Then God made you alive with Christ, for he forgave all our sins.
See Also: Christian Living, Sermonlink
- What is your initial reaction to this topic? What jumped out at you?
- Read Colossians 2:16-19. Identify the behavioral expectations the Colossian Christians were being condemned about. According to these verses, what is wrong with that approach?
- Make two lists. First, list some biblical expectations for the Christian life. Second, list some non-biblical expectations that are often associated with the Christian life. What do you learn from this comparison?
- Why do you think some religious people like to create behavioral expectations for others?
- Read Colossians 2:20-23. Why does keeping the rules seem like a wise approach to following Christ? According to these verses, what is actually wrong with that approach?
- Read Colossians 2:6-7. What do you think it means to “let your roots grow down into Christ”? What would that look like in practice?
- Cultivating a deep connection with Christ involves certain intentional practices like prayer and Bible reading. How can we keep those practices from becoming a new set of expectations or religious rules?
- Write a personal action step based on this conversation.
This is part of the Enough series. Click here for sermon resources.
3 Steps to a New Identity in Christ
Talking Points:
- Step #1: Stop looking down for the answers. We try to find our identity in our marriages, our grades, our work, or something else. This will fail every time. Colossians 3:1-4
- Step #2: Put to death your old life without Jesus. We have to want to put to death our sinful nature and our old habits, and we have to actually do something about it. Colossians 3:5-9
- Step #3: Put on your new life with Jesus. Through personal prayer and devotion, meditating on God’s word, worship, small groups, serving, and mentoring, you can “put on” your identity in Jesus daily. Colossians 3:10-11
- Initial reactions to this topic? What jumped out at you?
- Make a list of things that you’ve allowed to define you. How has your view of yourself changed according to these things?
- Read Colossians 3:1-4 and share why you think God wants us to set our sights on God and heaven and not of the things on the earth? How come it is so easy to forget about heaven?
- Make a list of where you think most people go first to get help. Then Read Psalm 121:1-2 and share where the psalmist thinks we need to go and why.
- Read Colossians 3:5-9 and share from this list why it is so difficult to stop these actions.
- Share what you think about this quote by John Owens, “Be killing sin or sin will be killing you.”
- Consider the 10 sinful responses to sin. Which one best describes your typical response to sin, and why?
- Read Colossians 3:10. By putting on your new identity in Christ, you also put on his new power and presence in your life. Why do you think this is so important for the Christian? In what areas of your life have you seen change since placing your trust in Jesus? What areas still need to be “put to death”?
- Is there a step you need to take based on today’s topic?
Taking Your Faith to the Next Level
Are you tired of being stuck in your Christian life? Colossians 3:12-17 are helpful verses for taking your faith in Jesus to the next level.
Colossians 3:12-17 Since God chose you to be the holy people he loves, you must clothe yourselves with tenderhearted mercy, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience. Make allowance for each other’s faults, and forgive anyone who offends you. Remember, the Lord forgave you, so you must forgive others. Above all, clothe yourselves with love, which binds us all together in perfect harmony. And let the peace that comes from Christ rule in your hearts. For as members of one body you are called to live in peace. And always be thankful. Let the message about Christ, in all its richness, fill your lives. Teach and counsel each other with all the wisdom he gives. Sing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs to God with thankful hearts. And whatever you do or say, do it as a representative of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks through him to God the Father.
Realize That You Always Represent Jesus
God is the one who chose us to be holy – set apart – because he loves us. This means that we are different from everyone else and we are both called to live in-step with our new identity in Christ and equipped to do so by God’s word and Holy Spirit. That’s why the end of this section instructs us to represent Jesus in all things (Colossians 3:17). But how can we practically do that?
#1 Put on a “Me-Second” Attitude
The world tells us to put ourselves first. Everything’s about what we feel and what we want and our identity and being unique. If other people get in the way of that, it’s okay to push them aside. Christians, on the other hand, should have a “me-second” attitude.
Luke 22:26 But among you it will be different. Those who are the greatest among you should take the lowest rank, and the leader should be like a servant.
Jesus showed this attitude throughout his ministry and taught us to share in it (Colossians 3:12). We are to clothe ourselves with mercy, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience, and we can do this because of Jesus’s work in our hearts.
#2 Don’t Get Stuck in Unforgiveness
A pattern of unforgiveness is a telltale sign that you really haven’t been impacted by Jesus. Why? Christianity is all about being forgiven by Jesus and sharing that forgiveness with others. We forgive as we have been forgiven (Colossians 3:13). Imagine if every Christian truly believed this and lived it out every day. Christians would be universally seen as the best friends, students, and co-workers.
1 Peter 2:12 Be careful to live properly among your unbelieving neighbors. Then even if they accuse you of doing wrong, they will see your honorable behavior, and they will give honor to God when he judges the world.
#3 Speak in a Way That Points People to Jesus
It’s easy to forget that our words can hurt others and that our words reflect Christ – for good or for ill. We should always speak in ways that point people to Jesus (Colossians 3:16-17). The most basic thing we should be doing in our interactions with others whether in person, on the phone, in the car, or on the internet, is that the richness of Christ is filling our lives and transforming us into godly people. When people see and hear us, they should see and hear Jesus in us.
- What is your initial reaction to this topic? What jumped out at you?
- Read 1 Peter 1:16. What are some areas you can grow in a “lifestyle of holiness?”
- Read Colossians 3:12. Which attribute would you say you are growing in? Which one do you need the most growth in?
- Read Luke 22:26. Can you think of anyone who has adopted a “me-second” way of life?
- What would happen in the important relationships of life if we put others first rather than putting ourselves first?
- Read Colossians 3:13-14. Share a story of when you were caught up in unforgiveness.
- Read Mattew 18:28-30. Is there anyone that God is challenging you to forgive? What happens when we extend forgiveness to others?
- Read Colossians. 3:17. What’s your reaction to the truth that our actions and words can show others how great Jesus is?
- Write a personal action step based on this conversation.
This is part of the Enough series. Click here for sermon resources.
How Jesus Transforms Marriage
Key Points:
- The message of Colossians 3:18-19 can be challenging in today’s culture, which is so focused on equality between the sexes. Wives submitting to husbands is something from the Dark Ages!
- Marriage was created by God. Genesis 2:23-24 Marriage is a good thing, and God has given us guidelines for marriage.
- Wives must respect the leadership of their husbands. “Submission” isn’t about a wife gladly accepting abuse and derision from her husband. Colossians 3:18; Ephesians 5:21
- Husbands must sacrificially love their wives and care for them. There is nothing unbiblical about a husband doing domestic chores. It’s about laying himself down sacrificially to care for his wife, not being a dictator in the home. Colossians 3:19
- Marriage is meant to make husbands and wives more like Jesus. Marriage is meant to make us holy, not happy. Marriage, done right, does make us happy. But it most importantly makes us more like Jesus Christ.
Quote This:
Colossians 3:18-19 Wives, submit to your husbands, as is fitting for those who belong to the Lord. Husbands, love your wives and never treat them harshly.
- What is your initial reaction to this topic? What jumped out at you?
- Think about some of your basic convictions about marriage. Where did these come from? How much did your family of origin influence your views on marriage?
- Why is it important to understand the authority of the Bible before we look at what the Bible has to say about marriage? How do we decide who to follow when the Bible and culture disagree?
- Read Genesis 2:18-25. Make a list of principles about marriage that you learn from this passage.
- (For men.) Read Colossians 3:18-19 and Ephesians 5:22-33. How would you describe the love that a husband is supposed to have for his wife? Who is the model for this type of love?
- (For women.) Read Colossians 3:18-19. What is the meaning of “submit” in this passage? What are some ways that this can be done in a marriage? How would you answer the objection that this passage makes women into second-class citizens?
- What is the motivation for obeying the commands to husbands and wives in the Bible?
- Write a personal action step based on this conversation.
Click here for sermon resources.
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