By Cameron Silsbee
Begin with prayer
Gather together as a Community in a comfortable setting. Have somebody pray asking the Holy Spirit to lead and guide your time together.
Read this overview
Paul took the time, money, and relational equity to write a letter to the church in the city of Colossae. Almost 2,000 years later that letter has been read and studied in our church – in a city, culture, and context very different from Colossae. Much is different, and yet Paul’s letter still speaks into the life of our church and our own lives.
Navigating the waters of the world still in the midst of a pandemic is challenging. With it comes new challenges crashing into old weaknesses and struggles, along with the uncovering of newly discovered weaknesses and struggles. The ever-present call of our culture is to numb yourself with one more episode, one more takeout order, one more time scrolling through your feed. When you can’t numb yourself anymore, there’s plenty of outrage or fear to dive into. The world is your oyster.
Paul’s letter to the church in Colossae lays out a remarkably simple and yet refreshing perspective on navigating a life that is anchored to Jesus: God has done something incredible. Be grateful for it. Let your gratitude inspire faithfulness and holiness. Let your faithfulness and holiness manifest in showing up. 2,000 years later we still need this.
Talk through the following discussion questions:
Before answering these questions, have one person read Colossians 2v13-15.
- How would you describe this incredible thing God has done for you when he saved you? Try to explain it to the group in a few sentences. Feel free to explain it in purely theological terms, or in personal terms of how it changed your life.
- Do you find it easy in this season of life to have gratitude for God “making you alive with Christ”, or is gratitude something that isn’t as prevalent as you walk with Jesus?
- What part does gratitude play in your growth (or struggle to grow) in faithfulness and holiness?
- In what area(s) of your life with other people do you feel farthest along in your faithfulness and holiness (e.g. at home, with your coworkers, with your Community, etc.)? In what area of your life with other people do you feel weakest in your faithfulness and holiness?
Talk about this week’s Practice as a Community:
This week, take time to read four passages from Colossians. You can slowly read them all in one sitting, or read one per day for four days. Practicing Lectio Divina is one way to help you slow down as you read. As you slowly read through each passage, use the reflection prompt for each text. Feel free to journal your thoughts.
- Colossians 2v13-15. What has changed in your life because of what God has done for you?
- Colossians 2v6-7. What would it look like for you to be “overflowing with gratitude”?
- Colossians 3v5,12. What parts of your earthly nature needs to be put to death? Are you clothing yourself with the things listed by Paul?
- Colossians 3v16-17. What would this look like for you in the context of Community and the Sunday gathering?
Close in prayer
To end your time together, have one person read Paul’s prayer for the church in Colossae in Colossians 1v9-14.