1. What similarities do you find in Col. 3:12-17 and Ephesians 4:22-24; 31-32?
2. Where do you see the “see-saw” in Paul’s teaching again in this passage? (identity to lifestyle and back and forth)
3. Is verse 13 easy or difficult to follow? Why?
4. Why should we “above all” other things choose to put on love? Why love?
5. Thanksgiving is a major theme here but why? (attitude of gratitude)
6. Notice how Paul doesn’t lists rules or laws in this passage; but he does give direction and ideals. Read the following quotes and discuss how they shed light on this passage.  “We are not shaped by rules, we are shaped by a Ruler. And “We are not taxpayers with rights, we are sinners saved by grace.” — Mark Meynell

1. What’s your main takeaway from the sermon?
2. What are the shadows and what is the substance? (Col. 2:17; Heb. 10:1)
3. How have you experienced the two main points, “Don’t be judged by legalists” and “Don’t be disqualified by mystics,”  How did Jesus experience and deal with them?
4. Why is the metaphor of viewing Christ as the Head of the body, the church, so important? What can we infer from the images of a head, body, ligaments, joints and growth etc.? (Col. 2:19 / Eph. 4:15-16)
5. In 2 Corinthians, Paul does a little role playing, pretending almost to act like a “super-apostle” to point out the foolishness of self-centered boasting. Examine his message to the Corinthians and compare it to what he says to the Colossians about Christ as the Head and the Center versus the false teaching of the legalists and mystics. (Look at 2 Corinthians 11-12, particularly on 2 Cor. 11:12-12:10. I know its a lengthy passage but it helps to see his whole flow of thought and what he really ends up boasting in at the end.)

v Questions for small groups or personal study.  Job Description of a Christian Minister | Colossians 1:24-2:5   #CenterofAllThings October 10, 2021

• What’s your main takeaway from the sermon? 
• Which of the points from the sermon outline below stuck out to you the most? and why?  
• How does this sermon and message apply to you even though you may not be a full-time minister or pastor? What part do you play in this?  
• In 1:28, what does Paul mean by stating his goal to “present everyone mature in Christ?” How is the Christian life one of maturing and growing? (microwave or crockpot) Compare Eph. 4:11-14; Phil. 3:13-14; Col. 1:28. 
• Paul says he has a great struggle for them and then goes on to list words of his prayer for them and the church at Laodicea. Examine his prayer and discuss what he prays for. (Col. 2:1-3) 

Questions for Small Groups and Personal Study I’m Praying For You | Colossians 1:9-14  #CenterofAllThings  September 26, 20211.Share with the group one main takeaway from the sermon. What impacted you or stuck out to you? 2. Share with the group a time when prayer became an essential part of your life, either you prayed for others or others prayed for you? 3.What should “I’m praying for you” really mean in a church community?  4. Look at and review the content of Paul’s prayer in Col. 9-14. What does he pray for specifically? How is his prayer similar or dissimilar from our own prayer lives or prayer habits? 5. Verse 9 uses words like “knowledge, wisdom and understanding” and then ties those words to a physical walking and outward lifestyle that is pleasing to God. What is the connection between our knowledge of God and our daily lifestyle? What is the danger of disconnecting knowledge and understanding of God from our lifestyle and ethics? 6.Paul says a life fully pleasing to God is a life “bearing fruit, increasing in knowledge, being strengthened with power, and giving thanks.” How do these phrases describe an overview of a truly Christian life? In what ways do you see or you would like to see this being worked out in your own life? Spend some time in prayer. You could have each person pray for 2 or 3 specific things. You could try praying some of the exact words and phrases Paul uses in Colossians 1. When we don’t know how to pray or what to pray; I find letting scripture inform our prayers is a great place to start.

1. What condition is the psalmist experiencing in Psalm 42:1-2? If the writer himself is likened to a deer, what do the dried up “streams” represent?
2. Since the cause was not sin, what elements appear to have triggered the psalmist’s condition? Look through the entire psalm (that is, both Psalms 42 and 43).
3. How might each “trigger” factor noted in Q.2 apply to you today?
4. What does the psalmist do to face this condition?
5. Psalms 42 & 43 point us to the true hope we can have in the midst of trouble. What is that hope and how does the Gospel of Jesus help deepen our understanding of that hope?