Read: Colossians 4:1a, Ephesians 6:9, Matthew 18:21-35
What type of illustration did Jesus use to teach about mercy? How does it also illustrate Colossians 4:1?
How can this perspective help prevent favoritism and discrimination in today’s workplace?
How can this same lesson apply to your place of employment? What specific steps can you take?
Read: Colossians 4:1a, Ephesians 6:9, Matthew 22:39, James 2:8-9
How can position and power cause discrimination within the workplace? How have you seen this happen?
Why can this be especially challenging for upper management in a company? How can Matthew 22:39 help?
In what way is God challenging your current management style? Be specific.
Read: Colossians 4:1a, Ephesians 6:5, 9
What two words does Paul use to describe a Christian management style in today’s working environment?
What is the sinful alternative? How are Christian employers called to a higher standard? Be specific.
How can you apply this truth at your job? Give a specific example that you can step into today.
Read: Exodus 34:29-35, 2 Corinthians 3:7-18
Why was the face of Moses shining? Why would he cover it? How can we reflect the glory of God?
What’s the difference between what happened to Moses and what 2 Corinthians says happens to us?
In what ways do you put a veil over yourself? How can you take it off? Why is it necessary to be unveiled?
Read: James 5:16, 1 John 1:5-9, 2 Corinthians 7:9-10
Why is it necessary to confess our sins to God and to other people? What happens when we do that? Do you?
How are confession and repentance connected? Why can’t you have one without the other?
What’s the difference between godly guilt/grief and worldly? Are you sensitive to God’s grief to bring repentance?
Read: Galatians 5:16-25, Romans 6:1-23
Which of the works of the flesh do you struggle with the most? Which of the fruit of the Spirit do you need most?
What does it mean to “walk in the Spirit?” How can you do that more? What prevents it? What aids it?
How does knowing that you’re no longer enslaved to sin help you conquer sin? Are you still living as if you are?
Read: 1 Timothy 4:1-8, Galatians 6:7-9
What were the things being taught by those with a seared conscience in Timothy’s day? What are they today?
How does godliness benefit you in this life? How will it benefit you in the life to come? Is that motivating?
What is being sown into your soul regularly? Are you strengthening the Spirit or flesh? What needs to change?
Read: Matthew 11:25-30, James 1:19-25
Why did Jesus say that his yoke is easy and his burden light? Do you find it easier to sin or follow Jesus?
Jesus said in him you’d find rest for your soul. Has your soul found rest in Jesus? If not, why not?
How will we be blessed when we follow the Word of God? What blessings do we miss out on when we don’t?
Read: Jeremiah 17:7-9, Genesis 3:1-13
How does the deceitfulness of the human heart shape our world today? How have you seen it in your life?
In what ways do the experience Adam and Eve had with sin mirror your own? How are they different?
What could they/should they have done differently? What do you do when tempted? What should you do?
Read: Colossians 3:23-25, Philemon 1-25
In what way was the Onesimus and Philemon struggle a real-life example of Colossians 3:23-25?
How did Onesimus take control of the situation rather than trust God? What was Paul’s response?
How can you see yourself in Onesimus? What specific steps will you take this week to apply this truth?
Read: Colossians 3:23-25, Genesis 39
In what way did Potiphar mistreat Joseph? How would you have felt being in Joseph’s shoes?
Explain how Joseph was an example of Colossians 3:23-25. How would you have been tempted to respond?
How does Joseph either encourage or challenge you at your place of employment? Be specific.
Read: Colossians 3:23-25, 17, Ephesians 6:7-8
In what way does every Christian have two bosses where they work? Why is this important to remember?
How can this be especially helpful when there is a challenging work environment? Give an example.
Explain how this truth is essentially an issue of faith vs. control. How does this encourage you?
Read: Colossians 3:22, Ephesians 6:5, 1 Peter 2:18-22, 1 Timothy 6:1-2, Titus 2:9-10
What do you find especially challenging when it comes to respecting and obeying your boss?
What does today’s scripture teach about respecting the role rather than the behavior of a boss?
Why is this important? In what way will this ultimately impact a work ethic? How does this adjust you?
Read: Colossians 3:22, Ephesians 6:6, 1 Thessalonians 4:11-12, 1 Corinthians 10:31
Explain the central truth that Paul is teaching regarding a Christian’s work ethic. Why is it important?
How does this relate to manipulation, schmoozing, and playing the political game?
In what way can this happen in the workplace? What is God teaching you about your work ethic?
Read: Colossians 3:22, Exodus 21:1-11, 16, 26-27, Deuteronomy 23:15-16, 1 Corinthians 7:20-24
How would you describe slavery in the ancient world? In what way was it different than slavery in the United States?
Why did Paul help Christians to live as slaves rather than just condemning slavery all together?
How would you respond to someone saying the Bible supports slavery? How has this been misinterpreted?
Read: Colossians 3:21, Ephesians 4:25-27, 6:4a
Why does Paul warn against unresolved anger? (i.e. what happens?) How have you seen this take place?
Why is this a critical issue in parenting and provoking children? What has been your experience?
What lessons should every parent take from Paul’s warning? What specifically applies to you?
Read: Colossians 3:21, Ephesians 6:4a, Proverbs 3:3-5, Philippians 4:6-8
What does it mean to “provoke” a child? What is the long-term impact? Give an example.
How can you be tempted to do this? (i.e. overprotect, compare, overachieve, etc.) Why?
What connection do you see between vicarious parenting and provoking kids? How does Proverbs 3:5 help?
Read: Colossians 3:21, Genesis 4:1, 25, Psalm 127:3-5
Describe how God views children when it comes to His plan and purpose for mankind.
How do you think children are valued today? How does this compare to when you were growing up?
What is the difference between a worldly or godly value toward kids? How should this impact parenting?
Read: Colossians 3:20, Ephesians 6:1-3, Acts 5:29, Romans 13:1-2
In what way is the command to obey parents “in everything”, not a call to tolerate abuse?
How does Acts 5:29 help? Why is obedience necessary for not only families but also for culture?
As you reflect on your childhood, how did this play out in your family? How has it played out in culture?
Read: Colossians 3:20, Romans 1:28-30, 2 Timothy 3:1-5
What connection does Paul make between obeying your parents and following the Lord? Why?
In what way can kids be duped into thinking this connection doesn’t exist? Give an example.
Explain the lessons that are learned by children who do what they are told. How can you apply this truth?
Read: Colossians 3:20, Ephesians 6:1, Proverbs 1:8, 6:20-23, 30:17
Describe how obeying your parents will lead to life and disobedience will lead to death.
How are you seeing this play out in today’s culture? Give an example from your own experience.
Why is obedience actually a healthy practice and a school/teacher for everyday life? Be specific.
Read: Colossians 3:19, Philippians 2:1-11
In one sentence, summarize how Paul describes Jesus to the Philippian church.
Knowing that Paul’s message was to all Christians, what should be the impact to husbands?
Describe how this may redefine a worldly view of marriage. How does this redefine your view?
Read: Colossians 3:19, Ephesians 5:25-27
What example of leadership is a husband to follow when it comes to loving his wife?
How does this have a spiritual focus? What does this imply about a husband’s role and responsibility?
In what way can husbands delegate this to the church? Why is this risky? How do you need to change?
Read: Colossians 3:19, 1 Corinthians 13:4-8a
Why does Paul warn husbands about being “harsh” to their wives? What does it imply?
What preventative step does Paul give to husbands to take? How will it also protect a marriage?
Explain how a husband’s role is different than a wife’s role in marriage. How does this challenge you?
Read: Colossians 3:18, Ephesians 5:22-24, Genesis 3:1-7
What can be learned about the enemy and marriage knowing how he tempted Eve away from Adam?
Explain how the first sin highlights an inverted model for a healthy and protected marriage.
What does this highlight about the subtle ways a wife can put a marriage at risk? How does this adjust you?
Read: Colossians 3:18, Romans 12:1-8
Explain the model Paul tells wives to pattern their lives after within the context of marriage.
How does this help define their calling to “submit”? What are the practical implications? Give examples.
Describe a successful marriage you have observed and how it compares to a biblical marriage.
Read: Colossians 3:8, Genesis 1:27-28, 2:18, Ephesians 5:23
Explain why God made woman. In what way was He solving a problem? Why is this important?
In what way does this help describe the role of a wife? How can this get misinterpreted? Give an example.
How does this truth adjust the way you’ve understood the role of a wife? How do you need to change?
