Read: Matthew 6:9-13, 26:36-42, Ephesians 6:1-2
How does the Lord’s prayer also model how children should be relating to their parent? (i.e. fathers)
How would you describe your relationship with your father? How has it had an impact on your life today?
Given that no earthly father is perfect, how has this week’s study helped you be more grateful for your dad?
Read: Matthew 6:13, Psalm 23:1-6, 1 Corinthians 10:13, Genesis 3:1-6, James 1:2-4
How does God provide protection for you? (i.e. spiritual, physical, etc.) What does this model to fathers?
What balance is necessary between protection and isolation? Why is this important? (c.f. James 1:2-4)
How did your father protect you? Be specific. How can you show him your gratitude this week?
Read: Matthew 6:12, 1 John 1:9, Luke 11:15-24, Ephesians 6:4
Knowing that God the “Father” is our source of forgiveness, what does that imply about earthly fathers?
How does this relate to care and compassion? What happens when this isn’t understood? (c.f. Ephesians 6:4)
Why can this be a painful area to think about? What has been your experience? How can you be grateful?
Read: Matthew 6:11, 25-30, Ephesians 5:28-29, 1 Timothy 5:7-8
Explain how God’s plan of provision is presented in Matthew 6:11. How does this relate to Ephesians 5:28-29?
What does this imply about a father’s practical responsibility to his family? Be specific.
How did your dad practically provide for your family? How can you show him your gratitude?
Read: Matthew 6:10, Ephesians 1:2-6, 5:25-26, 2 Timothy 3:16-4:2
Explain how God’s plan of redemption is presented in Matthew 6:10. How does this relate to Ephesians 1:2-6?
What does this model about a dad’s leadership and responsibility to his family? Be specific.
In what way did you experience this from your father? How does this help you celebrate Father’s Day?
Read: Matthew 6:9, Genesis 1:1-31, 1 John 3:1-2
Explain how God is presented as being a leader and in charge. How does this relate to direction and vision?
In terms of fatherhood today, what job description is being implied when God is called a father?
What has been your experience with this type of fathering in your family? What are you grateful for?
Read: Colossians 1:9-10, 3:10b, Romans 12:2, 2 Timothy 3:16-17
How does the new self get renewed in “knowledge”? (i.e. God’s word, learning, applying)
Why will this always have a unifying impact on others and stop the spRead: of division? Give an example.
How is God speaking to you about your new self in today’s divided world? What will you do today?
Read: Colossians 3:9b-10, 2 Corinthians 5:17, Romans 6:6-10, 7:15-20
Explain the difference between the old self and the new self. What does “put off” and “put on” mean?
Given the context of division, what does this imply? How does this also relate to a spiritual battle?
In what way does this adjust your perspective about division today? What steps will you take to change?
Read: Colossians 3:9a, Genesis 4:4-5, 9, 12:11-13, 20, 18:15, 26:7-10
Describe how each Old Testament patriarch and matriarch lied to others. Why did they do it?
What does this imply about when you will be tempted to lie? Why is this important to recognize?
In what areas of your life are you tempted to lie? How can you start being more truthful this week?
Read: Colossians 3:9a, Exodus 20:16, John 8:44, Ephesians 6:12
Given lying is one of the ten commandments, what does this say about God’s view on the topic?
How is it just another form of division? What is significant about lying from a Satanic standpoint?
Other than speaking, describe two other ways lying can take place. How does this challenge you?
Read: Colossians 3:8, Ephesians 4:25-27, James 1:20, 2 Timothy 2:24-26
In what way does the list of sins presented by Paul relate to the first listed sin of anger? Be specific.
What does this reveal about the dynamics of anger? What will always be the result if it isn’t understood?
In what way can you justify or accommodate anger? How can you better protect yourself from this sin?
Read: Colossians 3:8, Ephesians 4:3, 31-32, Hebrews 12:1, James 1:21, 1 Peter 2:1
Briefly define each sin that Paul states needs to be “put off”. What do they have in common?
What does this imply about the Colossian church? Why is it important that Paul specifically named these sins?
What can happen if this isn’t practiced? How do you see this taking place today? How does this adjust you?
Read: Colossians 3:5-7, Romans 7:15-25
What overarching truth is Paul teaching in Romans 7? How does it relate to Colossians 3:5-7?
In what way have you experienced this truth? Give an example. What is the solution to the challenge?
Why does awareness and having the right perspective help? How does this help you? Be specific.
Read: Colossians 3:5-7, Galatians 5:17-24
Why does Paul compare and contrast fruit of the spirit versus flesh? What is being implied about growth?
How does this relate to keeping sin in check? What can happen when this isn’t properly understood?
What does this perspective reveal to you about your spiritual growth? Be specific. How will you adjust?
Read: Colossians 3:5-7, Ephesians 2:1-5, 1 John 3:9-10
How does Paul’s reminder in Colossians 3:7 relate to a non-Christian’s nature? What does this imply about sin?
In what way will this be different for Christians? (i.e. two natures) How does this help explain temptation?
How have you experienced this truth? Give an example. How does this encourage you to stay in check?
Read: Colossians 3:6, Hebrews 12:5-11
In what way is God’s wrath different than God’s discipline? (i.e. non-Christian vs. Christian)
What is implied about how discipline would feel? Why should this be a motivator for keeping sin in check?
How have you experienced this truth? How might you currently be at risk? Take time to pray right now.
Read: Colossians 3:5-6, John 3:1-7, 16:8, 1 Corinthians 6:19, Ephesians 4:30
What spiritually happens when someone becomes a Christian? (i.e. Holy Spirit, born again, etc.)
How would this impact a Christian’s perspective toward sin? What is implied by willful disobedience?
In what way might you be currently grieving God? What specific steps will you take to keep this in check?
Read: Colossians 3:5-6, Romans 1:18-19, 2:5-8, 5:6-11, 8:1, 1 Thessalonians 5:9
What will non-Christians experience if they reject Jesus? Why does this not apply to Christians?
What is Paul trying to communicate when referencing the “wrath of God” to Colossian Christians?
In what way does this redefine “why” keeping sin in check is important for you? Be specific.
Read: Colossians 3:5, Matthew 5:27-30, James 1:14-15
Explain how keeping sin in check isn’t behavior modification. Why is this important to understand?
In what way will this perspective prevent habitual sin from taking root or causing major damage?
What does this imply about self-reflection? How is God prompting you to apply this truth? Pray for insight?
Read: Colossians 3:5b, Exodus 20:17, 1 Timothy 6:6-10
In what way is coveting actually idolatry? What does this reveal about keeping this sin in check?
Explain how coveting can take place. Give an example. How can it happen in your life?
What perspective does Paul provide Timothy when it comes to battling coveting? How does this help you?
Read: Colossians 3:5b, 1 Corinthians 6:18, Genesis 3:1-7
Explain, in your own words, each sin listed. What do they have in common? (i.e. Point #2 in sermon)
In what way is it the root of every sin? Give three examples. Why is this important to recognize?
As you consider this truth, what is God revealing to you? What adjustments will you make?
Read: Colossians 3:5a, Luke 9:23-25
How does Jesus describe the same approach as Paul when it comes to keeping sin in check?
What is implied as to how easy it will be? Why will this be countercultural? Give an example.
In what way does this adjust your current approach to recurring sin? How does this encourage you?
