Read: Colossians 4:6, Psalm 141:3
What does Paul highlight about your speech being a witness for Jesus? How does grace and salt relate?
If your speech were the only thing people could have regarding the Gospel, what would they hear?
What does this also imply about prayer and the need to listen to yourself? How will you listen today?
Read: Colossians 4:6, James 3:9-10, Psalm 35:28, Proverbs 16:27, Luke 6:28
Explain the truth of Colossians 4:6 and how our words impact others. How does this relate to evangelism?
In what way does this elevate your perspective on gossip and criticism? How does this challenge you?
How will words of encouragement and grace prevent this problem? How will you start today?
Read: Colossians 4:5, Romans 13:11-14, 1 Corinthians 7:29, Galatians 6:9, Ephesians 5:15-16
What did Paul mean by “making the best use of time” in Colossians 4:5? Why is this important to understand?
How often do you think about others needing forgiveness and God’s mercy? What does this reveal?
In what way can you be more intentional in looking at your life as you do the Gospel? (i.e., home, work, play, etc.)
Read: Colossians 4:5, 1 Corinthians 9:19-22
What was Paul encouraging the Corinthian Christians to do when it came to their witness for Jesus?
In what way was this an expanded explanation of Colossians 4:5? What does this imply about being stubborn?
How flexible are you toward others in order to be a witness for Jesus? How can you step into this today?
Read: Colossians 4:5, Matthew 5:14-16
What was Paul encouraging the Colossian Christians to do? How did Jesus say the same thing?
What does this imply about your impact on others and how they will understand the Gospel?
In what way do you need to pay more attention to this issue? What specific step will you take?
Read: Colossians 4:3-4, 2 Corinthians 12:1-10
In what way did Paul apply the prayer principles in his own life that he was teaching the Colossian church?
Explain the distinction between the “way” Paul prayed for God’s provision and the way God answered.
What does this reveal about effective praying? How does this encourage you in your prayer life?
Read: Colossians 4:3-4, Matthew 6:11
What specific principle did Jesus teach when it comes to prayer requests? How did Paul emphasize this?
Why will praying in generalities lead to an ineffective prayer life? Give an example.
How does this adjust the way you currently pray? Take some time to apply this truth now.
Read: Colossians 4:3-4, Ephesians 6:18-20, Philippians 1:3-4, James 5:16
Why does Paul ask the churches to pray for him? How does he reciprocate to the Philippian church?
What does this imply about intercessory prayer and why it’s important? Be specific.
How often do you ask people to pray for you? Why? Who can you ask to pray for you today?
Read: Colossians 4:2, Matthew 6:10
In what way does accepting God’s kingdom and being thankful for God’s blessing relate to one another?
Why are these principles important and how will it make your prayer life more effective?
Take the next ten minutes to practice these principles in prayer with God. What was your experience?
Read: Colossians 4:2, 1 Thessalonians 5:16, Ephesians 5:19-20, Philippians 4:6
Why is a thankful heart important during prayer? What can happen when this isn’t present?
When Colossians 4:2 says to pray “with thanksgiving”, what would this sound like? Give some examples.
What typically happens during your prayer time with God? How does this adjust your current approach?
Read: Colossians 1:10-12, 2:6-7, 3:15, 17, 4:2
Why do you think Paul stressed having a thankful heart so many times to this struggling Colossian church?
In what way could it have been part of their problem? (i.e., discontent, selfish, etc.)
How does being thankful provide balance and protection? How does this encourage you today?
Read: Ephesians 2:22, 1 Corinthians 3:5-23
Paul rebuked the Corinthians for their worldly approach to church and unbiblical priorities. Explain.
How did discrimination within the Corinthian church impact everyone’s perspective to contribute?
In what way can The Church today fall into the same trap? How does Ephesians 2:22 correct this thinking?
Read: Ephesians 2:19-22, 1 Peter 2:4-10
1 Peter 2:4-10 describes Christians as being like living stones and Christ as the cornerstone. Explain.
How does this reflect the same truth in Ephesians 2:19-22? Be specific. Why is this important in light of church?
How would you say you are being built together at PCC? Give an example. How is God challenging you?
Read: Ephesians 2:19-22, 1 Corinthians 12:4-11, Romans 12:4-8
Given the church is to be viewed as a spiritual family, what does that imply about your role in the family?
What does this also imply about changing churches? How would you describe your PCC relationships?
How do spiritual gifts relate to this discussion? How can Team PCC help? What steps do you need to take?
Read: Ephesians 2:20-22, Matthew 21:33-46
What point was Jesus making when He referred to Himself as the capstone/cornerstone?
How does this apply to Paul’s message to the Ephesians? What are the implications for church leadership?
In what way does this foundational truth become a way to measure the spiritual health of a church?
Read: Ephesians 2:19, John 3:1-8
What did Jesus mean when He said to Nicodemus you must be “born again”? (i.e., spiritual rebirth)
What impact should this have on the church and how Christians relate to one another?
What will happen if this isn’t understood? What do you see playing out today? What needs to change?
Read: Ephesians 2:19, Romans 8:16-17a, Galatians 6:9-10, 1 Timothy 3:14-15
What are the implications of how Paul describes the 1st century church (i.e., “household”, “fellow heirs”)?
In what way do you see this being countercultural today? Be specific.
How do you think COVID has helped or hurt? How does this adjust or encourage you? Why?
Read: Colossians 4:2b, Psalm 139:23, Romans 7:18, 8:26
What does today’s Reading highlight about the risk that takes place when Christians pray?
What does this also highlight about “learning” how to effectively pray? Who is the ultimate instructor?
In what way will practicing silence help? Practice this now by being quiet before the Lord for 5 minutes.
Read: Colossians 4:2b, Luke 18:9-14
In what way is the parable of the tax collector an example of not being “watchful” during prayer?
How can this take place in less extreme ways in Christian circles today? Give an example.
How can you fall into the same self-serving trap during your times of prayer? How will you adjust today?
Read: Colossians 4:2b, Matthew 6:9-10
What does being “watchful” prevent from happening when it comes to selfish praying?
How does Jesus’ approach to prayer prevent this from happening? How does it also explain why we pray?
Keeping this truth in mind, take some time to pray right now. Journal what God teaches you.
Read: Colossians 4:2b, Ephesians 6:12
Explain what it means to be “watchful” in prayer. Why is this necessary for every Christian to understand?
Knowing that prayer draws you closer to God, how do you think the enemy wants your prayer life to be?
In what way does this awareness help you be more steadfast and on guard? Be specific.
Read: Colossians 4:2a, Luke 18:1-8
In what way is the parable of the persistent widow an example of steadfast praying?
What does this imply about how God views prayer in relation to faith? Be specific.
What are some things you need to start praying about again? Take some time right now to apply this truth.
Read: Colossians 4:2a, 1 Thessalonians 3:10, 5:17, Luke 5:16
What does it mean to be “steadfast” in prayer? Why is it necessary for effective praying?
What is the opposite of being “steadfast”? What does this highlight about your current prayer life?
Explain two ways to be steadfast in prayer. Which approach will you step into this week?
Read: Colossians 3:22-4:1, Ephesians 6:5-9, Philemon 1-25
What was Paul trying to communicate to Philemon in taking back his runaway slave Onesimus?
How would you have felt being both Philemon and Onesimus in this situation? Be specific.
What does this say about how God wants you to treat others within a working relationship?
Read: Colossians 4:1b, Ephesians 6:9b, Ruth 2:1-12
Why was Ruth so surprised and humbled by Boaz’s care and concern for her?
How does culture play into his discussion? In what way was Boaz an exception? How does Colossians 4:1b relate?
How would people describe your current management style? What can you learn from Boaz?
Read: Colossians 4:1b, 3:11, Ephesians 6:5, 9b
What subtle temptation can occur when you are the one in charge in today’s workplace? (Hint: power) Why?
What Christian perspective does Paul provide for those in charge? Why is this important?
What has been your experience being “in charge”? How can the truth of Colossians 4:1b help? Be specific.
