Read: Colossians 1:1-4:18
As you Read through the letter to the Colossians, what specifically jumps out as important in your life?
How does your Reading encourage you? How does your Reading challenge you? Be specific.
Take some time right now and pray, asking God to show you what areas of Colossians you need to address.
Read: Colossians 4:18, John 5:18-20, 2 Timothy 1:8, Hebrews 13:3
What does Paul’s final statement highlight about effective Christian living? (i.e., “chains”)
In what way did Jesus teach this same truth in John 5? What is implied if the Christian life is easy?
Considering this truth in your own life, what is God teaching you about living in community?
Read: Colossians 4:17, 2 Timothy 4:1-5, Hebrews 10:23-25
Why did Paul encourage Archippus to “fulfill the ministry”? What might he have been tempted to do?
How did Paul encourage Timothy in the same way? What does this highlight about Christian community?
What does this imply about changing churches when things get difficult? How does this challenge you?
Read: Colossians 4:16, Revelation 3:14-22
Given the Laodiceans were a neighboring church to Colossae, how would the Colossian heresy apply?
Given the Revelation 3 warning to the Laodiceans, what does this imply about applying the Colossian letter?
How does this challenge your current approach to Christian living? How can you protect yourself?
Read: Colossians 4:15-16, 2 Timothy 4:9-22
Why did Paul tell the Colossian church leaders to share their letter with the Laodiceans?
Why did he encourage the Laodiceans to do the same? What does this imply about big “C” church?
What does this imply about church competition? How does this happen today? How does this adjust you?
Read: Colossians 4:14, Philemon 23-24, 2 Timothy 4:10-11a
Explain what you know about Paul and Luke’s relationship. How were they similar or different?
What does this highlight about the Gospel of Luke and the Book of Acts? (i.e., Luke’s resources)
What does Demas highlight about living in Christian community? Why is this important to remember?
Read: Colossians 4:7-13
As you review the past two weeks of passages, what impacts you the most about living in community?
What can happen if this perspective is lost? How do you see this the same or different today?
Write two specific steps you will take over the weekend to be more part of the PCC community?
Read: Colossians 4:13, 1 Corinthians 12:1-7, 1 Peter 4:10
Why does God give Christians spiritual gifts? What can happen if the “purpose” is misunderstood?
In what way can this help provide support for those who are struggling? Be specific.
How have you been blessed by others using spiritual gifts? What steps will you take to connect at PCC?
Read: Colossians 4:13, 4:7-8, Philippians 2:4
What does Epaphras’ journey from Colossae to Rome (1,300 miles) highlight about a servant’s heart?
How does Tychicus’ willingness to deliver the Colossian letter back to the church highlight the same truth?
In what way does this highlight living in Christian community? What practical step can you take this week?
Read: Colossians 4:12, 1:3, 1 Thessalonians 3:10, 5:17, 25, Ephesians 6:18-19, Phil. 1:4
It is clear from Paul’s letters to the churches, that prayer should be the hallmark of the church. Why?
How does your prayer life reflect that truth? Why will intentional commitment be required?
Take some time right now to pray for 3 people in your life. Also, ask God to help you stick with it.
Read: Colossians 4:7-8, 12, James 5:16
Given 1st century Christians were regularly praying for each other, what is implied about communication?
How does James 5:16 highlight this same truth? Why do you think this can be a struggle today?
In what way will this have a negative impact praying for one another? How will you adjust this week?
Read: Colossians 4:12, 1:8-9, 4:2
Explain what it means that Epaphras “struggled” in his prayers? Who was he struggling/praying for?
In what way did Paul do the same thing? Why? What does this highlight about a Christian community?
How do you see this playing out in churches today? Be specific. How does this encourage you?
Read: Colossians 4:8-11, Exodus 17:8-13, Numbers 11:11-17
Given that Paul is writing from prison, what is implied that he is surrounded by so many people?
In what way does even the Patriarch Moses demonstrate this same truth when following God?
What is God teaching you about your approach to the PCC community? What needs to change?
Read: Colossians 4:10, Acts 12:25, 15:36-41
Explain why Paul and Barnabas had a “sharp” disagreement. How did it relate to John Mark?
What does it reveal now that John Mark was at Paul’s side in Rome and ready to be his messenger?
What does this highlight about giving up on challenging Christian relationships? How does this adjust you?
Read: Colossians 4:7-9, Philemon 1-25
Given Onesimus was a runaway slave from Colossae, what is implied by his willingness to return?
What does this also highlight about a transformed life? Be specific.
In what way did Paul instruct Philemon to react? What does this reveal about living in community?
Read: Colossians 4:8, 11, 2 Corinthians 1:3-4
In what way did Paul receive comfort and provide encouragement to the Colossian Christians?
What does this highlight about how God works in Christian community? How does this challenge you?
In what way can you be more intentional about supporting other PCCer’s? Be specific.
Read Colossians 4:7-8, 1 Peter 5:8, Proverbs 27:17, Ecclesiastes 4:9-12
What does scripture teach about Christians who live in community? What is implied about being private?
How can sharing your life with other Christians provide protection? Be specific.
In what way did Paul put this truth into practice? How will you step into this truth today?
Read: Colossians 4:7-8, Acts 20:4, Titus 3:12, 2 Timothy 4:9-13
What do you find unique about Paul’s relationship with Tychicus? (i.e., doing life together)
What does this imply about living in Christian community? Why is this important?
How would you describe your relationships at PCC? In what way do you need to be more intentional?
Read: Isaiah 40, Matthew 6:25-34
What would be an appropriate metaphor to describe the difference between my life and wisdom with God’s?
What am I anxious about today? How does that anxiety point to a lack of faith or understanding about God?
When I don’t understand God or what he’s doing/allowing, how can I respond in a way that will deepen my faith?
Read: Proverbs 3:1-12, Isaiah 55:6-11
What do I misunderstand or not understand about God that makes me reluctant to trust him with my life?
What is one area of my life that I can trust God with as an act of obedience that I was previously withholding?
How can I get to know God more deeply this week, knowing that the more I know him the more I’ll trust him?
Read: Romans 8:18-28
Why does God consistently try to remind us of the importance of looking to the future promises of glory?
Does God promise that life will be easy or without hardship? Do I expect it to be? What does he promise?
How does God work all things for good? How have I seen God’s redemptive power at work in my life?
Read: Exodus 26:15-30, 1 Kings 6:14-22
Why were the plans for the tabernacle and the description of the temple so important and exhaustive?
Am I as intentional with how I build my life? If someone were to describe how I build my life what would they say?
How can I be more intentional, strategic, and purposeful with how my life is being built?
Read: 1 Corinthians 3:10-17
Why does it matter what we build upon the foundation? Isn’t it enough to have the permanent foundation?
Why does God incentivize us with heavenly rewards? Does what I believe about heaven line up with this idea?
If I were to face the day of judgement today how much of my life would be burned up? How can I change that?
Read: Luke 6:46-49, John 14:6
Is the foundation of my life actually built on Jesus or am I fooling myself?
In what areas of my life am I looking for another way, truth, or life? How can I refocus on Jesus?
What keeps me from following Jesus completely—lack of knowledge, lack of faith, no desire?
Read: Colossians 4:6, 1 Peter 3:15, 2 Timothy 4:2, Matthew 10:19-20
In terms of having a spiritual discussion, how prepared are you to engage with a non-Christian?
What is the basis for your answer? In what way has this been something that has held you back?
What did Jesus have to say about preparation in Matthew 10:19-20? How does this encourage you?
