Colossians: Setting Our Sights on Jesus

Colossians 1:1-14

Trish Haq

July 2, 2023

With a friend, your family or in your small group, discuss the following questions:

1. Read through Colossians 1:1-14 together out loud. What do you notice? What words, phrases, or ideas stand out to you?
2. Colossians is a letter, written by the Apostle Paul, to the church in Colossae. As you reflect back on this week’s sermon, share what details you can remember about the context of this letter.
3. These opening verses talk about the impact of the Good News of Jesus in the lives of those who hear it. Each week, when we open scripture together in our services, we are hearing and reflecting on some aspect of the gospel message. Over the years, in what ways have you seen God’s active, transforming presence at work through the preaching that you have experienced?
4. In Colossians 1:6, Paul talks about the transforming power of the Good News of Jesus throughout the world, and in the lives of the Colossians. Reflect on the ways that your life has been transformed by your faith in Jesus.
5. Do you find it encouraging to hear about the faith of others, and the way that their lives have been changed because of Jesus? Can you share an example of someone whose faith you are thankful for? 
6. What tends to be your attitude towards other churches? In what ways is it easy to be thankful for what God is doing in and through them? In what ways is this sometimes difficult?
7. Colossians 1:9-14 provides a powerful model of prayer. Take some time to reflect on this prayer together. What kinds of things does Paul pray for the Colossian church?
8. In v. 9, Paul says “we have not stopped praying for you since we first heard about you”. Are there any churches that you regularly spend time praying for? Is your heart stirred to pray for other Christian communities that you know of beyond North Park? Why or why not?

Prayer and Action Item

Pray for one another out of the key points that were discussed. Give thanks for the ways that your lives have been changed by the hope you have in Jesus. Use Paul’s prayer for the Colossians as a model to pray for one another. Then, choose a church community that you would like to commit to praying for. It could be a church here in London, across Canada, or throughout the world. As you pray, ask God to give you a sense of the bigger story that we are a part of, as He builds his Church globally and the Kingdom of God grows. Use Paul’s prayer for the Colossian church as a model to pray for the Church community that is on your heart. Pray that they would grow in knowledge and wisdom, that their lives would produce good fruit, and that they would be strengthened to endure difficulties with joy.