Colossians: Following Jesus

Sermon & Small Group Resources

This is the first sermon in our series on the Colossians. This sermon is “Following Jesus”. Preacher: The Rev’d Adam Lowe. Bible Reading: Colossians 1:1-14

DOWNLOAD the Small Group Questions, Going Deeper, and Sermon Transcript (PDF).

Next Steps this Week

BIBLE READING: Colossians 1:1-14

Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, and Timothy our brother,

To God’s holy people in Colossae, the faithful brothers and sisters in Christ:

Grace and peace to you from God our Father.

We always thank God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, when we pray for you, because we have heard of your faith in Christ Jesus and of the love you have for all God’s people— the faith and love that spring from the hope stored up for you in heaven and about which you have already heard in the true message of the gospel that has come to you. In the same way, the gospel is bearing fruit and growing throughout the whole world—just as it has been doing among you since the day you heard it and truly understood God’s grace. You learned it from Epaphras, our dear fellow servant, who is a faithful minister of Christ on our behalf, and who also told us of your love in the Spirit.

For this reason, since the day we heard about you, we have not stopped praying for you. We continually ask God to fill you with the knowledge of his will through all the wisdom and understanding that the Spirit gives, so that you may live a life worthy of the Lord and please him in every way: bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God, being strengthened with all power according to his glorious might so that you may have great endurance and patience, and giving joyful thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of his holy people in the kingdom of light. For he has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of the Son he loves, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.

SMALL GROUP QUESTIONS

Download in PDF format.

CONNECT: In light of Jesusʼ resurrection: how can you grow more in his presence, power, or purpose?

WARM-UP

1. Together, what information can you brainstorm about the letter to the Colossians?

2. Why do you think following Jesus is often described as walking with the Lord? What does it mean to “live a life worthy of the Lord”?

Read Colossians 1:1-8

1. On writing to the Colossians, what cause was there for Paul to give thanks to God? Do you see any of these characteristics evident in our own community? (If so, donʼt forget to give thanks!)

2. What is the relationship between the Colossiansʼ ʻfaith and loveʼ and the hope stored up for them?

3. What does Paul mean by a hope that has been ʻstored upʼ for them in heaven? Why was it so important for Paul to remind the Colossians of this hope?

4. How does (or should) a certain hope of the future shape the way in which we live today?

Read Colossians 1:9:14

1. How important of a role did prayer play in Paulʼs understanding of mission? How could you more intentionally shape your prayer life missionally? (Try to think of content and rhythm.)

2. Where does ultimate wisdom and understanding come from? How do you seek wisdom from God?

3. Are you growing in your hunger for Godʼs will? Is there an area in which you are seeking or resisting it?

4. How in recent years has your life been re-prioritised by Kingdom of God priorities?

5. What are the ways that Paul suggests please God? Does our salvation depend on pleasing God?

6. As you consider what pleases God, which of these aspects do you think you need to grow in more? How might this involve a laying down of self in order to prioritise what pleases God more?

7. Do you think that patience and endurance are particularly counter-cultural today? How does trusting in Godʼs timing help grow us in patience and endurance? Do you know any personal examples of this?

8. What does it mean that we have been qualified, rescued, and redeemed? Spend some time unpacking each of these words and any implications.

APPLY: What are the challenges in your walk with God at the moment? How could you take another next step?

PRAYER

Gracious God, thank you for the certain hope that we have because Jesus is the Risen Lord. Please help us to order our lives – individually and as a church – in line with your Kingdom priorities. In Jesusʼ Name, Amen.

GOING DEEPER

On Your Frontline This Week: How do you prioritise time each week to get to know the people on your frontline? Maybe, it is eating lunch with others or slowing down during school pickup.

Listen, Watch, and Read:

• Listen: “Full Repatriation” by John Stott

• Listen: “Lecture: Why Colossians” by Dick Lucas

• Listen: “The Word of Truth” by William Taylor

• Read: “What! No Pearly Gates” by Rory Shiner

• Read: “Plans to Excavate Colossae”

SERIES Resources:

• Series Overview: Booklet (and Audiobook) COMING SOON

• Book: NIV Scripture Journal for Colossians

• Book: “Paul for Everyone: The Prison Letters” by Tom Wright

• Commentary: “Colossians” by Michael Bird (eBook)

• Video: “Letter to the Colossians” by N. T. Wright

• Video: Bible Project Overview of Colossians

• Course: (Paid) “Paul and his Letter to the Colossians” on Udemy

Grow as Families

Each week St Bart’s Kids and CHARGE Youth provides resources for you to use at home. Join the livestream and then spend 30 minutes to work through these together.

Series Resource: “5 Things to Pray for Your Kids” by Melissa Kruger. This resource aims to help guide parents (along with grandparents, carers, and godparents) in praying mean...