Sermon & Small Group Resources
This is the sixth sermon in our series on the Colossians. This sermon is “Growing in Christ”. Preacher: The Rev’d Michael Calder. Bible Reading: Colossians 3:1-11
DOWNLOAD the Small Group Questions, Going Deeper, and Sermon Transcript (PDF).
Next Steps this Week
BIBLE READING: Colossians 3:1-11
Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God. When Christ, who is your life, appears, then you also will appear with him in glory.
Put to death, therefore, whatever belongs to your earthly nature: sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires and greed, which is idolatry. Because of these, the wrath of God is coming. You used to walk in these ways, in the life you once lived. But now you must also rid yourselves of all such things as these: anger, rage, malice, slander, and filthy language from your lips. Do not lie to each other, since you have taken off your old self with its practices and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge in the image of its Creator. Here there is no Gentile or Jew, circumcised or uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave or free, but Christ is all, and is in all.
SMALL GROUP QUESTIONS
Download in PDF format.
CONNECT: How can you be on guard against taking up or promoting counterfeit forms of spirituality?
WARM-UP
Have you ever had to change jobs to another company in the same field? What was it like doing the same job under different ownership?
Whose ownership are we under? Why? How does this shape the way we live our lives?
Read Colossians 3:1-4
How have we been ʻraised with Christʼ? What event can give us the ultimate confirmation of our hope of our relationship with God and future?
Where are we to set our hearts and minds? What does this mean in practice for us? Where are we usually drawn to setting our hearts and minds?
Where is our life ʻhiddenʼ at the moment? How can this give us a secure hope?
When will this all be revealed? In what ways can you shape your life in the light of this certain expectation and hope?
Read Colossians 3:5-11
What things are we to put to death? What sort of things does the world tell us to ʻput to deathʼ?
What are some practical ways to put these things away if tempted by them?
How does Paul remind us of both the seriousness of these things but the hope of Jesus in these verses?
How can we be assured of Godʼs forgiveness if we fall into any of these lists in V5 and V8? To which life do these things belong?
What does it mean to take off the old self and put on the new? In what ways is the new completely different to and better than the old? What things can help remind you of the new self?
What next steps could you take to grow in your intimacy with and knowledge of God?
Are there any barriers between those who are in Jesus? What barriers may we be tempted to put up? What is the thing that unifies us?
APPLY: What things of the old life do you need to take off? What things can you put on to help you?
PRAYER
Lord, thanks that you have brought us from death to life in Jesus. Help us to keep our eyes, our wills, our desires, and our actions focused on you. Keep us from the things of old and help us to grow in the new. Amen.
GOING DEEPER
On Your Frontline This Week: How can you pray for the politics of our country & the politics on your frontline?
Listen, Watch, and Read:
SERIES Resources:
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 meaningfully for their child, with biblical grounding.
Families: Read, Chat, Do, and Pray
High School: CHARGE Discussion Questions
Kids’ Talk: Watch the Kids’ Talk
eBook: Watch the eBook
