5 Ways to Strengthen the Hearts of the Members of the Church

Colossians 2:1-5

NOTICE: The emphasis of our discussion is to see how the Written Word (Bible) and the Spoken Word (Preaching) work together to build up the believer, so when you see WORD in the questions, know it refers to the Scripture and the Sermon.

Recap:

  1. Does anyone have a testimony of how last week’s WORD transformed the last 7 days?

Engage:

  1. Read Colossians 2:1-5 and point out anything significant that stands out in the text.

  2. Create one clear and concise statement to be the Take Home Truth of Sunday’s WORD.

Reflect:

  1. Phud contrasted our 21st-century emphasis on the individual with the early church’s focus on the whole body. How do your spiritual rhythms and disciplines elevate the well-being of the Church as a whole?

  2. Recap the 5 points that were drawn out from the WORD to strengthen the Church. How has you heart been strengthened by members of the church valuing these traits?

Respond:

  1. Which of the five points drawn out from the WORD are most challenging for you to implement How does the WORD change the way you interact with the world around you?

  2. What is one specific way that the WORD should change your next 7 days?

Chasing What Matters

Colossians 1:25-29

 

NOTICE: The emphasis of our discussion is to see how the Written Word (Bible) and the Spoken Word (Preaching) work together to build up the believer, so when you see WORD in the questions, know it refers to the Scripture and the Sermon.

 

Recap:

  1. Does anyone have a testimony of how last week’s WORD transformed the last 7 days?

Engage: 

  1. Read Colossians 1:25-29 and point out anything significant that stands out in the text.

 

  1. Create one clear and concise statement to be the Take Home Truth of Sunday’s WORD.

Reflect: 

  1. What is the great mystery that has been revealed end entrusted to the church?

 

  1. Recap the 5 characteristics of the Christian leader that were pulled out of Sunday’s WORD. How present and growing are these attributes in the lives of your group?

 

Respond: 

  1. Richard observed that people are quite willing to sacrifice and “strenuously contend” for various things in life but wondered how often our agonizing was for things of eternal worth and reward.

 

  1. How does the WORD change the way you interact with the world around you?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Servant

Colossians 1:23b-25

 

NOTICE: The emphasis of our discussion is to see how the Written Word (Bible) and the Spoken Word (Preaching) work together to build up the believer, so when you see WORD in the questions, know it refers to the Scripture and the Sermon.

 

Recap:

  1. Does anyone have a testimony of how last week’s WORD transformed the last 7 days?

Engage: 

  1. Read Colossians 1:23b-25 and point out anything significant that stands out in the text.

 

  1. Create one clear and concise statement to be the Take Home Truth of Sunday’s WORD.

Reflect: 

  1. What is the “gospel that you heard”? Articulate this message of reconciliation to one another as encouragement and as practice for evangelism, adding other helpful verses as needed (Leaders, encourage participation from as many people in the group as you can. We want to all be equipped to share this good news!).

 

  1. How does the church fill up what is lacking in Christ’s affliction and in what ways is your life adding to this effort?

 

Respond: 

  1. After reading Paul’s calling to ministry as described in 1 Timothy 1:12-16, how are you feeling led to serve your king who has saved you?

 

  1. What areas of your life need to change this week in light of the WORD?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Reconciliation:  Accomplished and Applied

Colossians 1:21-23

 

NOTICE: The emphasis of our discussion is to see how the Written Word (Bible) and the Spoken Word (Preaching) work together to build up the believer, so when you see WORD in the questions, know it refers to the Scripture and the Sermon.

 

Recap:

  1. Does anyone have a testimony of how last week’s WORD transformed the last 7 days?

Engage: 

  1. Read Colossians 1:21-23 and point out anything significant that stands out in the text.

 

  1. Create one clear and concise statement to be the Take Home Truth of Sunday’s WORD.

Reflect: 

  1. How does the WORD’s description of the unreconciled world (see v. 21 and Romans 8:6-8) differ from the pervading voice of the culture that speaks of humanity’s inherent goodness?

 

  1. How does the WORD and 2 Corinthians 5:21 display the magnificent transformation that Christ can have on the human heart by reconciling us to God?

 

Respond: 

  1. One of the enemy’s favorite tactics is to persuade believers that the bad news of verse 21 is still true. How does verse 22 help you counter his voice of shame, regret, and guilt?

 

  1. In light of Paul’s “if” in regard to our perseverance in the faith, what strategies and Scriptures do you use to help you remain “stable and steadfast”?

 

  1. What areas of your life need to change this week in light of the WORD?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

We Sing of Christ’s Supremacy

Colossians 1:18-20

 

NOTICE: The emphasis of our discussion is to see how the Written Word (Bible) and the Spoken Word (Preaching) work together to build up the believer, so when you see WORD in the questions, know it refers to the Scripture and the Sermon.

 

Recap:

  1. Does anyone have a testimony of how last week’s WORD transformed the last 7 days?

Engage: 

  1. Read Colossians 1:18-20 and point out anything significant that stands out in the text.

 

  1. Create one clear and concise statement to be the Take Home Truth of Sunday’s WORD.

Reflect: 

  1. According to the WORD, why is Jesus qualified to be the head of His church, and how do you see Him functioning in this role?

 

  1. Richard referred to 2 Timothy 3:1-5. How does this example of the world’s resistance to Christ’s headship manifest itself in today’s world?

 

Respond: 

  1. What areas of your life need to change this week in light of the WORD?

  2. In what ways (or at what times) do oppressive voices tell you that you are not good enough to serve the Lord? What strategy do you employ when those voices tell you that you are so far beneath the level of a “real Christian” that you should just give up?

He Will Hold Me Fast

Colossians 1:15-17

 

NOTICE: The emphasis of our discussion is to see how the Written Word (Bible) and the Spoken Word (Preaching) work together to build up the believer, so when you see WORD in the questions, know it refers to the Scripture and the Sermon.

 

Recap:

  1. Does anyone have a testimony of how last week’s WORD transformed the last 7 days?

Engage: 

  1. Read Colossians 1:15-17 and point out anything significant that stands out in the text.

 

  1. Create one clear and concise statement to be the Take Home Truth of Sunday’s WORD.

Reflect: 

  1. Read John 1:1-18 to supplement the preached text. What did the WORD reveal about the character of God?

 

  1. Cynics accuse Jesus of being an egomaniac by creating all things FOR HIM. How did the message help you understand “for Him” to be a purpose that reveals His love and concern for people?

 

Respond: 

  1. What areas of your life need to change this week in light of the WORD?

 

  1. As the firstborn of creation, Jesus has authority over the Father’s “estate” (the world). How does his authoritative command to make disciples in all the world affect you when cultural voices pressure you to be silent (Matthew 28:18-19)?

  2. The complexity and precision of the universe – along with the detailed plans of God’s control of history as revealed in Scripture, point to God’s control of all things.  “He holds ALL things together.” (V17).  Therefore, why do we sometimes struggle to believe that God is at work in our individual trials?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Continue

Colossians 1:12-15

 

Note: The emphasis of our discussion is to see how the Written Word (Bible) and the Spoken Word (Preaching) work together to build up the believer, so when you see WORD in the questions, you know it refers to the Scriptures and the Sermon.

 

Recap:

  1. Does anyone have a testimony of how last week’s WORD transformed the last 7 days?

Engage: 

  1. Read Colossians 1:12-15 and point out anything significant that stands out in the text.

 

  1. Create one clear and concise statement to be the Take Home Truth of Sunday’s Word.

 

  1. Read John 14:8-11. How does Jesus show Phillip and the disciples that he is the fullness of God?

 

Reflect:

  1. In Colossians 1:18, He is referred to as preeminent (supreme, superior, and unrivaled) what does this mean for our lives? What are we qualified through Christ to inherit?

 

  1. Have you experienced seasons of life where you grew in knowledge about the faith but not in love for Christ? How do you make sure that your knowledge is creating an increase love for Jesus?

Respond:

 

  1. In what ways do you long to see the supremacy of Jesus more revealed in your life? What is one practical area of your life you can commit to change this week, in light of the WORD?

 

  1. How Does the WORD lead you to live on mission? Be practical and specific.

Four Elements of Pastoral Prayers for the Church
Colossians 1:1-14

By John Chambers
4/21/2024

NOTE: The emphasis of our discussion is to see how the Written Word (Bible) and the Spoken Word (Preaching) work together to build up the believer, so when you see WORD in the questions, know it refers to the Scripture and the Sermon.
Recap:
1. Does anyone have a testimony of how last week’s WORD transformed the last 7 days?


Engage:
2. Read Colossians 1:1-14 and point out anything significant that stands out in the text.


3. Create one clear and concise statement to be the Take Home Truth of Sunday’s WORD.
Reflect:


4. What did the WORD reveal about the character of God?


5. What did the WORD reveal about our need for one another within the church?


6. John talked about 3 Works of the Gospel (hear, experience, and share). How has the Gospel transformed your life in ways that you never imagined? How has your transformation impacted the lives of others in ways you may have never thought about?
Respond:


7. What is one practical area of your life you can commit to change this week in light of the WORD?


8. How does the WORD lead you to live on mission? Be practical and specific.

By Grace You Have Been Saved

Ephesians 2:1-10

By Richard Smith

4/14/2024

 

NOTICE: The emphasis of our discussion is to see how the Written Word (Bible) and the Spoken Word (Preaching) work together to build up the believer, so when you see WORD in the questions, know it refers to the Scripture and the Sermon.

 

Recap:

  1. Does anyone have a testimony of how last week’s WORD transformed the last 7 days?

Engage: 

  1. Read Ephesians 2:1-10 and point out anything significant that stands out in the text.

 

  1. Create one clear and concise statement to be the Take Home Truth of Sunday’s WORD.

Reflect: 

  1. What did the WORD reveal about the character of God?

 

  1. What did the WORD expose about the state of mankind?

 

  1. Richard used a story of a car accident on the side of the road to help illustrate the work of Christ in saving us. How does that story relate to your personal testimony of being saved by the Gospel?

 

Respond: 

  1. What areas of your life need to change this week in light of the WORD?

 

  1. How does the WORD lead you to live on mission? Be practical and specific.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Respect the Book God Wrote

Revelation 22:18-19

By Richard Smith

4/7/2024

NOTICE: The emphasis of our discussion is to see how the Written Word (Bible) and the Spoken Word (Preaching) work together to build up the believer, so when you see WORD in the questions, know it refers to the Scripture and the Sermon.

Recap:

  1. Does anyone have a testimony of how last week’s WORD transformed the last 7 days?

Engage:

         2. Read Revelation 5:1-14 and point out anything significant that stands out in the text.

         3. Create one clear and concise statement to be the Take Home Truth of Sunday’s WORD.

Reflect:

        4. What did the WORD reveal about the character of God?

        5. What did the WORD expose about the state of mankind? Also, consider looking at Revelation 22:18-19.

        6. Revelation 22:18-19 presents a stern warning to those who add and/or take away from God’s Word. Reflect on what that warning does and does not mean.

Respond:

         7. What areas of your life need to change this week in light of the WORD?

         8. How does the WORD lead you to live on mission? Be practical and specific.