10-27-2019
10-27-2019
Eric Stewart, Rebekah Manuel, and Pastor Efrain Silva
Sermon Series: Colossians
Week 8: Up
English PDF file for printing: 10-27-2019
Para imprimir el archivo PDF en Español: 27 octubre 2019
By now, you should be able to recite our theme verse from memory.
Colossians 1:28: “He is the one we proclaim, admonishing and teaching everyone with all wisdom, so that we may present everyone fully mature in Christ.”Read Colossians 4:2-6: “Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful. 3 And pray for us, too, that God may open a door for our message, so that we may proclaim the mystery of Christ, for which I am in chains. 4 Pray that I may proclaim it clearly, as I should. 5 Be wise in the way you act toward outsiders; make the most of every opportunity. 6 Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone.”
What are some mistaken ideas people have about prayer?
What can you learn about prayer in this passage from Colossians?
What does it mean to be “watchful” in prayer?
Paul asks the Colossian church to pray that he would have open doors to talk about Christ there in prison. So we see that Paul believes evangelism starts with prayer. Take a few minutes now to pray as a group for our church’s outreach to disinterested people, as well as for your individual group members’ opportunities to share about faith with unchurched people.
Paul asks for prayer that he could “proclaim the mystery of Christ” “clearly” to people who don’t yet know Jesus. And in verse 6, Paul says it’s important that each of us knows how to answer people regarding our faith. If someone were to ask you how to begin a relationship with Jesus Christ, how would you explain it?
Paul urges all of us believers: “be wise in how you act toward outsiders.” What are some ways that Christians might sometimes act unwisely toward outsiders?
In Romans 2:4, Paul reminds us that God primarily uses kindness to lead people to repentance. What are some practical ways to use kindness to attract people to Jesus Christ?
Paul urges the Colossians to “make the most of every opportunity.” Can you think of some current or upcoming opportunities that people in our church could use to help unchurched people begin to connect with Jesus Christ?
Paul says our conversations with unbelievers should always be “full of grace, seasoned with salt.” What does Paul mean by that?
In 2 Timothy 2:23-26, Paul writes the following instructions about evangelism: “Don’t have anything to do with foolish and stupid arguments, because you know they produce quarrels. 24 And the Lord’s servant must not be quarrelsome but must be kind to everyone, able to teach, not resentful. 25 Opponents must be gently instructed, in the hope that God will grant them repentance leading them to a knowledge of the truth, 26 and that they will come to their senses and escape from the trap of the devil, who has taken them captive to do his will.”
What do you notice here about how we can be most effective when sharing our faith?
Read Colossians 4:7-18:
“Tychicus will tell you all the news about me. He is a dear brother, a faithful minister and fellow servant in the Lord. 8 I am sending him to you for the express purpose that you may know about our circumstances and that he may encourage your hearts. 9 He is coming with Onesimus, our faithful and dear brother, who is one of you. They will tell you everything that is happening here. 10 My fellow prisoner Aristarchus sends you his greetings, as does Mark, the cousin of Barnabas. (You have received instructions about him; if he comes to you, welcome him.) 11 Jesus, who is called Justus, also sends greetings. These are the only Jews among my co-workers for the kingdom of God, and they have proved a comfort to me. 12 Epaphras, who is one of you and a servant of Christ Jesus, sends greetings. He is always wrestling in prayer for you, that you may stand firm in all the will of God, mature and fully assured. 13 I vouch for him that he is working hard for you and for those at Laodicea and Hierapolis. 14 Our dear friend Luke, the doctor, and Demas send greetings. 15 Give my greetings to the brothers and sisters at Laodicea, and to Nympha and the church in her house. 16 After this letter has been read to you, see that it is also read in the church of the Laodiceans and that you in turn read the letter from Laodicea. 17 Tell Archippus: ‘See to it that you complete the ministry you have received in the Lord.’ 18 I, Paul, write this greeting in my own hand. Remember my chains. Grace be with you.”
14. What can you learn from Paul’s comments about the following people?
Tychicus
Onesimus
Aristarchus, Mark, and Jesus/Justus
Epaphras
Luke
15. What insights does this portion of Paul’s letter to the Colossians give you about Paul’s situation and what churches were like at that time?
16. What has been one helpful idea for you personally from Paul’s letter to the Colossians?