Colossians Overview
Read Colossians 1:9-14
Open
1. How many “friends” do you have on your Facebook page or if you don’t have a Facebook page, how many “friends” would you have had on your Facebook page when you were in high school? Tell us about your best friend in high school?
2. What is there in your life that makes you feel the most “small and insignificant”? Similarly, what uncertainties in life are the most difficult for you to deal with?
Dig
3. Allan talked about the two central themes of Colossians. The first is that in the midst of a pluralistic world with many competing theologies and philosophies there is one true story—the story of the gospel of Jesus Christ. He is the Cosmic Christ who is supreme over all. Read Colossians 1:15-23. What in these verses most convinces you of the supremacy of Christ? Is there anything that you are still skeptical about? How might Paul respond to our skepticism?
4. The second theme of Colossians that Allan lifted up was that this Cosmic Christ has also come near to us (Col. 1:27—“this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory.”). Allan said that when we say, “yes” to Jesus Christ then we are freed from self-pity, self-hatred, etc. and we are freed to love God and love one another. How is this so? How has this been your experience?
5. Are there any other themes in Colossians that have been particularly powerful for you?
Reflect
6. Do you think our congregation needs to be reminded of these two central themes of Colossians? Why? What are the consequences in your life and in our life together for neglecting or forgetting either or both of these themes?
