Week of October 11

Colossians: The X-Factor Difference of Christ in You
An X factor is the thing that makes the difference in how something turns out.
In Colossians we discover how finding our life in Christ, and living our life in Christ, is the ultimate x factor that makes all the difference in how our lives and how life itself all turns out.

Week 6: New Life in Jesus – Colossians 3:1-11
Paul has laid out the theology of our security and identity in Christ and now shifts to the practical implications and applications of what a new life in Christ should manifest in our daily living. Paul challenges us to put death the old life and live out our new identity in Christ. The “old me” has got to go so the “new me” can find and live my life IN CHRIST.
WE are NOW SO BE

DISCUSSION/REFLECTION QUESTIONS:
ICE BREAKER QUESTIONS
From the past few weeks of your life, share a HIGH, LOW and a BUFFALO (something random from this past few weeks).

  • READ: Colossians 3:1-11.
    Spend some time SOAPing this passage. You can either spend time SOAPing individually and documenting for a several minutes and then spend time sharing with each -OR- SOAP in real time with each other. Either way make as many observations as you can.

    • OBSERVATIONS: What stands out to you from this passage What are your observations?
    • How would you summarize this passage in one sentence?
    • What does this passage tell me about who Jesus is?
    • What does this passage tell me about who I am in Christ?
  • Read Colossians 3:1-4 together. Paul says you have been raised with Christ, your life is hidden with Christ, and you will appear with him in glory. How does it change things to see your identity as past, present, and future “with Christ”?
  • Mark discussed the importance of New Testament theology and the difference between the indicative (facts, reality) and the imperative (commands, requests because of the indicative). He stated, “God doesn’t tell you what to do until he tells you who you are.” Why do you think Paul starts with identity (the indicative) before giving commands (the imperative)? How do we tend to flip this order in our own lives or in church? What is the impact.
  • The “spiritual GPS” has to establish where you are before it tells you where to turn. Is it easier for you to believe your status with God is a finished fact or reality or to feel it is still pending based on your performance? What tends to make you doubt it? How do can we embrace our true identity?
  • Paul says to “set your hearts” and “set your minds” on things above (vv. 1-2). What does “think heaven, live earth” look like in an ordinary setting like your workplace, school, home, dating, or the soccer field? What typically pulls your attention and affection elsewhere?
  • Paul calls us to put to death the old self, not remodel it (vv. 5-9). Mark compared it to leveling a building and rebuilding rather than patching a few walls. Where are you tempted to renovate an old habit instead of letting it go entirely?
    How can we “put death” old behavior and focus on “new life in Christ?
  • Paul lists sexual immorality, impurity, and greed, which he calls idolatry (v. 5), and also anger, malice, slander, and lying (vv. 8-9). Which of these do you think we take most lightly in our culture or even in church? Why might Paul have put so much focus on them? How does this apply to us today?
  • Verse 10 says the new self “is being renewed,” which is ongoing and something Christ does in us, yet we are still told to participate. Mark quoted, St. Augustine: “God provides the wind but man must raise the sails.” What does raising the sails look like practically for you this week?
  • What else stood out from this week’s sermon?

APPLICATION:
What is your big takeaway from this week’s sermon? Be specific.

NEXT STEPS:
Everyone has a next step to apply what we’ve learned. What’s your next step? Be specific.

MEMORY VERSE: *Challenge yourself or your group to commit this verse to memory:
Colossians 3:1-2 1Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. 2 Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things.

PRAYER:
Spend some time praying as a group using Colossians 1:9-12 as a guide.

Scripture References:
Colossians 3:1-11, Colossians 1:21-22, 2:13, Philippians 3:12-14