Week of November 8

Colossians: The X-Factor Difference of Christ in You
The most frequently given promise from God in the Bible is “God with us”. But what about those times when God feels distant, silent or absent? How do we lean into God’s presence in the difficult times of life? Join us for our 2026 Christmas series, “God with us?”, as we lean into the promise of “God with us”, especially in the times when it feels like God is not with us.

The Difference Prayer Makes – Colossians 4:2-4
Jesus is the ultimate x-factor in life. Is Jesus the ultimate X-factor in your life? In your daily life? Paul commands us to be devoted to prayer because prayer makes a difference in our lives and the lives of others.

DISCUSSION/REFLECTION QUESTIONS:
ICE BREAKER QUESTION:

  • Have everyone take a “prayer audit” of themselves by asking these prompts:
    1. Describe your prayer life
    2. How often do you pray?
    3. Why do you pray?
    4. What do you typically pray about?
    5. What do you think is the purpose of praying?

READ: Colossians 4:2-4
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:
    1. What stands out to you from this passage? What are your observations?
    2. How would you summarize this passage in one sentence?
    3. What does this passage tell me about who Jesus is?
    4. What does this passage tell me about who I am in Christ?
    5. What does this tell me about how I can be a difference maker?
  • QUESTIONS:
    1. When you hear the phrase “devote yourselves to prayer,” what comes to mind? What does a devoted prayer life look like in everyday life?
    2. In verse 2, Paul gives three instructions about prayer: be devoted, be watchful, and be thankful. What do you think each of these looks like in our daily lives?
    3. In verse 3, Paul asks the church to pray for him. What specifically does he ask them to pray for?
    4. What does it mean for God to open a door for the message of Christ?
    5. What are some things that commonly distract you or keep you from being consistent in prayer?
    6. How can we become more watchful and aware of what God is doing around us?
    7. When was a time God gave you an opportunity to encourage someone or share your faith?
    8. Is there someone in your life who needs you to pray for an open door to share the Gospel with them?
    9. What would change in your life if you made prayer a greater priority this week?
    10. Paul was in prison when he wrote this letter, yet he asked for opportunities to share the Gospel. What does this teach us about having an eternal perspective?
    11. How can our small group help one another become more devoted to prayer?
    12. 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 4:2-3 “Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful. 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.”

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

Scripture References:
Colossians 1:3; 9-12; 4:2-4; 12; Ephesians 5:1; 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18; Psalm 37:4