Week of November 15

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.

Week 11: People Matter – Colossians 4:5-18
Jesus is the ultimate x-factor in life. Is Jesus the ultimate X-factor in your life? In your daily life? As “insiders” we should be wise and intentional about how we act towards “outsiders”. Jesus wants “outsiders” to become “insiders”, and he wants “insiders” to go looking for “outsiders” to help bring them in. We need to be intentional about living as everyday missionaries wherever Monday may find us. And we need each other to make an impact together.

DISCUSSION/REFLECTION QUESTIONS:
ICE BREAKER QUESTIONS:

  • What would you title this chapter of your life story?
  • If you were asked to give a 15-minute presentation on anything, what subject and title would you choose?

READ: Colossians 4:5-18
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. How can our everyday speech, actions, and attitudes demonstrate Jesus to people who don’t know Him?
    2. What are some opportunities God gives us to share our faith that we might overlook?
    3. What is the difference between speaking truth and speaking truth with grace?
    4. Why do you think Paul ends his letter with personal greetings rather than simply stopping after his instructions?
    5. 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 4:5-6 Be wise in the way you act toward outsiders; make the most of every opportunity. Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone.

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

Scripture References:
Colossians 4:5-18; Ephesians 4:29; Philippians 4:9; Philippians 2:3-4; Matthew 28:18-20