Discussion Questions

Sermon Overview:

1. Continue trusting and speaking the gospel by which God transforms lives.

2. Christians are recognizable by their transformed lives. (vv. 3-5a)

- Paul recognizes the Colossians as genuine Christians by their faith and love, nurtured by their hope. (vv. 4-5a)

- He directs his thanks to God, who has done this transforming work. (v. 3)

3. God transforms through the gospel. (vv. 5b-8)

- The gospel is true. (v. 5b)

- The gospel is about grace. (v. 6)

- Transformation begins when the gospel is understood. (v. 6)

- Transformation continues as the gospel is trusted. (v. 6)

- Transformation spreads as the gospel is spoken to others. (vv. 6-7)

Digging Deeper:

Read Colossians 1:3-8

1. God changes people through the power of the gospel. How familiar are you with this concept?

2. What are some other ways we think we can change?

3. Why is it good news that God transforms lives by the power of the gospel?

4. How would you respond to the statement, “The gospel is for unbelievers; discipleship is for believers.”? To what extent is this true? To what extent is this misguided?

5. How does this passage help us understand what the Gospel is?

6. How do you see the marks of faith, love, and hope evident in the lives of those around you?

7. How does the hope of partaking in the everlasting kingdom of God in the future fuel our ability to labor in love for others in the present?

8. Transformation begins when the gospel is understood. What practical steps can we take to grow in our understanding of the gospel, which will (Lord willing) bring increased transformation to our lives?

9. Transformation continues as the gospel is trusted. Practically speaking, what would it look like for you to "trust the gospel” in a specific situation in your life right now? How might you grow in this?

10. Transformation spreads as the gospel is spoken to others. Who in your life might God want you to speak the gospel to in the coming days? How could you plan and pray toward having a conversation with a particular person, that you pivot toward the gospel?

Prayer