Shadows & Substance

Northwest Gospel Church

Shadows & Substance

Colossians 2:16-23

October 20, 2024 • Ben Potloff • Colossians 2:16–23

Colossians 2:16-23 | Ben Potloff | Is Christ enough? Is what Jesus did for us on the cross when He bore our sins in His body enough? When He shed His blood, when He died and was buried, was it enough? And when He rose again from the dead, was it enough? Was all that Jesus accomplished enough for us to stand before a Holy God, forgiven, cleansed, and washed from our sins? Paul’s response is a resounding YES!

MAIN IDEA

Religious experiences or rule-keeping can’t change you, but Christ can.

OUTLINE

I. Don’t be deceived by Christless mysticism and behavior modification (vv. 18-23)

II. Don’t follow shadows when you can follow the real thing (vv. 16-17)

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS

1. Has there ever been a time that others have passed judgment on your walk with Christ like those in Colossians 2:16? How does Paul encourage them in 2:17?

2. What is meant by asceticism in Colossian 2:18, and is there a place for it in our faith walk with Christ? (Definition: a lifestyle characterized by abstinence from worldly pleasures. An example would be Monks withdrawing from society, severe fasting, mistreating the body)

3. Continuing in Colossian 2:18 what are your thoughts on Paul’s mention of those worshiping angels and visions? Are you surprised by Paul’s response to that at the end of verse 18?

What is Paul’s response to 2:18 and why those who practice what he mentions are being misled?

4. In Colossians 2:20-23 Paul talks about mixing man-made religion in with the truth of the gospel. How can this be a hindrance to our walk with Christ? How do we distinguish between the two?

And Another Thing…

November 17, 2024 • Max Janusch • Colossians 4:2–6

Colossians 4:2-6 | Max Janusch | This week, after pointed instruction about the household of the follower of Jesus, Paul begins to conclude his letter, giving some final instructions before wrapping up. He puts his finger on two crucial elements of the Christian life: prayer and our behavior toward those who do not believe. In light of who Jesus is and what he’s done, how should we pray? And how should we act around those who aren’t living as though all things truly are through him and for him? MAIN IDEA Let your life speak of Christ. OUTLINE I. Persistent prayer should permeate God’s people. (vv. 2-4) II. Would-be witnesses should walk wisely in the world. (vv. 5-6) DISCUSSION QUESTIONS 1. Think back on last week’s text (3:18-4:1). Now read this week’s short text together (4:2-6). How do Paul’s words in these five verses help us apply the instruction from last week’s passage? 2. Look at all five days of “Engage the Text.” You’ll notice that all of Paul’s instructions in these verses can be traced back to the teachings of Jesus. Take a few moments and look at all the overlap, making observations as you go. 3. Look at verses 2-4. What does Paul say about prayer? How should this shape how we pray? Does this come easy to you? Difficult? Why? 4. How often do you pray for each other, that God would help your group mates as you share the gospel with others? How can you encourage each other in this? 5. Read verses 5-6. Why is this especially important in our current day and age? Think about your own personal relationships. What are specific ways that this can be a struggle? How can we, as the people of God, grow in this area?

How Shall We Live?

November 10, 2024 • Luke Hendrix • Colossians 3:18–25, Colossians 4:1

Colossians 3:18-4:1 | Luke Hendrix | Moving on from his exhortations in the beginning of Colossians 3, Paul now takes those principles and then gives instructions on what it looks like to live life in Christ in the context of the relationships we find ourselves in. He first addresses the family, the foundational relationship of any society. He speaks to wives, husbands, children, and fathers before turning his attention to servants and masters. Our lives in Christ are to reflect him fully, no matter what role we find ourselves fulfilling, living out verses twelve through seventeen in every context. DISCUSSION QUESTIONS 1. What role or roles in your life are you struggling the most to live out considering Paul’s call in verses 12-17? 2. In the roles of wife, husband, mother, father, boss or employee, what has helped you most in living as God’s chosen ones? 3. Paul says that fathers are not to provoke their children, for those that are parents in the group, how do you do this well and where do you see yourself needing to grow in this area? 4. The work that you do, who do you think people see you doing it for and why? 5. Verse 25 tells us that God shows no favoritism and that judgment will be impartial regardless of human “class”. How should this change the way we think about people and the way we treat them in life?

Dress Code

November 3, 2024 • Max Janusch • Colossians 3:12–17

Colossians 3:12-17 | Max Janusch | The Christian life comes with a whole new wardrobe, new habits and practices and priorities. And the best part? This new life is not lived in order to get to God, it’s lived because you have God! These new things are not ways to righteousness, they are the way of righteousness for the individual Christian and the whole Christian community. MAIN IDEA New life calls for a new way of life. OUTLINE I. Christians act different because they are different. (vv. 12-14) II. Christians overflow with thankfulness to God. (15-17) DISCUSSION QUESTIONS 1. What has stood out to you from this passage that is particularly encouraging, challenging, inspiring, comforting, etc.? 2. What reason does Paul give for you to “put on” all these things? What does he say qualifies you for this? 3. What or who do you need in order to do the things called for in this passage? Hint: look at those around you. 4. Thankfulness and thanksgiving play a big part in this passage. How do you practice these things? How can you grow in this discipline of the Christian life? 5. What do you need in order to grow in all these things? What happens if you become unbalanced and only grow in certain areas of the Christian life?