Life Group Questions – Counter Culture Sermon Series

Read Colossians 1:9-12 and 2:6-10. What’s the connection between Paul’s stated goal in chapter 1 and his teaching in chapter 2? Why is this important for us today?
Read Colossians 2:10-19. Jesus is enough, we don’t need Jesus plus ___________ (fill in the blank). What does Jesus being enough mean in the passage? What does it mean for you today?
Read Colossians 2:20-23. To experience the fullness of Jesus and the abundant life he offers is to recognize that through Christ we have died to the hollow philosophies and deceptive values of this world (cf 2:8). What are some of the empty values and priorities of this world? Where has the Spirit done the work of dying to these broken philosophies? Where do you still struggle?
Reread Colossians 2:9-15. When you think of your life – family and finances, work and recreation – what’s your Jesus plus? We all have them. Or to put it another way, what needs Jesus is enough written over it? What might that look like practically speaking?

In what way is our culture a pain avoidant one?
Read Genesis 3:16, Ezekiel 16:1-6, John 3:1-8, John 16:20-22, Galatians 4:19 (use NLT), Revelation 12:1-2. How would you compile the themes of these passages together? In the biblical era, how was the metaphor of birth utilized and understood in relation to God?
Read Colossians 1:24-2:5. In what ways does Paul build upon the labour pains worldview?
What is Paul’s approach to hard work (think voluntarily labor) and what can we learn from it?
What is Paul’s approach to afflictions (think suffering beyond our control) and what can we learn from it?

What was the Spirit whispering to you through this past Sunday gathering?
Read Colossians 1:15-23. What truth about Jesus is most encouraging? Hardest to grasp? Most needed in your life today?
Think of all the things that make up our lives. What does putting Jesus first look like in the various relationships and activities of life?
What one area of life has putting Jesus first benefited you and how? What one area of life is God calling you to surrender to Jesus and how?
Plan out how you’re going to encourage one another this week. Pray for one another.

Recall a season in your life when you were especially grateful? What happened that made you grateful and how did it impact you and those around you?
Read Colossians 1:1-14, 2:7, 3:15, 4:2. Why is thanksgiving so important for the believers? What difference does it make? What are the consequences of it’s absence?
List the things that Paul was thankful for and encouraged others to be thankful for (1:3-14). How does this list compare with what you are typically thankful for?
How might your life be different if you were to intentionally engage in a Colossians like gratitude with the help of the Holy Spirit?
Pray through Colossians 1:1-14 daily this week with the goal of developing a new gratitude.