Whangarei Central Baptist Church

Jesus + Nothing Part 3 – “In Christ”

Colossians 2:1-8

Opening Questions:
1. What is a freedom you are grateful for?
2. What do you think is a mark of maturity?

Important to Know:
In this section, Paul further elaborates on why Christ is enough, and on what sort of “fine-sounding arguments” he doesn’t want the church to be deceived by. In verses 6-8 he reminds us that Christ is enough and to not drift away from Him.

Questions from the Text:
1. In Vs 2:1 Paul says he is struggling for the church. What could he mean? (in prayer (vs. 3), in teaching (vs. 28), in proclaiming, in suffering (see in verse 18 that he is in chains)).

2. Vs 2-3 says all wisdom and knowledge is found in Christ. Where else do people often look for these things? a. How could finding your wisdom and knowledge in Christ alone help present you “fully mature in Christ” (vs. 1:28)?

3. In vs4 Paul wrote so that “no one may deceive you by fine-sounding arguments.” What are some “fine-sounding” arguments you are aware of that have crept into the church?

4. In verse 7, what four images does Paul give of living with Christ?

5. What do each of these four images illuminate about living with Christ:
a. Rooted in Christ (an agricultural term) being in Christ once and for all and not moving
b. Built up in him (construction term) outward and orderly progress through time
c. Strengthened in the faith (athletic imagery) exercise and practice of determination and perseverance and obedience
d. Overflowing with thankfulness (water imagery) continuous renewal of thanks, like water from a spring feeding everything around it.

6. What does Paul warn against in verse 8?

7. What are some things you think might fall under “hollow and deceptive philosophies”? (tolerance, no absolute truth, materialism as success, many ways to God, science as final authority rather than a revealer of it, intellectualism esteemed as enlightenment)

Application Question:
Of the four images in question 2, which do you feel strongest in? Which do you need to grow in? How can you help each other do this?

Jesus + Nothing Part 2 – “The Purpose/ Focus of the Church”

Colossians 1:25-29

Jesus + Nothing – Colossians 1:25-29

Opening Questions:
Share a story about someone now living for Jesus that you never would have thought would ever make that decision.

Important to Know:
In this section, Paul continues from the previous week’s assertion that he is a servant of the gospel, and then explains why he is so – to present the word of God for the sake of Christ’s body the church. He says that the mystery of the Gospel has now been disclosed to God’s people, and that God has even chosen to reveal this mystery to the Gentiles. Paul is presenting a “ta-da!” sort of mystery. The kind that is like a plot twist. It is the sort of mystery that is hidden, and is then revealed to all who would receive it – not just a select few.

Questions from the Text:
1. In verse 25, What does Paul say his role is?

2. In verse 24, Paul says his flesh takes on the suffering that was still lacking from Christ’s afflictions. If Christ did all that was needed to redeem us, what “lack” might Paul be talking about? (See verse 25). All that is left for people to receive the sacrifice of Christ, is to HEAR about it! For the sake of Christ’s body, the church, we may suffer that people may hear the gospel, and join the body.

3. Verse 26. What is the mystery the world has been waiting to be revealed? What is the answer? Ex. Mystery: How (even if) God will reconcile people to Himself. (Answer: Christ in us, the hope of Glory.)

4. According to verse 28:
What is our message?
Who is our target?
What’s our goal? (How does transformation differ from information?)
Who does this work?

5. Following, in verse 29, how are we supposed to do this work? How does this work for you in “real life?”

Application Questions:
Verse 28 talks about teaching everyone with all wisdom, so we may present everyone perfect (mature) in Christ. How can you follow Paul’s lead in “teaching” your fellow Christians? How about to those who don’t know him?

Jesus + Nothing Part 1 – “Staying Centred on What’s Central”

Jesus + Nothing
Week One: Staying Centred on what’s Central – Colossians 1:15-23

Opening Questions:
1. What was the weirdest/most difficult job you’ve had. What was hard? What made it worth it?
2. Have you ever had to reconcile with someone? What was the circumstance, and how did you both make it through the rough time?

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