THRIVE WEEK 4
OVERCOMING STUCK WITH TRANSFORMATION
"“The essence of other religions is advice; Christianity is essentially news. Other religions say “ this is what you have to do in order to connect to God forever; this is how you have to live in order to earn your way to God”. But the gospel says “this is what has been done in history. This is how Jesus lived and died to earn the way to God for you”
- TIM KELLER”
PRIMARY TEXT:
COLOSSIANS 3:1-14 If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. 2 Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth. 3 For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. 4 When Christ who is your life appears, then you also will appear with him in glory.
5 Put to death therefore what is earthly in you: sexual immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry. 6 On account of these the wrath of God is coming. 7 In these you too once walked, when you were living in them. 8 But now you must put them all away: anger, wrath, malice, slander, and obscene talk from your mouth. 9 Do not lie to one another, seeing that you have put off the old self with its practices 10 and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge after the image of its creator. 11 Here there is not Greek and Jew, circumcised and uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave, free; but Christ is all, and in all.
12 Put on then, as God's chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience, 13 bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive. 14 And above all these put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony.
Discussion
OPENING QUESTION:
Around the circle: What is one thing you’ve set out to change and failed in. (lighthearted stuff)
READ COLOSSIANS 3:1-14
TEXT QUESTIONS
1. IN PAIRS What stood out to you from the Text? What questions did it raise for you”
2. Verse 2 says “Set you mind on things above, not on things that are on earth” Why might Paul be instructing us to reorient our thought life before urging us to change our behaviour?
See also Philipians 4:8 Our behaviour changes when we realise our identity is in Christ and think about what has been done for us and who we are becoming.
3. In this passage, What reasons are given for living a changed life?
v1 Raised with Christ, v3 died and Life hidden with Christ. v4 future glory v10 new self in image of creator v12 Gods chosen ones v13 Forgiven.
4. On this list of behaviours that are part of the Old self or the new self. Does anything stand out that you don’t normally think about for yourself?
APPLICATION
1. When is a time you have experienced significant growth in your walk with Jesus.
2. At the moment do you feel like you are growing as a follower of Jesus or are stuck?
3. What is one area you could start intentionally seeking to grow in this week?
PRAYER.
1. Pray for God to be bringing about real change in your life.
2.Share an area you are wanting to see growth in.
Weekly Challenge:
Read over the passage again. Choose one area of the Old self you want to put off and one part of the new self you want to put on.
Create a plan to grow in this area.