Growth Group Discussion Guide for Week of Feb 24

Digging In the Word 

Paul’s concern for the disciples at Colossae was that they would continue in the faith. How does the Apostle encourage them – and us – to preserve as Christians? Let’s take a closer look at what we read here and what we learned on Sunday.

• Let’s read Colossians 1:15-23. 

1. What point is Paul trying to make to the Colossians in 1:13-14 and 15-20? What does this have to do with “the “hope of the Gospel” (compare verse 23 and 27!)? 
2. In verse 23, Paul urges the Colossians to persevere in their faith and not allow themselves to be constantly shifting from the hope of the Gospel. How do you think believers today are tempted to “shift away from the hope of the Gospel”? What are we taught here to do instead? What does that look like?
3. Pastor Josh pointed out the difference between the “outputs” of a Christian lifestyle and the “outcomes” of Gospel transformation. What do you think the difference is between outputs and outcomes?
4. We should expect to see certain outcomes over time as a result of true Gospel transformation in the life of the truly converted. What Gospel transformation outcomes can we find in Colossians [see 1:23; 2:6-7, 19; 3:5-4:6]? 
5. What do we learn in Colossians that can help us pursue Gospel transformation together? 

Applying the Truth 

• Pastor Josh shared this quote from the late Dr. Howard Hendricks: “Many of us want a word from God, but we don’t want the Word of God. We know enough to own a Bible but not enough for the Bible to own us. We pay the Bible lip service, but we fail to give it ‘life service’.” Do you agree with Dr. Hendricks? How is this problem manifested in your life? In your marriage? In your friendships? In your family? 
• How do you you think God is challenging you to persevere in your faith toward greater Gospel transformation? 
• How would you like to have others pray for you? Break into groups of men and women to share your answers and to pray for one another. 

Growth Group Discussion Guide for the Week of Feb 17

OPENING UP

• What do you think of when you hear the word “disciple” or “discipleship”?
• On Sunday, Pastor Josh provided the following definition of discipleship based on Luke 9:18-26: “A disciple is someone who confesses Christ as Savior, followers Christ as Lord, and loves Christ as greatest treasure.” How is this definition helpful? What do you think requires more explanation? 

Pastor Josh also presented us with the diagram here on the right. It pictures the 3-fold strategy for making disciples found in throughout the New Testament:

• How does this diagram help us to think about discipleship?

 DIGGING IN THE WORD

Let’s read Colossians 1:3-14.

1. How had Paul and Epaphras been intentional in their pursuit of others with the Gospel (see 1:5-8)?
2. What do we learn about Epaphras as a disciple-maker in 1:5-8 and 4:12-13?
3. The closing greetings in 4:7-18 provide a unique glimpse into the lives of the men and women of this community in Colossae. What can we learn from this? How should this encourage us?

APPLYING THE TRUTH

We learned on Sunday that “…for effective discipleship to take place, there must be disciples committed to intentionally reach out to one another for the purpose of spiritual maturity.”

• How do you see that happening here in the context of our Growth Group? In what ways could we be more intentional in our pursuit of one another for the purpose of spiritual maturity?
• How do you you think God is challenging you to pursue others intentionally for the purpose of spiritual maturity?
• How would you like to have others pray for you? Break into groups of men and women to share your answers and to pray for one another.

Community Is Not an Activity

"Those first Christians of Acts 2 were not devoting themselves to social activities but to a relationship — a relationship that consisted of sharing together the very life of God through the indwelling of the Holy Spirit. They understood that they had entered this relationship by faith in Jesus Christ, not by joining an organization. And they realized that their fellowship with God logically brought them into fellowship with one another. Through their union with Christ, they were formed into a spiritually organic community. They were living stones being built into a spiritual house (see 1 Peter 2: 5), fellow members of the body of Christ. As William Hendriksen said, 'Koinonia, then, is basically a community-relationship.' It is not primarily an activity; it is a relationship. 

"It is this spiritually organic relationship that forms the basis of true Christian community. It is not the fact that we are united in common goals or purposes that makes us a community. Rather, it is the fact that we share a common life in Christ. There are many organizations, both secular and Christian, whose members work together to pursue common goals.

"Some of these groups may call themselves communities. But biblical community goes much deeper than sharing common goals, though it ultimately involves that. Biblical community is first of all the sharing of a common life in Christ. It is when we grasp this truth that we are in a position to begin to understand true community."

Jerry Bridges True Community: The Biblical Practice of Koinonia (Kindle Locations 102-113). Navpress. Kindle Edition. 

Growth Group Homework for Oct 21

Jesus’ sermon in Luke 6 explains what it truly means to follow Him and how radical a shift a believer makes in becoming His disciple. Here in the opening of His teaching, Jesus turns conventional thinking upside-down as he explains who is truly blessed and who is not. For disciples today, it is important that we understand and pursue a life that is truly blessed. 

• Read Luke 6:20-26

1. What insight, principle, or observation from this weekend’s message did you find to be most helpful, eye-opening, or troubling? Explain.
2. When was the last time you felt that God was truly blessing you? How do you think most people think about what it means to be “blessed”?
3. What do you think the disciples found surprising in Jesus’ teaching about the true nature of blessedness? How does Jesus’ teaching contrast itself against contemporary misconceptions about what it means to live a blessed life?
4. Luke 6 isn’t the only time Jesus talks about the nature of true blessing. Examine the following passages and summarize what they teach about who is “blessed” and why:
• Luke 7:23
• Luke 10:23-24
• Luke 11:27-28
• Luke 12:35-40
• Luke 14:12-14
• Luke 24:50-53
5. To be blessed is to know the reality of God’s total commitment to those who joyfully trust Him with their present lives and future hope. In what ways does this passage show that has God fully committed Himself to His people?