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MUSIC & SCRIPTURE

In Your Presence (Deuteronomy 31:6) – Nothing Is Wasted by Elevation Worship

Hosanna (Mark 11:9-10) – Savior King by Hillsong Worship

I Stand Amazed (2 Corinthians 8:9) – North Point Live by Candi Shelton (North Point)

Cornerstone (Psalm 18:2) – Cornerstone by Hillsong Worship

Give Me Faith (Psalm 73:25-26) – Nothing Is Wasted by Elevation Worship

TEACHING: A Study of Deeper Faith in Colossians, Part 17

To the degree that you don’t know Christ, you will trust in other things.

CLICK HERE FOR THE SERMON AUDIO

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS FOR SHEPHERD GROUPS

1. What was one thing you found particularly interesting, insightful, helpful or difficult to understand from this sermon?
2. Throughout the course of this teaching series, what has particularly impacted you from the book of Colossians?
3. What verse(s) would you consider the key verse(s) from each chapter of Colossians?
4. Read and discuss Colossians 1:27. Why is Christ the “hope of glory”? What is biblical hope?
5. How is hope dulled by unbelief? Where in your walk with Christ do you struggle with unbelief?
6. Read and discuss Colossians 2:13-14. What does this section tell us about forgiveness and the gospel? What are the practical implications for your life?
7. In what ways do you allow the gospel to become dulled by familiarity? How can we keep that from happening?
8. Read and discuss Colossians 3:1-4. What do these verses tell us about an eternal focus? How does temporal experience dull our focus on eternity?
9. Read and discuss Colossians 4:1-5. What do these verses have to do with missions? If our passion for missions is dulled by distance, what are some things you and your Shepherd Group can do to “close the gap”?
10. “To the degree that you don’t know Christ, you will trust in other things.” How have you found this to be true? How does the gospel give us grace to deal with this?

MUSIC & SCRIPTURE

Sing, Sing, Sing (Psalm 47:6-7) – Hello Love by Chris Tomlin

With Us (Psalm 46:10-11a) – God Is Able by Hillsong Worship

Forever Reign (Lamentations 5:19) – A Beautiful Exchange by Hillsong Worship

The Wonderful Cross (Galatians 6:14) – The Worship Initiative, Vol. 5 by Shane & Shane

Unending Love (Romans 8:38-39) – God Is Able by Hillsong Worship

Son of God (Psalm 145:3-4) – Beauty in the Broken by Starfield

TEACHING: A Study of Deeper Faith in Colossians, Part 16

Friendships expand the capacity of the soul to experience life.

CLICK HERE FOR THE SERMON AUDIO

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS FOR SHEPHERD GROUPS

1. What was one thing you found particularly interesting, insightful, helpful or difficult to understand from this sermon?
2. Read and discuss Colossians 4:7-14 . What do these verses show us about the nature of ministry and the church?
3. If you were writing a letter to tell others about how thankful you are for the people in your life, how many people would you include? Who are they? Who might include you in their letter?
4. “Friendships expand the capacity of the soul to experience life.” How have you seen or experienced this? What qualities make for a deep friendship?
5. When you find people in pain, do you tend to avoid or engage?
6. “Any time you forgive or are forgiven, your soul expands.”  How have you experienced forgiveness? Is there someone in  your life you need to seek forgiveness from? Is there someone you need to extend forgiveness to?
7. What specific seasons or moments in your life have expanded the capacity of your soul to love and care for others?
8. What does the gospel direct and demand regarding friendships, forgiveness , encouragement and ministering to others?
9. Spend some time in prayer about the things you’ve discussed. Ask the Lord to show you one person you can “go after” in encouragement.

MUSIC & SCRIPTURE

Open Up Our Eyes (Ephesians 1:18-19a) – Nothing Is Wasted by Elevation Worship

Endless Light (Psalm 113:3-4) – Cornerstone by Hillsong Worship

Christ Is Enough (2 Corinthians 12:9) – Glorious Ruins by Hillsong Worship

The Lord Our God (James 1:17) – Let The Future Begin by Kristian Stanfill (Passion)

Be Thou My Vision (2 Corinthians 3:17-18) – Cathedral by Heartsong

In Christ Alone (Galatians 2:20) – Let The Future Begin by Kristian Stanfill (Passion)

TEACHING: A Study of Deeper Faith in Colossians, Part 15

Everyone has a platform to proclaim the “mystery of Christ.” What gospel inroads has God given you?

CLICK HERE FOR THE SERMON AUDIO

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS FOR SHEPHERD GROUPS

1. What was one thing you found particularly interesting, insightful, helpful or difficult to understand from this sermon?
2. Read and discuss Colossians 4:2-6 . What do these verses tell you about you? What do they tell you about Jesus?
3. Would you consider prayer a strength or a weakness in your walk with the Lord? Why? How do these verses instruct us in the area of prayer?
4. Have you had any recent opportunities to “proclaim the mystery of Christ” (v. 3)? What happened?
5. What does it mean to “walk in wisdom toward outsiders” (v. 5)? Do you make the best use of your time with those who do not know Jesus? How can you grow in this area?
6. What does it mean to be gracious in speech (v. 6)? Do you consider your words generally to be “seasoned with salt”? How do you need to grow in this area?
7. “God did not come to heal all your pain, but to give you the grace to get through the pain.” Have you experienced this? How do you respond to that statement? How can pain become a platform for the gospel?
8. What “gospel inroads” has God given you? What do you need to do in faith & obedience to make the most of those opportunities?
9. Spend some time in prayer about the things you’ve discussed. Ask God to give you opportunities to proclaim Christ in clear and wise ways to those around us.

MUSIC & SCRIPTURE

Our God Is Love (1 John 4:9-10) – A Beautiful Exchange by Hillsong

In Your Presence (Deuteronomy 31:6) – Nothing Is Wasted by Elevation Worship

Nothing But The Blood (Ephesians 1:7-8) – Facedown by Matt Redman

Lord of All (Psalm 97:5-6) – Louder Than Creation by Kristian Stanfill (North Point)

Lord I Need You (Hebrews 4:16) – All The People Said Amen by Matt Maher

TEACHING: A Study of Deeper Faith in Colossians, Part 14

As the church, we should be known more for the good we do than the evil that we hate.

CLICK HERE FOR THE SERMON AUDIO

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS FOR SHEPHERD GROUPS

1. What was one thing you found particularly interesting, insightful, helpful or difficult to understand from this sermon?
2. Read and discuss Colossians 3:22-25 and Matthew 5:11-16, 1 Peter 2:11-17. What do these verses tell you about you? What do they tell you about Jesus? What topics or themes do you note in these verses?
3. In what ways do we tend to make government or education a savior? Can you think of other societal values we try to make saviors?
4. Are you in a position of authority, servitude or both in your vocation? Do you find your position a difficult one? Why or why not? What would you change about those around you? What needs to change in you?
5. How have you seen authority abused? How have you seen it used in godly ways?
6. “Good deeds are the platform from which the world watches to see what Christians are like.” Have you seen this to be true?
7. Do you think our church is known more for what we are for, or for what we are against? What about the church in general? Why? What change(s) need to occur in this area for the advancement of the kingdom?
8. How does the gospel empower and instruct us in fulfilling the vocational roles in which God has placed us?
9. How is kingdom living the ultimate apologetic for the Christian faith?
10. Spend some time in prayer about the things you’ve discussed.

MUSIC & SCRIPTURE

Your Love Never Fails (Romans 8:38-39) – Your Love Never Fails by Jesus Culture

Alive In Us (Ephesians 2:4-5) – God Is Able by Hillsong

Come Thou Fount of Every Blessing (Psalm 16:11) – Original Arrangement

Your Great Name (Philippians 2:10-11) – Love Revolution by Natalie Grant

Give Me Faith (Psalm 73:25-26) – Nothing Is Wasted by Elevation Worship

Endless Light (Psalm 113:3-4) – Cornerstone by Hillsong

TEACHING: A Study of Deeper Faith in Colossians, Part 12

Our vertical relationship with God deeply impacts our horizontal relationships with others, and peace with God gives us the peace of God. The world defines peace through the lens of security; the Christian’s peace comes from confidence in the gospel.

CLICK HERE FOR THE SERMON AUDIO

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS FOR SHEPHERD GROUPS

1. What was one thing you found particularly interesting, insightful, helpful or difficult to understand from this sermon?
2. How do you define “peace”? What brings you peace?
3. Read and discuss Colossians 3:12-17. What do these verses tell you about you? What do they tell you about Jesus?
4. What “vertical” and “horizontal” elements do you see in these verses?
5. What does it mean to “let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts” (v. 15)?
6. What is the difference between peace with God and the peace of God?
7. How does the world tend to define peace? Is this different from the peace of God? Why or why not?
8. How does the gospel bring us peace? How have you experienced this peace during a painful trial?
9. What is one way you can intentionally impact someone else’s life this week with the peace you have in God?
10. Spend some time praying for the things you’ve discussed. Thank God for the peace we have with and from Him through the gospel of Jesus Christ.

MUSIC & SCRIPTURE

Closer (Psalm 89:14-15) – Glorious Ruins by Hillsong

Beautiful Lord (Ephesians 2:4-5) – Sound of Melodies by Leeland

Our God Is Love (1 John 4:9-10) – Yahweh by Hillsong Chapel

Lord I Need You (Hebrews 4:16) – All The People Said Amen by Matt Maher

TEACHING: Rooted: A Study of Deeper Faith in Colossians, Part 10

If you are toying with sin, where will the trajectory of your life lead you? Sin is not a toy.

CLICK HERE FOR THE SERMON AUDIO

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS FOR SHEPHERD GROUPS

1. What was one thing you found particularly interesting, insightful, helpful or difficult to understand from this sermon?
2. Read and discuss Colossians 3:1-11. What do you see about the person of Christ? What do you note about the nature of man?
3. What “tension issues” do you see in these verses? What other “tension issues” do find in Scripture?
4. What is “sin”? What is the difference between sin and a mistake? How would you describe sin to someone who does not have a ‘church vocabulary’?
5. What does society teach about sin? How does our culture treat sin like a toy?
6. Where as the church in general “gotten used to the dark”? In what areas of your life have you gotten used to the dark?
7. Is there an area of your life where you are toying with sin?
8. How does the gospel deal with sin? How does it change our perspective on sin? How does the gospel motivate and empower us to “Put to death whatever is earthly in you…” (v. 5)?
9. Spend some time in prayer about the things you’ve discussed. Thank Him for the “new self” we have in Christ (v. 10) and pray that we will live from the life we have in Christ.

MUSIC & SCRIPTURE

With Us (Psalm 46:10-11a) – God Is Able by Hillsong

10,000 Reasons (Psalm 103:1) – Unrelenting Love by Nick Thurmond

Mighty To Save (Zephaniah 3:17) – Yahweh by Hillsong Chapel

I Lift My Hands (Psalm 46:10) – And If Our God Is For Us… by Chris Tomlin

TEACHING: Rooted: A Study of Deeper Faith in Colossians, Part 9

The things you love determine the path and trajectory of your life. Affection determines direction.

CLICK HERE FOR THE SERMON AUDIO

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS FOR SHEPHERD GROUPS

1. What was one thing you found particularly interesting, insightful, helpful or difficult to understand from this sermon?
2. Read and discuss Colossians 3:1-4. What do you see about the person of Christ? What do you note about the nature of man?
3. What is the distinction between being “in Adam” and “in Christ?” What does it mean to be “raised with Christ” (v. 1)?
4. What earthly things do you personally tend to “set your mind to” (v. 2)? What draws your affections to them?
5. What does it mean to set our minds on things above (v.)? What are those things?
6. If you continue your life in the present trajectory of your affections, where do you think you will end up? Where do you need to adjust your affections in order to change your trajectory?
7. How does the gospel help us prioritize and shape our affections?
8. Spend some time in prayer about the things you’ve discussed. Spend some time thanking God for the life we have in Christ. Ask Him to increase your affections for Jesus.

MUSIC & SCRIPTURE

Endless Light (Psalm 113:3-4) – Cornerstone by Hillsong

Always (Psalm 121:1-2) – Here For You by Kristian Stanfill (Passion)

Open Up The Heavens (Psalm 108:4-5) – Worth It All by Meredith Andrews

The Lord Our God (James 1:17) – Let The Future Begin by Kristian Stanfill (Passion)

Cornerstone (Psalm 18:2) – Cornerstone by Hillsong

I Will Look Up (Deuteronomy 7:9) – Only King Forever by Elevation Worship

TEACHING: Do Something, Part 3

Salvation is not earned by the good things you do, but there are good things that have been prepared for you to enjoy if you are in Christ. Knowledge without action robs you of true joy in your walk with Him.

CLICK HERE FOR THE SERMON AUDIO

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS FOR SHEPHERD GROUPS

1. What was one thing you found particularly interesting, insightful, helpful or difficult to understand from this sermon?
2. How would you describe joy? What is something you find joy in?
3. Read and discuss Matthew 4:18-20 and Matthew 19:21-22. Compare and contrast these verses. What themes do you see? How are these accounts similar? How are they different? What do you note about the person of Christ? What might these sections show us about the nature of man?
4. “Knowledge without action robs you of true joy.” Have you found this to be true in your walk with Christ? Why or why not?
5. Why do we have the tendency to want to live vicariously through others’ experiences? How can this hinder our obedience to God’s word?
6. Have you ever had a “wipeout” in your Christian walk or ministry? What happened?
7. In the terms of Mike’s surf culture analogy, where are you? Evaluating the beach? On the beach and content to stay there?  On the beach or in the shallows suffering from a past wipeout? Catching waves?
8. How does fear keep us from obedience?
9. How does the gospel propel and enable us to both know and obey – to both hear and do – the word of God?
10. Pray through Ephesians 3:17-19, thanking God for His great love. Ask Him to help you be not only a hearer of His word, but a doer of His word.