CLICK HERE FOR THE LIFE GROUP DISCUSSION GUIDE CONTAINING DISCUSSION QUESTIONS

Colossians 1&2

• Jesus Christ is being the exclusive means by which peace can be made with God.
  
  
• Jesus plus anything is heresy.
  
  
• Jesus is above all else—authorities or powers.
  
  
• Jesus’ work on the Cross is sufficient. Don’t be misled to buy into religious hope built on human achievement. 

Colossians 3&4- The way forward.

Read Colossians 3:1-4

The Key to the way forward is where is your Heart and Mind aimed?

Example: Classmate who wanted to own the Sonic.

• A former student who wanted to marry a rich person so that they could travel and buy expensive clothes

They had their heart set on it which then became their vision for their life.  The journey to their desired end was a constant mindfulness of how to get there.  Each step was guided.

Matthew 6:21-24 “Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. ²⁰ But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. ²¹ For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.

²² “The eye is the lamp of the body. If your eyes are healthy,^[c] your whole body will be full of light. ²³ But if your eyes are unhealthy,^[d] your whole body will be full of darkness. If then the light within you is darkness, how great is that darkness!

²⁴ “No one can serve two masters. Either you will hate the one and love the other, or you will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money.”

Example: A former student who wanted to marry a rich person so that they could travel and buy expensive clothes.

Your heart is the seedbed of where your life will go.  It will dictate your thoughts and where your eyes become fixed.  

THE WAY FORWARD- Step 1

Colossians 3:1 “…set your hearts on things above…”

The heart-  (zēteō ) your pursuit, what you desire most, what you seek, your deepest affection.
God cares most about the condition of your heart because he knows where your heart is so too your feet will go. 

1 Samuel 16:17b “…The Lord does not look at the things people look at.  People look at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.”  God’s profile of the best leader is to consider the condition of the heart.

Matthew 22:37 “Love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.”  Greatest Command is to love God from the depth of your heart!

Romans 10:9-10 “If you declare with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. ¹⁰ For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you profess your faith and are saved.”  Salvation is validated by the heart! 

Matthew 6:21 “Where your treasure is, there your heart will be.”  What you value in life is the evidence of your heart.

Evaluating the condition of your heart.

• What passions would your friends or family say drive you the most in what you do with your life?
  
  
• When what God wants in life is not what you want in life, what wins?

THE WAY FORWARD- Step 2

Colossians 3:2a “Set your minds on things above…”

The mind- (phroneō) concentrated, focused, zeroed in, mindful.

The mind can turn the heart to form new passions—a new main thing.  The mind is the entry point that tills the soil of the heart.  With no filter the heart will become confused and lost.   The enemy will battle for your mind for that will lead to the heart.  It is the gate.

Romans 8:5-8 “Those who live according to the flesh have their minds set on what the flesh desires; but those who live in accordance with the Spirit have their minds set on what the Spirit desires. ⁶ The mind governed by the flesh is death, but the mind governed by the Spirit is life and peace. ⁷ The mind governed by the flesh is hostile to God; it does not submit to God’s law, nor can it do so. ⁸ Those who are in the realm of the flesh cannot please God.”   The direction of the mind will dictate the direction of the person.

Hebrews 12:1-3 “Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, ² fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. ³ Consider him who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.”  Jesus modeled what it means to stay the course- fix your eyes (mind) on the end game.

2 Corinthians 4:18 “So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.”  Don’t be so short sighted, you must look long!

Evaluating what your mind is truly set on:

• What does the screen time (phone or TV) say your mind is set on?
  
  
• Where do your eyes look for direction or inspiration?

Beginning each day at the Cross will guide the way forward.

• We die with Christ to that which was cancer to our hearts. (3a)
  
  
• We are raised by Christ to live a new life with no shame or regret. (1a)
  
  
• We live in confidence of the security Christ provides. (3b)
  
  
• We anticipate the glory of life with Christ beyond this life. (4)

Prayerful reflection:

• Heart- What is driving you?
  • Confess what may be an idol or greater value to your heart.
  • Repent and commit anew to your love for Jesus.

• Mind- What are you feeding your heart with?
  • Confess anything that has hindered your love for Jesus.
  • Repent and commit to feeding your soul with things that inspire you to live for Jesus.

Song

Benediction