Christ Is Your Life

Introduction

1. Discuss:

1. 1. Did you have daily quiet times this past week?

1. 2. Who did you share with and invite?

2. Discuss the impact of communion on Sunday.

Point 1. Raised to a New Life.

Colossians 3:1-4 Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God. When Christ, who is your life, appears, then you also will appear with him in glory.

1. Raised with Christ in baptism.

Colossians 2:12 having been buried with him in baptism, in which you were also raised with him through your faith in the working of God, who raised him from the dead.

2. The Holy Spirit, received at baptism, gives you the power to set your mind (thoughts) and set your heart (emotions) on things above.

3. Christ is your life.

Point 2. Put to Death.

Colossians 3:5-11 Put to death, therefore, whatever belongs to your earthly nature: sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires and greed, which is idolatry. Because of these, the wrath of God is coming. You used to walk in these ways, in the life you once lived. But now you must also rid yourselves of all such things as these: anger, rage, malice, slander, and filthy language from your lips. Do not lie to each other, since you have taken off your old self with its practices and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge in the image of its Creator. Here there is no Gentile or Jew, circumcised or uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave or free, but Christ is all, and is in all.

1. Discuss and be open about your struggles this week.

2. Discuss any financial challenges – pledge to God, rent, bills, salary, etc…

3. Discuss practical ways to crucify your sinful nature.

Point 3. Put On – Clothe yourself with.

Colossians 3:12-14 Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.

Discuss each characteristic:

1. Compassion – a feeling of deep sympathy and sorrow for another who is stricken by misfortune, accompanied by a strong desire to alleviate the suffering that leads to action.

2. Kindness – to show benevolence and consideration in actions and words so that other feel your friendliness and love

3. Humility – a modest opinion or estimate of one’s own importance, rank, opinion and worth. (Philippians 2:3 Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves.)

4. Gentleness – polite, considerate, not severe, rough, or violent

5. Patience – bearing of provocation, annoyance, misfortune, or pain, without complaint, loss of temper, irritation, or the like. The ability or willingness to suppress restlessness or annoyance when confronted with delay. Even-tempered.

6. Forgiveness – the act of forgiving, to be in a constant state of willingness to forgive others at all times.

Point 4. New Attitudes.

Colossians 3:15-24 Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful. Let the message of Christ dwell among you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom through psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit, singing to God with gratitude in your hearts. And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him. Wives, submit yourselves to your husbands, as is fitting in the Lord. Husbands, love your wives and do not be harsh with them. Children, obey your parents in everything, for this pleases the Lord. Fathers, do not embitter your children, or they will become discouraged.

Slaves, obey your earthly masters in everything; and do it, not only when their eye is on you and to curry their favor, but with sincerity of heart and reverence for the Lord. Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving.

Discuss what these points mean and how you are doing with them.

1. Peace

2. Thankful

3. Wholehearted

4. Family Interactions (vs.18-21)

5. Employer – employee relationships (vs.22-24)

6. Teacher – student relationships (vs.22-24)