Scripture Reference
Colossians 1: 15-20
Open in Prayer
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Message Recap
This week, we will land in Colossians and pull from other letters to address issues that show us why context is key. For example, when Paul writes in 1 Corinthians 14 that women shouldn’t speak, or in 1 Timothy 2 when he says women are not permitted to teach—does that really mean women need to take a back seat? Without the proper context, you just might think so.
At the heart of this message is that these contextual issues were causing the centrality of Christ into question. What is true about the Colossians, the Corinthians, and true about us today, is that when we lose the centrality of Christ to our faith, we lose our understanding of the big grand story and our role to participate in it.
Discussion Questions
- Read Colossians 1:15-20 again together and list out all the attributes ascribed to Jesus. How does this inform his central role in our faith as Christians?
- In what ways does the phrase "in him all things hold together" (Colossians 1:17) provide a perspective on Jesus' ongoing role in sustaining the universe?
- What does it mean for Jesus to be described as "the head of the body, the church" (Colossians 1:18)? How does this imagery reflect the relationship between Christ and our church? What are some examples of other things we mistakenly try to make head of the church?
- Why is it important to read Paul's letters with an awareness of their original audience and historical context? How does context help us interpret teachings like those regarding women in 1 Corinthians 14 and 1 Timothy 2 correctly?
- How can we apply the principles and wisdom from Paul's letters to our lives today, considering the cultural and contextual differences between ancient times and the present?
- What are some practical ways to ensure that Christ remains central in our faith and practice, based on the insights from Colossians and other Pauline letters?
Live it out
As a church, let’s participate in the Bible Reading plan and read the whole New Testament by the end of the year.
Close in Prayer
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