How does our new life in Christ work itself out in our daily life: marriages, family, work? Far from upholding cultural standards, or telling the Colossians to rebel against them, Paul teaches them to live under the authority of Jesus and watch as his love transforms things from the inside out.

Application Questions:

1. Why do you think we struggle with a passage like this today? How does understanding the background of the passage help us with that struggle?
2. How have you seen the gospel connect to your marriage, family, and/or work? What in this passage can help you make that connection stronger?
3. What is one practical step you can take this week to apply this passage in your own life?

Paul shows us that growing is part of the basic Christian life—not just once in a while, but part of our daily experience. In this passage, we find what growth really looks like and how we can pursue it ourselves.

Application Questions:

1. Would you describe your approach to growth as "putting to death"? Why or why not?
2. Do you focus more on changing your actions or your motivations? What would it look like for you to address both?
3. How does the gospel change the way we normally try to grow? How can you apply that this week?

What characteristics come to mind when you think of spiritual maturity? All too often the way we define maturity has more to do with our cultural norms than it does the image of Christ. In today's passage Paul clarifies for us what true Christlikeness actually looks like, and he reminds us of the incredible joy that comes as we experience eternity taking deeper and deeper root in our hearts. We were created to live like Christ, and no other experience on earth compares to embodying that creative design more and more.

Application Questions:

1. How does the gospel shape the way you define love?
2. In what ways do you add to the definition of Christlikeness that we find explicitly in Scripture?
3. How do you see meekness and patience manifest in your life? How can you grow in putting them on?
4. How would your week be different if you walked through it with a posture of thankfulness?

There are areas in all of our lives that we want to change, and that we know God wants to change. In different seasons we pursue growth in different ways. But, far too often, our pursuit of growth looks indistinguishable from the ways that those around us who don't know Christ pursue growth. Christian growth is fundamentally different, however. When we grow as Christians, what's taking place is more than just a change in habits or behaviors. Christian growth is the natural result of the realities of heaven and eternity taking deeper root in our souls. When heaven touches down, we don't just grow, we're transformed.

Application Questions:

1. Looking at the lists provided in Colossians 3, what is one area that you need to grow the most in?
2. What do you usually think of when you think of "spiritual growth"? And how does that compare with the picture of eternity taking deeper root in your soul?
3. What is one truth about God or the gospel that you need to be regularly reminded of this week?
4. What are three practical things you can do this week to regularly set your mind on the things that are above?

What does it mean to grow as a Christian? Lots of people have lots of different ideas about what it means to be a Christian and how you grow as a Christian. But the Bible is clear that growing as a Christian is not about our effort, nor is it about extra rules we add to our lives to make us seem more religious. Christian growth always happens as a result of holding fast to Christ, trusting in His Gospel, and following His commands.

Application Questions:

1. What does it look like to "hold fast" to Christ in your spiritual life?
2. In what ways are you insecure about your walk with Christ? How does the Gospel speak to those insecurities?
3. How can you cultivate grace-fueled sanctification in your life?

Life is hard and fraught with hardships and struggles. But even in the face of the many struggles of the last year, we can look to the one who has made us alive as the source of our comfort and strength.

Application Questions:

1. How have you let the hardships of the last year take your eyes off Jesus?
2. What have you been rooting yourself in other than Christ?
3. How can you let the truth of the gospel and your being made alive in him affect your walk with him?

We all need the basics, but they can be frustrating. It's hard to think that the basics you already have are what you need to face new challenges. In this short passage, Paul teaches us how the basics of the Christian faith go to work in the Christian life, providing us more than we realize to explore, enjoy, and enlist to live life in a challenging world.

Application Questions:

1. Have you ever felt like "the basics" of your Christian faith might not be enough?
2. Where might Christ encourage your heart after this last year?
3. How might Christ knit you together in love with others in this coming year?
4. What are some ways you can grow in your knowledge of Christ?

Looking back on a year with so much uncertainty Paul gives us a reminder of the certainties we have in Christ. The certainty of hope, the certainty of suffering, and the certainty of transformation. Our hope in the New Year can't be in circumstances, but we can have great hope in our God who redeems all things for His glory and our joy.

Application Questions:

1. Do you have a difficult time finding joy and suffering at the same time?
2. What are some ways you see that God can and does use suffering for our good?
3. Can you see the joy in His purposes, even when those are painful? How?
4. What are some ways you can have hope in the coming year knowing that God is redeeming everything?

God sent his son to give us more than just personal blessings. He came to reconcile us to himself. When we remember the reason we need Jesus and the amazing work he has done for us, we are compelled to cling tightly to him, whatever the world may throw at us. Andthatmakes Christmas in 2020 one of the most special celebrations ever.

Application Questions:

1. How has this past year shown your need for Jesus in new and deeper ways (not just in the world, but also in your heart)?
2. Why do you need to remember the reality of God's birth, death, and resurrection?
3. What do you look to for hope and joy when things get tough (other than Christ)?
4. How can you strive to stand firm "not shifting from the hope of the gospel" this Christmas?

The gospel is about the person and work of Jesus. In the gospel Jesus displays that He is the preeminent one, the one by whom and for whom all things were created. This passage focuses on the work of Christ, establishing His church, defeating death, and reconciling sinners (and all things!) to Himself.

Application Questions:

1. Why does it matter that Christ is the head of the Church?
2. Where do you fit into the Body of Christ?
3. How does the resurrection of Jesus give you eternal hope?
4. How can you meditate on the cross of Christ in this season?
5. Why does Christ's work display His preeminence over all things and in your life?