Grace Community

1. Are there things that people have said, or things that people have insisted you should do or experience if you are a true believer, that have made you question your Christianity or your closeness to God? What is your assurance that you haven’t been disqualified? (Romans 10:9-10; Colossians 1:11-14)

2. Fasting is a good practice; Jesus even said, “when you fast.” But at what point do you think fasting becomes asceticism? What is the difference between asceticism and Paul’s statement in 1 Corinthians 9:27: “I discipline (pummel) my body and keep it under control”? (Consider the surrounding verses 19-27).

3. If we are to understand ‘worship of angels’ to mean an individual who engages in heavenly worship and enters into heavenly realms through visions, how can insisting on this practice be dangerous for a church? How could teaching that all Christians should have visions, which are as much a revelation from God as Scripture, be dangerous? (Galatians 1:8-9; Consider Jeremiah 23:16-17 & 28-32).

4. Read 1 John 4:1-6. How does this passage give us guidance and wisdom in determining if someone’s teaching (or supposed vision or prophecy) is correct?

5. This false teacher is claiming spiritual superiority, yet how does their conduct display their spiritual immaturity? (Consider James 3:17-18, 1 Corinthians 3:1-3, Galatians 5:22-26). According to verse 19, what has caused this immaturity, and what will help us grow in Christian maturity?

As we recap what we have already covered, discuss what you have learned, enjoyed, been challenged by, or been encouraged by in the book of Colossians. Are there any parts, verses, or concepts that stand out to you?

The doctrine of perseverance of the saints (once saved, always saved) is shown here in Colossians (see 1:3-5, 12-14, 21-22, 2:13-14). Yet, Paul also writes, 'if indeed you continue in the faith, stable and steadfast, not shifting from the hope of the gospel that you heard.' How can these two things be reconciled? (Consider 1 John 2:19, 23-25; Titus 1:16; 1 Cor 15:57-58.)

Verses 16-17 talk about legalism and the judgment it brings. How would you define the difference between legalism and obedience? On the flip side, how can we be free in Christ without straying into liberalism or antinomianism (the belief that Christians aren’t bound by any moral laws or commandments)? How can you ensure that you don’t slide into legalism or liberalism?

Why must verse 1:28—'[Jesus] we proclaim, warning everyone and teaching everyone with all wisdom, that we may present everyone mature in Christ'—be the central message and goal of the church in regards to both the believer and the non-believer?

Do you find it easy or hard to speak openly about Jesus to non-believers? Why or why not? Do you have a method or a plan for evangelizing or a way of simply sharing the gospel in an orderly way? (Consider the Romans Road to Salvation: 3:9-12 & 23 > 6:23 > 5:8 > 10:9-10 & 13 > 5:1, 8:1 & 38-39)

Home group questions:

What is the main message of Psalm 96? How would you summarize it in your own words?

How would you define the word “worship”? What does that definition mean for the way you live your daily life?

John Piper wrote: “Missions is not the ultimate goal of the church. Worship is. Missions exist because worship doesn’t. Worship is ultimate, not missions, because God is ultimate, not man." What do you think he means by this? Why is missions/evangelism an outworking of worship?

According to verses 2-5, what are we to sing and declare among the nations? Do you sometimes find it hard to declare these things openly to people? Peter talked about “living out loud” for God, e.g., intentionally adding God into your conversation to see if the Holy Spirit is working in someone's life. How could you do this in your day-to-day life? Do you find this easy or difficult? Why do you think some Christians find this difficult? How could you help them overcome the fear of living out loud for God?

List the reasons the psalmist gives for worshipping God, i.e., His attributes and His actions. How does an increased understanding of these increase our worship of Him? (e.g., understanding His strength might bring you comfort and/or peace.)

The psalm speaks of God coming to judge the earth with righteousness and truth (v. 13). How should this affect our actions and attitudes in our personal and professional lives?

Home Group Questions

Knowing the horrendous sins that David has committed (2 Sam 11), how does this Psalm encourage you or challenge you in approaching God when you have sinned? Why is it crucial to recognise that our sins are ultimately against God?

Discuss the relationship between:

• God’s love and a believer's repentance.
• God’s grace and a believer's repentance.
• God’s judgement and a believer's repentance.
• A believer's joy and repentance.

What does this Psalm teach us about human nature? What does it teach us about God’s character? What does it teach us about the security of God’s salvation?

Why is singing God’s praise and teaching others of God’s ways both the result and the expression of true repentance?

How does this Psalm point you to Jesus?

How does this passage speak against the idea that we can achieve salvation, or overcome our sinful nature, by our own efforts?
Read Romans 6:1-14 - What are the similarities and differences between the Romans passage and Colossians 2:11-15? How does the Romans passage help us to understand that we can be both circumcised of the body of flesh (the sinful nature) and yet still sin? (Consider also Romans 7:15-25). 
Share with the group your baptism story? We know that baptism isn’t crucial for salvation but what is your understanding of the reason for Christian baptism? How would you respond to someone who says that baptism is unnecessary therefore I’m not going to do it or I’m not sure I’m ready to be baptised? (Matthew 28:19; Acts 2:36-41, 8:35-38, 10:44-48)  
Look at v.13-15. Do you find these verses comforting? Why or why not? What would you say to a Christian who doubted all their sins were forgiven? How does Jesus dealing with the legal requirements of the law and our sin nature render our enemies powerless? 
Because of the cross, Satan can no longer make true accusations about us (Revelation 12:10). Satan’s only weapon is deceit. He seeks to lure us away from the safety of the cross with deceitful ideas. How can you protect a) yourself b) your family and c) each other from Satanic lies?