Northwest Gospel Church - Camas/Washougal

Colossians 1:1-8 | Ben Potloff | A special relationship existed between Paul, Timothy, and the Christians in and around Colossae. Considering Colossian, you are faced with the beauty of a local church established in the gospel and growing in the grace of the Lord Jesus. In the opening of the letter, we see the power of the grace of God in the lives of his people.

MAIN IDEA

The gospel bears fruit.

OUTLINE

I. Faith and love come from the hope of the gospel (vv. 1-5a)

II. Faith and love come from the hearing of the gospel (vv. 5b-8)

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS

1. Paul starts this letter by stating his apostleship and appointment by the will of God. Why is it important for the reader to understand Paul’s role and authority? Does Paul continue to expound on his authority throughout the letter? What other aspects of his relationship with the church does he write about in these opening verses? What effect would this have on the Colossian believers?

2. This letter is written to believers, fellow Christians who have already placed their faith in Christ, though not directly through Paul’s ministry. Does this influence how Paul addresses them? How does Paul feel about these people? What can we learn from this and apply to our own interactions with others?

3. Paul prayed for the believers at Colossae with love, appreciation, and dedication, though he didn’t know them as individuals. What are effective ways we can pray beyond our circles of family and friends? How can we make praying for people we don’t know more personal and meaningful? Does praying for people we don’t know change how we think and feel about them?

4. In verses 4-8, Paul describes a few characteristics of the Colossians that show the sincerity of their faith in Jesus. What attributes in our lives demonstrate the authenticity of our relationship with Jesus? Does recognizing Christ in the lives of people around you encourage your own commitment?

5. Why is it important for the Gospel to always be bearing fruit in our lives? What does being fruitful mean? How can we evaluate this in ourselves? What are key requirements for being fruitful?

Psalm 133:1-3 | Ben Potloff | "Behold, how good and pleasant it is when brothers dwell in unity!" Unity, harmony, and community are all universally understood to be good things, but we often see our world marked more clearly by division, strife, and isolation. King David pens this psalm to reveal God's will for life to be lived in brotherly unity. Here, we see that where the Lord rules, unity reigns.

MAIN IDEA

God-given unity is sweet.

OUTLINE

I. Unity in the Lord is precious (vv. 1-2)

II. Unity in the Lord is provided (v. 2-3)

Psalm 145:1-21 | Ben Potloff | "I will extol you, my God and King, and bless your name forever and ever." King David declares God's goodness and righteousness and the Lord's worthiness of our worship. David then announces his response to such a great God, and we see that we are to follow suit in how we praise the Lord.

MAIN IDEA

The greatness of God propels the praise of His people.

OUTLINE

I. God’s greatness is seen in His gracious acts

II. God’s greatness is seen in His glorious reign

Psalm 116:1-19 | Ben Potloff | "I love the LORD, because he has heard my voice and my pleas for mercy." How far gone is too far? What extreme need or danger is too much for God to handle? The truth is that there is no distance, no threat of death, no enemy, and no affliction that is too much for God to handle. In Psalm 116, we see that the Lord hears the prayers of his people and he rescues them.

MAIN IDEA

Our deliverer deserves devotion.

OUTLINE

I. The Lord delivers from death (vv. 1-11)

II. The delivered devote their lives (vv. 12-19)

Psalm 15:1-5 | Max Janusch | "O Lord, who shall sojourn in your tent? Who shall dwell on your holy hill?" This psalm asks a profound question and offers a simple answer. Who will dwell with God? Simply put, the righteous one will. This psalm reveals a predicament for all, who are guilty of sin, but points to the greatest hope of humanity.

MAIN IDEA

The righteous get to be with God.

OUTLINE

I. God is set apart. (v. 1)

II. God expects perfection. (vv. 2-5a)

III. God preserves his people. (v. 5b)

Psalm 23:1-6 | Ben Potloff  | "The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want. He makes me lie down in green pastures." What does confidence and trust in the Lord sound like? It sounds like King David's words in Psalm 23. Here, we see the hope that people of God have in the one who leads, comforts, protects, and saves.

MAIN IDEA

The Shepherd’s presence is my constant comfort.

OUTLINE

I. The Lord’s care is personal (vv. 1-5)

II. The Lord’s care is perpetual (vv. 6)

Psalm 82:1-8 | Gavin Hesse | "Arise, O God, judge the earth; for you shall inherit all the nations!" We often downplay or altogether ignore God's role as judge. However, for God's people, his judgment promises deliverance and an end to wickedness. In Psalm 82, we see a picture of the hope and security that we have in the Lord.

MAIN IDEA

The Lord’s perfect justice offers rescue.

OUTLINE

I. The heavenly judge calls for perfect rule.

II. Sinful leaders create chaos.

III. The heavenly judge will return.

Psalm 33:1-22 | Max Janusch | "Let your steadfast love, O Lord, be upon us, even as we hope in you." God is the creator and ruler of all things and all people. There is nothing outside of his control or his awareness. In Psalm 33, we see that God is truly worthy of the worship of his people.

MAIN IDEA

Your Lord is worthy of your worship.

OUTLINE

I. The Lord holds all things and all people. (vv. 1-12)

II. The Lord knows and saves his people. (vv. 13-22)

Psalm 3:1-8 | Ben Potloff | "Salvation belongs to the Lord; your blessing be on your people!" For King David—and all of God's people—enemies and opposition abound. But, there is great hope for those who look to the Lord in their trouble. Here, we see that in the Lord there is security, sustenance, and salvation. 

MAIN IDEA

Enemies may surround, but the Lord saves.

OUTLINE

I. God’s people are often resisted (vv. 1-2)

II. God’s people are redeemed (vv. 3-8)

Psalm 73:1-28 | Tim Smith | "But for me it is good to be near God; I have made the Lord God my refuge, that I may tell of all your works." It often feels unfair that the wicked and ungodly seem to prosper in this life. Asaph, in Psalm 73, wrestles with the same frustration and comes to a glorious conclusion. Here, we are called to trust in the Lord and his plan for the godly and the ungodly.