The Grace Message with Dr. Andrew Farley

Why were the books of Enoch and Mary not included in the canon? Are there any contradictions in the King James Version? How can so many churches and ministries miss the truth of God’s grace? What does “outer darkness” refer to in Matthew 25?  How should we view heavenly rewards? What does the Parable of the Ten Virgins really mean? My ex-wife won’t let me see my son, and I feel like I hate her. I don’t want to feel this!

In this illuminating journey through the first half of Colossians 3, we’ll uncover the inspiration Paul offers for renewing our minds and thinking differently.

We’ll also delve into the beautiful concept that our lives are hidden with Christ in God and celebrate the truth about our closeness to Him. And we’ll unpack what it means to “put on” the outside what’s already on the inside, reflecting what we’ve received from God to others.

I look forward to exploring these transformative truths with you as we deepen our knowledge of our new identity in Christ!

Discussion Questions for Colossians 3:

1. Read verses 1-2. What inspiration does Paul offer for thinking differently?
2. Read verses 3-4 and react to this statement: Your life is hidden with Christ in God. Christ is your life!
3. Read verses 5-8 and react to this statement: Don’t walk like them because you are not them.
4. How do verses 9-10 demonstrate (via past tense) that we believers can now “be ourselves”? What is being “renewed”?
5. Does “chosen of God” in verse 12 support Calvinism? Why or why not?
6. Why does verse 13 appear to be the opposite of what we see in the Lord’s Prayer (if you forgive others, then God will forgive you)? How do we explain the discrepancy?
7. Read verse 14 and react to this statement: Put on love (on the outside), because love has been poured in your heart (on the inside).

How do you know that a grace-centered perspective is the most accurate interpretation of the Gospel? Why does Jesus tell some people “depart from Me”? How does God view your spirit, your soul, and your body? Is your body evil? Or is it holy?

Why did Jesus sometimes ask people to keep His miracles a secret? Do we need to take up our cross every day? Die daily? If not, does this mean there’s no struggle? Is this just semantics? How is this an important and powerful truth in the moment of temptation?

Why did Jesus say “go and sin no more” if He knew we’d still sin? What does Hebrews 10 really mean when it says there’s no sacrifice left for those who sin willfully? Why does God allow autism? Which of the Old Testament laws still apply today?

How do we deal with disappointment with God? How can we say God is good when so many bad things happen? Why did Jesus say the Sabbath was made for man, not man for the Sabbath? Is it okay to express the desires of our heart to God and ask Him for them?

Do angels have gender? What purpose do they serve? Why does Passover come after Easter? Should all Christians observe Passover too? If we believers are totally forgiven, why do some say we will have to answer for every idle word at the final judgment?

Andrew, how was your father saved? Was everyone around Jesus healed? What perspective on healing is healthy today? Is the discipline in Matthew 18 really for Jews under the Law? Why did David mention eating the flesh of bulls and goats? Isn’t there “high sin” that is unforgivable? What about 1 John 1:9? Don’t we need to confess our sins to be forgiven and cleansed?

Colossians 2 is one of my favorite chapters in the whole Bible. Paul writes with electrifying passion and conviction about powerful truths, including the dangers of following religious traditions and the futility of trying to improve or eliminate the “you” whom God has raised up. We also see the entire Gospel message encapsulated in two verses, and we discover the inherent problem with rule-keeping and what it means to “let Christ rule” instead. Engage with this next message in our Colossians series and celebrate your completeness in Christ!

Discussion Questions for Colossians 2:8-23:

1. Read verse 8. What “traditions of men” can get in the way of truth today?
2. Read verses 9-10. What does it mean to you to be complete in Christ?
3. Read verse 11 and react to this statement: The flesh has been stripped away from me. I’m always in the Spirit. When I choose fleshly thinking, it’s a dead way to me!
4. Read verse 12 and consider: Are you still trying to improve (or eliminate) the “you” whom God has raised up?
5. Read verses 13-14. How do these two verses encapsulate the whole Gospel message?
6. Read verse 15. Who was disarmed by Jesus? How?
7. Read verses 16-17. How is a Sabbath day a shadow? What is the substance?
8. Read verses 18-19. What exactly is the prize? How do some try to defraud us of enjoying the prize?
9. Read verses 20-23 and react to this statement: It’s not about rules. It’s about letting Christ rule by faith.

What does “a dog returns to its own vomit” mean? Did Did Peter, Paul and James have a law-based perspective in their writings at times? How should we view Matthew 18 in terms of church discipline? Was God’s wrath poured out on Jesus?