The Town Church / Fort Collins

The AfterWord is back with a brand new season and a brand new studio! 

This week, we take time to express gratitude, look back at how discipleship has impacted our lives, and consider how we hope our affections are raised for Jesus through this upcoming series. 

Some questions for discussion: 

• Why can it be difficult to express gratitude for other people? 
• Who are people you are thankful for? 
• How has discipleship impacted your life? 
• What pieces of Paul's prayer in verses 9-14 hit your own heart? 
• How do you hope your affections are raised for God through Colossians? 

We begin Colossians with an introduction to the context of the book and the central theme of this series: Christ is all.

This letter opens with thanksgiving and a prayer of encouragement for the church at Colossae. These verses serve as a model for us in our own prayers and a reminder of the qualifying work of the gospel. 

Last week, Vince led us through the vision of The Town Church. This week, three of our elders lead us through the mission of the church, which is broken into four categories. These four categories show us how we can practically live out the church's vision to see the gospel transform everything. 

As a church, our vision is to see the gospel transform everything. This week, we launch our Vision and Mission series by narrowing in on the gospel and its transformative power. 

This week, we get to hear from all of you! Vince reads out responses to the question posed to the church: How did this series through 1 and 2 Samuel raise your affections for Jesus? 

The book of 2 Samuel concludes by demonstrating once again how God uses our own sinful motives to fulfill His purposes and bring glory to His name. Through this, we are reminded of the true and perfect King who leads His people to right worship. 

This week, we explore the gospel themes woven throughout 2 Samuel 21 and 22, and we also lean into prayer and the patience of God. 

How have we recognized our own lack of prayer in certain situations in life, and what draws us to finally seek the Lord? When it seems like justice is delayed, how can we still trust God? 

All of Scripture is meant to point us toward Christ and the Gospel. This week's sermon explores the key Gospel themes presented in 2 Samuel 21 and 22. 

2 Samuel 20 looks at three different types of people: the worthless or rebellious, the seemingly faithful, and the faithful. How do we see those categories play out in the world today? What do expressions of false faithfulness look like? Can we think of times when we tend to be inconsistent in our own character? 

Bonus: Betty brings the best podcast snack to the studio! 

2 Samuel 20 begins with a rebellion against David and ends with a glimpse of who has remained faithful to him. Throughout the passage, we also see men who seem faithful to the king, when in reality their loyalties lie elsewhere. 

This inconsistency in character challenges us look inward and consider what our fruit reveals about the abundance of our own hearts.