The Colossians were infiltrated by false teachers who intended to misdirect the believers away from the foundation of the gospel of Jesus Christ. These teachers sought to enslave the Colossians with legalism and asceticism. But Paul teaches that true freedom comes from a mind set on things above and a willingness to put to death the things that are earthly in us. 

Here are some discussion questions to further guide your discussion:

• Read Colossians 3:1-4. What does Paul mean when he says “Seek the things that are above”? What’s the difference between setting our minds on things that are above vs. things that are on earth? How can we practically set our minds on/seek things above?

• What does it mean that the believer’s life is “hidden with Christ in God”? How does this fact change the way we ought to approach this life on earth? 

• Read Col. 3:5-11. Why do you think Paul says we should “put to death” earthly things rather than simply telling us to “stay away from them”? What are some “earthly things” in your life that you know you need to put to death or lay aside?

• Why might lying to one another about our sin keep us from actually getting rid of it? How do we tend to lie about sin? How does honesty create room for real relationships?

• Read Col. 3:12-17. How can we “let the peace of Christ rule (have authority) in our hearts”? What rules your heart now? What would it look like if peace ruled your heart?

• What does it mean to “Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly”? What would it look like to teach and admonish each other? How might these things lead to thanksgiving?

• Pray together, asking God to help us seek the things that are above.

Paul’s words in Colossians 2:16–3:4 call believers to resist every form of “Jesus + something else” religion. Legalism, mysticism, and asceticism all promise control and spiritual superiority, but they lead only to pride and exhaustion. The Gospel tells a better story — that Jesus’s finished work on the cross has already justified us. Our identity and worth are secure in Him. Paul urges the Colossians to hold fast to Christ, remembering that they’ve died with Him to self- justification and been raised with Him to new life. Our role now isn’t to prove ourselves, but to rest in what He’s done and live in gratitude, freedom, and joy.

Here are some discussion questions to further guide your conversation:

Read Colossians 2:16–23. Paul says not to let anyone “judge” or “disqualify” you. What kinds of things make people today feel like they’re not spiritual enough or “good Christians”?

• Why do you think we’re so tempted to add extra rules or routines to our faith just to feel more spiritual or more accepted by God? How have rule-keeping (legalism), seeking deeper spiritual experiences (mysticism), and humility (asceticism) given you a sense of self-righteousness (pride) or caused you shame in the past? How do both pride and shame prevent you from genuinely loving God and others?

• Legalism, mysticism, and asceticism were the Colossians’ “self-justification projects.” What might those look like in our world (or student ministry) today?

• Read Colossians 3:1–4. According to these verses, what should be our focus now that we’re united with Christ? How does this change the way we see ourselves and others?

• The Gospel states that Jesus’s work on the cross completely justifies us before God. How does believing that free you from comparison, performance, or guilt?

• What’s one specific way you can “hold fast to Jesus” this week instead of trying to prove yourself or earn approval — from God or others?

• Pray, asking God to help you see where you’re relying on your works to justify yourself instead of trusting in what He has done for you.

The Colossians were infiltrated by false teachers who intended to misdirect the believers away from the foundation of the gospel of Jesus Christ. The same risk of delusion is prominent in our culture today. A faith that is built solely on a few loosely held ideals won’t stand the test of time or the pressure of our increasingly antagonistic culture. For faith to last, it must be rooted in the truth of Christ’s resurrection, built up in Jesus through the work of the Holy Spirit, and established in the practice of a relationship with Christ.

• Read Colossians 2:1-3. Why do you think Paul said that riches could be found in “full assurance of understanding and the knowledge of God’s mystery, which is Christ”? Why would full assurance be a treasure for the believer?

• Read Col. 2:4. Has anyone ever challenged your faith? What are some “plausible arguments” you have heard that attempt to convince you that the gospel is incomplete or incorrect? How can we have “full assurance” in Jesus in spite of those arguments? 

• Read Colossians 2:6-7. As you’ve grown in your faith, how has your understanding of Jesus changed over time? What does it look like for you to “walk in Jesus” today? 

• What can you do regularly to be “rooted and built up” in Jesus? What practices might help you become established in your faith (not just “borrowing” it from your parents)? What is something you can do tomorrow to strengthen your faith?

• Pray together, asking God to do the work of rooting, building, and establishing our faith.

The Colossians were tempted to give Jesus prominence but not preeminence—to include Him among other influences rather than enthrone Him as Lord. We often do the same when we make faith about what Jesus can do for us instead of living fully for Him. Jesus isn’t just part of the story; He’s the center of it all. True peace and purpose come when we surrender every part of our lives to His supremacy!

Here are some discussion questions to further guide your conversation:

• When have you experienced being “the best” at something—even for a short time? How did it feel when that moment passed?

• Why do you think people (including us) crave attention, validation, or success that fades so quickly?

• Read Colossians 1:15-20. What do these verses reveal about who Jesus is and what He has done for us? How is this good news for people who often feel like they’re not good enough or who struggle to stay in control?

• What’s the difference between giving Jesus prominence (importance) and giving Him preeminence (first place)? Which do you think better describes your life right now? How does remembering what He’s already done for you on the cross help move Him from “important” to “ultimate” in your life?

• Paul says Jesus “holds all things together.” How could believing that truth change the way you handle stress, anxiety, or uncertainty?

• What’s one area of your life where you’ve been trying to stay in control or earn your worth, and how could surrendering it to Jesus actually bring you more freedom and joy?

• How can this group pray that you would rest in who Jesus is and what He’s done, instead of striving to be enough on your own this week?

This week, Michael Winstead will be bringing the message to help students see that God is the Creator of sex and sexuality, and that His design is good. When we reject God’s design and follow our own desires, it leads to brokenness and loss of shalom. But through Jesus, God restores what sin has broken, inviting us to live in holiness, freedom, and wholeness under His loving rule.

Here are some discussion questions to further guide your conversation:

• You heard tonight that “if the Church stays silent about sex, the world will teach us what to believe about it.” What are some of the ways our culture teaches you about sex and sexuality (through music, shows, friends, social media)? How can we begin to recognize and filter those messages through God’s truth?

• We used the illustration of “fire in the fireplace vs. fire in the kitchen.” Why is that a helpful picture for understanding God’s design for sex? What happens — in relationships, emotions, or identity — when we take something good that God made and use it outside of His design?

• You heard that sin is choosing our way over God’s way. In what ways do people (including ourselves) often believe the lie that “God is holding out on us”? How can recognizing God’s goodness and authority help us trust Him with our desires?

• In 1 Corinthians 6, Paul reminds us that our bodies belong to God — they are temples of the Holy Spirit, bought with a price. What does that mean for how we think about our bodies and sexual choices? How does knowing that Jesus restores shalom and gives us a new identity help us live differently from the culture around us?

• Romans 12:1–2 calls us to “present our bodies as a living sacrifice” and not be “conformed to the world.” What might it look like for a follower of Jesus to live this out at school, online, or in dating relationships? What are some ways we can encourage one another to pursue holiness and trust God’s design together?

• If Jesus came not only to forgive sin but to restore shalom, what’s one area of your life where you want Him to bring healing and renewal? Let’s close by praying for each other about this.