Title: Raised with Christ Now What?

Title: Raised with Christ…Now What? Text: Colossians 3:1-17 CONNECT: Nov. 22, 2015

Connect to Where You’ve Been:  What is it about the LORD Jesus that captivates or amazes you the most?  How many of you were personally discipled when you came to faith in Christ? If you were share that experience. If not, how did you learn how to walk in faith?

Connect to the WORD: Read Col. 3:1-2  Why does Paul describe the Christian life in terms of “since/then” statements? i.e. If this is true...then this will also be true.  How do you seek after and set your mind on things above? vs. 1,2 (See Mt. 6:33). Why not just keep focusing on the world?  How is your life hidden with Christ in God? How can it be said that you have died? vs. 3 (See Rom. 6:2, 10-11).  According to Col. 1:27 what is our hope? How does knowing Christ is in you, and that He is coming back for you, encourage you? vs. 3-4.  Read vs. 5-9. What are we to “put to death” and to “put off” in our lives? Describe the progression of vs. 8-9 and why this should not be part of a life in Christ.  What does it mean to “put on the new man”? vs. 10. How do we renew our minds? (See Rom. 12:2)  How is it that there are no longer any divisions among true believers? vs. 11. What is our common denominator and how does that change everything?  Read vs. 12-17. Describe the importance of these things in the life of a believer: Fellowship and Bible Study (vs.12-16); Worship (16b); Service (17); Prayer (17b).

Connect to Walk It Out:  Since you have been raised with Christ…now what? Has there been a change in you? How is God transforming you into the likeness of Christ?  Renew your mind this week with the WORD. Set your mind on things above where Christ is. You are a new creation (2 Cor. 5:17)

Meditate on these verses this week: Colossians 3:1-17