Why We Worship

Colossians 3:12-17

Connecting Questions

What choices are easy for you? What choices are hard for you?

What was the last piece of clothing you bought? Why? What’s the oldest piece of clothing you own?

Prayer for Illumination

Let us pray, Loving God, we pause today grateful for this next breath. We are grateful for the chance to connect with others today for we all carry such hurts and hope. Open your Word to us. Open our hearts to let your word speak to us and change our lives. We pray in the name of the Jesus, Amen.

Context

This Sunday, we continue the season of Pentecost! The Church began with the gift of the Holy Spirit to a community of vastly different people, but all connected by faith in Jesus. We conclude our worship series called, Why We Worship, with a look at Paul’s letter to the church in Colossae. Think about the times you have been in a Christian worship service. Think about the senses: sound, smell, feel, who you were with, and what was spoken. The next four weeks, we pause to thank God for what happens every time we gather around Word and Sacraments.

Don’t miss Pastor Erik’s sermon in the Why We Worship series. He uses the book of Romans and his sermon can be found at Easter.org/worship.

From Pastor Paul Berge at EntertheBible.org:

Colossians is very carefully composed so that its message would be easily recalled after it was read aloud in the Christian community. Through a series of sections arranged like concentric circles, the first half of the letter draws readers into the center, and the second half draws them from the center through the complementary sections to the conclusion of the letter. The entire composition of the letter is brought to a focus in the central proclamation of the sovereignty of Jesus Christ over all the powers of the universe. Centered in Christ’s death and resurrection, the letter proclaims the message that believers have been made alive together with Christ.

Look at the Book

Open Colossians 3: 12-17. Verse 12 opens with two words to describe God’s “chosen ones.” What are they?
What does it mean to be “holy and beloved” at the same time? Why does this matter?
What is the main verb in verse 12? What are we being asked to do?
Of this list mentioned, what words speaks to you today? Why? Is it something you would like for yourself or someone else?
Verse 3 opens with a word that feels out of fashion. What are we being invited to do? What is something heavy that you have helped someone else carry?
Underline verse 14. What is at the center of this passage? Why does that matter if this letter is written not to an individual but to a community?
What are we invited to let “rule our hearts?” Martin Luther said whatever we trust in fully is our God. What do you see as competing for the throne of your neighbor’s hearts today?
Verse 16 uses the phrase “word of Christ.” This is unique to this letter to the Colossians. What do you think it means? Is it the same as “Word of God?”
Psalm, hymns, and spiritual songs. Do you have a favorite song of faith that speaks to you? Why?
Verse 17 feels like a benediction or a blessing as you head out into the world. What word or phrase stands out to you?
The name of Jesus has power. Why do we do things “in the name of the Lord Jesus?”
Connecting with our weekend worship service, why does being a community “wearing” love matter when it comes to worship?
What do you want to talk about that has not been brought up yet?

Taking it Home

Faith comes by hearing God’s Word. What’s a book of the Bible you’d like to learn more about?

Ask someone what their favorite story of Jesus is. Why did they choose that story?

Grow Guide | June 25, 2023