Opening Discussion

• What is something you’ve wasted a lot of time on?
  • What was the original purpose of that thing in your life?

Read and Discuss

Colossians 1:15-17 CSB

15 He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. 16 For everything was created by him, in heaven and on earth, the visible and the invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities— all things have been created through him and for him. 17 He is before all things, and by him all things hold together.

• What does this passage tell us about who Jesus is?
• How does creation show us that God had a design and purpose for what He made?
• What does it mean that Jesus holds all things together?
• Why does it matter that not only did God create all things, but He is still involved with His creation?

Colossians 1:18-20

18 He is also the head of the body, the church; he is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, so that he might come to have first place in everything. 19 For God was pleased to have all his fullness dwell in him, 20 and through him to reconcile everything to himself, whether things on earth or things in heaven, by making peace through his blood, shed on the cross.

• Why did Paul remind the Colossians that Jesus was the head of the church?
• What are some ways we need to be reminded that Jesus is the head of the church today?
• What does it look like to have Jesus as the first place in everything in your life?
• What does it mean to reconcile?
• How did Jesus reconcile both us and all of creation through His death on the cross?

Colossians 1:21-23

21 Once you were alienated and hostile in your minds as expressed in your evil actions. 22 But now he has reconciled you by his physical body through his death, to present you holy, faultless,and blameless before him— 23 if indeed you remain grounded and steadfast in the faith and are not shifted away from the hope of the gospel that you heard. This gospel has been proclaimed in all creation under heaven, and I, Paul, have become a servant of it.

• Did you ever see yourself as alienated and hostile towards God?
  • Why or Why not?
• Why does Paul remind the Colossians, and us, that we were alienated, hostile, and had evil actions?
• Through Jesus’s death, we are now holy, faultless, and blameless before God. Why might it be hard for some people to think of themselves in that way?
• What are some ways you remain grounded and steadfast in your faith in Christ?
• What are some things that shift people away from the hope of the gospel?
• Since God created the world with purpose and reason, what purpose has He given you?

Apply it!

• How can you live each day with purpose and putting Christ first in everything you do?
• What is one thing you can do today or tomorrow to start walking more fully for that purpose?

Memorize it!

Colossians 1:18- He is also the head of the body, the church; he is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, so that he might come to have first place in everything.

Prayer TACOS

Thank God for giving you a purpose while on this earth

Adoration- Worship Jesus for holding all things together

Confess to those times when you found your purpose in things other than Jesus

Others- Ask for the Lord to give you an opportunity to tell someone about their worth in Christ this week

Self- Ask the Lord to help you put Him first in your life

Closing Thoughts

Creation points to a Creator. However, it could just be that a being created all of this, then walked away. Jesus is proof that our Creator is still involved with Creation. Part of the reason that Jesus’ ministry attracted people was that it showed the brokenness of the world being restored back to its original state. Sin not only brought separation between us and God, but it infected all of creation.

When we follow Jesus, the head of the Church, those around us should see the restoration of all things back to God. Now, we aren’t going to be perfect because we are still living in this broken world. However, when we mess up, it gives us an opportunity to ask for forgiveness and move forward. It’s through Jesus that everything is being reconciled back to God. This includes creation, and our relationship with Him. May your life point others to Jesus this week.