April 30th – May 6th, 2023
Sermon Summary
As Believers Paul tells the church that they are chosen by God, set apart, and deeply loved by God. As a result the church should be compassionate, forgiving and loving. The church achieves this by letting the love of God rule while dwelling in His Word and living life in the name of Jesus.
Verse of the Week
Colossians 3:12-13
15“Put on then, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience, 13 bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive.”
Going Deeper
Review Colossians 3:12-13
1a) a) What benefits do we gain by consistently building healthy relationships with one another? b) Name three other scriptures that implore us as believers to build healthy relationships with others?
2) a) Why does Paul tell the Colossian church to “put on” the things of God? b) Why is Paul using the imagery of clothes to convey his message?
3) Verse 13 tells us to forgive one another. a) What role does the Holy Spirit play in learning to forgive others? b) How do you forgive someone who seems not to want to change?
4) a) How does your new identity in Christ change the way you see yourself? b) How does your new identity in Christ change the way you treat others?
4) “…..God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved.” a) Which one of these means the most to you? b) Why?
5) Do you believe that every member of the body is important to the building up of the church? What texts from Scripture did you use to validate your answer?
Assess Your Life
1) How committed are you to building healthy relationships with others?
a) I am trying to fully understand what it means to build healthy relationships
b) I desire to build healthy relationships but I’m finding it difficult
c) I understand from the Word that I must build healthy relationships and I am making efforts to do so.
d) I seek to be very intentional in my actions to build healthy relationships.
e) It is my desire to please God, so I am deliberate in ensuring that every opportunity to build healthy relationships is met.
2) What factors may be hindering you from building healthy relationships with others?
Application
1) Name three (3)virtues from verse 12 that you most need to work on
a)
b)
c)
2 Of the list above, which one will you be intentional about working on this week?
I will ask
Sermon Main Points
As a people chosen by God, Holy and beloved, we build healthy relationships when:
• We accept the value God places on all believers
• Our identity informs our behavior
• We promote reconciliation through forgiveness
Sermon Reflection
What stood out for me in this sermon?
What is something I can do to remember this?
The command to “put on” certain virtues begins with an appeal to our status with God. If the believer fully understands and embraces how God views himself and all other believers, he can live the Christian life as it should be lived. Paul appeals to three prerogatives to motivate the Colossians: they are “Chosen”, “Holy” and “Beloved”.
5 Day Study Plan
Use the Inductive Bible Study method to study these scriptures this week and remember to share with someone else.
Follow these steps
1. Observe the text. (What does the text say?)
2. Interpret the text. (What does the text mean?)
3. Apply the text. (What can I do as a result of what I have learnt?)
Day 1 - 1 Peter 2:4-5
Day 2 - Matthew 6:14-15
Day 3 - Matthew 18:21-22
Day 4 - Ephesians 1:4-5
Day 5 - John 15:15-17
For best results, this content should be read and prepared privately and then discussed in your small group or with family / friends. We were not created to do life alone - get connected with a small group and grow together.
Harvest Bible Chapel Barbados - 2023