Live out Sunday all week long with the RESPOND GUIDE.
MAY 28, 2023
Pastor Curt Sparkman
"As Christ Loved the Church"
THIS WEEK’S TEXT
Colossians 1:15-23
Colossians 1:15–23 (ESV): 15 He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation. 16 For by him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things were created through him and for him. 17 And he is before all things, and in him all things hold together. 18 And he is the head of the body, the church. He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in everything he might be preeminent. 19 For in him all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell, 20 and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether on earth or in heaven, making peace by the blood of his cross.
21 And you, who once were alienated and hostile in mind, doing evil deeds, 22 he has now reconciled in his body of flesh by his death, in order to present you holy and blameless and above reproach before him, 23 if indeed you continue in the faith, stable and steadfast, not shifting from the hope of the gospel that you heard, which has been proclaimed in all creation under heaven, and of which I, Paul, became a minister.
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READ
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CONSIDER
Read this week's text and consider the following prompts.
- What has loving the church looked like in your life? What has been hard about the church? How has the church encouraged you?
- Read Colossians 1:15-23. How does recognizing Christ is the head of the church change the way you can love the church?
- How do you want to grow in loving the church this week?
- Read Acts 2:42-47. Since the church today has the same purpose and power that we see in Acts (Acts 1:8), how can your group encourage one another to believe and live out this purpose as a part of the local church through the power of the Holy Spirit?
- What are you asking the Lord to do through the church in order to accomplish the purpose He's given?
PRAY
Over the coming days, or even weeks, ask the Lord to cultivate a deeper love of His church in you by considering the following:
Where am I serving Christ's church?
Is there anywhere that I've fallen into a habit of complaining about Christ's church? How can I break that habit, and instead turn it over to prayer?
Where am I sacrificially loving Christ's church?
What part of Christ's church am I most grateful for?
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Do you have a story of God’s work in and through you? We would love to hear it!
READ
CONSIDER
Read the passage aloud as a family.
- What does our passage today tell you about Christ?
- What does our passage tell you about the church?
- Read Ephesians 1:22-23, what do these verses tell you about Christ and His relationship to the church?
- How do you think the Lord wants us to love the church based on these verses?
- There will never be a perfect church on this side of eternity. Knowing that, how do you think grown ups could best love the church in light of our verses today? How do you think a kid can best love the church?
PRAY
- What has loving the church looked like in your life? What has been hard about the church? How has the church encouraged you?
- Read Colossians 1:15-23. How does recognizing Christ is the head of the church change the way you can love the church?
- How do you want to grow in loving the church this week?
- Read Acts 2:42-47. Since the church today has the same purpose and power that we see in Acts (Acts 1:8), how can your group encourage one another to believe and live out this purpose as a part of the local church through the power of the Holy Spirit?
- What are you asking the Lord to do through the church in order to accomplish the purpose He's given?
PRAY
Spend some time answering these questions with your family, and then allow the Spirit to lead you into prayer based on what comes out of your discussion.
Where am I serving Christ's church?
Is there anywhere that I've fallen into a habit of complaining about Christ's church? How can I break that habit, and instead turn it over to prayer?
Where am I sacrificially loving Christ's church?
What part of Christ's church am I move grateful for?
Are you regularly utilizing the Respond Guide? We'd like to get feedback from you!
Help Us Make Respond Guide Better
READ
CONSIDER
What has loving the church looked like in your life? What has been hard about the church? How has the church encouraged you?
Read Colossians 1:15-23. How does recognizing Christ is the head of the church change the way you can love the church?
How do you want to grow in loving the church this week?
Read Acts 2:42-47. Since the church today has the same purpose and power that we see in Acts (Acts 1:8), how can your group encourage one another to believe and live out this purpose as a part of the local church through the power of the Holy Spirit?
What are you asking the Lord to do through the church in order to accomplish the purpose He's given?
PRAY
In your group prayer time tonight, ask God to reveal any growth, confession, or thanksgiving as you consider the following questions:
Where am I serving Christ's church?
Is there anywhere that I've fallen into a habit of complaining about Christ's church? How can I break that habit, and instead turn it over to prayer? (Pray about these things in your group time, rather than allowing it to drift into cloaked complaint.)
Where am I sacrificially loving Christ's church?
What part of Christ's church am I most grateful for?
Are you regularly utilizing the Respond Guide? We'd like to get feedback from you!
Help Us Make Respond Guide Better
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