Community Group Questions
Most Recent Sermon
1. The Power of Prayer: Being Faithful in Prayer
“Continue steadfastly in prayer, being watchful in it with thanksgiving” (Colossians 4:2)
Paul encourages us to be “steadfast” in prayer. What does steadfastness in prayer look like in your life right now? Are there times when prayer feels hard or disconnected? If so, what helps you keep going in those moments?
Think about a time when you experienced God answering your prayers in unexpected ways. How did that shift your understanding or trust in God’s faithfulness?
2. Praying for Open Doors
“Pray also for us, that God may open to us a door for the word…” (Colossians 4:3)
Paul, while in prison, doesn’t ask for freedom but for an opportunity to share the gospel. How can we shift our perspective when praying for our current circumstances? What “open doors” might God want to open in your life—whether in challenging or mundane situations?
Take a moment to reflect on the places or relationships where you might feel "locked in" or stuck. How can you invite God into those spaces, asking for open doors to share His love and truth?
3. Gracious Speech and Wisdom in Witnessing
“Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt…” (Colossians 4:6)
What does it look like to speak with “gracious speech, seasoned with salt”? How can our words be both “gracious” and “seasoned,” pointing others to Christ in a way that is winsome and loving?
Share a time when someone spoke to you with grace and wisdom. How did their words impact you? How might God be calling you to speak with the same grace to others, especially in challenging conversations?
4. Living with a Kingdom Focus: Faithful in Witness
“Walk in wisdom toward outsiders, making the best use of the time” (Colossians 4:5)
Paul tells us to “make the best use of the time.” In our busy lives, how do we discern what matters most and prioritize sharing Christ’s love with others? How do you see your daily routines as opportunities for Kingdom work?
Reflect on a time when you had a “kairos” moment—a God-ordained opportunity to impact someone’s life. What did that teach you about God's timing and your role in His plan?
5. The Church as a Diverse, Reconciled, and Interconnected Body
“...you are part of this larger whole.” (Colossians 4:16)
Paul’s closing greetings highlight the diversity, reconciliation, and interconnection of the church. How does this image of the church challenge or inspire you in your understanding of Christian community? What does it look like to live out this interconnectedness in your everyday life?
What role does forgiveness and reconciliation play in your personal relationships with others in the church? How can you contribute to building bridges within your faith community, especially with people who are different from you?
TRY IT ON!!! THE PRACTICE OF 'WITNESS'
Commit to Praying for "Open Doors" and Practicing Gracious Speech in Your Community
In this week's message, we heard Paul’s challenge to “be faithful in prayer” and “walk in wisdom toward outsiders” is a call for us to engage deeply with those around us, especially those who don’t yet know Christ. Together as a group, commit to praying for “open doors” to share the gospel, specifically in the spaces where God has placed us—whether at work, school, in our neighborhoods, or with family members. But it doesn’t stop there; we also need to practice gracious speech—seasoned with salt—in every conversation.
How to Engage as a Community Group:
Pray Together for Open Doors: Set aside specific times each week (perhaps at the beginning or end of your Life Group meeting) to pray together for opportunities to engage others in meaningful conversations about Jesus. (This is our practice of Witness)
Ask God to open doors in each member’s life—whether it’s at work, school, or with people you regularly encounter—and pray for the wisdom to see those opportunities.Commit to Practicing Gracious Speech in Your Week Ahead: As a group, talk about what it would look like to intentionally be mindful of your words. Together, encourage each other to be gracious, thoughtful, and intentional in your speech, especially when interacting with those outside the church. This could mean listening more than speaking, choosing kindness over argument, and finding ways to naturally point conversations toward Christ in a winsome way.
Accountability: At the next meeting, share with each other what happened when you prayed for an open door and intentionally practiced gracious speech. Share stories of where you saw God at work and how those moments impacted your relationships with others. Hold each other accountable in prayer and practice, encouraging each other to keep looking for opportunities to share the love of Christ in a way that draws others to Him.