Rescued

Col 1:12-14

12 giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of the saints in light. 13 He has delivered us from the domain of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of his beloved Son, 14 in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.

• What images come to mind when you compare the domain of darkness to the kingdom of Jesus?
  
• What were you delivered or rescued from?
  
• How were you a captive in the domain of darkness?
  
• How has your transfer into Jesus' kingdom changed your life?
  
• Where must we be in order to have forgiveness of sins?
  
• If you have been rescued from the domain of darkness, why do you sometimes slip back into captivity?
  
• What should be your response to realizing you have been rescued?

Harold's Musings
When I read this passage images from The Lord of the Rings come to mind. The contrast between a kingdom of light and a domain of darkness was vividly shown in the movie. In today's imagery, I see a SEAL team sneaking into an enemy camp to rescue a captured soldier and the group being airlifted out to safety. Why do we not see the domain of darkness as we walk through life? Why do we sometimes give ourselves over to go back into the enemy's camp?

God's will

Col 1:9-12

9 And so, from the day we heard, we have not ceased to pray for you, asking that you may be filled with the knowledge of his will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding, 10 so as to walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing to him, bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God. 11 May you be strengthened with all power, according to his glorious might, for all endurance and patience with joy, 12 giving thanks [1] to the Father, who has qualified you [2] to share in the inheritance of the saints in light.

Footnotes
[1] 1:12 Or patience, with joy giving thanks
[2] 1:12 Some manuscripts us

• What do you most frequently ask for when you pray for others?
  
• What are some of the results of being filled with the knowledge of God's will?
  
• When do you usually want to know what God's will is for you?
  
• What are you usually wanting to know when you seek God's will for you? Is it spiritual or physical wisdom you seek?
  
• What will your life look like if you have spiritual understanding of God's will?
  
• Why would increasing in the knowledge of God be a result of being filled with the knowledge of God's will?
  
• What is the stated reason for being strenghtened with God's power?
  
• How does "endurance and patience with joy" fit into knowing God's will?

Faith, Love and Hope

Col 1:1-8

1:1 Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, and Timothy our brother, 2 To the saints and faithful brothers [1] in Christ at Colossae. Grace to you and peace from God our Father.3 We always thank God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, when we pray for you, 4 since we heard of your faith in Christ Jesus and of the love that you have for all the saints, 5 because of the hope laid up for you in heaven. Of this you have heard before in the word of the truth, the gospel, 6 which has come to you, as indeed in the whole world it is bearing fruit and growing—as it also does among you, since the day you heard it and understood the grace of God in truth, 7 just as you learned it from Epaphras our beloved fellow servant. [2] He is a faithful minister of Christ on your [3] behalf 8 and has made known to us your love in the Spirit.

Footnotes
[1] 1:2 Or brothers and sisters. The plural Greek word adelphoi (translated “brothers”) refers to siblings in a family. In New Testament usage, depending on the context, adelphoi may refer either to men or to both men and women who are siblings (brothers and sisters) in God's family, the church
[2] 1:7 Greek fellow bondservant
[3] 1:7 Some manuscripts our

• How often do you consider the hopes that fuel your life? Is it easy
  for you to feel hopeless?
  
• Who do you always pray for?
  
• How is the hope you have expressed in your faith and love?
  
• Where does your hope come from?
  
• How is the gospel producing fruit in your life?
  
• Why is it necessary to understand the gospel instead of just hearing it?
  
• What does it mean to understand the grace of God in truth?

Closing comments

1 Pe 5:12-14

12 By Silvanus, a faithful brother as I regard him, I have written briefly to you, exhorting and declaring that this is the true grace of God. Stand firm in it. 13 She who is at Babylon, who is likewise chosen, sends you greetings, and so does Mark, my son. 14 Greet one another with the kiss of love.Peace to all of you who are in Christ.

• What is the true grace of God?
  
• Why did Peter use the word "true"?
  
• How might a false grace be presented?
  
• Why must you stand firm in the true grace of God?
  
• If grace is merely letting Christ die for your sins, how hard is it to stand in it?
  
• If the true grace of God includes holy living and suffering, how hard is it to stand?
  
• How do you greet fellow Christians?
  
• How often do you tolerate fellow Christians instead of greeting them in love?
  
• Why is physical contact(kiss on cheek, handshake, hug, etc.) important?
  
• How might you let your personal comfort zone prevent you from expressing love for other Christians?
  
• How does Peter end a book with a major theme of suffering and persecution? Why?
  
• How can you have peace in the midst of suffering?

He is out to get you

1 Pe 5:8-11

8 Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. 9 Resist him, firm in your faith, knowing that the same kinds of suffering are being experienced by your brotherhood throughout the world. 10 And after you have suffered a little while, the God of all grace, who has called you to his eternal glory in Christ, will himself restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish you. 11 To him be the dominion forever and ever. Amen.

• What would you do if you knew for certain that there was a rabid dog in your neighborhood?
  
• Would walk alone in the neighborhood?
  
• Would you go around calling the dog?
  
• Would you leave your garage door open?
  
• What is your attitude about life and righteousness?
  
• Would you consider yourself a person that soberly considers your actions?
  
• Would you consider yourself a person that is on alert?
  
• Would you consider yourself a person that has enemies?
  
• How do you feel knowing you have an adversary that is out to get you?
  
• What do you do to protect yourself from the devil's attacks?
  
• How can the devil devour you?
  
• What is necessary to deal with the devil?
  
• How much of your suffering can you clearly attribute to the devil?
  
• How much of your sin is related to avoiding suffering for doing right?
  
• How does your faith help you deal with sin and suffering?
  
• What does enduring suffering produce?
  
• Who will be responsible for your outcome if you resist the devil and endure suffering?
  
• Where you called to glory with Christ or to an easy, happy life here?

Pride and Worry

1 Pe 5:5-7

5 Likewise, you who are younger, be subject to the elders. Clothe yourselves, all of you, with humility toward one another, for “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.”6 Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time he may exalt you, 7 casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you.

• At what point in life ...
  - do children begin to believe they are smarter than adults?
  - do younger adults begin to realize the wisdom of age and experience?
  - Is the generation gap a cultural thing or a human thing? Why do you think so?
  
• What does it mean to "clothe yourselves in humility toward one another"?
  
• What is implied by the command to clothe yourself?
  
• Why is humility an essential Christian quality for church life and growth?
  
• Why is God opposed to the proud?
  
• Is this opposition just toward pride against God?
  
• What are the dangers of pride?
  
• Is humility a prerequisite for receiving grace? Why?
  
• Why does God consider humility necessary before giving Him your worries?
  
• How much humility is required to let God handled your worries?
  
• How willing are you to suffer (physical or emotional) if God allows it?
  
• Why is humility necessary to trust God with your entire life?
  
• Why is this strong statement about pride and humility given after so many about suffering?
  
• In your daily life, are you more afraid of physical or emotional suffering?
  
• What fears keep you from doing all that you know you should for Christ?
  
• How does pride impact your fears?
  

Instructions to elders

1 Pe 5:1-4

5:1 So I exhort the elders among you, as a fellow elder and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, as well as a partaker in the glory that is going to be revealed: 2 shepherd the flock of God that is among you, exercising oversight, [1] not under compulsion, but willingly, as God would have you; [2] not for shameful gain, but eagerly; 3 not domineering over those in your charge, but being examples to the flock. 4 And when the chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the unfading crown of glory.

Footnotes
[1] 5:2 Some manuscripts omit exercising oversight
[2] 5:2 Some manuscripts omit as God would have you

• What is your understanding of an elder's functions?
  
• What does it mean to shepherd?
  
• What does the phrase "the flock of God" say to you?
  
• How does an elder exercise oversight? What does it look like?
  
• Why might a man be compelled to exercise oversight involuntarily?
  
• Why is it God's will that oversight be performed voluntarily?
  
• How might an elder receive "sordid gain"?
  
• How is not getting money related to eagerness?
  
• How might an elder "lord it over" the flock?
  
• What does being an example accomplish among the flock?
  
• How effective will an elder be if the flock does not want to be overseen?
  
• What is your role in regard to your elders?
  
• Why did Peter wait until he had discussed suffering many times before talking to elders?

Suffer for right reasons

1 Pe 4:15-19

15 But let none of you suffer as a murderer or a thief or an evildoer or as a meddler. 16 Yet if anyone suffers as a Christian, let him not be ashamed, but let him glorify God in that name. 17 For it is time for judgment to begin at the household of God; and if it begins with us, what will be the outcome for those who do not obey the gospel of God? 18 And

“If the righteous is scarcely saved,
what will become of the ungodly and the sinner?” [1]

19 Therefore let those who suffer according to God's will entrust their souls to a faithful Creator while doing good.

Footnotes
[1] 4:18 Greek where will the ungodly and sinner appear?

• Why might a person suffer because of unrighteousness?
  
• How should a Christian respond to suffering that results from sin?
  
• What shame is associated with suffering because of a sin?
  
• Why does Peter specifically mention not being ashamed for suffering for Christ?
  
• What should result from the Christian's suffering?
  
• What judgement is waiting for everyone?
  
• What does Peter mean by "obey the gospel of God"?
  
• Is obeying the gospel a one-time thing or not?
  
• Why does Peter state that is difficult for the righteous to be saved?
  
• Why does Peter jump from judgement to suffering for Christ?
  
• How does what you put your trust in affect your response to suffering?
  

Rejoicing in suffering

1 Pe. 4:12-14

12 Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery trial when it comes upon you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you. 13 But rejoice insofar as you share Christ's sufferings, that you may also rejoice and be glad when his glory is revealed. 14 If you are insulted for the name of Christ, you are blessed, because the Spirit of glory [1] and of God rests upon you.

Footnotes
[1] 4:14 Some manuscripts insert and of power

• Why do some tout "good-time gospel", i.e. if you become a Christian, everything will be great here on earth?
  
• Why would anyone even expect "good-time gospel" after reading v. 12?
  
• How does Peter state that we should expect suffering?
  
• What connection does Peter make between suffering and rejoicing?
  
• How might it help to consider your suffering as sharing with Christ?
  
• What is the outcome of rejoicing in suffering?
  
• When have you been insulted for the name of Christ?
  
• When have you been ridiculed for behaving in a Christian manner?
  
• What ridicule are you trying to avoid?
  
• Whose ridicule are you trying to avoid?
  
• Is your life different enough from the world that anyone would notice?
  
• How might realizing that the Spirit of glory and God rests on you help you deal with the risk of ridicule and persecution?
  

Everything to God's Glory

1 Pe 4:10-11

10 As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God's varied grace: 11 whoever speaks, as one who speaks oracles of God; whoever serves, as one who serves by the strength that God supplies—in order that in everything God may be glorified through Jesus Christ. To him belong glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen.

• What gifts/talents has God given you?
  
• What are you supposed to do with the gifts God has given you?
  
• Whom do you commonly serve with your gifts/talents?
  
• What does it mean to be a good steward of something?
  
• How does serving one another reflect stewardship of God's grace?
  
• What should you be aware of when you speak?
  
• What does it mean to speak as if you were speaking God's words?
  
• How often do you say things that God would not say?
  
• What should be the source of strength that supports your service?
  
• How often are you aware of God's strength when you serve others?
  
• How often do you try to serve others from your own strength?
  
• What is the bottom line purpose for all that you do?
  
• How often are you aware of this purpose?
  
• By what means can you do this?
  
• Who do you most commonly seek glory and praise from?