Encouraged

Rom 1:8-15

8 First, I thank my God through Jesus Christ for all of you, because your faith is proclaimed in all the world. 9 For God is my witness, whom I serve with my spirit in the gospel of his Son, that without ceasing I mention you 10 always in my prayers, asking that somehow by God's will I may now at last succeed in coming to you. 11 For I long to see you, that I may impart to you some spiritual gift to strengthen you— 12 that is, that we may be mutually encouraged by each other's faith, both yours and mine. 13 I want you to know, brothers, [1] that I have often intended to come to you (but thus far have been prevented), in order that I may reap some harvest among you as well as among the rest of the Gentiles. 14 I am under obligation both to Greeks and to barbarians, [2] both to the wise and to the foolish. 15 So I am eager to preach the gospel to you also who are in Rome.

Footnotes
[1] 1:13 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] 1:14 That is, non-Greeks

• How would you feel if someone told you that your faith is being talked about all over the world?
  
• Why might the Roman Christians have been encouraged by these comments?
  
• What comes to mind when you hear the phrase "spiritual gifts"?
  
• What spiritual gift did Paul have in mind for the Roman Christians?
• Why would he call this a spiritual gift?
  
• Who in your life encourages you by their faith?
  
• Who do you encourage by your faith?
  
• What is necessary about a relationship for you to encourage and be encouraged by it?
  
• When have you hidden your faith?
• What harvest do you hope to reap from what you have sown?
  

Set apart for the Gospel

Rom 1:1-7

1:1 Paul, a servant [1] of Christ Jesus, called to be an apostle, set apart for the gospel of God, 2 which he promised beforehand through his prophets in the holy Scriptures, 3 concerning his Son, who was descended from David [2] according to the flesh 4 and was declared to be the Son of God in power according to the Spirit of holiness by his resurrection from the dead, Jesus Christ our Lord, 5 through whom we have received grace and apostleship to bring about the obedience of faith for the sake of his name among all the nations, 6 including you who are called to belong to Jesus Christ, 7 To all those in Rome who are loved by God and called to be saints: Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

Footnotes
[1] 1:1 Or slave; Greek bondservant
[2] 1:3 Or who came from the offspring of David

• What is your definition of the gospel (good news)?
  
• What do you consider included and excluded in the good news?
  
• Why would Paul consider himself a bondservant [slave by choice] of Christ Jesus?
  
• According to this passage...
  - What had God promised through the prophets?
  - Who is the gospel about?
  - What two aspects of Jesus Christ does Paul point out?
  
• What was the purpose of the grace and apostleship of Paul?
  
• How is the obedience of faith brought about?
• Why were the Roman Christians called?
  
• Why is the name of Jesus Christ so important?

Devoted to prayer

Col 4:2-4

2 Continue steadfastly in prayer, being watchful in it with thanksgiving. 3 At the same time, pray also for us, that God may open to us a door for the word, to declare the mystery of Christ, on account of which I am in prison— 4 that I may make it clear, which is how I ought to speak.

• How devoted are you to prayer? How do you determine how devoted you are?
  
• Why is it necessary to keep alert in prayer?
  
• What are you to be on the look out for in prayer?
  
• How often do you pray for missionaries and evangelists? What do you pray for them?
  
• How often do you pray that a door will be opened for you to spread God's word?

Death and Debt

Col 2:12-15

12 having been buried with him in baptism, in which you were also raised with him through faith in the powerful working of God, who raised him from the dead. 13 And you, who were dead in your trespasses and the uncircumcision of your flesh, God made alive together with him, having forgiven us all our trespasses, 14 by canceling the record of debt that stood against us with its legal demands. This he set aside, nailing it to the cross. 15 He disarmed the rulers and authorities [1] and put them to open shame, by triumphing over them in him. [2]

Footnotes
[1] 2:15 Probably demonic rulers and authorities
[2] 2:15 Or in it (that is, the cross)

• How were you dead?
  
• How were you made alive?
  
• What was necessary to be made alive?
  
• Why was the law of Moses hostile to man?
  
• What was the certificate of debt that Christ took away?
  
• What did you owe God before you were baptized into Christ?
  
• How did Jesus' death disarm the spiritual rulers and authorities?
  
• What weapons did Christ take away from Satan?

The Mystery

Col 1:24-27

24 Now I rejoice in my sufferings for your sake, and in my flesh I am filling up what is lacking in Christ's afflictions for the sake of his body, that is, the church, 25 of which I became a minister according to the stewardship from God that was given to me for you, to make the word of God fully known, 26 the mystery hidden for ages and generations but now revealed to his saints. 27 To them God chose to make known how great among the Gentiles are the riches of the glory of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory.

• What sort of feelings do you get when you find out a secret?
  
• How would you react if you discovered something that would help a lot of people?
  
• What was the mystery that had been hidden?
  
• How does knowing this mystery influence your life?
  
• Why is this mystery so important to you? To your friends?
  
• What is your hope? How often do you feel hopeless?

Harold's Musings
Maybe this is a reason why we are so reluctant to tell others about Jesus. We simply do not feel that we have anything to offer them. We do not have anything to offer; Jesus does. Perhaps we do not feel the hope of glory that comes from realizing that Christ is in us. We go through our day accomplishing what we do or failing in what we try with our hope of glory firmly resting on our own abilities. Dale Carnegie summarized a number of authors when he wrote "everyone wants to feel important". We frequently fail to recognize just how important we are to God and only focus on how important we are to the humans around us. The secret though is "Christ in you, the hope of glory".

Reconciliation

Col. 1:18-23

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 [1] under heaven, and of which I, Paul, became a minister.

Footnotes
[1] 1:23 Or to every creature

• How do you feel realizing that the one who is over everything died for you?
  
• What does the word reconcile mean to you? What must be present for reconciliation to be needed?
  
• When did you realize you were an enemy of God?
  
• Why would Jesus die for His enemies?
  
• What conditions are stated here for remaining reconciled to God?
  
• How important is hope in this passage?

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?

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?
  

Suffering yet again

1 Peter 3:13-17

13 Now who is there to harm you if you are zealous for what is good? 14 But even if you should suffer for righteousness' sake, you will be blessed. Have no fear of them, nor be troubled, 15 but in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect, 16 having a good conscience, so that, when you are slandered, those who revile your good behavior in Christ may be put to shame. 17 For it is better to suffer for doing good, if that should be God's will, than for doing evil.

• Why is Peter dwelling on suffering?
  
• How does this epistle go against the flow of "good-time gospel"?
  
• How is this epistle good news?
  
• Who is there to harm you if you are trying to do good?
  
• Who or what do you fear that keeps you from doing right?
  
• Who or what intimidates you and troubles your Christian walk?
  
• Why is it important to clearly recognize Christ as your Lord in your heart?
  
• What does it mean to have a Lord and Master?
  
• Who is competing for lordship of your heart?
  
• How are you as a Christian supposed to act when challenged about your life?
  
• How ready are you to defend the hope that you have?
  
• How ready are you to be gentle and reverent in your defense?
  
• How does your behavior in Christ put those who intimidate you to shame?
  
• If it is God's will that you suffer, what should be the reasons?
  
• How have you suffered for Christ's sake in the past week?
  
• What "questionable" enjoyment have you given up for Christ's sake?
  
• When have you left your comfort zone to do right?

Hope on layaway

Col. 1:3-5
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,

• What is the motivation for faith and love?
• How did you come to know and realize that you could have hope?
• Where is the Christian's hope right now?
• What are the results of feeling hopeless?
• Why is does it seem so easy to become hopeless?
• How obvious is your hope to those around you; not optimism about life here, but hope in eternity?

Comments:
Have you ever purchased something on layaway? Not on a credit card where you have instant gratification, but you put some money down and keep paying regularly until it is finally yours. You know the item is yours. You do not have it now, but you know you will someday if you keep doing your part. This illustration is not perfect, but I think it carries some aspects of this verse. Why do you have faith and love? Is your faith and love motivated by the hope or by some other reason? What do you think?

Not moved from your hope

Col. 1:21-23
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.

• What does it feel like to be God's enemy?
• What does it feel like to be alienated from God?
• In this passage, what is involved in your being holy, blameless, and beyond reproach? How badly do you want this?
• What images come to mind from the phrases "stable", "steadfast", "not shifting away from"?
• What is the gospel that was proclaimed to all creation under heaven?
• What is the hope that motivates your life?