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?

You are special

1 Pe 2:9-10

9 But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light. 10 Once you were not a people, but now you are God's people; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy.

• How does our culture influence our understanding of v. 9?
  
• What does it mean to be a chosen race?
  - What are the distinguishing characteristics of this race?
  - How often do you consider yourself chosen?
  
• What does it mean to be a royal priesthood?
  - How often do you consider yourself royalty?
  - How often do you consider yourself to be a priest?
  
• What does it mean to be a holy nation?
  - Who does this refer to?
  - How often do you consider yourself holy?
  
• What does it mean to be a people for God's own possession?
  - How often do you consider yourself owned by God?
  
• How often do you consider yourself to one of the people of God?
  
• How often do you recognize the mercy you have received?
  
• What is the purpose for your being these things?
  - What changes did God make in or provide for you?
  
• If you realized your position in Christ more frequently, how often would you proclaim God's excellencies?
  

Dark Days

Eccles. 11:7-8

7 Light is sweet, and it is pleasant for the eyes to see the sun. 8 So if a person lives many years, let him rejoice in them all; but let him remember that the days of darkness will be many. All that comes is vanity.

• How do the shortened days of winter affect your mood?
  
• What are some ways that sunlight is important to you?
  
• What are some ways that spiritual light is important to you?
  
• Why should a person rejoice in all of their years, even the bad ones?
  
• Why should a person remember the dark days in their life?
  
• How do the dark days of life under the sun keep the bright days in perspective?
  
• If life were always bright and pleasant with no hardships and trials, how can heaven compare?
  
• As pilgrims under the sun why is it important to remember the futility of life here?
  
• If light is pleasant here under the sun, what will life be like in heaven where there is no darkness, either physical, emotional, or spiritual?