Book of Colossians | Jesus is in Our Suffering

Follow Along with the Message

Read Colossians 1: 24-27 “Now I rejoice in what I am suffering for you, and I fill up in my flesh what is still lacking in regard to Christ’s afflictions, for the sake of his body, which is the church. I have become its servant by the commission God gave me to present to you the word of God in its fullness— the mystery that has been kept hidden for ages and generations, but is now disclosed to the Lord’s people. To them God has chosen to make known among the Gentiles the glorious riches of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory.”  (NIV)

1. What do we do when we read a passage of scripture and do not connect with it in any way?  Re-read the text and discuss the difference between “what does the passage say?” and “what does the passage WANT to say?”. 
2. When we ask questions “of” rather than “about” a passage of scripture, to whom are we addressing the questions, and why should that give us comfort to ask with confidence?
3. One teacher, Marty Solomon, said “Christ didn’t just suffer so I didn’t have to, Christ suffered to show me HOW to suffer.”  In our attempts to cope with or avoid suffering, what are some ways that we end up “suffering poorly”?
4. Discuss an example in your life where a friend or family member brought you comfort by their mere presence during a time of suffering.  Alternatively, share an example when a well-meaning friend was not helpful when they tried to explain to you the reason for your suffering, or minimized the situation with a Christian cliché. 
5. What are some ways that we can grow more comfortable living with mystery, rather than feeling like we need to know every answer to every question immediately (Google syndrome)?
6. How can you link Mike’s four key theme words to reveal the story embedded in this passage?
1. Suffering
2. The church
3. Mystery revealed
4. Christ in you