Book of Colossians | What Paul is Consistently Praying for

Follow Along with the Message

Anchor Verse:  Colossians 1:9-14

Supporting Verses: Colossians 1:18; Ephesians 1: 9-10; Psalm 112: 6-8; Matthew 5:44

Read Colossians 1: 9-14 “For this reason, since the day we heard about you, we have not stopped praying for you. We continually ask God to fill you with the knowledge of his will through all the wisdom and understanding that the Spirit gives, so that you may live a life worthy of the Lord and please him in every way: bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God, being strengthened with all power according to his glorious might so that you may have great endurance and patience, and giving joyful thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of his holy people in the kingdom of light. For he has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of the Son he loves, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.”  (NIV)

1. Reflecting on the impact that a “sent” Epaphras had on the church at Colosse, Phil shared that “at the core of every great movement of God are people desperately on their knees asking God to move”. Discuss how the current church planting initiative at Prov is making you feel.  Do you resonate as someone who may “go” or as someone who “sends”?
2. Paul prayed for a Holy Spirit-filled Church to be radically submitted to the will of God:  As you zoom in on verses 9-10 and read Colossians 1:18, discuss how “the right order matters” in discerning God’s will in your life.  Have you ever wrestled with the tension between your personal desires and alignment with God’s Word and the supremacy of Jesus?
3. Submitting to the will of God requires coming under God’s mission.  Read Ephesians 1: 9-10 and discuss how God’s mission of uniting all things in Himself brings encouragement.
4. Read Psalm 112: 6-8 – During the current season of high anxiety are you tempted to withdraw from “the chaos”?  From what source can you draw strength to enter into the chaos, and engage with our world with confidence?
5. Paul prayed for a Holy Spirit-filled worthy walk with God:  The manner in which we walk reflects something about us – what are some ways that we can be intentional so that our walks are closer to being “equal in weight” to that of the Lord?
6. Paul prayed for Holy Spirit-filled strength, patience, endurance and joy:  In a time of “rapid intensification of complexity” how can we grow in our obedience to Jesus’ teaching in Matthew 5:44 and move from contempt to love?
7. Paul prayed for Holy Spirit-filled thanksgiving and forgiveness:  How do verses 12-14 help us to be less-easily offended when confronted by the truth/impact of our words and actions?  When we “blow it” with a less-than-graceful response, what can we call to mind when we are tempted to withhold forgiveness of ourselves?