Sermon Response Guide

PRIMARY SCRIPTURE: 
Colossians 3:18-4:1

Key Points

• Paul is admonishing the believers in Colossae to allow the life-altering gospel of Jesus to permeate every aspect of their lives. In this section, he addresses how Christians should operate within household power dynamics.
• When the Colossians read this section of Paul’s letter, they would not have been surprised by the idea of wives submitting to their husbands, children obeying their parents, or slaves obeying their masters. Those were cultural norms. The radical part that would have gripped their hearts, is how husbands were to treat their wives (with sacrificial love), how parents were to treat their children (with respect), and how masters were to treat their slaves (with fairness). These were not culturally normative practices.
• We learn from this passage that when we are in charge, we must put our speech, our responses, and our decisions through the filter of grace. In doing so, we demonstrate to our subordinates and to the Lord that there is a better way to lead.
• We also learn from this passage that when we are not in charge, when we operate in a posture of grace – submitting and obeying when appropriate, and demonstrating integrity in our actions – we honor the Lord.
• When we work as if we are working for the Lord and not just for man, we are serving Christ.

Memory Verse

Ask God to write this word on your heart this week:
Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward. You are serving the Lord Christ. Colossians 3:23-24

questions for reflection

1. What do you think it would have looked like for the early church to take Paul’s words to heart – what would it have looked like if husbands started loving their wives sacrificially, if parents started respecting their children, and if masters started treating their slaves fairly?
1. This radical shift would have been an incredible testimony to non-believers in the first century. In the same way, when we demonstrate the love and grace that has been extended to us to others, we become living testimonies of the goodness of God.
2. Take time to think about the various leaders you have been under in your life – both the good and bad. Specifically consider how much grace was extended to you and those in your position.
1. What did you learn from these leaders about what it means to be a good/bad leader?
2. How have you incorporated both your positive and negative experiences into your own leadership style? How much grace do you extend?
3. Consider how you will use your words, how you will respond to various situations, and how you will make decisions that are colored by grace this week.
1. Activity: jot these down on a post-it and put them somewhere you can see them as a reminder of how you can be a testament of God’s grace.
4. Consider how you will show grace in obedience and submission (when appropriate), and how you will demonstrate integrity with leadership this week.
1. Activity: Journal scenarios you may run into this week where “working unto the Lord” might be difficult.

Pray

Heavenly Father, thank you for your grace. Thank you for showing the Colossians and us that there is a better way to live. Give me wisdom and discernment this week as I seek to be a better leader when I’m in charge. Help me make grace something I learn to practice a little more every day. Give me patience and strength this week when I’m not the one in charge.  Help me walk in integrity in every aspect of my life. Be with those who lead me and help them see that you have a better way. When I fail to image you well, help me to learn and grow. I love you Lord and I am so grateful for all you have done and continue to do in my life. In the gracious name of Jesus we pray, amen.