Raised Together - Leader Kit

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, by canceling the record of debt that stood against us with its legal demands. This he set aside, nailing it to the cross. – Colossians 2:13-14

Paul’s letter to the church at Colossae encourages believers to live out the reality of the doctrine of Christ—He is God, He is supreme, and He is sufficient. We have been buried with Him and raised to life with Him as new creations, knit together in love.

In 8 sessions, explore themes of foundational Christian doctrine through verse-by-verse study of Colossians. Learn who Christ is, who you are in Him, and how to grow and mature in your faith.

Leader Kit Includes:

• One Bible study book with personal study segments to complete between 8 weeks of group sessions and leader helps to lead discussion within small groups
• 2 DVDs with essential teaching videos, approximately 9–12 minutes per session
• Card with 3 additional digital downloads of teaching videos

Benefits:

• Understand what Christians believe and how to mature in your faith
• Gain skills for reading and studying Colossians and the Bible as a whole
• Learn who Christ is and who you are in Him
• Internalize Christian fundamentals to share the gospel with friends
• Grow in Christ, and learn to live out the reality of Christ within you

• Session 1: Introduction (9:08)—Colossians answers many of life’s biggest questions through familiar verses. One could read the whole letter in a half an hour or meditate on one line for a lifetime.
• Session 2: Colossians 1:1-14 (11:03)—We need to know who Jesus Christ is—no misunderstandings. Paul wants us to understand who Christ is and what it means that we are in Him, so that we will not be swayed by false teachings. We are to trust Christ, love Him, and cling to Him above any earthly things.
• Session 3: Colossians 1:15-23 (10:39)—We are limited creatures, called to a limited focus—Jesus. The way we guard against error and false teaching is to have a singular focus on Jesus and His work. This section of Scripture shows us two truths about Jesus: Christ is supreme and Christ is sufficient.
• Session 4: Colossians 1:24-2:5 (10:26)—In this segment of Scripture, Paul is describing his apostolic credentials. Paul desires to both teach and correct the Colossians, pointing out what is false and bad while teaching what is true and good. One day, we will be raised from the dead with Christ, but in the meantime we suffer with Him. God uses our sufferings to draw us closer to Him.
• Session 5: Colossians 2:6-23 (12:39)—Paul is making two points in this passage, our identity in Christ and the supremacy of Christ. Christ makes perfect those who draw near to Him. Jesus Christ is the substance of everything the Old Testament pointed to. Christ has captivated our hearts.
• Session 6: Colossians 3:1-11 (11:51)—We are fellow heirs with Christ. We will suffer with Him and we will be raised with Him in glory. We are being conformed to Christ, asked to deny our former selves. We are to put to death our sin because He is making all things new. Now is the time to walk in the newness of life.
• Session 7: Colossians 3:12-4:1 (11:50)—This section features specific instructions for those who are in Christ to live the risen life in Christ, even as we also live in the current world. God is remaking us into the image of His Son. This is what it looks like to live our lives as those who walk with Christ.
• Session 8: Colossians 4:2-18 (11:25)—God has appointed us to pray. We are to pray for Christ to be glorified. This is what it means to be a new creation. Paul is praying for an open door for the gospel. We, like Paul, have been entrusted with this gospel. May we continue in this same faith, allowing Him to rule in our hearts and dwell in us richly.