Home group questions:
To clarify the doctrine of Jesus as both God and Man The Chalcedonian Creed (451) says this:
Following the holy fathers we confess one and the same our Lord Jesus Christ, and all teach as one that the same is perfect in Godhead, the same perfect in manhood; truly God and truly man; the same of a reasonable soul and body; consubstantial with the Father in Godhead and the same consubstantial with us in manhood; like us in all things except sin; begotten before the ages of the Father in Godhead; the same one in these last days, and for our salvation, born of Mary the Virgin Theotokos [Godbearer] in the manhood; one and the same Christ, Son, Lord, unique; recognized in two natures, unconfusedly, unchangeably, indivisibly, inseparably; the difference of natures being by no means taken away because of the union, but rather the distinctive character of each nature being preserved, combining in one person and hypostasis; not divided or separated into two persons, but one and the same Son and Only Begotten God, Word, Lord Jesus Christ; as the prophets of old, and the Lord Jesus Christ himself, have taught us in his regard, and as the creed of the fathers has handed down to us.
Does this help you in your understanding of how Jesus is both God and man? Why or why not? There are some doctrines that are hard to understand, like hypostasis or the Trinity or God’s sovereignty vs man responsibility or how our sins are transferred to Jesus but do you have to have 100% understanding to have faith? So what is our faith based on? See Romans 4:19-25; Hebrews 11:1-3
What do you think it means to be “hostile in mind” and how does that present itself in different people? (Consider the Parable of the Prodigal Son - both mistreat the Father) How are evil deeds both the result of a hostile mind and also the cause of a hostile mind? Consider Romans 1:18-25 & 28-32.
Paul says Jesus will present us holy (set apart for God), blameless (without sin) and above reproach (un-accusable) before God. This is speaking of the day when we are presented before God but these must also be a part of our present reality. How and why should we aim to be these even now? Consider 1 Thessalonians 4:1-8; Ephesians 4:25-30, Philippians 2:12-15, Romans 6:12-16
Paul says that Jesus has reconciled us to present us before God… “if indeed you continue in the faith, stable and steadfast, not shifting from the hope of the gospel that you heard.” What is the best indication that a person has a true faith in the true gospel? Consider Luke 8:6&13; 1 John 2:18-19, 24-25; John 6:60-71. How is the teaching that you can simply say a prayer and be saved a dangerous message? What do you think it means to not shift from the hope of the gospel?
In verse 23 the word ‘you’ is plural, addressing the whole church. What is Paul telling the Colossian church and how does it apply to the church today?
