Home group questions.
1) How do you understand the term ‘in Christ’ (sometimes “in him” i.e. 2:6)? Why do you think it was important for Paul to remind the Colossians, which is also a reminder for us, that we are ‘in Christ’?
2) Do you agree that the greatest threat to the stability of the church (or a church) comes from people within the church rather than those from outside?
3) Bishop Stephen Neil wrote - “The false teachers came in with the claim that they would complete and perfect the simple and elementary faith to which the Colossians had been introduced by Paul and his friends. This is what the false teachers always do. ‘What you have is quite all right, and a good foundation for faith. Now let us just finish it off for you, and you really will be Christians”. How would the health, wealth, prosperity teaching be an example of this? Why do you think this kind of teaching appeals to Christians? Why do you think some Christians try to add Jewish practises to their Christianity while some other Christians follow teachings about personal spiritual breakthroughs and dream interpretations? How should the knowledge that we are ‘in Christ’ and have fullness in him prevent us from following such teachings?
4) Francis Bacon said: ”Prosperity is the blessing of the old testament, adversity is the blessing of the New” Do you agree? (Consider Lev 26:3-12, Romans 5:1-5; 8:17-18; 1 Peter 4:12-13) How can suffering be a blessing and how do churches who teach that you can have your best life now (aka one devoid of suffering and full of wealth) weaken peoples faith?
5) How should churches protect themselves from the internal threats of Christians wanting to have a syncretistic kind of religion which combines worldly values and beliefs with Christianity? How can the church ensure that the teaching within the church doesn’t stray from the gospel message?
