These questions are a guideline for your personal or small group study based on Sunday's sermon passage. Feel free to study and meditate on the passage more deeply. ​​

1. Where are you most tempted to “earn” God’s approval (performance, image, discipline, serving), and what would it look like to live this week like salvation begins with God’s grace, not your effort?

2. The sermon highlighted “grace and peace” in that order. How have you seen your peace rise or fall depending on whether you’re resting in grace or relying on self-effort?

3. Paul celebrates the Colossians’ faith in Christ, love for the saints, and hope stored in heaven. Which of those three feels strongest in your life right now and which feels thinnest? What tends to drain it?

4. The teaching says the gospel is “growing and bearing fruit” in the world and it should be doing that in us. What “fruit” would the people closest to you say they’ve seen growing in you lately (or not)?

5. Paul prays that they’d be “filled with the knowledge of His will… in spiritual wisdom and understanding.” When you think about “God’s will,” do you default to anxiety about future decisions or obedience in the present? What’s one present obedience step you already know you’re supposed to take?

6. The sermon connected doctrine to conduct: right knowledge should produce a “worthy walk” marked by Christ-like character (not just correctness). Where is it easiest for you to be “right” but not “tender”? What would a worthy walk look like in that exact relationship/situation?

7. If salvation is a rescue mission, not a self-improvement project, what “domain of darkness” still tries to tug at you (old patterns, shame, control, bitterness, secret sin)? What practical rhythms help you live like you’ve been transferred into a new kingdom with a new King?