HC Guide Colossians 3:1-4:1

Paul and Timothy’s letter to the Colossians moves between the biggest, boldest thoughts about God and the very ordinary realities of daily life. This week, we explore how cosmic truths—Christ’s victory, reconciliation, and kingdom—crash into everyday spaces like relationships, households, and work.

The theme for this week is tension:

• The tension of the already and not yet kingdom.

• The tension of cultural codes vs. kingdom ethics.

• The tension of difficult passages (slavery, submission, authority).

Rather than resolving all tensions, Paul invites us to live faithfully within them, letting the future kingdom of Jesus shape our present lives.

Read the Text Together

📖 Colossians 3:1–4:1

Study the Text

1. What does Paul mean when he says our life is “hidden with Christ in God” (3:3)?

2. How does the “already–not yet” kingdom come through in verses 1–4?

3. What contrasts do you notice between the “old self” and the “new self” in verses 5–10?

4. How does Paul describe the new community in Christ in verses 11–15?

5. How should we read the household codes (3:18–4:1) in light of Paul’s earlier teaching about love, unity, and the future kingdom?

Reflection Questions

1. Where do you experience tension in living out your faith today? (e.g., cultural expectations vs. kingdom values)

2. What practices or habits help you “set your mind on things above” (3:2)?

3. How might Paul’s words about clothing ourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience (3:12–14) challenge our relationships?

4. When have you seen the church live as a “demonstration plot of the kingdom”?

5. How can we as a group discern together how to navigate tensions faithfully?

Application Questions

1. This week, what is one way you can “take off” an old practice and “put on” something that reflects Christ’s kingdom?

2. How might you embody Paul’s ethic of love and mutuality in your closest relationships (marriage, parenting, friendships, workplace)?

3. What concrete step can our group take to demonstrate reconciliation and peace in our neighborhood/community?

Closing Prayer

Leader or group member prays:

Lord Jesus,
You are seated at the right hand of the Father, and our lives are hidden in You. Help us set our minds and hearts on Your kingdom so that we can live with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience. Teach us to navigate the tensions of our world with courage and faithfulness. Make our homes, our relationships, and our community a glimpse of the future You are bringing.
In Your name we pray, Amen.