DON’T BE DECEIVED!

Colossians 2:4 “I tell you this so that no one may deceive you by fine-sounding arguments.”

Don’t be deceived by:

o Fine sounding arguments (v.4)

o Hollow and deceptive philosophy (v.8)

o Human Traditions (v.8)

o Ceremonialism (v.11-17)

o Angel worship (v.18)

o Asceticism* (v.20-23)

*Ascetic (noun): a person who dedicates his or her life to a pursuit of contemplative ideals and practices extreme self denial or self-mortification for religious reasons.1

LIVE AS YOU RECEIVED CHRIST JESUS: CONTINUE TO BE ROOTED AND STRENGTHENED:

Colossians 2:6-7 6So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live your lives in him, 7 rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness.

Live as you received Christ Jesus:

o Rooted & strengthened in faith & thankfulness (v.8)

o Complete in Christ (v.9-10)

o Circumcised from sin via faith & baptism (v.11-12)

o Alive in Christ! (v.13)

o Free from the false judgement of people (v.16)

o Free from religious rules (v.20-23)

QUESTIONS TO REFLECT AND DISCUSS:

Passages to consider: Colossians 2; Colossians 2:6-15

• What from the sermon impacted your thinking, beliefs or actions?
• Did you get a chance to read Colossians 2 this week? If so, what stood out to you?

1. What has been your experience with growing trees or plants or dealing with something rooted?

2. Read Colossians 2:6-15. What are key things you see about who God is and what He has done? A) What does this passage say about who you are in Christ?

3. What does “receiving Christ Jesus as Lord” mean? A) What has that experience and commitment looked like in your life?

4. How is being committed to follow Christ, to trusting and obeying Jesus, impacting how you see yourself and others?

5. In what ways are you intentionally seeking to be rooted, built up, and living life based on Jesus? A) How is walking with Jesus impacting your choices and actions with family, time commitments, finances, work, recreation, community, and church?

6. What is one adjustment you will make to help you walk rooted in Jesus in every area of your life?

This week, read through/listen to:

o Colossians chapter 3 two or three times—even stretch to read it daily.

As you read, ask yourself these questions:

a) What is the passage saying about God, people, and how the world works?

b) What do I learn about myself from this passage?

c) What adjustment does this require of me in my thinking, believing, and doing?

d) What changes will I make as I obey what God is showing me?

e) What area most needs to be impacted by this? Think of your Home, Church, and World (where you work, live, and play).

f) Who will I tell about what God is showing me?