What if? - Spiritual Goals

Colossians 4:2–6

- How would you describe your prayer life? (e.g., intense, lukewarm, sporadic, frustrating...)

- How would you like your prayer life to be better?

Paul's encouragement is for the Colossian believers to 'devote themselves' to prayer. Prayer won't always come easily or naturally, but is a practice that we commit ourselves to.

- What are some practical ways you can devote yourself to prayer?

- How can our group devote itself to prayer?

(Read v 2)

"Being watchful" is also part of prayer.

- How have you seen God at work in your prayer life?

- What are some open doors that perhaps you've overlooked in your life? Where are opportunities that God wants you to invest yourself in?

(Read v 3–4)

Paul is in prison, and yet his request for the Colossian believers is to pray that he has more opportunities to share the Gospel and for God's help that he would make the most of those opportunities by speaking the message clearly! Wow!

- How does Paul's example inspire you to be more content in your current circumstances and more committed to Christ's mission?

- Who are the specific people or situations that you a praying for at the moment for opportunities to share the Gospel with?

(Read v 5–6)

- Why do we need to be wise in the way we act towards outsiders (unbelievers, unchurched)? What is the wise way to act towards outsiders?

- What are the 'opportunities' that Paul is referring to?

- How is the gospel overwhelmingly obvious in your life as it is seen through the eyes of your non-Christian friends, family and co-workers?

- What areas or ways might you need to be more bold?

'Grace' in verse 6 has the double meaning of God's grace and human graciousness.

- What would it look like for our conversations with each other to be always full of grace?

'Seasoned with salt' in verse 6 represents making things better or steering it in the right direction (towards Jesus).

- How have you seen 'salty' comments used well to steer a conversation to Christ? How can we practice this without it being pushy or making others feel as if we are forcing the conversation to faith?

Next Steps:

- What new year's commitment can/will you make based on these verses in scripture?

- What is 1 phrase from these verses you will immediately focus on implementing this week?

- How do you need help from others in our group to follow through with what God is calling you to be?