Devoted.

Colossians 4:2-18

Devoted to...

Prayer

• As you pray, be alert

• As you pray, be thankful

• As you pray, ask God to open doors

Wise Living

• As you live, make the most of "every opportunity".

• As you live, speak graciously

• As you live, speak intentionally

Partnering in the Gospel

• Tychicus - beloved helper, partner, and reporter

• Onesimus - faithful and beloved brother

• Aristarchus & Mark - friends and partners

• Justus - partner

• Epaphras - prayer servant and partner

• Luke - beloved friend and partner

• Nympha - church benefactor

• Archippus - minister

• Brothers and Sisters - partners

Application

• Pray for God to Open Doors! (Bless App)

• Be thankful! (Three Good Thing Journal)

• Develop and practice your salvation testimony! (You can grab a Testimony Sheet in the lobby)

• Partner with HPC in the Gospel! 

  • (non-member opportunities)

  • (member opportunities)

1. Warm-Up: What Are You Devoted To?

What is something in your life that receives a lot of your time, attention, or energy? What makes it important to you?

Transition:

We all devote ourselves to something. As Paul concludes his letter to the Colossians, he describes what a life devoted to Jesus looks like. It isn't just about what we believe; it's about how we pray, how we live, how we speak, and how we work together to make Jesus known.

2. Devoted to Prayer

Read Colossians 4:2–4.

Paul gives us three instructions about prayer: be devoted, be alert and thankful, and ask God to open doors for the gospel.

Discuss:

1. What do you think it looks like to be devoted to prayer rather than simply praying when we need something?

2. Paul connects prayer with being alert and thankful. How might gratitude and spiritual awareness change the way we pray?

3. Paul asks the Colossians to pray for an open door to proclaim the message of Christ. Who in your life might need an opportunity to hear about Jesus?

Key Thought:

Prayer isn't just asking God to change our circumstances. It's also asking Him to open our eyes to the opportunities He has already placed before us. Put it into practice: Choose one person to pray for this week, asking God to open a door for a spiritual conversation. Consider using the BLESS App to help you pray for and connect with people.

3. Devoted to Wise Living and Intentional Words

Read Colossians 4:5–6.

Paul turns from how believers speak to God to how they live and speak around people who don't yet follow Jesus. He calls believers to make the most of every opportunity and to let their speech always be gracious and appropriately seasoned.

Discuss:

4. What do you think Paul means by making the most of every opportunity? What opportunities might we overlook in ordinary life?

5. Why is it sometimes difficult to speak graciously to people who disagree with us, frustrate us, or treat us unfairly?

6. What is the difference between simply talking about Jesus and speaking intentionally in ways that help others understand the hope we have in Him?

Key Thought:

Our witness involves both how we live and what we say. We want our lives to make the gospel attractive and our words to help people understand it. Put it into practice: Think about one person you regularly encounter at work, school, in your neighborhood, or in your family. What is one intentional step you could take to encourage them, serve them, or begin a meaningful spiritual conversation?

4. Devoted to Partnering in the Gospel

Read Colossians 4:7–18.

Paul closes his letter with a long list of people. At first glance, these names may seem like a collection of personal greetings. But they reveal something important: the work of the gospel was never meant to be a one-person effort.

Consider the different ways people served:

• Tychicus and Onesimus: trusted messengers and beloved brothers.

• Aristarchus, Mark, and Justus: fellow workers and partners.

• Epaphras: a servant who labored earnestly in prayer for others.

• Luke: a beloved physician and companion.

• Nympha: a believer who opened her home for the church to gather.

• Archippus: someone entrusted with a ministry to fulfill.

People served in different ways, but they shared a common purpose.

Discuss:

7. Why do you think Paul took the time to mention so many people by name? What does this teach us about the value of people who serve behind the scenes?

8. Looking at these different examples, which kind of contribution do you most identify with—encouraging others, praying, serving, opening your home, communicating, or leading? Why?

9. What happens when Christians think of the church as a place to attend rather than a mission to participate in together?

Key Thought:

God doesn't call every believer to the same role, but He calls every believer to participate in His mission. The church becomes stronger when ordinary believers use their different gifts, relationships, resources, and opportunities to help others follow Jesus. Put it into practice: Consider one way you or your family can partner with High Pointe Church in the gospel—through serving, welcoming people, leading a group, praying, or helping others get connected.

5. Personal Application: What Will I Do This Week?

Paul's closing words challenge us to move from hearing the Word to living it.

Consider these three questions:

• Pray: Who is one person I will pray for and ask God to open a door to reach?

• Speak: What conversation or opportunity might God be placing before me?

• Partner: What is one practical way I can contribute to the mission of my church?

Choose one action to complete this week.