Knowing Jesus: Week 2 Col 1:9–14

February 12, 2025

Introduction

Kick of the discussion with prayer followed by this week’s reading and discussion questions

Passage:

9 And so, from the day we heard, we have not ceased to pray for you, asking that you may be filled with the knowledge of his will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding, 10 so as to walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing to him: bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God; 11 being strengthened with all power, according to his glorious might, for all endurance and patience with joy; 12 giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of the saints in light. 13 He has delivered us from the domain of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of his beloved Son, 14 in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.

The Holy Bible: English Standard Version (Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles, 2016), Col 1:9–14.

‍

Paul is praying that these believers be filled with the knowledge of God’s will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding. Why?

So their lives bear fruit in every good work. That would be nice!
So they increase in their knowledge of God. Yes, please!
So they are strengthened with all power for all endurance and patience with joy and thanksgiving. That’s what I am talking about!

Receiving this gift from God changes the way you act, think and feel in such a way that your actions, thoughts and feelings please God.

Discussion

Would you want the things Paul prays for?
Are these things that you would typically pray for?
Are these things that you have tried to obtain on your own?
Has someone ever asked you, if you need prayer, and you said no?
Do you need prayer?

Share with one another and pray for one another.

Habit of Grace

Habit of Grace: Prayer

Discussion:

Jesus taught us how to pray. When you hear that you likely think of the Lord’s Prayer. However, Jesus also gave us 3 parables that instruct how we should think about how we pray.

Simply, these parables show us 3 things that we must understand in order to pray as Jesus prayed. All of which are modeled in the Lord’s prayer

We need persistence in prayer
We need perspective of who we are talking to
We need a paradigm of God’s Goodness

This week we will look at persistence

Read Luke 18:1-8

How does this parable conflict with your view or application of prayer?

Encouragement:

"Behold, the dwelling place of God is with man. He will dwell with them, and they will be his people, and God himself will be with them as their God." Revelation 21:3

God's eternal purposes are to be with you. It is the very reason Jesus came, died and rose. Do not hesitate to go to him because he desires to dwell with you.

Practice this week: Create a Daily Rhythm

(Reference last week for background if needed)

Fine tune your daily rhythm to ensure consistency. If the rhythm didn’t happen, what went wrong and is there a change you can make to address the issue?
Pick a time and a place.
Pick a length of time.
Get support.

If the rhythm went well. Consider if there is a way to stretch. If you started with a 5 minute prayer, can you go to 10 minutes. Reflect on persistence in prayer. Do you practice persistence? Why do you give up? Inquire the Lord in your prayer time.