Endure to mature

Use this curriculum to help you further engage with the sermon, the scriptures, and each other. Allow the Holy Spirit to bring things up to encourage and guide you so that you are always growing in your faith. If the Spirit leads you away from these questions and into conversation and prayer that encourages and points you to Jesus, go for it.

scripture

Read the following scriptures together: Colossians 1:24-29.

overview

Paul has packed a lot of important lessons for us in just this first chapter: thanksgiving for the believers, detailing the supremacy of Christ, and sharing his labor and suffering for Jesus and his Church. As we read this last part, it’s helpful to remember that Paul is writing from a prison in Rome, which we know from his other letters was a very rough experience, one that took a toll on him both mentally and physically. And yet, he rejoiced. Paul was so focused on the work for the Kingdom of God that he looked past the pain to see the gain. Some people might think, “Oh that’s easy for Paul, he was special, but I can’t be like that.” It is important for us to remember from whom Paul drew his strength and endurance.

question 1

What might “rejoicing” in a trial look like in our lives? 

discussion

Read Romans 8:18 and James 1:2-3. Our sufferings will take us down one of two paths: one of bitterness and self-focus or a path that leads us to refinement and maturity in Christ. If we take the first path mentioned, we might resent these passages and possibly be upset with God or choose to walk away from him. If choosing the path to maturity, it helps to remember that Christ is in us, providing the strength, wisdom, and perseverance that we need to move to the other side of suffering. Maturing in Christ ought not be a goal to just check off, but to remember that it benefits us deeply and it is a gift that makes us more resilient disciples, not people who are tossed around like a boat on the sea by every trial. 

question 2

Most of us have chosen both paths in times of suffering. Honestly share a time when you chose to sit in bitterness or self-pity rather than trusting God and recognizing his strength in you. What did that look like?

Maturing in Christ is a lifelong journey, and it is available to all people. We should never count ourselves out because of our past sin, our talents, or our knowledge of the Bible. Maturing in Christ is not just for leaders in the church, it’s asked of all of us. As we discussed above, one of the benefits is resiliency in trials. Some other benefits include becoming more attuned to God’s voice and direction; being transformed into people who love others well by our words and actions; and becoming more generous with our talents, time, and money by using them to share the gospel message with others who desperately need to hear the Good News. Our life with God is not a race, but it is a consistent moving forward, “pressing on toward the goal” (Phil. 3:14). One more thing to note is that Paul did not forsake community and friendships, rather it was his friends and people in the church who comforted him and encouraged him to keep going. Isolating and going it alone may hinder us more than we realize. 

question 3

Austenn reminded us that God gives us both hope and grace. Is there an area where you need to have an increase of hope or receive some grace for yourself or another person? Take time to pray for each other.

final thoughts

Consider taking some additional time this week reflecting on James 1:2-3.