Colossians 1:13-23

1. How does Colossians 1 explain that everything hinges on Jesus?
2. What deliverance has Jesus made possible? (1:13,14)
3. How does the New Living Translation render “redemption” in Colossians 1:14?
4. What counsel did Kevin give if God seems very far away?
5. What is the meaning of the word translated as “image” in Colossians 1:15?
6. What does it mean for Christ to be “preeminent”? (Col. 1:18)
7. What is the relationship between consumerism and a focus on Christ? What is “consumerism”?
8. What does it mean that Jesus is the “firstborn from the dead”? (Col 1:18)
9. Do you ever struggle to believe that the sacrifice of Jesus was enough for you? Do you know someone who does?
10. What does it mean to be “justified” before God? 
11. What was our situation before God before we were reconciled to God? (1:21) What does Ephesians 2:1 say about our condition before Christ saved us?
12. How is it possible to stable and steadfast in our faith? (1:23)
13. Spend some time thinking about the truth of this statement: “Everything you are looking for can be found in Jesus.”
14. How will you rest in Jesus this week?
15. Respond to this quote pertaining to Colossians 1:

“The truth of Christ’s supremacy over all the powers in the universe is one which modern man sorely needs to learn. He is oppressed by a sense of impotence (powerlessness) in the grasp of merciless forces which he can neither overcome nor escape. These forces may be Frankenstein monsters of man’s own creation, or they may be horrors outside his conscious control; either way, he is intimidated by the vastness of those fateful currents which threaten to sweep him on to destruction, whether he will or no. And to modern man in his frustration and despair, the full-orbed gospel of Christ, as Paul presents it to the Colossians, is the one message of hope. Christ crucified and risen is Lord of all; all the forces in the universe, well-disposed and ill-disposed, are subject to Him. To be united to Christ by faith is to throw off the thraldom (grip, control) of hostile powers, to enjoy perfect freedom, to gain the mastery over the dominion of evil, because Christ’s victory is ours.”… F. F. Bruce (1910-1990), The Apostolic Defense of the Gospel, London: Inter-Varsity Press, 1959, Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1959, p. 78-79