NEW CLOTHES | 8.27.23
Text: Colossians 3:1-25
1. Shawn mentioned that people care a ton about what they put on because what we wear makes a statement about who we are. Has that been true for you why or why not?
2. As seasons change so do our clothes. In Christ God calls us to bury or put to death the old self and put on the new self that is being renewed in knowledge after the image of its creator.
Read Colossians 3:5-9: We must PUT TO DEATH what is earthly in us, and get rid of old clothes that no longer fit us. (sexual sins & sins of the tongue)
Read Colossians 3:12-15: We need to PUT ON as God's children the New Clothes that we received for free because we are in Christ. (walk in love towards one another).
When you look at each set of clothes where would you say you do well and what is an area of growth for you?
3. Read Colossians 3:1-4
"The more you can be preoccupied in your thinking and in your heart with Christ and what HE has done, the more you will become what HE has already declared you to be."
- Do you think more about Christ's ability or more about your own ability when trying to become more like Christ? Why?
- Practically, discuss 1 or 2 things that you can do to intentionally focus on and remember who you are.
4. Break up into groups of 2 or 3 of the same gender. Share specific areas in your life where you are striving to have victory. Is there an area in your heart that is unsubmitted to the Lord? Is there an area where he wants to work through you to restore order as you walk in His love?
5. Colossians 3:16 says to “teach and admonish (counsel) each other with wisdom"
Pray and encourage each other to reorder priorities and place Jesus at the center of your life. Declare truth to remind one another of who you are in Christ.
6. Close and spend a few moments thanking God for what HE has done.
For Further Study & Reflection: (Colossians 1-3, Galatians 4:4-5, Genesis 1-3, Romans 8:13-16, 1 John 3:1)