Seek the Things that are Above

Colossians 3:1-17

1. What do you think it means to seek the things that are above? (1)

   1. What is the defining feature of what is above?

   2. How does this relate to our being raised in Christ?

2. What do you think the contrast is between the things that are above vs. the things of the earth? (2)

   1. Why do we need to set our minds on what is above?

      1. What can happen when we set our minds on things of this earth? What has happened when you focused more on earthly things than God?

      2. Are there things that we need that seem impossible on earth, but possible with God?

3. What is this new life of ours that is hidden in God? How is it hidden? From us, from others, from the moment? (3-4)

   1. Why is it good news? 

4. Why should we put to death these things? Why can they mislead us? (5-9)

   1. Where do they lead?

5. Where does this new self start? (5-10)

   1. How does this new self lead us in a new direction? 

   2. How does this new self overthrow the old things that ruled over our lives?

   3. How does God’s Lordship transform us?

6. Why do we need this renewal, this new lordship to find unity in our difference? (9-11)

7. How are all of these things Godly, practically otherworldly traits? (12-14)

   1. What does it mean to clothe ourselves with them?

   2. How are these outpourings of our relationship with God and his Lordship over us?

8. What would it look like to admonish (warn, advise, reprimand) and teach someone in peace, worship, thankfulness, etc.? (15-16)

   1. How could this change our relationships? Including our Christian ones?

9. How has all of this changed our understanding of what it means to be doing something in the name of Jesus? 

   1. How can all of this be a response of thankfulness?

Luke 6:17-26

1. How does our relationship with the world vs. what is above, relate to the hunger, mourning, and praise that Jesus is talking about? (20-26)

   1. Why is it quite natural for a Christian to hunger, mourn, and be chastised when they focus on what is above? 

   2. How are we filled, comforted, and rewarded in our focus on things abovr? (Now in the time to come)

   3. How is does the opposite natural occur when we are not centred on the things that are above?