Heard of this Hope

Fellowship – Snacks or a Meal (10 minutes with snacks; longer, obviously, if there is a meal).

Gathering Time (5-10 minutes). In pairs or groups of three, have participants answer, “What have you heard recently that inspired hope?”

Group Dialogue (Approximately 30 minutes). Colossians 1:1-14

The Colossians would have understood “the hope laid up for you in heaven” to mean that an abundance of hope was available to them as a reality now—not far away, not reserved for the afterlife.

• How did they come to embrace this hope? [Their hope is rooted in hearing of it as Epaphras shared the gospel and they came to understand the grace of God (Colossians 1:5-6).]
• What does Paul’s prayer of thanksgiving celebrate about the fruit of hope in the lives of the “saints and faithful brothers and sisters in Christ in Colossae?’ [Paul thanked God for their faith in Christ Jesus and their love for all believers in Christ throughout the world (Colossians 1:4).]
• What did Paul and Timothy request of God in their intercessory prayers for the Colossians? [Paul and Timothy have not ceased praying that the Colossians would “. . . be filled with the knowledge of God’s will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding, . . . “that would result in God-pleasing conduct, good works, and ongoing growth in knowing God. They also prayed that the Colossians would receive the strength that comes from God’s power that would enable their endurance, patience, and gratitude to God who saved them from their sins (Colossians 1: 9-14).]
• What is the connection between these petitions and the hope the Colossians heard?
• Considering the picture of hope revealed in Paul’s prayers of thanksgiving and intercession for the Colossians, how do you witness hope bearing fruit in your congregation?
• How could the example of Paul’s prayers for the Colossians guide you in shaping prayers for your local church?

Prayer (10 minutes). Share prayer requests and respond appropriately.

Sending Forth (2 minutes). End with the following prayer, a similar prayer, or the Lord’s Prayer:

God of all hope, please fill us with the knowledge of your will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding, so that we may walk worthy of you and fully pleasing to you, as we bear fruit in every good work and as we grow in the knowledge of you. Please make us strong with all the strength that comes from your glorious power so that we may have endurance and patience and joyfully give thanks to you. Amen.