I once heard a well-known preacher say that he had changed so much through the years of his marriage that it was almost like his wife had been married to three or four different men during that time. And he’s right. Even if we don’t realize it in the moment, we all change over time, hopefully for the better (though sometimes for the worse).

Similarly, the passage we’ve been reading in Colossians 3 assumes change in our relationships, in our circumstances, and in ourselves. How do our house rules adapt through the rhythms and the changes of life? And how might they even contribute to change for the better?

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SEE IT // BE IT

(WEEKLY COMMUNITY GROUP DISCUSSION GUIDE)

DATE: July 23, 2017 : House Rhythms //

Scripture: Colossians 3:1-4:1

ARRIVAL / SOCIAL TIME 15-20 minutes
Spend the first 15 minutes or so of your time together catching up and socializing with one another. Also find time to catch up together on how the assignments from last week turned out.

SERMON REVIEW 5-10 minutes
Colossians 3 assumes change in our relationships, in our circumstances, and in ourselves. Even if we don’t realize it in the moment, we all change over time, hopefully for the better (though sometimes for the worse). How do our house rules adapt through the rhythms and the changes of life? Paul recognizes the tension between the new life we already have in Christ and the full expression of that new life that won’t be revealed until we see Jesus face to face. In every aspect of our lives – marriage, family, vocation – we are in process and will experience change. The perfect bond that can bring unity and harmony
during the changes of life is love. Love protects our relationships with healthy rules, and love can be expressed practically through the rhythms of life. Let’s make space for Jesus’ love to grow in our family.

THE MAIN THOUGHT  keep this in mind as you facilitate discussion.

Love is the perfect bond that brings unity during the normal changes of life.

CHANGE
5 questions to help us GROW or SEE IT

1. What are some things that happen when rules become more important than relationships?
*have each person pick one example of a rule that might prevent connection instead of protecting it.
2. What are some things that you feel are changing right now in your own life?
*have each person share one example of a positive change and one example of a negative change.
3. What are some attitudes that Paul tells us to “put on” as we move through change? (v12-17)
*have each person choose one attitude and describe how you can practice that in your family.
4. What is the most important attitude we need? How can we truly communicate love together?
*take turns sharing highlights of how your family has communicated love to each other this summer.
5. What are some practical ways to express love through the rhythms of life?
*take some time to talk together about some practical ways you can “keep each other’s tanks full.”
CHALLENGE
3 exercises to help us GO or BE IT (choose at least 1)
UP (Our relationship with God): Keeping Rhythm Together with God
(Give everyone a blank sheet of paper and some crayons) Read through Colossians 3 together. As you listen, think about what your
family and your life together would look like if it reflected the values that Paul uses to describe our new life in Jesus. Take some
time to draw a picture to demonstrate what this might look like in your family. Talk about your drawings together as a family and thank God that your house rules!
IN (Our relationships with each other): Keeping Rhythm Together with Love
Take turns challenging each other to a staring contest (whoever blinks last wins). How does it feel to look your family member in the eye? Commit to keeping eye contact when you talk to each other this school year! Now everyone join in a big group hug. After you’re done, take a moment to talk about how God wants His love to bring each of you closer together. Finally, plan a simple family outing. Commit to spending focused time together each week to help maintain a “perfect bond of unity” in your family.
OUT (Our relationship with the world): Keeping Rhythm Together with Life
This week take a walk as a family around your neighborhood. As you walk, talk about the changes you see happening around your neighborhood. Decide as a family how to answer this question: “What is one way God might want our family to show love to our neighbors this week?”