Christ Centered Sanctification

 
 
 

In this 4-part series, we’ll be considering the topic of sanctification in the book of Colossians. Each session consists of a short talk (6-8 minutes) followed by a few discussion and application questions to think through. Ideally, these are done with at least one other person so you can reflect on the questions together, but the content can also be worked through individually.

There are some additional resources provided at the end of each session to help you go deeper.

 

Part 1: Sanctification is Pursuing a Person

Discussion Questions:

  • What is sanctification?

  • When you think about growing as a Christian, do you think of it mostly in terms of stopping certain behaviors and starting other ones? Why is it helpful to think of growth as the pursuit of knowing Christ? How is pursuing the person of Christ different from (only) pursuing specific behavioral changes?

  • What are the ordinary means of grace? Why are they called “ordinary”?

Application:

  • What are some ways you can pursue knowing Christ more intimately?

  • Although the ordinary means of grace are simple, we often find them hard to practice - why would Satan be especially motivated in preventing you from making use of them?

  • How might recognizing that we must engage in spiritual warfare to read our Bible and pray help us be more faithful in these areas?

Resources:

 

Part 2: Sanctification is a (painful and joyful) Journey

Discussion Questions:

  • When does the journey of sanctification start? When does it end?

  • Do you ever think about your sanctification in “black and white” terms, that is - you are either “there” or “not there”? How does thinking about sanctification as a journey that you are on change your perspective?

  • Is thinking about sanctification as a lifelong journey of 10 million steps encouraging or discouraging?

Application:

  • Are there ways in which you expect sanctification to be easy? Are there ways you need to lean into the self-sacrificial and painful aspects of sanctification?

  • The “no-fun, dreary, ascetic Christian” is a common misrepresentation of the Christian life. Do you ever think about your call to sanctification with that view? How can you fight for joy in sanctification?

  • Where do you need to cultivate and pray for endurance and patience in your journey of sanctification?

Resources:

 

Part 3: Sanctification Happens in Community

Discussion Questions:

  • What are the ways in which you pursue sanctification? Are they primarily individualistic?

  • Look up the fruits of the Spirit in Galatians 5:22-23. How many of them are exhibited individually vs. in community? How does this relate to the necessity of community in your sanctification?

  • What are the metaphors Paul uses for the community of Christians he is writing to in Colossians (he uses two)? What do those metaphors communicate about what the church should look like?

Application:

  • Do you have spiritual (i.e. not just superficial) friendships with others in the church that you can be open and vulnerable in? What are some ways you can pursue deeper spiritual friendships both for your own sanctification as well as helping others on their path?

  • Have you been hurt, disappointed or let down by others in the church? If so, how may God use those times to be particularly sanctifying? If not, perhaps you may need to consider leaning into the church community in a deeper way.

  • As a challenge, invite someone in the church over for a meal or out for coffee with the goal of cultivating deeper spiritual relationships.

Resources:

 

Part 4: Practical Sanctification

Discussion Questions:

  • Why is just saying “no” to sin not enough to produce change in a Christian’s life?

  • Is it possible to change behaviors without heart change? What is the danger in seeking behavior change without heart change?

  • What might change in some approaches to raising children if we understand that our goal for kids is not only obedience to enforced rules? What are some potential dangers in relying only on rule-based obedience?

  • How do we practically change?

Application:

  • What are some practical steps you can take to cultivate greater hatred for indwelling sin and greater affection for Christ?

  • Consider a specific sinful pattern you are currently seeking to kill - what can you deliberately “put on” instead? For example, consider how Christ enables you to deliberately put on self-denial instead of selfishness, or self-control instead of anger, or forgiveness instead of bitterness, or contentment instead of covetousness.

  • The battle for growth in sanctification is a fight of faith. Consider the promises that sin makes: “You will be happy if you do…”. What superior promise of God can you believe instead? How can you practically fight to believe the superior promises God makes to us?

Resources: