Colossians 4:7-18

 Home Group Questions

1) When you come to a passage like this (or Romans 16), do you skim-read it, or do you take time to reflect on it? Why? Why do you think Paul would take the time to write passages like this when it would have been a financial expense, rather than simply having Tychicus pass on his greetings? Why should we take the time to contemplate and study passages like this? (2 Timothy 3:16) Was there anything in the sermon that challenged or encouraged you as we looked at these people?

2) Read verses 7-9. Apart from delivering the letter, what are Tychicus and Onesimus tasked with doing? Why do you think this was so important to Paul? (Consider this in light of Colossians 1:3-8 and 1 Thessalonians 3:6-7.) How can looking beyond our own church and seeing how God is working elsewhere be an encouragement to us? How might we, as individuals or as a church, do this better?

3) Paul receives comfort from his fellow Jews, especially because of their shared history and suffering. In order for people to truly comfort one another, we must be willing to be open and honest, which requires vulnerability and trust. Why is this important? (Consider Proverbs 27:17; Ecclesiastes 4:9-10; James 5:16; Galatians 6:2.) Do you find this easy or difficult? Why? How do you think a church could cultivate a culture of openness and support? Have you received comfort, or been able to give comfort, to others who have faced similar suffering or shared a similar history to you? (Consider 2 Corinthians 1:2-7.)

4) Consider the diversity of the people Paul had with him—Jews, Gentiles, a highly educated doctor, a former slave, someone who had previously faltered in ministry but was restored, someone who seemed faithful but later walked away, a church planter who was a fervent prayer warrior, and a messenger boy who became a travelling pastor. How is this a picture of the makeup of the church? (Consider Colossians 3:11.) How does this diversity testify to God’s grace?

5) What are the similarities between Epaphras’ prayer and Paul’s prayer in Colossians 1:9-14? What does this teach us about how we ought to pray for our fellow believers?