Rooted: Colossians - Week 1
“It all starts with the Gospel”
Colossians 2:6-7, “6 Therefore, as you received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in him, 7 rooted and built up in him and established in the faith, just as you were taught, abounding in thanksgiving.”
Windy conditions (culturally), call for deep roots (spiritually).
“How are your roots?” and “Where are your roots?”
Colossians 1:1-8, “1 Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, and Timothy our brother, 2 To the saints and faithful brothers in Christ at Colossae: Grace to you and peace from God our Father. 3 We always thank God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, when we pray for you, 4 since we heard of your faith in Christ Jesus and of the love that you have for all the saints, 5 because of the hope laid up for you in heaven. Of this you have heard before in the word of the truth, the gospel, 6 which has come to you, as indeed in the whole world it is bearing fruit and increasing—as it also does among you, since the day you heard it and understood the grace of God in truth, 7 just as you learned it from Epaphras our beloved fellow servant. He is a faithful minister of Christ on your behalf 8 and has made known to us your love in the Spirit.”
1) Face difficulty with one another. V.1-2
“1 Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, and Timothy our brother, 2 To the saints and faithful brothers in Christ at Colossae: Grace to you and peace from God our Father.”
Matthew 25:35-36, “35 For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, 36 I was naked and you clothed me, I was sick and you visited me, I was in prison and you came to me.’”
2) Pray selflessly v.3-5
“3 We always thank God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, when we pray for you, 4 since we heard of your faith in Christ Jesus and of the love that you have for all the saints, 5 because of the hope laid up for you in heaven. Of this you have heard before in the word of the truth, the gospel…”
How can you grow a wider prayer life?
3) Gospel Growth. V.6a (...and increasing)
"6 which has come to you, as indeed in the whole world it is bearing fruit and increasing..."
1 Peter 2:9 KJV, “But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvelous light…”
4) Gospel Grace v.6b
“...as it also does among you, since the day you heard it and understood the grace of God in truth,”
Grace vs. False Grace: A Biblical Comparison
Biblical Grace
False Grace
Rooted in the cross: Jesus' death paid the price for sin and offers us new life (Rom. 5:8).
Ignores the cost: Treats Jesus' sacrifice as a free pass rather than a call to surrender (Heb. 10:29).
Leads to repentance and transformation (Titus 2:11–12)
Leads to complacency and indulgence in sin (Jude 4)
Empowers obedience (Rom. 6:1–2; 1 Cor. 15:10)
Excuses disobedience in the name of "freedom" (Gal. 5:13)
Results in humility and worship (Eph. 2:8–9; Rom. 12:1)
Breeds entitlement and self-centeredness (2 Tim. 3:1–5)
Exalts Christ’s Lordship — grace teaches us to say no to ungodliness (Titus 2:12)
Neglects Christ’s Lordship, emphasizing forgiveness without following (Luke 6:46)
Produces the fruit of the Spirit (Gal. 5:22–23)
Leaves the flesh unchecked — no real evidence of spiritual fruit (Matt. 7:16–20)
Acknowledges sin honestly and finds cleansing (1 John 1:9)
Redefines or minimizes sin, making conviction seem like legalism (Isa. 5:20)
Works through weakness to display God’s power (2 Cor. 12:9)
Avoids repentance by masking weakness as identity or victimhood
Is personal, relational — Jesus draws near and changes us (John 1:14–17)
Is theoretical, impersonal — more about a belief system than a living Savior
5) Gospel Go v.7-8
“7 just as you learned it from Epaphras our beloved fellow servant. He is a faithful minister of Christ on your behalf 8 and has made known to us your love in the Spirit.””
Matthew 28:19, "Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,”
Small Group Discussion Questions
1. Paul had never met the Colossians but prayed for them faithfully.
- Who in your life do you pray for consistently?
- What might it look like to “widen” your prayer life this week?
2. Paul affirms the Colossians’ faith and love, rooted in their hope in heaven.
- How is your love for others connected to your hope in Christ?
- In what ways can heavenly hope shape how we live today?
3. The gospel is bearing fruit and growing.
- Where have you seen the gospel grow or bear fruit in your own life or in your community?
4. Paul emphasizes the “grace of God in truth.”
- How would you describe the difference between true grace and cultural misunderstandings of grace?
- What happens when grace is divorced from truth?
5. Epaphras planted gospel seeds among the Colossians.
- Who planted gospel seeds in your life?
- Who might God be calling you to be an “Epaphras” to right now?
3-Day Devotional: “Rooted in the Gospel”
Day 1: The Power of Gospel-Rooted Relationships
Read: Colossians 1:1–2; Matthew 25:35–36
- Paul is in prison. Yet he isn’t isolated—he’s surrounded by faithful friends like Timothy and Epaphras. Even while suffering, Paul continues to encourage others.
Reflection: Who are your “Timothys” or “Epaphrases”—people you do life and ministry with? How can you reflect God’s presence (“Immanuel”) by being with others who are suffering?
Prayer Prompt: Thank God for the people He’s placed in your life to walk through both joy and hardship. Ask Him how you can be that person for someone else this week.
Day 2: Grace that Grows
Read: Colossians 1:3–6; Titus 2:11–12
- The gospel isn’t static—it grows. And it grows in us when it’s rooted in grace and truth. Real grace empowers obedience, repentance, and transformation. False grace excuses sin and stagnates growth.
Reflection: In what areas is the gospel bearing fruit in your life? Is your understanding of grace leading to growth—or settling for spiritual passivity?
Prayer Prompt: Invite God to deepen your understanding of His grace. Ask Him to help you live in a way that reflects both His kindness and His holiness.
Day 3: Living as a Modern Epaphras
Read: Colossians 1:7–8; Matthew 28:19–20
- Epaphras didn’t have a big platform. But he faithfully shared the gospel and discipled a community. Paul honors him not for his fame, but for his faithfulness.
Reflection: Who first introduced you to Jesus? Who in your life needs to hear and see the gospel through you?
Prayer Prompt: Ask God to make you bold and faithful like Epaphras. Pray for one specific person you can plant gospel seeds with this week—then reach out.