Small Group Study Guide

Ice Breaker Questions

1. What’s something in your life you always want “first dibs” on (seat, food, parking spot, etc.)?

    

2. Share about a time you realized you were giving someone (or something) your “leftovers” instead of your best.

    

3. If someone asked you today, “Who or what matters most in your life?” — how would you answer honestly?

Read Together 

Read each passage aloud together, then discuss:

Primary Passage:

• Colossians 1:15–20 (NLT)

Complementary Passages for Deeper Study:

• John 14:6 – Jesus as the only way.

   

• 1 John 4:19 – We love because He first loved us.

   

• Matthew 6:33 – Seek first the Kingdom.

   

• Revelation 3:15–16 – Warning against lukewarm devotion.

   

• Matthew 22:37–38 – Love God first, with all.

   

• Romans 5:8 – Christ died for us while we were still sinners.

Discussion Questions

1. Jesus Is First (Colossians 1:15–17)

• What does it mean that Jesus is the “visible image of the invisible God”?

   

• How does this passage confront the idea that Jesus is just one religious teacher among many?

   

• Matt Chandler said, “God isn’t asking to be your number one priority. He’s asking to be the paper that every priority is written on.” How does that shift how you think about your schedule, decisions, or goals?

   

2. Jesus Went First (1 John 4:19; Colossians 1:19–20)

• How did Jesus “go first” for us in love?

   

• Why is it significant that reconciliation was God’s idea, not ours?

   

• Share a time someone else went first in forgiveness, sacrifice, or generosity toward you. How did it impact you?

   

3. Jesus Gets First (Colossians 1:18)

• What does it practically look like to put Jesus first in:

   

  • Time (daily routines, Sundays)?

     

  • Treasure (finances, generosity)?

     

  • Talent (gifts, service)?

     

  • Relationships (marriage, friendships, forgiveness)?

     

• Which of these areas is hardest for you to give Jesus first place right now? Why?

   

• How does the story about saying “no” to Sunday baseball illustrate the cost and blessing of putting Jesus first?

Action Steps

1. Time – Set aside a consistent time each morning to pray before your feet hit the floor.

    

2. Treasure – Evaluate your giving this week: does it reflect firstfruits or leftovers?

    

3. Talent – Consider where God has gifted you and commit to one act of service this week.

    

4. Relationships – Take one step of reconciliation or forgiveness toward someone in your life, modeling the love of Christ.

    

5. Conversation – Ask yourself daily: Who or what is first in my life today?

Closing Prayer

“Lord Jesus, You are first, You went first, and You deserve our first. Forgive us when we give You our leftovers instead of our best. Teach us to put You first in our time, our treasure, our talents, and our relationships. Help us live in such a way that others see You above all. And may our lives declare what Charlie Kirk could no longer say—that You are the way, the truth, and the life, and no one comes to the Father except through You. Amen.”