Week of October 12, 2025  –  Colossians: Everything I Do

Description:

In Colossians, the Apostle Paul makes it clear that Jesus isn’t just a part of God’s story—He’s the author. He is before all things, above all things, and first in everything. As we explore His supremacy, we’ll ask a challenging question: Is Jesus merely important to you, or is He truly first in your life?

Small Group Study Guide

Ice Breaker Questions

1. What was your favorite song in middle school or high school — and what does it say about you?
   (Optional: Play or hum the Bryan Adams song “Everything I Do” to set up the theme.)
2. When it comes to food — are you more of a sectioned plate person or a KFC famous bowl person?
   What does that say about your personality?
3. Think about your daily life — where is it hardest to keep faith and real life mixed together? (Marriage, work, parenting, school, etc.)

Read Together 

Read each passage aloud together, then discuss:

Main Passage:

• Colossians 3:16–4:1 (NLT)

Discussion Questions

1. Setting the Stage

• Bryan opened with the Bryan Adams song “Everything I Do (I Do It for You)”.
  How does that lyric challenge the way we live for Jesus?
  Can you honestly say everything you do is for Him — or are there areas you hold back?
• What does “compartmentalized Christianity” look like in modern life?
• What “sections” of your tray are easiest to give Jesus, and which are hardest?

2. Marriage in Jesus’ Name

• Read Colossians 3:18–19.
  What does submission and love look like when both are motivated by reverence for Christ, not control or selfishness?
  

• Bryan said, “Submission is mutually allowing one another to love each other out of our love for the Lord.”
  How could this change your perspective on marriage or close relationships?
  

• What did you think about Bryan’s story of his grandparents? How did they live out “Marriage in Jesus’ Name”?

3. Parenting in Jesus’ Name

• Read Colossians 3:20–21.
  Why do you think Paul warns parents not to “aggravate” or “discourage” their children?
  

• How can parents (or mentors) lead with both truth and grace?

4. Working in Jesus’ Name

• Read Colossians 3:23–24.
  What might it look like to do your work “as though you were working for the Lord”?
• When have you caught yourself working for people’s approval instead of God’s?
• What changed when your “audience” became Jesus?
• Bryan said, “When you know who’s watching, it changes how you work.”
  How does that truth hit you this week?

5. Bringing It All Together

• Which part of your life do you tend to keep in its own compartment — marriage, family, work, finances, time, or emotions?

• What would it look like for Jesus to be the bowl that holds it all together instead of one section on your plate?

• How can this group encourage one another to live “in Jesus’ name” in every area?

Action Steps

• Identify Your Tray:
  • This week, name one area of your life that’s still “in its own compartment.”
    Write it down, and ask Jesus to show you how to bring Him into that space.
• Marriage:
  • If married, pray together daily this week — even if just for 30 seconds.
    Ask: “How can I love and serve you in Jesus’ name today?”
• Parenting or Mentoring:
  • Encourage your kids (or those you lead) not with perfection but with patience.
• Work:
  • Before you begin each day, pray:
    “Lord, I’m doing this for You. Be glorified in my work today.”

• Worship:
  • Play the song “Everything I Do (I Do It for You)” this week — but this time, sing it to Jesus. Let it remind you of the cross and your calling.

Closing Prayer

“Lord Jesus, thank You for putting our old life to death on the cross. “Lord Jesus, You gave everything for us. Forgive us for the compartments we’ve built — for giving You part of our lives instead of all of them. Teach us to love in our marriages, to parent with patience, and to work with excellence — all in Your name. Fill every corner of our lives with Your presence until everything we do truly is for You.
We love You, Lord.
In Your name we pray, Amen.”