Walking With Jesus.
Introduction
Welcome to Joy Fountain Small Groups for the 2024/25 season. We pray that we all are refreshed as we seek to grow in the knowledge of our Saviour, Jesus Christ. If you are new to small group at Joy Fountain, welcome and thank you for further engaging in church life. Our approach is to read the scriptures and discuss our findings. Also there is always a guided conversation section helping participants stay and make discoveries within the context of the topic in question. Our prayer is that everyone “grows up in the grace and knowledge of Christ.” 2 Peter 3:18.
Our theme for this season is “Walking with Jesus.” Primarily, to walk with Jesus means to follow Him and live a life that glorifies God the Father. We often hear the phrase “I am not perfect” or “no one is perfect.” This is true. Only One is perfect, and that is the Lord Himself. The scriptures teach that Jesus was without sin, and yet He took the sin of the world upon Himself so that all who believe in Him receive eternal life through Him. Interestingly, God the Father, by His Holy Spirit, is working in us as we cooperate with Him and submit to His will the image of Christ.
How can we become more like Jesus without investigating, learning from and following Him? Two scripture verses come to mind:
“He who says he abides in Him ought himself also to walk just as He walked.”
1 John 2:6 NKJV
Now this I say lest anyone should deceive you with persuasive words. 5 For though I am absent in the flesh, yet I am with you in spirit, rejoicing to see your good order and the steadfastness of your faith in Christ.
6 As you therefore have received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in Him, 7 rooted and built up in Him and established in the faith, as you have been taught, abounding in it with thanksgiving.
Colossians 2:5-6 NKJV
We cannot say we are walking with Jesus if we ourselves are not imitating and taking on His character. we become who and what we imitate. 1 Corinthians 11:1
Guided Conversations
Scripture Text: Read Colossians Chapter 1. Discuss your findings using the 4 questions in this sub section:
The Epistle to the Colossians was one of Apostle Paul’s letters to the first churches that were planted during his missionary effort in Asia (See Acts 19:8-10.) Paul either directly or by his mentees such as Epaphras (See Colossians 1:7) had planted this particular church in the city of Colossae while Paul was on a ministry sojourn in the principal city of Ephesus.
4 Questions
- What came to mind as you were reading? Did any verse or sets of verses stick out to you? What do you feel the Holy Spirit pointing out to you?
- How does Paul describe the believers (followers of Jesus) in Colossae in Verses 1-4? Can we agree that the congregation are exemplary in following Jesus? What key words and statements does Paul use that suggest this is the case?
- What are Paul’s prayer requests for the believers in Colossae? Vs. 9-12
- Despite Paul celebrating their faithfulness in his opening remarks he goes on to pray for them to have things like “the knowledge of God’s will and to walk worthy of the Lord.” Why would prayer for these spiritual virtues and abilities be necessary since they were already lauded for being faithful?
Summary and Conclusion
Anyone who chooses to walk with Jesus will develop a mindset that is focused on the person and things of the Lord. Such a person will be continue growing. Paul writes a word of encouragement to the Colossians
If then you were raised with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ is, sitting at the right hand of God. 2 Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth. 3 For you died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God.
Colossians 3:1-3 NKJV
that you may walk worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing Him, being fruitful in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God
Colossians 1:10 NKJV
Those (you and I) who believe in Jesus Christ as Lord and Saviour have been raised from the dead (not knowing God and His Son Jesus Christ) to life (knowing God through His Son Jesus Christ.) We are followers, disciples of Jesus. Let us set our minds on things above. Next session we will dig into scripture and discuss further what it means to set our minds on things above.
Prayer Time
- Any Praise Reports or Prayer Requests to share?
- Please use Colossians 1:9-12 to pray for all who call Joy Fountain Church home. Ask the Lord for the same things Paul asks for the saints at Colossae.
- Commit the November Tuesday fasts to the Lord as we prepare ourselves for 2025. Ask that it be a spiritual refreshing and a success.
- Pray for the Mission Banquet on November 29 to be a success.
- Pray for revival in Winnipeg and Manitoba.
Announcements
- Prayer Summit Saturday, November 2, 2024, Noon – 2 pm. Plan to be there and come fasting. Invite someone who is prayer-hungry.
- Missions Banquet November 29, 2024 at 106 Burnett Avenue. Get your tickets, invite someone. Let them know we are supporting missions.