This small group discussion guide draws directly from Will Barlow's sermon “Colossians 1” so you can keep engaging with the message all week. Read, reflect, and share it with your small group or friends.
Small Group Discussion Guide
New Creation in Christ | Colossians 1:9–23
A NOTE TO FACILITATORS
Welcome, and thank you for leading your group this week! This guide is designed to work whether you're an experienced elder or leading a small group for the first time. You don't need to be a theological expert — your job is simply to create space for honest conversation and help people connect Sunday's message to their everyday lives.
A few tips before you begin:
- Read through the entire guide before your meeting so nothing catches you off guard.
- You won't have time for every question — that's okay. Choose the ones that feel most relevant to your group.
- The best discussions often come from people sharing their own stories, not from getting the "right" answer. Celebrate honesty and vulnerability.
- If a question lands with silence, try rephrasing it or sharing your own answer first to model openness.
- Estimated times are guidelines, not rules. Follow the Spirit and your group's energy.
Total estimated time: 75–90 minutes
OVERVIEW
(For facilitators — not necessarily read aloud)
This sermon explores the biblical theme of new creation — the idea that when we encounter Jesus Christ, something profound and permanent changes about who we are and how we live. Drawing from Ezekiel 36, 2 Corinthians 5:17, and Colossians 1:9–23, the message traces God's long story of rescue and renewal from the original Exodus all the way to the resurrection of Jesus. The central claim is this: Jesus is the beginning of the new creation, and those who belong to him are invited — and expected — to live differently as a result. Just as a massive relocation changes everything about a person's life, being transferred from the domain of darkness into the kingdom of God's Son is not a small adjustment — it's a total transformation.
ICEBREAKER
⏱ 5–10 minutes
Start here to warm up the room and help people feel comfortable sharing before diving into deeper content. This question is intentionally lighthearted.
Opening Question:
"Think about a time when your life went through a major transition — a new job, a move, a marriage, having kids, or something else entirely. What was one thing that surprised you about how much that change actually required of you?"
[Leader Tip]: The pastor opened with a funny story about forgetting he was married and almost going golfing without telling his wife. Feel free to briefly retell that story if your group needs a laugh to get going — it sets up the whole theme of the message in a relatable way. The goal here is simply to get people talking and smiling before you move into scripture.
SCRIPTURE READING
⏱ 5 minutes
Ask one or two volunteers to read the passages aloud. Having the text in front of everyone helps anchor the discussion in God's Word rather than just in memory of the sermon.
Passage 1 — Ezekiel 36:24–28 (context: written during Israel's exile in Babylon, approximately 600 years before Christ)
"I will take you from the nations and gather you from all the countries and bring you into your own land. I will sprinkle clean water on you, and you shall be clean from all your uncleannesses, and from all your idols I will cleanse you. And I will give you a new heart, and a new spirit I will put within you. And I will remove the heart of stone from your flesh and give you a heart of flesh. And I will put my Spirit within you, and cause you to walk in my statutes and be careful to obey my rules. You shall dwell in the land that I gave to your fathers, and you shall be my people, and I will be your God."
Passage 2 — 2 Corinthians 5:17
"Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come."
Passage 3 — Colossians 1:9–23 (the sermon's main text)
"And so, from the day we heard, we have not ceased to pray for you, asking that you may be filled with the knowledge of his will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding, so as to walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing to him: bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God. Being strengthened with all power, according to his glorious might, for all endurance and patience with joy; giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of the saints in light. He has delivered us from the domain of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of his beloved Son, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.
He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation. For by him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities — all things were created through him and for him. And he is before all things, and in him all things hold together. And he is the head of the body, the church. He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in everything he might be preeminent. For in him all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell, and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether on earth or in heaven, making peace by the blood of his cross.
And you, who once were alienated and hostile in mind, doing evil deeds, he has now reconciled in his body of flesh by his death, in order to present you holy and blameless and above reproach before him, if indeed you continue in the faith, stable and steadfast, not shifting from the hope of the gospel that you heard, which has been proclaimed in all creation under heaven, and of which I, Paul, became a minister."
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS
⏱ 35–45 minutes
Work through as many of these as time allows. Questions are arranged from lighter/observational to deeper/personal. Feel free to skip questions that don't fit your group, or linger on ones that spark rich conversation.
SECTION A: Opening Observations
Getting the big picture before going deeper
Question 1:
"What was one thing from Sunday's message that stuck with you — something that surprised you, challenged you, or that you're still thinking about?"
[Leader Tip]: This is a great opener because it invites everyone in without putting anyone on the spot. There are no wrong answers. If your group is quiet, share your own honest response first. This question also helps you gauge which parts of the sermon resonated most so you can focus your discussion time wisely.
Question 2:
"The pastor described the idea of 'new creation' by tracing the long story of God's people — from exile, through prophecy, to Jesus. Before Sunday, how familiar were you with this idea that the Old Testament was pointing forward to something new? What, if anything, was new to you about that storyline?"
[Leader Tip]: This question is designed to be accessible to both newer and more mature believers. Someone new to the faith might say they'd never heard this before; someone who's been a Christian for decades might say they'd never connected Ezekiel's words to Paul's. Both responses are equally valid and valuable.
SECTION B: Understanding the Text
What does this passage actually mean?
Question 3:
"In Colossians 1:13, Paul writes that God 'has delivered us from the domain of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of his beloved Son.' The pastor pointed out that the word 'transferred' in the original Greek described a massive, dramatic relocation — not a small adjustment. What does it mean to you personally that this transfer is described as that significant? Does it feel that significant in your everyday life? Why or why not?"
Question 4:
"The pastor described Jesus as 'the perfect image of the invisible God' — the one human being who fully reflected who God is. He also said that the rest of us are 'imperfect mirrors of God's glory.' What does it look like practically when we reflect God's image well? What gets in the way of that?"
[Leader Tip]: This question can go in many directions — encourage specific, concrete examples rather than abstract answers. Someone might talk about a moment they showed unexpected grace, or a time they failed to. Both directions are worth exploring.
Question 5:
"Paul's prayer in Colossians 1:9–12 describes what the pastor called a 'growth cycle' — we receive knowledge and wisdom, we live it out, and that experience gives us more wisdom and knowledge. Have you ever experienced that kind of cycle in your own spiritual life? What did it look like?"
Question 6:
"The pastor said that Jesus being raised from the dead means 'everything is different — all of reality has changed.' That's a sweeping claim. What difference does the resurrection of Jesus actually make in the way you approach your week — your relationships, your decisions, your fears? Where do you feel that difference most, and where does it feel hardest to hold onto?"
[Leader Tip]: This is one of the most important questions in the guide. Give it room to breathe. Some people may honestly say the resurrection doesn't feel very real in their Monday morning life — that's a courageous and important thing to say, and it opens the door to genuine conversation about discipleship. Don't rush past honesty toward a tidy answer.
SECTION C: Personal Connection
Bringing the message home
Question 7:
"The pastor gave several concrete examples of what 'new creation living' looks like: husbands stop living only for themselves, bitterness gives way to forgiveness, hidden sin is brought into the light, we stop treating people as enemies and start seeing them as image-bearers. Which of these examples hit closest to home for you right now? Is there an area of your life where you can feel the tension between 'old self' and 'new creation' most clearly?"
[Leader Tip]: This question invites vulnerability. Model it yourself if you can. Remind your group that this is a safe space — what's shared here stays here. If someone shares something heavy, resist the urge to immediately fix it or spiritualize it. Sometimes the most powerful response is simply, "Thank you for sharing that."
Question 8:
"The sermon reminded us that God's goal isn't instant perfection — it's growth. Paul prays that the Colossians would keep growing in wisdom and understanding as they walk it out. What does 'growing' actually look like in your life right now? What's one area where you've seen genuine change over the past year or two, even if it's been slow?"
Question 9:
"Colossians 1:21–22 says we 'once were alienated and hostile in mind' toward God, but have now been reconciled. Whether you've been a Christian for 40 years or 4 months, most of us can remember what life felt like before we were walking with God — or what it feels like when we drift from him. What's the difference you notice — in yourself, in your relationships, in how you see the world — when you're living close to God versus when you're not?"
Question 10:
"The pastor closed by saying: 'We are no longer citizens of the domain of darkness, but now we're citizens of the kingdom of God. So let's live like it.' What would it look like for your group specifically — not just individually, but together — to live more fully as people of the new creation? What's one thing this group could do differently, or more intentionally, to support each other in that?"
[Leader Tip]: This community-focused question is a great bridge into the application section. If your group is newer or less relational, it may feel vulnerable — that's okay. Even small, honest answers ("We could check in on each other during the week") are meaningful steps toward authentic community.
PERSONAL APPLICATION
⏱ 10–15 minutes
Invite the group to reflect quietly for 1–2 minutes before sharing. These questions are more personal and reflective. Remind people they can share as much or as little as they're comfortable with.
Reflection Questions:
1. The pastor described his early marriage mistake as treating a "massive transfer" like a "tiny transfer" — not fully adjusting his life to match the new reality he was living in. In what area of your life might you be doing the same thing spiritually — living as if the old rules still apply, when Jesus has actually transferred you somewhere completely new?
2. Paul prays that the Colossians would be "filled with the knowledge of God's will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding." What's one specific area of your life right now where you genuinely need more of God's wisdom? What's one practical step you could take this week to seek that — through prayer, scripture, a conversation with a trusted friend, or something else?
3. The sermon described Jesus as the one who "holds all things together" and who actively leads his church as head of the body. Where in your life do you most need to trust that Jesus is actually in charge — and what would it look like to release control of that area to him this week?
This Week's Challenge — Choose One:
Pick whichever of these feels most relevant to where you are right now:
🌱 For newer believers: Read Colossians 1 in full this week. Write down one thing that stands out to you about who Jesus is, and one thing it might mean for how you live.
🔄 For growing believers: Identify one specific relationship or habit where you know the "old self" still tends to show up. Pray about it each day this week, and consider sharing it with one trusted person for accountability.
🔥 For mature believers: Take Paul's prayer in Colossians 1:9–12 and pray it — word for word — for someone in your life who needs wisdom, growth, and endurance. Do it every day this week.
PRAYER FOCUS
⏱ 5–10 minutes
Close your time together in prayer. You can pray as a group, invite specific people to pray, or use the prompts below to guide a time of open prayer. Choose whatever format works best for your group's culture.
Suggested Prayer Topics:
Gratitude — Thank God for the gift of new creation: that through Jesus, we are no longer defined by our past, our failures, or the domain of darkness.
Wisdom and Growth — Ask God to fill your group with the spiritual wisdom and understanding Paul prayed for in Colossians 1:9 — not just as head knowledge, but as lived-out transformation.
Courage to Change — Pray for the specific areas of "old self" living that came up in your discussion. Ask God to help each person take one real step toward new creation living this week.
Eyes on Jesus — Echoing the pastor's closing challenge (drawn from Hebrews 12:2), pray that your group would keep their eyes fixed on Jesus — the perfect image of the invisible God and the agent of new creation.
One Another — Pray for the person to your left or right by name. Ask God to strengthen them, encourage them, and help them grow.
A Suggested Closing Prayer (for facilitators who'd like a guide)
"Father, thank you for not leaving us where we were. Thank you that through your Son Jesus, we have been delivered from darkness and brought into your kingdom. We confess that we don't always live like it — that we sometimes treat this massive transfer like it was a small one. Help us to see clearly who we are in Christ, and to live up to that. Give us wisdom, give us courage, and give us each other. Keep our eyes on Jesus — the one who is the perfect image of you, the firstborn of the new creation, and the head of this church. In his name, amen."
OPTIONAL DEEP DIVE
For groups with extra time or a desire to go further
These bonus questions are designed for groups that want to explore the theological content of the sermon more deeply. They work well for mature believers, groups with a study focus, or as take-home reflection.
Deep Dive Question 1:
"The pastor explained that Ezekiel 36's promise of a 'new heart' and 'new spirit' was written to a people in exile who wondered if God had abandoned them. How does understanding that historical context change how you read those verses? And how does the fact that Paul — writing 600 years later — sees those promises being fulfilled in Christ affect how you think about the reliability of God's promises in your own life?"
Deep Dive Question 2:
"The sermon touched on the idea that Jesus is not just the Savior of individual souls, but the one through whom 'all things are reconciled' — that the resurrection changed the entire order of the cosmos, including the invisible powers and authorities behind our world. How does this larger, cosmic view of salvation change (or expand) the way you think about the gospel? Does it feel different from how you usually think about what Jesus came to do?"
Deep Dive Question 3:
"The pastor briefly mentioned that Paul describes believers as part of a 'growing temple' — that just as Jesus was the place where people met God on earth, we are now, through the Spirit, meant to be places where people can encounter God. What would it look like for you — in your home, your workplace, your neighborhood — to take that identity seriously? What would have to change?"
Suggested Further Reading / Exploration:
- Colossians 1–3 — Read the whole letter in one sitting to see how Paul moves from theology (who Christ is) to ethics (how we should live)
- 2 Corinthians 5:14–21 — Paul's fuller treatment of new creation and reconciliation
- Romans 6:1–14 — The connection between baptism, death to self, and new creation living
- Hebrews 1:1–4 and 12:1–3 — Jesus as the perfect image of God and the one we fix our eyes on
- Revelation 21:1–5 — The ultimate fulfillment of new creation at the end of the story
QUICK REFERENCE FOR FACILITATORS
| Section | Time |
|---|---|
| Icebreaker | 5–10 min |
| Scripture Reading | 5 min |
| Discussion Questions (choose 5–7) | 35–45 min |
| Personal Application | 10–15 min |
| Prayer Focus | 5–10 min |
| Total | 60–85 min |
Core Sermon Texts: Ezekiel 36:24–28 · 2 Corinthians 5:17 · Colossians 1:9–23
The Big Idea: Jesus is the beginning of the new creation. Because we have been transferred from the domain of darkness into his kingdom, we are called — and equipped — to live differently. That change isn't instant, but it is real, and it grows as we follow him.
One-Sentence Application: Live this week like someone who has actually moved — not like someone who still has one foot in the old address.
This guide was prepared for small group use following the Sunday morning sermon. Permission granted for local church use and reproduction.