CCVB Community Groups

Week of 01/25/26

Pastor Nate Gallagher

Colossians 3:1-11

Introduction - A Code of Conduct

In life we live by codes of conduct: general principles on how we’re supposed to behave in a given setting. Our actions should be appropriate for a particular setting. In Colossians 3, Paul addresses the idea that as Christians, our behavior should match our identity. Knowing who we are in Christ, and daily fellowship with Him along with the study of His word, transforms us and our day-to-day living.

As we walk with Christ daily, He transforms us in three areas: our thinking, our behaving and our knowing.

  1. JESUS Transforms our THINKING (Read Colossians 3:1-4)

The Bible says that we become a new creation when we put our faith in Christ and receive his gift of salvation (2 Corinthians 5:17). While we are new creations, our behavior can be incompatible with our new life. With Jesus we are new creations, but we need Him daily to transform our day-to-day living.

In Colossians 3,  Paul gives us commands to seek things above and set our minds on things above.

  • Seeking Christ and setting our minds on things above requires a daily discipline of reading God’s word. How has the discipline of reading God’s word transformed your thinking?

  • If daily reading is not yet part of your life, how can you work towards that goal? Can you commit to 4 days or more per week? The Center for Bible Engagement (CBE) has conducted research — often referred to as the “Power of 4” — showing significant differences in life outcomes for people who engage with the Bible four or more times a week compared with those who read less frequently or not at all. (see statistics below)

https://www.centerforbibleengagement.org/post/bible-engagement-a-key-to-spiritual-growth

  • ~62% less likely to engage in excessive drinking

  • ~59% less likely to view pornography

  • ~59% less likely to have sex outside of marriage

  • ~45% less likely to gamble

  • ~31% less likely to lash out in anger

  • ~28% less likely to lie or gossip

  • ~30% less likely to feel lonely

  • ~32% less likely to have destructive thoughts

  • ~31% less likely to feel discouraged

  • ~40% less likely to feel bitter

  • ~14% less likely to experience anxiety or fear

Scripture verses on the importance of meditating on God’s Word: Josh 1:8, Romans 12:2, Psalm 119:97, 99, Psalm 64:1

2. JESUS transforms our BEHAVIOR (Read Colossians 3:5-9)

Here Paul addresses two topics central to life: sex and speech. These two have the potential for good or evil. God gave sex and speech to mankind to bless us and help us flourish. (Genesis 9:1; 7, Hebrews 13:4, Genesis 2:19, Ephesians 4:29) Satan, on the other hand, has corrupted sex and speech by corrupting our thinking about sex and speech. His goal is to push us away from the Lord. In the garden, God gave Adam and Eve all the best, but Satan came along to tempt Eve into thinking that God was keeping something from her (Genesis 3).

God gave us the gift of sex to bless us within the context of marriage between one man and one woman.

  • How have you seen and experienced the corruption of sex?

  • How has God redeemed that area of your life? How has He restored purity and wholeness where there was once brokenness?

  • How have you seen and experienced the corruption of speech?

  • How has God redeemed that area in your life?

  • How is the enemy getting you to question God?

Jesus intends to bring life and shape identity through sex and speech. If these are corrupted, it destroys what God intends to bless and flourish.

3. JESUS transforms our KNOWING (Read Colossians 3:10)

Paul instructs us here to “put on a new nature and be renewed as you learn to know your Creator and become like Him” (Colossians 3:10 NLT).

We don’t focus on our failures, for there is no condemnation for those who are in Christ (Romans 8:1). We focus on Jesus. We seek an encounter with Him. We must understand our true relationship with Him and who we are in Him. When we allow Him to renew us, then our behavior will flow out of our “knowing”. Transformation comes through a personal knowledge of Him.

You’re His beloved son or daughter! Let your new identity in Him shape your behavior and thinking.

  • What lie from the enemy or the world are you believing that contradicts your true identity in Christ?

  • Jesus is the Living Water that fills our soul. What area in your life do you need Christ’s Living Water to wash over?

Conclusion

God’s way is so much better than ours! Build your life on the foundation of Jesus and His word.

“For My thoughts are not your thoughts, nor are your ways My ways,” says the Lord. “For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are My ways higher than your ways, and My thoughts than your thoughts. Isaiah 55:8-9