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Inner circle ministry relationship with each other and with outsiders

Colossians 4:2-18

  • Session: 7
  • Week: 1
  • Day: 7
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Introduction

In this session, Colossians chapter 4: 2-18, we will focus on understanding how different members of the community of faith who are seated with Christ in heavenly places should practically respond (walk) here on earth. We will particularly focus on understanding the place of the ministry’s inner core and how to relate to each other, and how they also relate to the outsiders, for effective influence.

Objectives

By the end of this session, the learner will have:

  • Listed Paul’s ministry inner circle, coworkers, and stated why they are important for our effective service in a dark world.
  • Been advised to be wise in how to live towards outsiders.
  • Been challenged to evaluate your inner-circle coworkers by naming them or trusting God to fill them in your life.

Outline

  • Inner circle people in the ministry
  • Fellowship with outsiders
  • Relationship in greetings

Group Study Time

Colossians 4:2-18

Connecting

  • Gather with two or more people for a community discovery bible study session.
  • Start with a heartfelt prayer, inviting God to guide and bless your understanding.
  • Explore the passage by reading it at least twice, using different Bible versions if available, then retell the story together as a group.
  • Reflect and share the challenges and blessings you experienced from the previous study.

Comprehending

  • Read Colossians 4: 2-6. List 3 specific ways, which the new community of Faith (fellowship) ought to live among outsiders to rule the dark world?
  • What do you understand by the term “inner circle coworkers?
  • Who is a mentor, who is a mentee, who is a peer partner, who is an accountability partner, who is a hero? Check your life and ministry, and name at least one person who fits in the categories of inner circle workers. Why do you need inner circle workers to rule over the evil world?
  • Read Colossians 4: 7-18, List at least 5 of Paul’s inner circle coworkers. What does he say about each one of them to show their close relationship?
  • What specific ways ought mentees and their mentors （also accountability or peer partners） live to rule over the dark world? (Colossians 4:7-18）

Committing

  • Engage with the Bible—read, study, memorize, meditate, pray, listen, and live it out.
  • List three lessons you have learnt as an agent of change that you would like to put into practice and teach others about.
  • Take time and worship Jesus with the attributes revealed about Christ.
  • Use the SPACEPETS model, to assist you in putting God’s word into practice. Look for:
    • Sin to confess
    • Promise to claim
    • Attitude to change
    • Command to keep
    • Error to change
    • Prayer to make
    • Example to copy
    • Truth to obey and
    • Something praiseworthy

Communicating

  • Identify one person you can connect with and share the valuable insights and lessons you gained from this session.
  • Reach out to a new believer—either in person or by phone—and pray with them to support them through their challenges, including any concerns about attending church.
  • Create a new group and guide others through this study to help them grow in their understanding.

Post Lesson Teaching Summary

Great job completing the study! Take a moment to listen to this summary to reinforce your group’s understanding of the text and ensure you’re all on the same page. We’re here to support your learning journey!

Inner circle ministry relationship with each other and with outsiders

Colossians 4:2-18

Colossians 4:2-18

Context

  • This final session in Colossians, covering chapter 4 verses 2 to 18, focuses on how redeemed believers should relate to mentors, outsiders, and their inner circle to live out their faith effectively.
  • God the Father, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit have transferred believers from the kingdom of darkness to the kingdom of light, granting dual citizenship that requires a distinct lifestyle on earth.
  • Paul emphasizes the importance of relational living to have an impact, including devotion to prayer, wise conduct with outsiders, and mutual support among close associates.
  • Key relationships include those with Paul’s team members like Tychicus, Onesimus, Aristarchus, and others, reflecting a network of encouragement and ministry.

Final Instructions and Greetings (Colossians 4:2-18)

  • Devote to Prayer: Believers should devote themselves to prayer, maintaining an alert mind and a thankful heart.
  • Pray for Opportunities: Believers should pray that God will open doors for the gospel message to proclaim the mystery of Christ, for which Paul is imprisoned, and that he may proclaim it clearly as he should.
  • Conduct Toward Outsiders: Believers should act wisely toward outsiders, making the most of every opportunity to share their faith.
  • Gracious Conversation: Believers’ conversations should always be full of grace, seasoned with salt, so they know how to answer everyone appropriately.
  • Tychicus’ Role: Tychicus, a dear brother, faithful minister, and fellow servant in the Lord, will inform the Colossians about Paul’s circumstances.
  • Purpose of Sending Tychicus: Paul sends Tychicus to provide information about his situation and to encourage the Colossians’ hearts.
  • Onesimus: Paul sends Onesimus, a faithful and dear brother from Colossae, with Tychicus to report everything happening with Paul.
  • Aristarchus’ Greeting: Aristarchus, Paul’s fellow prisoner, sends his greetings, as does Mark, the cousin of Barnabas.
  • Instructions About Mark: The Colossians have received instructions to welcome Mark if he visits them.
  • Jesus Called Justus: Jesus, called Justus, also sends greetings; he and other Jewish fellow workers for God’s kingdom have been a comfort to Paul.
  • Epaphras: Epaphras, a Colossian and servant of Christ Jesus, sends greetings; he wrestles in prayer for the Colossians to stand firm in God’s will, mature, and fully assured.
  • Epaphras’ Labor: Paul vouches for Epaphras, who works hard for the Colossians and those in Laodicea and Hierapolis.
  • Luke and Demas: Luke, the dear friend and doctor, and Demas send their greetings to the Colossians.
  • Greetings to Others: Paul instructs the Colossians to give his greetings to the brothers and sisters in Laodicea and to Nympha and the church in her house.
  • Exchange Letters: After reading this letter, the Colossians should ensure it is read in the Laodicean church, and they should read the letter from Laodicea.
  • To Archippus: Paul instructs to tell Archippus to complete the ministry he received in the Lord.
  • Paul’s Handwriting: Paul writes this greeting in his own handwriting, asking them to remember his chains and praying that God’s grace be with them.

Application

  • Believers should recognize Paul’s relational approach, speaking well of his associates, and foster mutual greetings and support to live and serve God effectively.
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How to use these studies

These lessons are designed as short, 25-minute studies based on Bible truths, and meant for self-learning or small group study. The study sets systematically cover different books of the Bible. 

Each lesson follows a simple structure:

  • Introduction (Including the outline and objectives)
  • Step 1: Connecting
  • Step 2: Comprehending
  • Step 3: Committing
  • Step 4: Communicating

These sections include questions to help you reflect on the bible passage and how it applies to your life. 

Use these lessons to disciple others by journeying together over time and allowing God’s word to penetrate your heart and bring transforming change to your life. As a leader, pray for wisdom in leading and for modelling the truths in your own life.

Sharing offline

  • Mobile Friendly PDF
  • Print Friendly PDF
  • Full Study PDF

Each lesson has three buttons allowing you to download a easily saveable and shareable PDF version of the study. You can choose either a Mobile-friendly PDF version, and Print-friendly PDF version, or a print version of the Full Study PDF (for example all the lessons in the current book of the Bible).

These are free and can be easily copied and shared from one person to another!

Gathering a Small Group

Start small to build a safe space for sharing and growth.

  • Pray first: Ask God to show you 3-6 people who need encouragement in faith, like family, neighbors, or fellow believers facing hardship.
  • Invite personally: Meet one-on-one, explain how the lessons are designed to help people grow in their faith and knowledge of God and his Word.
  • Keep it simple: Meet in a home or quiet spot; no need for fancy setup – just willing hearts.
  • Aim for consistency: Suggest weekly meetings, but be flexible for busy lives or safety concerns in persecuted areas.

Trust helps everyone open up, reflect, and apply truths without fear.

  • Start with sharing: In the first meeting, share simple stories of your own faith struggles to show vulnerability.
  • Set ground rules: Agree to listen without judging, keep stories private, and focus on encouraging each other.
  • Build bonds: Begin each session with a short prayer or song inviting God to be present with you.
  • Be patient: Trust grows over time – encourage quiet members gently, and celebrate small steps of honesty.

Good preparation makes the lesson flow and helps discipleship.

  • Read ahead: Study the lesson before; pray over the Bible passage and think how it fits your group’s challenges.
  • Adapt for the group: Use simple words; if literacy is low, read aloud slowly and explain questions or stories.
  • Gather basics: Have a Bible (in your language) and paper for notes.
  • Reflect personally: Ask yourself the study questions first – lead from your own growth and experience.
  • Pray: Pray for your group members.

Guide the group through the lesson structure to encourage discovery and commitment.

  • Step 1 – Connecting: Start the group meeting by praying together. Thank God for his Word and ask for open hearts to receive it. Read the Bible passage together (Read it aloud twice; ask someone to repeat in their words.)
  • Step 2: Comprehending: Use the provided questions to help you grapple with the truth of the Bible passage.
  • Step 3 – Committing: Consider how the passage might apply to your lives and what simple steps of obedience you can commit to. The goal of these studies if life-change! Not just knowledge!
  • Step 4 – Communicating:  Think of who you can share the truths you have learned with.
  • Close with Prayer: Let group members pray short prayers of thanks or commitment. Pray for one another.

For many of the lessons, there is a short summary teaching voice-note at the end of the lesson (together with a text summary). This is designed to be a recap and reminder of the key lessons you should have learned through the lesson. 

As a leader, you might like to use these summary teaching resources to help you in preparation for leading your group, though ideally not before you have spent time prayerfully reflecting on the passage.

This is an ongoing discipleship journey aiming to transform lives and help people to live victorious Christian lives. Focus on growth, not just finishing lessons.

  • Meet regularly: Join together at least once a week. Review past actions at each start to build accountability.
  • Encourage reflection: Between meetings, urge personal time with the lesson – read, pray, and try complete commitments made.
  • Support one another: If your group members are facing challenges, use lessons to pray together and share burdens; become “agents of change” by helping others in your community.
  • Multiply groups: As trust grows, encourage members to start their own small groups with family or friends.
  • Keep it short: Stick to 15 – 25 minutes per lesson to fit busy, challenging lives.
  • Handle challenges: If fear or hardship arise, encourage members by always pointing back to God’s love. 
  • Stay safe: In persecuted areas, meet discreetly; focus on heart change over big displays.
  • Celebrate progress: Note how people have grown in faith; allow time for sharing testimonies of what God has done. Take note of what you pray for, and give thanks when God answers prayer.

Final encouragement

Leading these lessons is serving like Jesus – humble, loving, and truthful. As you journey together, God will build growing faith into each person’s life. Pray often, and watch lives transform!

If you would like to share stories of faith from your own communities, please get in touch with us!