NT260 • Set 37
Discussion & Heart Check Questions
Small group discussion questions and accountability tools designed to help disciples grow in their love for God, connect with others, serve others, and share the gospel.
These questions were created to accompany the NT260 Discipleship Journal, but they can also be used by any small group, discipleship group, family, Sunday School class, one-on-one discipleship relationship, or individual studying Colossians 3–4 and 1 Thessalonians 1–3.
This Set’s Big Idea
Because our lives belong to Jesus, the gospel should reshape the way we live, love, work, endure, and make Him known.
As you read, watch how faith in Jesus becomes visible in everyday life. Paul calls believers to put off the patterns of their old lives and put on the character of Christ, allowing Jesus to transform relationships, homes, work, prayer, speech, and witness. Then, in Thessalonica, we see that kind of transformed life in action as believers turn from idols, serve the living God, endure suffering, love one another, and become examples whose faith is known far beyond their own church.
How to Use These Questions
These questions are a guide, not a script. You do not need to answer every question. The goal is to help your group engage Scripture, encourage one another, and take a clear next step of obedience.
Before meeting, encourage everyone to complete this week’s readings and record at least one observation and one application using PETS or another preferred Bible study method.
Suggested Small Group Meeting Flow
Use this as a flexible guide for a 1–1.5 hour weekly gathering. Adjust as needed for your group.
Connect, catch up, and celebrate how God worked during the week.
Pray and invite the Holy Spirit to teach through His Word.
Share PETS observations and applications from the week’s readings.
Work through selected discussion questions together.
Use Heart Check questions for honest accountability and encouragement.
Share prayer requests and close by praying for one another.
Leader Tips
- Do not attempt every question. Select the questions that best fit your group.
- Keep the conversation centered on Jesus, the gospel, and practical obedience.
- Encourage everyone to participate, but never pressure anyone to speak.
- Make room for both interpretation and personal application.
- Colossians 3 addresses sexuality, marriage, parenting, and work. Lead these conversations with grace and avoid assuming everyone shares the same family situation or personal history.
- When discussing Paul’s household instructions, keep the whole passage in view. Every Christian relationship is lived under the lordship of Jesus, and those with authority are also accountable to Him.
- When discussing the Thessalonians’ suffering, avoid suggesting hardship automatically means someone lacks faith. Paul celebrates faith that endures in the middle of affliction.
- Leave enough time for accountability, encouragement, and prayer.
This Set’s Readings
- Colossians 3 — Put Off the Old Life and Put On the Character of Christ
- Colossians 4 — Pray Faithfully, Walk Wisely, and Speak with Grace
- 1 Thessalonians 1 — The Gospel Produces Faith, Love, Hope, and a Visible Change of Life
- 1 Thessalonians 2 — Gospel Ministry Is Marked by Courage, Integrity, Love, and Sacrifice
- 1 Thessalonians 3 — Faithful Disciples Stand Firm, Love Deeply, and Encourage One Another
NT260 • Set 37
Small Group Discussion Questions
Icebreaker
- Think of something that became part of your life—a job, hobby, relationship, responsibility, or major change—that eventually affected much more of your everyday routine than you first expected. What changed?
Digging Into the Text
- Colossians 3 begins by telling believers to set their minds on things above because they have been raised with Christ. How does Paul connect our identity in Jesus with the way we live?
- Paul tells believers to put certain things to death and put other qualities on. What do you notice about the contrast between the old life and the new life described in Colossians 3?
- Why do you think Paul includes both obvious behaviors such as sexual immorality and less visible sins such as greed, anger, slander, lying, and unforgiveness in his description of the old life?
- Paul calls greed idolatry. How can a desire for money, possessions, status, comfort, or more of anything begin taking a place in our hearts that belongs to God?
- In Colossians 3:11, Paul says Christ is “all and in all.” How should our shared identity in Jesus change the way Christians view people whose backgrounds, cultures, or social positions differ from their own?
- Compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, patience, forgiveness, and love are qualities believers are told to “put on.” Which of these most clearly reveals the character of Jesus, and which is most challenging to practice consistently?
- Paul says believers should forgive as the Lord has forgiven them. How does remembering the grace we have received from Jesus change the way we approach someone who has wronged us?
- How do letting Christ’s peace rule, letting His word dwell richly, and practicing gratitude work together to shape a Christ-centered community?
- Paul moves from instructions for the whole church into marriages, families, and workplaces. Why is that movement significant? What does it tell us about where discipleship is supposed to become visible?
- Colossians 3:17 and 3:23 both expand obedience beyond specifically “religious” activities. How might doing everything in Jesus’ name and working for the Lord change the way we approach ordinary responsibilities?
- As Colossians moves into chapter 4, Paul shifts toward prayer, mission, wise conduct, and gracious speech. How does this outward focus grow naturally from the transformed life described in chapter 3?
- Paul asks believers to pray for an open door for the gospel while he is imprisoned. What does that reveal about his priorities when his circumstances are difficult?
- What might it look like today to “act wisely toward outsiders” and make the most of every opportunity without treating people as projects?
- Paul says our conversation should always be gracious and seasoned with salt. What might gracious Christian speech sound like when discussing Jesus with someone who disagrees with us?
- In 1 Thessalonians 1, Paul remembers the believers’ work produced by faith, labor motivated by love, and endurance inspired by hope. How do faith, love, and hope become visible rather than remaining abstract beliefs?
- The Thessalonians turned from idols to serve the living and true God. What does genuine conversion appear to have changed about the direction of their lives?
- Their faith became known throughout the surrounding region. What makes the witness of a visibly transformed community especially powerful?
- Compare Colossians 3–4 with 1 Thessalonians 1. Where do you see the kind of transformed Christian life Paul commands in Colossians actually being lived out by the Thessalonians?
- In 1 Thessalonians 2, Paul contrasts his ministry with manipulation, flattery, greed, and seeking human praise. What does this reveal about the motives and character that should mark gospel ministry?
- Paul describes his relationship with the Thessalonians using the tenderness of a nursing mother and the encouragement of a father. What do those images teach about the relationship between truth, affection, sacrifice, and discipleship?
- Paul says he shared not only the gospel but also his own life. How does that challenge a version of discipleship that is primarily about transferring biblical information?
- In 1 Thessalonians 3, Paul sends Timothy because he is concerned that suffering might shake their faith. What does this reveal about the importance of encouragement and relationships when believers experience hardship?
- Timothy’s report of their continuing faith and love brings Paul tremendous encouragement. What does this show about the way spiritual growth in one believer can strengthen other believers?
- Paul prays that their love would increase and overflow and that God would strengthen their hearts. How does this prayer connect back to the transformed relationships described in Colossians 3?
- Across all five chapters, where do you see the gospel moving from something people believe to something that reshapes their character, relationships, work, endurance, speech, and witness?
- Looking at the entire set, what would be missing from Christian discipleship if we claimed to believe the gospel but it produced little visible change in the way we live, love, work, endure, or make Jesus known?
Leader Note
The thread connecting these readings is transformation. Colossians 3–4 describes what life under the lordship of Jesus should look like. The old life is being put away, the character of Christ is being put on, relationships are changing, ordinary work is being offered to Jesus, prayer becomes missional, and conversations with outsiders are shaped by wisdom and grace.
First Thessalonians 1–3 then gives us a picture of a church actually living a transformed life. The Thessalonians turned from idols to God. Their faith worked, their love labored, and their hope produced endurance. They received the gospel in suffering, became examples to others, loved one another, stood firm under pressure, and participated in a witness that spread beyond their own community.
Be careful not to reduce these chapters to a long list of Christian behaviors. Paul’s commands grow from what Jesus has already done. Believers have died and been raised with Christ. They are God’s chosen, holy, and dearly loved people. The gospel came to the Thessalonians with power, the Holy Spirit, and deep conviction. Changed behavior is not how people earn a place in Christ; it is the fruit of belonging to Him.
Keep returning to the Big Idea: Because our lives belong to Jesus, the gospel should reshape the way we live, love, work, endure, and make Him known. Help the group ask not only, “What do I believe?” but also, “Where should belonging to Jesus become increasingly visible in my everyday life?”
Love God
- Paul tells believers to set their minds on things above. What has been occupying the greatest amount of your attention, affection, or mental energy lately?
- Colossians 3 describes some sins as things we must actively put to death. Is there something you have been trying to manage that Jesus is actually calling you to leave behind?
- The Thessalonians turned from idols to serve the living and true God. What can function like an idol in your life by competing with God for your trust, affection, identity, or obedience?
- Gratitude appears repeatedly in Colossians 3–4. How might greater awareness of God’s grace change your prayer, worship, attitude, and relationships?
- Where is Jesus asking you to move beyond simply knowing His Word toward actually obeying it?
Connect with Others
- Of the qualities Paul tells believers to put on—compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, patience, forgiveness, and love—which does one of your closest relationships need most from you right now?
- Is there someone you need to forgive “as the Lord forgave you”? What would a faithful next step toward forgiveness or reconciliation look like?
- Paul shared both the gospel and his life with the Thessalonians. Who knows you well enough to see both your faith and your struggles?
- Timothy strengthened and encouraged believers during a difficult season. Who around you may need your presence and encouragement more than your advice?
- What would change in your home, church, friendships, or workplace if Christ’s love truly became the quality that “binds everything together”?
Serve Others
- Paul tells believers to approach their work as something done for the Lord. What ordinary responsibility could you intentionally offer to Jesus this week?
- Where has the desire for recognition, appreciation, convenience, or comfort made it harder for you to serve faithfully?
- Paul describes ministry as sharing not only the gospel but also his own life. Who could you serve this week by giving them your time and presence rather than simply completing a task for them?
- What is one specific way you can use your time, ability, influence, or resources to meet someone else’s need this week?
Share the Gospel
- Paul asks for an open door for the message of Christ. What would change if you began regularly praying for God to open doors for gospel conversations?
- How can you combine Colossians 4’s call to wise, gracious speech with the Thessalonians’ example of a visibly changed life?
- Is there anything about the way you currently live that could make the gospel more visible—or less believable—to people around you?
- Who is one person far from God that you will pray for, intentionally move toward, and look for an opportunity to speak with about Jesus this week?
Closing Challenge
Because our lives belong to Jesus, the gospel should reshape the way we live, love, work, endure, and make Him known.
Colossians describes believers putting off the old life and putting on the character of Jesus. First Thessalonians shows a church where faith, love, hope, endurance, and witness are becoming visible. Together, these chapters remind us that the gospel is more than something we believe. By God’s grace, it begins changing the people we are becoming and the lives we are living.
Where is Jesus calling you to move this week—from an old pattern to a new one, resentment to forgiveness, self-focus to love, ordinary work without purpose to work offered to Christ, discouragement to endurance, guarded relationships to shared life, or silence to gracious witness?
Scripture to Remember
Colossians 3:17
“And whatever you do, in word or in deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.”
This verse captures the whole-life discipleship running through this set: belonging to Jesus should shape what we say, what we do, how we relate to people, and how we approach ordinary life.
This week: Read Colossians 3:17 each morning. Write it somewhere you will see it, repeat it before ordinary responsibilities, and pray, “Jesus, help me do this in a way that represents You.”
This Week’s Practice
Put On One Thing
Choose one quality from Colossians 3:12–14—compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, patience, forgiveness, or love—that you want to intentionally practice this week.
Write it down and pray about it each morning. Then identify at least one specific opportunity each day to “put it on” in a real relationship. At the end of the week, reflect on where you saw God changing your response to people.
Prayer Focus
A Life Changed by Jesus
Pray that the gospel would continue transforming every area of our lives so that Jesus becomes increasingly visible in our character, relationships, work, endurance, and witness.
- Ask God to reveal old patterns that need to be put to death and surrendered to Him.
- Pray for the Holy Spirit to produce compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, patience, forgiveness, and love in your relationships.
- Ask God to help you approach ordinary work and responsibilities as service to Jesus.
- Pray for believers who are suffering or discouraged to stand firm in their faith.
- Ask God to open doors for the gospel and give you wisdom and grace when speaking about Jesus.
Closing Prayer: Father, thank You for giving us new life in Jesus. Show us what still needs to be put away, and by Your Spirit form the character of Christ in us. Teach us to love, forgive, work, speak, and serve in ways that honor Jesus. Strengthen us when following Him becomes difficult, and make our faith visible to the people around us. Open doors for the gospel and help us speak about Christ with wisdom, courage, and grace. In Jesus’ name, amen.
NT260 • Set 37
Weekly Heart Check
These questions help move the conversation from information to transformation. Heart Check is not about pretending to have had a perfect week. It is an opportunity to practice honesty, grace, confidentiality, encouragement, listening, and prayer.
Share honestly without pressuring one another. Listen before giving advice. Celebrate growth as well as confessing struggle. This week, pay special attention to where the gospel is becoming visible in your everyday life—and where Jesus may still be calling you to put off an old pattern and put on a new way of living.
Love God Heart Check
- How consistently did you spend time in Scripture this week, and what truth actually stayed with you after you finished reading?
- What did these chapters reveal to you about Jesus, the gospel, or the kind of life God is forming in His people?
- How would you describe your prayer life this week—dependent, distracted, thankful, rushed, consistent, or mostly absent?
- What has occupied your mind and affection most this week? Has anything been competing with Jesus for first place?
- What old pattern is God asking you to put away, or what Christlike quality is He asking you to put on?
Connect with Others Heart Check
- How are your closest relationships right now? Is there tension, distance, resentment, or hurt that needs attention?
- Which quality from Colossians 3—compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, patience, forgiveness, or love—has been most difficult for you to practice?
- Is there someone you need to forgive, ask forgiveness from, or take a step toward reconciliation with?
- Paul shared both the gospel and his life. Have you been honest enough with another believer to allow them into what is really happening in your life?
- Who could you intentionally encourage this week so that they are strengthened to stand firm in their faith?
Serve Others Heart Check
- Did you approach your ordinary work and responsibilities as something done for Jesus this week?
- Where did you notice a need that you could have met? How did you respond?
- Have recognition, inconvenience, busyness, or self-focus kept you from serving someone?
- Who could you serve this week by giving them your time, attention, ability, or resources without expecting anything in return?
Share the Gospel Heart Check
- Who did you intentionally pray for this week who is far from God?
- Did you ask God to open a door for a gospel conversation? Did you notice any opportunity He provided?
- How well did your conduct and conversations with people outside the faith reflect the wisdom and grace Paul describes in Colossians 4?
- Did you have an opportunity to talk about Jesus or what He has done in your life? What happened?
- Who is one person you will pray for and intentionally move toward during the coming week?
Putting Off & Putting On
- What evidence of your “old life” has been most difficult to put away?
- Are there sins you are more comfortable excusing because they seem respectable—such as anger, greed, slander, dishonesty, impatience, or unforgiveness?
- Which Christlike quality is God most clearly developing in you right now?
- Where have you noticed genuine change in your life that you can thank God for?
- If someone observed your life closely for a week, where would they most clearly see evidence that you belong to Jesus?
Honest Accountability
- What has been most difficult for you spiritually or emotionally this week?
- Is anything hidden—sexual sin, greed, anger, bitterness, dishonesty, pride, envy, an unhealthy attachment, or another private struggle—that needs to be brought into the light?
- Is your outward spiritual life presenting something different from what is happening inwardly?
- Where are comfort, fear of people, discouragement, or the desire for approval making faithful obedience harder?
- Where is Jesus calling you to repent, forgive, love, serve, endure, speak, or surrender?
- How can this group pray for you specifically and help you take your next step?
Leader Reminder: Keep bringing the group back to Jesus and the gospel. Paul does not call believers to manufacture a better version of themselves through willpower. Colossians begins this section with people who have died and been raised with Christ, while 1 Thessalonians describes people transformed by a gospel that came with the power of the Holy Spirit. Accountability should help people honestly identify where the old life still needs to be put away while trusting God’s grace to form the character of Jesus in them. The goal is not shame or spiritual performance, but repentance, restoration, growth, and increasingly visible obedience.
Continue Studying Set 37
Return to the Set 37 Study Resources for commentary and additional tools covering Colossians 3–4 and 1 Thessalonians 1–3.
NT260 Set 37 Study Resources →NT260 Discipleship Journal
Read It. Discuss It. Live It.
These Discussion & Heart Check Questions help groups move from reading Scripture to discussing it, applying it, and living it. The NT260 Discipleship Journal provides the weekly rhythm to help you walk through the New Testament with greater consistency, understanding, and obedience.
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