Colossians 1:3-4a

Home group questions:How is thanks to God one of the goals and blessings of our restoration and reconciliation to God? (Romans 1:18-21; 1 Thess 5:16-18) Why must our thanksgiving be centred around Jesus? (John 14:6, 17:24-26; Ephesians 2:13-18; Hebrews 7:22-25) How do you think thanks to God should be expressed in our individual life and in our corporate church life as well? Why do you think other people’s faith should be a reason to thank God?Jesus says in Matthew 6:7-8, “And when you pray, do not heap up empty phrases as the Gentiles do, for they think that they will be heard for their many words. Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him.” We do not ‘change God’s mind’ when we pray (if we did He would not be omniscient), so why do we pray and why do we pray to God for the sake of others? (Mark 1:35; Philippians 4:6-7; Col 1:3-4; 2 Cor 1:11; James 4:2, 5:13-16; 1 Tim 2:1-4).  This article may help: https://www.thegospelcoalition.org/article/why-pray-if-god-has-already-determined-everything/Prayer can be difficult for people. If you have time discuss your practise of prayer.  Why is it necessary for us to recognise Jesus as both Lord (God and Master) and Saviour? (Job 9:30-34; Romans 10:9-10; 1 John 4:9-15). If faith is evidence of your belief (Hebrews 11:1) in what ways do we show that Jesus is both our Lord and our Saviour?