DAY 16: Colossians & James

Day 16: JAMES 4:13-5:6

1. What do verses 13-15 tell us about our control over the future?  

2. How should we be thinking about the way we use our time?  What does James urge us to do with our time?  

3. What is James’ warning to those who have worked for wealth and status in this life?  

4. In what ways are you tempted to forget the fleeting nature of this world and plan for earthly success? What is James' warning to you?


Today’s Prayer Suggestion: 

Ask God to help you remember the fleeting nature of this earthly world and to fix our eyes on the eternal wealth of heaven. Pray that our church would be full of faithful servants who do good and live in light of eternity.

DAY 15: Colossians & James

Day 15: JAMES 4:1-12

1. James identifies that our dissatisfaction and unfulfilled desires leads to us fighting and quarrelling. Why are the recipients of the letter not getting what they want?

  

2.What causes us to be enemies with God? What does this look like?

  

3.How do we instead draw near to God?


Today’s Prayer Suggestion: 

Thank God that it is by his grace we can resist the devil and fee from our worldly ways. Ask God to help you come near to him and love our neighbours well.

DAY 14: Colossians & James

Day 14: JAMES 3:13-18

1. James speaks here of two types of wisdom. What are these two types, and what is the outworking of each one?

  

2.What areas of ‘earthly’ wisdom do you struggle with? 

 

3.How can you put into practice today one of the signs of ‘heavenly’ wisdom?


Today’s Prayer Suggestion: 

Repent and ask God for forgiveness for the ways we are struggling with ‘earthly’ wisdom and pray that give you the wisdom that comes from heaven.

DAY 13: Colossians & James

Day 13: JAMES 3:1-12

1. How powerful is the tongue?

  

2.The tongue can be used for both good and bad reasons. Can you think of a few ways we can use our words for both bad and good?  

3.How should Christians be using their words? Particularly consider verse 1. 

4.What areas of speech do you find difficult? Where are you not being loving in your words?


Today’s Prayer Suggestion: 

Pray that God would be praised by our words and that we would build others up in the way we use our tongue. Talk to God about of the ways you have sinned with your words and thank God for his forgiveness.

DAY 12: Colossians & James

Day 12: JAMES 2.14-26 

This can be a tricky passage in the bible. It can be hard to reconcile this teaching with our firm belief that we are saved by grace alone.  We want to hold this passage in light of the obvious truth from God’s word that faith is a gracious gift from him and that we do nothing to earn our right status before him. This passage reminds us that works are not the basis for our salvation, but a necessary result. Our works demonstrate our justifcation by  grace, through faith.  

1. What deeds did Abraham perform to show his faith in God? 

2.What areas of faith in Christ might we be tempted to state but  not perform? 

3.What is the result of faith with deeds?


Today’s Prayer Suggestion: 

Pray that we would be a church that does what we say we believe.  Thank God for his gift of grace and pray we would put into practice deeds as a response.

DAY 11: Colossians & James

Day 11: James 2:1-13

1. What ways might we show favoritism or judgement of people at church? Try and be specific. 

2. Why is showing favoritism wrong? 

3. Think of someone you may be judging or someone you are not loving. Why? How might you show love to this person this week?


Today’s Prayer Suggestion: 

Repent of our difficulty in loving our neighbour. Pray for those we find hard to love.

DAY 10: Colossians & James

Day 10: James 1:12-27

1. How do you feel after reading about the result of perseverance (v.12)? What do you think this will be like? 

2. Why is temptation such a dangerous thing?  

3. How does the good news of verses 16-18 allow us to stand firm against temptation?

  

4.What three practical ways does James suggest as expressions of the Christian faith? 


Today’s Prayer Suggestion: 

Pray for perseverance through suffering, and praise God for the gift this results in! Ask God that in hard and trial some times, he would give you the strength to persevere through temptation.

DAY 9: Colossians & James

Day 9: James 1:1-11

1. Why should we consider trials we face as ‘pure joy’? 

 

2. How do you feel about the trails that you have been through or are currently going through? Can you see a growth in perseverance and maturity?  

3. How do we receive wisdom if we are lacking?

  

4. Do you pray and ask God for wisdom and godliness, do you truly believe he can work in you?

  

5. What warning does James give the rich? What clues does this give you about the type of trials these Christians may be facing?


Today’s Prayer Suggestion: 

Pray that God would give you a heart that is wise and sees the joy in suffering. Ask God to grow you in perseverance and maturity as we live in a fallen, difficult world.

DAY 8: Colossians & James

Day 8: COLOSSIANS 4:2-18

1. Paul finishes his letter with some final instructions to the Colossians. What are these things?

  

2.Paul is concerned that the message of the gospel is proclaimed and done clearly. Think about your relationship with those who don’t believe the gospel. Are you being wise in the way you act around them (Making the most of every opportunity, and having conversations full of grace)?

3.Paul lists many other believers who are praying for the  Colossian church and send greetings and other believers who  will come to them. Are you praying for the perseverance of  other churches? Why not start doing that now... 


Today’s Prayer Suggestion: 

Thank God for the many brothers and sisters who have modelled Christ to you and prayed for you. Pray that you would have a heart to invest in the lives of non-believers by sharing the gospel and acting wisely, but also a heart to long for the perseverance of other Christians and churches around the world.

DAY 7: Colossians & James

Day 7:COLOSSIANS 3.18-4.1 

1. Paul sets out how Christian households should behave. What are the specific instructions? (18-22) 

2. What is the overarching principle of these instructions? (23- 24) 

3. Refect on your own household, and life. What areas do you see  yourself being motivated by working for the Lord, and what  areas of your life do you need to change?


Today’s Prayer Suggestion: 

Thank God that he has given us an incredible inheritance with him.  Ask that God would help us to live to please him in light of this great  reward. Ask that God would change your heart to be motivated by his love and do all things to serve Him.

DAY 6: Colossians & James

Day 6: COLOSSIANS 3.1-17  

1. What now is our new identity? What will this look like eternally? 

2. If our new identity in raised with Jesus what should we put off, and what should we put on?  

3. What areas of the ‘old self’ and sin that you need to put to death?  

4. Verses 15-17 gives us great motivation and a principle for living now as Christians. What ways can you allow the ‘message of Christ’ dwell in you richly? 


Today’s Prayer Suggestion: 

Pray that you would be putting off sin and the ways of the old self,  and rather living in the name of Jesus in everything we do. Ask God,  that he would strengthen you by his grace to put to death one  specifc area of sin you are struggling with at the moment.

DAY 5: Colossians & James

Day 5: COLOSSIANS 2.16-23 

1. What pressures do the Colossian church seem to be facing? 

2. What motivation does Paul give the Colossians to stand firm in Christ?  

3. What pressures do you face as a Christian today?  

4.How does knowing and trusting Christ help us to stand firm against the pressures of this world?

Today’s Prayer Suggestion: 

Pray that we would keep remembering the freedom we have in Christ and find joy in following him rather than the burden of falling into the world’s pressures and expectations.

DAY 4: Colossians & James

Day 4: COLOSSIANS 2.6-15 

1. What is Paul’s warning or concern for the Colossians? (v.8) 

2.Paul shows that following Christ and being captivated by him is the best. What grabs you about Christ from this passage? 

3.What has Christ defeated and freed us from? What does this  mean for you?


Today’s Prayer Suggestion: 

Praise God that we are free form the powers at work against Christ,  and that we are now alive in Jesus. Ask God to help us like the Colossians to live with Jesus, rooted and built up in him,  strengthened in the faith and overfowing with thankfulness.

DAY 3: Colossians & James

Day 3: COLOSSIANS 1.24-2.5  

1. How does Paul think about his suferings?  

2.What does Paul toil and struggle to make known? (25-28)

3.What is Paul’s Desire for the Colossians and those at Laodicea? 

4.Paul’s whole life revolved around making Christ known. Thinking about your own life, desires and struggles, what is your heart  desiring most? 
 

Today’s Prayer Suggestion: 

Pray that you and our church would long to make Christ known like  Paul, and that we would delight in others standing firm in their faith  in Christ.

DAY 2: Colossians & James

Day 2: COLOSSIANS 1.15-23 

1. List as the descriptions/characteristics of Jesus in this passage.  (15-20) 

2.What image does this create in your mind of Jesus? 

3.Verses 21-23 talk about Christians. How are we described in  verse 21? How does this compare with the image of Jesus in vs  15-20?  

4.What has Jesus done?  

Today’s Prayer Suggestion: 

Praise God for his work in us and for reconciling us to God. Pray we  would continue in our faith and not shift from the hope in the gospel.

DAY 1: Colossians & James

COLOSSIANS + JAMES  

These short bible readings, questions, and prayer points are designed  to help you spend time with God, by helping you ground your life in  his word. 

This time, Ann Street Daily will walk you through both Paul's Letter to  the Colossians and the letter from James which we’ll be working through in Term 4 of 202. It’s not designed to unpack  every single detail, but to help you digest the narrative as a whole. Our hope is that as you look at the words of our good, generous and  wise God, you'll see his character and trustworthiness shining though, and be willing to change your life in obedience to him. Each day has a diferent passage to look at, some helpful questions to get you thinking, and some points to start you praying.


Day 1: COLOSSIANS 1.1-14  

1. Who is writing and who is this letter written to? 


2.What does Paul thank God for in regards to the Colossian  church? (1-8) 


3.What does Paul pray for the Colossians? (9-14) 


4.Think about your prayers for other christians. What do you pray for? How can you model your prayers to be more like Paul’s?


Today’s Prayer Suggestion: 

Pray for and thank God for 2 christian brothers or sisters now. Pray  that they would  

• Grow in the knowledge of God and spiritual wisdom and  understanding  

• Live in a manner worthy of the Lord  

• Bear Fruit 

• Endure with patience and joy 

DAY 34: Psalm 72

Day 34: Psalm 72 – Ruling in Righteousness 

This is the last psalm of Book 2. It is a prayer from David for his son Solomon.  But as you start, praise God for his word and his working in you. 

What does the psalmist ask for?  

Have you ever asked God to work in a politician, king or leader to bring  justice? If so, why?  

What attributes define the king in this psalm? 

How do we see Jesus as the true king of justice in this psalm and in Revelation 19:11-21? 


Prayer points:

1. Thank God for one thing from the passage

2. Ask God for help with one thing you've been challenged by from your reading and reflection today

3. Linda McKerrell

DAY 33: Psalm 71

Day 33: Psalm 71 – Our God is a fortress 

Note that this psalm has no musical sub reference at the beginning. What’s the situation unfolding here?

Persecution can be a great thing to refine us to be more like Jesus. Have you ever been persecuted? What was your response or reaction? 

How does David tell us that God is Sovereign and in control? 

In what ways does David respond despite being in an unrelenting situation? 

How does this point you to Jesus?  

Prayer points:

1. Thank God for one thing from the passage

2. Ask God for help with one thing you've been challenged by from your reading and reflection today

3. Mark & Anne Osborne

DAY 32: Psalm 70

Day 32: Psalm 70 – Desperate times call for… 

This psalm is extremely brief in comparison to those around it. David seems to be in need. Can you feel the vibe of this psalm? What is it? 

When was the last time you needed urgent help? Why was it urgent?

What’s happening in the psalm that makes David cry out to God for help? Why does David change his tune briefly in v4? 

We know that God is our deliverer in all seasons. We know we have a God who listens and feels our pain & struggles. As Jesus faced the most intense and overbearing time of need, he still went to the cross to save us. Now spend some time reading Matthew 26:36-45 & 27:11-54. 


Prayer points:

1. Thank God for one thing from the passage

2. Ask God for help with one thing you've been challenged by from your reading and reflection today

3. QUT Christians

DAY 31: Psalm 69

Day 31: Psalm 69 – Total dependence 

This psalm is a companion to psalm 22. Both deal with the theme of undeserved suffering that comes about from being loyal to God.  In what ways can humans be dependent?  

The psalmist moves through four phases. What are they? 

1. v1-12 

2. v13-21 

3. v22-28 

4. v29-36 

How does the psalmist show dependence on God in the midst of suffering? Why does the psalmist show dedication to God? 

V33 states that “the LORD hears the needy”. Remember that God has heard us in providing us a great high priest: Jesus. 


Prayer points:

1. Thank God for one thing from the passage

2. Ask God for help with one thing you've been challenged by from your reading and reflection today

3. Thang Bwee - Myanmar