We Believe – Study Questions Week #4

Kyle Bartholic   -   June 25, 2026

We Believe – Week #4

 

The Person of Jesus: Colossians 1:15-23

 

INTRODUCTION:  “Who is this man?” No question is more central to the Gospels. After Jesus had declared a paralytic man forgiven, Luke tells us that the Pharisees and the teachers of the law began thinking to themselves, “Who is this fellow who speaks blasphemy?” (Luke 5:21). After Jesus stilled a storm and calmed the waves, Mark recounts that his disciples were terrified and asked each other, “Who is this? Even the wind and the waves obey him!” (Mark 4:41). And Matthew records that in the last week of Jesus’ life, when he entered Jerusalem on a donkey, the whole city was stirred and asked, “Who is this?” (Matt. 21:10).

The critical turning point in the Gospel plot hinges on this question. Near Caesarea Philippi, Jesus asked his disciples, “Who do people say I am?” Then he turned and asked, “But what about you? Who do you say I am?” (Matt. 16:15; cf. Mark 8:29; Luke 9:20). From that point on, Jesus began to head toward Jerusalem and his death. John makes answering this question of Jesus’ identity his primary concern in writing his Gospel: “[T]hese are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name” (John 20:31).

 

Jesus Christ has always been a controversial figure. However, unlike other figures in history, the controversy surrounding Jesus of Nazareth has not focused primarily on his teaching, or even on his actions, but on how these point to his identity. His moral instruction has been widely acclaimed and his religious devotion almost universally admired. But the early Christians were not content with describing Jesus simply as a great moral teacher or even as a prophet of God. His words and actions compelled them to turn to the category of divinity in order to explain him. Nothing less would do. Jesus was God incarnate. In Jesus, divinity took on humanity; he was truly God and truly man. This is more than a theological proposition; it is at the heart of the gospel, for we believe that God’s gospel—the good news of God’s saving work—is supremely revealed in the Person of Jesus Christ.”[1]

 

When Paul writes his letter to the Colossian church, he begins with an incredibly important passage on Jesus. See, the believers in Colossae were wrestling with some heretical teaching that stated an idea along these lines: “Jesus was a really great place to start, but now, after some time, you really need to find something or a god that is truly sufficient.” In the face of this heresy, Paul reminds them of the person and preeminence of Jesus, saying, “And he is before all things, and in him all things hold together.” (1:17). Simply put, there is no one greater or more superior than Jesus. He has made everything and is sovereign over everything… You can’t find a God greater than him; he is all you need. The person of Jesus isn’t merely a historical debate or intellectual idea; it is the truth that changes our very lives. Jesus is supreme over all creation, and over my life.

 

 

Article #4 – “We believe that Jesus Christ is God incarnate, fully God and fully man, one Person in two natures. Jesus—Israel’s promised Messiah—was conceived through the Holy Spirit and born of the virgin Mary. He lived a sinless life, was crucified under Pontius Pilate, arose bodily from the dead, ascended into heaven and sits at the right hand of God the Father as our High Priest and Advocate.”

 

 

 

GETTING STARTED – As you begin your group time, take time to answer this question together, if you had to describe Jesus to someone who had never heard of him before, what would you begin with, and why?

IN THE WORD –   Let’s dig back into the passage. It is important to strengthen our muscles in reading God’s Word. On Sunday, we walked through the passage in the sermon. Hopefully, that helped you to see the landmarks of the passage with fresh eyes. Now, with your group, go back through it and see what God is saying to you specifically.

First, before you read the passage, take a moment to ask God’s Spirit to quiet your mind and heart and to illuminate the text to you. Second, read the passage aloud to the group. Then, follow the simple method below. (O.P.A)

 

Observe: Make 8-10 observations from the passage. Pay close attention to observe and note repeated words and phrases, names, places, and themes.

 

Principles: From your list of observations, what patterns or big ideas do you see emerging? Can you distill it down into 2-4 big idea truths?

 

Apply: Moving from your list of principles, it is time to apply God’s Word. Remember, we believe that God’s Word is living and active and that it can change the way we live Monday- Friday. What is one tangible way to apply a truth from your list above?

 

 

Note: Another way to approach your time together is to talk through the following questions about the article of faith we are studying that week.

  1. How would you answer the question, “Who is Jesus?”
  2. What is core to this article of faith? That is, what is something that, if you took it away or changed it, it would significantly alter the article of faith about God?
  3. What is clarified for you in this article of faith about Jesus, both his humanity and divinity?
  4. What is confusing for you in this article of faith? Take time as a group to chat through and offer perspectives on the things that are confusing. The beauty of a group is that often when we study together, we help sharpen and clarify what is confusing for one another.
  5. How does this article on Jesus apply to my everyday life? That is, how does it change my outlook and approach to my Monday-Saturday life?

 

 

 

[1] Evangelical Free Church of America, Evangelical Convictions: A Theological Exposition of the Statement of Faith of the Evangelical Free Church of America, 2nd Edition (Minneapolis, MN: Free Church Publications; NextStep Resources, 2022), 65–66.