14/06 Growing in Christ: Turning from Sin
1) What motivates you to cut bad things out of your life? What doesn’t motivate you? Recap how last week’s study might help.
Read Colossians 3:5-11
“Put to death what is earthly in you” (v.5)
Paul lists destructive desires—sexual immorality, impurity, greed, and others. These aren’t random; they reflect a life centred on self rather than God.
Key insights
“Put to death” is decisive language. Not manage, minimise, or hide—kill.
These sins distort God’s design for relationships, sexuality, and worship.
Greed is called idolatry because it replaces God with desire for more.
Questions:
2) Why do you think Paul uses such strong language?
3) Which of these “earthly” tendencies are most normalised in modern culture?
“You used to walk in these ways” (v.7)
Paul reminds them: this used to be your life. Not anymore.
Key insights
The gospel doesn’t shame the past; it reframes it.
Transformation is expected—grace changes behaviour.
This verse encourages humility: no one is above temptation.
Questions:
4) How does remembering our past help us grow in compassion for others?
5) What does healthy Christian change look like over time?
“But now you must rid yourselves of…” (v.8–9)
A second list: anger, rage, malice, slander, filthy language, lying.
Key insights
The first list focuses on desires; this list focuses on relational sins.
These sins destroy community and trust.
Paul connects lying with the old self—truthfulness is part of the new identity.
Questions:
6) Which of these relational sins are easiest to excuse?
7) How does speech reveal the condition of the heart?
“You have taken off the old self… and put on the new self” (v.9–10)
This is the heart of the passage.
Key insights
Paul uses clothing imagery: identity is something you “wear.”
The new self is being renewed—ongoing, not instant.
Renewal happens “in knowledge,” meaning knowing Christ shapes who we become.
The goal is Christlikeness: being restored to God’s original design.
Questions:
8) What does “putting on the new self” look like practically?
9) How does knowing Christ change how we see ourselves?
Final question:
10) What has had the most impact on you from the study today? Pray into those things.