Welcome to week 43 of Weekly Word! I am so glad you are here as we study through the books of Colossians and Romans. I can’t believe we are nearing the end of this study series!
As we walk through the final week of our sermon series, So That, this week’s devotional and reflection questions will ground us in the supreme sufficiency of Jesus and the power of the gospel, so that His grace transforms our lives from the inside out.
Below, you’ll find this week’s readings, a short devotional, and reflection questions for your own time with the Lord or discussion with your community.
Readings:
- Romans 11–13
- Colossians 4:7–18
Devotional:
Readings: Romans 11–13 & Colossians 4:7–18
What a profound transition we experience as we move through Romans 11–13 alongside the closing verses of Colossians 4:7–18 this week!
In Romans 11, Paul finishes marveling at the unsearchable depth of God’s mercy and wisdom, breaking into praise for a God whose judgments are beyond tracing out. But gospel truth never stays abstract—it always beckons a response. Chapter 12 opens with that famous “therefore”: in light of God’s overwhelming mercy, we are called to offer our very lives as living sacrifices. We stop letting the culture mold us and instead let the Spirit renew our minds, reshaping how we love, serve, honor authorities, and treat even those who oppose us.
When we turn to Colossians 4:7–18, Paul gives us a vivid picture of what this consecrated life looks like in community. Rather than a solo effort, Paul closes his letter by naming a diverse team of co-laborers. These were real believers bringing the gospel to life in real relationships. They encouraged one another, shouldered one another’s burdens, and stood together in kingdom work!
Anchored in God’s mercies and surrounded by His people, we are called to step into our week with this rhythm:
– Offer our daily routines, schedules, and bodies to God as living, holy sacrifices
– Allow the Holy Spirit to renew our thinking so our actions reflect Jesus rather than the world
– Walk in sincere love, honoring others and overcoming evil with good
– Value the local church, recognizing that every believer has a vital role in the gospel mission
– Surround ourselves with faithful brothers and sisters and actively encourage those serving on the front lines of missions
May the Holy Spirit renew our minds this week and remind us of the power of standing together in His grace!
Reflection Questions:
- Read Romans 12:1–2. What is one specific area of your day—your morning commute, your work environment, your speech, or your private thoughts—where you feel God calling you to step out of the world’s pattern and let Him renew your mind?
- Looking at the list of Paul’s co-laborers in Colossians 4:7–18, who is a fellow believer or ministry partner in your life that you can actively encourage, pray for, or serve alongside this week?
Dig Deeper
Want to dig deeper into the big picture of Romans? To get more context on how the book is structured, specifically chapters 5–16, check out this animated short video from BibleProject that breaks down the main themes of the second part of Romans!
We also encourage you to check out this video resource from BibleProject on the book of Colossians.
We are praying for you as you dig into God’s Word this week!