In, But Not Of Panel Discussion

Intro

[Thank worship team]

Good morning Bethel Church, and good morning to our network of rural churches that are joining us live on YouTube. And if you are new here, I want to extend a special welcome to you. If you would, there are “i’m new” cards in the seat in front of you. If you would fill that out there or at the Welcome Center outside of the sanctuary. We even have a free gift for you if you are new to Bethel. We would love to get in touch with you and discuss how to get connected to our church family.

Announcements:

[Announcement 1]

[Announcement 2]

Today we will be continuing our study of [TEMPLATE]. If you are reading out of the Bibles in front of you, our passage can be found on page [TEMPLATE p ???]. If you do not have a Bible, please stop by the Welcome Center and take one. It is our gift to you.

TRANS: Pray

Opening Hook

A Note to the Panel: Pastor Richard will keep things flowing, faciliate discussion, and cue you with questions.

Pastor Richard:

Welcome everyone!

I’m so glad you’re here for our panel discussion. We’ve just wrapped up an incredible North Dakota Bible Conference, and I’m joined by our speakers to keep that momentum going.

This year’s theme is ‘In, But Not Of’ — a phrase that comes right out of Jesus’ prayer in John 17. He prays that His followers would be in the world but not of the world. And as we launch our new series in Colossians 1, we’re going to explore what that actually looks like in real life.

Faithfulness to God is not always clear what that looks like in practice. It is something we must carefully consider as we navigate our world. Here’s the key:

The Key

Faithfulness requires thoughtfulness.

The passage we’re looking at today — Colossians 1:1–14 — gives us three powerful mindset shifts that shape how we live faithfully and thoughtfully in a culture that often pulls in a different direction. I’ll guide the conversation, but I really want this to feel like we’re sitting in on a family discussion.

Colossians 1:1–2 ESV

1 Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, and Timothy our brother, 2 To the saints and faithful brothers in Christ at Colossae: Grace to you and peace from God our Father.

Three Mindset Shifts

By virtue of God’s saving grace, you are a holy one.

Colossians 1:1-2

“Let’s start with the foundation. Paul opens this letter by calling believers ‘saints’ — literally, holy ones. This isn’t just a title for the spiritual elite; it’s for every believer.

→ Panel Prompt:

“What’s the connection between being a ‘holy one’ and how we engage culture?”

Colossians 1:3–9 ESV

3 We always thank God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, when we pray for you, 4 since we heard of your faith in Christ Jesus and of the love that you have for all the saints, 5 because of the hope laid up for you in heaven. Of this you have heard before in the word of the truth, the gospel, 6 which has come to you, as indeed in the whole world it is bearing fruit and increasing—as it also does among you, since the day you heard it and understood the grace of God in truth, 7 just as you learned it from Epaphras our beloved fellow servant. He is a faithful minister of Christ on your behalf 8 and has made known to us your love in the Spirit. 9 And so, from the day we heard, we have not ceased to pray for you, asking that you may be filled with the knowledge of his will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding,

Knowledge is necessary for faith.

Colossians 1:3-9

“Next, Paul thanks God for the Colossians’ faith and love — but he also emphasizes their growth in knowledge. That can be a tricky word today. A lot of Christians are suspicious of ‘knowledge’ — as if learning or thinking deeply somehow undermines faith.

Let’s unpack that a bit.”

→ Panel Prompts:

“Why do you think many Christians view knowledge as unnecessary or even dangerous?”

“What does Paul teach here about growing in knowledge and its role in strengthening faith?”

Colossians 1:10–14 ESV

10 so as to walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing to him: bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God; 11 being strengthened with all power, according to his glorious might, for all endurance and patience with joy; 12 giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of the saints in light. 13 He has delivered us from the domain of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of his beloved Son, 14 in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.

You are currently a citizen of the Kingdom of Light.

Colossians 1:10-14

Paul then moves from identity and knowledge to citizenship. He says we’ve been transferred into the Kingdom of His beloved Son. That’s a present reality — not something that starts when we die.

→ Panel Prompts:

“What’s the relationship between growing in the knowledge of God and walking in a manner worthy of the Lord?”

“Practically, what does it look like to walk in a manner worthy of the Lord as citizens of His Kingdom?”

Application

Be an ambassador to your true Country.

As we move from theology to practice, Paul’s vision lines up beautifully with the picture Greg Koukl paints of a Christian ambassador: someone who represents their true homeland with knowledge, character, and wisdom.

Let’s think together about what that means in our cultural moment.

→ Panel Prompt:

What does it mean to be an ambassador of Christ’s Kingdom in practical terms?

Living in the world but not of the world starts at home.

All of this starts close to home. Before we think about engaging the culture ‘out there,’ we need to consider the rhythms and habits inside our own homes.

→ Panel Prompts:

“What are some habits of the household that help us be in the world but not of it?”

“What advice would you give to unmarried people or those without kids? Are there different habits to form? Or the same?”

This has been rich. Thank you all for helping us think biblically and practically about what it means to be ‘In, But Not Of.’

As we move into this series in Colossians, my encouragement for everyone here is to take one mindset shift and one practical step this week. You’re a holy one. You’re growing in knowledge. You’re a citizen of the Kingdom of Light.

Let’s live that out faithfully — not by retreating from the world, and not by blending in — but by representing Jesus well wherever He’s placed us.

Pray

Talk About It/Think About It

How does understanding your identity as a “holy one” change the way you view your role in culture?

Why do you think knowledge is sometimes viewed with suspicion among Christians, and how does Paul challenge that?

What does it look like to live as a citizen of God’s Kingdom in daily life?

In what practical ways can you represent Christ’s Kingdom where you live, work, or interact with culture?

What habits or rhythms in the home help cultivate a faithful “in but not of” lifestyle?

Which of the three mindset shifts challenged or encouraged you most?

What is one habit or step you can take this week to live more thoughtfully as a citizen of God’s Kingdom?