READ

Colossians 2:6-7 (ESV):
[6] Therefore, as you received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in him, [7] rooted and built up in him and established in the faith, just as you were taught, abounding in thanksgiving.

SERMON SUMMARY

Foundations are meant to be built upon. Whether it's a skate park or a skyscraper, no one lays a foundation without a plan for the building that is to be built upon it. For the individual Christian, the mechanism for spiritual foundation is justification by faith alone (being forgiven + declared righteous), while the motivation to grow upon this foundation is adoption (being declared a child of God). This is what it means to be "built up in him."

DISCUSS

1. Discuss the practical differences between justification and adoption.
2. In the structure of the church, Christ is the cornerstone and the apostles and prophets serve as the foundation (Eph 2:20). How is the local church--not merely as a collection of believers but the church as a whole--“built up” on this foundation?
3. How is Trinity rooted in the church’s being “built up” throughout history?
4. What role does Christian community play in this process?

Exercise: In 30-40 years, in what way would you want your children’s faith to be “built upon” your own? 

PRAY

Take prayer requests in normal fashion. Pray for these, as well as Trinity’s growth in the gospel through the RISE campaign.