Being With Jesus – Raised With Christ
5-Day Study Guide | Based on the sermon by Pastor Chad Everett
📖 Colossians 2:11–15; Colossians 3:1–4
🎥 Watch the full sermon on YouTube
🖨️ Printable study guide available
Sermon Overview
What does it really mean to follow Jesus? In this powerful message from Pastor Chad Everett, we learn that being with Jesus isn’t about behavior modification — it’s about death and resurrection. We are called to die to our old life and be raised with Christ, not by our effort, but by faith in the working of God. This 5-day study explores the process of surrender, baptism, freedom from sin, and walking in new life with Jesus.
Day 1: Dead in Sin, Made Alive in Christ
📖 Scripture:
Colossians 2:13–14 (ESV)
“And you, who were dead in your trespasses and the uncircumcision of your flesh, God made alive together with him, having forgiven us all our trespasses, by canceling the record of debt that stood against us with its legal demands. This he set aside, nailing it to the cross.”
💡 Big Idea:
We aren’t made better by Jesus — we’re made alive. Without Him, we are spiritually dead.
🗣️ Quote from Pastor Chad:
“Until you’re ready to die, you’re not really ready to live.”
💬 Discussion & Application:
New Christians:
- What does it mean to be “dead in sin”?
- How does it feel to know your debt has been canceled by Jesus?
Mature Christians:
- In what ways do you sometimes live as if your debt hasn’t been fully paid?
- Reflect on the difference between self-improvement and spiritual resurrection.
Jr. & Sr. High Students:
- Can you think of things you try to “fix” yourself instead of letting Jesus make you new?
- What does it look like to trust His work instead of your own?
Families with Young Children:
- Read the verse aloud. Talk about how Jesus erases our “sin record” like a whiteboard.
- Let each child name one thing they’re thankful Jesus forgives.
Families with Teenagers:
- How do you see the culture encouraging us to “clean ourselves up”?
- Talk together about what it means to truly die to self and be made alive by Jesus.
Day 2: Buried and Raised With Christ
📖 Scripture:
Colossians 2:12 (ESV)
“Having been buried with him in baptism, in which you were also raised with him through faith in the powerful working of God, who raised him from the dead.”
💡 Big Idea:
Baptism is more than a symbol — it represents a burial of the old life and resurrection into new life.
🗣️ Quote from Pastor Chad:
“We bury our flesh — not keep it on a shelf to go back to.”
💬 Discussion & Application:
New Christians:
- What part of your old life are you burying with Jesus?
- Have you taken the step of baptism yet?
Mature Christians:
- What does daily “burial of the flesh” look like in your life right now?
- Is there any area where you’re tempted to resurrect what Jesus already buried?
Jr. & Sr. High Students:
- Why do you think it’s hard to leave behind your old way of life?
- What helps you walk in the “new you”?
Families with Young Children:
- Talk about baptism using a simple analogy (like washing something old to make it new).
- Ask: What would you want to leave behind to be with Jesus?
Families with Teenagers:
- Discuss the meaning of “raised with Him.”
- Ask: Have you experienced a clear shift in identity — from old to new — since following Jesus?
Day 3: Jesus Paid It All
📖 Scripture:
Colossians 2:14 (NLT)
“He canceled the record of the charges against us and took it away by nailing it to the cross.”
💡 Big Idea:
There’s no probation period with God’s grace. You don’t earn your way into forgiveness — it’s already paid.
🗣️ Quote from Pastor Chad:
“You don’t have to straighten it out — it’s already been paid for.”
💬 Discussion & Application:
New Christians:
- What does it mean to you that Jesus paid your debt?
- Do you ever feel like you have to earn His love?
Mature Christians:
- Are there ways you’re still performing for God instead of receiving grace?
- Reflect on your heart posture: resting vs striving.
Jr. & Sr. High Students:
- Why is it hard to believe God forgives you right away?
- What would change if you fully trusted that He already paid for your sin?
Families with Young Children:
- Use play money to pretend to “pay a debt,” then explain how Jesus paid everything for us.
- Pray together and thank Jesus for His gift.
Families with Teenagers:
- Is there pressure among your friends to “look good” or be perfect?
- Talk about the difference between religious performance and real relationship with Jesus.
Day 4: Disarming the Enemy
📖 Scripture:
Colossians 2:15 (ESV)
“He disarmed the rulers and authorities and put them to open shame, by triumphing over them in him.”
💡 Big Idea:
Satan has been stripped of his weapons — all he has left is deception. You don’t have to fear a defeated enemy.
🗣️ Quote from Pastor Chad:
“He didn’t take away the devil’s mouth — just his weapons.”
💬 Discussion & Application:
New Christians:
- How does it change your thinking to know the enemy has been disarmed?
- What lies have you believed that need to be silenced?
Mature Christians:
- In what area do you still act like the enemy has power over you?
- What truth from God’s Word counters those lies?
Jr. & Sr. High Students:
- What lies does the enemy try to whisper at school or online?
- How can you fight back with God’s truth?
Families with Young Children:
- Act out a silly skit: an enemy with no weapons! Explain how Jesus makes the enemy powerless.
- Remind kids: We don’t need to be afraid when we follow Jesus.
Families with Teenagers:
- Have an honest conversation about spiritual warfare and temptation.
- Share scriptures you each can use to “fight back” with truth.
Day 5: Set Your Mind on Things Above
📖 Scripture:
Colossians 3:1–2 (NIV)
“Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is… Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things.”
💡 Big Idea:
You were raised to a higher way of living. Seek the things above — reset your mind daily on truth.
🗣️ Quote from Pastor Chad:
“We need to hit the reset button and set our minds on things above.”
💬 Discussion & Application:
New Christians:
- What are some “earthly things” that distract you from Jesus?
- How can you reset your mind each day?
Mature Christians:
- What does it practically look like for you to set your mind on things above in this season?
- Are there routines you need to reset or re-center?
Jr. & Sr. High Students:
- What influences your thoughts the most right now?
- How can you replace those with things that point you to Jesus?
Families with Young Children:
- Talk about what it means to think about heaven and Jesus instead of just toys, snacks, or screens.
- Create a short morning phrase to say each day: “I set my mind on Jesus!”
Families with Teenagers:
- How does screen time affect your mindset?
- Create a plan together to include intentional time each day to reset your thoughts toward Jesus.
✅ Final Encouragement
This study is not just about knowing more — it’s about living raised with Christ. Let the Holy Spirit lead you into a daily lifestyle of surrender, truth, and resurrection life.