August 9, 2026 | Courts of Praise | Pastors Simeon & Janae Palmore

Walking in the Newness of Life

Small Group Discussion Guide
Colossians 3:1-2 — "If then you were raised with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ is, sitting at the right hand of God. Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth."
This week, Sis Janae reminded us that even the ark of the covenant — God's very presence — was stewarded carelessly by people who had grown too familiar with it. Bro Simeon built on that by walking through Colossians 3, showing what it looks like to actually set your mind on the things above instead of drifting back into old, earthly habits. Our question this week: what would change in your life if you stopped managing God's presence out of habit and started seeking Him out of need?

Discussion Questions

  1. In 1 Samuel 4, what did Eli's sons do wrong, even though they had constant access to the presence of God?
  2. Israel brought the ark into battle without repenting or asking God first. What does that reveal about how they saw God's presence?
  3. Sis Janae said we should always want God's presence, but we should always need it. What's the difference?
  4. Paul writes, "If then you were raised with Christ, seek those things which are above." What are some practical ways your life shows whether your mind is set above or on earthly things?
  5. David wrote in Psalm 16 that he set the Lord always before him — yet in 2 Samuel 11, he stayed home from where he was supposed to be. What allowed that shift to happen?
  6. Bro Simeon said, "Out of the abundance of the heart, the mouth speaks." What has your speech this week revealed about what's dwelling in your heart?
  7. Colossians 3:14 says love is "the bond of perfection." What is one relationship in your life right now where you need to put on patience, kindness, or forgiveness this week?
Closing Challenge: Pick one thing this week that has become a habit instead of a relationship — prayer, giving, reading the word — and do it once specifically because you need God, not because it's routine. Come back next week ready to share what changed.