Pray: To open your time together.
Read: Ephesians 6:21-22 & Colossians 4:7-9;16-18
Consider: Some thoughts for your group
We’ve spent the last few weeks learning from some of the unheralded heroes of the bible. People who don’t get much publicity, but never-the-less play significant roles in the story of God in scripture. This week we learn about one of the apostle Paul’s most trusted friends, a man named Tychicus.
Tychicus stands out not because of the miracles he performed, the strength he demonstrated, or courage he displayed, but instead Tychicus gives us a glimpse of a friend who is faithful and trustworthy to do his small part of advancing the good news of Jesus to the world.
While Paul was imprisoned in Rome, he wrote many letters to the early churches throughout the known world. Of course, Paul could not delivery these letters himself and so he had to choose a few people to take his message to the churches and trust that the messenger would give a good and faithful report of what God was doing.
Tychicus was entrusted not only to deliver the letter, but to read it to the early church and give them a full picture of what was happening to Paul and the rest of the believers abroad. In his reading, Tychicus was both a news deliverer and a faith encourager.
Group Questions:
- Have you considered the various roles we all play in the big story of God? Have you ever heard of Tychicus before this teaching? How do you see his role in the ministry of the Church?
- Paul highlights some of the character traits of Tychicus: Trustworthy, Encouraging, Faithful, Hopeful. What of these characteristics stand out to you as necessary in our day and age to take the gospel to the world?
- As Tychicus traveled from one city to the next, he would have been reminded of the dire situation all around. The early church was persecuted, often in hiding, and had virtually no power or authority in politics, business, or culture. And yet, the message of Paul was overwhelmingly hopeful for the future and the kingdom of God that was at hand. How can each of us carry this hope amid the current challenges and division in our world?
Closing Prayer:
Spend some time praying for one another. Ask if anyone has prayer requests for the week ahead and take time to encourage one another for the good has planned for you to deliver this week in your work, your family, and/or your neighborhood.