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Jesus – My All in All A Study of St. Paul’s Letter to the Colossians

Abiding Peace Evangelical Lutheran Church, Elgin, IL

Winter 2009

Lesson Schedule

January 4 – Introduction, Colossians 1:1-12

January 11 – Colossians 1:13-23

January 18 – Colossians 1:24 – 2:5

January 25 – Colossians 2:6-23

February 1 – Colossians 3:1-11


February 15 – Colossians 3:18 – 4:6


Suggested Reading

Kuschel, Harlyn J. Philippians Colossians Philemon (People’s Bible). Milwaukee: Northwestern Publishing House, 1986, 2000. (The entire commentary on Colossians is only about 100 pages long and a relatively easy read. It is available from NPH for $14.99.)

“Colossians.” (Book by Book Look Bible Studies). © 2009 www.whataboutjesus.com. <http://www.wels.net/cgi-bin/site.pl?1712&cxDatabase_databaseID=4&id=51>

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Background Information (drawn primarily from whataboutjesus.com)

COLOSSE (or COLOSSAE) The city of Colosse was located in Asia Minor (modern day Turkey) about 125 miles east of Ephesus. At one time it had been a great city, but now it was a small town, and soon an earthquake would destroy it. Neighboring cities were Laodicea and Hierapolis, where Christian churches were also established (4:13). Colosse was best known in ancient times for its special kind of wool which the Colossians dyed purple.

1. Colosse was very insignificant compared to the other church communities to whom

Paul wrote. One might have guessed that Paul would have written to nearby Hierapolis, the rest and recreation center for the area. What might we learn about Paul and God from the fact that Paul wrote to little Colosse?

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THE COLOSSIAN CHRISTIANS The church at Colosse was probably established during Paul’s third missionary journey at the time of his three-year stay in Ephesus. There is no record that Paul himself visited Colosse or established the church there. But Luke tells us that when Paul was at Ephesus everyone in the province of Asia heard the word of the Lord (Acts 19:10). This would include the people of Colosse. A Colossian man named Epaphras returned to Colosse, established the church and served as one of its ministers (Col. 1:7). Philemon and Archippus also helped to serve the church at Colosse (Phm. 2 and Col. 4:17). Onesimus, the slave of Philemon, was also one of the Colossian Christians (4:9).

Sometime after Epaphras had preached the Gospel of free grace and established the Colossian church, false teachings were making their way into the church. The false teachers tried to mix their own ideas with pure Christian teaching and wanted to harmonize the two. (This is sometimes called “syncretism.” An example of modern “syncretism” is the attempt to combine traditional African superstitious ideas with Christianity and make a common religion of the two.)

These seem to be the ideas that the false teachers were trying to mix with the pure Gospel:

1) that the Jewish laws must still be observed; the teaching of the Judaizers (2:11,16);

2) that the human body must be denied basic things and even be treated harshly (2:21-23); this idea is sometimes called “asceticism;”

3) that angels are to be worshipped (2:18).

By trying to add these human ideas to the Gospel, the false teachers were really saying that Jesus Christ is not enough for life and salvation. But by seeking to “improve” Christianity, they were actually destroying the Gospel and removing Christ. If the Colossians followed these teachings, they would be taken captive by man-made ideas and would lose Christ and his salvation (2:8). 2. Identify prominent false teachings that threaten the pure Gospel among us today. THE EPISTLE TO THE COLOSSIANS Paul was in prison when he heard from Epaphras what was happening at the Colossian church (4:3,18). This would have been his first imprisonment in Rome, 61-63 A.D. By letter Paul wanted to address the Colossians because of the report he had gotten through Epaphras. Out of the thirteen letters by Paul in the New Testament, only Colossians and Romans were written to churches that he had not yet visited.

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First he wanted the Colossians to know that he was deeply thankful to God for the work the Gospel of Christ had done in their hearts (1:3-7). Then he wanted to expose the false teachings and present Christ clearly as the One who has everything they need for life and salvation.

Paul evidently sent his letter from Rome to Colosse with Tychicus and Onesimus (4:7-9). Colossians, Ephesians and Philemon may all have been sent at the same time through the same men. The Colossians were instructed to exchange letters with the church at nearby Laodicea (4:16). “The letter from Laodicea” may be the same as Ephesians.

3. Brainstorm some ways in which such mutual encouragement between congregations might happen today.

4. This week, read through the book of Colossians. In the space below, write your preliminary impressions and any questions you have about the book or passages within the book.

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Winter 2009

Lesson One: Colossians 1:1-12

1. (1:1) Why was Paul an apostle? Recall events in Paul’s life that make this truth very clear.

2. (1:2) Recall the false teachings that had invaded the Colossian congregation. Why is the way that Paul addresses the Christians at Colosse significant?

3. (1:3-4) It is easy to be thankful to God for what he does for us. How often do we

thank God for what he has done for our fellow believers? What does Paul point to as evidence of how God has blessed the Colossians?

If you were being put on trial under the charge that you were a Christian, would there be enough outward evidence of faith and love in your life to “convict” you? Take a moment to pray about this.

4. (1:5) Explain how faith and love spring from hope. 5. (1:5-6) Note the ultimate of the holy triad of faith, hope, and love. Therefore, if we

are lacking in evidence to convict us of “faith, hope, and love,” what should we do? 6. (1:6) Think about the false teachings that the Colossians were facing. Why do you

think Paul mentions the fruit that the gospel is bearing “all over the world” and among the Colossian Christians?

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7. (1:7-8) Paul felt a certain indebtedness to Epaphras for his faithful ministry in Colosse. Who are some who are “faithful minister(s) of Christ on our behalf”? How can we express our gratitude for the work that they do?

8. (1:9) Paul clearly believed in the power of prayer. What can we learn from Paul’s

prayer life to enrich our own? 9. (1:9) The false teachers were boasting about their knowledge. Describe the

knowledge that Paul was asking God to give to the Colossians.

10. (1:10) How does knowledge of God’s will affect the way we live? 11. (1:10) How does knowledge of God’s will lead to growing in knowledge of God? 12. (1:11) How does knowledge of God’s will strengthen us and give us endurance and

patience? 13. (1:12) How does knowledge of God’s will lead us to joyful thanksgiving? 14. So, in order that we may live more God-pleasing lives, have more patience and

endurance, and give thanks more joyfully at all times, what should we be praying? What should we be doing?

15. Write one key thought that you hope to remember from today’s Bible study.

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Winter 2009

Lesson Two: Colossians 1:13-23 As we begin, please complete the following three exercises with those at your table. We’ll move on to question four after about 12 minutes. 1. Please talk briefly about someone whom you, in your childhood or adulthood, have

considered “larger than life.” What was it about that person that made him/her seem that way?

2. As a matter of review, please share the “key thought” that you wanted to remember

from last week’s Bible study. (If you weren’t here, learn from those at your table, and ask them to clarify, if necessary. If you just can’t remember, review last week’s lesson when you get home today.)

3. If you read through the whole of book of Colossians this past week (Did you

remember your “homework” from page four?), share some of your preliminary impressions with those at your table. (If you didn’t read it, that’s okay; try to do it this week.)

We will discuss the following questions as a large group. 4. (1:13-14) Many prisoners of war are imprisoned in enemy territory. First, write down

three words to describe how it would feel to be “liberated” by armies conquering the enemy. Then, we’ll hear a sampling of your answers.

5. From what “enemy territory” have we been liberated? By whom?

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6. For God to rescue us from hell—that’s wonderful! But how does God do even more than that for us?

7. What blessings do we receive in God’s kingdom?

Take about 4 minutes to discuss the following two questions with those at your table. 8. Note two ways in which verses 13-14 connect back to verse 12. 9. So what? What do verses 13-14 mean for your life today? We will discuss the following questions as a large group. 10. (1:15) To the ancients, an image was something more than a portrait. For them,

there was a real connection between a god and his image. The image was a place for the god to reveal himself. By saying that Jesus is the “image” of God, what is Paul saying? (Compare John 1:18, John 14:9, and Colossians 2:9)

11. (1:16-17) How do these verses explain what Paul meant by “the firstborn over all

creation” in verse 15? 12. (1:16) False teachers in Colosse loved to speculate about spiritual beings, like

angels, and their ranks. How might Paul be addressing these false teachings in this verse?

13. (1:15-17) Count how many times “all creation” or “all things” or “things” appear in

these verses. What point is Paul trying to drive home?

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14. (1:18-20) Christ has authority over creation because he is the Creator who existed before creation. Here Paul reminds us that Christ also has authority over his Church. Why can he claim such authority?

Take about 5 minutes to discuss the questions 15-17 with those at your table. 15. (1:21) What alienates people from God and makes them his enemies?

How could Paul make such a sweeping statement about the Christians in Colosse? Besides the Christians in Colosse, who is included in those who once “were alienated from God and…enemies”? (Don’t forget to look in the mirror)

Knowing this, what kind of response should we expect to our evangelism efforts?

16. (1:22) Who took the initiative to change the alienated/enemy status between God

and sinners? 17. (1:22) Our society cheers when “bad” person turns “good.” Explain how our

reconciliation is much more dramatic than that. We will discuss the following questions as a large group. 18. (1:22) Recall that the false teachers in Colosse were encouraging the people to

“asceticism”—the abuse of or denial of basic care for the body, based on the belief that material things were inherently evil. How does Paul directly confront this false teaching in this verse?

19. (1:23) Paul says, “This is the gospel.” What is?

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20. What is Paul’s encouragement for the Colossians (and us) regarding this gospel? 21. Why do the Colossians (and we) need this encouragement? 22. Write one key thought that you hope to remember from today’s Bible study. Further Questions for You to Consider This Week 23. (1:19) How does this verse further clarify what we discussed in verse 15? 24. What does it mean for us that Christ is head of the Church? 25. According to verses 20 and 22, what was the price of our reconciliation? Knowing

this, why is the Lord’s Supper such a special gift? 26. (1:23) Note that Paul doesn’t hold himself up as a master of knowledge to whom

others should submit their thinking. Instead, how does he describe himself? (Note: we will discuss this in more detail in our next lesson.)

27. Why is it important for us to remember that, like Paul, we are “servants of the

gospel”?

Next Time: Colossians 1:24 – 2:5

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Winter 2009

Lesson Three: Colossians 1:24 – 2:5

As we begin, please complete the following two exercises with those at your table. We’ll move on to question three after about 9 minutes. 1. Please talk briefly about a time when you were willing to suffer because you knew

that you or someone else would benefit in the end. How did that make you feel? 2. As a matter of review, please share the “key thought” that you wanted to remember


We will discuss the following questions as a large group. 3. Please ask any questions or share any special insights you have from the “Further

Questions” from last week’s Bible study. 4. Read 2 Corinthians 11:23-29. Then list below some of the ways in which Paul

suffered. 5. (1:24) How does Paul react to these sufferings? 6. Read John 5:18-19 and Acts 9:1-5. How do Paul’s sufferings “fill up…what is still

lacking in regard to Christ’s afflictions”?

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7. (1:24) In what way were Paul’s sufferings “for you [Colossians]” and “for the sake of [Christ’s] body, which is the church”?

8. Explain why it is important for us to remember that the world is not done

persecuting Christ yet. 9. (1:25) In verse 23, Paul called himself a servant of the gospel. Of what does Paul

call himself a servant here? Explain how both can be true. 10. (1:25) Notice how Paul describes his commission in this verse. Who determines

what message Paul, or any other servant of the church, should proclaim? 11. (1:26-27) The word “mystery” means something that would not be known unless

God revealed it. Describe the “mystery” that Paul making known among the Gentiles.

Take about 8 minutes to discuss questions 12-14 with those at your table. Before you do, read 1:28 – 2:1 aloud. 12. (1:28) Which is more important in a Christian congregation—nurture or outreach?

Defend your choice. 13. (1:29) How did Paul avoid “burnout” in his life and ministry? Why do you think many

Christians still experience “burnout”? What can we learn from this about helping called workers and other church leaders avoid “burnout”?

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14. “Struggling” in 1:29 and 2:1 pictures Greek athletes in the Olympiad agonizing to win at boxing, running, and wrestling. The idea is that of an athletic contest which is strenuous and demanding. In what way was Paul struggling for the Colossians? How can we struggle for our fellow Christians?

We will discuss the following questions as a large group. 15. (2:2-3) What is the purpose of Paul’s ministry and of this letter? 16. Do we have the full riches of complete understanding and all the treasures of

wisdom and knowledge?

If not, has Paul failed in achieving his purpose?

If so, what are we doing here this morning?

17. (2:2-3) How does Paul’s language in these verses again strike at the core of the

false teaching that were confronting the Colossians? 18. Name some of the best speakers you have ever heard. Describe what made them

good speakers.

How can the average Christian keep from being deceived by “fine-sounding arguments”?

19. In what way are “all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge” hidden in Christ? 20. Why does Paul add verse 5?

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21. Write one key thought that you hope to remember from today’s Bible study. Further Questions for You to Consider This Week 22. (1:27) If Christ dwells in you by faith, why do you still sin? 23. (1:26-27) Marvel at the fact that God chooses to reveal to you the mystery of his

love in Christ 24. (2:2) Isn’t faith an individual and personal matter? How would the encouragement

of their hearts lead to unity in love?

Why is such unity important for Christians? 25. (2:5) Who are some Christians with whom we are not present (or perhaps have

never even met)? How can we, like Paul, provide encouragement for these people?

Next Time: Colossians 2:6-23

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Winter 2009

Lesson Four: Colossians 2:6-23

As we begin, please complete the following two exercises with those at your table. We’ll move on to question three after about 6 minutes. 1. List three freedoms that you value very highly. How would you feel if these

freedoms were taken away? 2. As a matter of review, please share the “key thought” that you wanted to remember



Questions” from last week’s Bible study. 4. (2:6-7) Grammarians talk about verbs being either active or passive. Identify the

verbs in these two verses as active or passive:

a. received:

b. continue to live:

c. rooted:

d. built up:

e. strengthened:

f. overflowing:

What point is Paul clearly communicating by using these kinds of verbs?

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5. (2:8) What do you think Paul means by the “basic principles of this world”? 6. (2:8) In what sense can the empty philosophies of the world “take Christians

captive”? 7. Look back at verse 6. You can see how “being rooted and built up in him” and

“being strengthened in faith” guards someone against “hollow and deceptive philosophy.” But what protection does “overflowing with thankfulness” provide?

8. (2:9) What reason does Paul give for continuing to live in Christ? 9. (2:9) Identify words from our creeds that express this same incomprehensible truth. 10. (2:10) How does Paul counter the claim that Christians need something more than

Christ? 11. (2:11-12) Paul is not only talking to Jews here, and Gentiles in his day would not

typically have been circumcised. How can he say “you were also circumcised”? Take about 7 minutes to discuss questions 12-15 with those at your table. 12. (2:12-13) Baptism connects us to both Christ’s death and his resurrection. Express

what that means for your life. 13. (2:14) In what way did God “cancel the written code, with its regulations, that was

against us and that stood opposed to us”? Does this mean that we no longer need to obey the law?

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14. (2:15) The “powers and authorities” in this verse are the devil and all of the fallen angels (demons). How did “cancel[ing] the written code” disarm them?

15. (2:15) This verse and 1 Peter 3:18-19 refer to Christ’s descent into hell. What did

Christ descend to do there? We will discuss the following questions as a large group. 16. (2:17) What can you tell about someone by looking at his/her shadow? To what do

you turn your attention when the real thing appears?

What is Paul’s point in this verse?

17. (2:18-19) “False humility” is either a humility that says “I’m not worthy to go to

God; I’d better go through angels” or “ascetic” practices of depriving oneself of pleasures and comforts to try to please God. The “worship of angels” is either worshipping angels or some kind of hyperspirituality through which one worships with the angels. Neither leads to true growth. How alone can one grow in faith, according to verse 19?

18. What modern religions approach God through a mediator other than Christ? 19. (2:20-23) Here Paul again addresses “ascetic” practices (see question 17), which the

false teachers in Colosse were apparently either requiring or at least strongly encouraging and holding up as superior. According to verse 23, what is the source of such ideas?

20. (2:23) While these practices have the “appearance of wisdom, ultimately what can

they NOT accomplish, that the false teachers probably claimed that they could?

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As we have time, discuss questions 21-22 with those at your table. 21. Is it possible for a Christian to receive blessings through forms of self-denial (e.g.,

fasting, giving up something for Lent)? 22. Your neighbor says to you, “Being a Christian is all about rules. ‘Don’t do this…don’t

do that.’ Why would I want to be a part of that? I already have enough rules.” How do you respond?

23. Write one key thought that you hope to remember from today’s Bible study. Further Questions for You to Consider This Week 24. (2:6) What does it mean to receive Jesus Christ “as Lord”? (See Exodus 34:5-7) 25. (2:7) Ponder the four word pictures in this verse (rooted in Christ, built up in Christ,

strengthened in the faith, overflowing with thankfulness) and what they mean for your life, as you seek to avoid every “hollow and deceptive philosophy.”

26. What spiritual truth is being pictured in a physical way in circumcision? What

spiritual truth is being pictured in a physical way in baptism? 27. (2:11-12) What significance do these verses have for the practice of infant baptism? 28. (2:16-17) Paul teaches freedom in those aspects of the Sabbath which fore-

shadowed Christ. The New Testament still commands Christians to gather with other Christians (Hebrews 10:25), to hear God’s Word (Colossians 3:16) to receive the Lord’s Supper (Matthew 26:26-27), and to worship the Lord (Luke 4:8; 24:53; Revelation 22:8-9). However, the New Testament does not repeat the commands to use the seventh day and the limitations on work (Exodus 20:9-10). How does Hebrews 4:9-12 complete the picture of what we teach about the Sabbath?

29. (2:19) What does this verse have to say about our efforts to make the church grow? Next Time: Colossians 3:1-11

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Winter 2009

Lesson Five: Colossians 3:1-11

As we begin, please complete the following two exercises with those at your table. We’ll move on to question three after about 7 minutes. 1. Share New Year’s Resolutions that you made this year. (If you didn’t make any this

year, share some that you made in the past; if you haven’t made any, share a big change in your life that you committed to making at some time.) Also share how well you are doing (or did) at keeping your resolutions.



We will discuss the following questions as a large group. But first, let’s read Colossians 3:1-10 responsively. Men read the odd-numbered verses, and women read the even-numbered verses. 3. (3:1) “Since, then, you have been raised with Christ…” implies that we have already

discussed how God raised us with Christ. Find where Paul already wrote about this in the book, and draw an arrow (if you are using your own Bible) from here to there. Note again when we were “raised with Christ.”

4. (3:1-3) How does our resurrection with Christ change our perspective on life? (Note:

“Heavenly things” stand in contrast to the “earthly things” described in v. 5-8) 5. (3:3) Why does our resurrection with Christ bring about such a drastic change?

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6. Martin Luther wrote: The Scriptures teach us, however, that the right hand of God is not a specific place in which a body must or may be, such as on a golden throne, but is the almighty power of God, which at one and the same time can be nowhere and yet must be everywhere. It cannot be at any one place, I say. For if it were at some specific place, it would have to be there in a circumscribed and determinate manner, as everything which is at one place must be at that place determinately and measurably, so that it cannot meanwhile be at any other place. But the power of God cannot be so determined and measured, for it is uncircumscribed and immeasurable, beyond and above all that is or may be. (“That these Words of Christ, ‘This is my body,’ etc., still stand firm against the fanatics.” 1527. Luther’s Works, vol. 37, p. 57)

How does the fact that “Christ is seated at the right hand of God” (3:1) affect our perspective or how we live our lives?

7. Professor Daniel M. Deutschlander writes, “A theology of glory is that which

imagines that salvation is tied to outward greatness and success or even to outward holiness and virtue” (The Theology of the Cross, NPH 2008, p. 132). What do verses 3 and 4 say about a “theology of glory”?

Take about 15 minutes to discuss questions 8-14 with those at your table. 8. (3:5) Jesus used a drastic picture to impress on us the importance of conquering

sin. He said that cutting off any body part that leads a person to sin is better than going to hell (Mark 9:42-48). Paul is even more extreme. We cannot stop sinning by cutting off body parts. We have to kill. In contrast to our life to which we have been raised with Christ, what do we need to put to death?

9. How easy is this to do?

10. (3:5) Usually we think of idolatry as worship of a false god. Greed does not involve worship. What aspect of greed makes it idolatry?

11. (3:7) Why is it important for us to remember that, as Christians, our sinful life is a

thing of the past?

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12. Many would say that the kinds of things listed in verses 8-9 need to be kept under control. But what does St. Paul say we need to do with them?

13. Why is this so important? 14. (3:8-9) Share advice on steps a Christian can take to rid themselves of these sins. We will discuss the remaining questions as a large group. 15. (3:10) After the fall, Adam and Eve lost the image of God (Genesis 1:27, 5:3). What

light does this verse shed on what we mean by “the image of God”?

Read Ephesians 4:24 to further explain what the image of God is.

16. (3:10) Note that “being renewed” is a present tense verb in Greek. This indicates an ongoing action. In what way is our “being renewed” ongoing?

When will this renewal be completed?

17. (3:11) Societal barriers and distinctions existed in St. Paul’s day as they do today. But what does he have to say about those barriers and distinctions?

Give examples of how Christians overcome racial, religious, cultural and social barriers in a God-pleasing way. Give examples of attempts to overcome these barriers in a sinful way.

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18. (3:11) This is the verse from which the title of our Bible study comes. How does remembering that “Christ is all, and is in all” affect how we deal with other people?

19. Write one key thought that you hope to remember from today’s Bible study. Further Questions for You to Consider This Week 20. (3:9) The Christians in Colosse were not only lying, but lying to each other.

Christians still lie to Christians today. Why do you think that is? How can we help one another stop lying?

21. (3:11) Think of people against whom you hold some prejudice, whether because of

race, gender, language, economic class, or whatever. Pray that God may destroy that prejudice within you and see those people as souls for whom Jesus died.

22. How can we, as a congregation, reach out to more people who are not “like us”?

Next Time: Colossians 3:12-17

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Winter 2009

Lesson Six: Colossians 3:12-17

1. Pastor Harlyn Kuschel writes, “[I have] found this section (Colossians 3:12-17) to be a particularly rich source of material for wedding addresses. With wonderful clarity the apostle here sets forth the general, positive principles which ought to govern Christians’ lives in general and our conduct in Christian marriage in particular” (People’s Bible). In fact, Colossians 3:12-14 was the text for the sermon, when Elisabeth and I got married. For those of you who were married in a Christian church, share the text upon which the wedding sermon was based.

2. Please share the “key thought” that you wanted to remember from last week’s Bible

study. Please read Colossians 3:12-14 aloud at your table. Then complete the following exercises with those at your table. We’ll move on to question eight after about 20 minutes. 3. (3:12) “Therefore…” introduces a conclusion or action based upon what precedes it.

Look back to verses 9-11 to determine what thought verse 12 is building on. 4. (3:12) “God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved.”

a. How does remembering this about ourselves affect how we live every day?

b. How does remembering this about fellow Christians affect how we interact with them?

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5. (3:12-14) We believe that God has already dressed us in a robe of righteousness. We cannot make ourselves more righteous. But Paul here urges us to choose accessories that go with the robe of righteousness, to choose activities and virtues that match the new life. Work with those at your table to construct a definition for the “articles of clothing” assigned to your group. (If possible, use a concordance or cross-references to compare how these words are used in other New Testament contexts):

a. compassion

b. kindness

c. humility

d. gentleness

e. patience

f. forgiveness

g. love 6. How are many, if not all, of these “articles of clothing” different from what the world

encourages us to wear? 7. Describe what our relationships with others would be like, if we were to

wholeheartedly follow Paul’s “fashion” advice from these verses. We will answer the following questions as a large group. 8. (3:13) Explain why forgiving others is such an important part of the life of a

Christian.

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9. (3:14) How is love the “garment” that “binds them all together in perfect unity”? 10. (3:15) What is the “peace of Christ”? 11. (3:15) How might it show in a Christian’s life, if the peace of Christ rules in his/her

heart? 12. (3:16) How does the beginning of this verse show that letting the peace of Christ

rule in your heart doesn’t mean just minding your own business and never telling anyone they are wrong?

13. (3:16) God knows that, hounded by the devil, the world, and our own sinful nature,

it is not easy for us to wear the clothes we discussed on the previous page or to let peace rule in our hearts and lives. How does he provide us with direction and strength?

Please complete the following two exercises with those at your table. We’ll move on to question sixteen after about 7 minutes. 14. (3:16) Provide practical suggestions for ways that we can “let the word of Christ

dwell in [us] richly”: a. individually

b. within our families

c. as a congregation 15. (3:16) What is one of the purposes of our public worship, including our hymns? How

does this purpose affect the hymns we choose for worship?

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We will answer the following questions as a large group. 16. (3:17) The name of Jesus includes everything that he reveals about himself in his

word. How does a Christian do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus? 17. (3:17) How does a Christian do everything with thanksgiving? Further Questions for You to Consider This Week 18. (3:13) How is declaring a truce different than negotiating a peace treaty? 19. (3:15-17) In the four chapters of Colossians, Paul refers to the duty and privilege of

being thankful six (possibly seven) times (3 times in these verses). Why may gratitude have been an issue in Colosse (see Romans 1:21)?

20. (3:17) Write down ways that you can better do everything “in the name of the Lord

Jesus” in your relationship with family members, in your job, in your community.

Next Time: Colossians 3:18 – 4:6

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Winter 2009

Lesson Seven: Colossians 3:18 – 4:6

As we begin, please complete the following two exercises with those at your table. We’ll move on to question three after about 6 minutes. 1. List below all of the roles or positions in which you serve in life (e.g., husband,

employee, father). Be as specific as possible. After 2 minutes, share your list with those at your table.



We will discuss the following questions as a large group. But first, let’s read Colossians 3:18 – 4:1 responsively. Women read v. 18, 20, 22, 24, and 4:1; and men read v. 19, 21, 23, and 25. 3. Recall Colossians 3:17. What attitude or principle drives every role and relationship

in a Christian’s life? 4. (3:18-19) We are not going to say a lot about this subject in this Bible study. The

Bible goes into much more detail in other places (e.g., Ephesians 5:22-33). And Paul himself is remarkably brief here.

Throughout this section, Paul gives instructions to both parties in a relationship (husbands/wives, children/fathers, slaves/masters). What does our sinful nature or our sinful world suggest is the implied instruction to husbands that fits with Paul’s instruction to wives in verse 18?

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5. (3:19,21) Paul instructs husbands, “Do not be harsh with [your wives],” and he instructs fathers, “Do not embitter [your children].” Why do you think he writes these things to men?

6. (3:20-21) Agree or disagree, and defend your answer: Parents should strive to make

their children happy. (3:22 – 4:1) Paul does not write, “Slaves, flee from your masters.” Nor does he write, “Masters, free your slaves.” In fact, with this letter he was also sending Onesimus, a runaway slave, back to his master, Philemon (with the letter to Philemon in your Bible). Slavery was part of the economy of that culture. Some estimate that one third of the population was slaves. Many of them became Christians. Paul wants to teach all people, no matter what their station in life, how to “do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus.” We can apply much of what is said here to today’s relationships between employers and employees. 7. (3:22-24) When we go to work on a daily basis, whom should we be thinking of as

our employer/boss/supervisor? 8. What difference does this make in how we work? 9. (3:25) Why would slaves have needed to hear a statement like this one? Wouldn’t it

have been more appropriate for the masters? 10. (4:1) Explain: Statements like “Be your own boss” and “You don’t have to answer to

anyone” have no place in the lives of Christians. Please read Colossians 4:2-4 with those at your table. Then complete the following exercises. We will move on to question 14 after about 10 minutes. 11. (4:2) Explain what it means to be “watchful” in this context. (Connect it with

everything else in this verse.)

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12. (4:2) It can be very difficult to devote ourselves to prayer. Please share with those at your table what your prayer-life is like. Where, when, and how do you pray? How do you determine or remember what to pray for? What keeps you from being a better pray-er? What has helped you to be a better pray-er? (Note: Your sinful nature will tempt you to hide your shortcomings or boast about your “successes” in this area. It will tempt you to despair that you are not as good of a pray-er as others, or to pride that you are better pray-er than others. This exercise is to be done in Christian love and humility. We all have fallen short of being perfect pray-ers. We are here to learn from and encourage each other.)

Use this space for writing down things or people for whom you want to pray and/or ideas to help you in your own prayer life. 13. (4:3-4) Apply these verses to our lives as Christians today. For whom or what

should we pray? We will discuss the following questions as a large group. But first, let’s read Colossians 4:5-6 together. 14. (4:5-6) Paul shifts from talking about prayer here to talking about our Christian

conduct “toward outsiders.” Explain why “the way you act” is so important, and not just “your conversation.”

15. (4:6) Salt was used as a preservative and also to give flavor to food. What does it

mean for your conversation to be “always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone”?

16. What should we do, if we “mess up” an opportunity to talk about our faith or just

don’t know what to say in a particular situation? 17. Write one key thought that you hope to remember from today’s Bible study.

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Further Questions for You to Consider This Week 18. (3:18-19) Compare Ephesians 5:22-33. To what relationship does Paul compare the

relationship between husband and wife in that section? How does that eliminate all notions of chauvinism or superiority/inferiority?

19. (4:5-6) How can we make the most of an opportunity to share the gospel with an

unbeliever without forcing our witness on an unwilling listener? 20. (4:5-6) React to this statement, and consider how you might apply it to your own

life:

No Christian should have a dull, tiresome, know-it-all monologue of his faith. Instead, Christians, who have the most exciting news in the world to share, should be able to share that message with excitement, ability to invoke interest, an understanding of the basics, a willingness to listen and discuss, and a desire to answer everyone’s questions graciously. The way words are spoken is as important as the words themselves. When we tell others about Christ, we should always be gracious in what we say. No matter how much sense the message makes, we lose our effectiveness if we are not courteous. Just as we like to be respected, we must respect others if we want them to listen to what we have to say. – B. B. Barton and P. W. Comfort in Philippians, Colossians, Philemon. Life Application Bible

Commentary: Page 229. Wheaton, Ill.: Tyndale House Publishers. Next Time: Colossians 4:7-18

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Winter 2009

Lesson Eight: Colossians 4:7-18

As we begin, please complete the following two exercises with those at your table. We’ll move on to question three after about 6 minutes. 1. Describe what means for someone to be a good friend. After two minutes, share

your description with those at your table. 2. As a matter of review, please share the “key thought” that you wanted to remember



Questions” from last week’s Bible study. 4. (4:7-9) Look at the things that Paul tells the Colossians about Tychicus. How do

mutual friends between churches strengthen fellowship? 5. When we have visitors from other WELS churches, in what ways can we use their

visit to strength our ties to their churches? 6. (4:10-11) Foreign missionaries still spend time with others from their own

homeland, even if they adopt their mission field as home. What spiritual benefit can come from spending time with others of your background?

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7. (4:10) Read Acts 12:25, Acts 15:36-39, and 2 Timothy 4:11 (which was written very near the end of Paul’s life). What lessons can Christians learn from the story of the relationship between Paul and John Mark?

8. (4:11) What sad truth does Paul mention in this verse? 9. (4:15) Many mission churches begin by meeting in the homes of members? What

advantages would there be for the church in such a location? 10. What would be the disadvantages of holding worship services in private homes? 11. (4:18) How does Paul’s conclusion to his letter bring his readers back to where he

started? How is this a fitting conclusion?

If time allows, complete the following exercise with those at your table. 12. Use the verses listed to construct a brief biography of those mentioned in Paul’s

greetings to the Colossians (Note: The book of Acts tells about events before Colossians was written; Colossians, Ephesians, and Philemon were all written at about the same time; 1 Peter and Titus were written shortly after Colossians; and 2 Timothy was written very near the end of Paul’s life)

a. Tychicus (TICK-uh-kuss) – Acts 20:4; Colossians 4:7-9; Ephesians 6:21-

22; Titus 4:12; 2 Timothy 4:12

b. Onesimus (Oh-NESS-uh-muss) – Philemon 10-18; Colossians 4:9

c. Aristarchus (air-is-TAR-kuss) – Acts 19:29; Acts 20:4; Acts 27:2; Philemon 23-24; Colossians 4:10

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d. Mark – Acts 12:12; Acts 12:25; Acts 15:36-39; Philemon 23-24; Colossians 4:10; 1 Peter 5:13; 2 Timothy 4:11

e. Jesus, who is called Justus – Colossians 4:11

f. Epaphras (EPP-a-fruss or EPP-a-frass) – Philemon 23; Colossians 1:7-8; Colossians 4:12-13

g. Luke – Luke 1:1-4; Acts 1:1-2; Philemon 24; Colossians 4:14; 2 Timothy 4:11

h. Demas (DEE-muss) – Philemon 23-24; Colossians 4:14; 2 Timothy 4:9-10

i. Nympha (NIM-fah) – Colossians 4:15

j. Archippus (ARK-kip-us) – Philemon 1-2; Colossians 4:17 13. Write one key thought that you hope to remember from today’s Bible study. 14. In the space below, write your final impressions of Paul’s letter to the Colossians,

and list key passages or important points you want to remember.

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