April 29, 2017
This week is the first in a series of studies on Colossians.
a. History
The city of Colosse was 160 km east of Ephesus on the Lycus River. It was not as influential as the nearby city of Laodicea, but as a trading center, it was a crossroads for ideas and religions. Colosea had a large Jewish population – many Jews had fled there when they were forced out of Jerusalem under the persecutions of Antiochus Third and Fourth almost 200 years before Christ. The church in Colosse had been founded by Epaphras (Colossians 1:7), one of Paul’s converts. Paul had not yet visited this church. His purpose in writing was to refute heretical teachings about Christ that had been causing confusion among the Christians there. #
b. Read Colossians 1:1-6. What does Paul’s words tell us about them?
Read Colossians 1:9-14.
What are the things he prayed for them and desired would be evident in their lives? Discuss, “Are these things we can pray about for others?” Give reasons for your answer.
What are the things Paul mentions which we have a part to play in based on our choices and attitude and what are those things which are all God’s doing?
Compare Paul’s prayer in Colossians 1;9-14 and those in Ephesians 1:16-19, 3:16-19. What are the similarities and differences?
Discuss Paul’s emphasis on spiritual matters and lack of physical/material matters. What does this teach you about priorities and focus when praying for yourself and others? See also Jesus emphasis in Matthew 6:25-34 esp. v.31-33.
Read Colossians 1:15-20. Itemize verse by verse what Paul says about Christ… who He is and what He has done.
Discuss the following:
This is one of the strongest statements about the Divine Nature of Christ found anywhere in the Bible. Jesus is not only equal to God (Philippians 2:6), He is God (John 10:30, 38, 12:45, 14:1-11) as the visible image of the invisible God, He is exact representation of God. He not only reflects God, but He reveals God to us (John 1:18, 14:9), as supreme over all creation, He has all the priority and authority. He came from Heaven, not from the dust of the earth (1 Corinthians 15:47), and He is Lord of all (Romans 9:5, 10:11-13, Revelations1:5, 17:14). He is completely Holy (Hebrews 7:26-28, 1 Peter 1:19, 2:22, 1 John 3:5) and He has the authority to judge the world (Romans 2:16, 2 Corinthians 5:10, 2 Timothy 4:1). Therefore, Christ is supreme over all creation including the spirit world. We, like the Colossian believers, must believe in the Deity of Jesus Christ (that Jesus is God) or our Christian faith is hollow, misdirected and meaningless. This is a central truth of Christianity. We must appose those who say that Jesus was merely a prophet or a good teacher. #
Who are some present day cults that don’t believe these things about Christ, especially His Divinity? How would you guard against and oppose their false teaching. How would you answer those who believe contrary to what Paul taught the Colossians and what Gods Word consistently tells us about who Christ is and what He has done for mankind?
As a believer having put your faith in Christ as your Savior and are reconciled to God through Him how does God now see you? Colossians 1:22.
Consider the following…
The way to be free from sin is to trust in Jesus Christ to take it away. We must stand firmly in the truth of the Good News, putting our confidence in Jesus Christ alone to forgive our sins, to make us right with God and to empower us to live the way He desires. When a judge in a court of law declares the defendant not guilty, the person is acquitted of all the accusations or charges. Legally, it is if as he or she has never been accused. When God forgives our sins, our record is wiped clean. From His perspective, it is as though we had never sinned. God’s solution is available to you. No matter what you have done or what you have been like, God’s forgiveness is for you. #
As a result what does Paul emphasis in Colossians 1:23? Discuss how you do this. See also 2 Peter 1:3-15. What are some practical steps you can follow to ensure you are doing this?
#Taken from ‘Life Application Study Bible’