Paul Magnified Christ in Prison

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SESSION FIVE Paul Magnified Christ in Prison SESSION SUMMARY In this session, we explore the letter Paul wrote to the church at Colossae after Epaphras informed him that heretical teachings were

1 SESSION FIVE Paul Magnified Christ in Prison SESSION SUMMARY In this session, we explore the letter Paul wrote to the church at Colossae after Epaphras informed him that heretical teachings were running through the church. Paul s letter pointed the church to the person and work of Jesus Christ. The cross of Christ is not just a theory for theologians to consider; it s a real-life, real-time reality that heals, restores, and reconciles. As we read Paul s words in this session, we will aim in three directions upward, inward, and outward. For through the cross, Christ reconciled us to the Father, reconciles all things in Himself, and reconciles us to one another. SCRIPTURE Colossians 1:15 2:3 46 Leader Guide / Session 5

2 THE POINT Jesus is restoring the world, us to God, and us to one another. INTRO/STARTER 5-10 MINUTES Option 1 On September 11, 2001, the world watched in horror as two hijacked Boeing 767s crashed into the Twin Towers of the World Trade Center in New York City, and one Boeing 757s was flown into the Pentagon and another in a field in southwest Pennsylvania. It was the deadliest attack on the United States since Pearl Harbor, about sixty years earlier. Those trapped in the towers faced impossible decisions. Some made final phone calls to loved ones and waited for the inevitable. Others tried to descend crowded stairwells through the intense flames. Still others did the unthinkable and leapt from the building one hundred stories from the ground. In time, both towers collapsed along with the hearts of people around the world. What you probably haven t read in a textbook is that on September 16, 2001 the Sunday following the attack church attendance spiked. Pews that were usually empty were packed with visitors rushing to religion for answers. Why did God allow this evil to happen? Where was Jesus Christ when the towers fell? What would happen to me if I died? During his imprisonment in Rome, Paul had to address difficult questions like these in his letter to the church of Colossae. Unlike Philippi, Paul had never visited Colossae. He had a friend in Colossae named Philemon and hoped to make a visit after being released. Paul even asked Philemon to prepare a guest room for me (Philem. 1:22), but he would never make it to Colossae. What other tough questions about God have you or others you know asked? How would you answer some of these questions? Option 2 If your church has hymn books, borrow a few for your group time today. If not, find the lyrics to some popular hymns and print them out. Allow students a few minutes to look through the hymnals or printed pages, then ask: Which hymn is your favorite? Which line did you connect with most? Students may have the perception that hymns are only sung in smaller, more traditional churches. Or maybe hymns are something they associate with their grandparents. But hymns find their roots in the Bible in the Psalms (hymns of praise) and even in Colossians. Just as hymns help us worship Jesus today, they helped the early church express praise and worship as well. In fact, Colossians 1:15-20 contains a hymn of praise to Jesus that focuses on his relationship to creation and to the redemption of creation. The Gospel Project for Students 47

3 HIS STORY MINUTES THE POINT Jesus is restoring the world, us to God, and us to one another. CHARACTERS Paul: former persecutor who became a Christ-follower and apostle to the Gentiles PLOT We now turn our attention to another of Paul s prison letters: the letter to the church at Colossae. Like many of Paul s other churches, the church at Colossae was experiencing both internal and external difficulties. In Paul s day, Colossae (located in modern Turkey) was one corner of a tri-city along with its wealthy neighbors, Laodicea and Hierapolis. There were some inner struggles between believers, for sure. But in addition to that, the church at Colossae began to flirt with some dangerous heresy that would eventually cause trouble for many churches in the decades to follow. 48 Leader Guide / Session 5

4 TIMELINE CHRIST IS PREEMINENT Paul magnifies Christ in prison. JESUS RECONCILES ALL THINGS We don t know exactly what kind of heresy the Colossian church had received, but it consisted of at least three threads woven together: Greek philosophy (Col. 2:8), pagan practices (Col. 2:23; 3:5), and the roots of Gnosticism (Col. 2:9) a heresy that would seduce the church in subsequent centuries and pull at the very fabric of the Christian faith. Paul recognized the danger of Gnosticism in its infancy, which prompted him to call on the church to look upward to the one true Christ. 15 He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation. GOSPEL RECONCILIATION The gospel restores broken relationships. DAY OF THE LORD The future hope for all Christians 16 For by him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities all things were created through him and for him. 17 And he is before all things, and in him all things hold together. 18 And he is the head of the body, the church. He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in everything he might be preeminent. 19 For in him all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell, 20 and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether on earth or in heaven, making peace by the blood of his cross. (Col. 1:15-20) To correct the Colossians misunderstanding of Christ, Paul used what many believe was an early church hymn that expressed Christ s supremacy as Creator. The Son of God was not created; He is the agent of creation itself having existed before everything, and all things were created by, through, and for Him (v. 16). Moreover, He holds everything together (v. 17) Christ did not create everything and walk away, leaving creation to fend for itself. He continues to be actively involved in His creation. The Son of God is Creator and Sustainer of all. Why did Paul begin his assault on the heresy plaguing the Colossian church here, with the beginning of all beginnings, and the affirmation that Christ is creator of everything? Because at the core of Gnosticism was a sharp distinction between what is physical and spiritual. The Gnostics believed only the spiritual was good; everything physical all of creation was evil. This is why they denied that Jesus was human. The Son of God could not have taken on the flesh because that would have meant He had clothed Himself in evil. Instead, the Gnostics argued that Jesus wasn t really human, He merely appeared to be. Paul addressed this directly in verse 22, saying that Jesus reconciled us through His physical body, and in the following chapter when he wrote that God s full nature dwells in Christ s body (2:9). Christ, in whom the fullness of divinity dwells (v. 19), is preeminent, or firstborn, over all creation. Firstborn is an interesting term to use when speaking The Gospel Project for Students 49

5 of eternal God. How can Christ be firstborn if He is Creator? The answer is that this term doesn t mean what it sounds like. When we read that Christ is firstborn, it is difficult not to think He was born first. But that is not what firstborn means here; instead, Christ being firstborn means He is first in rank. He is supreme over all creation, which makes sense because the Creator is always greater than His creation. JESUS RECONCILES PEOPLE TO GOD Paul began by guiding the Colossians to look upward at Christ s work to reconcile all of creation. Then, he turned their focus to Christ s work to reconcile people to God. 21 And you, who once were alienated and hostile in mind, doing evil deeds, 22 he has now reconciled in his body of flesh by his death, in order to present you holy and blameless and above reproach before him, 23 if indeed you continue in the faith, stable and steadfast, not shifting from the hope of the gospel that you heard, which has been proclaimed in all creation under heaven, and of which I, Paul, became a minister. (Col. 1:21-23) The light of the cross shines brightest when it is viewed in front of a dark backdrop of sin. For the Colossians to see the brilliance of Christ reconciling them through His death, they first had to remember their desperate need for reconciliation. So Paul kindly reminded the church of who they were before Christ. They were alienated from God. They were hostile toward God. And they expressed this hostility through their evil actions. It wasn t just creation that needed reconciliation. It wasn t just the heretics who had infiltrated the church either. The Colossians needed to remember daily that they also needed to be made right with God. Just as Christ is preeminent in His reconciling creation, He is also preeminent in His reconciling us to God which He accomplished through taking on the flesh and laying down His life on our behalf. Because of the blood He shed on the cross, we are no longer alienated, hostile, and evil. That is the old person who was put to death with Christ on the cross. In that person s place, we have received new life new identity in Christ. And it is this new person who has been declared holy, faultless, and blameless Christ presents to the Father. This is the fundamental change of Christ s reconciliation. He has undone sin s curse. He has restored what was broken. He has made right what was wrong. He has accomplished this work of reconciliation, not us. And this is why He receives all the glory of our salvation. How have you been changed from who you were before Christ? How does Christ continue to change you? (p. 35, PSG) 50 Leader Guide / Session 5

6 JESUS RECONCILES PEOPLE WITH ONE ANOTHER TIMELINE The church at Colossae was indeed a tree planted by streams of water (Ps. 1:3) the cold, refreshing waters of the Lycus River. Neighboring Hierapolis had springs of water too boiling Jacuzzi water rich in minerals that still attracts visitors to this day. But the third city, Laodicea, had a water problem. Laodicean water was tepid, sulfuric, and nauseating so water was transported to the city from five miles away using an aqueduct. Paul wrote a letter to the church at Laodicea, but so far, it has not been discovered (Col. 4:16). But Jesus would also write a letter to the Laodiceans through John on the isle of Patmos. Jesus informed them that He knew their works they were not hot or cold, but lukewarm (Rev. 3:15-16). In other words, the way they were behaving was neither hot enough for a bath nor cold enough for a drink. And for that, Jesus said He would spit them out of His mouth (Rev. 3:16). Paul mentioned Laodicea in his letter to the Colossians. Like Jesus, Paul was equally nauseated by their behavior and encouraged them to be united in love. DEFEND THE FAITH Guarding the truth against false teachers. WHERE IS JESUS? God s patience and mercy in Jesus absence JOHN S VISION Jesus is the First and the Last. 24 Now I rejoice in my sufferings for your sake, and in my flesh I am filling up what is lacking in Christ s afflictions for the sake of his body, that is, the church, 25 of which I became a minister according to the stewardship from God that was given to me for you, to make the word of God fully known, 26 the mystery hidden for ages and generations but now revealed to his saints. 27 To them God chose to make known how great among the Gentiles are the riches of the glory of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory. 28 Him we proclaim, warning everyone and teaching everyone with all wisdom, that we may present everyone mature in Christ. 29 For this I toil, struggling with all his energy that he powerfully works within me. 1 For I want you to know how great a struggle I have for you and for those at Laodicea and for all who have not seen me face to face, 2 that their hearts may be encouraged, being knit together in love, to reach all the riches of full assurance of understanding and the knowledge of God s mystery, which is Christ, 3 in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge. (Col. 1:24 2:3) Here s Paul s point: The same Christ who reconciled us upwardly to the Father also reconciles us outwardly to one another. The cross goes vertically, but it also extends horizontally. Our reconciliation with God is firmly attached to our reconciliation with others. In fact, Jesus even told his disciples to pray for forgiveness as they also forgave all who were indebted to them (Luke 11:4). The Laodiceans couldn t compete with their more mature sister city, Colossae (founded four hundred years earlier). Colossae claimed deeper cultural heritage, richer exports, better jewelry, and fresher water. She had better real estate too, being located on the Royal Road. The Gospel Project for Students 51

7 But both churches were struggling. Between the heresy of Colossae and the apathy of Laodicea, Paul challenged them to be joined or knit together in love. It s true. Not all churches in the Mediterranean looked the same, struggled with the same sins, or had the same amount of resources. But they did all share something (or Someone) in common: the head of the church body, which is Jesus Christ (Col. 1:18). Paul encouraged the church to be joined or knit together in love because he knew how hostile churches could be. Paul was not assuming here. He was speaking from personal, pastoral experience. Even though Christ has reconciled us to one another, there is still work for us to do. And that work is not easy. It is difficult to truly love others, and it is difficult for others to truly love us. But it is worth the effort. The more Christ s church is joined together as one in love, the more we will know Christ and be able to live for Him. What do you think Paul would write about the love within your church? (p. 36, PSG) Christ as Reconciliation (p. 35, PSG) Ever since the fall of the first man and woman in the garden of Eden, God and human beings have been estranged. Sin resulted not only in an estranged relationship with God, but also in enmity (hostility) between God and humanity. Sin is an infinite offense against an infinite God. Thankfully, God loves His enemies and has sent Christ to be the reconciler between us and God. Through Christ s death, God provides the means by which that broken relationship is restored and renewed (Rom. 6:23; 2 Cor. 5:18-19). CHRIST CONNECTION In prison, Paul encouraged God s people by proclaiming the magnificence of Christ His identity as God s Son and His work on the cross to reconcile us to God. Christian growth and maturity does not take place through moving beyond the gospel to other Bible teaching but through continually refocusing our attention on Christ, who is the focus of Scripture and the head of the church. 52 Leader Guide / Session 5

8 YOUR STORY MINUTES GROUP QUESTIONS God s Story has always been designed to connect with your story. It is because of His Story that our stories make sense, have meaning, and carry on into eternity. Use the questions below to help think through how His Story connects with your own. Why do you think it matters that Christ will reconcile all things? Christ came to undo the curse that sin brought. Sin opened the door to a broken relationship with God, with others, and with the world around us. Jesus will one day fully restore what was lost in the Garden of Eden. When that happens, we will be able to fully experience what those relationships were always intended to be. Based on your own love toward other believers, how would the world judge you? Answers will vary. Whom in the church do you need to reconcile with either by seeking forgiveness or extending forgiveness today? Answers will vary. What has stood out to you during this lesson? Answers will vary. HIS STORY God s Story of Redemption, through His Son, Jesus Christ. YOUR STORY Where your story meets His. The Gospel Project for Students 53

9 YOUR MISSION MINUTES HEAD Heresies like the ones Paul was dealing with in the first century never develop over night. Churches usually shift toward them gradually, slowly drifting with the current of the times. Have you experienced this in your own life? Have you ever entertained a particular sin, and before you knew it, you were consumed by it? Heresy happens that same way. It begins with one small step away from the gospel, when we fail to surrender all of ourselves to the whole and holy Word of God. What are some modern day heresies that depart from God s Word and deceive people? One popular teaching is the health, wealth, and prosperity gospel, which seeks to convince people that they must not be living faithful Christian lives if they aren t healthy, wealthy, and prosperous. What are some ways we can better protect ourselves from bad theology? The best way to spot a counterfeit is to spend your time with what s genuine. If you read and reread your Bible, study it, pray over it, and hide it within your heart, then you will set yourself up for success as you come across counterfeit gospels. HEART Did you catch the word if that begins verse 23? We are reconciled and will be presented holy, faultless, and blameless if we remain grounded in the faith. Is Paul saying reconciliation comes through our ability to remain grounded? On the contrary, he is saying our being grounded is how we know we have been saved. Our persistent belief and continual hope in the gospel is evidence in our lives of God s work of salvation in us. What are some other evidences of God s Spirit working within us? The best place to look for evidences of God s Spirit at work is what Paul says in Gal 5:22-26 on the fruit of the Spirit. What are some ways we can be better grounded in the gospel in our own lives? Answers will vary. HANDS Remembering that Christ created everything and that He sustains everything meaning that He continues to care for His creation even after the fall not only informs our understanding of who He is, but how we should live as part of creation. Christ is preeminent over creation, and every single atom of it exists for His glory. Christ is concerned with the world around us, which means we should be as well. How should knowing that Christ created and sustains the world influence the way we live? The reality of Jesus present reign and His future return and restoration of all things should make us reflect on how we live. If we are genuine believers seeking to make much of Him with our lives, then the reality of His reign in our hearts should motivate us to act, talk, and love a certain way. How does the fact that Christ created and sustains all things speak into issues like littering, recycling, and endangered species? Explain. In short, yes, but encourage students to think of ways in which this is true. 54 Leader Guide / Session 5

ADDITIONAL INFO ADDITIONAL RESOURCES Check out the following additional

Additional suggestions for specific groups are available at GospelProject.

10 ADDITIONAL INFO ADDITIONAL RESOURCES Check out the following additional resources: Leader Training Videos One Conversations Midweek Studies (to access your Midweek Study, go to lifeway.com/tgpsum18rev) Circular Timeline Poster App (for both leader and student) Additional suggestions for specific groups are available at GospelProject.com/AdditionalResources And for free online training on how to lead a group visit MinistryGrid.com/web/TheGospelProject The Gospel Project for Students 55

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