colossians an inductive study

colossians an inductive study

Colossians is a missionary letter... Paul wrote the book to a small congregation of recent converts for the purpose of leading them to maturity in Christ. To accomplish this Paul stressed the importance of understanding who Christ is, what He has accomplished for believers through his death and resurrection, and how they should conduct their lives as a result. A real danger along their path to maturity was the presence in Colossae of a seductive false teaching. Paul s emphasis on the person and work of Christ is therefore shaped by his desire to demonstrate to these young believers the superiority of what they already have in Christ in contrast to what these false teachers claimed to offer. This defense of the gospel is one of our earliest examples of Christian apologetics. Colossians is, therefore, a book about the gospel. It is about how to live according to the gospel and how to avoid doctrines and practices that are contrary to the gospel. As such it is a book about Christian growth and maturity. Moreover, Paul s goal with these young believers, his method and his teaching provide the modernday Christian worker with a model of how to lead others to maturity in Christ.

The Gospel on The Move Colossians 1:1-8 GETTING STARTED How has the gospel of Jesus Christ impacted your life? Colossians opens with the prayers of Paul and Timothy of thanksgiving for the people. Their gratitude is for the way the gospel has born in them the fruit of faith and love. This statement sets the stage for the entire letter: That the knowledge of God s saving work towards us in Christ bears the fruit of a changed life. 1. Write the key themes Paul introduces at the beginning of this letter. 2. What characteristics of the Colossians cause Paul to always be thankful for them? 3. Describe the relationship between faith, love and hope in verses 4 and 5. How do they fit together and why are each so essential to the spiritual life? 4. What impresses you about how the gospel was spreading? 5. Describe the movement of the gospel in 1:6. What terms does Paul use to describe its movement? What places have seen its fruit?

6. What truths of salvation do you find in verses 3-8? 7. Bond servant is a word that has Old Testament references. Read Deut 15:12-18. Give your in sight into what picture Paul is giving to one who refers to himself as a bond servant. 8. Think of the roles of Paul and Timothy. If you were in the role of Paul, what responsibilities and experiences would you give Timothy if you knew that you must pass the torch of your ministry to him in three years (as Paul eventually did with Timothy)? 9. How is the gospel continuing to bear fruit and increase in your life? 10. How are faith, love and hope being matured in your life? MY SUMMARY In one sentence, use your own words to describe the main point that Paul communicates in this passage. List up to five principles from Colossians 1:1-8. (A principle is simply a fact or command stated or implied in the passage that is relevant to your own life.) 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. Choose one principle to which you most identify to share with your Community Group. During prayer time, use this principle to guide what you pray in regards to one another.

The Knowledge of His Will Colossians 1:9-14 GETTING STARTED If you knew the will of God, how would it impact your decisions, motives, and direction in life? Paul s letter opened with a message on thanksgiving. Now, he turns from thanksgiving to intercession. His constant prayer is that this knowledge of God and His saving work will grow to full maturity so that it might produce in them an even more abundant harvest of Christian virtue. Paul desires the Colossians to be firmly established in their understanding and commitment to the gospel of Christ so that they might walk in a manner worthy of the Lord. 1. How does this passage fit with the previous one? 2. List the key words and phrases from these verses and give their meaning. According to these verses, what is true of those who believe? 3. What is the relationship between knowledge, wisdom and understanding (cf. Prov. 1:1-7)? What should they produce (cf. Col. 2:2-3)? 4. In verse 9 Paul tells the Colossians of his constant prayers for them to be filled with the knowl edge of God s will. What does Paul mean by God s will in this context? 5. How might spiritual wisdom and understanding help us to understand God s will?

{ } God s will refers to His saving will, His plan of salvation revealed in the gospel. It is His overall plan to redeem His fallen creation. It includes what He has done in the past, what He will do in the future and how He desires His people to live in the light of these truths. The aim of this letter is to remind the readers of God s will so that they might walk in accordance with it. 6. According to Paul, true knowledge leads to a life worthy of the Lord (v. 10). What qualities does such a life include (vv. 10-12)? And, how are they related to each other? 7. For what inheritance are we to be thankful? How does it relate to the redemption provided to us in 1:14? 8. What has the Father and the Son each done so that we can walk as characterized by this passage? 9. In what specific ways do you see the qualities in verses 10-12 developing in your life? 10. Are you trying to please God and do good works in your own strength? How can you depend on His Spirit this week in a new way? 11. What can you learn about praying for others from Paul s prayer to the Colossians?

MY SUMMARY In one sentence, use your own words to describe the main point that Paul communicates in this passage. List up to five principles from Colossians 1:9-14. (A principle is simply a fact or command stated or implied in the passage that is relevant to your own life.) 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. Choose one principle to which you most identify to share with your Community Group. During prayer time, use this principle to guide what you pray in regards to one another.

The Supremacy of Christ Colossians 1:15-23 GETTING STARTED What qualities come to mind when you think of a person of greatness? To carry out the purpose of instructing the young believers in the nature of God s gift of salvation and how they should live in the light of the truth, Paul gives an overview of God s work of salvation through Christ. This passage is one of the best known and most important passages in the Bible on the person of Jesus Christ. It answers the question, Who is this One into whose kingdom we have been transferred and through whom we have been redeemed? The answer is this: He is first in honor and authority in all things first in the creation, first in the new creation. 1. What qualities and attributes are given to Christ in this passage? 2. How do these verses show Jesus uniquely displaying the character and activity of the invisible God? (See also Heb. 1:1-3) How does Paul thereby explain the deity of Christ? 3. What is Christ s relationship to God and creation? 4. In relation to Paul s description of Christ as the firstborn in verses 15 and 18: a. What range of meanings can this word have? (See also Lk. 2:7; Heb. 11:28; Heb. 12:22-23; Psalm 89:27; Rom. 8:29)

b. What is the likeliest meaning of the word in this passage considering the surrounding con text? c. Paul s description of Christ as firstborn both in 1:15 and 1:18 marks two different setions in this passage. How does Paul s description of Christ change from 1:15-18a to 1:18b-20? 5. Use verses 20-23 to answer the following questions about reconciliation: a. How did Christ bring us to God? b. Why is reconciliation necessary? c. What is Christ s positioning before God? d. What is the role of faith in reconciliation with God? 6. Those truly reconciled to Christ must persevere. Paul s main focus is continuing in the truth of the gospel. With this in mind, explain the if statement of verse 23 in your own words. 7. In what ways does Paul establish both the deity and humanity of Jesus in this passage?

8. How does this teaching of Christ expand your view of Him? 9. What prevents you from continuing in the faith, firmly established and steadfast, and not moved away from the hope of the gospel (v. 23)? 10. How do the words reconcile, holy in His sight, without blemish and free from accusation (verses 22-23) motivate you to continue firm in your faith in Christ? 11. How did a recent choice you made about your time, money, or relationship reflect Christ s supreme place in your life? MY SUMMARY In one sentence, use your own words to describe the main point that Paul communicates in this passage. List up to five principles from Colossians 1:15-23. (A principle is simply a fact or command stated or implied in the passage that is relevant to your own life.) 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. Choose one principle to which you most identify to share with your Community Group. During prayer time, use this principle to guide what you pray in regards to one another.

The Labor of Ministry Colossians 1:24-2:5 GETTING STARTED Recall a time when a goal was compelling enough to cause you to suffer for it. What helped you to keep going? The book of Colossians has reached a major turning point. God has entrusted Paul with the task of making known the message of Christ among the nations with the goal of bringing every new believer to maturity in Christ. Paul continues his letter to the Colossians in order to fulfill this Godgiven ministry by bringing them to maturity. 1. Regarding Paul s role as a minister of the gospel: a. What did Paul do for the sake of the church? b. What commission did God give Paul? c. How did Paul help believers become spiritually mature? d. What kind of effort did Paul expend in preaching and teaching? 2. What is the mystery that represents the word of God in its fullness (1:26-27; 2:2-3)? { } The term mystery does not refer to something hard to understand. Instead it means a secret. Jews of Paul s day used this word to describe a secret aspect of God s purposes that could not be discovered unless God revealed it. The gospel is a divine secret in this sense. It is the account of the fulfillment of God s purpose to reconcile His fallen creation through Christ. This purpose which was long hidden has now been revealed in the gospel; therefore, this mystery is now an open secret.

3. What does Christ in you, the hope of glory mean (vs. 27)? 4. Paul s purpose is to present every man perfect in Christ (v. 28). He then continues to describe his heartfelt concern for the Colossians as a great conflict. What was Paul concerned about? 5. Paul s goal was for each of his readers to truly know God s mystery, namely Christ (2:2). Explain briefly what it means in this context to know Christ. 6. According to Paul, what are the marks of Christian maturity (2:2-5)? 7. The false teachers taught that their secret knowledge was the key to salvation. How would Paul s description of Christ (2:3-4) protect the Colossians from the fine sounding arguments being taught? 8. What fine-sounding arguments today lure us away from Christ and hinder our spiritual maturity?

9. Paul had never met the Christians in Colossae, yet he suffered for them. Why did Paul work so hard for them? 10. In what ways are you participating in seeing every person being presented complete in Christ? MY SUMMARY In one sentence, use your own words to describe the main point that Paul communicates in this passage. List up to five principles from Colossians 1:24-2:5. (A principle is simply a fact or command stated or implied in the passage that is relevant to your own life.) 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. Choose one principle to which you most identify to share with your Community Group. During prayer time, use this principle to guide what you pray in regards to one another.

The Extreme Life Makeover Colossians 2:6-15 GETTING STARTED How would you finish the following sentence: I would feel fulfilled if Here Paul encourages the Colossians to continue to walk in accordance with the teachings about Christ that they received in the beginning. Having been firmly rooted in Christ, they are to grow and develop towards Christian maturity. They must not allow themselves to be led away from this path and taken captive by deceitful teaching. He also assures them that contrary to the claims of false teachers, there is nothing inferior or lacking in the salvation Christ brings. Through their union with Him in His death, burial and resurrection, they have received the circumcision of the heart promised by the prophets and have entered the life of the new creation. 1. In 1:27, we are told the mystery is Christ in you. In our passage, how is this further described? 2. How do each of the images rooted, built up, strengthened and overflowing help us understand how we should continue to live in Christ (v. 6)? 3. In verse 8 we get the first real glimpse of the heresy being taught to the Colossians. What do we learn about it? } The false teachers at Colossae had combined worldly philosophies with the gospel. These philosophies are spoken of by Paul as the basic principles of the world. Paul s strongest indictment was that they were not according to Christ. They also taught physical bodies being evil and claim that Jesus is merely a spirit. The false teachers at Colossae had combined worldly philosophies with the gospel. These philosophies are spoken of by Paul as the basic principles of the world. Paul s strongest indictment was that they were not according to Christ. They also taught {physical bodies being evil and claim that Jesus is merely a spirit.

4. Given the knowledge of what was being taught by false teachers, how does Paul address the inaccuracy in verses 8-10? 5. In verses 11-14, what can you tell was being taught about circumcision? 6. Most of the Colossian Christians were Gentiles who had never been physically circumcised. In verses 11-14 how does Paul teach that they have been circumcised in a spiritual sense? 7. How is baptism the symbol of the believer s association with Christ s death on the cross? Why do you think Paul closely associated baptism and circumcision? 8. What resulted in our being made alive together in Him (v. 13)? 9. What kind of weapons do you think Jesus used to disarm the principalities and powers? How does this victory affect believers (v. 15)?

10. What empty philosophies today diminish Christ s supremacy and sufficiency in our lives? 11. What does fullness in Christ mean to you (v. 10)? 12. In what areas of your life do you need to experience the complete sufficiency of Christ? MY SUMMARY In one sentence, use your own words to describe the main point that Paul communicates in this passage. List up to five principles from Colossians 2:6-15. (A principle is simply a fact or command stated or implied in the passage that is relevant to your own life.) 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. Choose one principle to which you most identify to share with your Community Group. During prayer time, use this principle to guide what you pray in regards to one another.

Counterfeits Among Us Colossians 2:16-23 GETTING STARTED What kinds of counterfeit spirituality do we see in our culture today? In the first part of this book, Paul explained his reason for writing (1:24-2:5). God commissioned him to proclaim the gospel among the Gentiles, the goal being to bring every believer to maturity in Christ. It was for this purpose that he was writing to the Colossians. He then introduced a section in the letter that is most directly concerned with fulfilling this purpose. In 2:6-8, he encourages the Colossians to continue to walk in accordance with the message of Christ they received in the beginning and not allow themselves to be taken captive by a deceitful teaching. In verses 2:9-4:6, we find a description of the message received in the beginning, but with special attention to the deceptive teachings. This description fell into two parts: one doctrinal, the other applicational. Verses 9-15 focused on the doctrinal portion the blessing of salvation that comes to all at conversion and showing the superiority of these blessings to what the deceptive teaching claimed to offer. Through their union with Christ in His death, burial and resurrection, God had blotted out their sins, circumcised their hearts and granted them eternal life. 1. This section begins with Therefore. In what way is it connected to 2:6-15? 2. The false teachers were making various claims. Paul describes the claims made by the false teach ers in this passage and responds to each one: a. Verses 16-17. The Old Testament made requirements regarding diet and special days. What is being taught, and how is Paul teaching the Colossians otherwise? b. Verses 18-19. Private mystical experiences, the false teachers claimed, lead to the most advanced spiritual state. What is being taught, and how is Paul teaching the Colossians otherwise? c. Verses 20-23. The folly of those who seek visions of heaven through ceremonial practices involved harsh treatment of the body is highlighted. What is being taught, and how is Paul teaching the Colossians otherwise?

3. How did Paul encourage the Colossians to practice their freedom in Christ? 4. How did Paul challenge the legalism that had infected the church (2:20-21)? 5. How had Christ s death on the cross changed the New Testament believer s relationship to the Old Testament law? { The Jewish mystics claimed to have experienced visions in which they entered the heavenly temple and looked upon the angels in their worship of God. These Jews sought to imitate the religious practices of these angels in their daily lives. This included fasting, which they called humility. Fasting, they claimed, was an essential requirement for entering heaven. } 6. According to 2:19, the body of Christ grows as it is supported by its ligaments and sinews. Explain Paul s point in this image, and how it relates to the false teaching. 7. Jewish mystics believed that severe treatment of the body (including fasting) suppressed the pas sions of the body and promoted purity of heart and undistracted devotion to God. What does Paul say about that here and how does this contradict what was taught in 2:9-15?

Colossians 2:20-23 reveals an important insight into our broken human nature, in that it can manifest itself in many different ways. Outward behavioral actions are one way, or as we see in this passage, it can show itself in more subtle ways, such as an unscriptural kind of religiousness. This can include fasting and other forms of self-denial, as well as keeping various rituals, rules, taboos and holy days that God does not require. These types of things have the appearance of wisdom, as Paul explains in verse 23, but they only serve to gratify the flesh. 8. What do you think the religious leaders motivation was for doing these things? 9. How can you encourage other believers from falling prey to such temptations? MY SUMMARY In one sentence, use your own words to describe the main point that Paul communicates in this passage. List up to five principles from Colossians 2:16-23. (A principle is simply a fact or command stated or implied in the passage that is relevant to your own life.) 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. Choose one principle to which you most identify to share with your Community Group. During prayer time, use this principle to guide what you pray in regards to one another.

The Heavenly Mindset Colossians 3:1-17 GETTING STARTED When you find yourself no longer needing or wanting your old clothes, what do you do with them? This chapter completes Paul s application to the false teaching and begins his application to the Christian life in general. Here he explains true heavenly mindedness in contrast to the misguided claims of the false teachers. Because Christians have been raised with Christ, they already belong to the realm above. They should, therefore, set their minds on the things above by seeking to live for Christ as they wait for the day of His return when they will be transformed to be like Him. What follows is a more general application of the gospel to the Christian life. Paul begins this instruction by urging the Colossians to put to death all the sinful ways that characterized their former lives. God has made them new men in Christ, and so they must walk accordingly. They must be what they are. 1. This section begins with Since, then. In what way is it connected to 3:1-17? 2. Identify the various commands given in 3:1-11. What central idea is Paul trying to make? 3. What do you think Paul means by things above and earthly things (vv. 1-2)? 4. What is the mindset described by Paul in verses 1-4 that we are to have?

5. What do the things we put to death have in common (v. 5)? And, how can they become idolatrous? 6. Our old ways of reacting are compared to a garment we took off at conversion (vv. 8-10). Why is each type of behavior inconsistent with our new life in Christ? 7. Identify the various commands listed in 3:12-17. What central idea is Paul trying to make? 8. Why does Paul begin by reminding us of whom we are in God s sight (v. 12)? 9. What resources for change do we have (vv. 9-10, 12)? 10. Paul recognizes that grievances occur even in the church. How are his instructions for handling grievances different from the way our culture handles them (vv. 13-14)? 11. Paul also recognizes that Christians conflict with each other. How could conflicts be better managed with peace ruling in our hearts (v. 15)?

12. What does it mean to let the word of Christ dwell in us richly (v. 16)? (See also Ephesians 5:18-20.) 13. How can we set our minds on things above rather than on earthly things? 14. What new clothes would you like to put on (v. 12)? MY SUMMARY In one sentence, use your own words to describe the main point that Paul communicates in this passage. List up to five principles from Colossians 3:1-17. (A principle is simply a fact or command stated or implied in the passage that is relevant to your own life.) 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. Choose one principle to which you most identify to share with your Community Group. During prayer time, use this principle to guide what you pray in regards to one another.

Living in Community Colossians 3:18-4:1 GETTING STARTED When is it easiest to have a godly attitude towards work, family and relationships? The gospel must be applied to every aspect of the Christian life. Paul, therefore, now shifts his comments from relationships within the church to relationships within the household. These verses deal with the mutual responsibilities within three types of relationships: wives and husbands, children and parents, slaves and masters. 1. Paul outlines various relationships in 3:18-4:1. List the responsibilities and motivations for each: RELATIONSHIP RESPONSIBILITY MOTIVATION 2. The wife is to submit to the husband as is fitting in the Lord (v. 18). From what you learned in 3:5-17, what would that kind of submission include? 3. Husbands are to love their wives and not be harsh with them (v. 19). How would 3:12-17 help husbands understand what that love should be like in actions and attitudes? 4. What attitudes and actions of parents embitter or discourage their children? 5. What would it demand of a master to provide your slaves with what is right and fair (4:1)?

6. How do Paul s commands to wives/husbands, children/parents and slaves/masters address our ten dency to do the opposite? 7. How do God s instructions to families help family members become mature Christians? 8. Which of God s principles for Christian households challenge you to change? 9. How could the motivations of pleasing the Lord (v. 20) and not discouraging others (v. 21) improve relationships in your family? 10. How would obeying these instructions change how you do your job as employee or employer (v. 3:22-4:1)? MY SUMMARY In one sentence, use your own words to describe the main point that Paul communicates in this passage. List up to five principles from Colossians 3:18-4:1. (A principle is simply a fact or command stated or implied in the passage that is relevant to your own life.) 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. Choose one principle to which you most identify to share with your Community Group. During prayer time, use this principle to guide what you pray in regards to one another.

The Essentials of Ministry Colossians 4:2-18 GETTING STARTED What one piece of advice about sharing your faith would you give to a younger Christian? In this final section, Paul exhorts the Colossians to pray persistently, with alertness and thanksgiving. In particular he asks that they intercede for him in his God-given task of proclaiming the gospel. In addition, the letter is brought to a close with various greetings, final instructions and a brief benediction. While perhaps not as rich in spiritual content as earlier sections, these closing verses provide us with many valuable insights into the circumstances of the Colossians and the identity of Paul s co-workers. 1. In verses 2-6 Paul teaches us how to speak to God about people and how to speak to people about God. Why would he tell us to devote ourselves to prayer (v. 2)? 2. Paul could have asked the church to pray for his release from prison. What requests does he make instead (vv.3-4)? Why? 3. What advice does Paul give us about the way we live and converse with non-christians (vv. 5-6)? 4. Why does Paul use the imagery of seasoned with salt to describe the kind of speech necessary to respond to each person (Matt. 5:13)? What characteristics does salt possess that make it an ap propriate image for wise speech?

5. Paul concludes this letter with numerous personal messages and greetings. What qualities in people does Paul affirm and why (vv. 7-18)? 6. What does this passage reveal about the individual and ministerial needs Paul had as a servant of the Lord? What characteristics were true of him and his ministry that made him effective? 7. How did Paul set an example for mature interpersonal relationships? 8. Why is it such a struggle to remain devoted, alert, and thankful in prayer? What practical steps can we take to grow in prayer? 9. In what ways might you be wise in the way you act toward outsiders and make the most of every opportunity (v. 5)? 10. In 4:17, Archippus was instructed to See to it that you complete the work you have received in the Lord. What ministry do you sense the Lord asking you to fulfill? 11. Use verses 3-4 to pray for yourself, your group, and your church. Ask God to make you aware of every opportunity to influence nonbelievers to consider Jesus.

MY SUMMARY In one sentence, use your own words to describe the main point that Paul communicates in this passage. List up to five principles from Colossians 4:2-18. (A principle is simply a fact or command stated or implied in the passage that is relevant to your own life.) 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. Choose one principle to which you most identify to share with your Community Group. During prayer time, use this principle to guide what you pray in regards to one another. This study was compiled using the following resources: Grace Bible Church, College Station, Texas, Study of Colossians Colossians, Biblical Education by Extension, by Jim Routt First Congregational Church, Holden, MA, Colossians Resources