Bible Study Snacks - Colossians 3:1-25; 4:1

Hi, everyone!

Happy Friday, and welcome to Bible Study Snacks! Thank you for joining me again as we walk together through the richness of God's spoken word, and wisdom. I pray that you had a great week, and that today finds you in good health, and strong in faith!

This week, we will continue our study of the Book of Colossians. These studies are brief, yet packed full of good information for everyone regardless of your level of biblical knowledge. I might also add that these quick studies make perfect small group discussion starters!

As always, I whole-heartedly believe in the importance that any Bible study should begin with prayer. If you have your Bible ready, let us pray together...

"Heavenly father, please guide us as we study your Word today; I pray that our hearts and our minds will be open so that we will not only receive your Gospel, but learn from it as well; you are the Light of the world, Lord, and your Spirit will illuminate our path as we journey through your teachings. In the name of Jesus Christ, Our Lord and Savior. Amen"

If you are taking notes for yourself, or using this for a bible study with others, here are the objectives for this week's lesson...

OBJECTIVES: This week, the reader will...

1) See what Paul offers as the Christian solution in dealing with the problem of sin.
2) Understand what our responsibilities are as "the elect of God, holy and beloved."

For your convenience, here is a summary of this week's lesson, specifically Colossians 3:1-25; 4:1

Having warned the brethren of the "Colossian Heresy,"and the need to be established in the faith of Jesus Christ, Paul now offers a detailed description of "The Christian Solution" to the problem of sin in their lives. Rather than being deceived or swayed by false alternatives, they need to seek those things above, where Christ is, to set theirminds on things above and not on the earth. This is because they have been raised with Christ (cf. Colossians 2:12) and their life is now hidden in Christ, awaiting the day of His coming in which they will appear with Him in glory (Colossians 3:1-4).

With minds set on Christ, they need to "put to death" those sins in which their earthly members engaged, and upon which the wrath of God is coming. This is done by "putting off" the old man with his deeds, and "putting on" the new man who is being renewed in knowledge after the image of Christ. The deeds of the old man and the characteristics of the new man are defined by Paul, followed with exhortations to allow the "peace of God" to rule in their hearts and to let the "word of Christ" dwell in them richly. He also charges them to do all things in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father (Colossians 3:5-17).

As so much of their daily lives revolve around the home, Paul also addresses the responsibilities of various family members as they serve the Lord (Colossians 3:18-4:1).

REVIEW QUESTIONS:

1) What two-fold charge is given to those who have been raised with Christ? (Colossians 3:1-2)
2) Where is our "life" at the present?  When shall it appear? (Colossians 3:3-4)
3) What sins are we to "put to death"? (Colossians 3:5)
4) Why must we put them to death? (Colossians 3:6)
5) What other sins must we "put off"? (Colossians 3:8,9)
6) What have we "put off", and what have we "put on"? (Colossians 3:9-10)
7) As God's elect (chosen), holy and beloved, what are we to "put on"? (Colossians 3:12-14)
8) What must we allow the "peace of God" do? (Colossians 3:15)
9) What must we allow the "word of Christ" do? (Colossians 3:16)
10) How are we to teach and admonish one another? (Colossians 3:16)
11) How are we to do all things, whether in word or deed? (Colossians 3:17)
12) What is the duty of wives? (Colossians 3:18)
13)  What is the duty of husbands? (Colossians 3:19)
14) What is the duty of children? (Colossians 3:20)
15) What is the duty of fathers? (Colossians 3:21)
16) What is the duty of servants? (Colossians 3:22-23)
17) What positive motivation is there for a servant to so act?  What negative motivation? (Colossians 3:24-25)
18) What is the duty of masters?  What motivation is offered to do this? (Colossians 4:1)

After completing this week's study, I encourage you to go back and read through the material again. Take your time and read each topic and scripture reference as many times as you feel necessary. Keep in mind that by doing this, you just might see something new that you overlooked the first time around!

As we journey through the Bible together, I will continue to pray that God’s message will come through to you loud and crystal clear. Until next time, I wish everyone a blessed week!

God bless you!

Sheri