COLOSSIANS –Lesson 6

Learn:
As ye have therefore received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk ye in him.
Rooted and built up in him,
stablished in the faith,
as ye have been taught,
abounding therein with thanksgiving.

Colossians 2:6, 7

Read: Colossians 2:1-10

So far the letter to the Colossians has been general and in preparation for what is to follow. Now the writer begins to indicate his special reason for writing. The Apostle begins now in chapter two to teach why Christianity is exalted above every form of man’s thinking.

1. Though Paul has never met the Christians in Colosse, What is his feeling toward them? v 1

2. When Paul speaks of this “conflict,” what is he talking about? Colossians 4:12

3. Because Paul knew of the mischief at work in Colosse and the discouragement that comes to believer’s hearts when false teaching creeps into the church, what four things does he desire for these Christians? v 2

NOTE: The “heart,” in Biblical language, is not the seat of feeling only, but stands for the whole inner man, as the ‘vital center” of his personality. -The mind, will and emotion.

4. Sometimes Christians may think that the love spoken of between fellow believers is optional, and that we can choose to love some but not others. This idea however, is not Biblical thinking. When the believers in a fellowship are being “knit together in love,” what will it accomplish?

John 13:34, 35

What will this love display? John 15:12

What does this love indicate? I John 4:7

5. We see how that the “understanding to the acknowledgement of the mystery of God is coupled with being “knit together in love.” Why is it so important that love (charity) and knowledge work together? I Corinthians 13:1, 2

6. From I Corinthians 13:4-8, how is the love (charity) that we are supposed to exhibit
practically lived out?

7. According to Ephesians 4:12-16, what will result from Christians having the combination of “being knit together in love” and “having all the riches of understanding” of the “mystery of God the Father and of Christ?” Refer to verse 1-6 for context.

4:12a

4:12b

4:12c

4:13a

4:13c

4:14

4:15a

4:15b

4:16a, b

4:16c

8. Why shouldn’t a believer in Jesus look anywhere but to him for all the wisdom and understanding they need for living their life every day? v 3

NOTE: Through the ages men have searched for “hidden” wisdom (secret knowledge) in order to satisfy their desire of the heart as well as the intellect. Men have used occult techniques and consulted the “spirits.” Such search for knowledge is forbidden in God’s Word and only leads to entrapment by the evil one, and disappointment.

9. When it comes to solving life dilemma’s is there anything missing from God’s Word, so that a person should look to the world’s philosophy for help? vv 9, 10 Explain.

10. Speaking practically, what are some areas that we might look to men’s ideas for help in solving our problems, rather than looking to God’s Word?

11. How can a believer be led away from Christ into following the worldly philosophy? v 4 Also see Romans 16:18.

12. Give a definition of the word beguile.

Explain how such words lead a person away from Christ.

13. In verse 5 Paul again reminds these Christians that he has joy in them, though he is not physically present with them. What is the reason for his joy?

14. What is the antidote to being led away by enticing words? v 6

15. Remind us again of what is meant by receiving Christ Jesus the Lord.
Galatians 3:26; I Thessalonians 2:13

16. How do we “walk in him?” Colossians 1:10

Romans 6:6-13 (Especially note verses 6, 12, 13.)

17. If we are in Christ, what is to follow? v 7
NOTE : Christ is the ground for the roots below, and the foundation for the building above. Again this takes us back to the fact that ALL the wisdom and knowledge is in him. PULPIT COMMENTARY The Epistle to the Colossians pp 84, 85

18. The Colossians are reminded that what they need for their spiritual growth has been
imparted to them. How? v 7b Also see II Thessalonians 2:15

19. Why is thanksgiving in the life of a Christian a necessary part of producing growth? Philippians 4:10-13; I Timothy 6:6-8; Hebrews 13:5

20. It is not our natural inclination to be thankful, so we are often reminded in Paul’s letters to remember to be thankful. Use a concordance to find several verses that remind us to be thankful to the Lord.