Searches every word across every teaching, article, and Q&A on the site.
Searches every word across every teaching, article, and Q&A on the site.
Strengthened for Endurance and Patience
Video Coming Soon
Audio and transcript are available below
Strengthen your faith and spiritual understanding through a heartfelt exploration of Colossians, as we embrace God's Word together and discover its rich insights for our daily lives.
COLOSSIANS Walking in Strength & Power g A Devotional Bible Study by Sue LeBoutillier CopyrightÊ©Ê2014ÊSueÊLeBouƟllier PublishedÊby: CalvaryÊChapelÊÊ—ÊOntario,ÊOregon g Colossians—Walking in Strength & Power g TheÊkeyÊwordsÊinÊtheÊaboveÊverseÊ—Êstrengthen,Êpower, andÊendur- ance — expressÊtheÊcoreÊmessageÊofÊthisÊBibleÊstudy.ÊWheneverÊweÊ studyÊGod’sÊWordÊit’sÊlikeÊspiritualÊexercise,ÊweÊstrengthen our spir- itual condiƟon. A strengthened faith helpsÊusÊcombatÊthreatsÊthatÊ comeÊagainstÊourÊheartsÊandÊminds,ÊbothÊfromÊwithinÊandÊwithout. ProverbsÊ14:12ÊtellsÊus:Ê There is a way that seems right to a man, but in the end it leads to death. So,ÊthereÊisÊaÊlotÊatÊstake!ÊWeÊcan’tÊaffordÊtoÊcobbleÊtogetherÊbitsÊandÊ piecesÊofÊspiritualÊthoughtsÊthatÊseem right,ÊorÊfeel right.ÊNeitherÊcanÊ weÊaffordÊtoÊneglectÊourÊspiritualÊhealthÊaltogether.ÊWeÊneedÊregularÊ habitsÊofÊinvesƟgaƟng,Êstudying,Êhearing,ÊbuildingÊprecept-upon- preceptÊunƟlÊweÊfindÊourselvesÊfilled with the knowledge of his will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding (ColossiansÊ1:9). AsÊyouÊstudyÊthroughÊColossians,ÊIÊprayÊyouÊwillÊuseÊeachÊporƟonÊofÊ ScriptureÊasÊaÊmeansÊtoÊstrengthen yourÊfaithÊand yourÊspiritualÊÊÊÊÊ understanding.ÊGod’sÊWordÊisÊsoÊrichÊandÊdenseÊthatÊtheÊÊbabyÊinÊ Christ,ÊasÊwellÊasÊtheÊmatureÊbeliever,ÊcanÊallÊreceiveÊnewÊandÊvitalÊ insightsÊthatÊapplyÊtoÊyourÊuniqueÊlivesÊeachÊday,ÊasÊtheÊHolyÊSpiritÊ opensÊyourÊheartsÊandÊminds.Ê ThisÊwillÊbeÊaÊverse-by-verseÊBibleÊstudyÊinÊaÊfour-day-a-weekÊformat.ÊÊÊ AsÊaÊbonus,ÊoverÊtheÊcourseÊofÊtheseÊnineÊweeks,Êyou’llÊwriteÊoutÊtheÊ enƟreÊbookÊofÊColossiansÊinÊyourÊownÊhandwriƟng.ÊSo,ÊchooseÊaÊ notebookÊorÊpreƩyÊjournalÊforÊwriƟngÊyourÊversesÊeachÊday.ÊÊ May you be strengthened with all power, according to his glorious might, for all endurance and patience with joy. Colossians 1:11
WhenÊyouÊbeginÊtoÊwrite,ÊyouÊmayÊwantÊtoÊdouble-spaceÊtoÊgiveÊ yourselfÊsomeÊextraÊroomÊforÊtheÊsuggestedÊmarkingsÊthatÊwillÊcomeÊ upÊinÊthisÊstudyÊguide. ThisÊstudyÊguideÊisÊintendedÊtoÊbeÊcompletedÊindependentlyÊbeforeÊ youÊlistenÊtoÊtheÊteaching.ÊIfÊyou’reÊmeeƟngÊwithÊaÊfriendÊorÊsmallÊ group,ÊtheÊidealÊmethodÊwouldÊbeÊtoÊ1)ÊstudyÊtheÊScripturesÊonÊyourÊ ownÊfirstÊ(includingÊwriƟngÊinÊyourÊjournal),Ê2)ÊlistenÊtoÊtheÊteachingÊ (privatelyÊorÊinÊyourÊgroup),ÊandÊthenÊ3)ÊdiscussÊtheÊweek’sÊlessonÊandÊ prayÊtogetherÊaboutÊapplyingÊtheÊpassagesÊtoÊyourÊlife. MayÊtheÊLordÊrichlyÊblessÊyouÊasÊyouÊstudyÊHisÊWord! Sue LeBoutillier sue@ccontario.com TheÊbestÊtranslaƟonÊofÊtheÊBibleÊtoÊuseÊisÊtheÊoneÊyouÊunderstandÊ bestÊandÊusingÊmoreÊthanÊoneÊtranslaƟonÊcanÊbeÊaÊusefulÊ aidÊinÊyourÊstudy!ÊThisÊstudyÊguideÊwasÊcreatedÊusingÊaÊ combinaƟonÊofÊtheÊESVÊ(EnglishÊStandardÊVersion)Ê andÊtheÊNIVÊ(NewÊInternaƟonalÊVersionÊ1984). ToÊlistenÊtoÊtheÊaudioÊteachingsÊforÊthisÊBibleÊStudyÊgoÊto:ÊÊ ccontario.com/womens-studiesÊÊ
I’mÊgladÊyou’veÊjoinedÊusÊforÊthisÊWomenÊofÊtheÊWordÊBibleÊStudy.Ê TheÊfirstÊstepÊinÊanyÊBibleÊstudyÊisÊtoÊgatherÊinformaƟonÊandÊgainÊaÊbigÊ pictureÊperspecƟveÊofÊtheÊbook.ÊThat’sÊwhatÊWeekÊOneÊisÊaboutÊ—Ê introducƟonÊandÊpreparaƟon.ÊWe’llÊdoÊthatÊinÊthreeÊsteps: IfÊyouÊwereÊwithÊusÊatÊourÊfirstÊgathering,ÊthenÊyouÊallÊhaveÊbeenÊ briefedÊonÊtheÊhistoryÊandÊpurposeÊofÊthisÊbook.ÊBut,ÊifÊyouÊmissedÊ thatÊgathering,ÊorÊifÊyou’reÊpickingÊupÊthisÊstudyÊguideÊatÊaÊlaterÊdate,Ê you’llÊwantÊtoÊgoÊtoÊourÊwebsiteÊandÊlistenÊtoÊtheÊIntroducƟon.ÊThisÊ canÊbeÊfoundÊat: www.ccontario.com/wow/colossians WeekÊOne—IntroducƟon OnceÊyou’veÊlistenedÊtoÊthatÊoverview,Êyou’reÊreadyÊforÊstepÊtwo. Remember,ÊourÊgoalÊisÊSpiritualÊStrengthÊTraining!ÊWeÊwantÊtoÊbeÊspir- ituallyÊfitÊinÊorderÊtoÊbeÊableÊtoÊstandÊourÊgroundÊandÊflourishÊinÊanyÊ situaƟonÊthatÊtheÊLordÊallowsÊinÊourÊlives.Ê InÊtheÊsameÊwayÊthatÊphysicalÊstrengthÊtrainingÊisÊhelpedÊalongÊbyÊ specialÊequipmentÊlikeÊweights;ÊspiritualÊtrainingÊcanÊbeÊhelpedÊbyÊ specialÊequipmentÊasÊwell.ÊSomeÊofÊtheÊequipmentÊthatÊwillÊhelpÊyouÊ most,ÊwillÊbe: · YouÊownÊBibleÊ—ÊpreferablyÊoneÊinÊwhichÊyouÊdon’tÊmindÊdoingÊ someÊoccasionalÊunderlining. · AÊnotebookÊorÊjournalÊ—ÊeitherÊsomethingÊveryÊsimple,ÊorÊsome- thingÊbeauƟfulÊandÊinspiring. · ThisÊstudyÊguide. Week One — Introduction Step 1: Listen Step 2: Gather
You’llÊalsoÊneedÊaÊliƩleÊƟmeÊeachÊday,ÊonceÊweÊbeginÊourÊdailyÊstudiesÊ inÊorderÊtoÊreadÊandÊwriteÊyourÊpassages,ÊthinkÊthroughÊwhatÊyou’veÊ read,ÊanswerÊtheÊquesƟonsÊandÊprayÊaboutÊwhatÊyou’veÊstudied. NowÊthatÊyouÊhaveÊgatheredÊwhatÊyouÊneed,Êlet’sÊeaseÊintoÊourÊstudyÊ byÊsimplyÊREADINGÊtheÊwholeÊbookÊofÊColossiansÊtoday.ÊThisÊisÊalwaysÊ aÊgoodÊapproachÊwhenÊbeginningÊaÊnewÊstudyÊ—ÊreadÊtheÊenƟreÊ leƩerÊinÊoneÊsiƫng.ÊThereÊareÊonlyÊ95ÊversesÊinÊthisÊleƩer,ÊandÊitÊ shouldÊtakeÊyouÊonlyÊaboutÊ15ÊminutesÊtoÊreadÊallÊfourÊchapters.Ê IÊhaveÊalreadyÊchosenÊverseÊ11ÊasÊaÊthemeÊforÊbothÊthisÊchapterÊANDÊ ourÊenƟreÊstudy.ÊNow,ÊasÊaÊresultÊofÊreadingÊtheÊenƟreÊbook,Êit’sÊyour turn toÊselectÊaÊverseÊorÊaÊphraseÊthatÊmadeÊanÊimpactÊonÊyou—Ê _____________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________ ThisÊisÊnotÊtheÊfinalÊstepÊdueÊtoÊimportance,ÊbutÊrather,Êit’sÊaÊstepÊthatÊ willÊcarryÊforwardÊforÊeachÊdayÊofÊstudy.ÊIÊencourageÊyouÊtoÊalwaysÊ beginÊyourÊƟmeÊinÊtheÊWordÊbyÊyieldingÊyourÊheartÊtoÊtheÊLord.ÊThinkÊ ofÊthatÊphraseÊ—Êyielding — justÊlikeÊtheÊtrafficÊsign.ÊYouÊgiveÊprefer- enceÊtoÊtheÊotherÊdriverÊtoÊleadÊtheÊway.ÊThat’sÊwhatÊweÊwantÊtheÊ HolyÊSpiritÊtoÊdoÊinÊourÊlivesÊasÊweÊinvesƟgateÊHisÊWordÊ—ÊleadÊtheÊ way! MayÊyouÊbeÊblessedÊinÊyourÊstudy! Step 3: Read Step 4: Select Step 5: Pray Sue
NowÊit’sÊƟmeÊtoÊbeginÊyourÊdetailedÊstudyÊofÊColossians.ÊTheÊheadingÊ forÊeachÊweekÊ(above)ÊwillÊindicateÊtheÊenƟreÊpassageÊtoÊbeÊstudiedÊ duringÊtheÊweek.ÊItÊwouldÊbeÊaÊgoodÊapproachÊtoÊbeginÊeachÊday,ÊbyÊ readingÊtheÊenƟreÊweekly passage,ÊandÊthen,ÊasÊyouÊwriteÊyourÊdailyÊ versesÊinÊyourÊjournal,ÊconcentrateÊonÊtheÊwordsÊyouÊareÊactuallyÊ wriƟngÊforÊeachÊday.Ê YouÊmayÊorÊmayÊnotÊkeepÊthisÊliƩleÊstudyÊbookletÊ—Êbut,ÊchancesÊare,Ê aŌerÊinvesƟngÊyourÊƟmeÊinÊwriƟngÊallÊninety-fiveÊversesÊbyÊhand,Ê you’llÊkeepÊyourÊjournalÊorÊnotebookÊforÊaÊlongÊƟmeÊtoÊcomeÊandÊ treasureÊit! Let’sÊBegin… a READÊandÊWRITEÊColossiansÊ1:1-2ÊinÊyourÊjournal. TheÊfirstÊtwoÊversesÊcontainÊtheÊgreeƟngÊofÊthisÊleƩer.ÊInÊourÊmodernÊ leƩers,ÊweÊcustomarilyÊlistÊwhomÊtheÊleƩerÊisÊwriƩenÊto,ÊatÊtheÊtop,Ê andÊwhomÊtheÊleƩerÊisÊwriƩenÊfrom,ÊatÊtheÊboƩom.ÊButÊIÊthinkÊthereÊ isÊsomethingÊquiteÊsaƟsfyingÊinÊgeƫngÊitÊallÊoutÊinÊtheÊopenÊatÊtheÊÊÊÊÊÊ beginning. · ToÊwhomÊwasÊthisÊleƩerÊwriƩen? · FromÊwhomÊwasÊthisÊleƩerÊsent? IfÊyouÊhaveÊanyÊsortÊofÊRomanÊCatholicÊbackground,ÊyourÊperspecƟveÊ ofÊtheÊwordÊsaintsÊmayÊbeÊquiteÊdifferentÊthanÊwhatÊPaulÊactuallyÊ meantÊinÊv.2.ÊEvenÊifÊyouÊdoÊaÊquickÊonlineÊdicƟonaryÊsearchÊforÊtheÊ wordÊsaint,ÊyouÊwillÊprobablyÊsƟllÊnotÊrunÊintoÊtheÊsenseÊthatÊPaulÊ meant.Ê Week Two — Colossians 1:1-14 Day 1:
SinceÊweÊoŌenÊlikeÊtoÊletÊScriptureÊinterpretÊScripture,Êlet’sÊfindÊaÊ definiƟonÊofÊaÊsaint byÊreadingÊanotherÊpassage. ReadÊÊRomansÊ1:7ÊandÊ1ÊCorinthiansÊ1:2.Ê · WithÊthoseÊpassagesÊinÊmind,ÊwriteÊyourÊownÊdefiniƟonÊofÊsaint: · ThereÊareÊtwoÊfive-leƩerÊwordsÊthatÊtheÊApostleÊPaulÊoŌenÊbeginsÊ (andÊsomeƟmesÊends)ÊhisÊleƩersÊwith.ÊTheseÊwordsÊprovideÊaÊ foundaƟonÊforÊallÊofÊtheÊpossibiliƟesÊthatÊourÊrelaƟonshipÊwithÊ theÊLordÊcanÊbuildÊupon.ÊWhatÊareÊtheseÊtwoÊwordsÊinÊv.2?Ê ÊÊÊ__Ê__Ê__Ê__Ê__Ê ÊÊÊandÊ __Ê__Ê__Ê__Ê__Ê a READÊandÊWRITEÊColossiansÊ1:3-6ÊinÊyourÊjournal. Faith, Love & Hope: HowÊwouldÊyouÊlikeÊtoÊreceiveÊaÊleƩerÊfromÊ someoneÊtellingÊyouÊhowÊthankfulÊtheyÊareÊforÊyou?ÊHowÊgratefulÊÊ theyÊareÊthatÊyouÊareÊinÊtheÊfamilyÊofÊGod?ÊHowÊtheyÊareÊconstantlyÊ prayingÊforÊyou!ÊWOW!ÊThatÊwouldÊmakeÊme feelÊpreƩyÊvaluedÊandÊ loved.ÊEspeciallyÊifÊtheyÊhadn’tÊevenÊmetÊme!Ê ThatÊisÊwhatÊIÊhearÊinÊPaul’sÊheartÊasÊheÊbeginsÊtoÊcorrespondÊwithÊ thisÊChurchÊBodyÊwhomÊheÊhasÊneverÊpersonallyÊmet. · FromÊv.4,ÊwhatÊtwoÊthingsÊhadÊPaulÊheardÊaboutÊtheÊpeopleÊinÊthisÊ Church? · WhatÊwasÊtheÊreasonÊtheyÊpossessedÊthoseÊtwoÊvirtuesÊ(v.5)? Day 2:
HavingÊfaith inÊJesusÊChristÊisÊanÊobviousÊre- quirementÊandÊprivilegeÊofÊbeingÊpartÊofÊtheÊ BodyÊofÊChrist.ÊButÊPaulÊalsoÊheard aboutÊtheirÊ love for the saints.Ê · DoÊyouÊthinkÊlovingÊothersÊisÊanÊautomaƟcÊ partÊofÊfaithÊinÊChrist?Ê · ReadÊJohnÊ13:34-35.ÊHowÊdoÊtheseÊtwoÊpassagesÊrelate? · WhatÊareÊsomeÊthingsÊthatÊcharacterizeÊlove for the saints?ÊInÊotherÊ words,ÊwhatÊdoesÊitÊlookÊlike? · IfÊsomeoneÊobservedÊtheÊgroupÊofÊbelieversÊthatÊyouÊbelongedÊto,Ê doÊyouÊthinkÊtheyÊwouldÊnoƟceÊyourÊloveÊforÊeachÊother?ÊHow? PaulÊsaidÊtheÊGospelÊwasÊbearing fruit and increasing (v.6).ÊHeÊalreadyÊÊ menƟonedÊfaith,Êhope,ÊandÊlove asÊfruiƞulÊby-products,ÊbutÊweÊcanÊ expectÊotherÊexpressionsÊofÊtheÊGospelÊinÊourÊlivesÊasÊwell. We always thank God our Father, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ when we pray for you. Colossians 1:3
ReadÊtheseÊpassages,ÊandÊnoteÊotherÊposiƟveÊchangesÊpeopleÊmayÊ experienceÊwhenÊtheyÊunderstandÊandÊembraceÊtheÊGospel: · PsalmÊ42:2Ê— · ActsÊ2:42Ê— · 1ÊThessaloniansÊ1:9Ê— a READÊandÊWRITEÊColossiansÊ1:7-10ÊinÊyourÊjournal. The Gospel:ÊÊYesterday,ÊweÊreadÊthatÊtheÊGospel, orÊGood News, aboutÊsalvaƟonÊthroughÊJesusÊChristÊwasÊincreasing in the whole worldÊandÊbearing fruit inÊtheÊlivesÊofÊbelieversÊ(v.6).Ê · WhoÊwasÊcreditedÊwithÊsharingÊtheÊGospelÊofÊJesusÊwithÊtheÊÊÊÊÊÊ Colossians?Ê(v.7) · WhatÊfondÊlabelÊdidÊthisÊearnÊhimÊfromÊtheÊApostleÊPaul?Ê(v.7) · WhatÊreportÊdidÊheÊgiveÊPaulÊofÊtheÊColossianÊbelievers?Ê(v.8):Ê WhoÊwouldn’tÊlikeÊtoÊbeÊdescribedÊasÊaÊfaithful minister?ÊThatÊphraseÊ actuallyÊinspiresÊme.ÊItÊchallengesÊmeÊtoÊmakeÊaÊspiritualÊgoalÊtoÊalsoÊ beÊcalledÊaÊfaithful minister. Day 3:
· WhatÊopportuniƟesÊhasÊGodÊplacedÊinÊyourÊlifeÊforÊyouÊtoÊbeÊaÊ faithfulÊminister? · IsÊthereÊanÊareaÊthatÊyouÊhaveÊneglected,ÊorÊnotÊfullyÊrecognized,Ê asÊanÊopportunity?ÊWhatÊpracƟcalÊchangesÊareÊneededÊforÊyouÊtoÊ beÊtermedÊfaithful? EffecƟve Prayer: PaulÊrevealedÊhisÊprayerÊlife,ÊandÊhisÊexampleÊcanÊbeÊ veryÊinspiraƟonal.ÊUseÊthisÊspaceÊtoÊlistÊfour/fiveÊconceptsÊyouÊseeÊinÊ v.9-10ÊtoÊprayÊspiritually,ÊandÊspecifically,ÊforÊpeopleÊinÊyourÊlife: · · · · · OverÊwhomÊareÊyouÊprayingÊtheseÊthings? NowÊtakeÊaÊmomentÊtoÊactuallyÊPRAY!Ê WeÊstrengthen our faith byÊprayingÊforÊothers.
a READÊandÊWRITEÊColossiansÊ1:11-14ÊinÊyourÊjournal. Strength and Power: It’sÊbeenÊsaidÊthatÊ‘strong is the new skinny’.ÊÊIt’sÊ certainlyÊaÊbenefitÊtoÊbeÊphysicallyÊstrongÊenoughÊtoÊhandleÊwhatÊlifeÊ tossesÊyourÊway.ÊInÊ1ÊTimothyÊ4:8,ÊtheÊApostleÊPaulÊsaid:Ê“while bodily training is of some value, godliness is of value in every way, as it holds promise for the present life and also for the life to come.” AsÊPaulÊcommunicatedÊtoÊtheÊColossians,ÊheÊprayedÊthatÊthoseÊbeliev- ersÊwouldÊbeÊstrengthened with power.ÊÊ · WhatÊareÊsomeÊbenefitsÊofÊspiritualÊstrengthÊthatÊyouÊseeÊinÊv.11? ReadÊEphesiansÊ1:18-20. · WhoÊisÊtheÊpower for? · WhatÊisÊtheÊpower like? StrengthÊrequiresÊtrainingÊ—ÊthisÊisÊtrueÊbothÊphysicallyÊandÊspiritually!Ê AlthoughÊPaulÊprayed forÊtheÊbelieversÊtoÊbeÊstrengthened,ÊweÊunder- standÊthatÊWEÊhaveÊaÊpartÊtoÊplayÊinÊourÊstrengthÊtrainingÊasÊwell. · ReadÊHebrewsÊ5:13-14.ÊExplainÊhowÊweÊcanÊimpactÊourÊownÊÊÊÊÊ spiritualÊtraining. Day 4:
· ReadÊHebrewsÊ12:9-11.ÊExplainÊaÊprocessÊusedÊbyÊGodÊtoÊtrainÊus.Ê · WhatÊhasÊthisÊtrainingÊlookedÊlikeÊinÊyourÊlife?ÊCanÊyouÊthinkÊofÊanÊ example? So Thankful: UseÊv.12-13ÊtoÊlistÊthingsÊHeÊhasÊdoneÊforÊyouÊthatÊyouÊ couldÊnotÊpossiblyÊaccomplishÊonÊyourÊown: · Ê · Ê · Ê RomansÊ4:20ÊtellsÊusÊ[Abraham]Êgrew strong in his faith as he gave glory to God. FindÊaÊwayÊtodayÊtoÊexpressÊtoÊsomeoneÊwhatÊGodÊhasÊ doneÊforÊyouÊthatÊyouÊcouldÊnotÊhaveÊaccomplishedÊyourself,ÊthusÊÊ givingÊgloryÊtoÊGodÊandÊgrowing strong inÊyourÊfaith. I therefore, urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love. Ephesians 4:1-2
_______________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________ Notes from Audio Teaching — Week 2 a READÊandÊWRITEÊColossiansÊ1:15-16ÊinÊyourÊjournal. Who HE is: TheÊnextÊnineÊversesÊareÊsomeÊofÊtheÊmostÊtheologicallyÊ richÊinÊallÊofÊtheÊNewÊTestament.ÊLet’sÊbeginÊbyÊmarkingÊaÊliƩleÊinÊ yourÊjournal. HighlightÊtheÊfirstÊtwoÊwords,Ê‘He is’.ÊThatÊphraseÊwillÊbeÊrepeatedÊ threeÊmoreÊƟmesÊinÊtomorrow’sÊpassage,ÊsoÊitÊwillÊbeÊhelpfulÊforÊusÊtoÊ startÊaÊlistÊofÊexactlyÊ‘WHOÊHEÊIS’ÊfromÊthisÊchapter. ListÊtheÊtwoÊthingsÊthatÊv.15ÊdeclaresÊaboutÊJesus. · Êv.15:ÊHeÊis ____________________________________________ · Êv.15:ÊtheÊ_____________________________________________ ReadÊJohnÊ14:7-10. · WhatÊdidÊJesusÊsayÊaboutÊHisÊrelaƟonshipÊwithÊGodÊtheÊFather? All Things: InÊyourÊjournal,ÊdrawÊaÊboxÊaroundÊtheÊtwoÊoccurrencesÊofÊ theÊphraseÊ‘all things’.ÊÊ(Tomorrow’sÊversesÊalsoÊconƟnueÊtheÊthemeÊ ofÊall things.)Ê What areÊandÊwhere areÊall things listedÊinÊv.16? · Ê · Ê · Ê · IsÊthereÊanythingÊyouÊcanÊthinkÊofÊthatÊexistsÊoutsideÊofÊthisÊlist?ÊÊ Week Three — Colossians 1:15-23 Day 1:
ThreeÊpreposiƟonsÊareÊusedÊtoÊelaborateÊhow andÊwhy all things wereÊ createdÊinÊv.16.ÊÊListÊthem: ÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊ_______ÊHimÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊ________________ÊÊHimÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊ_________ÊHim ThisÊisÊaÊsimple,ÊbutÊprofoundÊBiblicalÊtruth.ÊOurÊfaithÊisÊstrengthenedÊ byÊallowingÊthisÊconceptÊtoÊsaturateÊourÊmindsÊandÊourÊdecisions.ÊForÊ example,Ê“Since Jesus created me for His pleasure and His purpose, how should I handle xyz situaƟon?”Ê · ConsiderÊaÊsituaƟonÊorÊaÊdecisionÊyou’reÊfacing.ÊHowÊmightÊthisÊ truthÊhelpÊwithÊanÊanswer? a READÊandÊWRITEÊColossiansÊ1:17-20ÊinÊyourÊjournal. Who HE is: GrabÊthatÊhighlighterÊandÊconƟnueÊhighlighƟngÊyourÊlistÊofÊÊ ‘He is’ findingsÊwithÊthreeÊmoreÊinÊv.17-18.ÊNow,ÊcompleteÊthisÊlist: · v.17:ÊHeÊis _____________________________________________ · v.18:ÊHeÊisÊ______________________________________________ · v.18:ÊHeÊisÊ______________________________________________ TheseÊfundamentalÊtruthsÊimproveÊbothÊourÊspiritualÊknowledgeÊandÊ ourÊspiritualÊhealth.Ê All Things: InÊyourÊjournal,ÊdrawÊaÊboxÊaroundÊtheÊphrasesÊ‘all things’.Ê (YouÊshouldÊfindÊthreeÊinÊtoday’sÊverses.) ÊÊ ReadÊHebrewsÊ1:2-3.ÊItÊsaysÊthatÊJesusÊisÊ_______ÊofÊALLÊTHINGSÊandÊ alsoÊthatÊHeÊis…_____________________________________________ Day 2:
ReadÊJohnÊ1:1-5.ÊV.2ÊsaysÊHeÊwasÊ_____________________________Ê andÊALLÊTHINGSÊwereÊ______________________________________ Also,ÊreadÊRevelaƟonÊ4:11.Ê DoÊyouÊseeÊtheÊbeauƟfulÊthreadÊofÊconsistencyÊthroughÊScripture?Ê TheÊHolyÊSpiritÊinspiredÊdifferentÊauthorsÊtoÊwriteÊtheÊsameÊtruthsÊ aboutÊwho Jesus is.ÊBasically,Êit’sÊALLÊaboutÊHIM!ÊOh,ÊhowÊeasilyÊweÊ canÊmakeÊlifeÊallÊaboutÊUS. ItÊisÊimpossibleÊtoÊdenyÊtheÊhistoricalÊexistenceÊofÊJesusÊofÊNazareth.Ê ButÊitÊisÊveryÊpopularÊinÊtheÊreligiousÊcultureÊaroundÊusÊtoÊdethroneÊ HimÊasÊtheÊSonÊofÊGodÊandÊtheÊONLYÊavenueÊtoÊknowÊGod.ÊÊ TheÊpeopleÊinÊColossaeÊbelievedÊinÊJesus,ÊbutÊtheyÊfacedÊinfluenceÊ fromÊoutsideÊsources,ÊwhoÊaƩackedÊorÊtwistedÊtheirÊcoreÊbeliefs.Ê · WhichÊofÊtheÊtruthsÊinÊtoday’sÊlessonÊdoÊyouÊfeelÊisÊchallengedÊtheÊ mostÊinÊyourÊcultureÊorÊinÊyourÊcircleÊofÊinfluence?ÊÊWhy?Ê a READÊandÊWRITEÊColossiansÊ1:21-22ÊinÊyourÊjournal. UnƟlÊnow,ÊourÊstudyÊhasÊbeenÊaboutÊWhoÊJesusÊis.ÊToday,ÊweÊhaveÊ theÊunpleasantÊtaskÊofÊlookingÊatÊwhoÊIÊam.ÊInÊyourÊjournal,ÊhighlightÊ theÊwordsÊ‘and you’ thatÊcontrastÊwithÊyourÊpreviouslyÊhighlighted,Ê ‘He is’. · FromÊv.21,ÊlistÊtheÊthingsÊthatÊcharacterizeÊwho I am: Day 3:
HaveÊyouÊeverÊcaughtÊyourÊimageÊinÊaÊstoreÊwindowÊorÊyourÊphoneÊ cameraÊandÊthoughtÊ“Seriously—is this what I look like?” IÊsupposeÊit’sÊ happenedÊtoÊallÊofÊusÊ—Êit’sÊaÊbitÊofÊaÊdowner.ÊWeÊlikeÊtoÊthinkÊweÊ lookÊbeƩerÊthanÊweÊactuallyÊdo.ÊInÊtheÊsameÊway,ÊthisÊverseÊisÊaÊseri- ousÊlookÊatÊreality.ÊLet’sÊdoÊaÊdoubleÊtakeÊatÊwhatÊweÊreallyÊlookÊlike: ReadÊEphesiansÊ2:1-3. · WhatÊaddiƟonalÊcharacterisƟcsÊdoÊyouÊfind? ReadÊRomansÊ6:17. · WhatÊwasÊourÊformerÊcondiƟon? Good News: It’sÊalwaysÊimportantÊtoÊfullyÊunderstandÊtheÊbadÊnewsÊtoÊ fullyÊappreciateÊtheÊgoodÊnews.ÊSoÊwithÊourÊless-than-beauƟful,Êevil,Ê hosƟle,Êslavery-inspiredÊreflecƟonÊinÊviewÊ—Êlet’sÊremindÊourselvesÊ thatÊJesusÊdelivered us (v.13),Êtransferred us (v.13),Êredeemed us (v.14),Ê forgave us (v.14),Êreconciled us (v.20,22)ÊinÊorderÊtoÊpresentÊusÊtoÊGodÊ withÊwhatÊtypeÊofÊnewÊappearancesÊlistedÊinÊv.22?Ê · Ê · Ê · Ê IÊthinkÊtheÊnaƟonÊofÊIsrael,ÊwhileÊinÊslaveryÊinÊEgypt,ÊprovidesÊaÊgoodÊ comparisonÊtoÊourÊownÊcondiƟonÊbeforeÊJesusÊinvadedÊourÊlivesÊandÊ savedÊusÊfromÊdestrucƟon.ÊWeÊhadÊnoÊabilityÊtoÊfreeÊourselves,ÊandÊ weÊwereÊhelplessÊwithoutÊaÊdelivererÊtoÊtransferÊusÊtoÊanotherÊreality.Ê SinceÊthisÊbefore and aŌer isÊwhatÊweÊareÊstudyingÊ—ÊtakeÊsomeÊƟmeÊ todayÊtoÊthankÊJesusÊforÊwhatÊHeÊhasÊdoneÊforÊyou!ÊUseÊtheseÊversesÊ asÊaÊbasisÊforÊyourÊprayer.ÊRememberÊAbrahamÊgrew strong in his faith as he gave glory to God. We will, too! We don’t make our own peace with God, Jesus made peace for us through His work on the cross.
a READÊandÊWRITEÊColossiansÊ1:23ÊinÊyourÊjournal. ConƟnuing in the Faith: BecauseÊJesusÊmade peace by the blood of His cross (v.20),ÊandÊbecauseÊIÊacceptedÊthatÊgiŌÊandÊbecameÊoneÊofÊHisÊ children,ÊmyÊappearanceÊbeforeÊGodÊhasÊchanged.ÊNowÊI’mÊdescribedÊ asÊholy,Êblameless andÊabove reproach. ButÊtoday’sÊverseÊbeginsÊwithÊaÊwordÊthatÊcouldÊbeÊtroublesomeÊ—ÊIf! MisunderstandingÊthatÊwordÊcouldÊheadÊyouÊinÊtheÊwrongÊdirecƟon.Ê YouÊcouldÊbeginÊtoÊthinkÊthatÊyourÊnewÊlifeÊinÊChristÊisÊsomehowÊÊÊÊÊÊ dependentÊonÊyourÊabilityÊtoÊbeÊstable andÊsteadfast. So,Êlet’sÊleanÊonÊotherÊScripturesÊtoÊhelpÊusÊmakeÊsureÊweÊunderstand. ReadÊEphesiansÊ2:8-9ÊandÊfillÊinÊtheÊmissingÊwords:Ê By ___________ you have been saved, through ___________ ... not a result of _________ it is the ________ of God. YouÊenteredÊtheÊKingdomÊthroughÊfaith,ÊandÊyouÊconƟnue through faith. YouÊdidn’tÊgetÊinÊbyÊworks,ÊsoÊyouÊcan’tÊconƟnueÊbyÊworks.Ê TheÊwholeÊkeyÊtoÊproperlyÊunderstandingÊthisÊverseÊisÊfoundÊbyÊask- ing,Êon what was their hope? FillÊinÊtheÊmissingÊwordsÊfromÊv.23:Ê ...not shiŌing from the ________ of the ____________. PaulÊwasÊequippingÊtheÊsaintsÊtoÊholdÊfirmÊtoÊtheÊGospelÊofÊJesus,ÊtheÊ GospelÊofÊgrace,ÊtheÊGospelÊofÊfaith.ÊItÊISÊaÊrequirementÊforÊmeÊtoÊcon- ƟnueÊtoÊbelieveÊthatÊJesusÊhasÊpaidÊtheÊpenaltyÊforÊmyÊsins.ÊIfÊIÊdenyÊ thatÊtruth,ÊwhatÊisÊleŌ?ÊThereÊisÊnoÊotherÊGospel! ListÊtheÊthreeÊwordsÊinÊthisÊverseÊ(thatÊallÊbeginÊwithÊtheÊleƩerÊs)ÊthatÊ PaulÊusedÊtoÊdescribeÊholding fast: __________ _______________ notÊ_____________ ThisÊisÊtheÊtaskÊsetÊbeforeÊusÊ—Ê acceptÊGod’sÊgraciousÊgiŌÊandÊconƟnueÊinÊthatÊfaith! Day 4:
_______________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________ Notes from Audio Teaching — Week 3 a READÊandÊWRITEÊColossiansÊ1:24-26ÊinÊyourÊjournal. Becoming a Minister: LastÊweekÊweÊexploredÊtheÊpreeminenceÊofÊJesusÊ ChristÊ—Êand,ÊalongÊtheÊway,ÊweÊgotÊaÊglimpseÊofÊourÊownÊdepravity.Ê Now,Êwe’llÊobserveÊtheÊministryÊofÊApostleÊPaul: · HowÊdidÊheÊdescribeÊhimselfÊinÊv.23Ê&Êv.25? · Paul’sÊgiŌÊwasÊgivenÊbyÊGodÊforÊwhoseÊbenefitÊinÊv.25? · HowÊdidÊheÊdescribeÊhisÊpurposeÊinÊv.25? · WhatÊisÊtheÊGospelÊreferredÊtoÊinÊv.26? TheÊbelieversÊreadingÊthisÊleƩerÊdidÊnotÊknowÊPaulÊpersonally,ÊbutÊtheyÊ hadÊheardÊaboutÊJesusÊfromÊhisÊspiritualÊoffspringÊ—ÊEpaphras.ÊButÊ theyÊcouldÊhearÊPaul’sÊpassionÊforÊtheÊsaintsÊasÊheÊdescribedÊhisÊcallingÊ toÊspreadÊtheÊGospel.ÊIÊwouldÊguessÊtheyÊwereÊinspiredÊbyÊhim.ÊÊ · DoÊyouÊsurroundÊyourselfÊwithÊpeopleÊwhoÊinspireÊyou? · InÊwhatÊwayÊdoÊyouÊthinkÊyouÊareÊanÊinspiraƟonÊtoÊothers? HowÊwouldÊyouÊconsiderÊyourselfÊaÊ‘minister of the Gospel’ÊinÊtheÊ sphereÊGodÊhasÊplacedÊyou? Rejoice in Sufferings: ReadÊv.24Êagain.ÊIfÊwe’reÊnotÊcareful,ÊthisÊcanÊbeÊ anotherÊmisunderstoodÊverse.ÊWeÊknowÊit’sÊNOTÊsayingÊthatÊPaulÊisÊ somehowÊfinishingÊwhatÊJesusÊleŌÊunfinished.ÊThatÊwouldn’tÊagreeÊ withÊtheÊrestÊofÊScripture.ÊOnÊtheÊcross,ÊJesusÊsaid,Ê“It is finished!” Week Four — Colossians 1:24—2:5 Day 1:
· WhatÊpersonalÊaƫtudeÊwasÊPaulÊsufferingÊfrom? · ForÊwhoseÊsakeÊwasÊheÊsuffering? · ToÊwhoseÊafflicƟonsÊwasÊheÊlikeningÊhisÊsufferings? ReadÊJohnÊ15:18-21.ÊÊ · HowÊdoÊyouÊthinkÊPaul’sÊlifeÊwasÊaÊfulfillmentÊofÊwhatÊJesusÊsaid? IsÊthereÊaÊplaceÊinÊyourÊlifeÊtoÊsufferÊinÊidenƟficaƟonÊwithÊChrist’sÊ afflicƟons,ÊforÊtheÊsakeÊofÊHisÊBody,ÊtheÊChurch?ÊWe’reÊnotÊcalledÊtoÊ beÊApostlesÊlikeÊPaul,ÊbutÊweÊareÊcalledÊtoÊbeÊ‘servants of Jesus’.ÊÊ MeditateÊonÊthisÊ—ÊaskÊtheÊLordÊtoÊshowÊyouÊHisÊplanÊforÊbeingÊ‘likeÊ Him’ÊinÊHisÊsufferings. a READÊandÊWRITEÊColossiansÊ1:27-29ÊinÊyourÊjournal. GoƩa love a mystery: InÊyourÊjournalÊ(v.24-29),ÊunderlineÊtheseÊrelatedÊ phrases:ÊHis Body, the Church, the mystery, His saints.ÊTheseÊallÊrepre- sentÊconceptsÊthatÊwereÊunknownÊinÊformerÊƟmes.ÊTheyÊwereÊhiddenÊ —ÊtheyÊwereÊaÊmystery.Ê ConsiderÊGod’sÊcovenantÊwithÊAbrahamÊ—ÊtheÊaboveÊphrasesÊhadÊnoÊ presenceÊinÊthatÊfirstÊcovenantÊ—ÊbutÊtheyÊhaveÊeverythingÊtoÊdoÊwithÊ theÊNEWÊcovenant,ÊwhichÊcanÊbeÊsummarizedÊbyÊtheÊlastÊsevenÊwordsÊ inÊv.27.ÊWriteÊitÊoutÊhere: ________________________________________________________ JesusÊlivesÊINÊME—thisÊisÊmyÊstrengthÊforÊtodayÊandÊmyÊ hopeÊforÊtomorrow!ÊÊWhoÊcanÊyouÊshareÊthatÊwithÊtoday? Day 2:
It’s All About Him: CircleÊtheÊfirstÊwordÊinÊv.28.ÊItÊwouldÊbeÊinappropri- ateÊtoÊreplaceÊ“Him we proclaim”ÊwithÊaÊwordÊlikeÊ“this we proclaim”Ê becauseÊourÊfaithÊrestsÊonÊaÊPERSON,ÊnotÊanÊidea! Everyone Mature in Christ: Paul’sÊdesireÊwasÊtoÊseeÊmature followersÊ ofÊChrist.ÊHeÊwasn’tÊinterestedÊinÊmerelyÊhearingÊprofessions ofÊfaith,Ê butÊinÊformingÊgrown-ups inÊtheÊfaith.Ê ListÊthreeÊthingsÊthatÊcomeÊtoÊmindÊthatÊenableÊaÊbelieverÊtoÊgrowÊ fromÊaÊchildÊinÊChristÊtoÊaÊgrown-upÊinÊChrist. · Ê · Ê · Ê His Energy: TakeÊnoteÊofÊtheÊeffort-relatedÊwordsÊinÊv.29:ÊÊ ÊÊ ÊwtoilÊÊÊÊÊwstrugglingÊÊÊÊwenergyÊÊÊÊwpowerfullyÊÊÊÊÊwworks AsÊwe’veÊbeenÊthinkingÊaboutÊspiritualÊstrengthÊtraining,ÊandÊlikeningÊ itÊtoÊphysicalÊstrengthÊtrainingÊ—ÊthisÊverseÊformsÊaÊfantasƟcÊendÊtoÊ theÊfirstÊchapter.ÊItÊremindsÊusÊthat: · ThereÊisÊtoilÊandÊstruggleÊinÊtheÊlifeÊofÊaÊChrisƟan,ÊtheÊsameÊwayÊ thereÊisÊtoilÊandÊstruggleÊinÊanyÊtypeÊofÊphysicalÊtraining. · BecauseÊweÊhaveÊ“Christ in us”,ÊweÊhaveÊtheÊopportunityÊtoÊuseÊallÊ ofÊHISÊenergyÊtoÊmeetÊtheÊneedsÊofÊtheÊministryÊGodÊhasÊgivenÊus. · IfÊweÊchooseÊtoÊrelyÊonÊtheÊstrengthÊofferedÊbyÊtheÊHolyÊSpirit,ÊÊÊ ratherÊthanÊtheÊstrengthÊthatÊresidesÊinÊourÊownÊflesh,ÊHeÊwillÊworkÊ powerfullyÊinÊus. PaulÊwasÊtoilingÊtoÊproclaimÊChristÊandÊmakeÊmatureÊbelievers.Ê · WhatÊisÊYOURÊcalling—whatÊtypeÊofÊareaÊhasÊGodÊcalledÊyouÊtoÊtoilÊ inÊrightÊnow?ÊÊ AskÊGodÊtoÊmeetÊtheÊneedsÊofÊyourÊmissionÊwithÊHISÊpowerÊ andÊenergy,ÊthroughÊtheÊworkÊofÊtheÊHolyÊSpiritÊinÊyourÊlife.
a READÊandÊWRITEÊColossiansÊ2:1-2ÊinÊyourÊjournal. It Takes Work: RememberÊthoseÊeffort-relatedÊwordsÊfromÊyesterday?Ê PaulÊsaidÊ[becauseÊofÊtheÊmessageÊofÊChrist],Ê“I toil, struggling with all his energy.” He’sÊnotÊdoneÊtalkingÊaboutÊthis. · WhatÊdoesÊheÊwantÊhisÊreadersÊtoÊknowÊinÊv.1? Let’sÊthinkÊaboutÊhowÊheÊtoiled.ÊRemember,ÊheÊhadÊneverÊphysicallyÊ metÊtheseÊpeople,ÊsoÊapartÊfromÊwriƟngÊthisÊoneÊleƩer,ÊwhatÊdoÊyouÊ thinkÊheÊmayÊhaveÊbeenÊspecificallyÊdoingÊonÊtheirÊbehalf? HasÊtheÊLordÊnudgingÊyourÊheartÊtoÊlaborÊinÊprayerÊforÊsomeone?ÊÊ DoÊyouÊsomeƟmesÊneedÊenduranceÊtoÊtoilÊinÊthisÊway? TheseÊwordsÊfromÊaÊspiritualÊgiant,ÊlikeÊtheÊApostleÊPaul,ÊgiveÊmeÊen- couragementÊthatÊit’sÊokayÊifÊprayerÊfeelsÊlikeÊwork!ÊItÊcanÊsomeƟmesÊ requireÊtoil,Êstruggle,ÊenduranceÊ—ÊbutÊIÊneedÊtoÊrememberÊthatÊI’mÊ laboringÊwithÊtheÊstrength thatÊGodÊhimselfÊsupplies. A Noble Purpose: IÊalsoÊappreciateÊthatÊPaulÊmakesÊhisÊmissionÊstate- mentÊclear.ÊWhatÊwasÊPaulÊexpressingÊasÊhisÊgoalsÊinÊv.2?Ê(YouÊmightÊ wantÊtoÊconsultÊaÊcoupleÊotherÊtranslaƟonsÊforÊaddedÊinterest): · Ê · Ê · Ê InÊaÊsimilarÊway,ÊwhoÊisÊGodÊcallingÊYOUÊtoÊ“encourage in heart and unite in love”?ÊÊ Day 3: a READÊandÊWRITEÊColossiansÊ2:3-5ÊinÊyourÊjournal. PaulÊhadÊbeenÊlaboringÊinÊprayer,ÊANDÊnowÊinÊcommunicaƟon,ÊsoÊthatÊ theÊbelieversÊwouldÊbeÊstrongÊinÊtheirÊunderstandingÊofÊJesusÊChrist,Ê whomÊheÊcalledÊGod’sÊÊ________________Ê.Ê(v.2) InÊyourÊjournal,ÊdrawÊaÊboxÊaroundÊtheÊphrase,Ê‘all the treasures’.ÊPaulÊ wantedÊthemÊtoÊknowÊthatÊINÊCHRIST,ÊareÊhiddenÊALLÊtheÊtreasuresÊofÊ __________________________ÊÊÊandÊ_______________________. HereÊisÊaÊveryÊimportantÊquesƟon:ÊDoÊIÊreallyÊbelieveÊitÊisÊChrist in me thatÊproducesÊwisdomÊandÊknowledge?ÊOrÊdoÊIÊleaveÊplentyÊroomÊinÊ myÊheartÊandÊmindÊforÊwisdomÊfromÊotherÊsourcesÊaroundÊme?ÊÊ ReadÊtheseÊScripturesÊandÊcommentÊonÊfurtherÊinsightsÊyouÊreceive: 1ÊCorinthiansÊ8:1bÊ—Ê EphesiansÊ4:17-18Ê—Ê 2ÊPeterÊ1:3-4Ê— 1ÊJohnÊ4:1-3Ê— IÊhopeÊeachÊofÊusÊhasÊimprovedÊourÊspiritualÊstrengthÊthroughÊtheseÊ lessons.ÊMyÊprayerÊisÊthatÊthe fine-sounding arguments,ÊadvancedÊbyÊ theÊworldÊaroundÊus,ÊwillÊstandÊoutÊeasilyÊasÊtheÊcounterfeitsÊtheyÊare.ÊÊ IÊprayÊthatÊweÊwillÊbe...steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord…ÊsoÊthatÊourÊspiritualÊcondiƟonÊcanÊbeÊdescribedÊ withÊtheÊwordsÊthatÊPaulÊusesÊinÊv.5… In good order and with firmness of our faith! Day 4:
_______________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________ Notes from Audio Teaching — Week 4
Day 1: Week Five — Colossians 2:6-15 a READÊandÊWRITEÊColossiansÊ2:6-7ÊinÊyourÊjournal. Therefore:ÊThisÊsecƟonÊmightÊjustÊasÊwellÊbeginÊwithÊtheÊphrase,Ê ‘because of this’, because,ÊwheneverÊweÊseeÊtherefore inÊScripture,Ê weÊask,Êwhat is it there for?Ê TheÊColossiansÊwereÊbelieversÊ—ÊtheyÊhadÊreceived Christ the Lord. Ê · InÊv.6,ÊwithÊwhatÊphysicalÊacƟonÊdidÊPaulÊchargeÊthem?Ê · WhatÊdoesÊthatÊmeanÊinÊpracƟcalÊtermsÊtoÊyou? · PaulÊlovedÊusingÊmetaphorsÊtoÊmakeÊhisÊpoint.ÊShareÊhowÊtheÊ firstÊwordÊinÊv.7ÊrelatesÊtoÊyourÊfaith: TheÊlastÊthreeÊwordsÊofÊourÊpassageÊare,Êabounding in thanksgiving. ItÊseemsÊcompletelyÊappropriateÊnow,ÊtoÊwalkÊoutÊourÊfaithÊinÊJesus,Ê throughÊthankfulnessÊ—ÊtrulyÊaboundingÊinÊthankfulness! EndÊtoday’sÊstudyÊby... q ThankingÊGodÊforÊHisÊpastÊworkÊinÊyourÊlife. q ThankingÊGodÊforÊHisÊpresentÊworkÊinÊyourÊlife. q ThankingÊGodÊforÊtheÊpeopleÊHeÊhasÊplacedÊinÊyourÊlife. q VerballyÊshareÊoneÊofÊtheÊaboveÊareasÊofÊthankfulnessÊwithÊ ÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊsomeoneÊtoday.
a READÊandÊWRITEÊColossiansÊ2:8-10ÊinÊyourÊjournal. See to it: ThisÊisÊanotherÊinteresƟngÊBiblicalÊphraseÊthatÊalwaysÊgrabsÊ myÊaƩenƟon.ÊItÊisÊaÊgentleÊwarningÊtoÊpay parƟcular heed. · InÊv.8,ÊwhatÊpotenƟalÊharmÊcouldÊhappenÊtoÊusÊasÊweÊareÊwalkingÊ outÊourÊfaith? FromÊv.8,ÊlistÊtheÊenemiesÊweÊareÊwarnedÊabout,ÊwhoÊcouldÊcaptureÊ ourÊmindsÊ(UseÊanotherÊtranslaƟonÊorÊtwoÊforÊmoreÊinsightÊorÊclarity). · · · · HowÊcanÊaÊpersonÊbeÊtakenÊcapƟveÊinÊtheÊbaƩleÊforÊourÊmind?ÊListÊ someÊspecificÊreal-lifeÊbaƩlegroundsÊ(i.e.,ÊclassroomÊseƫng). AreÊyouÊcurrentlyÊlivingÊnearÊanyÊofÊtheseÊbaƩlegroundsÊthatÊyouÊ listed?ÊWeÊcan’tÊalwaysÊmove or change our posiƟon inÊorderÊtoÊputÊ distanceÊbetweenÊusÊandÊtheÊbaƩle.ÊButÊweÊcan beÊalert,Êarmed,ÊandÊ ready.Ê · IsÊthereÊaÊspecificÊareaÊthatÊtheÊHolyÊSpiritÊhasÊrevealedÊtoÊyou,Ê whereÊyouÊmustÊimproveÊyourÊguard?Ê Day 2:
In Him: AsÊweÊwalk theÊpathÊGodÊhasÊforÊus,ÊweÊwill encounterÊtheÊ tricksÊofÊtheÊenemy.ÊV.9-10ÊremindÊusÊofÊanÊimportantÊtruthÊthatÊweÊ areÊprotectedÊin HimÊbecauseÊHeÊlivesÊinÊus. v.10ÊÊÊÊÊÊWeÊhaveÊbeenÊ___________ÊinÊHimÊ(Jesus). v.9ÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊInÊHimÊ(Jesus)ÊtheÊwholeÊfullnessÊofÊtheÊ_________Êdwells.Ê AsÊweÊconnectÊtheÊdots,ÊweÊseeÊthat...ÊÊ · allÊofÊGodÊ(theÊwholeÊfullness)ÊisÊin Jesus,Ê · weÊareÊin Jesus andÊHeÊ(throughÊHisÊHolyÊSpirit)ÊisÊin us! ThisÊmeansÊweÊhaveÊaccessÊtoÊtheÊpowerÊofÊGod,ÊasÊweÊfaceÊtheÊene- myÊofÊourÊminds.ÊJesusÊisÊthe head of all rule and authority (v.10).ÊInÊ otherÊwords,ÊHe’sÊtheÊbossÊofÊeveryone,ÊwhetherÊtheyÊknowÊitÊorÊnot!ÊÊÊ a READÊandÊWRITEÊColossiansÊ2:11-12ÊinÊyourÊjournal. In Him: IfÊyou’reÊwriƟngÊtheseÊpassagesÊfromÊtheÊESV,ÊyouÊmayÊhaveÊ alreadyÊnoƟcedÊtheÊphrase,ÊIn Him, hasÊappearedÊfiveÊƟmesÊbetweenÊ versesÊ6ÊandÊ11.ÊInÊyourÊjournal,ÊunderlineÊthoseÊphrasesÊnow. We’llÊfocusÊhereÊonÊtheÊin Him foundÊinÊv.11.ÊTheÊApostleÊdidn’tÊ shrinkÊbackÊfromÊusingÊgraphicÊmetaphorsÊtoÊgetÊhisÊpointÊacross,ÊasÊ heÊmenƟonedÊtheÊconceptÊofÊcircumcision.ÊFirst,ÊaÊcoupleÊthoughtsÊ aboutÊtheÊnatureÊofÊcircumcision: Þ ItÊwasÊintroducedÊasÊanÊoutwardÊsignÊofÊtheÊcovenantÊthatÊGodÊ madeÊwithÊAbrahamÊandÊallÊofÊhisÊdescendantsÊaŌerÊhimÊ—ÊaÊsortÊ ofÊethnicÊbadge. Þ ItÊwasÊalwaysÊintendedÊtoÊsymbolizeÊanÊinwardÊchangeÊofÊtheÊ heart,ÊasÊaÊpersonÊmakesÊaÊchoiceÊtoÊbelongÊtoÊChrist. ReadÊRomansÊ2:28-29ÊandÊPhilippiansÊ3:3.Ê · HowÊdoÊtheseÊpassagesÊsupportÊtheÊideaÊthatÊourÊheartsÊareÊfun- damentallyÊchangedÊwhenÊweÊcomeÊtoÊChrist? Day 3:
Let’sÊmakeÊaÊlistÊofÊourÊ‘in Him’ÊmetaphorÊcollecƟon: 1. WeÊreceivedÊChrist,ÊandÊnowÊhaveÊanÊopportunityÊtoÊwalkÊin Him. 2. WeÊwereÊrootedÊin Him, soÊthatÊweÊcanÊbeÊbuiltÊupÊandÊgrow. 3. HeÊisÊtheÊrulerÊandÊauthorityÊofÊallÊthings,ÊandÊweÊhaveÊbeenÊfilledÊ in Him. 4. In Him, weÊhaveÊallowedÊourÊheartÊtoÊbeÊspirituallyÊsurgicallyÊ changedÊtoÊreflectÊourÊrelaƟonshipÊwithÊGod,ÊourÊMaker. TwoÊmoreÊmetaphorsÊ—ÊInÊyourÊjournal,ÊunderlineÊ‘with Him’ thatÊÊ appearsÊtwiceÊinÊv.12.ÊWhatÊareÊtheÊtwoÊpictureÊimagesÊinÊthisÊverse? · Ê · Ê · WhyÊdoÊyouÊthinkÊtheseÊareÊsuchÊpowerfulÊimages? The powerful working of God:ÊIÊloveÊthisÊphraseÊforÊseveralÊreasons: First,ÊthisÊstudyÊisÊenƟtled,Ê“WalkingÊinÊStrengthÊandÊPower”.ÊSecondly,Ê IÊcanÊrejoiceÊinÊwhatÊGodÊhasÊdoneÊinÊmyÊpastÊ—ÊwhenÊtheÊPOWERÊofÊ GodÊtransformedÊmeÊfromÊanÊenemyÊofÊGodÊtoÊaÊchildÊofÊGod.ÊLastly,Ê itÊremindsÊmeÊthatÊHeÊhasÊgivenÊusÊaccessÊtoÊHisÊPOWERÊtoÊworkÊinÊ andÊthroughÊusÊinÊtheÊpresent.Ê MeditateÊonÊthisÊverseÊtoday! a READÊandÊWRITEÊColossiansÊ2:13-14ÊinÊyourÊjournal. “It seems like I do everything around here!”ÊHaveÊyouÊsaidÊthat?ÊIÊ wouldÊbeÊshockedÊtoÊfindÊaÊMomÊwhoÊhasn’tÊsaidÊthatÊatÊleastÊonceÊorÊ twice.ÊBut,ÊwhenÊitÊcomesÊtoÊtheÊregeneraƟonÊandÊspiritualÊworkÊÊÊÊ JesusÊdoesÊinÊourÊhearts,ÊHeÊdoes haveÊaÊrightÊtoÊsayÊthatÊ—ÊHeÊreallyÊ doesÊdoÊeverything!ÊÊLet’sÊunpackÊtheseÊthreeÊverses: Day 4:
· WhatÊdoÊwe lookÊlikeÊinÊv.13,ÊinÊtermsÊofÊourÊspiritualÊappearanceÊ andÊacƟvity? (I’mÊafraidÊdeadÊpeopleÊdon’tÊhaveÊmuchÊpower—right?) · Now,ÊmakeÊaÊlistÊofÊeverythingÊGodÊdoes/hasÊdoneÊforÊyouÊandÊmeÊ (v.13-14): Remember,ÊtheÊthesisÊstatementÊofÊourÊScriptureÊthisÊweekÊ—Ê‘just as you have received Christ Jesus the Lord, WALK in Him’.ÊTheÊpointÊisÊ movingÊforward,ÊgrowingÊup,ÊandÊlivingÊforÊChrist.ÊBut,ÊinÊourÊexcite- mentÊtoÊliveÊforÊJesus,ÊweÊcanÊeasilyÊfallÊintoÊaÊstrangeÊideaÊthatÊwe areÊtheÊonesÊdoing everything.ÊÊ TheÊtruthÊis,ÊsomeƟmesÊweÊareÊdoingÊthingsÊ—ÊinÊourÊdead,Êuncircum- cisedÊflesh.ÊIt’sÊnotÊgoodÊorÊfruiƞul,ÊnorÊdoesÊitÊpropelÊusÊforwardÊinÊ ourÊwalk.ÊIt’sÊjustÊspinningÊwheelsÊ—ÊaÊlotÊofÊacƟonÊwithÊnoÊprogress. · ReadÊ2ÊPeterÊ1:3,ÊandÊnoteÊanyÊaddiƟonalÊinsights: HaveÊyouÊeverÊfeltÊyouÊneededÊtoÊcleanÊyourself upÊtoÊbeÊforgiven,Ê andÊinÊgoodÊstandingÊwithÊGod?ÊHowÊdoÊtheseÊversesÊchangeÊyourÊ thinking? HaveÊyouÊbeenÊtryingÊtoÊwalkÊforwardÊinÊyourÊlifeÊinÊJesusÊinÊyour ownÊ strengthÊandÊpower?ÊWithoutÊtappingÊintoÊwhatÊJesusÊhasÊalreadyÊ doneÊforÊyou?ÊÊ MeditaƟng on these verses today will shape our thinking in the right direcƟon.
_____________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________ Notes from Audio Teaching — Week 5 a READÊandÊWRITEÊColossiansÊ2:16-17ÊinÊyourÊjournal. Therefore:ÊWithÊourÊsecondÊtherefore inÊthisÊchapter,ÊweÊagainÊask,Ê what is it there for?ÊOurÊanswerÊisÊthatÊtheÊApostleÊhasÊbeenÊcarefullyÊ buildingÊanÊargumentÊinÊthisÊleƩerÊforÊtheÊexclusiveÊimportanceÊofÊÊ JesusÊChristÊinÊtheÊlifeÊofÊaÊbeliever.ÊWeÊcallÊthisÊtheÊsupremacyÊofÊ Christ.ÊÊ ThisÊweek’sÊversesÊgiveÊusÊinsightÊintoÊtheÊpurposeÊofÊPaul’sÊleƩerÊinÊ theÊfirstÊplaceÊ—ÊtoÊaddressÊaÊcrisisÊcomingÊagainstÊtheÊColossianÊ ChurchÊthatÊsproutedÊfromÊpseudo-truthsÊthatÊleakedÊin.ÊHopefully,Ê weÊcanÊapplyÊtheseÊsameÊargumentsÊtoÊmodernÊliesÊcirculaƟngÊinÊourÊ culture. · InÊv.16,Êwhat,ÊwouldÊyouÊguess,ÊwereÊsomeÊofÊtheÊreligious/ culturalÊexpectaƟonsÊandÊideasÊdirectedÊatÊtheseÊbelievers? · WhatÊcomesÊtoÊyourÊmindÊasÊcontemporaryÊcounterparts,ÊbasedÊ onÊyourÊownÊlifeÊexperiences? · InÊv.17,ÊwhatÊwasÊPaul’sÊargumentÊasÊtoÊwhyÊdevoƟonÊtoÊtheseÊ thingsÊshouldn’tÊbeÊtheÊmainÊfocusÊinÊtheirÊlifeÊinÊChrist? Week Six — Colossians 2:16-23 Day 1:
OurÊpassageÊopenedÊwithÊlet no one pass judgment on you, andÊifÊweÊ readÊaheadÊaÊfewÊwordsÊintoÊtomorrow’sÊreading,ÊweÊfindÊtheÊphrase,Ê let no one disqualify you.ÊHowÊdoÊyouÊthinkÊthatÊdisqualificaƟonÊcouldÊ happen? NowÊit’sÊƟmeÊtoÊconsiderÊourÊownÊlifeÊandÊacƟons.ÊIfÊyouÊhaveÊanyÊ twistedÊideasÊorÊphilosophiesÊofÊwhatÊyouÊmustÊdoÊinÊorderÊtoÊmakeÊ yourÊwalkÊacceptableÊtoÊGod,ÊnowÊisÊtheÊƟmeÊtoÊreallyÊpourÊoverÊ theseÊScriptures,ÊtoÊconfrontÊanyÊfalseÊrealiƟesÊandÊpreachÊtheÊGospelÊ toÊyourselfÊthatÊthe reality is found in ChristÊ(v.17ÊNIV). a READÊandÊWRITEÊColossiansÊ2:18-19ÊinÊyourÊjournal. More Fine Sounding Arguments: EarlierÊinÊthisÊchapter,ÊPaulÊwarnedÊ againstÊplausible arguments (fine-sounding argumentsÊNIV).ÊTheseÊareÊ man-madeÊreligiousÊideas,ÊacƟviƟes,ÊorÊaƩenƟonÊtoÊspiritualÊdetailsÊ thatÊcanÊconsumeÊaÊperson,ÊandÊturnÊtheirÊfocusÊawayÊfromÊJesusÊandÊ ontoÊtheirÊaccomplishments. · ListÊmoreÊofÊtheÊreligiousÊthreatsÊtoÊtheÊColossianÊchurchÊyouÊseeÊ inÊv.18: · LookÊupÊandÊdefineÊasceƟcism: · InÊv.18,ÊwhatÊdoesÊPaulÊpointÊoutÊasÊaÊnaturalÊresultÊinÊtheÊhumanÊ mindÊtoÊdevoƟngÊoneselfÊtoÊreligiousÊrequirements? Day 2:
· AddÊanythingÊthatÊyouÊhaveÊobservedÊalongÊtheseÊlinesÊfromÊyourÊ ownÊexperiencesÊinÊlife. CanÊyouÊseeÊaÊpuffed-upÊmindÊatÊworkÊinÊextremeÊreligiousÊgroups,Ê whoÊtroubleÊourÊworldÊtoday?ÊItÊseemsÊthatÊextremeÊdevoƟonÊtoÊaÊsetÊ ofÊreligiousÊrulesÊtendsÊtoÊmakeÊusÊhumansÊthinkÊweÊareÊsuperiorÊtoÊ others,ÊandÊthisÊcanÊsetÊinÊmoƟonÊaÊcourseÊofÊevil.Ê Hold fast to the Head: PaulÊgivesÊanÊanƟdoteÊtoÊthisÊmessyÊbusinessÊofÊ followingÊreligiousÊmethodsÊ—Êhold fast to the Head —ÊmeaningÊChristÊ Jesus,ÊratherÊthanÊholdingÊontoÊlegalÊrequirements. ReadÊ1ÊCorinthiansÊ12:12-13.ÊÊ · KeepingÊinÊmindÊtheÊanalogyÊofÊaÊheadÊandÊaÊbody,ÊwhichÊrepre- sentsÊJesusÊ(theÊHead)ÊandÊHisÊChurchÊ(theÊBody),ÊrewordÊv.19,ÊÊÊÊ explainingÊhowÊChrisƟansÊareÊintendedÊtoÊgrow… · AsÊaÊmember,ÊaÊpartÊofÊtheÊwholeÊBody,ÊwhatÊisÊyourÊparƟcularÊÊ responsibilityÊinÊthisÊgrowth? a READÊandÊWRITEÊColossiansÊ2:20-22ÊinÊyourÊjournal. Do not … do not … do not: ThisÊisÊaÊperfectÊdescripƟonÊofÊlegalisƟcÊreli- gion.ÊIt’sÊoŌenÊdefinedÊmore,ÊbyÊwhatÊwe don'tÊdo, thanÊbyÊwhatÊweÊ do.ÊAdheringÊtoÊrulesÊthatÊsomeoneÊhasÊtoldÊusÊareÊ‘the way to really know God, or really please God’,ÊactuallyÊpleasesÊourÊegoÊinstead. Day 3:
ReadÊMaƩhewÊ15:1-20.Ê · WriteÊaÊbriefÊstatementÊsummarizingÊwhatÊJesusÊsaidÊaboutÊtheÊ relaƟonshipÊbetweenÊfood/mouth/words:Ê TheÊApostleÊPaulÊwasÊwarningÊtheÊbelieversÊinÊthat century,ÊwithÊtheÊ falseÊteachingsÊcomingÊatÊthem.ÊNow,ÊweÊshouldÊconsiderÊwhatÊour experienceÊisÊlike.ÊToÊtellÊyouÊtheÊtruth,ÊIÊdon’tÊseeÊaÊlotÊofÊasceƟcismÊ invadingÊmyÊworldÊ—ÊitÊmightÊbeÊrelevantÊinÊsomeÊcountries,ÊbutÊIÊ don’tÊthinkÊweÊAmericansÊlikeÊtoÊdenyÊourselvesÊanything.ÊSo,Êit’sÊnotÊ aÊpopularÊfalse-gospelÊhere.Ê ButÊtheÊoppositeÊ—ÊaÊmessageÊofÊhealth,ÊwealthÊandÊhappinessÊisÊÊ certainlyÊaÊrelevantÊfoeÊofÊtheÊpureÊGospelÊofÊJesusÊChrist.Ê Let’sÊinvesƟgateÊwhatÊGod’sÊWordÊsaysÊaboutÊtheÊideaÊthatÊGodÊ wantsÊyouÊwealthy,Êhealthy,ÊandÊhappy.ÊConsiderÊtheseÊpassagesÊandÊ noteÊobservaƟonsÊaboutÊhowÊitÊappliesÊtoÊyourÊlife: · MaƩhewÊ6:19 · MaƩhewÊ6:24 · LukeÊ12:15 · 1ÊTimothyÊ6:10 · HebrewsÊ13:5 a READÊandÊWRITEÊColossiansÊ2:23ÊinÊyourÊjournal. AsÊweÊwrapÊupÊtheÊwarningsÊfromÊchapterÊtwo,Êlet’sÊbeÊremindedÊofÊ theÊmainÊpointÊofÊthisÊleƩer:Ê“That you may be filled with the know- ledge of Jesus and strengthened in Him, so as to walk in a way that pleases God and become fruiƞul in this life.” (myÊparaphrase) · Self-madeÊreligiousÊideasÊallÊhaveÊanÊappearanceÊofÊwhatÊ(v.23)? · ButÊtheyÊareÊnotÊableÊtoÊdoÊwhatÊ(v.23)? IfÊweÊdesireÊtoÊwalk in a manner worthy of the LordÊ(v.10),ÊitÊmustÊbeÊ accomplishedÊbyÊHisÊpower,ÊworkingÊthroughÊus.ÊPuƫngÊourÊenergyÊ intoÊtheseÊsidelineÊthingsÊprovidesÊnoÊabilityÊtoÊstopÊthatÊnastyÊflesh,Ê andÊactuallyÊfeedsÊitÊandÊmakesÊitÊstronger. SoÊweÊask:Êhow do we walk in the power of God?ÊItÊcomesÊdownÊtoÊaÊ newÊnatureÊ—ÊaÊdivineÊnature! His divine power has granted to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of him who called us to his own glory and excellence, by which he has granted to us his precious and very great promises, so that through them you may become partakers of the divine nature. 2 Peter 1:3-4 (ESV) WhenÊweÊbelieveÊinÊChristÊforÊsalvaƟon,ÊweÊbecomeÊGod’sÊchildrenÊ andÊHeÊsharesÊwithÊusÊHisÊdivineÊ________________Ê(v.4) · birdsÊflyÊdueÊtoÊtheÊnature ofÊtheirÊspecies;Ê · lionsÊareÊcarnivorousÊ—Êit’sÊtheirÊnature; TheÊstrengthÊweÊneedÊtoÊpleaseÊGodÊactuallyÊcomesÊfromÊtheÊnatureÊ HeÊhasÊimpartedÊtoÊusÊatÊourÊnewÊbirth. Meditate on the 2 Peter passage above today, and ask God to help you grasp the reality of partaking of the divine nature. Day 4:
_______________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________ Notes from Audio Teaching — Week 6 a READÊandÊWRITEÊColossiansÊ3:1-2ÊinÊyourÊjournal. TheÊfirstÊwordÊofÊthisÊchapterÊ‘If’ couldÊbeÊbeƩerÊunderstood,Ê‘Since’.Ê WeÊknowÊPaulÊdidn’tÊwriteÊinÊchapterÊdivisions,ÊsoÊaÊglanceÊbackÊatÊtheÊ finalÊversesÊofÊchapterÊtwoÊremindÊusÊthatÊregulaƟonsÊonlyÊprovideÊanÊ illusionÊofÊvictoryÊoverÊsin,ÊwhileÊnotÊrestrainingÊourÊsinfulÊnatureÊatÊ all.ÊWeÊneedÊaÊcompletelyÊnewÊnature.Ê VictoryÊoverÊourÊsinfulÊnatureÊhappensÊwhenÊweÊembraceÊtheÊnewÊ (eternal)ÊnatureÊourÊGodÊhasÊsharedÊwithÊus. InÊyourÊjournal,ÊunderlineÊorÊmarkÊallÊwordsÊthatÊpointÊusÊ‘up’:Êraised,Ê above,Êetc. ReadÊEphesiansÊ1:20-22. · BasedÊonÊthisÊpassageÊandÊv.1ÊinÊourÊcurrentÊtext,ÊwhyÊdoÊyouÊ thinkÊitÊmakesÊsenseÊforÊaÊchildÊofÊGodÊtoÊbeÊfocusingÊonÊandÊÊ seekingÊoutÊthingsÊabove? WhatÊdoesÊthisÊlookÊlike?ÊHowÊdoesÊaÊ ChrisƟanÊwomenÊ‘set her mind on things above’? ListÊatÊleastÊthreeÊpracƟcalÊandÊ specificÊways: · Ê · Ê · Ê Week Seven — Colossians 3:1-11 Day 1: Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth. Colossians 3:2
InÊorderÊtoÊsetÊourÊmindsÊonÊthingsÊabove,ÊweÊneedÊtoÊturnÊourÊmindsÊ awayÊfromÊthingsÊonÊearth.ÊWhatÊdoesÊthatÊmean?ÊHowÊdoesÊaÊChris- ƟanÊwomenÊ‘set her mind away from things that are on earth’? ListÊ atÊleastÊthreeÊpracƟcalÊandÊspecificÊways: · Ê · Ê · Ê HowÊdoÊyouÊthinkÊtheÊ‘seƫng of our minds’ enablesÊusÊtoÊcurbÊtheÊ temptaƟonsÊweÊfaceÊfromÊourÊflesh,ÊtheÊworldÊaroundÊus,ÊandÊtheÊ devil? a READÊandÊWRITEÊColossiansÊ3:3-4ÊinÊyourÊjournal. Dead and Hidden: AsÊweÊset our minds on things above,ÊweÊbecomeÊ lessÊfocusedÊonÊthingsÊbelow.ÊTheÊreasonÊis... · (v.3)Êyou have _________.ÊÊHowÊmuchÊconsideraƟonÊtoÊherÊenvi- ronmentÊdoÊyouÊthinkÊaÊcorpseÊpays?ÊIÊknow,Êthat’sÊmorbidÊ—ÊbutÊ hopefully,ÊitÊhelpsÊusÊunderstandÊtheÊtext! · (v.3)Êand your life is _________ with Christ in God. YouÊmayÊkeepÊ preciousÊjewelsÊorÊfamilyÊtreasuresÊhidden fromÊplainÊsight,ÊwhereÊ theyÊareÊprotectedÊandÊsafe,ÊratherÊthanÊexposedÊandÊvulnerable.Ê Again,ÊmaybeÊthisÊillustraƟonÊhelpsÊusÊunderstandÊtheÊtext! Day 2:
ReadÊEphesiansÊ1:13-14.Ê · ListÊotherÊwordsÊusedÊforÊtheÊsameÊprotecƟon.ÊExplainÊtheirÊ meaning: Note:ÊThisÊhiddenÊcondiƟonÊdoesn’tÊmeanÊthatÊpeopleÊcan’tÊdetectÊ thatÊyouÊareÊaÊbeliever.ÊYourÊtesƟmonyÊshouldÊnotÊbeÊhidden,ÊandÊ yourÊlamp shouldÊnotÊbeÊunderÊaÊbasket.ÊInstead,ÊweÊthinkÊofÊthisÊlikeÊ theÊrootÊofÊaÊplantÊ—ÊthatÊporƟonÊofÊtheÊorganismÊthatÊisÊunseenÊandÊ hiddenÊunderground.ÊEvenÊifÊtheÊtop,ÊexposedÊporƟonÊisÊaffectedÊ somehow,ÊtheÊhiddenÊporƟonÊofÊtheÊplantÊisÊsustained,ÊwillÊrecoverÊ andÊbringÊforthÊmoreÊgrowth. Now appearing: TheÊpromiseÊweÊhave,ÊasÊchildrenÊofÊGod,ÊisÊthatÊweÊ shareÊinÊJesus’Êinheritance.ÊÊFillÊinÊtheseÊmissingÊwords: · (v.4)ÊWhenÊChristÊ____________________Êappears,ÊthenÊyouÊalso ÊÊÊÊÊÊÊwillÊ________________ÊwithÊhimÊinÊglory. ReadÊ1ÊThessaloniansÊ4:13-18.ÊÊ · InÊv.17,ÊweÊareÊtoldÊtheÊlengthÊofÊƟmeÊweÊwillÊbeÊwithÊtheÊLord.ÊÊ HowÊlongÊwillÊitÊbe? · InÊv.18,ÊweÊareÊinstructedÊonÊwhatÊtoÊdoÊwithÊthisÊinformaƟon.Ê WhatÊisÊit? Have you actually used this wonderful piece of hope to encourage someone lately? Exercise your faith today by sharing this encouragement with at least one person!
Let’sÊbringÊColossiansÊ3:1-4ÊaroundÊfullÊcircle.ÊBecauseÊourÊlifeÊisÊhid- denÊinÊChrist,ÊweÊareÊidenƟfiedÊasÊbelongingÊtoÊHim,ÊandÊweÊwillÊbeÊ seatedÊwithÊHimÊinÊHeaven,ÊandÊinheritÊwithÊHim.ÊNow,ÊreturnÊtoÊv.1Ê andÊwriteÊoutÊtheÊdirecƟveÊweÊhaveÊbeenÊgiven: a READÊandÊWRITEÊColossiansÊ3:5-7ÊinÊyourÊjournal. Slay the Earthly: Don’tÊyouÊappreciateÊhowÊtheÊApostleÊplainlyÊandÊ graphicallyÊtellsÊhowÊweÊshouldÊwalkÊthroughÊthisÊlife?ÊWe’reÊnotÊtoldÊ toÊignore,ÊorÊavoid,ÊorÊrejectÊtheÊearthly,ÊbutÊtoÊput it to death! VerseÊ5ÊcontainsÊaÊlistÊofÊwhatÊweÊcallÊsensual sinsÊbecauseÊtheyÊariseÊ fromÊourÊsenses. · ListÊtheÊsinsÊfromÊv.5ÊthatÊweÊareÊtoÊridÊourÊlivesÊof: Because we have died with Christ, we have the spiritual power to slay the earthly, fleshly desires that want to control us. Paul called this "reckoning" ourselves dead to sin but alive in Christ. Bible Exposition Commentary1 Day 3:
· Now,ÊwriteÊsomeÊthingsÊthatÊareÊnotÊlistedÊinÊthisÊpassage,ÊbutÊ comeÊtoÊyourÊmind,ÊthatÊareÊofÊourÊearthlyÊnatureÊandÊareÊoutÊofÊ agreementÊwithÊtheÊlifeÊofÊaÊbeliever: · (v.6)ÊtellsÊusÊthatÊitÊisÊbecauseÊofÊtheseÊthingsÊthatÊ_____________Ê isÊcoming. · (v.7)ÊtellsÊusÊthatÊwe too once ________________ in themÊ(theÊ earthlyÊpassions). ButÊtheÊkeyÊtoÊpuƫngÊtheseÊsensualÊsinsÊoutÊofÊourÊlifeÊdoesn’tÊlieÊinÊ knowledge,Êself-controlÊorÊtryingÊharderÊtoÊavoidÊthem.ÊTheÊkeyÊliesÊ backÊinÊtheÊbeginningÊofÊthisÊchapter.ÊFillÊinÊtheÊmissingÊwords: (V.1)ÊIFÊthenÊyouÊhaveÊbeenÊ_________________ÊwithÊChrist... (V.5)ÊPutÊtoÊdeathÊthereforeÊwhatÊisÊ_______________ÊinÊyou.Ê ReadÊRomansÊ7:5-6. YouÊsee,ÊasÊChrisƟans,ÊourÊrelaƟonshipÊtoÊsinÊhasÊcompletelyÊchanged.Ê WeÊwereÊonceÊslavesÊtoÊsin,ÊbutÊnow,ÊweÊnoÊlongerÊhaveÊtoÊobeyÊtheÊ pullÊandÊpersuasionÊofÊsin.ÊWeÊhaveÊbeenÊraised with Christ,ÊraisedÊ aboveÊcapƟvityÊtoÊourÊsensualÊdesires. WhatÊareÊsomeÊhelpfulÊstepsÊasÊweÊdesireÊtoÊwalkÊinÊourÊnewÊnatureÊ inÊChrist,ÊandÊputÊtoÊdeathÊtheÊelementsÊofÊourÊoldÊnature? StepÊOne:ÊReckonÊyourselfÊdeadÊtoÊsin.ÊThisÊisÊtheÊessenceÊofÊtheÊ verseÊatÊtheÊboƩomÊofÊthisÊpage.ÊRealizeÊitÊisÊaÊpossibilityÊtoÊnotÊobeyÊ theÊvoiceÊofÊsinÊinÊyourÊlife. So you also must consider yourselves dead to sin and alive to God in Christ Jesus. Romans 6:11
StepÊTwo:ÊTakeÊacƟonÊagainstÊsin.ÊThisÊisÊtheÊessenceÊofÊpassagesÊlikeÊ ColossiansÊ3:5.ÊTheÊacƟonÊofÊ‘puƫng to death’ orÊ‘puƫng away’ isÊ whatÊweÊcallÊrepentanceÊ—ÊchangingÊyourÊmind,ÊandÊwalkingÊinÊtheÊÊÊÊ otherÊdirecƟon.Ê ThereÊareÊsomeÊpracƟcalÊthingsÊweÊcanÊdoÊtoÊhelpÊusÊwithÊstepÊtwo.Ê DependingÊonÊwhatÊparƟcularÊstrugglesÊyouÊhave... v IfÊit’sÊaÊplace,Êdon’tÊgoÊthere.ÊÊÊv IfÊit’sÊanÊimage,ÊturnÊaway. v IfÊit’sÊaÊliquid,Êdon’tÊdrinkÊit.ÊÊÊÊÊv IfÊit’sÊsocialÊmedia,Êdon’tÊclick. v IfÊit’sÊaÊperson,ÊpartÊcompany. ThatÊmayÊsoundÊoverlyÊsimplisƟc,ÊbutÊitÊdoesÊhelpÊusÊrememberÊthatÊ theÊtemptaƟonÊtoÊsinÊisÊnotÊtheÊsameÊthingÊasÊengagingÊinÊsin.ÊTemp- taƟonsÊwillÊcomeÊandÊgoÊthroughoutÊourÊlife,ÊbutÊweÊdon’tÊneedÊtoÊ obeyÊthem.Ê · WhatÊisÊtheÊHolyÊSpiritÊspeakingÊtoÊyourÊheart?ÊWhatÊneedsÊtoÊbeÊ slain?Ê Now ask God for strength and wisdom to be successful with God’s awesome power! a READÊandÊWRITEÊColossiansÊ2:8-11ÊinÊyourÊjournal. Take off the Old, Put on the New: OneÊmoreÊdayÊofÊself-confrontaƟon!Ê · FromÊv.8-9,ÊlistÊtheÊsocialÊsinsÊtoÊbeÊremovedÊfromÊourÊlives: Day 4:
TheseÊmightÊbeÊmoreÊslipperyÊtoÊdetectÊthanÊtheÊsensualÊsinsÊweÊ facedÊyesterdayÊbecauseÊthereÊisÊsomethingÊdownÊdeepÊthatÊoŌenÊ considersÊtheseÊ‘sins in good standing’. Maybe,ÊweÊbelieveÊeveryoneÊ doesÊaÊliƩleÊdeceiving,ÊaÊliƩleÊlosingÊofÊtheÊtemper,ÊaÊliƩleÊrepeaƟngÊ ofÊinformaƟonÊaboutÊsomeone,Êetc.Ê WhenÊweÊdon’tÊreallyÊbelieveÊanÊaƫtudeÊisÊallÊthatÊterrible,ÊitÊseemsÊ toÊeasilyÊformÊaÊhabit,ÊandÊbeforeÊweÊknowÊit,ÊweÊhaveÊaÊhabitÊofÊÊÊÊ anger,ÊaÊhabitÊofÊslander,ÊorÊaÊhabitÊofÊlying. PaulÊisÊencouragingÊusÊasÊbelieversÊinÊChristÊtoÊremoveÊthoseÊhabitsÊÊ likeÊweÊmightÊremoveÊmuddyÊworkÊclothes.ÊWeÊareÊtoÊre-dressÊour- selvesÊwithÊaƫtudesÊthatÊareÊinÊagreementÊwithÊourÊnew nature! ThereÊisÊoneÊfinalÊconceptÊtodayÊthatÊshouldÊbringÊusÊhope.ÊWhenÊweÊ areÊbornÊagain,ÊweÊareÊmadeÊnew —ÊthatÊisÊcalledÊourÊjusƟficaƟonÊ beforeÊGod.ÊItÊonlyÊhappensÊONCE.ÊÊ V.10ÊremindsÊusÊthatÊweÊareÊalsoÊbeing ______________ in knowledge aŌer the image of our creator. ThisÊisÊourÊsancƟficaƟonÊ—ÊitÊcanÊhap- penÊEVERYÊDAY!ÊOneÊblessingÊofÊbeingÊInÊChristÊisÊthatÊHeÊisÊrenewingÊ usÊdayÊbyÊdayÊintoÊHisÊlikeness.ÊÊ ListÊanyÊsocialÊsinsÊ(whichÊyouÊmightÊeuphemisƟcallyÊcallÊbad habits) thatÊyouÊhaveÊbeenÊstrugglingÊwithÊbutÊyouÊknowÊGodÊhasÊbeenÊ speakingÊtoÊyouÊaboutÊ‘puƫngÊoff’: Confess these to the Lord. Ask for His strength to conƟnue to idenƟfy what is not pleasing to Him and provide you the power to take appropriate acƟon! Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away, behold, the new has come 2 Corinthians 5:17
_______________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________ Notes from Audio Teaching — Week 7 a READÊandÊWRITEÊColossiansÊ3:12-14ÊinÊyourÊjournal. A New Wardrobe: ConƟnuingÊtheÊanalogyÊofÊtakingÊoffÊtheÊnastyÊ clothesÊandÊpuƫngÊonÊtheÊnew,ÊthereÊareÊactuallyÊEIGHTÊnewÊouƞitsÊ menƟonedÊinÊtheseÊthreeÊverses.Ê · First,ÊfromÊv.12,ÊlistÊtwoÊadjecƟvesÊthatÊdescribeÊus,ÊasÊGod’sÊÊÊÊ children: ReadÊJohnÊ15:16,Ê19.Ê · WriteÊaÊsentenceÊthatÊexplainsÊGod’sÊchoiceÊregardingÊyou. BecauseÊHeÊchoseÊusÊtoÊbeÊHisÊimage bearers inÊthisÊworldÊandÊbe- causeÊweÊareÊsetÊapartÊandÊlovedÊandÊgivenÊaÊnewÊnature,ÊweÊcanÊ walkÊinÊagreementÊwithÊHISÊcharacterÊandÊputÊonÊtheÊwardrobeÊthatÊ expressesÊHISÊbeauty.ÊListÊeightÊvirtuesÊinÊtoday’sÊpassage: v v v v v v v v WhichÊnewÊwardrobeÊpieceÊdoÊyouÊfindÊtheÊmostÊchallengingÊrightÊ nowÊinÊyourÊlife?Ê Week Eight — Colossians 3:12-4:1 Day 1:
UsingÊaÊconcordance,ÊfindÊthatÊvirtueÊportrayedÊinÊtheÊcharacterÊofÊ Jesus.ÊForÊexample,ÊifÊcompassionÊisÊmostÊdifficult,ÊfindÊanÊexampleÊofÊ JesusÊshowingÊcompassionÊforÊtheÊcrowds.ÊNow,ÊspendÊƟmeÊinÊpray- er,ÊaskingÊGodÊtoÊenableÊyouÊtoÊfollowÊHimÊinÊthisÊarea. Forgiveness:ÊÊInÊv.13,ÊweÊareÊcommandedÊtoÊforgiveÊoffensesÊ · WhatÊisÊtheÊreasonÊgiven? Love:ÊÊAboveÊall,ÊweÊareÊtoÊputÊonÊlove. · WhatÊisÊtheÊfuncƟonÊofÊloveÊinÊv.14?Ê ExplainÊwhatÊthisÊlooksÊlikeÊinÊreal-lifeÊsituaƟons,ÊmaybeÊthroughÊaÊ personalÊexample. a READÊandÊWRITEÊColossiansÊ3:15-17ÊinÊyourÊjournal. IÊoŌenÊsay,Ê“it’s simple, just not easy”. TakingÊoffÊtheÊthingsÊthatÊareÊ not inÊagreementÊwithÊJesus,ÊandÊpuƫngÊonÊthingsÊthatÊare inÊagree- ment,ÊisÊveryÊsimpleÊ—Êit’sÊjustÊnotÊalwaysÊeasy.ÊItÊrequiresÊyieldingÊtoÊ theÊSpiritÊofÊJesusÊinÊorderÊtoÊ‘let things happen’.ÊÊForÊexample: · (v.15)ÊLet theÊ___________________________________ÊruleÊinÊ _____________________. · (v.16)ÊLet theÊ_______________________________ÊdwellÊinÊyouÊ ________________. Day 2:
ThereÊisÊalsoÊaÊrepeƟƟonÊofÊtheÊpracƟceÊofÊgivingÊthanksÊinÊtheseÊ threeÊverses.ÊInÊyourÊjournal,ÊunderlineÊeachÊinstanceÊofÊthanks,ÊorÊ thanksgiving.Ê · WhatÊdoÊyouÊthinkÊisÊsignificantÊaboutÊthisÊcommonÊthreadÊofÊ graƟtude?ÊÊ ListÊtheÊpracƟcesÊfromÊv.16ÊthatÊshouldÊbeÊanÊacƟveÊpartÊofÊourÊlivesÊ (eitherÊpersonally,ÊorÊwithÊotherÊbelievers): ShareÊsomeÊpracƟcalÊreal-lifeÊapplicaƟonsÊforÊthoseÊacƟviƟes: Whatever you do: IÊdislikeÊtheÊcontemporaryÊoneÊwordÊresponseÊthatÊ manyÊpeople,ÊespeciallyÊteens,ÊlikeÊtoÊuseÊ—Êwhatever. But, IÊloveÊtheÊ Apostle’sÊphrase,Ê’whatever you do’Ê(v.17),ÊbecauseÊitÊmakesÊtheseÊ conceptsÊindividualÊandÊpracƟcal.ÊÊWhatever we do dependsÊonÊwho weÊareÊandÊwhat GodÊhasÊputÊinÊourÊlane.Ê · WhatÊisÊGodÊsƟrringÊupÊinÊyourÊheartÊto do?Ê
· WhatÊareÊyourÊinstrucƟonsÊinÊv.17ÊwithÊregardÊtoÊwhat you do? a READÊandÊWRITEÊColossiansÊ3:18-21ÊinÊyourÊjournal. One Happy Family: TheseÊtwoÊdaysÊofÊourÊstudyÊwillÊbeÊveryÊrelaƟonalÊ andÊpracƟcal!ÊForÊmany,ÊtheseÊwordsÊaren’tÊnewÊinformaƟon,ÊbutÊ God’sÊWordÊisÊlivingÊandÊacƟve,ÊandÊevenÊwhenÊweÊmeetÊfamiliarÊpas- sages,ÊweÊcanÊexpectÊtoÊbeÊchangedÊbyÊourÊƟmeÊspentÊinÊtheÊWord!Ê ReadÊ1ÊPeterÊ3:1. · FromÊthatÊpassage,ÊandÊfromÊv.18ÊinÊourÊcurrentÊtext,ÊwhatÊisÊtheÊ commandÊtoÊwives? FillÊinÊtheÊqualifyingÊadjecƟveÊbeforeÊtheÊwordÊhusbandsÊinÊtheÊPeterÊ passage:Ê“Wives,ÊbeÊsubjectÊtoÊyourÊ_________Êhusbands.” · HowÊdoesÊthatÊoneÊwordÊshedÊmoreÊlightÊonÊtheÊdirecƟve? ReadÊEphesiansÊ5:22-24. · WhoÊdoesÊtheÊhusbandÊsymbolize? · WhoÊdoesÊtheÊwifeÊsymbolize?ÊÊ Day 3:
· WithÊtheÊEphesiansÊpassageÊinÊmind,ÊandÊtheÊexhortaƟonÊtoÊwivesÊ inÊourÊcurrentÊtextÊ—ÊwhyÊdoÊyouÊthinkÊitÊisÊ‘fiƫng in the Lord’ forÊ aÊwifeÊtoÊholdÊthisÊposiƟonÊorÊrankÊinÊtheÊfamily? ReadÊ1ÊPeterÊ3:7. · FromÊthatÊpassageÊandÊfromÊourÊcurrentÊtextÊinÊv.19,ÊwhatÊisÊcom- mandedÊofÊtheÊhusband?Ê SinceÊwivesÊareÊexhortedÊtoÊfallÊinÊrankÊinÊtheÊfamilyÊunitÊandÊhus- bandsÊareÊexhortedÊtoÊlove,ÊshowÊhonorÊandÊunderstanding,ÊnotÊÊÊÊ beingÊharsh,ÊdoÊyouÊthinkÊit’sÊpossibleÊthatÊourÊnaturalÊbentÊinÊourÊ relaƟonshipsÊisÊtowardÊtheÊopposite? ReadÊGenesisÊ3ÊaboutÊtheÊFall of Man, payingÊparƟcularÊaƩenƟonÊtoÊ theÊresult,ÊorÊtheÊcurseÊofÊsinÊinÊv.16-19.ÊÊ · Now,ÊwriteÊyourÊthoughtsÊonÊwhyÊweÊmayÊnaturallyÊrelateÊtoÊoneÊ anotherÊinÊtheÊfamilyÊinÊtheÊwayÊweÊdo: We must not think of submission as slavery or subjugation. The word comes from the military vocabulary and simply means "to arrange under rank." That one soldier is a private and another is a colonel does not mean that one man is nec- essarily better than the other. It only means that they have different ranks. Bible Exposition Commentary2
IfÊyouÊareÊmarried,ÊisÊthereÊaÊparƟcularÊareaÊofÊreverenceÊtoÊtheÊLord,Ê throughÊsubmissionÊtoÊyourÊhusband,ÊthatÊGodÊisÊaskingÊofÊyou? Children and Parents: NoteÊGod’sÊcreatedÊorderÊforÊchildrenÊandÊÊÊ parentsÊinÊv.20-21: · ChildrenÊhaveÊaÊresponsibilityÊto: · FathersÊ(andÊmothers)ÊhaveÊaÊresponsibilityÊto: · WhatÊisÊtheÊreason? · Again,ÊwhatÊdoÊyouÊthinkÊmightÊbeÊourÊnaturalÊinclinaƟonÊasÊÊÊÊ parentsÊbecauseÊofÊourÊsinfulÊnature? CanÊyouÊtesƟfyÊtoÊGodÊempoweringÊyouÊtoÊovercomeÊbehaviorsÊthatÊ areÊnotÊencouragingÊtoÊyourÊchildrenÊlikeÊyelling,ÊlosingÊyourÊtemper,Ê frustraƟon,ÊorÊloŌyÊexpectaƟons?Ê · NoteÊanyÊvictoriesÊthatÊGodÊhasÊgivenÊyouÊinÊthisÊarea: a READÊandÊWRITEÊColossiansÊ3:22-25,ÊandÊ4:1ÊinÊyourÊjournal. Slaves & Masters; Employees & Employers: TheÊculturalÊcontextÊofÊthisÊ passageÊexistedÊinÊaÊsocietyÊwithÊmanyÊtypesÊofÊslavesÊandÊmasters.Ê WeÊcan’tÊpersonallyÊrelateÊtoÊthisÊinÊwesternÊsociety,ÊbutÊIÊseeÊnoÊrea- sonÊwhyÊallÊofÊtheseÊexhortaƟonsÊcannotÊnotÊbeÊjustÊasÊviableÊinÊaÊ workplaceÊenvironment.Ê IfÊyouÊareÊprimarilyÊanÊemployeeÊ(orÊevenÊaÊvolunteer),ÊmakeÊaÊlistÊofÊ threeÊthingsÊthatÊseemÊmostÊsignificantÊinÊthisÊconversaƟon.ÊIfÊyouÊ areÊprimarilyÊaÊbossÊ(master),ÊmakeÊyourÊlistÊfromÊyourÊperspecƟve. · Ê · Ê · Ê InÊtheÊsameÊwayÊthatÊhusbandsÊandÊwivesÊwereÊnotÊtoÊonlyÊofferÊÊÊÊ respectÊIFÊtheÊspouseÊwasÊaÊChrisƟan;ÊsoÊtoo,ÊworkersÊareÊexhortedÊÊ toÊworkÊhard,Êhonor,ÊandÊplease,ÊnoÊmaƩerÊtheÊspiritualÊcondiƟonÊofÊ theirÊsuperior.ÊÊ · (v.23)They are to work hearƟly ____________________________ and not ________________ . DoesÊitÊcomeÊnaturallyÊtoÊgoÊtoÊwork,ÊthinkingÊyouÊareÊ‘working for the Lord’?ÊÊWhatÊpracƟcalÊadviceÊwouldÊyouÊgiveÊaÊfriendÊwhoÊisÊ strugglingÊinÊtheirÊworkÊenvironmentÊwithÊaÊbossÊorÊemployee? Day 4: And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up. Galatians 6:9
_______________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________ Notes from Audio Teaching — Week 8 a READÊandÊWRITEÊColossiansÊ4:2-4ÊinÊyourÊjournal. PRAY, PRAY, PRAY: AdverbsÊareÊwordsÊthatÊADDÊtoÊtheÊverb.ÊTheyÊmayÊ tellÊusÊhow orÊwhen somethingÊwas/isÊdone.Ê · WhatÊwordsÊaddÊtoÊtheÊsubjectÊofÊprayerÊinÊv.2? SinceÊyouÊknowÊthatÊGodÊisÊsovereign,ÊyouÊmightÊwonder,Ê‘isn’t God going to do what He’s going to do anyway? Why so much focus on prayer?’ÊWell,ÊGodÊhadÊchosenÊtoÊgovernÊtheÊworldÊinÊfellowshipÊwithÊ HisÊpeople.ÊWeÊareÊnowÊtheÊBodyÊofÊChristÊandÊweÊareÊpartnersÊwithÊ God,ÊorÊasÊPeterÊsaidÊ(1ÊPeterÊ1:4),Êpartakers of the divine nature. WhatÊdoÊtheseÊpassagesÊaddÊtoÊtheÊhow, andÊwhen, andÊquanƟtyÊofÊ prayer? · MaƩhewÊ6:5-13 · LukeÊ10:2 · EphesiansÊ6:18-20 · 1ÊThessaloniansÊ5:17 WhereÊisÊourÊfocus:ÊOfÊallÊtheÊthingsÊPaulÊcouldÊhaveÊrequestedÊprayerÊ for,ÊputÊintoÊyourÊownÊwordsÊhisÊrequestÊinÊv.4: Week Nine — Colossians 4:2-18 Day 1:
Paul’sÊwasÊanÊeternity-centeredÊprayerÊrequest.ÊIÊsoÊwishÊmoreÊofÊmyÊ requestsÊhadÊthatÊfocus.Ê · ListÊoneÊorÊtwoÊeternity-centeredÊprayerÊrequestsÊthatÊspringÊupÊ fromÊyourÊcurrentÊlifeÊandÊcircumstances: a READÊandÊWRITEÊColossiansÊ4:5-6ÊinÊyourÊjournal. What will they think? InÊgeneral,Êit’sÊnotÊaÊgreatÊideaÊtoÊbeÊconcernedÊ aboutÊwhatÊpeopleÊthink.ÊHowever,ÊinÊthisÊcontext,ÊPaulÊgaveÊsomeÊ goodÊƟpsÊforÊsharingÊourÊfaithÊwithÊoutsiders,ÊwhoÊmayÊbeÊwatchingÊ andÊthinkingÊaboutÊourÊlives.Ê InÊtheÊNIV,Êv.4ÊsaysÊ“Pray that I may proclaim it [the gospel] clearly, as I should.”ÊWeÊknowÊthatÊproclaimingÊtheÊGospelÊwasÊonÊhisÊmind.Ê WithÊthatÊinÊview,ÊlistÊsomeÊofÊtheÊƟpsÊheÊexhortedÊUSÊtoÊbeÊthinkingÊ aboutÊfromÊtoday’sÊverses: · Ê · Ê · Ê It’sÊbeenÊsaidÊthatÊƟme isÊtheÊoneÊtrulyÊnon-renewableÊcommodity.Ê OnceÊthatÊminuteÊorÊhourÊhasÊpassed,ÊitÊisÊneverÊableÊtoÊbeÊretrieved.ÊÊ Oh,ÊhowÊeasyÊitÊisÊforÊusÊtoÊdelayÊorÊpostponeÊsharingÊsomethingÊofÊ ourselves,ÊandÊtheÊGodÊwhoÊhasÊsavedÊus,ÊwithÊoutsiders—weÊcanÊ findÊaÊhundredÊexcuses.Ê Day 2:
Perhaps,Êit’sÊbestÊtoÊstopÊrightÊhere,ÊandÊaskÊGodÊtoÊshowÊyouÊhowÊtoÊ makeÊtheÊbestÊuseÊofÊyourÊƟmeÊtoday.ÊWriteÊyourÊthoughtsÊandÊthenÊ doÊexactlyÊwhatÊHeÊshowsÊyou: Well-seasoned words: DoÊyouÊhaveÊaÊfriend,ÊlikeÊIÊdo,ÊwhoÊalwaysÊ seemsÊtoÊknowÊtheÊperfectÊthingÊtoÊsay,ÊevenÊwhenÊIÊdon’t?ÊOurÊ wordsÊareÊimportant,ÊasÊweÊsay,ÊourÊtalk needsÊtoÊmatchÊourÊwalk.Ê WhatÊdoÊtheseÊScriptureÊhaveÊtoÊaddÊtoÊthisÊconversaƟon? · PsalmÊ19:14 · EphesiansÊ4:15 · EphesiansÊ4:29 · 1ÊPeterÊ3:15 The Christian's walk and talk must be in harmony with each other. When character, conduct, and conversation are all working together, it makes for a powerful witness. Bible Exposition Commentary3 a READÊandÊWRITEÊColossiansÊ4:7-15ÊinÊyourÊjournal. Today’sÊversesÊcontainÊaÊlargeÊamountÊofÊwriƟngÊ—ÊitÊjustÊhappenedÊ thatÊwayÊdueÊtoÊtheÊlongÊclosingÊgreeƟngsÊinÊthisÊleƩer.ÊIfÊyouÊneedÊ to,ÊjustÊshiŌÊaÊcoupleÊofÊversesÊtoÊtomorrow’sÊwriƟng. About Tychicus:ÊEpaphrasÊwasÊtheÊoneÊwhoÊbroughtÊPaulÊnewsÊfromÊ theÊColossians,ÊbutÊitÊseemsÊheÊwouldÊnotÊreturnÊtoÊthemÊveryÊsoon,Ê soÊPaulÊsentÊTychicusÊandÊOnesimusÊonÊtheÊreturnÊmission instead.Ê (TychicusÊisÊalsoÊmenƟonedÊin ActsÊ20:4ÊandÊEphesiansÊ6:21-22.Ê) · HowÊdidÊPaulÊdescribeÊTychicusÊinÊthisÊpassage? · HowÊdidÊheÊdescribeÊOnesimus? Insights into a True Prayer Warrior: SinceÊEpaphrasÊspentÊƟmeÊwithÊ PaulÊinÊconfinementÊinÊRome,ÊPaulÊwasÊableÊtoÊobserveÊhisÊcharacterÊ andÊhisÊdailyÊprayerÊhabits.ÊWhenÊEpaphrasÊprayedÊ—ÊPaulÊknewÊitÊ andÊheÊwantedÊtheÊbelieversÊbackÊhomeÊtoÊknowÊitÊtoo.ÊHeÊwantedÊ themÊtoÊknowÊhowÊgenuineÊheÊwasÊtowardÊthem.ÊÊFromÊv.12-13… · HowÊdidÊheÊpray? · WhatÊdidÊheÊpray? · ForÊwhomÊdidÊheÊpray? Day 3:
WheneverÊweÊareÊinspiredÊbyÊsomeone’sÊprayerÊlife,ÊweÊcan’tÊjustÊbeÊ students,ÊweÊhaveÊtoÊbecomeÊapprenƟces!ÊItÊwouldÊbeÊaÊgreatÊwasteÊ toÊmerelyÊbeÊpeopleÊwhoÊtalk about prayer,ÊorÊsayÊwe believe in prayer, weÊmustÊbecomeÊpeopleÊwhoÊactuallyÊtake Ɵme to pray! Today,ÊonceÊagain,Êlet’sÊtakeÊupÊthisÊchallenge,ÊputÊdownÊourÊpensÊandÊ actuallyÊprayÊforÊthoseÊwhomÊGodÊhasÊputÊintoÊourÊrealmÊofÊinfluence. v PrayÊspecificallyÊ v PrayÊpassionatelyÊÊÊÊv PrayÊScripturally FollowÊtheÊexampleÊfoundÊinÊtheseÊmenÊofÊGod,ÊandÊuseÊtheÊtoolsÊyouÊ haveÊlearnedÊfromÊthisÊstudy.Ê a READÊandÊWRITEÊColossiansÊ4:16-18ÊinÊyourÊjournal. For the Many and For the One:ÊOneÊthingÊaboutÊPaul—heÊdefinitelyÊ embracedÊtheÊapostolicÊministryÊGodÊhadÊentrustedÊtoÊhim.ÊHisÊfinalÊ instrucƟonsÊinÊv.16-17ÊwereÊdirectedÊatÊanÊenƟreÊregionÊofÊpeopleÊÊ andÊthen,ÊoneÊindividual.ÊÊ ToÊtheÊmasses,ÊheÊsaid:Ê“hey,Êmake sure this leƩer is circulated and read aloud and mulled over and taken to heart—that everyone would know the heart of the Lord on these maƩers” ToÊtheÊindividual,ÊheÊsaid:Ê“tell Archippus to make sure he carries out the ministry the Lord gave him to do” HowÊwouldÊyouÊfeelÊif,ÊoutÊofÊanÊenƟreÊregionÊofÊpeople,ÊGodÊcalledÊ youÊoutÊbyÊnameÊsaying,Ê“__________________, be sure to fulfill the ministry that I’ve given you to do”? Day 4: To this end we always pray for you, that our God may make you worthy of His calling and may fulfill every resolve for good and every work of faith by His power, so that the name of our Lord Jesus may be glorified in you. 2 Thessalonians 1:11-12
ThatÊisÊtheÊsenseÊthatÊIÊwouldÊhopeÊtoÊleaveÊusÊallÊwith,ÊinÊthisÊstudy.Ê · We’veÊaskedÊGodÊtoÊstrengthenÊusÊwithÊHisÊpowerÊforÊendurance · WeÊhaveÊaskedÊthatÊweÊbeÊfilledÊwithÊtheÊknowledgeÊofÊHisÊwill · WeÊhaveÊconsideredÊtheÊwalkÊthatÊGodÊintendsÊforÊus ...andÊnowÊtheÊlastÊthingÊleŌÊisÊjustÊtoÊ—Êdo it! Prayerfully,ÊlistÊatÊleastÊtwoÊgeneralÊthingsÊthatÊyouÊknowÊGodÊhasÊ sƟrredÊupÊinÊyourÊheartÊtoÊfulfill.ÊTheseÊareÊthingsÊthatÊanyÊChrisƟanÊ couldÊlist: · Ê · Ê Now,ÊlistÊatÊleastÊtwoÊspecificÊthingsÊthatÊyouÊsenseÊGodÊisÊcallingÊyouÊ toÊwalkÊoutÊinÊyourÊlife—specificÊthingsÊthatÊHeÊhasÊgivenÊONLYÊtoÊ youÊtoÊaccomplish. · Ê · Ê InÊtheÊsameÊwayÊthatÊPaulÊclosesÊthisÊleƩerÊwith,Ê“Grace be with you”. myÊprayerÊforÊallÊofÊusÊis: “Lord, please enable our hearts and minds to be strengthened by your power to keep the ministry you have entrusted to us in focus, to be faithful doers of your word and your will and to bring glory to YOUR name here on earth — Amen” .
____________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________ Notes from Audio Teaching — Week 9
RĊċĊėĊēĈĊĘ ESVÊBibleÊverses:ÊScriptureÊquotaƟonsÊareÊfromÊtheÊESV®ÊBibleÊ(TheÊ HolyÊBible,ÊEnglishÊStandardÊVersion®),ÊcopyrightÊ©Ê2001ÊbyÊÊÊÊÊÊÊ Crossway,ÊaÊpublishingÊministryÊofÊGoodÊNewsÊPublishers.ÊUsedÊbyÊ permission.ÊAllÊrightsÊreserved. NIVÊBibleÊverses:ÊScriptureÊtakenÊfromÊtheÊHolyÊBible,ÊNEWÊINTERNA- TIONALÊVERSION®,ÊNIV®ÊCopyrightÊ©Ê1973,Ê1978,Ê1984,Ê2011ÊbyÊÊÊ Biblica,ÊInc.®ÊUsedÊbyÊÊpermission.ÊAllÊrightsÊreservedÊworldwide. 1—ÊÊWiersbe,ÊWarrenÊW.ÊThe Bible ExposiƟon Commentary — New Testament, Vol 2. ColoradoÊSprings,ÊCO:ÊVictor,Ê2001Ê ÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊWORDsearchÊCROSSÊe-book. 2—ÊWiersbe,ÊWarrenÊW.ÊThe Bible ExposiƟon Commentary — New Testament, Vol 2. ColoradoÊSprings,ÊCO:ÊVictor,Ê2001Ê ÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊWORDsearchÊCROSSÊe-book. 3—ÊWiersbe,ÊWarrenÊW.ÊThe Bible ExposiƟon Commentary — New Testament, Vol 2. ColoradoÊSprings,ÊCO:ÊVictor,Ê2001Ê ÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊWORDsearchÊCROSSÊe-book.
Women of the Word Bible Studies TheÊfollowingÊWOWÊBibleÊStudiesÊwriƩenÊbyÊSueÊLeBouƟllierÊareÊ availableÊthroughÊtheÊCalvaryÊChapelÊOntarioÊbookstore,ÊandÊthroughÊ ourÊonlineÊstoreÊatÊwww.ccontario.com. ÊÊOldÊTestament: ·ÊÊGenesisÊ—ÊDivineÊDesign,ÊFromÊEdenÊtoÊEgypt ·ÊÊExodusÊ—ÊDivineÊDeliverance,ÊFromÊEgyptÊtoÊSinai ·ÊÊNumbersÊ—TheÊWildernessÊWay,ÊFromÊSinaiÊtoÊtheÊJordan ·ÊÊJoshuaÊ—TheÊPathÊofÊPromise,ÊFromÊtheÊJordanÊintoÊCanaan ·ÊÊJudgesÊ—ÊAÊTimeÊofÊTurning ·ÊÊRuthÊ—ÊRescueÊandÊRest ·ÊÊ1ÊSamuelÊ—ÊTheÊComingÊKing ·ÊÊJonahÊ—TheÊCallÊofÊCompassion ÊÊNewÊTestament: ·ÊÊTheÊWayÊofÊJesusÊ—ÊTheÊSermonÊonÊtheÊMountÊfromÊMaƩhew ·ÊÊSimplyÊJesusÊ—ÊTheÊ“IÊAMs”ÊofÊChristÊinÊtheÊGospelÊofÊJohn ·ÊÊActsÊ—ÊWalkingÊinÊtheÊSpirit,ÊTheÊFirstÊDaysÊofÊtheÊLastÊDaysÊ ·ÊÊGalaƟansÊ—ÊFindingÊGraceÊinÊaÊDemandingÊWorld ·ÊÊPhilippiansÊ—ÊFindingÊJoyÊinÊaÊDisjointedÊWorld ·ÊÊColossiansÊ—ÊWalkingÊinÊStrengthÊandÊPower ·ÊÊTitusÊ—ÊWhileÊWeÊWait ·ÊÊJamesÊ—ÊRealÊFaithÊforÊDailyÊLife ·ÊÊ1Ê&Ê2ÊPeterÊ—ÊHope,ÊHolinessÊandÊHumilityÊinÊaÊHosƟleÊWorld ·ÊÊ1,2,3ÊJohnÊ—ÊLight,ÊLoveÊandÊLogic,ÊLessonsÊfromÊtheÊApostleÊJohn
Empowered to Live the Extraordinary
Apr 18, 2026
Steadfast in Christ's Unchanging Truth
Apr 18, 2026
Living Out God's Purpose in Grace
Apr 18, 2026
God's Quiet Hand in Our Lives
Apr 18, 2026
From Bondage to Freedom
Apr 18, 2026
Grace in a Demanding World
Apr 18, 2026
