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Week 4 Life Group: Colossians Bible Study–Holiness, Grace, and Peace
Colossians 1:2 To God’s holy people in Colossae, the faithful brothers and sisters in Christ: Grace and peace to you from God our Father.
Outline
I. God’s Holy People: What does holiness mean in this verse? (See separate post on “Holiness”)
II. Grace
A. Popcorn: What is grace? What words or short phrases come to mind when you think about God’s grace?
1. God’s undeserved goodness
2.a wonderful, saving surprise against the flow
3. GRACE = God’s Riches At Christ’s Expense
4. Mercy when least expected
5. The giving of “slack”
6. Hospitable
7. Tender
8. Loving
9. Forgiven
10. Debts forgiven
III. Peace
A. What Is God’s Peace?
1. God is himself the “Fountain of peace.” (Pink, 30)
a. Peace is an attribute of God. Peace describes his nature.
b. God is impassible–he himself is never perturbed and he does not suffer.
c. God is immutable–he does not change.
d. Scripture
i. with God there are no surprises (Acts 15:18 (NKJ))
ii. with God there are no disappointments (Romans 11:36)
iii. with God there are no disturbances (James 1:17)
iv. with God there is no change (James 1:17)
2. How does this attribute of God and these verses reassure us?
a. Our salvation is not based on us nor upon our behavior but upon God’s own eternal decision within himself.
b. We can’t surprise God, nor disappoint him, nor cause him to change his mind about us. Once adopted into his family–always in his family, always loved.
c. Are we then robots, completely controlled by another? No. Modern example of “predestination” (think Calvinism) coexisting with “free choice” (think Arminianism): Harry Potter and the Sorting Hat. Although the hat made the ultimate decision, it never went entirely against the wishes of the student, but took his or her desires into strong consideration. (Decision of the Hat)
3. Is God then completely mechanical, cold, and unmoving towards us? No. Church Father Cyril of Alexandria always spoke of “qualified impassibility,” or, “God suffered without suffering.” The Council of Chalcedon (Council of Chalcedon 451) adopted his thought concerning the two natures of Christ in one person, one nature divine and one human, united yet distinguishable, which remained the norm in the Christian church for one thousand years. From Scripture, we see that both Yahweh of the Old Testament and Christ in the New suffered and experienced emotion. Yet, paradoxically, God in himself, God eternal and sovereign, remains always unperturbed, always at peace as the fountain of peace.
Think of planet Earth as viewed from space. How does it appear? Completely smooth, having a level and even surface. From earth, however, steeply elevated mountains and precipitous canyons abound. Earth is also home to severe earthquakes and tremendously destructive storms. Likewise, the eternal God, in and of himself, never changes and is always at peace, at rest, within himself. Yet in his interactions with us, when he relates to us at our own level, he often responds to our storms with storms of his own. (Psalm 18) (“Our Great God” by Fernando Ortega)
God in grace, mercy, and love accommodates our frailties and finiteness by using a translator to interpret and express himself to us. This translator is divine, God himself. He is Christ, the Word, the logos, the expression and outward manifestation of God. Christ became flesh and lived among us.
As noted above, God expresses and manifests himself as Yahweh, I Am That I Am, in the Old Testament, and as Christ in the New Testament. God-in-relation-to-human-beings suffers with us and responds to our repentance, prayers, and petitions. Nevertheless, in his eternality, He is always at peace. He is like a father who can fully comprehend, sympathize with, and have compassion for the suffering of his little child, without he himself in his being ever becoming “shaken to his core,” nor disturbed in any way.
The Good News of Jesus Christ, the Gospel message, is that God did indeed “come down” to us.
God in his infinite holiness, unchangeableness, and purity of peace did come down, all the way down, to Planet Earth in order to participate fully in the humanity of people, except for their sin.
For we do not have a high priest who is unable to empathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are—yet he did not sin. (Hebrews 4:15)
But when the set time had fully come, God sent his Son, born of a woman, born under the law, 5 to redeem those under the law, that we might receive adoption to sonship. (Galatians 4:4-5)
Next Week: Two Kinds of biblical peace for humans–1) covenantal peace (think peace treaty) and subjective peace (think peace of mind)
Week 3 Life Group: Colossians Bible Study
Colossians as a First Century Letter
Formal Elements
I. From (1:1)
II. To (1:2a)
III. Greeting (1:2b)
IV. Prayer (1:3-12a)
V. Body (1:3-4:6)
VI. Closing and Farewell (4:7-18)
Functional Elements
I. Opening (From, To, and Greeting) (1:1-2b)
II. Introductory Remarks: Laying a Good Foundation for What Follows (1:3-2:5)
III. Issues, Exhortations, Concerns (2:6-4:6)
IV. Final Greetings and Farewell (4:7-18)
Zoom-In:
II. Introductory Remarks: Laying a Good Foundation for What Follows (1:3-2:5)
A. Prayer for the Colossians (1:3-12a)
B. The Father’s Role in the Colossians’ Salvation (1:12b-13)
C. The Son’s Role in the Universe and in Salvation (1:14-23a)
D. Paul’s Role (1:23b-2:5)
1. for the gospel (1:23b)
2. for the church (1:24-29)
3. for the growth of the Colossians and Laodiceans (2:1-5)
Detailed Presentation
I. From
A. Paul an apostle of the Lord Jesus Christ (1:1a)
1. What do we know about Paul? What is his character like? What are some main events in his life? What can we conclude about his motives and purpose in serving the gospel, Christ, and the church?
a. Stoning Stephen Acts 7:54-8:3
c. His Suffering Connected with Ministry 2 Corinthians 11:23-33
2. In what ways might Paul be compared and contrasted with Joshua?
B. Timothy our brother (1:1b)
1. What is Timothy’s role in the Letter to the Colossians?
2. Would you describe Timothy as being first generation or second generation Christian?
3. Questions for thought
a. How do we learn about Timothy throughout the New Testament?
b. That is, does he speak and act directly as a main character?
c. Or, do we mostly learn about him by reading references to him written by others?
d. Is he a main player in the biblical books that bear his name?
4. Thinking about the New Testament in light of Timothy, what do we learn about its overall content? (Who are the main players?)
5. Colossians 1:1, Acts 16:1-3, 1 Timothy 1-6, 2 Timothy 1-4
C. Who is Epaphras? How does Paul describe him?
1. Colossians 1:7 How would the Colossians feel about Paul, whom they had never met, when he commends their pastor? How would they feel about the gospel message Epaphras had given them?
2. Colossians 4:12 This may refer to physical imprisonment, or more likely, metaphorical servitude to Christ.
II. To
A. To God’s holy people in Colossae, the faithful brothers and sisters in Christ (1:2)
B. What do we know about the town of Colosse?
1. Where was it situated? Was it on or off the main trade thoroughfare?
2. How large or small was it?
3. What was its importance, if any?
C. Had Paul ever visited Colosse?
1. Did he know the people personally?
2. What effect might this have had on the tone of his letter to them?
3. Compare Paul’s tone in the Letter to the Galatians with his tone here and relate this to his personal history with each of these churches.
Next Week: Colossians 1:2 more on “To” and “Greeting” with a focus on the words “holy,” “grace,” and “peace.”
Mini Word Study: Hagios (‘Áγιος)
‘Áγιος pronounced ha-gui-os, or hagios.
Hagios occurs in Colossians 1:22 as the adjective “holy”: “…to present you holy in his sight…” and as a noun “saints” in Colossians 1:2, 4, 12, and 26.
Definition: set aside, consecrated, for a specific purpose for and/or by God; as the quality of persons or things that can be brought near or into God’s presence (Friberg). Example verse:
1Peter 2:5 you also, like living stones, are being built into a spiritual house to be a holy priesthood, offering spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.
An Old Testament word that sums up this particular aspect of the word hagios, or “holy” in English, is the word “devoted,” or set aside, consecrated, as the definition above suggests.
Psalm 119:38 (KJV) Stablish thy word unto thy servant, who is devoted to thy fear.
The phrase “is devoted” is displayed with italics in the KJV to indicate that this specific phrase is not found in the original Hebrew text but has been added for clarity by the translators of the KJV. The meaning of the phrase, however, is embedded in the concept of “servant,” and brings out a certain characteristic of servanthood very well (think Downtown Abbey.)
In Scripture, when something was set aside as a tithe or offering for use by the Lord, this item merited the description “devoted.” Three biblical examples follow:
1. Leviticus 27:21 (NET) When it reverts in the jubilee, the field will be holy to the LORD like a permanently dedicated field; it will become the priest’s property.
2. Joshua 6:17-19 (ESV) And the city and all that is within it shall be devoted to the LORD for destruction. Only Rahab the prostitute and all who are with her in her house shall live, because she hid the messengers whom we sent. 18 But you, keep yourselves from the things devoted to destruction, lest when you have devoted them you take any of the devoted things and make the camp of Israel a thing for destruction and bring trouble upon it. 19 But all silver and gold, and every vessel of bronze and iron, are holy to the LORD; they shall go into the treasury of the LORD.”
Joshua 7:1 (ESV) But the people of Israel broke faith in regard to the devoted things, for Achan the son of Carmi, son of Zabdi, son of Zerah, of the tribe of Judah, took some of the devoted things. And the anger of the LORD burned against the people of Israel.
3. Mark 7:10-12 (NIV) For Moses said, ‘Honor your father and mother,’ and, ‘Anyone who curses their father or mother is to be put to death.’ 11 But you say that if anyone declares that what might have been used to help their father or mother is Corban (that is, devoted to God)– 12 then you no longer let them do anything for their father or mother.
We have examples of things “devoted” in our own lives: 1) Our tithes and firstfruit offerings to the Lord, 2) our “cookie jar” money that we save for that “special something,” or 3) a special, one-time-only income, such as an income tax refund or an unexpected inheritance, that we earmark, or set aside, for a special and specific purpose, such as a family vacation or college tuition fund for the kids.
So, getting back to the verse Psalm 119:38 (KJV), the Scripture is saying that the speaker of this psalm himself has been set aside, earmarked, for a special use by the Lord: to be his servant.
When we discover that we ourselves have been set aside by the Lord for his service (see 1Peter 2:9), this is at once an honor, a privilege (he’s the ruler of the universe, and he takes good care of what belongs to him), and a duty, or responsibility. Also, who does this make the BOSS in all we think, say, and do?
Prayer: Lord, thank-you for calling me to be “devoted,” or set aside, for you. Help me to be aware that this is why I am here and to step up to my role in Christ Jesus.
Week 2 Life Group: Colossians Bible Study
I. Finish General Introduction from first week.
A. First week: Why study the Bible? What to pray before each reading/study time?
1. To hear God Isaiah 55:3
2. Life Psalm 119:92-93, John 1:2
3. Stability, unchanging truth Matthew 7:24 
4. Helps us pray more effectively as we learn God’s will 1John 5:14-15
B. This week: Study and/or Reading?
1. What is the difference between studying the Bible and reading the Bible?
a. reading is once-through; relatively rapid; distance; overview; the forest
b. studying is in-depth; spend time on one section; details; the trees
c. some prefer reading with pray and dependence on the Holy Spirit
d. pastors and teachers must study in addition to reading, so that they can present God’s truth more fully and accurately
e study and reading are both necessary
f. nothing is as wonderful or takes the place of God opening Scripture to us directly as we pray and spend time with him in his Word
2. What activities of study can we be doing as we “spend time” on certain portions of Scripture? What can we be doing as we ask God to “open” his Word to us?
a. participate in a group study, as we are doing now. Example: Pastor Leaf’s study on Nehemiah which lasted over one year
b. read the passage, reread, reread, etc. (As we read and reread the same passage, the Holy Spirit will draw our attention to details of interest we had not noticed before. In the hiking world, this is like hiking the same trail over and over again.)
c. as we notice individual words, phrases, and thoughts, ask questions like a child—what’s this? what does this mean, really? I don’t understand this? is there another way these words could be understood? why this? why that?
d. have a set time and a set place—a structured routine
e. take notes, draw charts, make diagrams, write/journal our thoughts, look at a map, outline
f.
3. What are some resources we may at some point want to use as helpful aids in our study?
a. find a Bible with side, center, or bottom-of-the-page references to look up related passages and words. Let Scripture interpret Scripture.
b. What is a “study” Bible and should we use one?
c. access to more than one translation
4. “Head” knowledge and “heart” knowledge
a. what is head knowledge?
b. what is heart knowledge?
c. which is more important?
d. why might we need both?
i. all of Psalm 119 combines head and heart
Psalm 119 2 Blessed are those who keep his statutes and seek him with all their heart– 3 they do no wrong but follow his ways. 4 You have laid down precepts that are to be fully obeyed.
Psalm 119:11 I have stored up your word in my heart, that I might not sin against you.
ii. short answer: We will be judged for our actions, not for our knowledge. Actions proceed from the heart. The head can be a powerful ally of the heart when the head informs the heart and keeps the heart in check. Both need to be brought into submission to Christ.
II. Read the text
A. What is the letter’s tone?
1. friendly, conciliatory, filled with compliments and praise
2. corrective, especially beginning in Chapter 2
3. different than Paul’s tone to the Galatians
a. Paul had founded the church in Galatia; the Galatians were his spiritual children; his emotions were more tied up with them
b. There is no evidence that Paul himself had ever visited Colosse; he may have been writing to strangers
B. What is the letter’s purpose?
1. encouragement
2. correction and guidance
3. to protect the integrity of the church’s beliefs
III. Next Week: continue specifics of the Introduction to the Letter; begin studying the text–greeting
Example of SideBar S-O-A-P in Practice
Aids to Memorization
Two Methods to Help Us Memorize
Hi Ladies!
I just want to encourage us all to keep working on our memory verse for this week. It is Colossians 1:13-14 from The Message Bible
Colossians 1:13-14
God rescued us from dead-end alleys and dark dungeons. He’s set us up in the kingdom of the Son he loves so much, the Son who got us out of the pit we were in, got rid of the sins we were doomed to keep repeating.
I chose The Message paraphrase because it reminds me of my own personal life, most recently–Psalm 18.
You can also memorize it from the NIV. It’s shorter!
Colossians 1:13-14
For he has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of the Son he loves, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.
Two Helps for Memorization:
1. Repetition
a. I find that for me the best way to memorize something is to keep reading it over and over again (no memory at this point–just re-reading and re-reading.)
b. Then I begin to say it out loud by memory. I might need up to 20 or 30 tries before I remember it all.
c. When I forget, I just look at the words right away. I don’t waste time trying to remember what I don’t remember! 
d. Keep the verse handy. I have the verse printed or typed in very large letters on a small card, perhaps an index card, which I prop up where I am working or carry in my purse or pocket or wherever. I cannot practice memorizing something if I don’t have it with me at several points throughout the day.
e. Eventually, by day number five or so, I find that I am beginning to be able to say the whole verse without looking.
f. Finally, it’s just a matter of repeating what I now know, until I REALLY know it, and can say it out loud at normal speed.
g. Being able to say the verse ALOUD is an important test of whether or not I actually know the verse.
Yes! This is hard work. Dietrich Bonhoeffer tells us that in the ancient church some pastors needed to demonstrate that they had memorized the entire book of Psalms before they could be ordained! (Think of all that we have lost by gaining the media.)
2. Writing
You might find the method that Wendy suggested easier for you:
a. Simply take a sheet of paper and begin writing.
- On the first line, just write the first word.
- On the second line, write two words.
- On the third line, write three words of the verse.
b. You proceed like this until the verse has been completed, or perhaps until you run out of paper (just joking!)
The important thing is to find a method that works for you and to not become discouraged. When we say the verse aloud at our next gathering, you will be amazed that you are not the only one who may have had difficulty memorizing the verses. I know that memorization does not come easy for me, and I am not just saying that.
The advantage of memorizing verses together as a group is that we are accountable to each other. I find this accountability very necessary for myself. What I mean is, I do not have the discipline to go through this process simply on my own.
Whatever else, be blessed and have fun!
Christina
Interactive!
God Speaks And Listens
How often I pray and ask God to listen to me. We want to be heard by him and sometimes blame him if he doesn’t respond. God does indeed listen and hear everything we think and feel and everything in us of which we may even be unaware (Psalm 10:17). Wonderfully, God also speaks in a personal way through his written Word, the Bible. He doesn’t speak this way every single time we read the Bible, but he does so often enough that our prayer before reading should always include a request for our hearts and minds to hear him when he speaks to us.
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Memory Verse–Colossians 1:13-14
The Message
Colossians 1:13-14 God rescued us from dead-end alleys and dark dungeons. He’s set us up in the kingom of the Son he loves so much, the Son who got us out of the pit we were in, got rid of the sins we were doomed to keep repeating.
NIV
Colossians 1:13-14 For he has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of the Son he loves, 14 in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.
Week 1 Life Group: Colossians Bible Study
I. Introduction
A. Why study the Bible?
1. Discussion: Why do you want to study Scripture? What does it mean to you personally? Be more specific: What do you hope to get or give from this Bible study?
2. Scripture explains itself:
a. Hebrews 4:12
b. Mark 13:31
c. Romans 10:17
3. The Bible is an interactive book.
a. God hears your heart and your mind over the course of time and always.
b. God speaks to you personally by his Holy Spirit through his Word.
“Give ear and come to me; listen, that you may live…” Isaiah 55:3
c. Let’s share some personal examples of times when God spoke directly to us through the vehicle of his Word. What impact did this have on your life?
B. The first step of Bible study each and every time is prayer.
1. We always need to ask God to open his Word to us.
2. What are some things we can ask God to help us with as we pray before reading and studying his Word? Suggested Answers:
a. attention and focus
b. a soft heart to receive
c. a spirit of obedience to do what God reveals.
d. peace and calm
3. God is willing—are we?
C. Next week we will continue with the question, “What is the difference between studying and reading? Why are both necessary?
One Small Voice 