Colossians - Chapter 4

Paul practicing what he preached

Colossians – Chapter 4

Review

1. History Review
1. When : 62 A.D
2. When : When Paul was in prison (either in Rome or in a Roman prison)
3. Who : to – Church (specifically Christians) at Colosse.
4. Who: wrote it – Paul
2. Chapter 1
1. Encouraging, greeting, and the Gospel
2. Characteristics of Christ
3. Chapter 2
1. Beware of “enticing words”
2. Misrepresented or misguiding philosophies, interpretations, traditions, etc can pull Christians from the center – CHRIST!
4. Chapter 3
1. Be deliberate in your Christianity
2. This is a chapter that requires examination of one’s self.

Introduction

1. How did you all do this week reading Colossians?
2. What’s your opinion of Colossians (thus far)?  Easy, hard, straightforward, confusing, basic, advanced, etc?  Compare it to Daniel or Romans, etc as well as your impression of it on its own.
1.  
3. What is your opinion of this chapter?  Easy or lots of questions, difficult and convoluted?
1.  
4. Can you group any of these chapters together?
1.  

Lesson

1. vv. 1 [READ – Col 4:1] A Note to Masters
1. V 1 – Masters, treat your workers/slaves right. 
2. vv. 2-6 [READ – Col 4:2-6] Prayer, Wisdom, and Grace
1. V 2-4 – Pray

                                                               i.      Devote yourself to it

                                                             ii.      Pray for others (Paul and others)

2. V 5 – Have wisdom

                                                               i.      Don’t be a fool compared to and in relationship to outsiders/non-Christians.

                                                             ii.      How does society today respond to someone that titles themselves as “Christian”

1.       News stories

2.       Celebrities or Musicians

3.       Pat Robertson, Jim Bakker, and similar…

3. V 6 – Be gracious

                                                               i.      Full of grace – graceful, gracious, etc.  Maybe proper…

                                                             ii.      Seasoned with salt – not bland or boring.  Be exciting (or at least interesting) about what you’re talking about considering your faith.

                                                            iii.      Know how to answer everyone – This isn’t about knowing the “right answers”, it’s knowing how to answer people properly.  Not promoting arguments, fighting, evil, gossip, or tearing people down.  There’s a right way and a wrong way to talk, even if you don’t know the answers…

3. vv. 7-18 [READ – Col 4:7-18] Greetings and marching orders
1. What’s the significance of this section?  Why is it here?  Is it important?

                                                               i.      Shows relationships

                                                             ii.      Shows friendships

                                                            iii.      Encourages those leaders that Paul mentions

                                                            iv.      Sets the stage for others to come (Mark)

2. Do we have these relationships and conversations?

                                                               i.      Who have you encouraged this week?

                                                             ii.      Who have you followed up with this week?

                                                            iii.      How do you keep up with folks that aren’t here, but you’d consider them “bretheren”?

                                                            iv.      Who have you prayed for this week?

                                                             v.      How big is your circle of prayer?  Our class?  The Pastors?  Our church?  Maybe just your family?

Summary

1. What’s your key verse?
1. v 2
2. How do you feel about Colossians Chapter 4 now?
3. Why was this chapter divided as it was from Chapter 3?  Doesn’t it seem like v 1 goes with the “how to get along with others” discussion of Ch 3?  Why did the “smart guys” who built the Bible do it this way (other than God made it happen)…  (Those you with NIV section titles probably have a break after v 1 anyway)
4. What’s the point of this chapter?
1. I believe the “Masters” topic is better suited at the end of Chapter 3, so I won’t consider them the “point” of this chapter.
2. I believe this chapter is less about how to fix/maintain relationships (or instructions on such) and more Paul’s PRACTICE of actually doing the strengthening of his relationship with his audience.
5. What will you do, starting now, to move forward on what God has told you?
1. Review relationships
2. Consider my devotion to prayer

Print | posted on Saturday, March 18, 2006 4:19 PM |