Study 4 – Set your hearts on things above - Colossians 3.1-11
Welcome
When have you set yourself a challenge – and what motivated you to keep going?
Word – Study 4
Lighter Bite do Questions 1 and 4; Main Meal all questions
- The truth about new life in Christ. Colossians 3:1-4
- Make a list of the statements that Paul makes about the new life in Christ.
- Explore the meaning of each one. Use different versions of the Bible.
- Re-read the end of Chapter 2, to see the connection with Paul’s argument.
- Could you re-write this section in your own words?
What does ‘you have been raised with Christ’ (verse 1) mean?
Look up: Romans 6:5,10. Romans 8:10-11. John 11:25-26.
What does ‘your life is hidden in Christ with God’ mean? (verses 3-4)
What does it mean ‘you also will appear with him in glory? (verse 4)
Look up: Psalm 17:15. John 17:24. Philippians 3:20-21. 1 John 3:2-3.
- What is the challenge that Paul sets to Christians in Colossians 3:1-2?
What does it mean that we should not set our minds on Earthly things (verse 2)?
Look up John 17:15-18. 1 John 2:15-17.
What does it mean to set your hearts on things above (verse1) mean for us?
Look up Deuteronomy 6:4-5. Matthew 22:37
How does this work out in practice in our everyday lives? What can we learn from one another?
- The old life. Colossians 3:5-9
Revisit the list of behaviours and attitudes Paul says result from disobedience.
How can we ‘put these to death’ (verse 5)?
Look up Galatians 5:16 and 24-25. Look up 1 Corinthians 10:13.
You may like to share practical examples and pray for one another.
- The new life. Colossians 3:10-11
What is the meaning of the new self ‘which is being renewed in knowledge in the image of its Creator’? (verses 9-10). What is the new being, and how is it formed?
Look up: Ephesians 4:22-24. Romans 12:1-2. 2 Cor 3:17-18. 2 Cor 4:16,18.
What is the new community, and how is that formed?
When we see Christians behaving without forgiveness, and with a lack of love, how are we to interpret this teaching of St Paul? What can we do to encourage one another? What can we do in our everyday lives to live as God has asked us?
Witness
Make a resolution or decision this week about your own life and behaviour. Find a friend to be accountable to. Then pray for one another to be good witnesses in different personal situations this week (John 13:34-35).
Research a national charity that is working with ex-offenders to re-establish them in the community. For example, ‘Sycamore Tree’ Prison Fellowship programme.
http://www.prisonfellowship.org.uk/what-we-do/sycamore-tree/ Pray for this work.
Worship - at the end
On pieces of card, gather the most important truths you have learned about the Lord through this study in Colossians.
Leaders: have postcards and pencils ready
Lay them out on the table or floor.
With quiet music in the background, reflect again on the meaning of who God is. Allow him space to speak to you individually, in the silence, and if you speak to one another! Allow yourselves time to absorb the ideas.
Leaders: have music ready to play
Pray a prayer together at the end – for example, the words of Colossians 1:9-12
Marion de Quidt, August 2016
