Colossians/Philemon - Lesson 8 - The Church of St. John the Divine

The Church of St. John the Divine

Colossians/Philemon - Lesson 8

March 7, 2024 • Meg Rice • Colossians 4:7–18, Philemon

Paul is closing his letter to the church at Colossae. However, there is another letter called the sister epistle to Colossians. It is the letter to Philemon. They are sisters because they are connected and to separate them is to miss part of the important message Paul is trying to teach his churches.

Colossians - Introduction

January 11, 2024 • Meg Rice • Colossians 1:1–23

Paul, the apostle who wrote the letter to the believers in Colossae, took his role seriously. Apostle means “sent one”. Paul was dubbed by Jesus Himself on the road to Damascus. He left his life of persecuting Christians to become the greatest evangelist of all time. He was constantly communicating and correcting any misinterpreted doctrine so that the gospel would remain true and pure.

Colossians - Lesson 1

January 18, 2024 • Meg Rice • Colossians 1:24–29

In the first part of Colossians 1, Paul is praying for the church. The message of the gospel is a gift from a loving Father. It is like a beautifully wrapped gift. Every person receives that gift, but it is up to each of us to open it and use it. The second part of Chapter 1 has a personal meaning for me. I named this Bible study “Hope of Glory” because of the majesty of Colossians 1:27.

Colossians - Lesson 2

January 25, 2024 • Meg Rice • Colossians 2:1–10

Paul reminds me of a doting grandfather or big brother. He seems to be struggling in prayer for the newfound churches. Remember, Paul has not met the members of the church in Colossae. He knows them through the reports of Epaphras who had possibly come to faith through Paul. He was his protégé. Epaphras in turn proclaimed the gospel to the pagans of Colossae. Paul seems to have a love for this church as one of his offspring churches. The Greek word used for “struggling” in verse 1 is one of continual pressing forward, constant straining, much like an Olympic athlete’s training.