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.
Colossians - Lesson 3
February 1, 2024 • Meg Rice • Colossians 2:11–23
Our Iives change when we come to faith in Jesus as our Savior. The old way of life is gone, and God begins the business of transforming us into the likeness of His Son. This is the work of the Holy Spirit living within us. However, there is always that urge to “go back” and to regress into the old way of life.
Colossians - Lesson 4
February 8, 2024 • Meg Rice • Colossians 3:1–11
What is your focus in life? I remember I always wanted to be a cheerleader. I practiced and practiced, then auditioned again and again but never made it. Paul has affirmed that we are new creations in Christ, but how do we make sure we are moving toward that new creation? How do we make sure we are in God’s will?
Colossians - Lesson 5
February 15, 2024 • Meg Rice • Colossians 3:1–17
Paul emphasizes that our salvation is secure. We are raised with Christ, not only in the future at His second coming when our resurrected bodies unite with Jesus for our eternal home, or at death when Jesus comes to take us to heaven, but also in our life today. We are already “new creations”, “born again” by God’s grace when we come to faith in Jesus. Now we need to apply that to our everyday lives. Last week, we studied the things we need to “put to death” and “rid ourselves of”. Now Paul focuses on how we are to live our lives.
Colossians - Lesson 6
February 22, 2024 • Meg Rice • Colossians 3:12–17
Paul emphasizes that our salvation is secure. We are raised with Christ, not only in the future at His second coming when our resurrected bodies unite with Jesus for our eternal home, or at death when Jesus comes to take us to heaven, but also in our life today. We are already “new creations”, “born again” by God’s grace when we come to faith in Jesus. Now we need to apply that to our everyday lives.
Colossians - Lesson 7
February 29, 2024 • Meg Rice • Colossians 3:18–25, Colossians 4:1–6
The last part of Colossians deals with our interpersonal relationships. Colossians 3:1-4 speaks to where our hearts and minds need to be focused. Verses 5-11 speak to how we are to behave as Christ’s own. Verses 12-17 speak of how we are to relate to our fellow believers. In verse 18, Paul addresses our interpersonal relationships and how our faith should guide us.
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.
