I've recently started teaching a Bible study. To my dismay as a teacher, I realized that attendance can be very inconsistent. "But people are missing out on life changing Jesus messages!" I cried. Then I remembered I have a blog. So I'll be posting my lesson outlines (that's why they're not in traditional blog format) on here. Enjoy!
I.
What is the therefore there for?
-
Before we dive into the instructions outlined for us as Christians
in Col. 3:12-17, let’s begin by reading a little earlier on for context.
Colossians 3:12 begins with “Therefore…”, but why? Obviously what Paul is about
to say is directly related to what he was saying before, so let’s look at what
that is.
·
Colossians 2:20-3:11
ü First of
all, is there anything that sticks out to you?
II.
Dead.
-
Before we continue to pick out the truth from this passage let’s
address something: our old self is dead. You’ve heard it said “whatever you
feed the longest becomes the strongest” but that’s not true in the sense that
you have two natures at war within you. While it does stand that if you continue in sinful thought patterns which form habits, and engage in a lifestyle that makes it easier to
indulge in them it will be harder
for you to live a godly life otherwise. However, that doesn’t mean we still
have our old man chilling inside like a zombie waiting to come back to life. You’ve
been completely cleaned out from him. Focusing on a list of don’ts puts your
attention back on the things your flesh used to be slave to. Christ points us
back heavenward.
·
Colossians 3:3-4 “For you died, and your life is now hidden with
Christ in God. When Christ, who is your life, appears, then you also will
appear with him in glory”
ü What do you
think it means by “Christ who is your
life?” Why didn’t Paul say, “Christ who gives
you life?”
-
Directly translated according to the original Greek and mildly
paraphrased, these verses are saying, “Your life (earthly nature) is dead (hidden,
done away with) and now Christ is your life (same word).” He’s not just giving
you a new life; he himself is becoming your new life. The old nature is completely replaced – it doesn’t
exist anymore.
·
2 Corinthians 5:17 – “Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a
new creation: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.”
·
Galatians 2:20 – “I have been crucified with Christ and I no
longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by
faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.”
III.
Habits.
-
Let’s backtrack now. Since we’ve established that we’re free from
sin in the freest way possible, let’s address the beginning of what we read.
·
Colossians 2:20-23 – Paul is addressing how people judge one
another by laying down “Do not…”’s in regards to what they “eat or drink, or
with regard to a religious festival, a New Moon celebration or a Sabbath day”.
He told them not to worry about rules like this. At first this really bothered
me because I thought, “Well how are we supposed to break habits and become
better Christians if we don’t know what not to do? It’s important to know
specifics, right?” But what Paul is pointing to is the motivation behind our lists
and obedience, and where that puts our focus.
ü What words
do you see in these verses that address motive
·
John 14:15&21 – “If you love me, you’ll obey my commands.”
ü What should
our motive actually be? (love for God)
-
Paul makes the point that while these world-imposed regulations
appear to be wise, their core value isn’t based on looking heavenward – the
focus is on looking holy here on earth. Ultimately they deal with the action
and not the motive. If our motive is loving a God who loves us back, our
actions will automatically follow suit.
·
Col. 3:1 – he goes on to say that we’ve been raised (from death to a new life dedicated to God)
from our earthly vices so we should…
·
Col 3:2 – set our hearts (affection,
understanding, feelings, thoughts, interests – everything) on the things
above.
ü What happens
when we turn our focus from the negative to the positive?
-
Paraphrasing, Paul is saying in these beginning verses that we
should kill the habits (not the nature – that’s already dead) we used to have
(which are the reasons wrath is coming – they are a real problem) so we can put
on (sink into) the new you. You’ve
been stripped, so therefore… Col. 3:12-17
- This next chapter is solely focused on our love for God and others, and
how that affects our character more than legalistic fear ever could.
·
1 Corinthians 13 (love)
ü (1-3) What
(good things) do you do that are not motivated by love? How will you change
that?
ü (4-7) What
characteristics of love do you need to grow in?
ü (8-10) When
has God only given you partial answers? Did you eventually see a purpose for
what happened?
v Homework:
(9-11) Over this next week pay attention to how you behave… are there any ways
in which you are still a child?
-
Tonight we talked about how love affects our success as Christ
followers. We’re not trying on our own power to overcome an internal demon –
we’ve been freed! Who we used to be has been replaced with a godly nature and
we are righteous. Not only do reflect
the image of Christ, we carry it. As
we leave this week, let’s keep our focus heavenward and experience victory!
