Colossians 3:18-25

What does it mean for a wife to be subject to or submit to her husband? Where else in Scripture do we see this? How is this different from what our current culture tells us?

• Ephesians 5:22-33, 1 Peter 3:1-7
• dictionary definition of "submit": to defer to another's judgment, opinion, decision
• does not mean to be a doormat or have no opinion
• in the end, the husband will have to stand before God and be judged for his decisions-- wives will be judged for their submission to their husband
  

What does it look like to be obedient to your parents in all things? Are we to do this even if they are not believers?


V. 22-25

• everything you do is for the Lord, not for men-- this should change our outlook and attitude toward our earthly work
• v. 25: wrong will be repaid for us-- not up to us to repay; we should wait for God's justice
  

Colossians 3:12-17

Verse 12 stands in stark contrast to the previous verses 5, 7-9. It gives us examples of what TO do, as opposed to what NOT to do. We are to clothe ourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.

What is most compelling about v. 13? What makes it difficult for us to forgive one another when we have been wronged?

• forgive as the Lord forgave us first. We are all indebted.
• the unity of the body of Christ-- love creates unity, and verse 15 calls us members of one body called to peace.
• v. 13 implies that you will be wronged, grievances are a given when dealing with a sinful people-- it is our response that matters
• forgiveness is difficult because of our fallen nature (e.g. v.8)

Why do you think Paul says, "Beyond all these things" or "Over all these virtues" to put on love in v. 14? Why is love the most important virtue to display?

• love transcends all, it is one of the two commandments in the New Testament that we are to obey-- love the Lord with all your heart, and your neighbor as yourself. If we are putting those two into practice, then everything else will fall into place
• in Mike Kelsey's sermon on "Labels" and favoritism, he offered a definition of love that challenged me-- in loving your neighbor as yourself, what would you want to be done for/to you in any certain situation? Go and do that for your neighbor.

V. 15-17:

• emphasis on giving thanks: the concept of giving thanks appears in each verse from 15-17. Everything we do needs to be done in the name of Jesus Christ, but with one extra thing (not to be forgotten!!)-- with thanks and gratitude
• emphasis on "hearts"-- it all begins with the heart, it can transform the mind
• "sing psalms, hymns and spiritual songs"-- without knowing it, obeying this can help your daily walk with God by focusing you on Him unconsciously
• let the Word dwell in you richly-- importance of spending time in the Word daily
  

Colossians 3:1-11

Read v. 1-2. What does Paul say the Colossians should do now that they have been raised with Christ?

• Set your hearts and minds on things above

Why does Paul differentiate between minds and hearts?

In v. 3, what does it mean that you have died and your life is hidden?

• hidden can also mean "safe"
• your salvation is safe but your purity is not

In v. 4, what is the promise we are given as believers?

• we will appear with Christ in glory

Read v. 5-9. How does keeping our hearts and minds in Christ Jesus or "things above" allow us to put to death the earthly ways?

• we trust in the sovereignty of God

V.6 discusses the wrath of God. Do we consciously recognize the consequences of our sinful nature despite our secure salvation?

• Christ suffered on the cross for the sins we commit now
• God will judge us for the sins we commit on earth despite our salvation

What is it about our hearts that keeps us sinning in these ways (v. 7-9)?

• we don't see the whole picture, have trouble waiting for the whole picture that we may not see on earth
• sinful nature

What is different about this knowledge in v. 10 that is different from the knowledge the Colossians are striving to have?

• God promises a perfect knowledge, which is Him-- it transcends all earthly knowledge

What is revolutionary about Paul's claim in v. 11 that Christ is in all?

• if it is accessible to all, it cannot glorify one over the other. Likewise, the Colossians' pursuit for greater knowledge that others cannot have is useless-- there is no such thing when it comes to God