Bible Session 9-23-13 - COLOSSIANS – Chapter 1 Verses 3-8

COLOSSIANS – Chapter 1:3-8

9-23-13

Quick Review:       

1.     What book of the Bible are we reading? Colossians

2.     Who wrote this book? Paul

3.     To whom was it written? Believers in Colossae

4.     Why was this book written? Gnostics claimed they had the supernatural knowledge necessary for salvation.  Paul wrote to clear up the true identity of Jesus Christ and wrote against the false teachings of the day.

5.     Who started the church in Colossae? Epaphras

Colossians 1:3-8
3 We always thank God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, when we pray for you,
4 because we have heard of your faith in Christ Jesus and of the love you have for all the saints –
5 the faith and love that spring from the hope that is stored up for you in heaven and that you have already heard about in the word of truth, the gospel
6 that has come to you.  All over the world this gospel is bearing fruit and growing, just as it has been doing among you since the day you heard it and understood God’s grace in all its truth.
7 You learned it from Epaphras, our dear fellow servant, who is a faithful minister of Christ on our behalf,
8 and who also told us of your love in the Spirit.

Questions to Ponder:

1.     In vs. 3-4 Paul says we always thank God when we pray for you because of your faith and love.

a.     Do people thank God for you having faith in Jesus Christ and loving others who also believe in Jesus Christ?

2.     In vs. 6 Paul talks about the gospel being spread all over the world and how it still growing.

a.     What is your role in the spreading of the gospel – the good news of Jesus Christ and salvation?

3.     In vs. 7, Epaphras was known by the church as a “fellow servant” and a “faithful minister?”

a.     What are you known by?

4.     In vs. 8, Epaphras was a witness to (shared the news) of the church in Colossae.  The news was not bad news that he shared, but the good news of how the church in Colossae lived in faith and love.

a.     Who is your witness to the rest of the world?  Who is speaking about you? What are they saying about you?  Is it good or bad?

b.     Are you sharing good news about those in your life? Or are you sharing bad news and gossip?

Bible Session 9-16-13 - COLOSSIANS – An Introduction

COLOSSIANS – An Introduction

9-16-13

Why read this book?       

Some people have been surprised to discover something new about a friend they thought they knew well.  That’s one of the exciting things about a relationship with Christ: There’s no limit to the things we can learn about him.  Reading Colossians is one way we can discover a few more things about Jesus and learn how we can honor him.

 

Who wrote this book and to whom was it written?

While under house arrest in Rome, the apostle Paul wrote to believers in the small city of Colossae, located in the southwest interior of what is now Turkey.

 

When was it written?

About A.D. 60 to 62, during the time Paul awaited trial on an appeal to the Roman emperor Nero.

 

Why was it written?

A group called Gnostics (derived from the word for knowledge) claimed that they possessed privileged supernatural knowledge necessary for salvation.  Paul wrote to warn about the subtle arguments and false teachings that threatened to undermine the Colossians’ faith Paul intended to make clear the nature and identity of Jesus, in order to refute those who challenged his deity and authority.

 

What is the background of this book?

Epaphras, a disciple of Paul, had founded the church at Colossae.  Now it was under constant pressure from the numerous religious philosophies abounding in the first-century world.  Colossae seems to have become a center for Gnosticism, a hybrid religion and philosophy that mixed Christian, Jewish and possibly pagan beliefs.

 

What to look for in Colossians:

The supremacy of Christ and what that means for our everyday lives.  Look for insights that show specific ways we can develop attitudes and actions to honor the Lord.

*Taken from Quest Study Bible

Colossians 1:1-2

            1 Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, and Timothy our brother.

            2 To the holy and faithful brothers in Christ at Colossae: Grace and peace to you from God our Father.

 

Questions to Ponder:

1.     Paul says he is “an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God.”

a.     Are you living “by the will of God?”

2.     Paul calls the people of the church of Colossae “holy and faithful.”

a.     Would someone writing a letter to you today call you “holy and faithful?”

3.     Paul greets his friends by saying “Grace and peace to you.”

a.     Do you extend a blessing of grace and peace to those around you?

b.     When you go to school, are the people you run into feeling loved by you? Are they feeling forgiven by you?  Do they feel calm, safe and peaceful around you?  Do they see kindness coming from you?

c.      Do you offer grace and peace to those in your life?

d.     How do you greet people?   

News from the Blog - M.A.D. Skates and Rec Center

Welcome Back!

This past Monday we were back in action and excited to see some of our regulars and meet some new friends.  Papa Murphy’s pizza and salad was enjoyed, and we finished off with cookies and mini-donuts for dessert. 

Bible Session

Bible Session this week was taught by Jeremy and Melody Drew.  They both taught on Genesis 1 and Jeremy also taught Genesis 2.  I sat in on Jeremy’s class with the older kids where he asked the kids to memorize John 3:16-17 and Proverbs 3:5-6.  He told them that there would be no reward from him for memorizing these verses but there would be a great reward in memorizing them.  He then shared a story about hiking with Melody for 10.5 miles with bear and mountain goat warning signs.  It was an intense and hot hike, and there were a few times they were a bit worried about getting back safely.  Jeremy was able to stay calm, because he was able to remember a memory verse about God being there and protecting him and his wife.  This is the reward for Bible memory – It is there when you need it most to encourage, uplift, and carry you through.  Jeremy then went on to read all of Genesis 1 and 2 and ask a few questions along the way.

The Future

This brings me to our future with Bible Sessions.  Looking down the road for the next few months, we are going to be joining the younger kids with the older kids.  We’ll be reading through a book of the Bible together and hopefully create some good memories along the way.  We will disclose the book of the Bible at next week’s Bible Session!

Action Sports Conference

After looking at various ways to handle my 3.5 year old son while I go to the Action Sports Conference in October, we have decided it is best if I do not go this year.  Although I am saddened by this, I do feel it is best for our family.  God – Family – Work – Priorities must stay in alignment.  With that said, we are excited that we already have some money in the bank to send our volunteer Gary Burke in 2015!  Please pray with us asking God to prepare the way for Gary to go.  This is an awesome Christ filled event that has changed my life, so please pray for the conference this year (October 8-12) and for everyone attending.

Needs

First and foremost, please always be in prayer for us, our kids, their families, and the work God is doing. 

Secondly, we are in need of financial donations to cover our $500 a month budget.  Any amount helps.  Donations can be made in person via cash or a check made out to MAD Skates, via PayPal (PP does take a percentage), or via check mailed to MAD Skates & Rec Center 21705 2^nd Avenue SE, Bothell, WA 98021.

The third need is actually more of a want.  We are looking for a donation of several items that would help us provide more fun for our recreational side of this ministry:

-          1 - Soccer ball – Youth size

-          2 - Good basketballs that hold air – 1 Youth size and 1 Adult size

-          5 – 7 dodge balls – Just those cheap rubber balls you find at Fred Meyer would be great

-          2 - Pop-up or foldable soccer goals (1 set) 

-          10 - Plastic floor hockey sticks and 1 ball or puck.  The kids loved this the 2 times we played, but the church we borrowed from did not know our kids loved it and sold the sticks.

-          A ball rack would be super cool as we add to our supply of sports gear – I saw a free one on Craigslist but I missed getting it.

-          Laser Tag for two teams of four.

-          Paper cups (No Styrofoam or wax lined please. We recycle.)

-          Paper plates that will hold sloppy items like lasagna (No Styrofoam or wax covered please. We recycle.)

-          Paper bowls that will hold sloppy items (No Styrofoam or wax covered please. We recycle.)

-          2 boxes of regular bandaids.

Finally, we come to our fourth need.  Dinners.  Dinners are needed every Monday night.  We provide dinner, a side dish, soda pop and water, and a dessert for approximately 15+ kids.  You can contact me to sign up to provide any part of any meal now through our December 16^th Christmas party.  It really  works well when we all work together to provide a portion of the meal and the burden is spread out amongst many workers.  Dinner is at 6:30.  You are not required to stay to serve or clean up, but you are always welcome to hang out with us.

Thank You

Thank you to our faithful prayer and support team.  Thank you to our returning volunteers for all your help and enthusiasm!  You are truly a blessing!  Thank you to our kids who come and bring life into our lives; we are thrilled to be a part of your life.  Thank you to Bethany Bible Church for renting us a home for another year.  Thank you always to our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.