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?
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