Inventory

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December 31, 2006 - Colossians 3:12-17

Open It

  1. What's the nicest suit or outfit you have ever worn?

  2. When you're finished with your old clothes, what do you often do with them?

Explore It

  1. Where did Paul tell the Colossians to turn their attention? (3:1)

  2. Where did Paul tell the believers to focus their concern? (3:2)

  3. What was the Colossians' security? (3:3)

  4. Why should believers look forward to Christ's return? (3:4)

  5. What must die? (3:5)

  6. What evil activities does God seek to eliminate from our lives? (3:5)

  7. Why is God's wrath coming? (3:5-6)

  8. What had the Colossians taken off? (3:7-9)

  9. What had the Colossians put on? (3:10)

  10. What distinctions are removed in Christ? (3:11)

  11. What virtues does God seek to plant in us? (3:12, 14)

  12. How were the Colossian believers called to clothe themselves? (3:12-17)

  13. Why did Paul call on the believers to be peaceful and thankful? (3:15-16)

  14. What should we do? How? (3:17)

  15. What is one principle that ought to guide everything we do? (3:17)

Get It

  1. If you consistently set your sights on Christ and heaven, how would your life be different?

  2. What old, "earthly" clothing do you need to get rid of?

  3. How does wearing "Christ's clothing" affect the way you live your daily life?

  4. What Christian virtues are you lacking?

  5. What spiritual process is involved in "putting off" and "putting on"?

  6. What is involved in replacing old habits with new ones?

  7. How should life in Christ affect the way you treat others?

  8. How are all your relationships to be built around Christ?

  9. Why do we need to be loving toward others?

  10. Why is a thankful spirit an important part of holy living?

Apply It

  1. Which of God's goals for holy living do you need to apply to your life this week?

  2. How can you be more thankful and loving to those who are close to you?

Notes

Colossians 3:12-17: Paul offers a strategy to help us live for God day by day: (1) imitate Christ's compassionate, forgiving attitude (Colossians 3:12-13); (2) let love guide your life (Colossians 3:14); (3) let the peace of Christ rule in your heart (Colossians 3:15); (4) always be thankful (Colossians 3:15); (5) keep God's Word in you at all times (Colossians 3:16); (6) live as Jesus Christ's representative (Colossians 3:17).

Colossians 3:13: The key to forgiving others is remembering how much God has forgiven you. Is it difficult for you to forgive someone who has wronged you a little when God has forgiven you so much? Realizing God's infinite love and forgiveness can help you love and forgive others.

Colossians 3:14-15: All the virtues that Paul encourages us to develop are perfectly bound together by love. As we clothe ourselves with these virtues, the last garment we are to put on is love, which holds all of the others in place. To practice any list of virtues without practicing love will lead to distortion, fragmentation, and stagnation (1 Cor. 13:3).

3:14-15 Christians should live in peace. To live in peace does not mean that suddenly all differences in opinion are eliminated, but it does require that loving Christians work together despite their differences. Such love is not a feeling, but a decision to meet others' needs (see 1 Cor. 13). To live in love leads to peace between individuals and among the members of the body of believers. Do problems in your relationships with other Christians cause open conflicts or mutual silence? Consider what you can do to heal those relationships with love.

3:15 The word rule comes from the language of athletics: Paul tells us to let Christ's peace be umpire or referee in our hearts. Our hearts are the center of conflict because there our feelings and desires clash-our fears and hopes, distrust and trust, jealousy and love. How can we deal with these constant conflicts and live as God wants? Paul explains that we must decide between conflicting elements by using the rule of peace-which choice will promote peace in our souls and in our churches? For more on the peace of Christ, see Phil. 4:9.

Colossians 3:16: Although the early Christians had access to the Old Testament and freely used it, they did not yet have the New Testament or any other Christian books to study. Their stories and teachings about Christ were memorized and passed on from person to person. Sometimes the teachings were set to music, and so music became an important part of Christian worship and education.

Colossians 3:17: Doing "all in the name of the Lord Jesus" means bringing honor to Christ in every aspect and activity of daily living. As a Christian, you represent Christ at all times-wherever you go and whatever you say. What impression do people have of Christ when they see or talk with you? What changes would you make in your life in order to honor Christ?

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