NASHVILLE (BP) – This weekly Bible study appears in Baptist Press in a partnership with Lifeway Christian Resources of the Southern Baptist Convention. Through its Leadership and Adult Publishing team, Lifeway publishes Sunday School curricula and additional resources for all age groups.
This week’s Bible study is adapted from the Explore the Bible curriculum.
Bible Passage: Colossians 1:9-23
Discussion Questions:
- What does it look like when a person is walking in a way that is worthy of the Lord?
- What role does a person’s dependence on God play in walking in a worthy manner?
Food for thought:
Have you ever wondered what it might be like to be a professional athlete with other people wearing your jersey? Most of us would view it as a compliment. However, imagine the thoughts that might go through our mind if a person committed a crime wearing our jersey. We want people to wear our jersey, but we also want them to represent us well when doing so.
As Paul began his letter to the Colossians, he let them know that he never stopped praying for them (Colossians 1:9). He understood that their faith was in danger and they needed to wear the name “believer” well. False teachers were at the door trying to convince them that they needed more than belief in Jesus. Paul prayed for God to grant the Colossians the knowledge of His will, wisdom and spiritual understanding. The believers would need these benefits to protect themselves from false teaching.
The Colossian heretics believed that a special knowledge of God (revealed only to them) was the key to true spirituality. But Paul’s words emphasize that God has already made Himself known to humanity. Armed with God’s wisdom, the Colossian Christians could walk worthy of the Lord, and their obedience would be fully pleasing to God. Such faithfulness would be seen by all in the type of fruit produced in their lives.
Following Jesus is not about gaining some special abstract knowledge known only to us, but rather about gaining the knowledge, wisdom and understanding that leads to living a life that pleases God. Believers are to live their lives in faithful obedience to God, reflecting their status as God’s children. The goal of a Christian should be to please God in every area of one’s life. We are not doing this to earn our salvation but as proof that we already have salvation. We are to live like the forgiven children, demonstrating our gratitude through the way we live our life.
Explore the Bible
Explore the Bible is an ongoing Bible study curriculum that helps groups dig into the key truths of each Bible book, while keeping the group on pace to study through the Bible books in a systematic way. More information can be found at Lifeway.com/ExploreTheBible.
