The Book of Colossians

This opening lesson introduces Paul's letter to Colossae around four still-relevant questions Paul answers: whether the stars influence us, the link between diet and spirituality, whether God still speaks today, and what Eastern religions offer Christians. You will trace Paul's life from Saul to apostle, learn how Epaphras, Philemon, and Onesimus connect to the church, and meet the Gnostic-and-legalism heresy the letter answers with its theme: you need only Jesus.

Covering Colossians 1:1-13, this lesson works through Paul's greeting to the "saints and faithful brethren," distinguishing grace from mercy and tracing the faith, hope, and love he commends. You will study his report of Epaphras and his six-part opening prayer in verses 9-12, that they be filled with the knowledge of God's will and walk worthy, closing with the promise that believers are delivered from darkness into Christ's kingdom.

Focusing on Colossians 1:14-22, this lesson centers on redemption through Christ's blood and the early hymn of verses 15-20. You will examine Jesus as the image of the invisible God, firstborn over creation, Creator and sustainer of all things visible and invisible, and head of the church who is firstborn from the dead. Paul contrasts the risen Christ with dead founders like Buddha and Muhammad, showing reconciliation comes through Him alone.

This lesson moves through Colossians 1:21-29, explaining how those once alienated as enemies are reconciled and urged to continue grounded and settled in the hope of the gospel. You will consider why Paul rejoices in his sufferings and "fills up" what remains of Christ's afflictions, his calling as a servant of the gospel, and the unveiled mystery, "Christ in you, the hope of glory," that supplies strength to endure.

Bridging Colossians 1:28 into 2:7, this lesson unpacks the ministry pattern of preaching, warning, and teaching toward maturity, which Paul defines in 2:2 as peace, love, enrichment, and enlightenment. You will meet Paul the prayer warrior, illustrated by intercessors such as "Praying Hyde" and Aimee Semple McPherson, and study the images of the believer as rooted tree, building, and student in verses 6-7.

Covering Colossians 2:6-23, this lesson examines five key words from verse 7, rooted, built up, established, abounding, and thankful, and Paul's warning against being taken captive by philosophy and empty deceit. You will explore the fullness of the Godhead dwelling bodily in Christ, spiritual circumcision, baptism's burial and resurrection, the ordinances nailed to the cross, and freedom from legalism, angel-worship, and ascetic "touch not, taste not" rules.

This lesson teaches Colossians 3, beginning with "if you then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above." You will learn to set your affections on Christ interceding at God's right hand, to mortify earthly sins such as fornication, anger, wrath, and lying, and to put on the new man's compassion, meekness, forgiveness, and love. It closes with instructions to wives, husbands, children, and servants.

The final lesson draws the qualities of a good leader from Colossians 4. You will study treating others as you want God to treat you, valuing the prayers of others, walking in wisdom toward outsiders while redeeming the time, and letting speech be gracious and "seasoned with salt." Through Paul's closing greetings carried by Tychicus, you will see a leader who keeps people informed and credits fellow workers rather than himself.