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The Greatest of All Time

1. READ

   Colossians 1 - 4

2. CONNECT

   10min
   Have you ever thought something was white, maybe a piece of clothing or a painted wall, until you set something beside it that was really white? It can be shocking to see just how yellowed or gray something is that we thought of as white. In a similar way, the brilliant glory of Jesus Christ shows up the true condition of everything else. Some things are revealed to be just a shadow of things to come (Colossians 2:17), while others can be seen clearly as sinful—things we need to struggle against (Colossians 3:5). In the book of Colossians, we find one of the most emotionally stirring and theologically profound descriptions of Jesus Christ in the whole Bible. Paul wrote this description to counteract the false teaching and loathsome practices that had infiltrated the church in Colossae. In this study, we will explore this vision of Jesus and how it can orient our own lives today.

3. Reflection

   What is one quality of Jesus that you wish you had more of in your life?

4. WATCH

   20min

5. DISCUSS

   15min
   1. What is one thing you want to remember from the video?
   2. In Colossians 1:15-20 Paul mentions six ways in which Christ is superior to the rulers and authorities. He is:
      • the image of God
      • the firstborn of all creation
      • the agent of creation
      • the supreme Lord
      • God incarnate
      • the only reconciler between God and humanity
      1. Which of these are difficult for people around you to believe? Why?
      2. What has helped you or someone you know become convinced of Christ’s superiority?

6. APPLY

   15min
   1. The false teachers claimed to be superior because of their experiences with spiritual beings and visions that gave them special knowledge. In addition to highlighting the superiority of Christ, Paul also counteracts these claims by reminding the Colossians that their own spiritual experience is far superior to that of the false teachers.
      
      From each of the following passages, mention what the believers in Colossae already had in Christ:
      1. Colossians 1:5
      2. Colossians 1:6
      3. Colossians 1:13
      4. Colossians 1:14
      5. Colossians 1: 21, 22
   2. Paul fills his letter to the Colossians with instructions for how they should live, individually and corporately, because of all that Christ had done for them. Pick at least two of the following things Paul mentions and discuss specific, practical things you can do in your day-to-day life to “walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing to him” (Colossians 1:10).
      1. Put to death therefore what is earthly in you: sexual immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and covetousness … anger, wrath, malice, slander, and obscene talk … lie[s] (Colossians 3:5-9).
      2. Put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge after the image of its creator … compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience, bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other (Colossians 3:10-13).
      3. Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts (Colossians 3:15).
      4. Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs (Colossians 3:16).
      5. Wives, submit to your husbands, as is fitting in the Lord (Colossians 3:18). / Husbands, love your wives, and do not be harsh with them (Colossians 3:18-19).
      6. Children, obey your parents in everything, for this pleases the Lord (Colossians 3:20). / [Parents], do not provoke your children, lest they become discouraged (Colossians 3:21).
      7. [Employees] … whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men (Colossians 3:22, 23). / [Employers], treat your [employees] justly and fairly, knowing that you also have a [boss] in heaven (Colossians 4:1).

7. CHALLENGE

   Engage your head and your heart by praising Christ for his supremacy in all six areas mentioned by Paul in Colossians 1:15-20:

   • The image of God
   • The firstborn of all creation
   • The agent of creation
   • The supreme Lord
   • God incarnate
   • The only reconciler between God and humanity