Colossians for Beginners
Colossians 3:1-11
Estrategia pedagógica
The focus of this lesson is on Jesus as the determiner of right or wrong. Of special note in this lesson is how to apply Christian ethics in our lives.
Resultados del aprendizaje de los estudiantes
- Know: Understand Paul’s teachings on the pre-eminence of the teachings of Jesus.
- Feel: Recognize the pre-eminence of Jesus in how we determine right or wrong.
- Do: Follow the teachings of Jesus for our salvation and faithfulness.
Cuerpo de la lección
Preguntas de discusión
A continuación se sugieren preguntas para utilizar durante la parte de debate guiado de la lección. También se sugieren respuestas a las preguntas para ayudar a los alumnos a comprender los distintos conceptos. Se proporcionan para ayudar al debate y no se consideran respuestas "correctas o incorrectas".
Ethics is simply the standards of right and wrong in our lives. Christian ethics are the standards of right and wrong in our lives as disciples of Jesus.
Note: This could be considered a "trick question". There should be no difference between our Christian ethics and ethics of everyday life. See also Romans 12:1-2; Romans 6:1-10.
Christ is eternal and so too are those who are His. We submit to him in faith and therefore use His life and teachings as our standard of living. It is a matter of focus. As Paul states here, we set our hearts on things above, not on earthly things.
Those things we considered important in our lives now change in their priority and purpose. They are either no longer important or take a lower priority to those things that strengthen our relationship with God through Christ. All of this is because we are now in Christ through our continued faithful obedience.
Vs. 5-11 – Personal holiness – Our new life in Christ begins to be seen in our personal conduct. We change all elements of our lives as our focus shifts to the true standards of behavior taught by Christ (See Matthew 5, 6, 7 – Sermon on the Mount). Our earthly bodies (our sensual nature – see also Galatians 5:19-24) are controlled rather than controlling us. In doing so, we remove ourselves from the wrath of God.
Vs. 8-10 – Beyond our sensual nature, we also remove those elements that cause difficulties in interpersonal relationships and prevent us from developing and showing the characteristics of Jesus towards others. These elements cause strife and disunity (See also Proverbs 6:16-19). We are to resist these.
Vs. 11 – No matter who we are (ethnicity, nationality, economically, religiously, or politically) we are now in Christ as new creatures focused on holy living according to the standards of Christ.
Self is the greatest barrier to growing spiritually (defined as becoming Christ like). We must compare our physical, intellectual, and emotional growth to the standards of Christ. We struggle as we resist change, but we must hold true to our commitment as disciples of Jesus. Normal life necessitates change, so too does spiritual growth.
There is a positive cycle of growth when we experience spiritual growth. The more we grow, the more we develop the ability and desire to grow. This spurs on more growth and desire. All of this leads to a deeper relationship with God thus enabling us to grow into greater servants for the Master.