Day One Study

Read Colossians 1:1-14.

1. Now look specifically at verses 9-14.

• What is Paul writing about?
• What jumps out at you in this passage?

2. Focus on verse 9. Using any dictionary (regular or Bible dictionary), define the words “knowledge”, “wisdom” and “understanding.”

• Knowledge —
• Wisdom —
• Understanding —

Summary: What is Paul asking God to do?

Focus on the Meaning: Paul used two key words, “fill” and “knowledge.” The first suggest a filling out to completeness, and the latter suggests a full, deep understanding. Such knowledge of God’s will does not come from a fleshly mind (which “puffs up,” 1 Cor. 8:1), but from the Holy Spirit who enlightens a believer’s inner person (1 Cor. 2:5-6, 13), and from the Word of God. God’s will, revealed in the Bible, is made known to believers by the Holy Spirit’s teaching ministry. (The Bible Knowledge Commentary New Testament, p. 670)

3. Paul mentions the knowledge of God’s will and includes 4 specific areas included in His will for us as believers.

• Does God want us to know His will?
• How can you find out what is God’s will, not only for you but also for all believers? Elaborate using Scripture to support your answer.

Focus on the Meaning: The “will” (thelematos) of God is what God has revealed in His Word to be correct, regarding both belief (faith) and behavior (works, morality; cf.

4:12; Acts 22:14; Rom. 12:2). (Constable’s Notes on Colossians, p. 14)

4. Staying Healthy: Pray for specific people you know to gain knowledge of His will for their lives. Pray for them according to Paul’s prayer in Colossians 1:9-12. Look for evidence of God working in their lives according to His Word in this passage.

Day Two Study

Read Colossians 1:9-14.

5. According to Paul’s prayer for these believers in verses 9-14, see the evidence of a life worthy and pleasing to God (and His will for us, at least 4 areas!). Fill in the chart below.

Evidence of a life worthy and pleasing to God	How that would look in someone’s life
1. bearing…
2. growing…
3. being…
4. giving…

Focus on the Meaning: The aim of believers in all their worthy conduct should be to please Him in every way, to anticipate and do His wishes in every aspect of life (cf. Eph. 5:10). (The Bible Knowledge Commentary New Testament, p. 671)

6. According to verse 11, who gives you the ability to live a life worthy of the Lord and pleasing to Him?

Can you do this through your own efforts? Why not?

Think About It: Human parents raise their children to become more independent of them over time. God raises His children to become more dependent on Him over time. Dependent living is recognizing you can do nothing worthy of pleasing God on your own efforts. Dependent living is learning to say to Jesus, “Lord, I can’t do this on my own. But, you can in and through me. I will trust you.” Then, watch what He does.

7. Staying Healthy:

• Is it your desire to live a life worthy and pleasing to God? Why?
• Which of these 4 evidences of a life worthy and pleasing to God will you trust God’s power to do in your life today?

8. In verse 12, Paul says, “who has qualified you (made you competent) to share in the inheritance of the saints.” How did God qualify us? Dig into all of Chapter 1 for this answer!! Add any other verses you already know as well.

Focus on the Meaning: Here Paul centered thanksgiving on the fact that God has qualified you (lit. “made you competent;” cf. 2 Cor. 3:6) to share in the inheritance of the saints…though believers are unfit in themselves, God has fitted them. (The Bible Knowledge Commentary New Testament, p. 671-672)

9. Deeper Discoveries (optional): Read these other prayers of Paul—Ephesians 1:17-19; Ephesians 3:16-19 and Philippians 1:9-11. Use these words to pray for your loved ones today. (If they aren’t believers yet, pray for their salvation first.) Why is it beneficial to pray this way, using these verses?
10. “Dominion” in v. 13 means “tyranny/ rule.” Read Psalm 51:5; Ephesians 2:1-3; and 2 Corinthians 4:4. Before trusting in Christ, what was our experience in the dominion of darkness (in which we are born as sinners)?

Scriptural Insights: Satan is not the direct cause of sin in man. However, he rules the fallen world; the unsaved are part of his domain. He is now doing all in his power to keep the unsaved from being delivered from his dominion of darkness and transferred into Christ’s kingdom of light. He energizes the children of disobedience (Ephesians 2:2) and blinds the minds of the unsaved so the light of the gospel can’t reach them (2 Corinthians 4:4).

11. How do we get into Christ’s kingdom?

Historical Insight: The verb translated “transferred” (metestesen) described the relocation of large groups of people such as captured armies or colonists from one country to another. This kingdom is probably a reference to Christ’s domain as opposed to Satan’s domain of darkness…”Darkness” is also a prominent figure in biblical symbolism where it represents ignorance, falsehood, and sin. (Constable’s Notes on Colossians, pp. 16-17)

12. What do we receive there?
13. What is redemption, and how is it related to forgiveness? Use a dictionary or Bible dictionary to derive your answer.
14. Staying Healthy: Meditate on and then respond to what it means to be transferred from the dominion of darkness to the kingdom of the Son of God. Feel free to use any creative means (poem, prose, song, drawing, art) as you respond.

Day Three Study: TRUTH—the Prescription for Healthy Living

Dwell in Truth You Can Know

15. Review the Colossians passage we studied in this lesson. List the truths about God and His relationship to us that we can KNOW.

Humbly Accept the “I Don’t Know or Understand”

16. Make note of anything in the Colossians passage we studied in this lesson that you do not understand at this time.

Discern Teaching through the Complete Revelation of God’s Word

17. To evaluate something you read or hear in light of the TRUTH you are learning—books, social media, billboards—things that sound nice and comfy but may actually lead to or be based upon error in biblical thinking, use the following process.

• Step #1: Define the terms and issues involved.
• Step #2: Ask questions and support your answers with Scripture, looking for truth you can know and what you can’t know.
• Step #3: Think of a graceful response to someone holding to that type of thinking.

Here’s an example: After her beloved Christian mother died, a grieving woman needed comfort. To help with her grief, she drew from something she had heard in the culture—that her mother had now become an angel and was present with her, communicating with her. So, let’s work through the process of discerning truth from error and responding graciously.

Step #1: Define the issues/terms.

There are really three issues involved: 1. Do Christians become angels when they die? 2. Can our loved ones in heaven see what is happening in our lives on earth and communicate with us? 3. When grieving, how do we turn to Jesus for our comfort rather than traditions that make us feel good but draw us away from Him?

Step #2: Ask questions and support your answers with Scripture, looking for truth you can know and what you can’t know.

Continuing with the example given:

1. Do Christians become angels when they die? The biblical truth is that angels and people are clearly distinct in their creation, purpose and destiny (Colossians 1:15-17; Hebrews 1:13-14). People do not become angels when they die. Our greatest confirmation of this is Jesus Himself. After His resurrection, He appeared in a human body, the same kind we will receive after we die. We will be like Him (Philippians 3:20-21; 1 John 3:2). Here's the truth we can know: people become like Christ when they die, not like angels.

2. Can our loved ones in heaven see what is happening in our lives on earth and communicate with us? The Bible doesn't clearly tell us if people in heaven are able to observe what happens on earth. The witnesses of Hebrews 12:1 are those Old Testament believers who can testify that it is possible to live a life of faith because they did it. The text doesn't say they are watching us. And, that would not include anyone who died since the Old Testament ended anyway. Can people in heaven communicate with us? The Bible teaches that people on earth are not to communicate with the dead (Deuteronomy 18:10-12). Loved ones in heaven are without sin and will not disobey God so they will not try to communicate with us. Feathers, pennies, etc. are normal events and can serve as reminders for us of our loved ones but are not communications from them. Here's the "I don't know" we must humbly accept: we cannot know if our dead loved ones see anything happening on earth. That is a secret thing belonging to the Lord (Deuteronomy 29:29). Anything else is speculation.

3. When grieving, how do we turn to Jesus for our comfort rather than traditions that make us feel good but draw us away from Him? Our God promises to be a God of comfort and fulfills that promise (2 Corinthians 1:3-5). We should turn to Jesus first for our comfort and let Him choose how He does that for us. He uses people who give us hugs, listen to us talk about our loved one, cry with us and help us when we are weak. Memories of our loved ones are stimulated by sounds, places, sights, smells, and many other reminders associated with that person in our lives. We can take comfort from those stimulated memories and thank God for them. The Holy Spirit pours out Jesus' love in our hearts (Romans 5:5) so we can inwardly feel loved by Him during those times of grief. Jesus can also use His angels who are servants of God as ministering spirits to us (Hebrews 1:14). God's angels (not people angels) are present around us and can influence things happening so as to minister to us. If you feel your loved one close to you, it is likely an angel Jesus has sent to be near you at that time. Here's the truth: Jesus uses people, memories, His Spirit, His love and His angels to comfort us in a time of grief.

Step #3: Think of a graceful response to someone holding to that type of thinking.

Continuing with the example given:

I feel how much you are hurting since your mother’s death and how much you miss her. While you loved your mom so much that thinking of her as an angel gives you comfort, the Bible teaches this truth that God is giving her a wonderful resurrected human body like Jesus has, not an angel’s body. You have wonderful memories of your mom that will crop up through places, smells, sights, and other reminders of your life with her. And, Jesus will comfort you in your grief through those memories, through people He sends to cry with you and help you, through His Spirit pouring love into your heart, and through true angles who will be near you to minister to you in amazing ways during this sad time. Stay focused on the comfort you will receive from Jesus and let your heart just be completely hugged by Him.

© Copyright, 2018.

Day One Study

Read Colossians 1:1-23.

Colossians 1:15-20 is called the “Christ hymn” of Colossians We will enjoy this hymn today!

1. What grabs your attention in verses 15-23?

2. List the things said about Christ to show His supremacy.
3. What clues do we get about the heresy (false teaching) being taught in Colosse? (For example, repeated or stressed words or ideas.)

Paul’s answer is to emphasize who Jesus Christ is in relation to God, to Creation, and to the Church.

Jesus in Relation to God

4. Look up the following verses, then write in your own words the meaning of the phrase “image of the invisible God (verse 15)”.

• John 1:1,14,18 —
• John 14:9-11 —
• Hebrews 1:3 —

“Image of the invisible God” means:

5. Reread verse 19. What else is true about Jesus?
6. “Fullness” to the Greek philosophers means “the sum of the supernatural forces controlling the fate of the people.” Regarding God, this fullness is the totality of the Divine powers and attributes. “Dwell” means to be permanently at home. If the fullness of God is permanently dwelling in Jesus, what part of God is missing in Jesus?

Jesus in Relation to Creation

7. What is revealed about Jesus’ relationship to creation in this passage? Be sure to include all the details given.

Scriptural Insight: Christ is the sustainer of creation (“hold together,” v. 17). Christ is the Person who preserves and maintains the existence of what He has created…Every law of science and of nature is, in fact, an expression of the thought of God. It is by these laws, and therefore by the mind of God, that the universe hangs together, and does not disintegrate in chaos. (Constable’s Notes on Colossians, p. 22)

8. Remembering the people and the purpose for which this letter was written, why do you think Paul expounds on the supremacy of Christ over everything, including the highest orders of the spirit world?
9. To understand Paul’s use of the term “firstborn” in verse 15, read Exodus 13:2, 11-15 and Deuteronomy 21:15-17. What were the rights of the firstborn? How does that fit in here?

Focus on the Meaning: Just as the firstborn son had certain privileges and rights in the biblical world, so also Christ has certain rights in relation to all creation—priority, preeminence, and sovereignty (vv. 16-18). (NIV Study Bible, p. 1814)

10. From this passage (Colossians 1:15-20), how do we know that “firstborn” cannot mean that Christ was the first created being (a commonly taught error since the second century AD)?

Christ in Relation to the Church

11. Looking at verse 18, what other role does Christ have and why?
12. Paul uses “firstborn” with a different meaning in verse 18. Examine this phrase in light of these verses: 1 Corinthians 15:20, 23; Romans 8:29.
13. Read Romans 1:4; Hebrews 2:14. What else does Jesus’ resurrection demonstrate?

Think About It: The Christ-hymn of Colossians 1:15-20 is a powerful statement about the Person and work of Jesus Christ. Christ’s supremacy is seen at every turn. The first portion focuses on His preeminent role in creation, while the second emphasizes His work as Redeemer. To any Christian, in Colosse then or elsewhere today, who may have been or is confused about Christ’s role in the world, these six verses testify to Christ’s absolute authority, which is not to be shared with any person, angel, or demon. (Constable’s Notes on Colossians, p. 25)

14. Deeper Discoveries (optional): Read aloud these three other “Christ hymns” found in the New Testament written by different authors—John 1:1-5; Philippians 2:6-11 and Hebrews 1:2-4. How are these similar to the one here in Colossians? What, if any, are the differences? Do these confirm that the same information about Jesus is being taught everywhere by all the apostles?
15. Staying Healthy: Considering everything you have learned about who Christ is, how does this affect your faith? In what ways does this change your thoughts and expectations? Think specifically.

Day Two Study

Read Colossians 1:15-23.

16. Concentrating on vv. 20-22, use a dictionary to define the word “reconcile?”
17. According to Colossians 1:21 and Romans 5:10, what was our problem?
18. Restate Colossians 1:20-22 in your own words describing what Christ has done for you to solve that problem.

Scriptural Insight: “It is important to note that people are reconciled to God (“to Himself”) not that God is reconciled to people. For mankind has left God and needs to be brought back to Him.” (The Bible Knowledge Commentary New Testament, p. 674)

19. How should you respond to the truth that you are completely reconciled to God by your faith in Jesus Christ? (Hint: If you can’t think of a response, look at Colossians 1:12, 2:7, 3:15, 3:16, and 3:17.)
20. According to verse 22, how does Christ present believers to God? How does that make you feel?

From the Greek: In our English translations, “holy” and “sanctified” are used interchangeably to translate the Greek word hagios, meaning “set apart, separate.” For the Christian, to be holy or sanctified means to be set apart from sin and to God as His possession for His exclusive use. Paul refers to the Colossians as “holy” in 1:2 and 1:22.

21. Staying Healthy: How does the reconciliation (v. 22) that Christ has accomplished for you as a believer affect the way you relate to:

• those closest to you?
• to your PAST?

22. What is the “hope” from which we are not to be moved (v. 23)?

Focus on the Meaning: In Lesson 2 and Lesson 3, we have covered three terms related to what Christ has done for you through His death on the cross. These are all part of your identity in Christ and the hope to which we are not to be moved (v. 23).

•              Redemption = “You have been purchased by the blood of Christ out of slavery to sin and released into freedom.”

•              Reconciliation = “The barrier of sin has been taken away, and a bridge has been built. You are able to be saved.”

•              Sanctification (made holy) = “You are set apart as God’s possession for His exclusive use.”

23. What do these other verses refer to as our “hope”?

• Colossians 1:5 —
• 1 Thessalonians 5:8 —
• Titus 2:13 —
• 1 Peter 1:3-4 —

Summary: What promises are included in our hope?

Focus on the Meaning: Biblical hope is not wishful thinking but confident expectation based on the character of God to back up His promises.

24. According to verse 23, what is your responsibility in order to enjoy the relationship with God you have already received?
25. Staying Healthy: What are some specific things you do to stay established and firm in your faith and not moved from your hope? What will you trust God to help you do in the future?
26. Staying Healthy: What did you learn for yourself regarding how truly great our Lord Jesus is? Feel free to express your thoughts using a creative means (poem, prose, song, art).

Day Three Study: TRUTH—the Prescription for Healthy Living

Dwell in Truth You Can Know

27. Review the Colossians passage we studied in this lesson. List the truths about God and His relationship to us that we can KNOW.

Humbly Accept the “I Don’t Know or Understand”

28. Make note of anything in the Colossians passage we studied in this lesson that you do not understand at this time.

Discern Teaching through the Complete Revelation of God’s Word

29. Evaluate something you have read or heard in light of the TRUTH you are learning—books, social media, billboards—things that sound nice and comfy but may actually lead to or be based upon error in biblical thinking. Does anything come to mind that fits with today’s lesson? Discern truth from error using the following process.

• Step #1: Define the terms and issues involved.
• Step #2: Ask questions and support your answers with Scripture, looking for truth you can know and what you can’t know.
• Step #3: Think of a graceful response to someone holding to that type of thinking.

Read “Truth about Christ Prevents Infection” to gain additional insight and application. Reflect at the end on what you read.

Truth About Christ Prevents Infection (Message on Colossians 1:15-23)

Picture this scenario. It’s 2 a.m. A baby is very fussy and restless. The mother awakes, goes to pick her child up out of the crib, and realizes that her infant who was healthy the day before is now burning with fever. There’s an infection in the small child’s body! The worried parent knows she must treat the infection through medicine and/or a visit to the doctor followed by rest and patiently waiting for the treatment to take hold. The baby will hopefully soon return to healthy living.

Heresy is an infection in the Body of Christ. It’s not just error; it is anti-truth! And like an infection in the human body, it always affects life so it must be addressed. Thankfully, the answer to all heresy is in the New Testament.

Paul made a diagnosis. There was an infection in Colosse, a very serious one. It must be addressed and removed for healing to occur.

There were five aspects of this infection:

1. Jewish legalism — Gentile converts may have been encouraged or forced to follow the Old Testament Law as part of their new Christian faith. This included observing the Jewish ceremonies and festivals as well.
2. Greek philosophy — This included an emphasis on deeper knowledge and mysteries. The Greeks liked “mysteries” so there were quite a few mystery cults in the Hellenistic world. By following their systems of thought, one could gain a higher plane of knowledge than everyone else could have.
3. Asceticism — This taught that special privileges and “perfection” were available to a select few initiates who followed specific guidelines to attain that perfection. This was primarily practiced through denying oneself the normal activities and pleasures of life.
4. Worship of angels or spirit beings — These were revered as mediators to God. Since a perfect God could have nothing to do with matter (considered evil), this God created several levels of beings, including the angels, to reach mankind, the last of whom was the man Jesus.
5. Jesus, the Semi-Christ — This denied the Deity of Jesus, saying that Jesus was only a man. The divine spirit of Christ came upon the man Jesus at His baptism and left Him at the cross so that only the man Jesus died. Or, some taught that Jesus may have been God but had a ghost-type body, not a real one. This view held that in no way could Jesus be fully human and fully God at the same time. Paul also addressed this group in Philippians 2:5-11.

Among these false teachings, there was something for everyone, which is so dangerous! This heresy was not denying the Christian faith but lifting it to a “higher level.”

The last two were based upon the thought that matter is all evil and that spirit alone is good and perfect. This philosophy or system of thought developed into a full-blown epidemic called Gnosticism in the second century. Even at this early stage, the heresy said that Christ couldn’t be fully human and fully God. The religious sect called Christian Science today is a modern Gnosticism, emphasizing spirit as being perfect and flesh being evil. This kind of teaching gives credit to Jesus as a great teacher whose teaching can be applied to our lives. But it devalues His atonement because He was not the Son of God, and it devalues His resurrection. In fact, a number of theories have been concocted to disprove the resurrection.

The false teachers didn’t deny that Christ came, but they dethroned Him. They took Him off the throne of the universe and made Him something else. The infection was making the Colossians seriously ill. It will do the same to us!

Immune System — Fights & Prevents Infection

Thankfully, we have a spiritual immune system that fights and prevents infection. There are 3 things upon which we who are truly believers ought to be absolutely immovable. These three things are 1) justification by faith alone, 2) the authority and inerrancy of the Scripture, and 3) the deity of Jesus Christ. The Protestant reformation was founded on these tenets of faith, what they held to be absolutely firm. If any of these three is watered down or compromised, infection results.

1. Justification by faith alone — Adding works to faith is called legalism. I liken that to a stroke that paralyzes you.
2. Authority and inerrancy of the Scripture — saying Scripture is only man’s work and has errors is like strep throat because it spreads germs whenever you open your mouth to speak.
3. Deity of Jesus Christ — negating the Deity of Christ is like meningitis because it attacks the protective covering of the brain, and therefore of our mind, causing our minds not to work correctly. This infection negating the deity of Jesus Christ deals with the basic question: Who is Jesus and What has He done?

And Paul writes a diagnosis and a prescription for the Colossians and for us. He writes the strongest statement of the supremacy and deity of Christ found anywhere in the New Testament! The Greek words he used are specific for this infection, just like a doctor’s prescription for an antibiotic. There was no way those reading or listening to this letter could possibly misunderstand anything that Paul was telling them.             

The prescribed antibiotic is TRUTH, the truth about Christ in three areas of relationship—His relationship to God, His relationship to Creation, and His relationship to the Church. There are four parallel passages. If anyone questions you about the deity of Christ, these 4 parallel passages give you a lot of information, probably anything you need to know to show that Jesus Christ is truly God. These passages are John 1:1-18; Philippians 2:5-11; Hebrews 1:1-6; and Colossians 1:15-19. I will draw from these in this discussion.

First, let’s look at the truth about Christ in His relationship to God.

Jesus’ Relationship to God

In this lesson, you studied Colossians 1:15 that proclaims Jesus to be the image of the invisible God. He is the exact representation of His being, the exact likeness (Hebrews 1:3). In John 14:9, Jesus said, “He who has seen Me has seen the Father.” He spent His life showing us who the Father is. All of the gospels teach who Jesus is and, therefore, who God is. You should read the gospel stories to your children over and over. And read them to yourself! We should know the stories about Jesus because if you’ve seen Jesus, you’ve seen the Father. You know who God is.

In Colossians 1:19, Paul uses one of the very words that the false teachers were using the word “fullness.” The false teachers were claiming that if you went through special rites and ceremonies, you could get to the deeper knowledge of God. You could get a fuller understanding of God. This heresy said that Jesus was good but not enough; you needed more.

Paul writes using this word “fullness” in verse 19,

“For God was pleased to have all His fullness dwell in Him.” (Colossians 1:19)

That word “dwell” means to be permanently at home. It cannot mean “to leave” or “to come and go.” The fullness of God permanently dwells in Jesus. The word “fullness” means the totality of the Divine powers and attributes. There is nothing missing. There is nothing more of God that they could get apart from Jesus.              

About Himself, Jesus said,

“And now, Father, glorify Me in your presence with the glory I had with you before the world began.” (John 17:5)

That phrase, “I had with you,” means completeness. Jesus the Son and God the Father had completeness together before the foundation of the world. Jesus wasn’t any less God before the foundation of the world. He had everything that God the Father had.

The false teachers distributed all the divine powers among spiritual beings. What they said was that God was 100% spirit so He was 100% perfect. He created a being that was 90% spirit, and that being created another being that was 80% spirit. This continued until you got to the bottom where you had a spirit being created that was only 10% spirit. So, you were getting closer and closer to matter. And, that last being created matter, the universe, the physical stuff that we see and feel, which was all considered to be evil. A lot of divine power was divided between all of these invisible beings, which is why they started worshiping them. But, Paul gathers them all up in Christ in this word “fullness.” It is a full and flat statement of the deity of Christ. And, as we’ll see in our next lesson, the wonderful thing is that God was pleased to put His fullness in Jesus and pleased to put Jesus in us. So, He is pleased to put the fullness of God in us. Christ in us! It was God’s pleasure to do so.

Conclusion: By looking at the relationship He had with God, we see that Jesus Christ is God!

Jesus’ Relationship to Creation

The second relationship Paul discussed was Jesus’ relationship to Creation.

Firstborn over all creation

In Colossians 1:15, Paul writes that Jesus is the firstborn over all creation (“over” is a better translation than “of”). The word “firstborn” refers to the heir who has priority to and superiority over everything that the father owns. It was a term regarding privilege and rank. The people of that time understood what it meant. We have a hard time with it. We think of firstborn as being a child of mine who is not me; it has part of me but not all of me. Paul and the Colossians knew exactly what it meant. The heir. The one who had priority over everything the Father owned. And, that describes Jesus.

The Jehovah’s Witnesses say that Jesus was the firstborn over all other things. In their Bible translation, they insert the word “other” 6 times in the passage though “other” is not found in the original Greek document! They claim that Jesus was created first then created everything else. Sound familiar? It is an attempt to devalue Christ as the supreme Creator and the Son of God but yet still give Him credit for doing something.

Created all things

In Colossians 1:16, we read that Jesus created all things. Paul didn’t use that phrase just one time. Did you happen to notice that he used it several times? “All things” was a specific, well-known Greek phrase universally understood to mean “everything in the entire universe” visible and invisible. Paul clarifies his meaning for us by saying things in heaven, things on earth, the visible, and the invisible. That’s all there is! Jesus created the invisible beings; He was not created by them. This again refutes the false teaching about levels of spirit beings.

But, someone might say, “I thought God created the heavens and the earth. Genesis 1:1 says so.” Where was Jesus at this time? There is no contradiction here. God created the heavens and the earth. When you turn to John 1:1-3, 14, it tells us where Jesus was.

“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was fully God. The Word was with God in the beginning. All things were created by Him, and apart from Him not one thing was created that has been created… Now the Word became flesh and took up residence among us.” (John 1:1-13, 14)

Who was the Word? Christ. Through Christ, things were made.

In Hebrews 1:2, we read that God made the universe through Christ. Creation was planned by the Father but done through the Son and for the Son. The Son was the “Master Workman” of Creation. It was done for His pleasure. He made all these things that we know and enjoy, including our own bodies, for His pleasure.                           

Holds all things together

Not only is He firstborn, not only did He create all things, but Colossians 1:17 says that He holds all things together. This is one of my favorite passages of Scripture. He is why we are not floating or flying apart! He is why we continue to exist.

The phrase “holds together” means “to cohere, to hold together” like glue is holding things together. Hebrews 1:3 says that “He sustains all things by His powerful word.” Christ is the controlling and unifying force in nature. This sweeps away that early gnostic view that matter is evil and was created by a remote spirit so that the creator of the universe could not have any hands-on experience with what He created. The Son of God is the “hands-on” Creator and sustainer of the universe. Therefore, it (the universe) cannot be evil.

There are two unexplainable forces that govern our everyday lives. These forces can be described, can have mathematical equations that measure them, and can be overcome. You see their effects all over the place. But, they cannot be explained. Those are the force of gravity and the force that holds the nucleus of an atom together. Just as the north poles of two magnets will always repel one another, the protons in a nucleus should be repelling each other causing the atom to break apart. They don’t. What is holding that atom together? Scientists still do not know in spite of the many theories proposed. I know who is holding that atom together. I know who is keeping us on this ground. That is Christ.

This is why I love science. It is a visible manifestation of God’s Creative work. You cannot study any aspect of science without gaining a greater appreciation of our great God. Scientists who dismiss God are blinding themselves to what they actually see because if they acknowledge God, they must be accountable to Him. It is easier to pretend that He doesn’t exist.

You see, the fact that there is a Creator means that He owns everything. He owns each person. He has total right over our lives and has a right to set the rules (and thus tell us what is right and wrong) because He is the Creator, the Absolute Authority. We can know what is good and bad because there is ONE who is good and who can, therefore, define right and wrong. We as humans need to submit ourselves totally to the One who owns us. It is not mere human opinion.

Conclusion: By looking at the relationship He had with Creation, we see that Jesus Christ is God!

Jesus’ Relationship to the Church

The third area of Jesus’ identity is His relationship to the Church.

Head of the Church

In Colossians 1:18, we read that Christ is the head of the body, the Church. Ephesians 2:15 says that He (Christ) created the Church by combining Jews and Gentiles into one body of believers, and He appointed Himself head of that body. Not only is Christ sovereign over the natural universe and the invisible world, He is also sovereign over the newly created Church.

Firstfruits of the resurrection

But, we also see in Colossians 1:18 that Christ is the firstborn from among the dead. Jesus received a new body. He was the first one to receive an immortal body. When Lazarus was raised from the dead (John 11), he was raised in His same earthly body only to die again. The same thing was true of the widow’s son (Luke 7) and the synagogue ruler’s daughter (Luke 8). When Jesus was raised from the dead, He was raised in a brand-new body, never to die again.

In 1 Corinthians 15:20, Paul uses the same phrase except he uses “firstfruits” instead of “firstborn.” The firstfruits was the first part of a harvest brought by a farmer as a sacrifice of thanksgiving to God. This was a down payment that declared the promise of more to come. And, though not brought for sacrifice, the farmer was declaring that the rest of the harvest belonged to God as well. Christ is the guarantee of the resurrection of all of God’s redeemed people. Again, He was first in this. He is first in everything. Paul is trying to let the Colossians and us know that Jesus is first in everything!

Reconciles and restores people

Jesus is also the reconciler and the redeemer (verses 20-22). That word “reconcile” in the Greek stands for complete reconciliation, not ever to be broken again. It doesn’t leave room for breaking off that reconciliation. We are reconciled once and for all when we accept Christ, when we believe in Him. It is a completeness; it is done.

People are reconciled to God, not vice versa. It is man who left God; God didn’t leave man. We are reconciled through Jesus’ physical death on the Cross. Paul left no room for any teaching that the Christ spirit came to the body at Jesus’ baptism and left His body on the cross before death. It was the Christ who died on the cross. There is only one way!

This reminds me of two women whom I had the privilege of discipling in the early 80s. Both of them wanted God badly. They had a hunger for spiritual things, longing for them. But, they could not accept Jesus. That was a stumbling block to them. Their thinking was, “Why can’t I have God without Jesus? I believe in God. Isn’t that good enough?” It wasn’t until they understood that God made a certain plan. If you want the benefits of His plan, you are going to have to enter His plan His way. You don’t have to take His plan. But, if you want salvation, if you want to be reconciled to God, you are going to have to go through Jesus. They both took that step of faith and afterwards the Holy Spirit opened their minds to understand what God’s wonderful plan was. They both embraced Jesus as the author of life and the pioneer of our faith.

Reconciles and restores Creation

In Romans 8:19-22, we read that the whole creation groans under the corruption that sin brought into the world, as if the whole universe were somehow out of harmony. Sin has put the universe out of joint, and Christ will set it right again.

In Colossians 1:20, Paul once again declares that “all things” will be reconciled—things on earth and things in heaven. What’s left out? Things under the earth, the invisible, and demons. Those in hell are not reconciled to God. They’ve lost the opportunity.

Why does God do all this through Jesus? The answer is in verse 18,

“So that in everything He might have the supremacy.” Colossians 1:18)

God wanted Jesus to be first in everything. First in creation. First in the resurrection. First in the Church. In everything, He is to be first. He became flesh to show us God (John 1:14). He humbled Himself (Philippians 2:8) to reconcile and redeem us. He was exalted by God (Philippians 2:9) to sustain us.

Modern Virus — the Religion of Evolution

Gnosticism was easily identified and contained. But today, we have a virus seriously infecting the Church, not just locally either. And, most of us don’t realize how much it has already affected our minds. This virus is masquerading as a religion—the religion of evolution. It says that man is not at enmity with God and that man can get better through genetic engineering and environmental controls. Evolution rejects God as Creator and, therefore, rejects His rules. People then logically accept anti-God philosophies.

There are many Christians saying, “Why can’t we just believe that God used evolution?” This is a very common belief among the churches of today. But the Bible teaches clearly that death came into the world after Adam sinned, and not millions of years before man evolved.

“Therefore, just as sin entered the world through one man, and death came to all men, because all sinned” (Romans 5:12)

“World” translates a derivative of “kosmos,” a Greek word used often by Paul. We see his use in this well-known verse:

“For since the creation of the world, God’s invisible qualities have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that men are without excuse.” (Romans 1:20)

It is also used in Acts 17:24:

“The God who made the world and all things in it.” (Acts 17:24)

The word “kosmos” means order, arrangement. The Greeks understood this to mean the entire universe because of the order observable in it. It was not just the world of humanity. It is not just death coming to men. Death came into the whole universe, the whole world, because of the one man’s sin. I mentioned above that the creation is groaning because of the corruption of sin (Romans 8:19-22).

In fact, the very reason for death is because God, as a God of love, provided a means for man’s deliverance from sin. When man rebelled against God, he immediately died spiritually (separated from God) and began to die physically. Consider the phrase, “ for you are dust, and to dust you will return” (Genesis 3:19). In order for that to be a curse, it had to be something new. It must not have been a natural, normal thing. Death is a curse. Mankind was cut off from God and would have remained so for eternity. But, God provided a means by which man could come back to God to spend eternity with Him.

“Without shedding of blood there can be no remission of sins.” (Hebrews 9:22)

God introduced death and bloodshed so man could be redeemed (Genesis 3:21). There was no death before Adam fell. In fact, if death and bloodshed had existed before Adam sinned, the message of redemption would be nonsense. God, in His love, introduced death so we could die and leave our sinful bodies. Otherwise, we would have to live forever separated from Him. But, Jesus Christ came to die and shed His precious blood on a cross and be raised from the dead so we could spend eternity with Him.

The evolutionary process is one of death and struggle over millions of years, eventually resulting in man coming into existence. The evolutionist sees today’s world of death and suffering as an evolutionary one. The Bible teaches that the world we see is a cursed one. It is a world originally created in a perfect state by God and it has suffered the degenerative effects of the curse and the catastrophic effects of a global flood. But, God is in the process of restoring His creation through the reconciliation work of Christ.

Thus, evolution and the Bible are in total conflict. The first would have us believe that death and bloodshed is the means by which man evolved. The Bible clearly teaches that death will be cancelled and man will be redeemed through belief in Christ! Therefore, evolution destroys and undermines the whole message of the Cross. Christians who believe in evolution need to recognize that they are really denying Jesus as Creator and destroying the foundations of the Gospel message they are trying to preach.

Conclusion

Are you holding fast to all that He is and all that we have in Him? Is there a spiritual infection in your body? In your church body? Here’s how you get back to Healthy Living.

• Take your antibiotic of TRUTH and get well.
• Engage in preventive care —stay away from what makes you sick.
• Bolster your immune system by holding on to the 3 tenets of faith: 1) Justification by faith alone, 2) Authority and inerrancy of the Scriptures and 3) the Deity of Jesus Christ.

Reflect on What you Just Read

© Copyright, 2018.

Scriptural Insight: Having revealed what believers have in Christ, Paul next pointed out the errors of the false teachers more specifically to help his readers identify and reject their instruction…Sad to say, there are many Christians who actually believe that some person, religious system, or discipline can add something to their spiritual experience. But they already have everything they ever will need in the person and work of Jesus Christ.” (Constable’s Notes on Colossians, p. 44-45)

Day One Study

Read Colossians 2:1-23.

1. Now look specifically at verses 16-23. What is Paul’s tone in this passage?

2. What ideas are repeated here that you have already observed in Colossians 1:1-2:15 (give verses)?
3. What ideas are repeated within this passage (Colossians 2:16-23, give verses)?
4. Paul uses the word “therefore” to begin this passage. (So, what is the “therefore” there for?) Summarize in your own words Paul’s main message to the Colossians (and to us) from the beginning of the letter to this point so you can understand his emphasis in vv. 16-23.
5. List the ways false teaching has begun to infiltrate the church of Colosse.

The temptation of legalism (relying on keeping rules to maintain acceptance before God and/or other Christians) is affecting the Colossians. Paul began to address this in vv. 11-14 when he said circumcision of the heart done by Christ in believers is greater than the old practice of cutting the skin. We died with Christ and are raised to new life with Him. Legalism is a substitute for Christ.

6. Focusing on vv. 16-17:

• How is your standing before God NOT to be judged?
• Why?

7. Never underestimate the impressiveness (or oppressiveness) of legalism (part of the elementary principles of the world mentioned in v. 8 and 20).

• Why do you think the Gentiles in the Colossian church would even be tempted by legalism?
• Read Hebrews 10:1-8 and Romans 8:1-8. Why shouldn’t we revert back to following the religious Law to please God?

8. Who is the only one qualified to act as your judge on how you live out your spiritual life? Why? Provide verses from Colossians 1 and 2 to explain your answer.
9. Notice that the “rules” mentioned here were all ethically neutral things. Think of some modern-day examples of legalistic rules that affect Christian churches and their members.

The temptation of mysticism (reliant on visions, angelic sightings, or supernatural experiences to improve your relationship with God) is affecting the Colossians. Paul uses the terms “worship of angels” and “what he has seen” to identify this activity. Mysticism is a substitute for Christ.

10. Read Colossians 2:18-19 in 3 different translations on your Bible app or online (i.e., biblegateway.com) and fill out the following chart to see how Paul describes those who seek such visions, angelic sightings, or supernatural experiences and the results in their lives. I’ve filled out the NET for you.

Translation	Verse 18	Verse 19
NET	Delights in false humility, goes on at great lengths about what they’ve seen, puffed up with empty notions by his fleshly mind	Has not held fast to the head (Christ, 1:18)
NIV
ESV

11. Our God chooses to appear in visions and dreams to those who are in Christ as well as to those who are not yet His. The timing and manner is His choice. Paul is addressing those who seek special visions and supernatural experiences. Why would that happen? What is the true problem? Look back at all of Colossians 1 and 2 to get your answer. Give verses.
12. Read Galatians 1:6-9, 18 and 2 Corinthians 11:13-15. According to these verses, why is it possible for angelic sightings or supernatural experiences to be from a source other than God?
13. Paul uses the Greek word translated “false humility (NIV)” twice in this passage (vv. 18 and 23). Read the “Focus on the Meaning” below to see the fruits of false humility.

Focus on the Meaning: False humility is being proud of one’s humbleness and unworthiness to go directly to God and to instead seek a mediator whom you think is easier to approach than God—angels or dead religious heroes. Or, you seek supernatural experiences that validate your emotions, making you feel closer to God. Anyone who does have such a supernatural experience can become puffed up with self-conceit because of a sense of importance and elitism. The Colossians heresy included a form of mysticism (seeking “heavenly” visions or experiences) which temped its followers to look on themselves as a spiritual elite…leaving one at risk of being so unbalanced by the experience that one could no longer distinguish truth from error. People who have mystical experiences tend to attach more importance to what they saw or heard in the course of such an experience than to the sober truth of the Word of God. (F. F. Bruce, “The Colossian Heresy, Part 3 of Colossian Problems,” Bibliotheca Sacra, 141, July-September 1984:200, 202)

• What are the dangers of seeking visions or supernatural experiences?
• Who or what is being substituted for Him?

Paul says that seeking mystical experiences will disqualify (deprive) you for the prize (reward). Of what are you being deprived? (Look carefully for your answer within all of Chapter 2.)

Think About It: Although the enemy cannot separate you from the love of God in Christ Jesus, once you are saved he delights in deceiving you so you don’t appropriate what is yours. His strategy is to convince you that whatever you need from God you don’t deserve. He wants to convince you that you shouldn’t ask Him for it or expect Him to give it to you. (Kay Arthur, Lord, Is It Warfare?)

14. Staying Healthy: The temptation to mysticism is as true today as it was at the time Paul wrote to the Colossians. If you or someone you hear about claims to see a vision, to encounter an angel, or to have a supernatural experience:

• What should be the main message proclaimed in order for it to be a true message from God? Explain your answer.

• What clues would help you recognize that this person is not satisfied with all that she already has in Christ so that she is seeking a substitute?

Day Two Study

Read Colossians 2:16-23.

The temptation of asceticism (strict self-denial as a means of personal holiness and earning merit with God) is affecting the Colossians. Asceticism is a substitute for Christ.

15. Let’s focus now on vv. 20-23. What spiritual practice initiated by false teaching does Paul attack next?
16. Focusing on verse 23:

• These “do not’s” seem to have the appearance of what? How?
• What does Paul say these spiritual practices of outward performance or compliance can NEVER accomplish (verse 23)?
• Why is that? Refer back to Romans 8:1-8.

Focus on the Meaning: If people practice various forms of abstinence and find their spiritual health improved thereby, that is their own responsibility. But if they make their abstinence a matter of boasting, and if they try to impose it on others, they are wrong. (F. F. Bruce, “The Colossian Heresy, Part 3 of Colossian Problems,” Bibliotheca Sacra, 141, July-September 1984:205)

17. The word “fraud” is defined as the “intentional perversion of truth in order to induce another to part with something of value or to surrender a legal right” (merriam-webster.com). A fraud presents a substitute. Explain how these false teachings are a “fraud” to the full, complete, and pure gospel message (TRUTH v. ERROR) that was first taught to the Colossians.

Think About It: Four harmful teaching emphases of these false teachers are still with us today. The first is “higher” knowledge (Gnosticism) such as so called scientific, archaeological, or paleontological “facts” that contradict Scripture, so called revelations that claim to be on a par with Scripture, and teaching that directly contradicts biblical revelation. The second is the observance of laws to win God’s love (legalism). Some examples are: salvation by works, teaching that puts Christians under the Mosaic Law, and teaching that says sanctification comes by keeping man-made rules. The third is the belief that beings other than Christ (angels, “saints,” or ancestors) must mediate between people and God (mysticism) or that certain mystical experiences can improve our relationship with God. The fourth is the practice of abstaining from things to earn merit with God (asceticism). Some examples are: fasting to force God’s hand, living in isolation to avoid temptation, and self-mutilation to mortify the flesh. (Constable’s Notes on Colossians, p. 48-49)

18. Staying Healthy: Genuine Christians can be deceived by false teaching, even teaching concerning Christ. Have you recognized in your study of Colossians so far that you have a concept about God, Christ, salvation, the church or the Christian life that is not based on Scripture, but on man-made tradition or philosophy? Write it (them) down. Now, give that to Jesus and ask Him to help you accept the truth of God’s Word alone.

Think About It: When we make Jesus Christ and the Christian revelation only part of a total religious system or philosophy, we cease to give Him the preeminence. When we strive for “spiritual perfection” or “spiritual fullness” by means of formulas, disciplines, or rituals, we go backward instead of forward. Christian believers must beware of mixing their Christian faith with such alluring things as yoga, transcendental meditation, Eastern mysticism, and the like. We must also beware of “deeper life” teachers who offer a system for victory and fullness that bypasses devotion to Jesus Christ. In all things, He must have the preeminence! (Constable’s Notes on Colossians, p. 49)

The treasure we have in Jesus Christ is greater than anything we can substitute for Him.

Day Three Study: TRUTH—the Prescription for Healthy Living

Dwell in Truth You Can Know

19. Review the Colossians passage we studied in this lesson. List the truths about God and His relationship to us that we can KNOW.

Humbly Accept the “I Don’t Know or Understand”

20. From the Colossians passage we studied in this lesson, make note of anything that you do not understand at this time.

Discern Teaching through the Complete Revelation of God’s Word

21. Evaluate something you have read or heard in light of the TRUTH you are learning—books, social media, billboards—things that sound nice and comfy but may actually lead to or be based upon error in biblical thinking. Does anything come to mind that fits with today’s lesson? Discern truth from error using the following process.

• Step #1: Define the terms and issues involved.
• Step #2: Ask questions and support your answers with Scripture, looking for truth you can know and what you can’t know.
• Step #3: Think of a graceful response to someone holding to that type of thinking.

© Copyright, 2018.

Day One Study

Read Colossians 3:1-17.

1. Reread Colossians 3:12-14.

• Write out verse 12.
• How are you described at the beginning of verse 12?
• How does reading that you are “dearly loved” / “beloved” make you feel?

2. We learned in the last lesson the Bible often likens behavior to a garment, both bad and good. You were instructed to put off bad behaviors. As God’s dearly loved children, with what good behaviors are you to now “clothe yourself” (verses 12-14)? [Note: these are also fruit of the Spirit along with Galatians 5:22-23.]

Since we are being renewed into the image of Christ (verse 10) who displayed these virtues in His life, let’s understand them and look for examples of each in Jesus’ life.

COMPASSION and KINDNESS.

3. Define compassion. Give an example of compassion from Jesus’ life.
4. Define kindness. Give an example of kindness from Jesus’ life.
5. How are compassion and kindness…

• similar?
• different?

HUMILITY, GENTLENESS, and PATIENCE.

6. Define humility. Give an example of humility from Jesus’ life.
7. Define gentleness. Give an example of gentleness from Jesus’ life.
8. Define patience. Give an example of patience from Jesus’ life.
9. How are humility and gentleness related?
10. Why would having humility and gentleness help you to have patience?

BEAR WITH one another and FORGIVE one another.

11. Define what it means to “bear with” one another. Look this verse up in several translations to glean what it means. Then, give an example of bearing with one another from Jesus’ life.
12. Define forgiveness. Give an example of forgiving one another from Jesus’ life.
13. According to Colossians 3:13, what are you to forgive? How are you to forgive?
14. How would having compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience help you to forgive like that?

LOVE.

15. The Greek word translated “love” is agape, meaning “unconditional love.”

• What is unconditional love?
• What is the opposite of unconditional love?
• Why would unconditional love bind the other 7 virtues (we just covered) in perfect unity?
• Give an example of unconditional love from Jesus’ life.

Think About It: Grudges have no place in a Christian’s life! Your capacity to love is directly tied to your capacity to get how deeply you have been forgiven. Agree or disagree?

16. List the terms in all of Colossians 3:8-14 that are used to indicate that your WILL must be actively involved effecting change.
17. Are you left to your own efforts to clothe yourself with these Christ-like behaviors? Who develops these fine qualities in you as you are willing to cooperate? Review what you have learned in Colossians so far (give verses). See also Galatians 5:22-23.
18. Staying Healthy: Of the good qualities listed in vv. 12-14, choose one that you especially need and tell God you are willing for Him to develop this characteristic of Christ in you. Then, trust Him to do it.

Day Two Study

Read Colossians 3:12-17.

19. Focusing on vv. 15-17,

• What specific instruction is given in Colossians 3:15?
• Why? See also Romans 14:19.

Focus on the Meaning: NIV Study Bible note says the Greek word translated “rule” means literally to “function like an umpire.” When Christians need to make choices, the peace that Christ produces in our hearts should be a determining factor. We should choose what would result in peace between us and God, and between us and one another, if such a course of action lies within God’s moral will. (NIV Study Bible, p. 1817; Constable’s Notes on Colossians, p. 59)

20. Staying Healthy: Letting the peace of God rule in your heart is a choice that you must make.

• Do you have a relationship with another believer that is NOT at peace? Is it your position that is breaking the peace? How could a firm grasp of Colossians 3:12-14 encourage you to take steps toward establishing peace with this person?
• Describe a scenario when you did let the peace of Christ act as an “umpire” in a relationship.

21. What does Paul say in Colossians 3:16?
22. What would qualify as the word of Christ? See also Colossians 1:5-7, 23; Luke 4:22, 32; John 14:24 and Galatians 1:11-12.

Think About It: Christ’s words were recorded by Spirit-guided apostles (John 14:26; 16:13; 20:31). The words of the Bible, God’s written Words, are to dwell in believers. That is, by study, meditation, and application of the Word, it becomes a permanent abiding part of one’s life.” (The Bible Knowledge Commentary New Testament, p. 682)

23. Focusing on verse 16, to “dwell” means to inhabit so as to make oneself at home. So, what does it mean to let the word of Christ dwell in you richly?

Focus on the Meaning: His Word should be so deeply implanted within us as to permeate our whole being so that we make all decisions and plans in its light. “He who dwells in a house is the master of the house, not just a passing guest.” (Constable’s Notes on Colossians, p. 59)

24. The word of Christ is to dwell in you richly so that you can teach and admonish others with wisdom as the opportunity arises.

• Define teach.
• Define admonish.
• What is needed in order to teach or admonish one another in wisdom? Draw your answer from what you’ve learned so far in this lesson.

25. Staying Healthy:

Teaching — In what ways do you prepare yourself to be able to teach the word of Christ to others? How can you improve in your preparation to teach?

Admonishing — To admonish someone involves risk in a relationship. Do you shy away from admonishing others because of fear of rejection or loss of relationship? How could a firm grasp of Colossians 3:12-14 encourage you to admonish others from the word of Christ?

26. Write Colossians 3:17.

• What would that look like in your life?

Focus on the Meaning: The basic principle is this. We should say all words and practice all deeds in harmony with the revelation of Jesus Christ, namely, under His authority and as His followers. The “name” comprehends everything revealed and known about the person bearing the name. Moreover, we are to do all with thanksgiving to God. (Constable’s Notes on Colossians, p. 61)

27. Reread vv. 15-17. Notice Paul’s inclusion of gratitude and being thankful in each verse. Being thankful is so important that Paul has mentioned it 6 times in this short letter (see also 1:12; 2:7; and 4:2). Why do you think Paul continually reminds them (and us) to be thankful?

Think About It: An attitude of gratitude contributes to an enjoyment of spiritual tranquility, whereas grumbling makes for inner agitation. Do you agree or disagree?

28. Discuss the connection between singing psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs and having gratitude (literally “grace”) in your hearts (i.e., understanding God’s grace towards you).

Scriptural Insight: It has often been noticed that the Colossian passage is parallel with Ephesians 5:18-20. In the latter passage the hymns and songs are the outgrowth of the filling of the Spirit, while in Colossians they are the result of the deep assimilation of the Word of God. In other words, the Word-filled Christian is a Spirit-filled Christian. (Constable’s Notes on Colossians, p. 60)

29. Staying Healthy:

• Are you giving thanks frequently to God for the life that He has given you? If not, why not?
• Maybe it’s time to make a list of all the good things God has given to you or done for you. Thank Jesus for each one of those things. Feel free to let the gratitude in your hearts overflow in worship to Christ with singing or through any other creative expression (there’s an extra page at the end of this lesson that you can use for art, prose, poetry, etc.).

Day Three Study: TRUTH—the Prescription for Healthy Living

Dwell in Truth You Can Know

30. Review the Colossians passage we studied in this lesson. List the truths about God and His relationship to us that we can KNOW.

Humbly Accept the “I Don’t Know or Understand”

31. From the Colossians passage we studied in this lesson, make note of anything that you do not understand at this time.

Discern Teaching through the Complete Revelation of God’s Word

32. Evaluate something you have read or heard in light of the TRUTH you are learning—books, social media, billboards—things that sound nice and comfy but may actually lead to or be based upon error in biblical thinking. Does anything come to mind that fits with today’s lesson? Discern truth from error using the following process.

• Step #1: Define the terms and issues involved.
• Step #2: Ask questions and support your answers with Scripture, looking for truth you can know and what you can’t know.
• Step #3: Think of a graceful response to someone holding to that type of thinking.

© Copyright, 2018.