Colossians: Clear Direction for Life Study Guide #4 - M. Kevin McKee

Study Guide: Colossians: Clear Direction for Life Author: M. Kevin McKee Table of Contents	PDF version (124K)

Colossians:
Clear Direction for Life
Traveling Notes for the Journey
Study Guide #4

Circumcision— Jewish males were circumcised as a sign of the Jew’s covenant with God (Genesis 17.9-14). With the death of Christ, circumcision was no longer necessary. So now our commitment to God is written on our hearts, not our bodies. Christ sets us free from our evil desires by a spiritual operation, not a bodily one. God removes the old nature and gives us a new nature. Life Application Bible

Colossians 2:6-19

Read the passage twice (or as many times as you would like) and consider the following questions:

1. What does it mean to be rooted in Christ?
Matt. 13.3-9, Mark 4.3-8

What does it mean to be built up in Christ?
Matt. 7.24-27

Who are these power and authorities? (verse 15)? Several suggestions have been made, including 1) demonic powers, 2) the gods of powerful nations, 3) angels (highly regarded by heretical teachers), or 4) the government of Rome. These powers and authorities are probably not the demonic forces in 2.10. More likely they are the angels who were mediators of the law (Galatians 3.19). The Colossian false teachers were encouraging worship angels. But at his death, Christ surpassed the position and authority of any angel. So rather than fear angels or worship them, we are to view them as deposed rulers. Life Application Bible

2. What is the difference in the two circumcisions Paul talks about in v.11 and v.13?

3. How does God make you alive in Christ v.13-14, see also 3.3-15, and Ephesians 4.23?

4. What is the prize v.18?

What does it mean to be orderly? 2.5

HIMSELF
Once it was the blessing, now it is the Lord;
Once it was the feeling, now it is His Word;
Once His gifts I wanted, now the Giver own;
Once I sought for healing, now Himself alone.
Once `twas painful trying, now `tis perfect trust;
Once a half salvation, now the uttermost;
Once `twas ceaseless holding, now He holds me fast;
Once `twas constant drifting, now my anchor’s cast.
Once `twas busy planning, now `tis trustful prayer;
Once `twas anxious caring, now He has the care;
Once `twas what I wanted, now what Jesus says;
Once `twas constant asking, now `tis ceaseless praise.
Once it was my working, His it hence shall be;
Once I tried to use Him, now He uses me;
Once the power I wanted, now the Mighty One;
Once for self I labored, now for him alone.
Dr. A.B. Simpson

Life Response

1. How am I personally now being rooted and built up in Christ v.7?

2. What am I overflowing with thankfulness to Christ for v.7?

3. What do I have to have faith in the power of God for right now v.12?

4. What keeps you from the prize v.18?
Things you do or believe?
Things others do?

How can you keep your eyes on the prize v.19?

Prepared as a team, Sharon Comiskey with Kevin McKee



		*Circumcision—* Jewish males were circumcised as a sign of the Jew’s covenant with God (Genesis 17.9-14). With the death of Christ, circumcision was no longer necessary. So now our commitment to God is written on our hearts, not our bodies. Christ sets us free from our evil desires by a spiritual operation, not a bodily one. God removes the old nature and gives us a new nature. Life Application Bible