Waiting for Christ (1 Thessalonians 1)

Thessaloniki is in today’s northern Greece. It was named after Queen Thessalonike, a half-sister of Alexander the Great. Also known as Thessalonica, it was the capital of Macedonia, a region originally only the size of Greek Macedonia, which grew to overlap parts of several modern countries, North Macedonia, Greece, Bulgaria, Albania, Serbia, and Kosovo.

In this letter to a young church, Paul often refers to the return of Jesus and that Christians must live as if He is coming soon. Let’s start in 1 Thessalonians 1.

Waiting for Christ

Who wrote the letter? What was their greeting?

Paul, Silvanus, and Timothy, To the church of the Thessalonians in God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ: Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. (1 Thessalonians 1:1 NKJV)

Did they praise this church? Was it a happy little church?

We always thank God for all of you and pray for you constantly. As we pray to our God and Father about you, we think of your faithful work, your loving deeds, and the enduring hope you have because of our Lord Jesus Christ. (1 Thessalonians 1:2-3 NLT)

How did the Good News come to them? Was it by word and example? Did the Holy Spirit come in power?

We know, brothers loved by God, that you are chosen, and that our Good News came to you not in word only, but also in power, and in the Holy Spirit, and with much assurance. You know what kind of men we showed ourselves to be among you for your sake. (1 Thessalonians 1:4-5 WEB)

Did they imitate their message and in turn become examples to other believers?

You became imitators of us and of the Lord when you accepted the message that came from the Holy Spirit with joy in spite of great suffering. As a result you became an example to all the believers in Macedonia and Achaia. (1 Thessalonians 1:6-7 CEB)

Did the Gospel spread because of them? Were they former idolaters?

And because of you, the Lord's message has spread everywhere in those regions. Now the news of your faith in God is known all over the world, and we don't have to say a thing about it. Everyone is talking about how you welcomed us and how you turned away from idols to serve the true and living God. (1 Thessalonians 1:8-9 CEV)

Were they also waiting for Christ to come and deliver us?

and to wait for his Son from heaven, whom he raised from the dead, Jesus who delivers us from the wrath to come. (1 Thessalonians 1:10 ESV)

This new church was enthusiastic for the Gospel and their example spread. Were they waiting for Christ to return? Are we? You decide!

Slaves & Missionaries (Colossians 4)

How should we treat employees? How should we pray for missionaries? How should we act towards unbelievers? Let’s find out in Colossians 4.

In Roman society half the people were slaves, sometimes as prisoners doing hard labor, sometimes unjustly enslaved. How should brand new Christians treat their slaves? Could this same advice be given to employers today?

Slave owners, be fair and honest with your slaves. Don't forget that you have a Master in heaven. (Colossians 4:1 CEV)

How should we pray for missionaries?

Continue steadfastly in prayer, being watchful in it with thanksgiving. At the same time, pray also for us, that God may open to us a door for the word, to declare the mystery of Christ, on account of which I am in prison— that I may make it clear, which is how I ought to speak. (Colossians 4:2-4 ESV)

How should we act towards unbelievers?

Act wisely toward outsiders, making the most of the time. Your speech should always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you should answer each person. (Colossians 4:5-6 HCSB)

Who did Paul send?

Tychicus will tell you everything that has happened to me. He is a dear brother, a faithful minister, and a fellow servant in the Lord. I am sending him to you for this very reason, so that you may know how we are doing and that he may encourage your hearts. He is coming with Onesimus, that faithful and dear brother, who is one of you. They will tell you everything that is happening here. (Colossians 4:7-9 ISV)

Who else greeted them?

Aristarchus my fellowprisoner saluteth you, and Marcus, sister's son to Barnabas, (touching whom ye received commandments: if he come unto you, receive him;) And Jesus, which is called Justus, who are of the circumcision. These only are my fellowworkers unto the kingdom of God, which have been a comfort unto me. Epaphras, who is one of you, a servant of Christ, saluteth you, always labouring fervently for you in prayers, that ye may stand perfect and complete in all the will of God. For I bear him record, that he hath a great zeal for you, and them that are in Laodicea, and them in Hierapolis. (Colossians 4:10-13 KJV)

Where else was the letter to be read?

Luke, the beloved physician, sends you his greetings, and Demas does also. Greet the brothers and sisters who are in Laodicea and also Nympha and the church that is in her house. When this letter is read among you, have it also read in the church of the Laodiceans; and you, for your part, read my letter that is coming from Laodicea. Tell Archippus, “See to the ministry which you have received in the Lord, so that you may fulfill it.” (Colossians 4:14-17 NASB)

Who wrote the letter?

I, Paul, write this greeting in my own hand. Remember my chains. Grace be with you. (Colossians 4:18 NIV)

How should we treat those who work for us? How should we pray for missionaries? How should we act towards unbelievers? You decide!

Conclusion to Colossians

We have been delivered from the power of darkness, and translated into the kingdom of God’s dear Son. We are rooted and built up in Him, and established in the faith. In Christ we were also circumcised with the circumcision made without hands, by putting off the body of the sins of the flesh. We don’t need silly man-made rules like, “Don’t handle, don’t taste, don’t touch.” Do we let the word of Christ dwell in us richly in all wisdom? Do we teach and admonish one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in our hearts to the Lord? Do we treat employees fairly? You decide!

Christian Living (Colossians 3)

How should Christians live? Do we still live in anger, rage, malice, slander, and obscene language? Does the peace of Christ rule in our hearts? Are we becoming more and more like our Creator in our families and work life? Let’s discuss this in Colossians 3.

Christian Living

Were we buried with Him in baptism, and raised with Him through faith? Were we once spiritually dead because of our sins? Did God make us alive with Christ? What then should we seek?

If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God. (Colossians 3:1 KJV)

What should we set our minds on?

Set your minds on the things that are above, not on the things that are on earth. (Colossians 3:2 NASB)

Why?

For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God. (Colossians 3:3 NIV)

What will happen to us?

When Christ who is our life appears, then you also will appear with Him in glory. (Colossians 3:4 NKJV)

In the meantime what should we do?

So put to death the sinful, earthly things lurking within you. Have nothing to do with sexual immorality, impurity, lust, and evil desires. Don’t be greedy, for a greedy person is an idolater, worshiping the things of this world. (Colossians 3:5 NLT)

What is God going to do about it?

For these things’ sake the wrath of God comes on the children of disobedience. (Colossians 3:6 WEB)

How was our old way of life?

You used to live this way, when you were alive to these things. But now set aside these things, such as anger, rage, malice, slander, and obscene language. (Colossians 3:7-8 CEB)

What else should we give up?

And stop lying to each other. You have given up your old way of life with its habits. (Colossians 3:9 CEV)

Are we now finished or in the process?

Each of you is now a new person. You are becoming more and more like your Creator, and you will understand him better. (Colossians 3:10 CEV)

Put another way, what have we put on?

and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge after the image of its creator. (Colossians 3:10 ESV)

Do our physical differences matter?

Here there is not Greek and Jew, circumcised and uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave, free; but Christ is all, and in all. (Colossians 3:11 HCSB)

What makes for a loving and pleasant church?

Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering; Forbearing one another, and forgiving one another, if any man have a quarrel against any: even as Christ forgave you, so also do ye. (Colossians 3:12-13 KJV)

What is missing that we are divided into so many denominations? What is the perfect bond of unity?

In addition to all these things put on love, which is the perfect bond of unity. (Colossians 3:14 NASB)

What are we called to?

Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful. (Colossians 3:15 NIV)

What is the most important word for all who call themselves Christians?

Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom, teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord. (Colossians 3:16 NKJV)

Who are we supposed to represent?

And whatever you do or say, do it as a representative of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks through him to God the Father. (Colossians 3:17 NLT)

Home & Work

What are two simple, basic principles of marriage?

Wives, be in subjection to your husbands, as is fitting in the Lord. Husbands, love your wives, and don’t be bitter against them. (Colossians 3:18-19 WEB)

What are two simple, basic principles of family life?

Children, obey your parents in everything, because this pleases the Lord. Parents, don’t provoke your children in a way that ends up discouraging them. (Colossians 3:20-21 CEB)

What if we are stuck in slavery or perhaps a job that we don’t like?

Slaves, you must always obey your earthly masters. Try to please them at all times, and not just when you think they are watching. Honor the Lord and serve your masters with your whole heart. Do your work willingly, as though you were serving the Lord himself, and not just your earthly master. In fact, the Lord Christ is the one you are really serving, and you know he will reward you. But Christ has no favorites! He will punish evil people, just as they deserve. (Colossians 3:22-25 CEV)

How should Christians live? Do we still live in anger, rage, malice, slander, and obscene language? Does the peace of Christ rule in our hearts? Are we becoming more and more like our Creator in our families and work life? You decide!

Christ vs Traditions (Colossians 2)

Church traditions build upon the foundation of Jesus Christ (1 Corinthians 3:10-15). Some traditions are like gold, silver and precious stones. Some are as worthless as wood, hay and stubble, not surviving the testing fire of God’s judgment.

Upon whom do we base our faith? Let’s discuss this in Colossians 2. What hidden mystery did Paul want them to know? Do we have the greatest treasures?

For I want you to know how great a struggle I have for you, for those in Laodicea, and for all who have not seen me in person. I want their hearts to be encouraged and joined together in love, so that they may have all the riches of assured understanding and have the knowledge of God’s mystery—Christ. All the treasures of wisdom and knowledge are hidden in Him. (Colossians 2:1-3 HCSB)

Does deception often sound good?

I say this so that no one will mislead you with nice-sounding rhetoric. For although I am physically absent, I am with you in spirit, rejoicing to see how stable you are and how firm your faith in the Messiah is. (Colossians 2:4-5 ISV)

Who and whose teachings are at the center of our faith?

As ye have therefore received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk ye in him: Rooted and built up in him, and stablished in the faith, as ye have been taught, abounding therein with thanksgiving. (Colossians 2:6-7 KJV)

Can philosophy and empty human traditions deceive us or be given higher priority than the teachings of Christ?

See to it that there is no one who takes you captive through philosophy and empty deception in accordance with human tradition, in accordance with the elementary principles of the world, rather than in accordance with Christ. (Colossians 2:8 NASB)

Who is the head, a pope, a patriarch, a reformer, a televangelist, a founding pastor?

For in Christ all the fullness of the Deity lives in bodily form, and in Christ you have been brought to fullness. He is the head over every power and authority. (Colossians 2:9-10 NIV)

Christ Not the Law

What form of circumcision is still relevant?

In Him you were also circumcised with the circumcision made without hands, by putting off the body of the sins of the flesh, by the circumcision of Christ, buried with Him in baptism, in which you also were raised with Him through faith in the working of God, who raised Him from the dead. (Colossians 2:11-12 NKJV)

Were we once spiritually dead? What was nailed to the cross?

You were dead because of your sins and because your sinful nature was not yet cut away. Then God made you alive with Christ, for he forgave all our sins. He canceled the record of the charges against us and took it away by nailing it to the cross. (Colossians 2:13-14 NLT)

Was the cross a victory over spiritual rulers and powers?

Having stripped the principalities and the powers, he made a show of them openly, triumphing over them in it. (Colossians 2:15 WEB)

What were the Old Testament festivals?

So don’t let anyone judge you about eating or drinking or about a festival, a new moon observance, or sabbaths. These religious practices are only a shadow of what was coming—the body that cast the shadow is Christ. (Colossians 2:16-17 CEB)

Should we be cautious of people who claim to see angels and visions?

Don't be cheated by people who make a show of acting humble and who worship angels. They brag about seeing visions. But it is all nonsense, because their minds are filled with selfish desires. (Colossians 2:18 CEV)

What exposes counterfeits? To what do they not hold fast?

and not holding fast to the Head, from whom the whole body, nourished and knit together through its joints and ligaments, grows with a growth that is from God. (Colossians 2:19 ESV)

What kinds of rules do people try to bring into the church? What are some examples?

If you died with the Messiah to the elemental forces of this world, why do you live as if you still belonged to the world? Why do you submit to regulations: “Don’t handle, don’t taste, don’t touch”? (Colossians 2:20-21 HCSB)

What is the basis of such rules? For instance, is it easier to brag about never having had a drop of alcohol than to love our enemies? Which one is a man-made rule, and which one is a command of Christ? What will happen to all such human standards of righteousness?

All of these things will be destroyed as they are used, because they are based on human commands and teachings. (Colossians 2:22 ISV)

Do such rules only give an appearance of righteousness? Are they really effective?

These are matters which do have the appearance of wisdom in self-made religion and humility and severe treatment of the body, but are of no value against fleshly indulgence. (Colossians 2:23 NASB)

Church traditions build upon the foundation of Jesus Christ (1 Corinthians 3:10-15). Some traditions are like gold, silver and precious stones. Some are as worthless as wood, hay and stubble, not surviving the testing fire of God’s judgment. Upon whom do we base our faith? You decide!

The Mystery of Christ (Colossians 1)

Into whose kingdom have we been brought? Upon whom do we base our faith? What form of circumcision is still relevant? What kinds of rules do people try to bring into the church? What are some examples? How should Christians live? What is missing that we are divided into so many denominations? What is the perfect bond of unity? How should we act towards unbelievers? Are our lives touched by Christ’s liberating love?

Colossians 1 The Mystery of Christ

Was this a church with faith, hope and love? Is increasing in the knowledge of God important? Is Jesus the image of the invisible God? Is He before all things? Should we continue in the faith, grounded and steadfast, and not move away from the hope of the gospel? Was there a mystery hidden from ages and generations, but has now been revealed to His saints? What is that mystery? Let’s find out beginning in Colossians 1.

Who did Paul and Timothy write to in this letter?

From Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by God’s will, and Timothy our brother. To the holy and faithful brothers and sisters in Christ in Colossae. Grace and peace to you from God our Father. (Colossians 1:1-2 CEB)

In whom was their faith?

Each time we pray for you, we thank God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. We have heard of your faith in Christ and of your love for all God's people, because what you hope for is kept safe for you in heaven. You first heard about this hope when you believed the true message, which is the good news. (Colossians 1:3-5 CEV)

Where did they learn about Christ?

which has come to you, as indeed in the whole world it is bearing fruit and increasing—as it also does among you, since the day you heard it and understood the grace of God in truth, just as you learned it from Epaphras our beloved fellow servant. He is a faithful minister of Christ on your behalf and has made known to us your love in the Spirit. (Colossians 1:6-8 ESV)

For what important things did they pray?

For this reason also, since the day we heard this, we haven’t stopped praying for you. We are asking that you may be filled with the knowledge of His will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding, so that you may walk worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing to Him, bearing fruit in every good work and growing in the knowledge of God. (Colossians 1:9-10 HCSB)

For what else did they pray?

We also pray that you will be strengthened with all his glorious power so you will have all the endurance and patience you need. May you be filled with joy, always thanking the Father. He has enabled you to share in the inheritance that belongs to his people, who live in the light. (Colossians 1:11-12 NLT)

Into whose kingdom have we been brought?

Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son: In whom we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins: (Colossians 1:13-14 KJV)

Who is Jesus?

He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation: for by Him all things were created, both in the heavens and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones, or dominions, or rulers, or authorities—all things have been created through Him and for Him. (Colossians 1:15-16 NASB)

Who has the supremacy?

He is before all things, and in him all things hold together. And he is the head of the body, the church; he is the beginning and the firstborn from among the dead, so that in everything he might have the supremacy. (Colossians 1:17-18 NIV)

What does Jesus do?

For it pleased the Father that in Him all the fullness should dwell, and by Him to reconcile all things to Himself, by Him, whether things on earth or things in heaven, having made peace through the blood of His cross. (Colossians 1:19-20 NKJV)

Once begun must we continue in the faith?

You, being in past times alienated and enemies in your mind in your evil deeds, yet now he has reconciled in the body of his flesh through death, to present you holy and without defect and blameless before him, if it is so that you continue in the faith, grounded and steadfast, and not moved away from the hope of the Good News which you heard, which is being proclaimed in all creation under heaven, of which I, Paul, was made a servant. (Colossians 1:21-23 WEB)

Did Paul suffer? Was the Gospel once a secret?

I am glad I can suffer for you. I am pleased also that in my own body I can continue the suffering of Christ for his body, the church. God's plan was to make me a servant of his church and to send me to preach his complete message to you. For ages and ages this message was kept secret from everyone, but now it has been explained to God's people. (Colossians 1:24-26 CEV)

Who did they proclaim?

To them God chose to make known how great among the Gentiles are the riches of the glory of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory. Him we proclaim, warning everyone and teaching everyone with all wisdom, that we may present everyone mature in Christ. For this I toil, struggling with all his energy that he powerfully works within me. (Colossians 1:27-29 ESV)

Was this a church with faith, hope and love? Is increasing in the knowledge of God important? Is Jesus the image of the invisible God? Is He before all things? Should we continue in the faith, grounded and steadfast, and not move away from the hope of the gospel? Was there a mystery hidden from ages and generations, but has now been revealed to His saints? What is that mystery? You decide!