Colossians – Shema 7

Engage

Passage: Colossians 3:12-17

Disciples want to become more like Jesus 

Colossians 3:10 and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge in the image of its Creator.

Disciples want to become more like Jesus

• As disciples, we are:
  • Chosen by God 
  • Holy
  • Beloved
  • Shema

• So we put on:
  • Hearts of Compassion
  • Kindness
  • Humility
  • Gentleness
  • Patience
  • Shema 

• So together we can: 
  • Bear with each other
  • Forgive one another
  • Realise the depth of our forgiveness 
  • Shema

• Over all this we put on: 
  • Love
    • Which binds together in perfect unity
  • Shema 

• As disciples, what we do together is important:
  • Peace v15
    • rule our hearts (here “rule” is a command)
    • one body

• • Thankful v15&16
    • “And be thankful” (here “be” is a command)

• • Word of Christ dwell in us richly v16
    • wisdom 
      • teaching one another 
      • admonishing one another
    • singing
      • Psalms, hymns and spiritual sing 
      • Sing with gratitude in your hearts

• As disciples, discipleship is our lives

Colossians 3:17 And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.

Life Groups Study

As we work through Colossians this passage gives us a powerful description of a disciples life. The previous passage which challenged us about all the things we put off can only find its fulfilment as we take seriously and apply Colossians 3:12-17.

In your group work through the passage with the help of ‘Engage’ above, and think. through/discuss:

1. What are the practical outworkings of these values we are to put on?
2. Discuss how we see them in Jesus, and how we can learn from Jesus?
3. How do they help us to be a faith community?
4. Discuss the vital importance of love, peace and thankfulness.
5. Verses 15 and 16 challenge us about what we do together, how can we do these and why is it important that we do them together?

Person Discipleship Activity (PDA) / Relationship Builder (RB)

Transformation not Information

“The goal is not for us to get through the Scriptures. The goal is to get the Scriptures through us.”

John Ortberg, The Life You’ve Always Wanted, (2002)

LIVING IN JESUS’ NAME (see v 17)

And whatever you do, 

whether in word or deed, 

do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, 

giving thanks to God the Father through him

💡Try memorising Col 3:17 in a way that works for you. 

(Hearing & repeating? Reading & repeating? Writing it out? Doodling it? Turning its elements into the framework of a  prayer – for yourself or someone else? Making a piece of art? Playing around with the key words? Something else…?)

Make a point of sharing with someone else any learning experience that has worked well for you. 

Time to Shema …

💡 do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, 

Biblical names were often significant, reflecting a person’s character. So, to live in Jesus name can include doing things in a way consistent with his character – acting in the way Jesus himself would.

Try taking this idea into ordinary moments of your day – what would it look like to do some of these activities “in Jesus name” – in the way he might approach them?

(See Col 3:12-15 for some pointers…)

• • waking up, greeting whoever you bump into first that day
  • eating, driving, shopping, cooking,
  • caring for children or a relative or a friend,
  • working outside your home
  • doing household tasks, watching television, reading, going to sleep

💡giving thanks to God the Father through him

Some things are difficult to do while giving thanks to God at the same time (e.g. Colossians 3:5-9!) Consider your own attitudes and actions in light of this.

Gracious Father,

help me to discern what is good and beneficial for me and what is not. 

Jesus, my Saviour and friend,

help me to see how I may reflect You well.

Holy Spirit, who can empower me to change,

lead me into a life that brings glory and brings honour to the One I follow.