Colossians 4:2-18

Theme: Be wise, knowing your lives are a witness to Christ, being encouraged knowing that fellow Christians are praying for you, and your spiritual maturity.

Aim: So pray diligently, remembering the rest of Christ’s body, welcoming them as your own when they come.

Study

1. Recap: What have we seen Paul’s main concern for the Colossians is?
   • Spiritual maturity
   • Stoning firm in the faith
   • Assured of the gospel, sticking close to it in all they do
2. What are the main commands Paul gives the Colossians in verses 2-6?
   • Steadfast and watchful in prayer. (4:2)
     • Similar to what Jesus teaches in Mark 14
     • What would this look like?
     • Meaning be diligent, active, alert, don’t be lazy.
     • Being thankful and watchful removes the idea of earning salvation. Also keeps prayer from being self-centred, compare with James 4
     • Could mean watching for Christ’s return?
     • Paul asks them to pray for his evangelism and to make the gospel clear, while he is in prison. Remember the last time Paul was in prison? Philippian Jailer (Acts 16)
   • “Walk in wisdom towards outsiders” (4:5)
     • Be an active witness to non-Christians
     • Language of salt reminds of Jesus’ teaching in Matthew 5
     • Paul assumes they are in contact with outsiders, being part of the wider community.
     • Remember that everything you do is seen by others, so live for Jesus (Recall 3:23)
     • Use their time wisely, not wasting it but using it intentionally and deliberately to honour God and serve him.
3. Who can we be witnessing to (this week) and how can we adopt this type of active prayer?
   • Friends in halls, from course, sports teams, other societies.
   • Invite them to church, (carol service!!) or CU events.
   • Offer to read the Bible with them.
   • Be gracious and godly in everyday life, not being ashamed to live out the gospel.
   • Pray each and every day for opportunities and for specific friends.
   • Give thanks for what God is giving us, uni is a great open door.
   • Share some people, challenges and joys
   • Come back and pray about these at the end.
4. What picture of the wider church does Paul paint in the remaining verses?
   • Welcome fellow Christians
   • Look out for each other, in prayer and encouraging one another in your evangelism and Christian maturity.
   • This is a practical outworking of 3:11, people from all over, all part of Christ’s body.
   • Be encouraged by the work of the gospel all over the world.
5. [Similar to last one, possibly to be used as a follow up question] What kind of things should the Colossians do in response to this?
   • Encourage and welcome others (4:8,10,14-15)
   • LOTS of prayer, Paul doesn’t stop going on about it! Prayer for the maturing of others, assurance and strength of faith.
   • Partnering with other churches, sharing teaching and encouragement, visiting them.
6. Who can we be praying for and encouraging outside our own church bubble?
   • Other churches in St A, CS, Vineyard, Baptist.
   • Churches in Cupar, Montrose
   • Missionaries in other countries
   • Who can we give thanks for, knowing they are continually praying for us?
   • Church staff and elders
   • Fellow life-groupers
   • Who can we be invested in inside our church?
   • Pray for fellow students
   • Church staff and elders
   • Not students and families
   • Older people in the congregation
   • Leaders of the Wed life groups