. SERIES-BASED CURRICULUM . FRISCO BIBLE CHURCH . Series Overview BC 1 Cover SUMMER 2015 Objective Premise Theme What we hope to see God accomplish Why we are studying this What the study is about in us through this study In light of increasing anti-Christian and The answer to everything is Jesus alone, That we live with Jesus as the primary anti-biblical hostility, we wonder if this and Paul expects Christians to daily live focus of our lives every day. current mess is part of a plan and out the fullness of our direct connection question whether the Triune God is to Him. This will lead to peace, holiness, STATEMENTS OF THE OBJECTIVE genuinely sovereign. And we are respect for godly authority, and tender hearts toward other believers. “The believers in Colossae were pressured to compromise on doctrines confronted with a new teaching that dealing with the Person of Jesus and STATEMENTS OF THE THEME promised a deeper experience with God, definitions of sin. a new and mysterious freedom, a “Therefore, as you received Christ Jesus STATEMENTS OF THE PREMISE protection from evil powers, and a more the Lord, so walk in him, rooted and built intense form of spiritual formation. This “He is the image of the invisible God, the up in him and established in the faith, new teaching, however, demoted Jesus firstborn over all creation. For everything just as you were taught, abounding in Christ and eventually produced spiritual was created by Him, in heaven and on thanksgiving. See to it that no one takes arrogance and division in the body. Paul’s earth… . For God was pleased to have all you captive by philosophy and empty answer is simple: Jesus Christ is the His fullness dwell in Him, and through deceit, according to human tradition, supreme revelation of God, and he is Him to reconcile everything to Himself according to the elemental spirits of the sufficient for the deepest experience of by making peace through the blood of world, and not according to Christ. For in life with God.” His cross.” him the whole fullness of deity dwells —Danny Hays and Scott Duvall —Colossians 1:15–16a, 19–20a HCSB bodily, and you have been filled in him, The Baker Illustrated Bible Handbook who is the head of all rule and authority.” —Colossians 2:6–10 ESV TABLE OF CONTENTS Why should we study these letters? 1. We live in the space-age so we ask, “Paul emphasizes the cosmic significance Series Overview 1 “How is Jesus related to this universe?” 2. In this age of ecumenicity, we need of Christ as Lord of creation and Head of Faithful 3 spiritual oneness without surrendering the Church. Any teaching, practice, or Powerful 5 the finality of the Christian religion and intermediary that detracts from the Wonderful 7 of the all-sufficiency of Christ. uniqueness and centrality of Christ is against the faith.” Meaninigful 9 3. The present Unitarian push calls for reflection on our beliefs of Christ’s deity —Charles Ryrie Masterful 11 and His relationship to the Trinity. Ryrie Study Bible Graceful 13 4. This is the age of pragmatism. Today’s Mindful 15 slogan is “Is it true?” but “Does it work?” “Colossians proclaims the absolute supremacy and sole-sufficiency of Jesus Purposeful 17 5. There is today a renewed interest in the doctrine of the last things as signs of His Christ (cf. esp. 1:18; 2:9; 3:11). It is, as Delightful 19 return multiply. A.T. Robertson says [in Paul and the Joyful 21 —adapted from William Hendriksen Intellectuals], Paul’s ‘full-length portrait Appendix 23 Colossians and Philemon of Christ.’’’ —Curtis Vaughan Colossians 1 Observation Worksheet 55 Colossians 1 . SERIES-BASED CURRICULUM . FRISCO BIBLE CHURCH . ACKNOWLEDGMENTS The content of this study guide is based on the sermon and personal study notes of Dr. Wayne Braudrick Senior Pastor, Frisco Bible Church Lesson plans are developed by the Frisco Bible Curriculum Team. PERMISSION You are welcome to copy and distribute this study guide for your personal or group study. FOR MORE INFORMATION Frisco Bible Church 8000 Sanctuary Drive Frisco, TX 75033 972.335.8150 [email protected] www.friscobible.com 2 . SERIES-BASED CURRICULUM . FRISCO BIBLE CHURCH . Faithful Colossians 1:1–8 LESSON OVERVIEW LESSON 1 OBJECTIVE: We Are Faithful Servants of the Messiah DISCUSSION In what ways do you see the brokenness of our fallen creation? Theme What is Truth? How does that affect the way you view the world around you? Paul introduces himself, Timothy, and The over-arching theme of scripture is massively important concepts including: God’s redemption of sinful mankind, How do you view the believer’s apostleship, sainthood, the Triune God, beginning with the creation and fall of role in ministering to the broken faith-hope-love, gospel truth, mankind. When sin entered the earth, people in their communities or in fruitfulness, grace, and service to Christ. the effects were disastrous. The most other parts of the world? He deftly uses the Colossians’ own devastating is that humanity’s PARTIAL TRUTH IS DANGEROUS experience, scripture, and Epaphras’ life uninhibited fellowship with the Creator to bring these topics to the foreground. was broken, but so much more was lost. And then she understood the devilish This is a kind-hearted way to establish Our bodies began to die. cunning of the enemies’ plan. By the lesson on solid truth, setting a Our relationships mixing a little truth with it, they had conversational yet inspiring with each other made their lie far stronger. tone. were changed ― C.S. Lewis from trust and The Last Battle Unfaithful harmony to Representations blame and discord. Even Like funhouse mirrors, the the earth that (Luke 4:18 ESV). And eventually, He will philosophies of the world had been “reconcile to himself all things” (Col. 1:20 have always found a way to “very good” ESV). distort the Word of God. had become While many of them still Faithful Image Bearers cursed. (See Gen. resemble the gospel in some 1–3.) We are created in imago dei, as image ways, the warped image they show bearers of the one true God. And as His becomes barely recognizable. The only Good Tidings! faithful servants, we are called to a way to combat these heresies is with “ministry of reconciliation” to bring all “the truth of the gospel” (Col. 1:5 ESV). The good news is that He didn’t leave it that way! God Himself chose to become things back into fellowship with God (2 It was in this context that Paul wrote his our Savior. He paid the penalty for our Cor. 5:18 ESV). Like Epaphras, we can letter to the Church in Colossae. This was sins “to redeem us from all lawlessness bring the good news of the gospel to the not one of his own churchplants; instead, and to purify for himself a people for his lost (verse 8). it was likely founded by his companion, own possession who are zealous for good In addition to evangelizing and church Epaphras. Upon learning of the heresy works” (Titus 2:14 ESV). planting, we can work to repair broken that had sprung up in their midst, Paul relationships, tend to wounded bodies, lovingly redirects them back to the truth But it doesn’t stop there. As God and show compassion for those in need. of the gospel that had been so faithfully incarnate, Jesus came “to preach good There are many ways that believers can given to them. Though his letter relays news to the poor … to proclaim freedom and should be a part of the reconciliation deep truths, his tone remains kind. to the captives and recovery of sight to the blind, to set free the oppressed” of creation. 3 . SERIES-BASED CURRICULUM . FRISCO BIBLE CHURCH . WHAT DO YOU SEE? THE GOSPEL IS FOR SHARING But how can they call on Him they have On page 37, you’ll find Colossians 1 Observation Worksheet with a space for notes. not believed in? Follow the directions at the top of the page for verses 1–8. And how can they believe without Verse 9 begins with the phrase “For this reason…” (HCSB). What is the “reason” hearing about Him? Paul is referring to from the preceding passage? And how can they hear without a Read Colossians 1:1–2 again. preacher? And how can they preach unless they How does Paul refer to himself and to Timothy? (verse 1). are sent? What does he call the people at Colossae? (verse 2). As it is written: How beautiful are the Read Colossians 1:3–8 again. feet of those who announce the gospel of good things! … So faith comes from What words or themes do you see repeated in these verses? what is heard, and what is heard comes In verse 6, what is “bearing fruit and growing all over the world”? (HCSB). through the message about Christ. How does Paul refer to Epaphras in verse 7? —Romans 10:14–15, 17 HSCB WHAT DOES IT MEAN? THE GOSPEL BEARS FRUIT Discuss your observations from the Colossians 1 worksheet. You have already heard about this hope Why do you think Paul would emphasize or repeat these ideas? in the message of truth, the gospel that has come to you. It is bearing fruit and How do you think they are connected? growing all over the world, just as it has Review Colossians 1:1– 8. among you since the day you heard it What might be the significance of Paul emphasizing that they are brothers? and recognized God’s grace in the truth.