Wages and Gift

Rom 6:19-23

19 I am speaking in human terms, because of your natural limitations. For just as you once presented your members as slaves to impurity and to lawlessness leading to more lawlessness, so now present your members as slaves to righteousness leading to sanctification. 20 For when you were slaves of sin, you were free in regard to righteousness. 21 But what fruit were you getting at that time from the things of which you are now ashamed? For the end of those things is death. 22 But now that you have been set free from sin and have become slaves of God, the fruit you get leads to sanctification and its end, eternal life. 23 For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.

• What attitudes and behaviors remain in your life that you are ashamed of?
  
• What perceived benefit do you receive from keeping these shameful things in your life?
  
• What is the outcome of remaining enslaved to these things?
  
• What is the outcome of your being enslaved to God?
  
• Why is death considered a wage?
  
• Why is eternal life considered a gift?
  
• In purely selfish terms, which is worth more to you: eternal life or the sins that you hang on to?
• How does being a slave to righteousness lead to your sanctification, i.e. your being set apart?
• What is the endpoint of sanctification?
  

Slaves

Rom 6:15-20

15 What then? Are we to sin because we are not under law but under grace? By no means! 16 Do you not know that if you present yourselves to anyone as obedient slaves, [1] you are slaves of the one whom you obey, either of sin, which leads to death, or of obedience, which leads to righteousness? 17 But thanks be to God, that you who were once slaves of sin have become obedient from the heart to the standard of teaching to which you were committed, 18 and, having been set free from sin, have become slaves of righteousness. 19 I am speaking in human terms, because of your natural limitations. For just as you once presented your members as slaves to impurity and to lawlessness leading to more lawlessness, so now present your members as slaves to righteousness leading to sanctification. 20 For when you were slaves of sin, you were free in regard to righteousness.

Footnotes
[1] 6:16 Greek bondservants. Twice in this verse and verse 19; also once in verses 17, 20

• What do you feel when you hear the phrase "you are slaves ..."?
  
• What does it mean to be a slave to sin?
  
• What does it mean to be a slave to righteousness?
  
• What does it mean to be free from sin?
  
• What does it mean to be free from righteousness?
  
• Since no one can truly serve two masters, which will you choose to be: a slave to sin or a slave to righteousness?

Harold's Musings
In the Law of Moses, a Jew who had been the slave of another Jew had to be set free after working for six years. If the slave loved the master and did not want to go free, he was to present himself to the master and make his desire known. The master would take the slave to the doorpost of the master's house and make a hole in the slave's ear for an earring. The slave would now be a slave for life, but by his choice. (see Ex. 21:1-6, Deut 15:12-18). Do we really see ourselves as slaves to righteousness? How about we are friends of righteousness? Maybe we are acquaintances of righteousness?

Dead to sin

Rom 6:10-14

10 For the death he died he died to sin, once for all, but the life he lives he lives to God. 11 So you also must consider yourselves dead to sin and alive to God in Christ Jesus. 12 Let not sin therefore reign in your mortal body, to make you obey its passions. 13 Do not present your members to sin as instruments for unrighteousness, but present yourselves to God as those who have been brought from death to life, and your members to God as instruments for righteousness. 14 For sin will have no dominion over you, since you are not under law but under grace.

• How might our ignorance of monarchies and their methods hamper our understanding of words like reign, present, master, and obey?
  
• Why should you not let sin reign in your mortal body?
  
• What is involved with obeying something or someone?
  
• What lusts do you find it easy to obey?
  
• How does a lust tell you what to do?
  
• To what sins do you present your physical self?
  
• How do you do you present your physical self to these sins?
  
• How do you present yourself to God?
  
• How does grace change your behavior?

Dead and resurrected

Rom 6:4-11

4 We were buried therefore with him by baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might walk in newness of life. 5 For if we have been united with him in a death like his, we shall certainly be united with him in a resurrection like his. 6 We know that our old self [1] was crucified with him in order that the body of sin might be brought to nothing, so that we would no longer be enslaved to sin. 7 For one who has died has been set free [2] from sin. 8 Now if we have died with Christ, we believe that we will also live with him. 9 We know that Christ, being raised from the dead, will never die again; death no longer has dominion over him. 10 For the death he died he died to sin, once for all, but the life he lives he lives to God. 11 So you also must consider yourselves dead to sin and alive to God in Christ Jesus.

Footnotes
[1] 6:6 Greek man
[2] 6:7 Greek has been justified

• How was your baptism like death and resurrection for you?
  
• Was your baptism mostly a theological, ceremonial, or life-changing event?
  
• What were the results of your old self being crucified with Jesus?
  
• What sins were you a slave to before baptizm?
  
• What sins are trying to maintain a hold on you?
  
• How is living to God seen in you?
  
• What does it mean to be alive to God in Christ Jesus?

Grace, not sin

Rom 5:20-6:4

5:20 Now the law came in to increase the trespass, but where sin increased, grace abounded all the more, 21 so that, as sin reigned in death, grace also might reign through righteousness leading to eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord. 6:1 What shall we say then? Are we to continue in sin that grace may abound? 2 By no means! How can we who died to sin still live in it? 3 Do you not know that all of us who have been baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? 4 We were buried therefore with him by baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might walk in newness of life.

• Why is sin so tempting even when you know the results in this life and beyond?
  
• What would happen to you if you tried to be subject to two very different earthly kings? Why?
  
• Why would you ever say "sin so grace can be larger"? What would the opposite statement be?
  
• What does it mean to you personally to die to sin?
  
• How did your decision to be baptized your decision to change?
  
• How can you have a "new life" unless you die to your "old life"?
  
• What changes in your life were prompted by your decision to be baptized?

Transgression and Grace

Rom 5:17-21

17 For if, because of one man's trespass, death reigned through that one man, much more will those who receive the abundance of grace and the free gift of righteousness reign in life through the one man Jesus Christ. 18 Therefore, as one trespass [1] led to condemnation for all men, so one act of righteousness [2] leads to justification and life for all men. 19 For as by the one man's disobedience the many were made sinners, so by the one man's obedience the many will be made righteous. 20 Now the law came in to increase the trespass, but where sin increased, grace abounded all the more, 21 so that, as sin reigned in death, grace also might reign through righteousness leading to eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Footnotes
[1] 5:18 Or the trespass of one
[2] 5:18 Or the act of righteousness of one

• What does the word "reign" mean?
  
• How did death reign? Who were its subjects? What was the result?
  
• What is the grace that is given abundantly?
  
• What is the gift of righteousness that is given abundantly?
  
• How does grace reign?
  
• Whose act of righteousness provided the means for grace to reign?
  
• What is the result of grace's reign?
  
• How does knowing this impact you?

Sin and Death

Rom 5:12-16

12 Therefore, just as sin came into the world through one man, and death through sin, and so death spread to all men because all sinned— 13 for sin indeed was in the world before the law was given, but sin is not counted where there is no law. 14 Yet death reigned from Adam to Moses, even over those whose sinning was not like the transgression of Adam, who was a type of the one who was to come. 15 But the free gift is not like the trespass. For if many died through one man's trespass, much more have the grace of God and the free gift by the grace of that one man Jesus Christ abounded for many. 16 And the free gift is not like the result of that one man's sin. For the judgment following one trespass brought condemnation, but the free gift following many trespasses brought justification.

• What was the long standing result of sin?
  
• How did the Law change mankind's approach to sin?
  
• How did the Law change the result of sin?
  
• What were the consequences of Adam's sin?
  
• What were the consequences of Jesus' death and sacrifice?
  
• Why is justification so important?

Harold's Musings
I know a lot of people use this passage to prove that there is original sin. I have a very difficult time with the concept of original sin. I know from Genesis 3 that what man did was learn the difference from good and evil thereby forcing mankind to choose to do good versus evil. Since Jesus was the only person to make all the right choices all the time, we all sin by our choice not from some taint that comes from Adam. We are tempted by our desires and choose to obtain what we desire through avenues that God does not allow. Make the right choices out there today, not excuses.

Undeserved help

Rom 5:6-11

6 For while we were still weak, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly. 7 For one will scarcely die for a righteous person— though perhaps for a good person one would dare even to die— 8 but God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. 9 Since, therefore, we have now been justified by his blood, much more shall we be saved by him from the wrath of God. 10 For if while we were enemies we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, now that we are reconciled, shall we be saved by his life. 11 More than that, we also rejoice in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received reconciliation.

• Who in your life would you be totally willing to die for? Why?
  
• Who in your life would you be totally unwilling to die for? Why?
  
• How are helplessness and hopelessness similar and dissimilar?
  
• From this passage, what were we before Christ's sacrifice?
  
• What feelings do you have when you are told that:
  = you are helpless
  = you are a sinner
  = you are God's enemy
  
• How frequently do you feel helpless before God? Why or why not?
  
• How frequently do you feel that your relationship with God is strained? What causes these times?
  
• How does believing this passage to be true change your life?

Building character

Rom 5:1-5

5:1 Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we [1] have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. 2 Through him we have also obtained access by faith [2] into this grace in which we stand, and we [3] rejoice [4] in hope of the glory of God. 3 More than that, we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, 4 and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, 5 and hope does not put us to shame, because God's love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us.

Footnotes
[1] 5:1 Some manuscripts let us
[2] 5:2 Some manuscripts omit by faith
[3] 5:2 Or let us; also verse 3
[4] 5:2 Or boast; also verses 3, 11

• How frequently do you rejoice because of your troubles?
  
• Which would you most commonly want: Christian growth or comfort?
  
• How do troubles and tribulations result in perseverance and endurance?
  
• How does perseverance and endurance in result in proven character?
  
• How does proven character result in hope?
  
• How often do your hopes disappoint?
  
• What is different about this hope?
  
• Why is hope at the beginning and the end of the list?
  
• What does it take to endure life?
  
• What do you have that non-Christians do not?

Justified by faith

Rom 4:23-5:2

23 But the words “it was counted to him” were not written for his sake alone, 24 but for ours also. It will be counted to us who believe in him who raised from the dead Jesus our Lord, 25 who was delivered up for our trespasses and raised for our justification. 5:1 Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we [1] have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. 2 Through him we have also obtained access by faith [2] into this grace in which we stand, and we [3] rejoice [4] in hope of the glory of God.

Footnotes
[1] 5:1 Some manuscripts let us
[2] 5:2 Some manuscripts omit by faith
[3] 5:2 Or let us; also verse 3
[4] 5:2 Or boast; also verses 3, 11

• Why was Jesus delivered up?
  
• Why was Jesus raised?
  
• How does our justification symbolized by Jesus' resurrection?
  
• What was the result of your justification by faith? How important is this to you?
  
• How and through whom where you introduced into grace?
  
• How frequently do you hope in the glory of God? What does this mean to you?
  
• How does your hope in God's glory relate to the faith by which you are justified?

Faith and Law

Rom 4:13-22

13 For the promise to Abraham and his offspring that he would be heir of the world did not come through the law but through the righteousness of faith. 14 For if it is the adherents of the law who are to be the heirs, faith is null and the promise is void. 15 For the law brings wrath, but where there is no law there is no transgression. 16 That is why it depends on faith, in order that the promise may rest on grace and be guaranteed to all his offspring —not only to the adherent of the law but also to the one who shares the faith of Abraham, who is the father of us all, 17 as it is written, "I have made you the father of many nations"—in the presence of the God in whom he believed, who gives life to the dead and calls into existence the things that do not exist. 18 In hope he believed against hope, that he should become the father of many nations, as he had been told, "So shall your offspring be." 19 He did not weaken in faith when he considered his own body, which was as good as dead (since he was about a hundred years old), or when he considered the barrenness of Sarah's womb. 20 No distrust made him waver concerning the promise of God, but he grew strong in his faith as he gave glory to God, 21 fully convinced that God was able to do what he had promised. 22 That is why his faith was "counted to him as righteousness."

• Why does it seem that justification by faith has no requirements?
  
• Is justification by faith based on a single event or an entire life?
  
• How does hope play a role in a life of faith?
  
• What was the result of Abraham's faith?
  
• Did Abraham and Sarah have Issac without any action of their own?
  
• What was reckoned to Abraham as righteousness: his "knowing" that there would be a child or his "acting out his faith"?
  
• What things do you believe that you do not act on in faith?

Justified by what?

Rom 4:1-8

4:1 What then shall we say was gained by [1] Abraham, our forefather according to the flesh? 2 For if Abraham was justified by works, he has something to boast about, but not before God. 3 For what does the Scripture say? “Abraham believed God, and it was counted to him as righteousness.” 4 Now to the one who works, his wages are not counted as a gift but as his due. 5 And to the one who does not work but believes in [2] him who justifies the ungodly, his faith is counted as righteousness, 6 just as David also speaks of the blessing of the one to whom God counts righteousness apart from works:

7 “Blessed are those whose lawless deeds are forgiven,
and whose sins are covered;
8 blessed is the man against whom the Lord will not count his sin.”

Footnotes
[1] 4:1 Some manuscripts say about
[2] 4:5 Or but trusts; compare verse 24

• What does it mean to be justified?
  
• What is justification by works?
  
• What is involved in believing God? How is this different from believing in God?
  
• Which do you feel more grateful for: your regular paycheck or an unexpected gift of something you really need?
  
• If God were grading you on your works, what do you think your grade would be?
  
• As a believer in Christ, what is your real grade?

Boasting and Faith

Rom 3:27-31

27 Then what becomes of our boasting? It is excluded. By what kind of law? By a law of works? No, but by the law of faith. 28 For we hold that one is justified by faith apart from works of the law. 29 Or is God the God of Jews only? Is he not the God of Gentiles also? Yes, of Gentiles also, 30 since God is one—who will justify the circumcised by faith and the uncircumcised through faith. 31 Do we then overthrow the law by this faith? By no means! On the contrary, we uphold the law.

• Which is more appealing to you: works-oriented Christianity or faith-oriented Christianity? Why?
  
• What are the "risks" of a works-orientation?
  
• To whom might you boast about your good works?
  
• Who have you "judged" in the last year because their works do not match your own?
  
• How do you measure someone's faith? Is your observation of their works an accurate measure?
  
• Who is real judge? What measure does He use?

All fall short

Rom 3:19-26

19 Now we know that whatever the law says it speaks to those who are under the law, so that every mouth may be stopped, and the whole world may be held accountable to God. 20 For by works of the law no human being [1] will be justified in his sight, since through the law comes knowledge of sin. 21 But now the righteousness of God has been manifested apart from the law, although the Law and the Prophets bear witness to it— 22 the righteousness of God through faith in Jesus Christ for all who believe. For there is no distinction: 23 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, 24 and are justified by his grace as a gift, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus, 25 whom God put forward as a propitiation by his blood, to be received by faith. This was to show God's righteousness, because in his divine forbearance he had passed over former sins. 26 It was to show his righteousness at the present time, so that he might be just and the justifier of the one who has faith in Jesus.

Footnotes

[1] 3:20 Greek flesh

• When have you done something and later found out it was wrong? How did you feel?
  
• What was the purpose of the Law of Moses?
  
• What problem did the Law of Moses leave us with?
  
• Who could be considered righteous under the Law of Moses?
  
• How can a person be righteous now?
  
• What is involved in having faith in Jesus Christ?

External or internal

Rom 2:25-3:2

25 For circumcision indeed is of value if you obey the law, but if you break the law, your circumcision becomes uncircumcision. 26 So, if a man who is uncircumcised keeps the precepts of the law, will not his uncircumcision be regarded [1] as circumcision? 27 Then he who is physically uncircumcised but keeps the law will condemn you who have the written code [2] and circumcision but break the law. 28 For no one is a Jew who is merely one outwardly, nor is circumcision outward and physical. 29 But a Jew is one inwardly, and circumcision is a matter of the heart, by the Spirit, not by the letter. His praise is not from man but from God.3:1 Then what advantage has the Jew? Or what is the value of circumcision? 2 Much in every way. To begin with, the Jews were entrusted with the oracles of God.

Footnotes

[1] 2:26 Or counted
[2] 2:27 Or the letter

• Which is more important to you: outward appearances or inner character? What percentage would you assign to each?
  
• What church-related outward appearance do you maintain because you believe others expect it of you?
  
• What requirement of God do you not keep because no other person will know about it?
  
• At what point do the expectations of others become your personal guidelines?

Law of Moses

Rom 2:17-24

17 But if you call yourself a Jew and rely on the law and boast in God 18 and know his will and approve what is excellent, because you are instructed from the law; 19 and if you are sure that you yourself are a guide to the blind, a light to those who are in darkness, 20 an instructor of the foolish, a teacher of children, having in the law the embodiment of knowledge and truth— 21 you then who teach others, do you not teach yourself? While you preach against stealing, do you steal? 22 You who say that one must not commit adultery, do you commit adultery? You who abhor idols, do you rob temples? 23 You who boast in the law dishonor God by breaking the law. 24 For, as it is written, “The name of God is blasphemed among the Gentiles because of you.”

• Although this passage is about Jews and the Law of Moses, what does it say to you and your Christian walk?
  
• What areas of Christian life are you willing to preach, teach, discuss, argue, or just know but are not willing to do?
  
• How does knowing how to obey God but also knowing you don't obey God affect your willingness to teach, etc.?
  
• When might the name of God have been blasphemed among unbelievers because of your actions?

Having the law

Rom 2:11-16

11 For God shows no partiality. 12 For all who have sinned without the law will also perish without the law, and all who have sinned under the law will be judged by the law. 13 For it is not the hearers of the law who are righteous before God, but the doers of the law who will be justified. 14 For when Gentiles, who do not have the law, by nature do what the law requires, they are a law to themselves, even though they do not have the law. 15 They show that the work of the law is written on their hearts, while their conscience also bears witness, and their conflicting thoughts accuse or even excuse them 16 on that day when, according to my gospel, God judges the secrets of men by Christ Jesus.

• Why is it important for you to know that God is not partial?
  
• What law is Paul talking about here?
  
• Who is justified before God?
  
• What was the difference between the Jew and Gentile stated here?
  
• How far can you extend the "I just knew in my heart it was the right thing to do" approach to life?
  
• What criteria do you use to determine what your thoughts and behavior will be?
  
• What criteria will God use to judge your thoughts and behavior?

Judgment is coming

Rom 2:5-11

5 But because of your hard and impenitent heart you are storing up wrath for yourself on the day of wrath when God's righteous judgment will be revealed. 6 He will render to each one according to his works: 7 to those who by patience in well-doing seek for glory and honor and immortality, he will give eternal life; 8 but for those who are self-seeking [1] and do not obey the truth, but obey unrighteousness, there will be wrath and fury. 9 There will be tribulation and distress for every human being who does evil, the Jew first and also the Greek, 10 but glory and honor and peace for everyone who does good, the Jew first and also the Greek. 11 For God shows no partiality.

Footnotes
[1] 2:8 Or contentious

• What is the outcome of those who obey the truth?
  
• What is the outcome of those who do not obey the truth?
  
• What attitudes result in punishment?
  
• What do stubbornness, unrepentant heart, and selfish ambition have in common?
  
• What will be the basis of God's judgment?
  
• Why is repentance so important in facing God's judgment?
  

And you did it too!

Rom 1:32-2:4

32 Though they know God's decree that those who practice such things deserve to die, they not only do them but give approval to those who practice them. 2:1 Therefore you have no excuse, O man, every one of you who judges. For in passing judgment on another you condemn yourself, because you, the judge, practice the very same things. 2 We know that the judgment of God rightly falls on those who practice such things. 3 Do you suppose, O man—you who judge those who practice such things and yet do them yourself—that you will escape the judgment of God? 4 Or do you presume on the riches of his kindness and forbearance and patience, not knowing that God's kindness is meant to lead you to repentance?

• What is the difference between "giving approval" and "passing judgment"?
  
• What is meant by passing judgment?
  
• What is the problem with mankind passing judgment on mankind?
  
• How should you respond to the fact that God judges people who practice sin?
  
• What is the "range of sins" listed in v. 28-32?
  
• How would you rank the sins in the list from worst to less worse?
  
• How does God rank the sins in the list?
  
• What is the reason for God's kindness?
  
• In what way has God's kindness led you to repent in the past?
  
• What sins do you need to repent of now?

Given over (Rom 1:24-32)

Rom 1:24-32

24 Therefore God gave them up in the lusts of their hearts to impurity, to the dishonoring of their bodies among themselves, 25 because they exchanged the truth about God for a lie and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever! Amen. 26 For this reason God gave them up to dishonorable passions. For their women exchanged natural relations for those that are contrary to nature; 27 and the men likewise gave up natural relations with women and were consumed with passion for one another, men committing shameless acts with men and receiving in themselves the due penalty for their error. 28 And since they did not see fit to acknowledge God, God gave them up to a debased mind to do what ought not to be done. 29 They were filled with all manner of unrighteousness, evil, covetousness, malice. They are full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, maliciousness. They are gossips, 30 slanderers, haters of God, insolent, haughty, boastful, inventors of evil, disobedient to parents, 31 foolish, faithless, heartless, ruthless. 32 Though they know God's decree that those who practice such things deserve to die, they not only do them but give approval to those who practice them.

• What are the consequences of not acknowledging God and serving the creature instead of the Creator?
  
• To what three things does God give over people who reject him?
  
• Which of your problem areas are included in the list?
  
• How close are you to God when you find yourself struggling with your problem areas?
  
• Why would God give someone over to something that would result in sin?
  
• Which is worse: rejecting God or a sinful action? Why?
  
• Why is tolerance of sin not acceptable to God?
  
• What does tolerance of sin reflect?

Exchanging Gods

Rom 1:18-25

18 For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who by their unrighteousness suppress the truth. 19 For what can be known about God is plain to them, because God has shown it to them. 20 For his invisible attributes, namely, his eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly perceived, ever since the creation of the world, in the things that have been made. So they are without excuse. 21 For although they knew God, they did not honor him as God or give thanks to him, but they became futile in their thinking, and their foolish hearts were darkened. 22 Claiming to be wise, they became fools, 23 and exchanged the glory of the immortal God for images resembling mortal man and birds and animals and creeping things. 24 Therefore God gave them up in the lusts of their hearts to impurity, to the dishonoring of their bodies among themselves, 25 because they exchanged the truth about God for a lie and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever! Amen.

• How is the truth suppressed by unrighteousness?
  
• Which comes first: not believing the truth or unrighteous actions?
  
• What parts of creation show God to you most clearly?
  
• In what ways are verses 21-22 true in today's culture?
  
• What is God exchanged for today?
  
• How do people worship and serve the creature instead of the Creator?
  
• Why would God give people over to their lusts?
  
• Why is it sometimes easy to exchange God's truth for Satan's lie?
  
• What personal challenge does this passage confront you with?

Encouraged

Rom 1:8-15

8 First, I thank my God through Jesus Christ for all of you, because your faith is proclaimed in all the world. 9 For God is my witness, whom I serve with my spirit in the gospel of his Son, that without ceasing I mention you 10 always in my prayers, asking that somehow by God's will I may now at last succeed in coming to you. 11 For I long to see you, that I may impart to you some spiritual gift to strengthen you— 12 that is, that we may be mutually encouraged by each other's faith, both yours and mine. 13 I want you to know, brothers, [1] that I have often intended to come to you (but thus far have been prevented), in order that I may reap some harvest among you as well as among the rest of the Gentiles. 14 I am under obligation both to Greeks and to barbarians, [2] both to the wise and to the foolish. 15 So I am eager to preach the gospel to you also who are in Rome.

Footnotes
[1] 1:13 Or brothers and sisters. The plural Greek word adelphoi (translated “brothers”) refers to siblings in a family. In New Testament usage, depending on the context, adelphoi may refer either to men or to both men and women who are siblings (brothers and sisters) in God's family, the church
[2] 1:14 That is, non-Greeks

• How would you feel if someone told you that your faith is being talked about all over the world?
  
• Why might the Roman Christians have been encouraged by these comments?
  
• What comes to mind when you hear the phrase "spiritual gifts"?
  
• What spiritual gift did Paul have in mind for the Roman Christians?
• Why would he call this a spiritual gift?
  
• Who in your life encourages you by their faith?
  
• Who do you encourage by your faith?
  
• What is necessary about a relationship for you to encourage and be encouraged by it?
  
• When have you hidden your faith?
• What harvest do you hope to reap from what you have sown?
  

Set apart for the Gospel

Rom 1:1-7

1:1 Paul, a servant [1] of Christ Jesus, called to be an apostle, set apart for the gospel of God, 2 which he promised beforehand through his prophets in the holy Scriptures, 3 concerning his Son, who was descended from David [2] according to the flesh 4 and was declared to be the Son of God in power according to the Spirit of holiness by his resurrection from the dead, Jesus Christ our Lord, 5 through whom we have received grace and apostleship to bring about the obedience of faith for the sake of his name among all the nations, 6 including you who are called to belong to Jesus Christ, 7 To all those in Rome who are loved by God and called to be saints: Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

Footnotes
[1] 1:1 Or slave; Greek bondservant
[2] 1:3 Or who came from the offspring of David

• What is your definition of the gospel (good news)?
  
• What do you consider included and excluded in the good news?
  
• Why would Paul consider himself a bondservant [slave by choice] of Christ Jesus?
  
• According to this passage...
  - What had God promised through the prophets?
  - Who is the gospel about?
  - What two aspects of Jesus Christ does Paul point out?
  
• What was the purpose of the grace and apostleship of Paul?
  
• How is the obedience of faith brought about?
• Why were the Roman Christians called?
  
• Why is the name of Jesus Christ so important?

Struggle in prayer

Col 4:12-13

12 Epaphras, who is one of you, a servant of Christ Jesus, greets you, always struggling on your behalf in his prayers, that you may stand mature and fully assured in all the will of God. 13 For I bear him witness that he has worked hard for you and for those in Laodicea and in Hierapolis.

• How could Epaphras be with Paul (wherever he was) and still struggle for the Colossian church?
  
• Why would prayer be considered a place of struggle?
  
• What did Epaphras pray for?
  
• Who do you struggle for in your prayers?
  
• When you pray for someone, what is your usual requests?
  
• Who do you have such deep concern that you would struggle earnestly in prayer for them?
  
• What does it mean to you that someone you care for is "standing mature and fully assured in all the will of God"?

Seasoned Tongue

Col 4:5-6

5 Walk in wisdom toward outsiders, making the best use of the time. 6 Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you ought to answer each person.

• Do prefer your food salted or unsalted? Why?
  
• What does it mean to be act wisely toward non-Christians?
  
• Which do you act more wisely toward: Christians or non-Christians? Why?
  
• What is Paul talking about when he states: make the best use of the time?
  
• What is your opinion of how your speech tastes?
  
• Would others consider your speech enjoyable, bitter, too salty, etc?
  
• What is required for your speech to be pleasing?
• How do you answer each person?
  

Sorry for the absence

My father-in-law passed away last week after about three months of declining health. He and my mother-in-law were married for 64 years. A Chinese friend of mine stated once, "So Christians are not afraid of death." At the time I fumbled a bit and replied that we should not be. My father-in-law is in the best place possible, but my mother-in-law still hurts as the other part of her is now gone. Perhaps I should have answered my friend something to the effect that the dying Christian has nothing to fear but those left behind will fear their loss. I know a lot of people are going to feel the loss of Hoyce Bailey.

Devoted to prayer

Col 4:2-4

2 Continue steadfastly in prayer, being watchful in it with thanksgiving. 3 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— 4 that I may make it clear, which is how I ought to speak.

• How devoted are you to prayer? How do you determine how devoted you are?
  
• Why is it necessary to keep alert in prayer?
  
• What are you to be on the look out for in prayer?
  
• How often do you pray for missionaries and evangelists? What do you pray for them?
  
• How often do you pray that a door will be opened for you to spread God's word?

Working...

Col 3:22-4:1

22 Slaves, [1] obey in everything those who are your earthly masters, [2] not by way of eye-service, as people-pleasers, but with sincerity of heart, fearing the Lord. 23 Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men, 24 knowing that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward. You are serving the Lord Christ. 25 For the wrongdoer will be paid back for the wrong he has done, and there is no partiality. 4:1 Masters, treat your slaves [3] justly and fairly, knowing that you also have a Master in heaven.

Footnotes
[1] 3:22 Or Servants; Greek Bondservants
[2] 3:22 Or your masters according to the flesh
[3] 4:1 Or servants; Greek bondservants

• Why do you go to work each day?
  
• When you begin work each day, who are you working for? Who do you try to please at work?
  
• What percentage of the time are you working with all your heart?
  
• How frequently do you try to do the best job you can for Christ?
  
• How does working for Christ change your attitudes towards quality of work, personal ambition and materialism?
  
• How does knowing that you are working for Christ change your approach to your fellow workers?

Family in the Name of Christ

Col 3:18-21

18 Wives, submit to your husbands, as is fitting in the Lord. 19 Husbands, love your wives, and do not be harsh with them. 20 Children, obey your parents in everything, for this pleases the Lord. 21 Fathers, do not provoke your children, lest they become discouraged.

• How big of a role does Christ play in your family's daily life?
• How would your family's daily life differ if it did every thing and said every word in the Name of Christ?
  
• What must happen to a person's self-oriented nature to obey these verses?
  
• What are the limits of a wife's subjection to her husband?
  
• How can a wife know what is fitting in the Lord?
• Why is the husband told to love his wife?
  
• Why are children to be obedient to their parents?
  
• At what age should pleasing Christ become the reason for obedience?
  
• How can a father discourage his children?

Harold's Musings:
It is interesting to me that the Holy Spirit chose to drop into family life immediately after the Hardest Verse. Family life (and work life, coming up tomorrow) are where we spend the bulk of our time. Our family drives away from the assembly with us. Our family sees us when we come home from work or after a long day with never ending housework. Christ wants us to act and speak in His Name as we live with our family. That means that regardless how frustrated we are with our child or spouse, we are to realize that Christ needs to approve of what we say or do. Ouch! Even more frustration! That means I cannot put back on the anger and wrath I put off with my old self (Col 3:8). I have to show the compassion, kindness, patience and love that I put on (Col 3:12-14) with my new self. Sunday morning Christianity may be what others see, but the rest of your life is where your true Christian self is displayed. Live it today.

The Hardest Verse

Col 3:17

17 And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.

• What does it mean to do something in the name of another person?
  
• How much of your conversation each day would be Christ-approved?
  
• How many of your actions each day would Christ authorize?
  
• How frequently each day do you consider what Christ would want you to do?
  
• Why should you feel thankful that your words and deeds can be authorized by Christ?

Harold's Musings:
Without a doubt, this is the hardest verse in the Bible for me. The scope it addresses feels overwhelming. I have this huge range of feelings when I consider the prospect of watching every word and every action to see if Christ would do it or at least approve of it. Yes, I know I have the grace of God when I mess up, but the focus of this passage is on getting permission instead of forgiveness. I am used to running on auto-pilot for the bulk of my day. To slow down and consider if my next action is bad, good, or best is unsettling. How will I get anything done? To put my brain in gear before starting my mouth so that my words are acceptable to Christ is unsettling. Will those words tear down or build up? Are they complaints, gossip, or anger? Would Christ say what I am preparing to say in the way I am wanting to say it? Hard, hard, hard verse for old Harold. Hope it is easier for you. In His Name....

Word and Song

Col 3:16

16 Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God.

• If the dwelling of the word of Christ in you could be measured as money, what would your account look like? Would you be poor, comfortable, wealthy, or what?
  
• What is one reason to have the word of Christ in you?
  
• How often do you sing lessons to someone from Christ's word?
  
• Why do you sing at church gatherings?
  
• When was the last time you sang with thankfulness?

Harold's Musings:
I must admit this is a frustrating verse for me. First I don't particularly like to sing. I sing along with songs that I like in my car or when I'm listening to my iPod but it is in response to the music, not because I inherently like to sing. I do sing at church gatherings, even though I don't particularly like to. Why? Because I am supposed to sing teaching and encouragement. Because I am supposed to express my thankfulness to God. I don't have a problem teaching, encouraging, or being thankful. I just don't want to sing it, but I do because that is what God wants. Because I don't want to be singing, it annoys me to look around at a church gathering and see people refusing to sing. Now you see I have even worse attitudes than just not singing. My point is this: God wants us to do what he wants us to do even when we don't like it. God does not want me to be annoyed by how others do or do not act; that is His concern. Boy, do I have a lot to work on today!

Peace rules

Col. 3:15

12 Put on then, as God's chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience, 13 bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive. 14 And above all these put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony. 15And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body. And be thankful.

• How much do you want peace in your life?
  
• What things take away your peace?
  
• In what areas do you give or throw away your peace?
  
• How is the peace of Christ different from the peace you desire?
  
• How would letting the peace of Christ rule your heart result in overall peace?
  
• How would wearing the qualities in v. 12-14 help you have peace?

Your New Clothes

Col 3:12-14

12 Put on then, as God's chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience, 13 bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive. 14 And above all these put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony.

• What is the focus of the qualities you are to put on?
  
• What image does the phrase "put on" bring to mind?
  
• Who comes to mind when you hear these qualities listed?
  
• What must die for you to put these qualities on? Why?
  
• Who will you look like if you are wearing these qualities?
  
• If you were to look in a spiritual mirror today, which of these "garments" would be missing or not fitting well?

Harold's Musings:
In Gal. 3:27 we are told that when we are baptized into Christ we put on Christ. Here Paul leads off with us being hidden in Christ, tells us to do an old for new self exchange, and then gives us a list things to be sure we do. One of those is this list of things to put on. I am impressed by how this list states characteristics of Christ. We sometimes grouse about wondering what God's will is for our lives. We seem to ignore the clear statements of what God's will for us is and are perhaps more concerned about the embarrassment of making a wrong choice in a physical realm situation. When I look at this list, I realize that I put these on selectively; much like how I choose what physical clothes I wear. I dress up for special occasions and wear sloppy comfortable clothes when I'm at home. I'm thinking God wants me to dress up like Christ all the time, even when it is not comfortable. So what "clothes" are you going to selectively not wear today? Patience? Forgiveness? Hmmm.... What to wear, what to wear?

Old for New

Col 3:9-11

9 Do not lie to one another, seeing that you have put off the old self [1] with its practices 10 and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge after the image of its creator. 11 Here there is not Greek and Jew, circumcised and uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave, [2] free; but Christ is all, and in all.

Footnotes
[1] 3:9 Greek man; also as supplied in verse 10
[2] 3:11 Greek bondservant

• Whose responsibility is it to get rid of sinful behavior and habits?
  
• Why would you want to pick up the old self you have previously laid aside?
  
• What is your new self beginning to look like?
  
• If everyone in Christ is the image of Christ, how can you distinguish backgrounds, race, etc.?
  
• If everyone in Christ is the image of Christ, why would there ever be divisions and strife in the body?
  
• Would the image of Christ do the things Paul has previously listed, such as greed, anger, and lying?
  
• How does focusing on being the image of Christ help you in your renewal?

Harold's Musings:
It is more rewarding to look towards achieving something than it is to look at the costs that you will have paid to do it. College students look toward graduation and work to achieve the goal. What if they focused on the number of hours of study, the number of boring classes attended, the number of pages read, the number of exams taken, and the amount of money spent? I think they may quit while they are ahead. We have been convinced that as Christians we have to focus on the "do and don't" and not on the goal. We wave the flag of "count the costs" instead of the flag of "becoming the image of Christ". Like the student who attends, reads, studies, and spends, the Christian seeking to look like Christ will "do and don't". will give up things, and will do whatever it takes to be like Christ. Be Christ on earth today!

Cleaning List

Col 3:3-8

3 For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. 4 When Christ who is your [1] life appears, then you also will appear with him in glory. 5 Put to death therefore what is earthly in you: [2] sexual immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry. 6 On account of these the wrath of God is coming. [3] 7 In these you too once walked, when you were living in them. 8 But now you must put them all away: anger, wrath, malice, slander, and obscene talk from your mouth.

Footnotes
[1] 3:4 Some manuscripts our
[2] 3:5 Greek therefore your members that are on the earth
[3] 3:6 Some manuscripts add upon the sons of disobedience

• Why does your life in Christ mean changes in how you live?
  
• What are some logical results of "dying"?
  
• What things in your life do you need to consider your body dead to?
  
• Why are anger and other person-to-person sins listed along with immorality and idolatry?
  
• How is living for self and its desires seen in daily life?
  
• How is dying to self and its desires seen in daily life?
  
• Which of the listed sins would Jesus do?

Mind set

Col 3:1-4

3:1 If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. 2 Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth. 3 For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. 4 When Christ who is your [1] life appears, then you also will appear with him in glory.

Footnotes
[1] 3:4 Some manuscripts our

• What are the things above that you should be seeking?
  
• Why should you seek the things above?
  
• How is setting your mind on things above more effective than a list of rules?
  
• Which has a higher percentage of your mind: things above or things on earth?
  
• How does your being dead to flesh and your life being hidden in Christ change your daily walk?
  
• What is the result of your fleshly nature being resuscitated?
  
• Which seems more preferable: glory now or glory with Christ when he comes?

Harold's Musings:
Oh that I could be consistent in regard to these verses! The world assaults these attitudes almost every minute of the day. How can I set my mind on things above when my stomach wants the food below? How can I simultaneously seek the things above and seek to do an excellent job at work below? (And yes I do know that in a few days we will look at doing a good job on earth.) The challenge I see in these verses is the all-consuming nature of being in Christ. If I have been raised with Christ, then what does the world really offer me? If I am dead, then what does the world offer a dead man? Perhaps I have had CPR and I'm hanging on by a thread. Perhaps Christ is competing with me to be my life. Think I need to go read Romans 7-8 again.

The dead have no rules

Col 2:20-23

20 If with Christ you died to the elemental spirits of the world, why, as if you were still alive in the world, do you submit to regulations— 21 “Do not handle, Do not taste, Do not touch” 22 (referring to things that all perish as they are used)—according to human precepts and teachings? 23 These have indeed an appearance of wisdom in promoting self-made religion and asceticism and severity to the body, but they are of no value in stopping the indulgence of the flesh.

• What is the difference between God's rules and man's rules?
  
• How can you determine the source of the rules you live by?
  
• When is a rule-based life beneficial to a Christian?
  
• How has dying to the elemental spirits of the world changed your life?
  
• What man-made rules for living drive your life?
  
• Are man-made rules a source of freedom or bondage?

Harold's Musings:
Rules and regulations imply control, yet they are impotent by themselves. Throughout history, countless rules have been made and I suspect every one of them have been broken more than once. Even the best of rules seem to have exceptions, conditional variations. Ultimately rules are guidelines for those who want something. If you want to win a contest, you must at least follow the rules. In recent years, rules and even laws seem to be perceived as optional; the exception is the norm. Rules do not control. They merely appear to control. When you died to Christ, you died to the elemental spirits of the world. It means you should not even want then things that the rules were created to prevent. What rules your life: Christ, rules, or you?

Keep your prize

Col 2:16-19

16 Therefore let no one pass judgment on you in questions of food and drink, or with regard to a festival or a new moon or a Sabbath. 17 These are a shadow of the things to come, but the substance belongs to Christ. 18 Let no one disqualify you, insisting on asceticism and worship of angels, going on in detail about visions, [1] puffed up without reason by his sensuous mind, 19 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.

Footnotes
[1] 2:18 Or about the things he has seen

• What are some things today that are mere shadows of what is to come?
  
• What is the prize in this passage?
  
• Where did the self-abasement, angel worship, and personal visions come from?
  
• Why is it so important for you to hold on to Christ, the head of the body?
  
• How does the body grow?

Death and Debt

Col 2:12-15

12 having been buried with him in baptism, in which you were also raised with him through faith in the powerful working of God, who raised him from the dead. 13 And you, who were dead in your trespasses and the uncircumcision of your flesh, God made alive together with him, having forgiven us all our trespasses, 14 by canceling the record of debt that stood against us with its legal demands. This he set aside, nailing it to the cross. 15 He disarmed the rulers and authorities [1] and put them to open shame, by triumphing over them in him. [2]

Footnotes
[1] 2:15 Probably demonic rulers and authorities
[2] 2:15 Or in it (that is, the cross)

• How were you dead?
  
• How were you made alive?
  
• What was necessary to be made alive?
  
• Why was the law of Moses hostile to man?
  
• What was the certificate of debt that Christ took away?
  
• What did you owe God before you were baptized into Christ?
  
• How did Jesus' death disarm the spiritual rulers and authorities?
  
• What weapons did Christ take away from Satan?

Fill ups

Col 2:9-12

9 For in him the whole fullness of deity dwells bodily, 10 and you have been filled in him, who is the head of all rule and authority. 11 In him also you were circumcised with a circumcision made without hands, by putting off the body of the flesh, by the circumcision of Christ, 12 having been buried with him in baptism, in which you were also raised with him through faith in the powerful working of God, who raised him from the dead.

• What lives in Jesus body?
  
• According to this passage, what happens to you when you are in Christ?
  
• If Christ is the head over all rule and authorities and you are in Christ, what do you have to fear?
  
• What is the body of flesh that baptism removes?
  
• What is the significance of being buried with Christ in baptism?
  
• What is the significance of being raised with Christ?
  
• What is the means through which you were raised?

Harold's Musings:
The phrase "in Christ" and its variants, e.g. in Him, is frequently overlooked in passages. We recognize the "Christ" part but read over the "in" part. This passage tells us that the fullness of deity lives in Christ and then states that as Christians you and I are filled in Him. The various translations use phrases like "made full", "made complete", etc. It is interesting to muse over why the Holy Spirit put the fact that Christ was filled with Deity in Him and that we are filled in Him next to each other in the passage. If Christ is filled with Deity and we are in Christ, then we are at least sharing space with Deity. Perhaps this is related to our receiving the gift of the Holy Spirit. Perhaps this speaks to our being a temple. Perhaps it is about our being partakers of the devine nature. The bigger questions are "what does it mean to me" and "what will I do with it".

Captive to empty things

Col 2:8

8 See to it that no one takes you captive by philosophy and empty deceit, according to human tradition, according to the elemental spirits [1] of the world, and not according to Christ.

Footnotes
[1] 2:8 Or elementary principles; also verse 20

• What comes to mind from the phrase "takes you captive"?
  
• What is life according to Christ?
  
• How can philosophy take you captive?
  
• When are traditions dangerous?
  
• How do you know when traditions have become dangerous?
  
• What is at the root of everything that directs you away from Christ?
  
• How does the world work in philosophy and traditions to take you captive?

Walk in the Truth

Col 2:4-7

4 I say this in order that no one may delude you with plausible arguments. 5 For though I am absent in body, yet I am with you in spirit, rejoicing to see your good order and the firmness of your faith in Christ.
6 Therefore, as you received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in him, 7 rooted and built up in him and established in the faith, just as you were taught, abounding in thanksgiving.

• What would Paul think about your "good order" and faith?
  
• Why is it important for your faith in Christ to be firm?
  
• How is a firm faith recognized?
  
• Why does walking in Christ require being established in faith?
  
• What does being firmly rooted in Christ mean?
  
• How are you being built up in Christ?
  
• What is your gratitude's rate of flow?

Harold's Musings:
A number of scholars believe that Paul wrote this letter to address an early version of Gnostism. This particular passage seems to be a pointed defense. Beginning in 2:1, Paul talks about true knowledge and wisdom being in Christ. Here he warns about being deluded by plausible arguments. I look around and see so many different religions and even within believers in Christ there are so many different "flavors". My observation is that we want something new and we want someone of our choosing to be the expert. I find it difficult to walk the seemingly fine line between mere tradition and real truth, knowledge, and wisdom. No wonder we are at risk from "plausible arguments". It is critical that you and I be established, firmly rooted in our faith and that faith is based in large part on what is in God's Word. How firm is your faith today?

Goals of the struggle

Col 2:1-3

2:1 For I want you to know how great a struggle I have for you and for those at Laodicea and for all who have not seen me face to face, 2 that their hearts may be encouraged, being knit together in love, to reach all the riches of full assurance of understanding and the knowledge of God's mystery, which is Christ, 3 in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.

• How could Paul be struggling for people hundreds of miles away?
  
• What was Paul wanting for these people?
  
• What image comes to mind from "knit together in love"? Why the word "knit"?
  
• How does entwined by love encourage the heart?
  
• What sort of riches is Paul talking about here?
  
• Why is understanding so important?
  
• How is knowledge different from understanding?
  
• What other questions does this passage raise for you?

Harold's Musings
Three little verses with a lot of meat. I first ask myself if I am struggling so that someone is gaining the things Paul lists here. I have to admit that my efforts are scarcely a struggle. Maybe a short scuffle or quick task, but not a struggle. I ask what is Paul really wanting for these children of God. My wife used to do a lot a machine knitting. I watched the process and the results as she worked (even struggled) to change cones of yarn into a single wearable garment. Without the knitting process, the strands of yarn would not hold together and were useless. Then there is the issue of understanding and knowing Christ and what that does to a person. I ask how rich is my assurance of my knowledge and understanding of Him. A lot to chew on today...

Purpose and Power

Col 1:28-29

…the glory of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory. 28 Him we proclaim, warning everyone and teaching everyone with all wisdom, that we may present everyone mature in Christ. 29 For this I toil, struggling with all his energy that he powerfully works within me.

• Who is Paul's audience when he proclaims Christ?
  
• What does it mean to be mature in Christ?
  
• How does warning and teaching result in maturity in Christ?
  
• How mature are you in Christ? What areas need work?
  
• What was working in Paul so that he could proclaim Christ?
  
• What power is available to you if you want to be mature in Christ?

Harold's Musings
What a challenge put before us! To proclaim Christ to everyone. To warn everyone. To teach everyone. To present everyone mature in Christ. Or do you think this is only for Paul? That you and I get a pass on this challenge? I know I stuggle with the scope of the challenge, but Paul struggled to achieve the goal. Paul realized that he could not do it alone. He realized the energy that he had been given. Like the electricity that runs throughout our houses, Christ's energy is available but untouched unless we plug ourselves in. Just perhaps that comes with maturity.

The Mystery

Col 1:24-27

24 Now I rejoice in my sufferings for your sake, and in my flesh I am filling up what is lacking in Christ's afflictions for the sake of his body, that is, the church, 25 of which I became a minister according to the stewardship from God that was given to me for you, to make the word of God fully known, 26 the mystery hidden for ages and generations but now revealed to his saints. 27 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.

• What sort of feelings do you get when you find out a secret?
  
• How would you react if you discovered something that would help a lot of people?
  
• What was the mystery that had been hidden?
  
• How does knowing this mystery influence your life?
  
• Why is this mystery so important to you? To your friends?
  
• What is your hope? How often do you feel hopeless?

Harold's Musings
Maybe this is a reason why we are so reluctant to tell others about Jesus. We simply do not feel that we have anything to offer them. We do not have anything to offer; Jesus does. Perhaps we do not feel the hope of glory that comes from realizing that Christ is in us. We go through our day accomplishing what we do or failing in what we try with our hope of glory firmly resting on our own abilities. Dale Carnegie summarized a number of authors when he wrote "everyone wants to feel important". We frequently fail to recognize just how important we are to God and only focus on how important we are to the humans around us. The secret though is "Christ in you, the hope of glory".

Suffering Your Part

Col. 1:24

24 Now I rejoice in my sufferings for your sake, and in my flesh I am filling up what is lacking in Christ's afflictions for the sake of his body, that is, the church,

• How much suffering do you do for another person's sake?
  
• How much suffering do you do for the church?
  
• What lacked in Christ's afflictions for the church?
  
• When do you do your share of the suffering for the church?
  
• How frequently do you find joy in your suffering for the church?

Reconciliation

Col. 1:18-23

18 And he is the head of the body, the church. He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in everything he might be preeminent. 19 For in him all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell, 20 and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether on earth or in heaven, making peace by the blood of his cross.
21 And you, who once were alienated and hostile in mind, doing evil deeds, 22 he has now reconciled in his body of flesh by his death, in order to present you holy and blameless and above reproach before him, 23 if indeed you continue in the faith, stable and steadfast, not shifting from the hope of the gospel that you heard, which has been proclaimed in all creation [1] under heaven, and of which I, Paul, became a minister.

Footnotes
[1] 1:23 Or to every creature

• How do you feel realizing that the one who is over everything died for you?
  
• What does the word reconcile mean to you? What must be present for reconciliation to be needed?
  
• When did you realize you were an enemy of God?
  
• Why would Jesus die for His enemies?
  
• What conditions are stated here for remaining reconciled to God?
  
• How important is hope in this passage?

Our Rescuer

Col. 1:15-18

15 He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation. 16 For by [1] him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things were created through him and for him. 17 And he is before all things, and in him all things hold together. 18 And he is the head of the body, the church. He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in everything he might be preeminent.

Footnotes
[1] 1:16 That is, by means of; or in

• How does it feel to be on the winning team? How about the championship team?
  
• What do you feel about Jesus Christ when you read this passage?
  
• What struggle in your life is outside of Jesus Christ's control?
  
• Where in the universe is something held together outside of Christ?
  
• As the head of the church, what control does he have over you, a member of the body?
• When you read this, what feelings does it evoke or is it merely intellectual fluff?
  

Rescued

Col 1:12-14

12 giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of the saints in light. 13 He has delivered us from the domain of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of his beloved Son, 14 in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.

• What images come to mind when you compare the domain of darkness to the kingdom of Jesus?
  
• What were you delivered or rescued from?
  
• How were you a captive in the domain of darkness?
  
• How has your transfer into Jesus' kingdom changed your life?
  
• Where must we be in order to have forgiveness of sins?
  
• If you have been rescued from the domain of darkness, why do you sometimes slip back into captivity?
  
• What should be your response to realizing you have been rescued?

Harold's Musings
When I read this passage images from The Lord of the Rings come to mind. The contrast between a kingdom of light and a domain of darkness was vividly shown in the movie. In today's imagery, I see a SEAL team sneaking into an enemy camp to rescue a captured soldier and the group being airlifted out to safety. Why do we not see the domain of darkness as we walk through life? Why do we sometimes give ourselves over to go back into the enemy's camp?

God's will

Col 1:9-12

9 And so, from the day we heard, we have not ceased to pray for you, asking that you may be filled with the knowledge of his will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding, 10 so as to walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing to him, bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God. 11 May you be strengthened with all power, according to his glorious might, for all endurance and patience with joy, 12 giving thanks [1] to the Father, who has qualified you [2] to share in the inheritance of the saints in light.

Footnotes
[1] 1:12 Or patience, with joy giving thanks
[2] 1:12 Some manuscripts us

• What do you most frequently ask for when you pray for others?
  
• What are some of the results of being filled with the knowledge of God's will?
  
• When do you usually want to know what God's will is for you?
  
• What are you usually wanting to know when you seek God's will for you? Is it spiritual or physical wisdom you seek?
  
• What will your life look like if you have spiritual understanding of God's will?
  
• Why would increasing in the knowledge of God be a result of being filled with the knowledge of God's will?
  
• What is the stated reason for being strenghtened with God's power?
  
• How does "endurance and patience with joy" fit into knowing God's will?

Faith, Love and Hope

Col 1:1-8

1:1 Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, and Timothy our brother, 2 To the saints and faithful brothers [1] in Christ at Colossae. Grace to you and peace from God our Father.3 We always thank God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, when we pray for you, 4 since we heard of your faith in Christ Jesus and of the love that you have for all the saints, 5 because of the hope laid up for you in heaven. Of this you have heard before in the word of the truth, the gospel, 6 which has come to you, as indeed in the whole world it is bearing fruit and growing—as it also does among you, since the day you heard it and understood the grace of God in truth, 7 just as you learned it from Epaphras our beloved fellow servant. [2] He is a faithful minister of Christ on your [3] behalf 8 and has made known to us your love in the Spirit.

Footnotes
[1] 1:2 Or brothers and sisters. The plural Greek word adelphoi (translated “brothers”) refers to siblings in a family. In New Testament usage, depending on the context, adelphoi may refer either to men or to both men and women who are siblings (brothers and sisters) in God's family, the church
[2] 1:7 Greek fellow bondservant
[3] 1:7 Some manuscripts our

• How often do you consider the hopes that fuel your life? Is it easy
  for you to feel hopeless?
  
• Who do you always pray for?
  
• How is the hope you have expressed in your faith and love?
  
• Where does your hope come from?
  
• How is the gospel producing fruit in your life?
  
• Why is it necessary to understand the gospel instead of just hearing it?
  
• What does it mean to understand the grace of God in truth?