Jesus + Nothing Part 7 – “Love One Another”
Colossians 3:16-25
Week Seven
Opening Questions:
What do you think are some of the reasons for the breakdown of marriage and family in our society?
Is there something you find yourself wishing that Paul would have said in these instructions?
Important to Know:
– There is a continuation of the instruction to live our whole lives in the name of Jesus and for the Glory of God, and we must consider how that relates to our most intimate and ongoing relationships.
– The household codes were guidelines and expectations for how a 1st century Roman home should operate. Paul both
reveres aspects of the known household codes and suggest significant differences, namely relating all of them to Christ.
– Seeds are being sown of subversive love that will grow to change the world, and how we relate to one another with
Christ as our Lord.
– Everyone who us united to Christ is called to submission as Christ demonstrated for us no matter what their station in life.
– We are invited to be devoted to pray both the engine of a life of love and surrender and as an example of how the
Kingdom of God is built in the world.
Questions from the Text:
1. What are wives and husbands called to do in marriage?
2. What does “submission” and “love” in marriage look like?
(Consider the wider context of the new life we are to live in Christ in Col 3:12-14)
3. Read Ephesians 5:21-33. How does this passage enhance your answer to Q. 2?
4. In v. 21 the command to parents is stated in the negative. What is the implicit positive command in this verse and why is it so important?
5. Apart from the obvious, why is it important that a child learn obedience? (Think – What relationship does the parent-child relationship mirror?)
6. What are some different attitudes that our society has towards work? Read Colossians 3:22-4:1 8. Who does the Christian serve, even in apparently “secular” work?
7. How should our new life in Christ impact our attitude towards our work?
8. Discuss different ways in which the gospel might shape the way you work in your specific work place? (For those who don’t have a 9-5 type job, e.g. Mums, volunteer work; think broader about what constitutes your work place).
Application Questions:
Read Colossians 3:17 and discuss how this verse is a guiding principle for 3:18-4:1.
