Colossians 3:18-4:1 | Food for Thought
Questions
In this passage, Paul follows up his call to put on Christ and do everything - in word and deed - in the name of Jesus by spelling out what that looks like in various relationships: husbands-wives, kids-parents, slaves-masters.
Taking the passage as a whole, how would you summarize the difference Jesus makes in the way we relate to people?
Are there things Paul doesn’t address in these relationships that you expected him to?
Looking at each individual relationship, are there common threads? Are there things that are different?
What’s the goal in the way Christians relate with others?
Consider the relationships you inhabit: formal relationships; relationships that are part of social, governmental, employment, educational, or some other institution; or other more informal relationships.
How does the world see, understand, or value those relationships? How does the gospel free you to see them differently?
How can you relate differently in those relationships because of Jesus - in ways you wouldn’t otherwise without Jesus?
What’s your goal in those relationships?
Make no mistake: Jesus will one day rid the world of sin and injustice in every person, family, and institution. However, we’re living in a world where that hasn’t happened yet!
How do Paul’s words reflect this reality?
How do Paul’s words reflect their reality, specifically? (time, place, culture, etc.)
If Paul were writing today, which kinds of relationships do you think he would address? Why? What would he say?
Consider reading the very short letter from Paul to Philemon - a slave owner in Colossae. Paul writes to him to talk to him about a runaway slave - Onesimus - who has happened to meet Paul, convert to Christianity, and is being sent back to Philemon with Paul’s blessing.
How does this letter help you see the way the gospel transforms existing people and relationships?
How would you describe Paul’s approach?
Does that cause you to think differently about the way you relate with anyone in your life? …the way you counsel others in their relationships?