Further Study

Review Questions

These questions are designed to help you review important material covered in the lecture.

1. Explain the relationship Paul had with the Colossian church as a whole, as well as his relationships with various individuals within the church.
2. Summarize the problems that Greek philosophy, Jewish law and spiritual beings posed for the Colossian church.
3. Why is it important to understand the background of Colossians as we seek to understand Paul’s reason for writing this letter?
4. How did Paul demonstrate to the Colossians that Christ was supreme?
5. How were Christ’s ministers supreme over the false teachers in Colosse?
6. How is Christ’s salvation superior to the plans that the false teachers in Colosse offered?
7. What makes Christian living superior to other approaches to morality?
8. Summarize the structure and content of Colossians.
9. Why is it important to remain loyal to Christ?
10. Why is it important to have a spiritual focus?

Application Questions

Application questions are appropriate for written assignments or as topics for group discussions. For written assignments, it is recommended that answers not exceed one page in length.

1. The negative influence of the false teachers made it difficult for the Colossian believers to discern truth from error. What influences in your own culture make it hard to discern truth from error? How can Paul’s focus on the supremacy of Christianity guide our own strategy in dealing with error?
2. How should understanding that Christ is the supreme agent of creation shape your approach to the world’s challenges and opportunities?
3. How has Christ reconciled you to God? What areas of your world or relationships would be different if Christ’s reconciling work were brought to completion?
4. Paul prayed for the Colossians. What benefits might there be to following his example?
5. How does union with Christ help Christians live ethically? Why should this strategy be more effective than the ethical strategies of the ascetics? How does asceticism contrast with appropriate uses of the Christian disciplines?
6. In what areas of life are you challenged in your loyalty to Christ?
7. How should the truth of regeneration shape our view of ourselves and of others? How does regeneration makes us new people?
8. What is the most significant insight you have learned from this study?

Discussion Video

Additional information concerning the lesson topic is provided in a video presentation of a question and answer session. If you are struggling to understand any portion of the lesson or if you would simply like to deepen your understanding of the subject, this video will be helpful.