Group Discussion Questions  Is there enough teaching on the End of the Age in our churches today? What may happen if there is too much focus on this?

Group Discussion Questions  Is there enough teaching on the End of the Age in our churches today? What may happen if there is too much focus on this? Too little focus?  Through the sessions on 1 & 2 Thessalonians, what have you been impressed with concerning the efficacy of the gospel and the importance of discipleship in our churches today?  What is full maturity in Christ? (Colossians 1:28) What does this look like when embodied in a person? (Colossians 3:1-17). In light of our current day and age, how can the Church raise Christians who are fully mature in Christ? What are the Church's responsibilities?

Session 6A: The Book of Colossians FEED 260/263 MENTORING THROUGH THE NEW TESTAMENT ： Paul’s Epistles to the Churches Ps Kim Taehoon July 16, 2016

The Book of Colossians

Colossae Paul in prison Acts 28:30-31 Col. 4:3,18 A.D. 60-63 Writes Ephesians Philippians Colossians Philemon Epaphras brings word to Paul Col. 1:8 Paul sends a letter by Tychicus Col. 4:7-8

Colossae

Introduction  Who? Paul, the author (1:1,23; 4:18) Colossians, the recipients (1:1,21,27) Epaphras, the minister (1:7-8) Tychicus, the letter carrier (4:7-8)

Emphases  The Absolute Supremacy and all-sufficiency of Christ  Christ both forgives sin and removes one from the terror of “the powers”  Religious rules and regulations count for nothing  But ethical life that bears God’s own image counts for everything  Christ-like living affects relationships of all kinds

Historical Background  Tri-cities: Hierapolis, Laodicea, Colossae  See 2.1 and 4.13-16  Important city on the main road across Asia Minor from Ephesus to the Euphrates River  Laodicea was a medical, judicial, financial and banking center of the region (overshadowing Colossae). Both were economically prosperous (wool) and culturally diverse.  5 th -4 th c BC: large, prosperous, populous  See Revelation 3.14-22

 Both cities were damaged by earthquakes.  Laodicea was destroyed by an earthquake about 60 AD, but rebuilt using their own resources with no assistance from Rome.  There are Jewish settlers in this area for about 300 years before Paul writes Colossians  2000 Jewish families relocated in 2 nd c BC  One estimate puts about 9,000 Jewish males over the age of 20 in Laodicea about 60 BC.  Jews were allowed to practice their religion without hindrance (observing Sabbath, etc)  By Paul’s day Colossae waned in importance

The Church in Colossae  The origin of the community of faith in Colossae is unknown  Paul did not establish the church in Col (2.1)  See Acts 2.10 for Phrygians at Pentecost  Paul spends considerable time in Ephesus and Asia (Acts 19.10) @ 110 miles away

Structure of Colossians  Author 1.1  Recipients1.2a  Greeting1.2b  Prayer/thanksgiving1.3-8 or 14  Body1.9-4.6  Farewell/final greeting4.7-18

Specific advice for reading Colossians  Some false teaching  Jewish flavour (circumcision, Jewish religious calendar, written code standing)  Superstitions about angelic or spiritual powers  Philosophy  Supremacy of Christ  Situation in the church  Encourage (1:3-12; 2:2)  Warnings (1:23; 2:4)  Onesimus (4:9)

Supremacy of Christ  Image of God (1:15-18a)  First born of all creation/ Agent of creation  First principle of reality(1:18b-20)  First born from the dead

Christ is the head of the church  When one is a member of church, one has no need to fear any other spiritual being, whether angelic, astral, or demonic. Since Christ is head over all of them, to follow Christ is to be delivered from any power such beings might exercise  Christ has because of his resurrection from the dead. Hi is thus not only agent of creation and preservation but also the principle reality in the re-creation of reality at the turn of ages.

Applications for Today  1:1-8 Greetings and Thanks Giving  1:9-14 Prayer  1:15-23 The Supremacy of the Son of God  1:24-29: What Paul put his energy into bring is  2:1-7: All wisdom and knowledge is found in Christ  2:8-23: Christ over against Religious Seductions of All kinds  3:1-4: The New Basis for New Life  3:5-9 The New Christian Behaviour  3:10-17 What Christ Life Looks Like  3:18-4:1 New Relationships in Christ  4:2-18 Admonition and Closing Greetings

Group Discussion  What is full maturity in Christ? (Colossians 1:28) What does this look like when embodied in a person? (Reference 3:1-17)  In light of our current day and age, how can the Church raise Christians who are fully mature in Christ? What are the Church's responsibilities?