Week 7 (Final) - Fall Focus 2023
Reminder: At the start of each meeting, set the time when you will suspend the Bible study discussion (you do not have to discuss every question) so that you have sufficient time to share requests and pray for one another.
OPENING
As you look ahead to the holiday season, who are you looking forward to seeing?
—
READ COLOSSIANS 4:2-18
2 Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful. 3 And pray for us, too, that God may open a door for our message, so that we may proclaim the mystery of Christ, for which I am in chains. 4 Pray that I may proclaim it clearly, as I should. 5 Be wise in the way you act toward outsiders; make the most of every opportunity. 6 Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone.
Final Greetings
7 Tychicus will tell you all the news about me. He is a dear brother, a faithful minister and fellow servant in the Lord. 8 I am sending him to you for the express purpose that you may know about our circumstances and that he may encourage your hearts. 9 He is coming with Onesimus, our faithful and dear brother, who is one of you. They will tell you everything that is happening here.
10 My fellow prisoner Aristarchus sends you his greetings, as does Mark, the cousin of Barnabas. (You have received instructions about him; if he comes to you, welcome him.) 11 Jesus, who is called Justus, also sends greetings. These are the only Jews among my co-workers for the kingdom of God, and they have proved a comfort to me. 12 Epaphras, who is one of you and a servant of Christ Jesus, sends greetings. He is always wrestling in prayer for you, that you may stand firm in all the will of God, mature and fully assured. 13 I vouch for him that he is working hard for you and for those at Laodicea and Hierapolis. 14 Our dear friend Luke, the doctor, and Demas send greetings. 15 Give my greetings to the brothers and sisters at Laodicea, and to Nympha and the church in her house.
16 After this letter has been read to you, see that it is also read in the church of the Laodiceans and that you in turn read the letter from Laodicea.
17 Tell Archippus: “See to it that you complete the ministry you have received in the Lord.”
18 I, Paul, write this greeting in my own hand. Remember my chains. Grace be with you.
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS
Colossians is referred to as a “Prison Epistle” Paul wrote this letter while in prison in Rome, awaiting trial. He does not mention this stark fact until here where he alludes to it in passing in verses 10 and 18.
What was it about Paul that made his circumstance as an incarcerated individual awaiting trial on a capital crime almost incidental to him? Can you recall things in this study that shed light on this?
Paul’s personal connection seemed to be an overflow of his prayer life and the prayers of others. What strikes you about the prayer requests he offers in verses 2-5?
Why do you think Paul makes no reference to his incarceration or pending trial in these requests?
Look at verse 12 - What does he say about the prayers of Epaphras? What is this saying about how we might pray for each other?
How does this passage remind us of the importance of relationships?
What does this passage show us about the ways our personal relationships shape our identity?
Conclude with sharing some prayers for the holidays…