How, exactly, have we been made complete in Christ? Where do we find the treasures of wisdom and knowledge? What does it mean that our lives are hidden in Him? In this Bible study of Colossians you will explore all these questions and many more.
Our world is full of deceptive philosophies. Each and every day we are bombarded with ideas and beliefs that could very easily pull us away from our devotion to God. As His children, we must be able to identify these ideas when they present themselves and understand that we have been given freedom and fullness through knowledge of our Lord and Savior.
What is the Main Message of Colossians?
Paul never met the chrisitans in Colosse, but he was well aware of the false teachings which were prevalent in the area. This concern prompted Paul to write this epistle encouraging the believers to continue in faith in Christ.
In chapters 1 and 2, Paul outlines the eternal and divine nature of Christ who has reconciled all things to himself through the cross. In chapters 3 and 4, he give us the implications of Christ’s lordship and how we, as believers, are meant to live.
Here are some other themes you will find in this book:
- Supremacy of Christ
- False Teachings about the Law
- Don’t Be Captive to Deceptive Philosophies
- Wisdom in Christ
- Put Off/Put On
- Devotion to Prayer
How to Use this Bible Study of Colossians
There are a couple of different ways that you can use the free study guide of Colossians. Choose whatever version works best for you. You can study on your own or invite a friend to study with you.
Get the Colossians Bible Study Questions
Get the online version of the study questions. Simply bookmark the page in your browser, grab your notebook and pencil, and get started. It’s completely free. No strings attached and no need to print anything.
Go to the Bible Study Questions for Colossians
Get the Colossians Bible Study PDF
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Join the email community and get the Colossians study guide delivered to your inbox. You’ll also get access to the Subscriber Resource Library with more free printables.
Get the Free Colossians Study Guide
For the two versions above, you will need a notebook or binder with loose-leaf paper to write out your notes and observations. This full Bible study journal includes lots of additional space after each question to write out your thoughts. You will also get some additional worksheets and coloring pages!
Summary of the Book of Colossians
Here is a quick summary of the book of colossians chapter by chapter.
Summary of Colossians 1
In chapter 1, Paul is reminding his readers of God’s Work in Christ. He writes about redemption, the excellence of Christ, and our salvation through Him. Paul also discusses his calling as a minister of the mystery of Christ.
Summary of Colossians 2
In chapter 2 Paul shares his care and concern for the Colossians to know and understand that true wisdom and knowledge are found in Christ alone. He also warns the believers to beware of false teachings that have an appearance of wisdom.
Summary of Colossians 3
In chapters 1-2 Paul laid down the foundation of who Christ is and what He accomplished. Now, beginning in chapter 3, Paul begins to explain the implications of Christ’s lordship and how, as believers, we should live. We no longer walk according to the elementary principles of the world, but according to the wisdom that comes from knowing Christ.
Summary of Colossians 4
Finally, in chapter 4, Paul discusses the importance of prayer, thanksgiving, and walking in wisdom towards outsiders. This chapter appears to be not much more than some final greetings, however there is much we can pull out to apply to our lives today.
Commentaries for the Book of Colossians
Commentaries are a great way for us to study the scriptures more deeply while also assuring that we have correctly interpreted specific passages. However, I recommend doing your own diligent study of the scriptures before consulting trusted commentaries.
The Holy Spirit is a great teacher! Allow Him to teach you first. If you consult commentaries too early, you’ll miss out on this joy of discovery.
Here are a couple of commentaries on Colossians that I recommend.
Final Thoughts on the Bible Study of Colossians
As we study the book of Colossians we learn that it’s important to evaluate what we believe. Is what we are believing about God and about Christian life in alignment with God’s Word?
What we believe is directly linked to how we behave. We must conform our thoughts, attitude, and actions according to the truth found in scripture if we want to live in a way that pleases the Lord.