Teaching Outline: Colossians Chapter 3

 

Openers:

• Talk about a time where you were dressed for something that people either made fun of you or you were misinformed about the dress code of a place you went to.

• Talk about a time where you had your mind set on something and it back fired in your face.

• Talk about a time where you were struggling with something in the verses below and tell your students how you dealt with it.

 

 

Set Your Mind on Things Above

Colossians 3: 1-4

Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. 2 Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. 3 For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God. 4 When Christ, who is your life, appears, then you also will appear with him in glory.

 

Kill What’s Killing You

Colossians 3:5-10

5 Put to death, therefore, whatever belongs to your earthly nature: sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires and greed, which is idolatry. 6 Because of these, the wrath of God is coming. 7 You used to walk in these ways, in the life you once lived. 8 But now you must also rid yourselves of all such things as these: anger, rage, malice, slander, and filthy language from your lips. 9 Do not lie to each other, since you have taken off your old self with its practices 10 and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge in the image of its Creator.

 

Put On The New You

Colossians 3:10-17

10 and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge in the image of its Creator. 11 Here there is no Gentile or Jew, circumcised or uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave or free, but Christ is all, and is in all.

 

12 Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. 13 Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. 14 And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.

 

15 Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful. 16 Let the message of Christ dwell among you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom through psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit, singing to God with gratitude in your hearts. 17 And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.

 

Respect Those Who Are In Charge of You

Colossians 3:18-25

18 Wives, submit yourselves to your husbands, as is fitting in the Lord.

 

19 Husbands, love your wives and do not be harsh with them.

 

20 Children, obey your parents in everything, for this pleases the Lord.

 

21 Fathers, do not embitter your children, or they will become discouraged.

 

22 Slaves, obey your earthly masters in everything; and do it, not only when their eye is on you and to curry their favor, but with sincerity of heart and reverence for the Lord. 23 Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters, 24 since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving. 25 Anyone who does wrong will be repaid for their wrongs, and there is no favoritism.

 

(Depending on your group, it might be a good idea to give a little more context on what slaves were in those times and what wives submitting to their husbands means)

 

Action Steps:

• Make a list with two columns: one side with a list of things you have your mind on the things on the earth, one side with the things you want to focus more on with the things above like it talks about in the passage.

• Talk to your leaders about what things you need to put to death in your life.

• Make a list of the things listed in verses 5-10 that maybe you need to focus on getting rid of.

• Think of ways you can actually clothe yourself in Jesus. Think of some practical ways.

 

Thought of the Week:

How you clothe yourself will label what you stand for.

 

Questions:

• Why do you think it tells us to keep our mind on things above? What is the benefit to this?

• Do any of the things listed in verse 5 stick out to you in your life? What about verse 8?

• What do you think it means to put to death these things?

• Is there anything in your life right now that you feel you need to put to death? Why or why not?

• Do you think it is going to be hard or easy? Why or why not?

• What does it mean to be renewed by the Creator? (v. 10)

• Do you really believe you can be renewed like it says you can? Why or why not?

• What do you think it means to put on the new you?

• How can we let the peace of Christ rule our hearts? (v.15)

• What are some things right now you can do to give glory to God in your every day life?