19. READ: COLOSSIANS 1:15-29
[Colossians 1:15] "He [Jesus, the Son God loves] is the
image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. [16]
For by Him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth,
visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or
authorities; all things were created by Him and for Him. [17] He is
before all things, and in Him all things hold together. [18] And He
is the head of the body, the church; He is the beginning and the
firstborn from among the dead, so that in everything He might have
the supremacy. [19] For God was pleased to have all His fullness
dwell in Him, [20] and through Him to reconcile to Himself all
things, whether things on earth or things in heaven, by making
peace through His blood, shed on the cross.
[21] "Once you were alienated from God and were enemies
in your minds because of your evil behavior. [22] But now He has
reconciled you by Christ's physical body through death to
present you holy in His sight, without blemish and free from
accusation--[23] if you continue in your faith, established
and firm, not moved from the hope held out in the Gospel. This is
the Gospel that you heard and that has been proclaimed to every
creature under heaven, and of which I, Paul, have become a
servant.
[24] "Now I rejoice in what was suffered for you, and I
fill up in my flesh what is still lacking in regard to
Christ's afflictions, for the sake of His body, which is the
church. [25] I have become its servant by the commission God gave
me to present to you the Word of God in its fullness--[26] the
mystery that has been kept hidden for ages and generations, but is
now disclosed to the saints. [27] To them God has chosen to make
known among the Gentiles the glorious riches of this mystery, which
is Christ in you, the hope of glory.
[28] "We proclaim Him, admonishing and teaching
everyone with all wisdom, so that we may present everyone perfect
in Christ. [29] To this end I labor, struggling with all His
energy, which so powerfully works in me."
a. How did God make peace with all things?
b. What relationship do God's enemies have with God?
c. How does God reconcile His enemies?
d. To whom was the Gospel proclaimed?
e. What is the body of Christ?
f. What commission did God give Paul?
g. What is God's "mystery"?
h. For what purpose do we teach people about Jesus?
i. How hard did Paul labor to do that?
