Unit 2 LESSON 13

November 30, 2025

Study Text: Colossians 3:1 through 4:6

Central Truth: Every Christian should live to please God.

     KEY VERSE--Colossians 3:17 Whatsoever we do in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by Him (KJV).

Whatever you do or say, do it as a representative of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks through him to God the Father (NLT).

LET'S GET STARTED

The ancient Greek storyteller Aesop once told a fable about a father and son who were taking their donkey to sell at the market. At first, the man and boy walked alongside the donkey to ride. The son began riding the donkey, until a group of men said the father was spoiling his son by letting him ride. The father began riding the donkey instead, until a group of women chided him for being selfish and making his son walk. Then the father and son both rode the donkey, until a group of boys said the donkey would be too exhausted to sell, and the father and son should carry him instead. So they arrived, the townspeople laughed at the absurdity of the sight and ran the father and son out of town. When they reached the river and started to cross the bridge, the donkey kicked until he broke the ropes binding him, fell into the water, and drowned. The  man and son went home empty-handed, realizing that in trying to please everyone, they had pleased no one--and lost their donkey in the process.

DISCUSSION STARTER--PEOPLE PLEASING

What are some of the ways you have fallen into the people-pleasing trap?

Paul makes it clear a Christian's top priority is to please God. In Colossians 3 and 4, he challenges believers to embrace higher ideals and values because they have left behind their former way of life. Instead of living to please the world, they are now living to please the king of kings.

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PART 1- Live a New Life

Think about things Above            Colossians 3:1-4

New life starts the moment we decide to follow Jesus. being unified with Jesus elevates us to a spiritual standing we had not held before: "raised to new life with Christ" who "sits in the place of honor at God's right hand.' Because of this, we should "set [our] sights on the realities of heaven." When Jesus gives us new; life, we also gain a new perspective on what really matters. Our priorities and values start to align with heavenly things, not earthly things. Instead of loving the world, we become committed to Jesus. As we are being transformed from the inside out, the change in our attitudes and actions should be noticeable to the people around us. One day, when Jesus returns in glory, everything hidden will be revealed. If we are His, we "will share in all his glory." Once and for all, the forces of evil will be defeated, and King Jesus will reign unopposed.

DISCUSS?  How does setting your heart on heavenly things affect your thinking and priorities?

Leave Your Sins Behind                   Colossians 3:5-7

The sins listed in Colossians 3:5 likely describe the Colossians' way of life before they began following Jesus. Living in an idolatrous society where these sins were prevalent, some of the Colossians  may have been tempted to return to the sins from which they had been delivered. To prevent this from happening , Paul commanded them to "put death the sinful, earthly things lurking within you." These sins that Paul describes here begin in the heart (lust and greed) and then are manifested physically (sexual immorality and idol worship). God loves sinners and wants  them  to be reconciled to Him, but if wicked people continue to refuse His grace, Scripture is clear that they will face His judgment. As God continually works in you, changing you from the inside out, can be part of your testimony" "You used to do these things when your life was still part of this world." Like Paul, we can never claim we've achieved perfection on this side of eternity (Philippians 3:12). But we can remember where God has brought us from and "press on to reach the end of the race and receive the heavenly prize for which God, through Christ Jesus, is calling us."

 Discuss?  How would you summarize your before-and-after testimony of following Jesus?

Part 2-- Put on Your New Nature

                         Jesus Lives in Us           Colossians 3:8-11                   

In Colossians 3:8-9, Paul listed sins that believers should eradicate from  their lives, including angry attitudes and outbursts, hateful behavior, and words that are damaging, obscene, or dishonest. all sin disrupts our connection with God, bringing harm to others and ourselves. That's why Paul told the Colossians  it was time to remove their "old sinful nature and all its wicked deeds." Once our sinful nature has been laid aside, we are to put on our new nature. This is an ongoing process of renewal as we follow Jesus--learning who  God is  and beginning to reflect His nature more and more. The  things that used to divide us--loke religious  or ethnic background--no longer define us. Instead, "Christ is all that matters, and he lives in all of us."

DISCUSS? What is the difference between learning about God and getting to know God?

Clothed in Love                  Colossians 312-14

Paul follows up his list of vices with a list of virtues in Colossians 3:12-14. Theses virtues represent the goodness that should be evident in Christians' lives: heartfelt compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, patience, and the willingness to forgive. Christlike virtues should grow in the lives of believers, signifying new life and fruitfulness through the power of the Holy Spirit (Galatians 5:22-23). Over everything else, Paul told the Colossians to "clothe [themselves] with love" (Colossians 3:14). Love is the supreme virtue unifying all believers. This love is the type of sacrificial love Jesus demonstrated on the cross. Jesus makes it possible for us to experience a new reality, to live a new life, to put on a new nature. God chose us, love us, and  has made us special. These gifts from him should motivate us to live in a way that pleases Him.

Discuss? Why is Love the supreme Christian virtue?

      Part 3- Imitate Jesus

        representing Jesus     Colossians 3:15-17

Along with letting sacrificial love be the governing principle of their lives, the Colossians were to let peace of God rule in their hearts (Colossians 3:15). How do we do that? We believe His promises, trust His goodness, and obey His Word. We cultivate unity with others believers since God has called us to live together in peaceful fellowship. We also exemplify gratitude. The good news of Jesus should saturate every area of our lives and produce His character in us. As we soak up God's  Word, the Holy Spirit transforms us, enabling us to live fruitful lives for God. This fullness would overflow to others as we teach and counsel others and worship together with thankful hearts. We must remember we represent Jesus in everything we do and say.

Discuss? What is the connection between letting the good news of Jesus fill our lives and being Jesus' ambassadors?

Proclaiming the Gospel         Colossians 4:2-6

Paul told the Colossians to devote themselves to prayer (Colossians 4:2). When we pray, we should remain aware and ready to hear God speak to us. We should exercise faith, expecting God to respond. Prayer should be offered with thanksgiving. Even before God answers, we can thank Him for hearing us. Paul asked the Colossians to pray that he would have opportunities to present the gospel with clarity--even from prison (verses 3-4) We should also be missions-minded in our prayers (Matthew 9:37-38). For regions of the world that are closed to the gospel, we should pray that political doors are opened and that people's heart is opened, ready to receive the good news of Jesus. We as believers should use wisdom when interacting with unbelievers, always keeping the gospel in mind. The way we talk to unbelievers and treat unbelievers will greatly influence their perception of the Church and Jesus himself. Our speech should be gracious, not dismissive or offensive.

DISCUSS? How can you prepare yourself to "make the most of every opportunity" in your interactions with unbelievers (Colossians 4:5)?

WHAT IS GOD SAYING TO US? 

  God

By confronting the false teaching that had infiltrated the church in Colossae, Paul taught believers how to live out their faith in Jesus. When we become Christians, we lay aside our old nature, leaving behind our sinful way of life. We put on our new  nature, living to please God instead of ourselves.

LIVING IT OUT

Implement one idea for being more missions-mended, such as signing up for a missions' prayer team or developing relationships with unbelievers.

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               DAILY BIBLE READING

                           Monday: Walk with God. Gen 30:5:21-24; Heb.11:5-6   

                                    Tuesday: Avoid the path of the wicked. Proverbs 4:10-19

     Wednesday: Honor God. Daniel 6:1-10

              Thursday: Pursue Holiness. Romans 6:15 -23

      Friday: Live in the Spirit. Romans 8:1-11

                        Saturday: Be Justified by Christ. Galatians 2:15-21

Gospel Publishing House. 1445 N. Boonville Ave. Springfield, Missouri 65802 Volume 107 Number 1. Sep. Oct. Nov 2025