Unit 2 LESSON 12

November 23, 2025

Study Text: Colossians 2:4-23

Central Truth: Faith in Jesus is life changing.

     KEY VERSE--Colossians 2:6 As ye have accepted Christ Jesus as the Lord, so walk ye in him (KJV).

Just as you accepted Christ Jesus as your Lord, you must continue to follow him (NLT).

LET'S GET STARTED

Scams have always been around, but there are more now than ever. Whether they're knocking on your door, calling your phone, trying to access your accounts, or sending you fishy emails, scammers are everywhere.

Discussion Starter--Scammed

What do you think each of these scam-related terms means?

1). phishing. 2). spear phishing. 3). vishing. 4). whaling.

These are just a few of the ways scammers try to trick people these days. But scamming is nothing new. Not long after the Church began, false of teachers started spreading lies about Jesus and leading believers astray. While a few of these teachers may have been sincere in what they believed and taught, they were sincerely wrong. The church at Colossae was among those early churches that quickly came under the attack of false teachings that perverted the true gospel. Paul was extremely concerned with making believers aware of this influence.

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PART 1- Be Rooted and Built in Jesus

Growing Deeper and getting Stronger            Colossians 2:6-7

Anyone who follows Jesus must recognize Him as Lord and submit everything to His sovereignty. This is a day -by-day process as believers grow spiritually and "continue to follow him." Paul used four action words to describe the strong faith he wanted the believers to develop. 1). "Rooted ...in him." The tense of this verb likely implies an initial experience of salvation followed by an ongoing relationship with Jesus. 2). "Built up...in Him." Paul shifts from an agricultural metaphor to a construction metaphor to show the way God continues His work in believers' lives after salvation. 3)."Strengthened he faith as you were taught." 4). "Overflowing with thankfulness." Whether a believer is seasoned or brand new, their attitudes and actions should be characterized by gratitude.

DISCUSS?  How can we make sure we are continually growing deeper in our relationship with Jesus?

Made completed through Jesus                   Colossians 2:8-12

Paul' was concerned that the Colossian believers might be taken in by false teachings  (Colossians 2:8). To fight this threat, he begins a detailed theological argument by describing the stark contrast between the emptiness of wordily philosophies and the glorious fullness of being united with Jesus. Paul reminded the Colossians believers that "all the fullness of God" lived in Jesus' human body, not in any of the spiritual intermediaries the Gnostics believed in. He was affirming the reality of Jesus' humanity and divinity. Paul reminded the Colossian believers of the supremacy of Jesus. He "is the head over every ruler and authority." He is the Source of all life and Sovereign Lord over everything--whether material or spiritual. God has graciously made us whole through our faith in Jesus. Meanwhile, many people around us are empty, broken, and hopeless without Him. It's up to us to share the hope we have found, spreading the message that Jesus came "that they may have life, and have it to the full: (John 10:10).

 Discuss?  What does it mean to you to be "complete through your union with Christ" (Colossians 2:10)?

Part 2-- Alive with Jesus

                         Alive Again           Colossians 2:13-15                   

When God forgives people's sins, He makes them "alive with Christ" (Colossians 2:13). We could never measure up to the Law's requirements, but Jesus "canceled the record of the charges against us, " them to His own cross (verse 14). Through Jesus, the payment required to cancel out our sins was completed. Jesus's death on the cross was not a sign of His defeat. Quite the opposite. His sacrificial death was a victory--for Jesus and everyone who would follow Him and be saved from condemnation. We are no longer dead in sin, because Jesus brought us back to life.

DISCUSS? How does Jesus free us from the accusation of the Law?

Real Holiness                  Colossians 2:16-17

Paul told the Colossians to stop listening to those who were trying to force them to follow religious observances or requirements that had nothing to do with the gospel. False teachers in Colossae must have been demanding strict observance of religious festivals and dietary restriction, But because Jesus' followers are no longer under the Law (Romans 6:14; 10:4), they are not bound by its rules and regulations. Jesus' sacrifice is enough. Nothing else can bring salvation. Legalism is destructive on multiple levels--both in Paul's time and today. We can experience fullness of life--not through keeping a set of regulations, but through a living connection with Jesus. What we choose to do (or not do).

Discuss? What is the difference between legalism and godly obedience?

      Part 3- Reject Man-Made Religion

        Connected and Growing     Colossians 2:18-19

The false teachers troubling the Colossian church were apparently also preaching false humility and promoting the worship of spiritual beings (Colossians 2:18). These false teachers were spreading error throughout the church because they had not held fast to Jesus, the Head of the Church. Only from Jesus can the Body receive the necessary ingredients for growth and maturity. If we allow ourselves to lose connection with Jesus, we too can led astray. We must be vigilant about keeping Jesus at the center of our doctrine, worship, ministry, and daily life (Ephesians 4:14-15).

Discuss? How do we maintain our close connection with Jesus?

Free from Worldly Rules         Colossians 2:20-23

The believers in Colossae were being lured into bondage by false teachers who claimed to represent God. Paul made it clear that the rules they forced people to obey were worldly, not godly (Colossians 2:20). This kind of teaching--that people could earn salvation by following a set of rules--was extremely dangerous. But through Jesus, we have been set free. We are already passing away. Such rules never help anyone conquer their sinful desires; they only give the illusion of victory (verse 23). The only way to eradicate sin is to fully depend on the work of Jesus.

DISCUSS? Why do you think some Christians finds false teachers so appealing?

WHAT IS GOD SAYING TO US? 

Following Jesus brings people from death to life. Nothing the world offers can compare to that. Many people look to the rule-based philosophies of this world for peace and well-being, but real life can only be found through Jesus. Let us hold tightly to the gospel of grace. Instead of weighing people down with impossible burdens, it offers freedom, life, peace, and hope.

LIVING IT OUT

Ask God to reveal and remove any legalism that may have crept into your life.

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               DAILY BIBLE READING

                           Monday: Choose God's Way. Deuteronomy 30:15-20   

           Tuesday: Trust, Seek, Wait. Psalm 27:1-14

                            Wednesday: Personal Responsibility. Ezekiel 3:15-21

                            Thursday: The Power of the Gospel. Romans 1:15-17

         Friday: True Treasure. 2 Corinthians 4:1-7

                               Saturday: Eternal Grace and Glory. 2 Corinthians 4:8-18

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