Generation YES

Teen Bible Study

Teen Archive

A Bible Study
Colossians: A Small Book with a Big Message

Setting the Stage

ESP, astrology, witchcraft, talking with a "friendly spirit," New Age Movement, remembering past lives, Tarot cards, Ouija boards, field markings - mysterious things that intrigue and distract even Christians.

oct-graves.jpg (10452 bytes) Ours isn't the only generation that's been confused by these kinds of things. Early Christians in the city of Colosse were attracted to the same type of seemingly mysterious or supernatural things. Some of them believed they had to go through spirits to reach God. Some said Jesus was a spirit but not a very important one. Someone apparently came into the church and began teaching people to worship angels and cosmic powers. Jesus was fine they argued, but other mysterious powers controlled human destiny and gave secret knowledge. (Read Colossians 2: 16-23.)

Paul's letter to the Colossians challenges these false teachers. But instead of picking apart their arguments, the letter went on the offensive, telling the Colossians the truth about Jesus Christ. (Read Colossians 1:15 and 3:11.)

Paul's advice is relevant for all time. When we feel tempted to look for power in other, mysterious things, Paul reminds us of the source of true power. And when someone suggests that we need to do something else for our salvation, the words of Colossians assures us that Jesus Christ is all we need.

Read Colossians to -

  • Learn the importance of following only Jesus Christ (Colossians 1).
  • Discover how to respond to false teachers (Colossians 2).
  • Find guidelines for living a Christian life (Colossians 3-4).

Background Information

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  • The city of Colosse was once a major mill town in what is now Turkey. It was known for its wool-working and cloth-dying industries. In fact, a widely used dark red wool cloth was known as colossinum. However, the city had declined by the time this letter was written, and may have been devastated by a major earthquake in 60 A.D.
  • Unlike most of Paul's letters, the letter to the Colossians was written to a church Paul never visited. Scholars suggest that the church may have been started by Epaphras, a native of the city who was in prison with Paul.
  • If you feel like you may have read some of Colossians somewhere else, you might be right. The book is filled with passages that closely parallel Ephesians. In fact, about half of the verses of Ephesians have similarities to verses of Colossians.

Don't Give in!

When people die, friends or loved ones may have words inscribed on the tombstone of the deceased. These words, called an epitaph, often tell a little bit about the person who has died. Read the following epitaphs. What do they have in common? What do the people about whom the epitaphs were written have in common?

  • Michael Davis, 1906-1975, loving father and devoted husband.
  • Marie Green, 1943-1990, the best waitress that ever lived.
  • Debra Garcia, 1894-1987, loved everyone except herself.
  • Gerald Eilenfeldt, 1927-1989, his ability to sell cars gave him and his family many things.
  • Timothy Wong, 1962-1995, he tried hard at everything he did.

Read Colossians 1:24-29.

  • What really mattered to the Apostle Paul?
  • What is the only thing that matters when we face death?
  • Sin plagues us all, how can it be that believers are viewed as "perfect?" Read Romans 5:9.


Write an epitaph for yourself.

Appearances Can Be Deceiving!

Evaluate.

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Debbie goes to a Christian school. She attends church and teen Bible class faithfully. That's not all; she works in a Christian book store, has regular quiet time for devotions and listens only to Christian music. Moreover, she has vowed to date only Christian guys. Is a person who is doing right things automatically right with God?

Read Colossians 2: 20-23.

  • How did some Colossians have their focus in the wrong place?
  • According to Colossians 2:13, who alone, makes us right with the Father?


If someone asked you how do you know that you are right with God? What would you say? A verse that is probably the most familiar one in the Bible tells you how you can know. Take a minute to read John 3:16. Now also read verse 17 also. It's very clear. God sent his Son to give us everlasting life. Whoever believes in him is not condemned.

Try something. Look at John 3:16 again. Take out "whoever," and put your own name there. Read the verse again with your name in it. You have God's own word on it. You are God's child. It is HIS doing not that of anyone else. Keep your eyes fixed upon him, not on things of this world.

Forgiveness

Rank each of the following situations according to the following:

  1. No problem
  2. Sort of a problem
  3. Really a struggle for me
  4. A big time problem in my life


  • Forgiving a brother or sister who embarrasses me in front of friends at school.
  • Forgiving a parent who treats you harshly.
  • Forgiving a friend who puts you down in front of classmates at school.
  • Forgiving yourself when you have really blown it.

Read Colossians 3:13.

  • What makes it difficult to forgive family members?
  • According to Paul, what is the Christian's motivation for forgiving one another?


drama1.gif (1429 bytes) Have you noticed that some friends get over being mad at you quickly? Then there are others who get mad and hold a grudge for days or weeks? Their pride is hurt, and they're not about to forgive you. Aren't you glad that God doesn't hold grudges when you do something wrong? Jesus has won our forgiveness. And God is eager for his people also to be forgiving.



I'm Glad I am Different.

How can you tell the difference between a person who is a good driver and a bad one? What characteristics do good students have? Bad ones? What are the characteristics of a good athlete? A person who is not?

Read Colossians 3:18-4:6. Actions speak louder than words. A person's behavior tells a lot about their character. Identify and list some of the behaviors that characterize a Christian according to Paul.




Since God knows that we can never measure up to his expectations, we are faced with a dilemma. According to Acts 13:38 and 2 Corinthians 9:8 what's the solution to this problem?

Wrap Up

cross4.gif (4916 bytes) Sin plagues us all. We cannot earn God's favor. Christ is our only hope in glory. Jesus' blood and righteousness impart forgiveness of sins and life eternal to all who believe. Those who believe, respond by living as his dear children.