Bible Study Lessons

Hope Changes Everything

No Comments

Introduction

In 1981, the successful millionaire Eugene Land was asked to address a class of 59 sixth graders in East Harlem, NY. After asking the principal how many would likely go to college and receiving the answer that perhaps one might, he was in despair. Finally the moment came, and Eugene stood before the students still wondering how to even get eye contact. With sudden inspiration he set aside his notes and told each student: “Stay in school, and I’ll pay the college tuition for every one of you.” An amazing 90 percent of that class graduated from high school. Why? Because they had hope. One of the students commented, "I had something to look forward to, something waiting for me. It was a golden feeling." In Colossians 1:1-8 we are told about a hope which awaits every believer and changes their life. Study the passage to learn more about this wonderful expectation and how it changes everything.

Observation

Pray

Since this is the Word of the living God, ask Him to open your eyes to the truth of this passage. And ask Him to show you how it should impact your life. Tell Him that you desire to walk away changed.

Read Focus Verses

Read Colossians 1:1-8, and try to understand the main point of these opening verses.

Keyword – Hope

Marking the intangible nouns like hope, faith, and love will help you see their prominent role in this passage.

Hope

Hope and Grace

Mark the intangible nouns (words like faith, hope, love, and others) in these first 8 verses of the book of Colossians.

Authors

Who are the human authors of this Epistle?

Recipients

Who were the first recipients of this Letter?

Apostleship

Why was Paul an apostle according to verse 1?

Two Responses

What two things does Paul say he does continually regarding these Colossian believers in verse 3?

Good Beginnings

When does verse 4 explain that Paul began giving thanks and praying for the Colossian believers?

Reasons

What is the reason Paul gives in verse 5 that he can give thanks for them and pray for them?

Gospel Results

What result did the gospel have in the lives of these believers according to verse 6?

Minister

Which minister brought the truth of the gospel to the Colossians?

Epaphras

How does Paul describe Epaphras?

Report

What report of these Christians did Epaphras bring to Paul according to verse 8?

Interpretation

Paul an Apostle

Watch this short video to get a little background about the Apostle Paul.

Colossae

You can see where Colossae is in modern-day Turkey on this map.

Click To Visit Website

An Ancient City

Here is a map based on ruins archeologists have uncovered from the ancient city of Colosse.

Click To Visit Website

Epaphras

Paul mentions Epaphras again at the end of the book. See what he says about him in Colossians 4:12.

Striking Characteristic

What was so evident about Epaphras’ attitude that Paul mentions it as a defining characteristic in both the beginning and end of the book?

Faith, Hope, Love

In verses 4-5, Paul speaks of the faith, hope, and love of these believers. Notice how the three are compared in 1 Corinthians 13:13.

Faith and Love

Read 2 Thessalonians 1:3 and compare it with Colossians 1:4.

Fuller Understanding

What characteristics of faith and love are highlighted in these two passages as important?

Hope

Verses 5-6 in today’s passage speak of a hope which produces fruit in a believer’s life. Notice how Titus 2:13-14 expands on this theme.

Hope’s Impact

What impact does the hope of Christ’s appearing and rewarding believers have on their lives?

Laid Up

Notice the similarities between verse 5 and 1 Peter 1:3-5.

Truth

Verses 5 and 6 both speak of truth. See the theme repeated in Ephesians 1:13-14.

Look Again

In both of these passages, what is referred to as the Truth?

Closer Look

Stop and take a look at the word ‘gospel’ in verse 5.

Strong's G2098

Greek,euaggelion [yoo-ang-ghel'-ee-on]

--Noun Neuter

Origin: from the same as (2097)

Definition:

  1. a reward for good tidings
  2. good tidings
    1. the glad tidings of the kingdom of God soon to be set up, and subsequently also of Jesus the Messiah, the founder of this kingdom. After the death of Christ, the term comprises also the preaching of (concerning) Jesus Christ as having suffered death on the cross to procure eternal salvation for the men in the kingdom of God, but as restored to life and exalted to the right hand of God in heaven, thence to return in majesty to consummate the kingdom of God
    2. the glad tidings of salvation through Christ
    3. the proclamation of the grace of God manifest and pledged in Christ
    4. the gospel
    5. as the messianic rank of Jesus was proved by his words, his deeds, and his death, the narrative of the sayings, deeds, and death of Jesus Christ came to be called the gospel or glad tidings

Fellow Servant

Another word in this passage with a lot of significance, which it might be easy to miss is one of the words Paul uses to describe Epaphras – fellow-servant. Take a look at its simple but profound meaning.

Strong's G4889

Greek,sundoulos [soon'-doo-los]

--Noun Masculine

Origin: from (4862) and (1401)

Definition:

  1. a fellow servant, one who serves the same master with another
    1. the associate of a servant (or slave)
    2. one who with others serves (ministers to) a king
    3. a colleague of one who is Christ's servant in publishing the gospel
    4. one who with others acknowledges the same Lord, Jesus, and obeys his commands
    5. one who with others is subject to the same divine authority in the Messianic economy
      1. of angels as the fellow servants of Christians

Colossians

Listening through the book of Colossians will help you see its broader strokes and see the wonderful truths it deals with. You might consider listening through it every day while you do some simple task to familiarize yourself with its glorious message.

Application

A Record

If you were living back in the days of Paul, and God had Him write about you in the Bible, what kind of record would be written about you, and what are you going to do about that today?

A Testimony

If you were living back in the days of Paul, and someone brought a record to him about how you were doing as part of your church, what would they have to say and what are you going to do about that today?

Servant

Paul considered himself a servant of Jesus Christ, and he calls Epaphras a fellow-servant of the same Master. In what ways will truly believing that you are a servant of Jesus Christ, and fellow-servant to His ministers show in your daily life?

Wrapup

Closing

We hope this study has helped you understand the hope of every believer and how it changes everything.

Feedback

Please take a brief moment to provide us some feedback on this lesson. We're always striving to improve, and with your help, we will.

Click To Visit Website

Support our Ministry

Please join us in our quest to help the world discover the beauty of the Bible. Consider making a generous donation today.

Click To Visit Website

Comments are closed, but trackbacks and pingbacks are open.