Introduction
Nearly 500 years ago, a soldier was sentenced to death by a firing squad for his crimes. The sentence was to be carried out at the ringing of the evening curfew bell. Anxiously the prisoner waited for the bell – time crept along more slowly than ever before. He began to think he had lost all sense of time when, to his surprise, the sun began to rise. Later in the day a guard came. The man steeled himself for his execution when he heard, “you have been set free.” In answer to his confused face the guard explained, “Last night the bell that was to sound the hour of your death never rang. The bell man looked to see what was wrong, and found your fiancé hanging by the clapper to keep it from sounding. “When the general questioned her about it, she showed him her bruised and bleeding hands. Because of her love, you are set free.” That is true love that sacrifices self to do good to another. Colossians 3:12-17 speaks of this kind of love that characterizes a Christian’s life and how it will demonstrate itself in so many other virtues.
Observation
Pray
As you begin to study this passage, pray that God will help you understand it and show you how your life should change because of it.
Read Focus Verses
The passage you’ll be studying today is Colossians 3:12-17. As you read, notice how many virtues are mentioned.
Context
This passage is part of a longer one which gives more background on how to understand these verses. Read Colossians 3:1-17 and see how today’s passage fits into its larger context.
Who?
What are some of the things that have been said through this larger passage about the people addressed in verses 12-17?
New Nature
What virtues are listed in today’s verses that are part of the new nature a Christian is supposed to put on?
Keywords – Virtues
By highlighting each of the virtues that will characterize a Christian who is putting on the new nature, they will stand out each time you read the passage.
Emphasize
Mark all of the virtues listed in Colossians 3:12-17.
How?
How does verse 17 say all of these things are to be done?
Forgiveness
According to verse 13, why are Christians supposed to forgive others?
Most Important
Which of these virtues does this passage say is the most important?
Rule
What is supposed to rule a Christian’s heart?
Dwell in You
What is to dwell abundantly in a believer in all wisdom?
Teaching and Admonishing
What three things should Christians use to teach and admonish each other?
Thanks
Verse 15 commands Christians to give thanks, but verse 17 expands on that by clarifying how often and to whom. How often are Christians to give thanks, and to whom are they to give it?
Interpretation
The New Nature
In the previous IBS Bible study plan, “Which Coat Will You Wear Today?” you can study the identity of the new nature a Christian is given in more depth. Today we’ll look at its characteristics.
Mercy
James 2:13 gives a poignant reason we should show mercy to others.
Kindness
Notice what Ephesians 4:32 says about being kind.
Humility
Philippians 2:5-11 holds up the ultimate example of humility.
Who?
Who is the ultimate example of humility?
How?
How was His humility displayed?
Meekness
Meekness is not a word we use frequently, and so we often misunderstand it. Meekness refers to power under control. This word translated ‘meek’ was used for a Roman war horse that was so well trained it no longer needed blinders as it went into battle. Why were the blinders unnecessary now? Because the horse was so focused on its master and what he wanted that there was no time for it to be spooked by the battle around it. This page has a short definition of meekness and some passages that speak of Jesus’ meekness.
Click To Visit WebsiteMeekest Man
Numbers 12:3 identifies the meekest man (after Jesus Christ) who ever lived.
In Your Own Words
Thinking of the examples of Jesus and Moses and the illustration of a well-trained war horse, how would you define meekness in your own words?
Reward
In Matthew 5:5 Jesus describes the reward for those who live meekly – actively submissive to God’s will.
Forgiving Spirit
Matthew 6:9-15 explains why a believer is forgiving – if you do not forgive, it shows that you have not been forgiven or do not understand the forgiveness you have been granted. (If you have an extra minute or two, read Jesus’ parable about forgiveness in Matthew 18:21-35)
The Bond of Perfectness
Colossians 3:14 calls love the bond that ties all the other virtues of the Christian life together. Read the description of love in 1 Corinthians 13:4-7 to find out why.
First and Second
See what Jesus says about love in Matthew 22:37-39.
Love
Why is love the most important thing – the thing which ties everything else together?
Peace
Philippians 4:6-7 tells us how a Christian can get the peace which is to rule their hearts.
Finding Peace
How can a Christian find peace according to God’s Word?
Singing
Ephesians 5:19 also speaks of the importance of singing in the Christian life.
Why Should You Sing
What are some of the reasons the Bible give that a Christian should sing?
Giving Thanks
1 Thessalonians 5:18 tells us why Christians should give thanks.
Because…
Why should a Christian be thankful in everything according to 1 Thessalonians 5:18?
In His Name
What does it mean to do everything in the Name of the Lord Jesus?
Living for Jesus
According to Colossians 3:17, is there any part of an obedient Christian’s life which is not part of living for God? Why or why not?
Application
Put on Love
If you have trusted Christ as your Savior, how are you going to strive to put on love and with it all these other virtues today?
In Jesus’ Name
If you are Christ’s, everything you do reflects on Him as if He would do it because it is all in His Name. How will that reality change the way you live today?
Wrapup
Closing
We hope this study has helped you understand how love and its accompanying virtues characterize the Christian’s life.
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