Bible Study Lessons

Which Coat Will You Wear Today?

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Introduction

If you had a car with a bad engine and took it to the shop for a new one, would you expect it to run poorly on your way home? If it did, you would probably suspect that the shop had only cleaned the old engine. The same is true in a Christian’s life. The old, sinful nature and the new, Christ-like nature are entirely different. If there isn’t much changed about your life, you would begin to wonder if your nature had been truly changed or only cleaned up. Colossians 3:9-12 defines these two natures and gives a few examples of the difference between them. Study this passage to understand the contrast between these two natures and be challenged to put off the old one and to put on the new.

Observation

Pray

Before diving into this passage, pray that the Lord will open your heart and mind to understand the passage and help you live what He shows you.

Read Focus Verses

Read Colossians 3:9-12 and notice the contrast in these verses.

Context

This passage is part of a longer discussion. Read Colossians 3:1-17 to get context and understand today’s passage better.

Contrast

What contrast do you see in verse 9-10?

Keyword – Put off, Put on

Use this symbol to mark the importance of the phrase put off and put on in today’s passage.

Put off, Put on

Like a Garment

Mark the key phrases that talk about putting things on and off like clothes.

Do Not

What are those who have put off the old man not to do anymore?

New Man

How is the new man described in verse 10?

No Difference

Why does verse 11 explain that God does not differentiate between people who have put on the new man?

In Christ

How does verse 12 define people who are in Christ?

Do This

What are some things a person who has put on the new man to do?

Interpretation

Off and On

The visual imagery of putting off the old nature and putting on the new one is used again in Ephesians 4:22-24.

Your Own Words

In your own words, what does it mean to put off the old, sinful nature and to put on the new, Christ-like nature?

No More Lying

One of the first visible steps of putting off the old man which is emphasized both in Colossians and Ephesians is to stop lying. Notice that Ephesians goes a step beyond that and clarifies what putting on the new man looks like in that area of life. Read Ephesians 4:25.

New Ways

Perhaps it seems simple, but what does Ephesians explain that a Christian should do now instead of lying?

Why?

Proverbs 12:22 explains why lying is unacceptable for a believer.

The Image of God

Both today’s passage and Ephesians speak of the new nature being renewed after the image of God. If we go back to Genesis 1:26-27, we will see that people are made in the image of God.

Come Short

Notice what Romans 3:23 says about the image of God in people.

Fallen

What causes all of us to be less than the image of the glory of God we were created to be according to Romans 3:23?

Complete

The process of a believer’s transformation into the perfect image of God is gradual. 1 John 3:2 tells us when that process will be completed.

When?

When will a Christian finally fully bear God’s image?

Equal in Christ

Galatians 3:28 also speaks of the equality in Christ of all believers.

Why?

What are some of the reasons why it doesn’t matter to God what religion, nationality, gender, occupation you come from?

Chosen

Let’s look at the three words used to describe Christians in verse 12. First look at the word translated elect or chosen.

Strong's G1588

Greek,eklektos [ek-lek-tos']

--Adjective

Origin: from (1586)

Definition:

  1. picked out, chosen
    1. chosen by God,
      1. to obtain salvation through Christ 1a
    2. Christians are called 'chosen or elect' of God
      1. the Messiah in called 'elect', as appointed by God to the most exalted office conceivable
      2. choice, select, i.e. the best of its kind or class, excellence preeminent: applied to certain individual Christians

Set Apart

Look at the word translated holy or set apart.

Strong's G40

Greek,hagios [hag'-ee-os]

--Adjective

Origin: from hagos (an awful thing) [cf (53), (2282)]

Definition:

  1. most holy thing, a saint

Beloved

Look at the word translated beloved or dearly loved.

Strong's G25

Greek,agapao [ag-ap-ah'-o]

--Verb

Origin: perhaps from agan (much) [or cf (5368)]

Definition:

  1. of persons
    1. to welcome, to entertain, to be fond of, to love dearly
  2. of things
    1. to be well pleased, to be contented at or with a thing

God’s Love

When you look at how God thinks of and relates to His people, what is your response?

Application

Off and On

What will it look like in your life today to put off the old, sinful nature and to put on the new, Christ-like nature instead?

Preference

In what ways do you consider certain types of people – rich or poor, male or female, Eastern or Western – better than others, and how should that change based on God’s perspective of people as equal?

Wrapup

Closing

We hope this study has given you a clearer understanding of the difference between the old, sinful nature and the new, Christ-like nature, and challenged you to put off the old one and to put on the new.

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