Letter to the Colossians
* Author: The apostle Paul (1:1; 4:18).
* Recipients: Christian believers at Colosse (1:2); mostly Gentile (non-Jewish) (1:12, 21, 27).
* Time & Place of Writing: Probably AD 60-62 when Paul was in prison in Rome (4:3; 10, 18).
* Purpose of Letter: Paul had heard that false teaching was affecting the church at Colosse. So he wrote this letter to refute (prove wrong) this false teaching by presenting the truth.

1. How common is "false teaching" in churches today? How is "false teaching" identified? Where does it come from? Why does it happen?

Greeting
* Paul begins his letter in the customary way by mentioning his own name (along with Timothy); then mentioning the recipients; and then offering a Christian greeting. Read Colossians 1:1-2.

Thanksgiving
* Read Colossians 1:3-8. Paul has great reason for thanksgiving, because he has heard (from Epaphras) of their "faith in Christ Jesus" and their "love…for all the saints" (1:4).

2. According to verse 5, what is their faith and love based on? What do they "spring from"?

Hope
* The Christian hope is the "totality of blessing that awaits the Christian in the life to come." The Colossians "need to be reminded that their present experience of faith and love rests on the solid foundation of what God has committed to do for them in the future."

3. What does this passage say about the Christian hope? (1:5) How is this encouraging?

4. How does the Christian hope compare to the "hopes" (or ends) offered by other worldviews?

Gospel
* The "gospel" is the "good news" of what God has done for us in his Son Jesus Christ, who died for our sins, and was raised from the dead, thereby defeating sin and death. Through faith in Christ, we receive God's gracious salvation, and enter into a loving, personal relationship with him. In Christ we have a new life - everlasting and abundant, and we have the Christian hope.

5. What does Paul say about the effects and extent of the gospel? What do you think he means by saying the gospel is "bearing fruit and growing"? (1:6)

* Paul reminds the Colossians of the gospel's truthfulness and life-changing power, which they had accepted and experienced (1:6). Paul also reminds them of the integrity and qualifications of the gospel messenger - Epaphras, who is a "faithful minister" (1:7). Paul likely does this to contrast the gospel with the false teaching they are hearing.

6. What effects of the gospel have you experienced (or observed) in your involvement with authentic Christianity? How has this affected your beliefs about the Christian gospel?

¶ Paul again mentions "the great love for others that the Holy Spirit has given [the Colossian believers] (1:8, NLT). Such love is great reason for thanksgiving.

Reflection/Application
† Do you have hope? What is your ultimate (greatest, final) hope? What is the basis of your hope? The Christian hope is realized through faith in Jesus Christ. Do you want that hope?

† As a believer, do you realize the value of the hope you have in Christ? How does it affect your life? Does it encourage your faith and motivate your love? Think about the Christian hope.

† As a believer, do you realize the truthfulness and life-changing power of the gospel? Do you regularly give thanks to God for its effects in your life and the lives of others? Be thankful.