Colossians 2: In Him

This week, we will focus on Col 2:9-15. And it’s all about being in Him. Ladies, please know that this week is crucial in our study. I encourage you to not lose heart in your study of the Word.   

Each day as you work on your homework, I encourage you to stop and pray. Ask the Lord to speak to you, ask Him to give you understanding of His Word. I also encourage you to begin each day by re-reading 2:9-15. Begin the week by writing down what you learn about being in Him (remember the Him is Jesus). Make a list of everything you learn about being in Him in Col 2:9-15. 

Okay, now it’s time to break apart our list!! The first thing we see is that in Him the fullness of deity dwells in bodily form. Look up the word  deity on Blue Letter Bible.  Let’s see what else we can learn about God’s deity in Scripture. Look up these cross references: Isaiah 43:10-11, John 10:30, Heb 1:3-4 and write down what you learn about deity.  Now let’s look at another word: Look up the word  fullness on Blue Letter Bible. As you do that look up 3-5 cross references that help you understand more about fullness. Write down in your journal what you learn. Be ready to share what you learn with us on Thursday. Okay, let take it back to Colossians. Go back and read verse 9. Write down any thoughts you have about this verse and why it would be important for the Colossians (and us) to know that Jesus was God. 

In verse 10, we learn that in Him we are made complete. We have said several times that this verse is the theme of Colossians. Look up the Greek definition for “complete”. Next, look up cross references (3-5) for complete.  Write down what you learn about each cross  reference.  Now let’s look up the word “head” in the Greek. Look up 1 Cor 11:3 & Eph 1:22 and write down what you learn about head and Christ being the head of the body. 

In verse 11 we see that we are circumcised in Him. Hmmm.. that seems fishy! Let’s investigate the text! Look up these verses and write in your journal what you learn about circumcision. Who ordained it? Why? Genesis 17, Deuteronomy 30, Romans 2, Philippians 3:2-3, Galatians 5:6. So from these verses write down what Paul is saying in Colossians 2. 

In verse 12, we see that we are buried with Him in Baptism and raised up with Him through faith. Look up the word “baptism” in the Greek. Then read Romans 6:1-11. What does this tell us about baptism? How then are we buried with Him and raised up with Him in baptism? Write down what you learn in your journal. 

In verse 13 & 14 we need to stop and notice a contrast. What is the contrast in this verse? Write it down in your journal. Here we see a contrast between death and life. Answer these questions about these verses in your journal: What were you? What did Jesus do? How did He accomplish this life? Let’s dig a little deeper. Look up the word “transgression” in the Greek. Write down the definition. Now look up Ephesians 2:1-10 and write in your journal what you learn about death and life. Let’s look up some more verses that help us to understand that transformation from death to life (With each passage write down what you learn in your journal): Romans 6, James 4:17, 1 John 5:17, 1 John 3:4, Galatians 3:10, Gal 3:13, Romans 7:4-6, Romans 8:3-4. 

So let’s ask ourselves again, how did this life (forgiveness of our sins) come about? Colossians tells us that Jesus canceled the debt of our sin. Look up certificate of debt and write down what you learn. 

Let’s finish with verse 15, write in your journal how verse 15 relates to what we have already seen in verses 11-14. Look up these verses and write down what you learn: John 12, Hebrews 2:14-15, 1 Peter 3. 

WOW, so much this week. But wasn’t it SO good! Don’t you love seeing who Jesus is, and what He has done on our behalf? I pray that God has shown you more about Himself through His Word this week. I pray your love for the Word has grown deeper. I pray that He is rooting your faith in Him this week and you see who you are in Him!!