Last week was a hard lesson. We had to honestly stop and take a look at ourselves and allow God to reveal any sin in our lives. I pray that you have not left that lesson and that you continue to deal with verses 5-9. As believers those things should not even be named among us.
This week our contrast moves to the new self! Stop and ask God to move in your heart as you study. Ask Him to reveal if the new self is true of you! Now read Colossians 3:5-17.
We begin our particular study this week in verse 10. What command does verse 10 give us? What do we learn about the renewal in verses 10-11? In other words how or to what are we to be renewed?
Now let's start with some word studies & cross references on verses 10-11. Read through those verses and look for words you need to look up in the greek. As I look at these verses there are so many words that we need to dive into. Let's look up the definition of these phrases and find 2-3 cross references on each: put on, new self, & who is being renewed. Make sure to write down all that you learn with each word study & cross reference. Did you notice the voice of "put on" and "who is being renewed"? If not, go back and write down the voice of each one.
Now let's look at what the new self looks like beginning in verse 12. How are we as believers described at the beginning of verse 12? Paul used the word chosen. We need to stop at look at it before we move on. Look up the word chosen on Blue Letter Bible. Let's also look at some cross references. Look up 2-3 verses that help us get a better understanding of this word. Write down what you learn in the definition and the cross references about being chosen.
A list of the new self begins in verse 12. Write down the qualities of the new self. I think we also need to stop and reflect on each word in this list. Look up each word in the greek and write down the definition in your journal.
The new self list runs all through verse 13, then something happens in verse 14. Look at 14-17 and write down Paul's commands. Let's look up a few words from this section of verses on Blue Letter Bible. Look up these words: love, peace, rule, word, and dwell. Now think about how the commands in 14-17 connect to the new self found in 10-13. Write down your thoughts.
Now, stop, look back at Colossians 3:5-17. After all the work you have done the past few weeks do you have a greater understanding of this passage? Okay, now let's look at our hearts and our actions. Do your heart and the things of your heart (that spill out in action) reflect that of the old self or the new self? I am praying that God would continue to expose sin in our lives and that we would be willing to confess & repent that sin. I pray that you are "considering" the old self. Know that I am praying for you as you study this week!
This is awesome!!
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