Colossians 4:5-17 Outsiders & Fellow Workers

Well, we made it!! This is our last Colossians lesson. I am sad to leave this book behind, but I am also so excited for our next study! I hope you will join us for our study on Covenant. 

So let's get to it! Read Colossians 4:5-17. You will notice this section breaks up into two ideas outsiders and fellow workers. The focus of our study this week will be on the two little verses that talk about outsiders. These verses are powerful, so don't miss it! 

So let's observe these verses. Remember when we observe we want to ask the 5W & H kind of questions. Think about what questions you could ask to observe verses 5&6. 

What commands does Paul give the Colossians regarding their actions toward outsiders? Write down these commands in your journal. 

Conduct with Wisdom
The first command Paul gives is to conduct themselves with wisdom. But what does this mean? What are two tools we use to find out what the text means?? (Yes this is a test) Use those two tools to interrogate what it means to conduct with wisdom. (make sure you look at both conduct & wisdom) Make sure to write down everything you learn in your journal!! 

Making the Most of Every Opportunity
WOW. This phrase hit me right between the eyes!! This phrase is broken up into two parts just like conduct with wisdom above. If the test above confused you, let me clarify at this point. We use two tools to interrogate the text: word studies & cross references. Remember how I showed you last week how to look up word studies on Blue Letter Bible? One thing we didn't talk about a lot, was how to find cross references. Blue Letter Bible can help you out here. When you are looking at a verse and want to do a word study, click the tools button to the left of the verse. This will bring up a box that breaks down each word or phrase. Click on the Strong's Number to the right of the word. This is your word study. If you scroll below the definition you will find the cross references. 

So here is what I want you to do. Do a word study & find 3-5 cross references for each part of the phrase making the most of every opportunity make sure to write down what you learn in your journal.. If you didn't do this for conduct wisdom, please go back and do so. 

Speech Seasoned with Grace
I will share with you at Bible Study why this verse is so important to me. It's been a big part of transformation in my life. Using the same two tools above interrogate this verse. I'm not going to tell you exactly what to look up. I want you to try it on your own. Remember part of what we do in Bible Study is to learn how to study for ourselves. We are constantly practicing it! Write down what you learn in your journal. 

The Church
Now I want you to observe what you learn about the church, Paul's fellow workers in the faith. Simply observe these verses. Ask yourself the 5W's & H questions. Write down what you learn in your journal. 

Wrap it Up
What has God shown you this week? In what ways has He pricked your heart? Spend some time confessing any sin He has revealed. Maybe you need to seek forgiveness. Don't miss out on this process. Write down in your journal any thoughts or prayers you have over what we studied this week! 

I love ya'll. Thank you for joining me on this journey through Colossians. It is my sincere pleasure to study with you each week.