Colossians 2

1a. What does verse 1 tell us about Paul? What kind of ministry did Paul have for these people?

1b. Is there even one person that you could commit yourself to be diligent about their relational and spiritual progress?

2.What was Paul's goal for the work he was doing on their behalf?

3. What can we find in Christ? Do we think there is enough treasure there to take some time to mine it? How can we do more digging?

4. Are we able to be discerning to see through arguments that we hear on TV or by preachers that sound good but end up being self serving? (Holy Water, Special cloths, Books, Recordings)

5a. Could you say that you are present in spirit with anyone else? How could we be present in spirit with someone?

5b. Would you consider yourself to be disciplined and firm in the faith? How do you demonstrate that?

6 Notice we are to live our lives IN Christ. Is everything you do lived as though you were in the skin of Jesus? Are we looking from His perspective on the world around us?

7. What descriptive words does Paul use for the Colossian Christians? What images come to your mind when you read these descriptions? Do these terms describe your life as a Christian? If not what could you do about it?

8. Do we depend of human tradition to live our lives in accordance with the Bible? Have you ever been taken in by some kind of hollow or deceptive philosophy? What are the elemental spiritual forces of this world? Are there religions today that require activities that take our focus off of Christ?

9. How would this counter the arguments of Gnosticism?

10. Are you immersed in Christ like you were when you were baptized? What picture does this give you?

11. Why was circumcision implemented? Read Genesis 17. How did Christ circumcise us?

12. What was the significance of being buried with Christ in baptism? What picture do you get when you reflect on this verse?

13. Why do you think that people don't understand that they are dead spiritually? What do you think it means when Paul says we are alive with Christ?

14. What image is Paul using in these verses? Is there a way in which as representatives of God we should be proclaiming the triumph which is in Christ? How could we do that?

16. By what standard do you think people judge the religiosity of others today?

17. How are the things in verse 16 fulfilled in Christ? If they were a shadow, how did they function to show the real thing?

18 How can we recognize false humility? Why would people worship angels or saints?

19. Put this verse in your own words in a simple to understand sentence. v. 19

20. Are there other rules that are performance based and keep our faith focused on rules and not Christ?

23. Where does Paul see the real problem with outward regulations?