For Sunday, May 22, 2011

Bible Study preparation for Sunday, May 22, 2011.

1) Colossians 3:18-4:1
What do all of the instructions Paul gives in this passage have in common? What kinds of work can be done “heartily as for the Lord?” Does your work match this standard? How can your personal work be done for the Lord? How does remembering our Master in Heaven change how we treat each other?

2) Colossians 4:2-6
What does it mean to be devoted to prayer? What does that look like in a person’s life? Why is thanksgiving such an important part of prayer? What was Paul’s request for himself? What outsiders was Paul talking about in verse 5? How does Paul describe the way a Christian’s speech should be? Why might he have chosen this example comparison?

3) Colossians 4:7-18

How did Paul describe his ministry partners? What kind of encouraging words did he use? How did his descriptions show what he valued? What different kinds of roles did these mentioned people play in Paul’s ministry?

4) Colossians 4:2-6

What requests did Paul make for himself? Read the following passages to see how their prayers were answered: Philippians 1:12-14; Acts 28:30-31. How will this example of God’s faithfulness, even through difficult circumstances, affect your faith?