Colossians 3:5-17

Go Deep

(Colossians 3:5-17)

What does Paul mean when he says that the Christian (verse 10) “is being renewed in knowledge after the image of its creator?” What will the renewed person be like?

In verse 9, Paul writes (literally), “having taken off the old person with its practices…” What have been some of the “practices” of the person you were before you came to Christ? How have you “taken [them] off”? Are there some left that need to be removed?

If a person wore the same kind of clothes Jesus wore, spoke only words that Jesus spoke, ate the food Jesus ate, and did the things Jesus did, would that person be Christ-like in the sense God desires?

Look at the three uses of the word “therefore” (vv. 1, 5, 8). Explain how the word transitions from “fact to act” in each case. (That is, what fact is stated, and what act is called for?)

What happens when a Christian is all about facts? What happens when a Christian is all about acts?

If you had to pass either a doctrine test or an action test to get into heaven, which would you rather take, and why? Do you think anyone could pass either test?

What is “impurity” (or “uncleanness”) and why is it dangerous? What do you make of the idea that “uncleanness” is sticky?

Why is “passions” (NIV: lusts) in the list of things to be “put to death”? Are feelings bad in themselves?

What happens to a person who is controlled by his/her feelings?

Do you see a connection between the vices of verse 8: anger, rage, malice, slander and filthy language? If so, how are they connected?

How could a person go about putting these things off – removing them from him or herself?

Can you see how confession to another Christian might help? How does that idea (confessing to another Christian) make you feel?