The New Self: A Journey Towards Christ-centered Living

Colossians 3 paints an inspiring picture of Christian life, embodying Christ's love, holiness, and heavenly focus. It calls for a transformative journey of casting off our old selves, clothing ourselves in virtue, and walking in love and unity. This chapter empowers us to strive towards a life enriched by Christ's teachings, prompting us to transform our hearts, homes, and communities.

Verses 1-4 (Living the Resurrected Life):

Paul urges believers to focus on heavenly, not earthly, matters, for they have been raised with Christ. Their life is now hidden with Christ in God. When Christ appears, they too will appear with Him in glory.

Verses 5-11 (Putting to Death the Old Self):

Paul instructs the Colossians to put to death their earthly nature, citing sinful behaviors like sexual immorality, greed, and anger. He stresses that in Christ, there's no Greek or Jew, circumcised or uncircumcised, but Christ is all and in all.

Verses 12-17 (Adorning the New Self):

The believers are urged to dress in virtues like compassion, kindness, and patience, bearing with each other, and forgiving as the Lord forgave them. Above all, they should love, which binds all virtues in perfect unity. They are to let Christ's peace rule their hearts and the word of Christ dwell in them richly.

Verses 18-25 (Christian Household Instructions):

Paul provides instructions for Christian households - wives are to submit to their husbands, husbands are to love their wives, children are to obey their parents, and fathers are not to embitter their children. He also addresses slaves, urging them to work wholeheartedly as unto the Lord.

Colossians 3 is a compelling chapter in the Bible, written by Paul to the church in Colossae. It provides robust guidance on Christian living, offering a spiritual roadmap for believers to renew themselves, adopt Christ-like characteristics, and maintain a harmony in household relationships. These teachings underscore the transformation that faith in Christ can bring to personal and communal life.

Christian Character and Conduct
Spiritual Renewal
Personal Transformation
Christian Domestic LifeThe New Life in Christ
Ethical Instructions for Believers
Household Relationships
The Power of Prayer and ThanksgivingPaul, the author of the epistle
The Colossian church, the recipients of the letter
Christ, who is central to Paul's messageColossae, the city where the church receiving the letter was located
Heaven, where Christ is seated, referenced metaphorically in Paul's teachings

1. How does the concept of "dying to the old self" apply to your life today?

2. Reflect on the virtues listed in verses 12-14. Which of these do you struggle with the most? How can you practice these more intentionally?

3. How does Paul's guidance on focusing on "things above" influence your perspective on material possessions and earthly desires?

4. In verse 11, Paul emphasizes equality in Christ. How does this teaching affect your understanding of social or racial divisions?

5. How can you let the peace of Christ rule in your heart in situations of conflict or stress?

6. How can the command to "forgive as the Lord forgave you" be applied in a situation where you've been deeply hurt?

7. Reflect on the role of gratitude in your life. How can you "sing to God with gratitude in your hearts" in your daily routine?

8. In the context of verses 18-25, discuss how you can maintain a balanced, Christ-centered relationship within your family.

9. How do you interpret Paul's instruction to slaves in the context of modern work relationships?

10. How can you make your work a form of worship, as suggested in verse 23?

11. What does it mean for your life to be "hidden with Christ in God"?

12. What challenges do you face when trying to live according to the ideals outlined in this chapter?

13. How does the idea of Christ's return influence your daily actions and long-term goals?

14. How can Paul's teachings in Colossians 3 guide you in making ethical decisions?

15. How does the unity in love expressed in this chapter influence your understanding of community?

16. How can the instruction "whatever you do, do it in the name of the Lord Jesus" (v.17) be applied in your everyday tasks?

17. How does understanding that "there is no favoritism" with God (v.25) impact your view of justice and fairness?

18. Discuss the implications of the statement "Christ is all, and is in all" (v.11) for your understanding of the divine presence.

19. How might the advice about family relationships in this chapter apply differently in various cultural contexts?

20. How can the church today take Paul's teachings in this chapter and apply them to the societal issues we face?