Bible Study: Outline of Colossians Focusing on Christian Discipleship and Jesus Christ

This outline of the New Testament book of Colossians is something I wrote as an exercise for UCCBI's Certificate of Christian Discipleship course. As such it is written from the student's perspective focusing on the aspects that relate to Christian Discipleship and Jesus Christ.

1. Brief Greeting from the Apostle Paul and Timothy- Colossians 1:1-2

2. Paul's Thanksgiving and Prayer- Colossians 1:3-14

In Relation to Christian Discipleship:
A. Continual prayer and thanksgiving are important aspects of Christian Discipleship.

B. Confidence and hope in what God has reserved for us in Heaven helps us to grow in faith and have love for all of God's people.

C. Asking God to give us knowledge of His will, spiritual wisdom and understanding are important in order for us to please Him.

D. Its important to pray that God will strengthened His people, so that we will have endurance and patience. "13For he has rescued us from the kingdom of darkness and transferred us into the Kingdom of his dear Son, 14 who purchased our freedom and forgave our sins."

3. Christ Is Supreme- Colossians 1:15-23

In Relation to Christian Discipleship:
A. Christ reconciled us to himself through his death. As a result, He has brought us into His own presence, and has forgiven our sins.

B. We must continue to believe this truth and stand firmly in it. Not allowing ourselves to drift away from the assurance we have received.

In Relation to Jesus Christ:
A. Christ is the visible image of the invisible God.

B. Christ existed before Creation and is supreme over all of Creation.

C. Through Christ everything in the heavenly and earthy realms was created.

D. Everything was created through him and for him.

E. Christ is also the head of the church, which is His body.

F. Through Christ God has reconciled everything to himself, making peace with everything in heaven and on earth by means of Christ's blood.

4. Paul's Work for the Church

In Relation to Christian Discipleship
A. Suffering for Christ is something we should be glad to do, for in doing so we are participating in the suffering of Christ.

B. God has given us the responsibility of serving Him by proclaiming the Gospel through our lives, actions and words.

C. Christ lives within us.

5. Freedom from Man's Religious Traditions through our New Life in Christ- Colossians 2:6-23

In Relation to Christian Discipleship
A. After accepting Christ we must continue to follow Him.

B. Through Christ we have freedom from Jewish Traditions

C. We should not allow human philosophies or arguments to draw us away from Christ.

D. No one should condemn another for what they eat or drink, or for not celebrating certain holy days or new moon ceremonies or Sabbaths. For these rules are only shadows of the reality yet to come. And Christ himself is that reality. 1

In Relation to Jesus Christ:
A. Christ is above every ruler and authority.

B. God has forgiven all our sins through Christ.

6. New Life in Christ- Colossians 3:1-17

In Relation to Christian Discipleship
A. We are to set our mind on heavenly things and refrain from our earthly nature: sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires, greed, anger, rage, malice, slander, and filthy language.

B. God calls us to clothe ourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.

C. We are to bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances we may have against one another. We are called to forgive as the Lord forgives.

D. We are called to let the peace of Christ rule in our hearts, and be thankful.

E. We are called to teach and admonish one another gently with wisdom, singing psalms, hymns and spiritual songs with gratitude in our hearts to God.

F. All our actions whether in word or deed are to be done to bring Glory to God.

7. Instructions for Christian Households- Colossians 3:18-4:1

In Relation to Christian Discipleship
A. Wives are called to submit to their husbands.

B. Husbands are called to love their wives and never treat them harshly.

C. Children are called to obey their parents for this pleases the Lord.

D. Fathers are called to not aggravate their children for they will become discouraged.

E. We are called to work willingly at whatever we do, as though we were working for the Lord rather than for people.

In Relation to Jesus Christ:
A. If we do what is right the Lord will give us an inheritance as our reward.

B. But if we do what is wrong, the Lord will be repay us for our sins.

C. God has no favorites. Each person is judged equally based on his or her life.

8. An Encouragement to Prayer- Colossians 4:2-6

9. Paul's Final Instructions to the Colossians- Colossians 4:7-18

Brief Summary:
The New Testament book of Colossians teaches many of the basic aspects of Christianity. Love for Christ and others is the underlying theme of this book, which is echoed by calling the reader to obey God through showing kindness, love, compassion and forgiveness towards others.