Some TIPS on How to Read the Book of Colossians
Colossians was written as a letter. So when you read, receive it as a letter written to you, which means reading all of it in one sitting.
You can re-read it a few times once you’ve finished, like how you would treat a letter. After that write down what was the core message of the letter that you’ve just read. Look at what you’ve written down for the next few days (3-4days) and stay with it by praying and pondering over it.
Chapter 1
As you read, identify the main points in the passage. Write and put down what you’ve just read into a diagram or a flow chart that helps you to follow Paul’s thoughts.
Do this for the next 3 chapters in the next few days.
When you’ve done all the 4 chapters, take out the papers that you’ve written (the flow chart of all 4 chapters). Look at it. Re-arrange and combine all the points into ONE big picture / flow chart.
Compare the core message of Colossians that you’ve first written with the big picture. Does the big picture show the core message for you? Can you identify why Paul wrote this letter (what was the situations that made Paul wrote the particular letter)?
After you’ve done this, put that big picture in a place where you will pass by daily. Spend some time each day looking at it. As you do this, let the message of Colossians renew your mind and let the Holy Spirit teach you truths to live by and obey.
If you’re hardworking, in the final week of the month, you can read some commentaries such as Tyndale and Bible Speaks Today series on Colossians. You can compare your discoveries with the scholars.
Reflection
“Yes, it is all well and good that you have trusted Jesus as your Saviour…but you need to complete your experience as a Christian.”
Perhaps you have, at different points of your life, people who said this to oyu. This blank can be filled with a variety of different things and sometimes they sound convincing, don’t they?
The Colossians were a commendable group of Christians – not only did they embrace the gospel when they first heard it by putting their faith in Jesus, their love for their brothers and sisters was evident to all and they hung on to the hope stored up for them in heaven.
Yet, the Colossians were also in danger of being led astray by those who came to them with what Paul described as ‘fine-sounding arguments’. “True, you need Jesus, but you also need something more for spiritual maturity.” And so these ‘false teachers’ imposed petty religious rules, human observances and experiences which sought to take the Colossians away from Christ, their Head.
Paul countered the false teachers’ attack by:
- Constantly reminding the Colossians of the gospel that they received.
- Praying that they may be filled with the knowledge of God so that they would not be deceived.
- Urging them to stay firmly rooted in Christ.
Think about our churches, our CFs and our lives. Are we holding on to the truth of the gospel? Is Christ sufficient or are we relying on ‘Christ-and-something-more’ for our spiritual maturity?
In this letter, Paul also reminded them that not only had they come to put their trust in One who reconciled them to God through His bloodshed on the cross, He is also One who is supreme and is LORD over all creations. So, their lives ought to reflect His holiness and Lordship over them.
What about us? Reflect on the things we think about, what we do with our bodies, how we relate to our fellow brothers and sisters and neighbours. Is Christ Lord over every aspect of our lives?
Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God. When Christ, who is your life, appears, then you also will appear with him in glory.
(Colossians 3:1-4)