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	Sample Discussion 4: The Greatness Of Christ Colossians 1:15-23 What ideas are held today about who Jesus is? How is he ranked among other religious leaders? The false teaching that threatened the Colossian Christians claimed that Jesus was one of several superior religious leaders. Paul's thumbnail portrait of Jesus Christ in these few verses exposes the impossibility of that position. Read Colossians 1:15-23 Use the BACK button on your browser to return. 1. Paul explains how and why it is possible to have redemption and the forgiveness of sins in Jesus Christ. Who is Jesus Christ? What major things are said about him in verses 15, 16? Note: The context makes it clear that Paul is not saying that Jesus Christ was the first person created since he is the agent of creation. Firstborn is not used in a time sense but in the sense of supremacy, uniqueness and honor. 2. Over what different categories of created things is Jesus Christ the ruler (verse 16)? Which are visible? Which are invisible? 3. Read verse 17 in two or three translations. ( King James Version, New American Standard Bible, Revised Standard Version.) What do these facts emphasize about Christ's relationship to all things? 4. Having described Jesus' relation to all creation, what special relationship does Paul turn to in verse 18? What does each of these four points mean? If you are a part of Christ's church, what special responsibilities and encouragement do these facts give you? 5. Why do you think Paul refers to the resurrection (verse 18) even before he speaks of the crucifixion (verse 20)? 6. How is Jesus' supremacy revealed both by verses 15-18 and by verses 19, 20? 7. What do reconcile and making peace suggest about the situation existing between human beings and God (verses 20-22)? See Romans 5:8,10; Ephesians 1:7. 8. Express in your own words the place the cross of Christ has in your personal reconciliation with God. 9. Describe the past, present and future of a Christian from verses 21-23. How does the description in verse 22 motivate you to continue in your faith, established and firm ? 10. What warning is implied in verse 23? What sorts of things lead to unstable faith and shifting from the hope of the gospel? 11. From verses 15-23 how would you defend the full deity and the full humanity of Jesus Christ? Summary 1. From this study what new insight about Jesus is most important to you? The Colossian church apparently faced the danger of having a low view of Christ. Today many people consider other historical figures, or traditions, or cosmic forces, as important as Christ. How could you use Colossians 1:15-23 to show the supremacy of Christ? Prayer Thank you, gracious God, our heavenly Father, that we have heard the good news of forgiveness and reconciliation through the cross of Jesus Christ, your Son. Thank you for the magnificence of our Savior, the Head of all things. As you live in us today, may our thinking be holy, our choices wise, our responses to people and circumstances pleasing to you. Amen. For Further Study Compare each of Paul's tremendous claims about Jesus in Colossians 1:15, 16 with the Gospel accounts: Mark 4:39-41; Luke 7:13-16; John 14:8,9; John 8:56-58; John 1:1-4. See also Hebrews 1:1-3. This study is Discussion 2, pages 19-23, in the Neighborhood Bible Studies guide Colossians, by Marilyn Kunz and Catherine Schell, copyright (c) 1994, 1972 by Neighborhood Bible Studies, Inc. back to top
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