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Daily Bible Studywith SEEDS OF THE KINGDOM

Updated: Saturday, 22 November 2008, 12:06 (GMT)

25 August 2008 | Colossians 1:1-8

From Paul, chosen by God to be an apostle of Christ Jesus, and from Timothy, who is also a follower. To God's people who live in Colossae and are faithful followers of Christ. I pray that God our Father will be kind to you and will bless you with peace! Each time we pray for you, we thank God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.

We have heard of your faith in Christ and of your love for all of God's people, because what you hope for is kept safe for you in heaven. You first heard about this hope when you believed the true message, which is the good news.

The good news is spreading all over the world with great success. It has spread in that same way among you, ever since the first day you learned the truth about God's wonderful kindness from our good friend Epaphras. He works together with us for Christ and is a faithful worker for you. He is also the one who told us about the love that God's Spirit has given you.

Notes

Have you ever thought of yourself as a saint or a slave? Put these titles in front of your first name and speak them out. How do they sound?

The word Paul uses to describe the believers in Colossae could be translated as 'saints', and the guy who taught them the gospel, Epaphras, is described as a 'fellow-slave' or 'worker'. These are part of our identity in Christ too. We are both 'saints' and 'slaves' - those who have been set apart to serve.

And there are other things that characterise us as Christians. We are people of faith, love, and hope. These qualities can seem counter-cultural when we are surrounded by so much unfaithfulness, hate and despair.

But we are not left to produce faith, love and hope on our own. Rather, by God's grace, this fruit grows in us as we hear and understand the truth, and love 'in the Spirit'.

Given the right soil conditions, the Word of God and the Spirit of God will bear fruit in our lives.

There's nothing static here. Let's get growing!

We do not follow Christ alone.
There are others who share this path.
People who have heard the good news as it bears fruit,
all around the world.

Your journey is not just your own.
Others have walked with you.
Pauls, Timothys and Epaphrases, who thank God when they think of you.
Men and women who have faithfully laboured,
so that the good news might bear fruit in you.
Those who first brought you the message.
Others who have helped you up when you fell.
Some who have shown God's life to you, or encouraged you, or just prayed.

Who are these people in your life? Can you name them? Can you picture them now?
Thank God for them, and pray that they may be strengthened in faith, hope and love.

Your journey is not just your own.
You walk with others,
Your 'Colossians' who God calls you to encourage.
Who are they? How can you encourage them?

Prayer

Before moving ahead, stop and thank God for someone, anyone... send a blessing.

Today's Writer

The views expressed in the word on the web Bible studies may not reflect the editorial views of Christian Today.