Welcome to week 2 of Colossians for Families! The focus of our study will be on Colossians 1:15-20 and the importance of Christians giving Jesus First Place.
Click here for Colossians Week 1 – Walk Wisely
A Few Announcements
I would like to acknowledge my 8-year-old son, Griffin, who created the Colossians feature image using Canva. I assumed it’d take him all afternoon to come up with something I’d like, but after 30 minutes, he returned with two solid options to choose from. Kids these days. 🙂
And here are some thoughts I wanted to share with you after completing week 1 with my family:
First, I needed to break up the Bible study into two lessons. My kids are 8, 6, and 3. We just couldn’t get through everything in one sitting. I’m imaging it will be different for everyone.
Second, some of the questions are simple and some of the questions are going to take prompts from parents. For instance, in the last study, one of the questions asked us to make a list of the things Paul was praying about for the Colossian people. My wife and I had to bring up some of the things that we read about in the passage. It’s going to be different for each family.
Third, go with the flow of the conversation (that just reminded me of a Little Nemo song!). Don’t feel like you even have to finish all of the questions. No requirements here. The most important part is reading and studying the Bible together as a family.
Let’s Study the Bible Together
Opening Prayer
Heavenly Father, we thank you for sending Jesus to the earth to show us who you are. Thank you for the love and kindness that you offer us every single day. Help us to understand your Word to us and grow in our love for you. Amen.
Read Colossians 1:15-20
“He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation. For by him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities–all things were created through him and for him. And he is before all things, and in him all things hold together. And he is the head of the body, the church. He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in everything he might be preeminent. For in him all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell, and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether on earth or in heaven, making peace by the blood of his cross.“
Note For Parents: You know your kids better than anyone else, so feel free to adjust the questions to work for your family.
In the midst of a church that was being bombarded with a false teaching that downplayed the power and importance of Jesus, Paul is taking us on a journey to see just how big, powerful, essential, and supreme Jesus is above all things that have ever been created. He’s bigger than big. And His impact on our lives is deeper and wider than we can ever understand!
Discussion Questions
What does it mean when we say that something is invisible?
What do you think it means that Jesus is the image of the invisible God?
Note for Parents: Observe the tension we see between what we read in Colossians and other passages in the New Testament. 1 John 4:12 “No one has ever seen God; if we love one another, God abides in us and his love is perfected in us.” While all of that is 100% true, the Bible adds another layer to these truths in Hebrews 1:3. “He is the radiance of the glory of God and the exact imprint of his nature, and he upholds the universe by the word of his power. After making purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high.”
What do you think it means that Jesus holds everything together? How does that make you feel? Does that change anything about what you think about Jesus?
Verse 18 explains that Jesus should be given first place in everything we do. How can we live in a way that shows that we’ve given him first place in our lives?
What does the word “peace” mean?
How did Jesus bring peace between us and God?
Jesus came to the earth on a rescue mission to save us from the sin we were unable to save ourselves from. We deserve to be separated from God, but through Jesus, we can actually be brought into a friendship with God.
Note for Parents: Check out a further explanation of our need for the Gospel by reading one of my earlier articles Understanding the Gospel: A Parent’s Guide
Family Life Application
Memory Verse
Colossians 2:6+7 “Therefore, as you received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in him rooted and built up in him and established in the faith, just as you were taught, abounding in thanksgiving.“
Give each family member a chance to share one thing about Jesus that they are thankful for. It might be worth writing down what everyone says and revisiting the list at some point during the week.
Prayer Focus
- Thank God for sending Jesus to the earth to rescue us.
- Ask God to help us understand the gift of salvation that has been provided.
- Pray for each family member’s salvation and/or spiritual growth.
Additional Resources
Understanding the Gospel: Are Parent’s Guide
Family Discipleship: A Biblical Guide for Parents
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