I often wonder what Paul’s letters would look like today if he were writing to the 21st-century believer. I am confident that the meat of his letters would hold the same weight and direction: to remain “rooted and built up in Him.” Just looking at our current day and age where we have smartphones, advanced transportation, fast food restaurants, 9-5 jobs, religious freedom, etc., I think how subtly the enemy moves into our midst and will deceive us in regard to who really holds rule and authority in our lives.

Read these few verses here and weigh out what each statement Paul makes means to you individually.

[Colossians 2.6-10]

2.6 Therefore, as you received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in him, 7 rooted and built up in him and established in the faith, just as you were taught, abounding in thanksgiving.

8See to it that no one takes you captive by philosophy and empty deceit, according to human tradition, according to the elemental spirits of the world, and not according to Christ. 9For in him the whole fullness of deity dwells bodily, 10and you have been filled in him, who is the head of all rule and authority.

[ WHAT ] is this passage saying and what is a key truth or thought that we learn?

+ What does it mean to “receive Christ”? Why does Paul call us to remember that? And how would doing so cause us to “walk in Him,” and become “rooted and built up in Him”?

+ What was the teaching during this time that would captivate Paul’s flock and pull them away from the truths of Jesus?

+ Read Galatians 1.6-10 and see similarities in Paul’s fight for the Gospel of Christ.

+ How prominent was false teaching during the early Church that it caused Paul to regularly write reminder letters to his church plants?

+ Having just celebrated Resurrection Sunday recently, what is the importance of vv. 9-10 above?

[ HOW ] is the Lord calling me to action/obedience?

+ Is there sin to confess or a next step to take? How has it gone since last time?

+ What are some captivating philosophies, empty deceit, human traditions, or spirits of the world that I might be falling slave to?

+ Define “head of all rule and authority.” Who or what holds this in my life?

[ WHO ] am I walking with and praying for to discover Jesus?

+ What is my next step?