This Is the New Testament is part of a twelve-week thematic overview of the entire Bible. Each day we’ll read a thematic selection from a different book of the Bible, along with supplemental passages that show how the theme of that day’s main reading is found throughout Scripture. We’ll also read a brief summary of each book and a reflection on how the book fits into the larger story of Scripture. This week, we’ll continue reading the Pauline Epistles.
What Is Colossians? Colossians is a letter written by Paul to counter false teaching in the city of Colossae. In it, Paul encourages Jewish and Gentile believers alike toward a proper understanding of the gospel of Jesus Christ. He also discusses the practical implications of salvation: because they have been made new in Jesus, their lives as believers should look different from their old lives.
How Colossians Fits Into the Story: Colossians provides one of the Bible’s fullest expressions of Jesus’s divine identity. This is most evident in the hymn of praise in Colossians 1:15–23, which presents Jesus as the image of the invisible God, the Creator and sustainer of the universe. He is the head of His body, the Church, and the One through whom forgiveness is possible.
Reflection Questions:
1. Jesus is both fully God and fully man. How does the hymn of praise in Colossians 1:15–23 encourage you to celebrate this truth?
2. How does today’s reading shape your understanding of the story of redemption?
Take time to reflect on your responses and share what you are learning with others in the community in the comments.
@ Bonnie, thanks for sharing your small testimony here.. Encouraging God can save at any age!! I love that.
@ Kristin praying your daughter would be honest and open in her struggle and seek guidance & support, in Jesus name.
@ Emily may God guide and heal you both in the places of pain… May His will be done and bring you to a new place in time.
Thank you!
“In Him all things hold together.” Thank you Jesus ! May this truth sink in and change all of us today! If I may ask for continued prayers, my first ultrasound is today and I believe we will receive good news. Thank you for all who have been praying for me on this journey, I am blessed to have you prayer warriors praying over me and this little one.
ANGIE, so thankful you were able to shine God’s light last night and bring Him into the minds and hearts of those present. You are also such a tremendous mentor for your girls! I came across this study (Flooded by Nicki Koziarz) yesterday and watched the first study video which is free. It may be an option for your girls, especially the older ones. They are so blessed to have your example!
Thank you all for your wonderful insights and encouragement. My grandson starts middle school soon and I share many of your prayer concerns. I thank God for the godly teachers in our midst and join in your prayers that the seeds planted will prosper and multiply!
May God strengthen us and protect us in these uncertain days as we rest in Him and His constant love.
I just love reading about the restoration of all things. That is what stuck out to me, today. The reminder to keep my eye on that which is life. It is hard to always keep the mindset that Christ is returning. Sometimes, it feels far away, even though I truly believe. Lord, please help me continue to see and work as if that day is today. May I not be thrown aside by pleasures or problems that pass. Help me live with a ministry of reconciliation and love. In Jesus’s name.
❤️
This verse from Colossians 1:23 stood out to me today: if indeed you remain grounded and steadfast in the faithan and are not shifted away from the hopeao of the gospel that you heard. This gospel has been proclaimed in all creationap under heaven,aq and I, Paul,ar have become a servant of it.
Thank you all for your prayers; so thankful to have a community of ladies to connect and pray with!
ERB – Dear Friend, Such goodness in the word of God, it chokes me up sometimes. I am thankful to be back in Isaiah with you. Love the verses you highlighted. Just the opening verse of Isaiah 60 give joy to my heart.
“Arise, shine, for your light has come,
and the glory of the Lord rises upon you.
2 See, darkness covers the earth
and thick darkness is over the peoples,
but the Lord rises upon you
and his glory appears over you.
3 Nations will come to your light,
and kings to the brightness of your dawn.
And I think, even though there is darkness over the people, our light has come. There is one way out of the darkness and that is embracing our Lord Jesus. :) Many promises of good things for Israel in the middle verses, I love the poetic words throughout. And I feel these promises culminate in Isaiah 60:19-22 The sun will no more be your light by day, nor will the brightness of the moon shine on you, for the Lord will be your everlasting light,
and your God will be your glory. 20 Your sun will never set again, and your moon will wane no more; the Lord will be your everlasting light, and your days of sorrow will end.
21 Then all your people will be righteous, and they will possess the land forever.
They are the shoot I have planted, the work of my hands, for the display of my splendor.
22 The least of you will become a thousand, the smallest a mighty nation. I am the Lord;
in its time I will do this swiftly.” Here I love again that He says He is our everlasting light even though the sun never sets again and the moon will not wane, or maybe because He is now that light, He takes the place of the sun and moon and this is why it never leaves. Our sorrow will end, don’t you feel those words, that when we come to glory oh sisters all our sorrow will END. Done. And all the people will be righteous. The shoot He has planted brings to mind the shoot of Jesse. I also love that the shoot and the work of His hands are for the display of His splendor. May our God be glorified by the work of His hands, all He is doing in us and through us may we add together as we sing His praise, and love those He gives us, and reach out as you do as teachers, nurses, doctors, mothers, daughters, sisters, in His love and work may we be a glorious display of His splendor. Hugs ERB and all. Praise to our King.
@Kristine, I am so sorry to hear about your daughter. I have been bound by this for years. This has stolen so much and has caused pain and ruined things and times that should have been happy. Those around me have suffered as this effects them too. Eating disorders don’t ever bring happiness or freedom, only bondage. I am crying as I write this. May she not have to go through this or the consequences that come from an eating disorder. I pray that God leads you to who ever or where ever you need to be to get her help. I pray that she is set free from this and doesn’t have to suffer or be bound by this ever again. I pray that she is healed and delivered from this totally and completely, so that she walks in freedom and her mind is able to focus on things that are pure, lovely, and praiseworthy. Amen!
My family has been going through a time of uncertainty with jobs and possibly moving across the country. I’m experiencing and seeing so much turmoil in our community over vaccines, masks, mandates, etc. so much hurtful language seems to be the norm these days. And reading all of these passages reminds me, God is above it all, seated on his throne, with arms open wide to EVERYONE who comes to him. How can I show his love to others today without my biases? I want to be in the moment where I am shining a light because ultimately HE is all that matters.