August 22, 2012
A TRUE AND NOBLE TASK
Colossians 4
Joy Blocker
Central Truth
How we use our tongue reflects our true heart.
Key Verse | Colossians 4:6
Let your speech always be with grace, as though seasoned with salt, so that you will know how you should respond to each person. (Colossians 4:6)
Colossians 4
1 Masters, treat your bondservants 1 4:1 For the contextual rendering of the Greek word doulos, see Preface; likewise for servant in verse 12 justly and fairly, knowing that you also have a Master in heaven.
Further Instructions
2 Continue steadfastly in prayer, being watchful in it with thanksgiving. 3 At the same time, pray also for us, that God may open to us a door for the word, to declare the mystery of Christ, on account of which I am in prison— 4 that I may make it clear, which is how I ought to speak.
5 Walk in wisdom toward outsiders, making the best use of the time. 6 Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you ought to answer each person.
Final Greetings
7 Tychicus will tell you all about my activities. He is a beloved brother and faithful minister and fellow servant 2 4:7 For the contextual rendering of the Greek word sundoulos, see Preface in the Lord. 8 I have sent him to you for this very purpose, that you may know how we are and that he may encourage your hearts, 9 and with him Onesimus, our faithful and beloved brother, who is one of you. They will tell you of everything that has taken place here.
10 Aristarchus my fellow prisoner greets you, and Mark the cousin of Barnabas (concerning whom you have received instructions—if he comes to you, welcome him), 11 and Jesus who is called Justus. These are the only men of the circumcision among my fellow workers for the kingdom of God, and they have been a comfort to me. 12 Epaphras, who is one of you, a servant of Christ Jesus, greets you, always struggling on your behalf in his prayers, that you may stand mature and fully assured in all the will of God. 13 For I bear him witness that he has worked hard for you and for those in Laodicea and in Hierapolis. 14 Luke the beloved physician greets you, as does Demas. 15 Give my greetings to the brothers 3 4:15 Or brothers and sisters at Laodicea, and to Nympha and the church in her house. 16 And when this letter has been read among you, have it also read in the church of the Laodiceans; and see that you also read the letter from Laodicea. 17 And say to Archippus, “See that you fulfill the ministry that you have received in the Lord.”
18 I, Paul, write this greeting with my own hand. Remember my chains. Grace be with you.
Dive Deeper | Colossians 4
Conversation that is always Gracious and Attractive . . . who wouldn't love to be described with those words? I remember one Saturday morning in the Blocker house: the dog threw up in the kitchen, someone was calling on my cell phone that I could hear ringing, but couldn't find because my 4-year-old had hidden it, and a pizza box left in the oven caught fire as I preheated the oven for breakfast. All before 8:00 a.m.! I have a pretty good idea of the Joy you see in action that day, and I had speech that was neither gracious nor attractive as I interacted with my kids and anyone else.
In the final chapter of Colossians, Paul tells us that how we relate to others comes down to one simple, but powerful key: Namely, our tongue. How we use our tongues shows whom we serve and where our heart is. As Paul mentions, "Conduct yourselves with wisdom toward outsiders, making the most of the opportunity" (verse 5). Oh, what a tough task! Our tongue is our biggest asset or greatest enemy in leveraging opportunities with those far from God.
Last fall, we spent time studying James in the women's Bible study at Watermark, which was just what my non-gracious, unattractive tongue needed. In James 3:8-9, we learn how our tongue is untameable, restless, and evil. "With it we bless our Lord and Father, and with it we curse men, who have been made in the likeness of God." (James 3:9)
For me, the answer in taming my tongue lies in Philippians 4:8. When I fill my heart with things that are "true and noble," my mouth follows, even when pizza boxes are on fire. When I don't, my tongue can be like a tornado, tearing up everything in its path.
May our hearts be right, so our tongues can be attractive to those far from God!
Discussion Questions
1. What are you filling your heart with on a daily basis?
2. How would you rate your tongue as you interact with others?
3. Is there someone that you may have hurt with a sharp tongue that you need to ask for forgiveness?
WEEKLY FAMILY ACTIVITY
August 20-24 (Colossians 2- 1 Thessalonians 2)
Read Colossians 3:12-17.
• What does Paul say you should clothe yourself with in verse 12?
• How would your life look different if you put on all of these each morning?
• Verse 12 (NLT) says we should "[m]ake allowance" for each other's faults, what does this mean to you?
• What's the most important "piece of clothing" you should put on?
• What does verse 14 tell us to always do?
• What does it mean to counsel others with the words of Christ?
• What do you have to be doing to be able to share Christ's words with someone else?
• Do you live your life in a way that represents Christ to others?
• How could you be living differently so Christ is reflected more clearly to others through you?
Activity: Get out some markers and paper. Ask each person to write one of the words from verse 12 on separate pieces of paper. Now look at the word in a mirror. What did you notice about the word? Now write the word on another piece of paper so that when you look at it in the mirror, you will be able to read it correctly. Was it hard to write the word differently so you could read it in the mirror? Did it take practice? Following Christ and reflecting Him to others is not always easy. It takes practice and commitment to really know His Word and to reflect Him to others.