Family Worship (Day 1): Colossians 1:3–8

3 We give thanks to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, praying always for you, 4 since we heard of your faith in Christ Jesus and of your love for all the saints; 5 because of the hope which is laid up for you in heaven, of which you heard before in the word of the truth of the gospel, 6 which has come to you, as it has also in all the world, and is bringing forth fruit, as it is also among you since the day you heard and knew the grace of God in truth; 7 as you also learned from Epaphras, our dear fellow servant, who is a faithful minister of Christ on your behalf, 8 who also declared to us your love in the Spirit.

Summary: Paul learns from Epaphras, his fellow-worker, about the status of the believers at Colossae. Paul is both encouraged by their faith in Christ as reported to him by Epaphras and concerned about a heresy which undermines who Christ is and what He has done by suggesting Christ is not sufficient for salvation. Paul begins his letter by expressing his thanksgiving for the authentic Christian life that characterizes the believers at Colossae. Paul wants the Colossians to appreciate that they already have true life which springs from the truth of the gospel. One of the greatest weapons we have against any heresy which undermines the person or work of Jesus Christ is gratefulness for all we have been given in Christ – everything we need for now and forevermore!

Questions

Paul is thankful for the believers at Colossae because they give evidence of being Christians.

What is the evidence of the Christian life that Paul mentions?

What Christians are you thankful for because their lives are consistent with their claim to be followers of Christ?

Worship in Song

Listen to By Faith http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w-YISm700Pc

Prayer

Thank God for Christians you know whose lives are characterized by faith in Christ Jesus, love for all the saints in the Spirit, and increasing fruitfulness as they walk with Christ. Pray that God would embolden you to live as an example for which others can be thankful. Pray that you would always have gratitude for your life in Christ so that no one could tempt you to believe that Christ has not provided everything you need for life and godliness.