A bible study on Colossians 3:1-4

Quite a short bible study. 4 verses, 20 minutes and enough follow-up questions in reserve to keep us there all day.

Since, then, you have been raised with Christ,
        set your hearts on things above,
where Christ is seated at the right hand of God.
        Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things.
For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God. When Christ, who is your life, appears, then you also will appear with him in glory.

1. What is Paul's command to the Colossians, and to us, in these verses?

• What are "the things above" we should set hearts and minds on?
• How do we set our hearts and minds on these things?

2. Paul doesn't give commands without reasons. Here he gives reasons based on the past, present and future realities of our lives.

Looking at the different tenses that Paul uses, what are these realities?

Past: "You have been raised", "you died"

• When did these things happen?
• Is "death and resurrection" over-the-top language for what happened to us?

Present: "Christ is seated at the right hand of God", "your life is now hidden with Christ in God"

• Why should we be encouraged that Christ is seated at the right hand of God?
• What does Paul mean by "life"?
• In what way is our life "hidden" with Christ?

Future: "When Christ, who is your life, appears, then you also will appear with him in glory"

• Why/how will we "appear in glory"?
• What will no longer be around in the future?

3. Will thinking about our past, present and future, and "setting our minds on things above", make any difference to our external lives? ... answer now, or wait for next week's exciting instalment to find out.