Becoming New Creatures in Christ

This week we are going to be looking into Paul's letter to the Colossians. There's a lot of good stuff this week, so lets just dive right in.

1. First we are going to make a list of names, titles, and phrases used by Paul in Colossians 1:13–2:7 to describe the Savior. 

• His Son
• The Firstborn of every creature
• The Firstborn of the dead
• the head of the body and the church
• What did Paul teach that Jesus Christ has done for us?
• Paul teaches us that Christ has done everything for us. He created the heavens and the earth, he performed the atonement, he gives us knowledge and wisdom, he gives us the resurrection.
• What do these verses teach about the responsibilities we have to receive the blessings of the Lord?
• The verses teach us that we need to follow the commandments and live up to our covenants in order to receive the blessings promised.

2. Next write Helaman 5:12 next to Colossians 2:7 in the margin of your scriptures (or in the notes section if you are using it online or on your smart phone). After reading these two scriptures, write a paragraph explaining what it means to be “rooted and built up in him, and established in the faith.”

• As we put our faith in Christ we can become strong in our testimony. We don't have to worry about our foundation failing us. I am reminded of a primary song entitled, "The wise man and the foolish man." We learn from this song about a wise man who built his house upon a firm foundation and when the rains came and the floods came his house did not fall; however there was a foolish man who did not build his house on a strong foundation and when the rains came and the floods rose his house was washed away. When temptation and sin come our way, if we have our foundations strong we will not falter.

3. Review Colossians 2:8, 18 and the institute student manual commentary for Colossians 2:18-19, “What does Paul Mean by the Worshiping of Angels?” (p. 345). List at least four means of deception Paul warned the Saints about in Colossae. What does 2 Nephi 9:28-29 add to what Paul warned.

• We can be deceived through philosophy, traditions of men, traditions of the world, and through the pride of the world.
• Nephi adds that we need to be careful of the counsel of the world.

4. Review Colossians 3 and make a list of what we should “put on” and “put off” or “mortify.” Make a chart like the following one and place your findings in the corresponding column:

Things We Should Seek After or “Put On”	Things We Should “Mortify” or “Put Off”
Things above the earth Mercy Kindness Humility Meekness Long suffering Forgiveness Charity Peace Wisdom Gratitude Love	Fornication Uncleanliness Inordinate affection Evil concupiscence Covetousness Idolatry Anger Wrath Malice Blasphemy Filthy communication Lying

5. Review Colossians 3:15-21 and identify in writing several ideas that would help families live in greater harmony. Then answer the following questions in writing:

• What specific counsel did Paul give to children, parents, husbands, and wives?
• Wives love husbands
• Husbands love wives
• Children love and obey parents
• Do all things heartily unto the Lord
• Sing praises together
• Serve Jesus Christ
• What did Paul teach about the importance of hymns?
• Hymns can teach us
• They bring us together as a family
• Give praise unto God