He existed before anything else, and he holds all creation together. Christ is also the head of the church, which is his body. He is the beginning, supreme over all who rise from the dead. So he is first in everything. —Colossians 1:17-18

Why do you think Paul spends so much time on who Christ is?

What is the importance of Christ holding all creation together?

How should that understanding affect you?

For God in all his fullness was pleased to live in Christ, and through him God reconciled everything to himself. He made peace with everything in heaven and on earth by means of Christ’s blood on the cross. —Colossians 1:19-20

What does Paul say God did through Christ in Verse 20?

What does that mean? Reconcile?

According to Paul, what did God reconcile and make peace with?

What does that mean? Everything?

Pas = each, every, any, all, the whole, everyone, all things, everything.

This includes you who were once far away from God. You were his enemies, separated from him by your evil thoughts and actions. Yet now he has reconciled you to himself through the death of Christ in his physical body. As a result, he has brought you into his own presence, and you are holy and blameless as you stand before him without a single fault. —Colossians 1:21-22

Who does Paul say this reconciliation included, in Verse 21?

When were they included? Why is this question an important one to wrestle with?

Read Romans 5:10 for help in understanding.

For if, while we were God’s enemies, we were reconciled to him through the death of his Son, how much more, having been reconciled, shall we be saved through his life! —Romans 5:10

What does Paul say is the result of your reconciliation? End of Verse Colossians 1:22.

But you must continue to believe this truth and stand firmly in it. Don’t drift away from the assurance you received when you heard the Good News. The Good News has been preached all over the world, and I, Paul, have been appointed as God’s servant to proclaim it. —Colossians 1:23

Why does Paul encourage continued belief?

Does our belief change the reality of what God did through Christ? Explain.

What will be your personal focus this week in applying what we have learned?