Colossians 4:2-6 - “Christian Witness”

Study Guide

Passage Outline

1. Pray for our witness vv. 2-4

   1. Strengthen the foundations of your prayer life: continual, watchful, and thankful v. 2

2 Continue steadfastly in prayer, being watchful in it with thanksgiving.

1. Pray for witness vv. 3-4

   1. That God will open a door for the gospel v. 3

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-

1. That the gospel will be presented clearly v. 4

4 that I may make it clear, which is how I ought to speak.

1. Witness! vv. 5-6

   1. Witness in your deeds v. 5

      1. Walk in wisdom toward those outside the church

5 Conduct yourselves wisely toward outsiders,

1. Redeem the time: make the most of every opportunity

making the best use of the time.

1. Witness in your words v. 6

   1. Let them be “with grace”

6 Let your speech always be gracious,

1. Let them be “seasoned with salt”

seasoned with salt,

1. Result: You’ll know how to answer each one

so that you may know how you ought to answer each person.

For Discussion

1. What are some important ways our congregation has contact with the surrounding community?

2. How do Colossians’ teachings about the old and new man, Christian character, and Christian relationships relate to our contact with those outside the church?

3. How specifically can you put into practice any of the three ways Paul gives you in v. 2 to strengthen your prayer life?

4. Give 5 examples of a “door” for the gospel we should ask God to open.

5. What misunderstandings do the unbelievers we know have of the gospel? How should we seek to make the gospel clear to them?

6. What is your role? Should you both pray and witness, and witness in both word and deed, or do only one? Do one more than the other? Consider 1 Peter 3:1.

7. How should wisdom and zeal work together in our witness? How can we use either wrongly? Consider Matthew 10:16; 1 Corinthians 9:22.

8. What are some ways to “redeem the time” when we interact with unbelievers? Consider Col. 3!

9. Give some examples of “gracious speech.”

10. What effects will “gracious” and “salt-seasoned” speech have? Consider Matthew 5:16; 10:19.