Historical Background:

Colossians has a unique spot among the letters that bears Saint Paul’s name . Only minority of scholars favor the conclusion that Colossians was not written by Saint Paul and most of them think that Saint Paul was still alive and had input in the letter compilation.

The scholars assume that the letter was written from Ephesus, on early to late sixties A.D., while Paul was in prison in Rome or shortly after his death. Colossians emphasizes the value of living in the life of Chirst.

Inspirational Verses:

Colossians 1:9-14 -Therefore, from the day we heard this, we do not cease praying for you and asking that you may be filled with the knowledge of his will through all spiritual wisdom and understanding. To live in a manner worthy of the Lord, so as to be fully pleasing, in every good work bearing fruit and growing in the knowledge of God, strengthen with every power in accord with his glorious might, for all endurance and patience, with joy giving thanks to the Father, who has made you fit to share in the inheritance of the holy ones in light. He delivered us from the power of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of his beloved son, in whom we have redemption the forgiveness of sins. With these beautiful verses, what then do we have to do? We must realize that God is our tremendous lover that he is our all and that he has done all of our works for us. We must believe in God and not ourselves; we must hope in God and not ourselves; we must love God and not ourselves. We have to find our all in Him. No mColoatter how weak we are, he is our strength; no matter how empty we are, he is our fullness; no matter how sinful we are, He is our holiness. All we have to do is accept God's plan and

just completely surrender our wills to him. (Rolando and Maria)

Colossians 1:13 - He delivered us from the power of

darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of his

beloved Son. When we were baptized, our first sin(original) was forgiven. The original sin is the sin we inherit from Adam and Eve. As we grow up, we commit sins and fall into darkness. These sins are forgiven through the sacrament of penance or reconciliation. Our Lord is always ready to forgive us of our sins, all. In Jesus name, with all sincerity, let us pray for forgiveness from our sins daily. (Gene)

Through Christ Resurrection, we are all to rise body and soul. (Greg)Colossians 2:4 – 8 - I say this so that no one may deceive you by specious arguments.c5For even if I am absent in the flesh, yet I am with you in spirit, rejoicing as I observe your good order and the firmness of your faith in Christ.d6So, as you received Christ Jesus the Lord, walk in him, 7rooted in him and built upon him and established in the faith as you were taught, abounding in thanksgiving.e8See to it that no one captivate you with an empty, seductive philosophy according to human tradition, according to the elemental powers of the world* and not according to Christ. Beware of “False Teacher”. (Greg)

Colossians 3:13-15- bearing with one another and forgiving one another, if one has a grievance against another; as the Lord has forgiven you, so must you also do. And over all these put on love, that is, the bond of perfection. And let the peace of Christ control your hearts, the peace into which you were also called in one body. And be

thankful.If someone done wrong to me, I have to forgive that

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someone as the Lord have forgiven my sins. If I believe that the Lord have forgiven me, why can’t I forgive as our Lord have done to me. I lift all, everything, to the Lord. I have to give love instead of hatred. (Mabel)

Colossians 3:15 -17 - let the peace of Christ control your hearts, the peace into which you were also called in one body. And be thankful. Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, as in all wisdom you teach and admonish one another, singing psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God.And whatever you do, in word or in deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.

I like these verses because these remind me to let Christ control my being. This is really easy said than done. I can say again and again that Christ is my Lord and my savior, that I am nothing without Him. Daily I ask myself if my action shows that Christ is in control of my being. Am I the person our Lord wanted me to be? Do I acknowledged all the time the blessings I received with thanksgiving and joyful heart? Do I recognized that the good things I have are blessings given to me by our Lord? (Perla)

Colossians 4:5-6 - Conduct yourselves wisely toward outsiders, making the most of the opportunity. Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you know, how you should respond to each one. I love these verses, Because it is the very essence of loving God ,the greatest meaning within which I pursue in order to proclaim how Great God is. His Love alleviates all pains and suffering.

"Everything we do gives praise to YOU dear God. (Lydia)

Colossians 4:2-4 - Persevere in prayer, being watchful in it with thanksgiving; at the same time, pray for us, too, that God may open a door to us for the word, to speak of the mystery of Christ, for which I am in prison, that I may make it clear, as I must speak. Our Lord, Jesus Christ, in his humanity always devoted time to pray to God, our Father. He preached, healed and prayed. He taught us the prayer ‘Our Father’. Alone in the desert for forty days and nights, he prayed and was tempted. At Gethsemane, he pleaded that his suffering may pass. Paul, in this letter asks for prayer to continue his work as preacher to spread the Gospel. We all need to pray as Jesus did. Our loved ones who passed ahead of us and the souls of purgatory need our prayers. (Jean)

God Our Father, Thank you for each and everyone in our group, as well as, everyone in the Bible Study Ministry. Thank you for blessing us with spiritual wisdom and a desire to grow in faith by coming to this Bible Study. We ask you help us continue to grow in the knowledge and courage to honor You and allow the Holy

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Group of Colossians:Rolando Miguel

Maria MiguelMaribel Carandang

Perla Macalalad(facilitator) Carmelydia Rivera Gene Toledo

Deanna Jean AlcantaraGreg de Jesus (facilitator)

Spirit to work unhindered within our lives. We ask you to grant us the grace to always remember that nothing is to displace the primacy of a close relationship with God in Christ. This we pray in the name of your Son Jesus. Amen.

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