August 10 2025, Sunday School Lesson

Live in Light of the Gospel

Lesson Text: Colossians 4:1-6

Related Scriptures: Mark 14:37-41; Ephesians 5:15-20; 6:5-9, 18-20; II Thessalonians 3:1-5

TIME: A.D. 60

PLACE: from Rome

Golden Text “Walk in wisdom toward them that are without, redeeming the time” (Colossians 4:5)

Introduction

The last two chapters of Colossians contain practical applications of the doctrine taught in the fist two chapters, so it is logical that the apostle would include instruction on a key matter of faith. This key element regards family relationships. In the first century, the household often included slaves, so we find that Paul also addressed master and slave relationships.

First, Paul dealt with marriage relationships, addressing wives (Col. 3:18) and husbands (vs. 19). He followed these words with instructions to children (vs. 20) and a special warning to fathers (vs.21). These are especially relevant words for today since we often find parents who do not properly relate to their children. Those instructions were given prior to our lesson passage.

Our lesson passage deals specifically with household servants or slaves who were part of the household. Masters were to treat their slaves and servants kindly, knowing that they themselves owe their allegiance to their heavenly Master.

LESSON OUTLINE

I. RELATIONSHIPS WITH SERVANTS – Col. 4:1

II. RELATIONSHIPS WITH THELORD’S SERVANTS – Col 4:2-4

III. RELATIONSHIPS WITH UNBELIEVERS – Col. 4:5-6

QUESTIONS

1. Explain servitude in the ancient Greco-Roman culture. How was it different from nineteenth-century slavery in North America? About whom was Paul most likely referring when he spoke of “servants” (Col. 4:1)?

2. What is the overriding reason masters were to treat their slaves with compassion?

3. How did Paul express the idea that we should pray persistently?

4. In praying, what does it mean to “watch” (vs. 2)?

5. What did Paul say we should often include in our prayers?

6. E What does Paul’s request tell us about what our prayer life should include?

7. What was the specific request that Paul wanted the Colossian believers to pray about on his behalf?

8. Before whom are we to be careful to walk in wisdom?

9. Why is this kind of behavior important?

10. What kind of speech are we to have, and what will it accomplish?

ANSWERS

1. When we read the word “servants,” we tend to think of hired help. But this was not the situation in the Roman Empire. There was a range of servitude within the Greo-Roman world. Some served as dignitaries, high-ranking servants to their master. Others were subjected to harsh treatment as abject slaves, without any rights. Some slaves may have preferred the security afforded to them by belonging to their masters. Slaves may not have been the hired help, but their situations were likely very different from what we know about nineteenth-century slavery.

2. The overriding reason they were to treat their slaves with consideration was that they too had a Master. Their Master, however, was in heaven. They served the Lord Jesus Christ, so they were to follow His example.

3. The only way they would be able to live out what had taught them was to continually be in prayer to the Lord.

4. This type of prayer life should be characterized by watchfulness. We are to stay awake and show spiritual alertness.

5. We should also be alert to answered prayers and quick to express gratitude for them. This is the third characteristic mentioned.

6. This is a good reminder that our prayers should not be centered on ourselves. We should spend much of our prayer time lifting others and their needs to God. It is especially important to pray for those in the Lord’s work, such as pastors and missionaries. They are constant targets of the evil one.

7. Paul was desirous that God would open doors of opportunity for him and his coworkers.

8. The way a Christian lives is of utmost importance, not only because of the blessings he will receive from God, but also because of the way unbelievers view him.

9. Believers can get a bad reputation or lose their powerful testimony through unwise words and actions that are contrary to what they profess to be. Unbelievers are always alert to how believers live. Many are quick to find excuses not to become believers themselves. Sadly, others sometimes understandably say, “if that’s what a Christian is I don’t want to be one.

10. Paul also said that our speech is to be seasoned with salt. Salt is known for two particular qualities. It was used extensively for preserving food, keeping it from spoiling. That would have been one primary use in Paul’s day. This indicates that our speech should be pure and wholesome, without corruption. In fact, we should prevent corruption from spreading. Salt is also known as an additive that enhances the flavor of food. That might indicate that our speech should be something that draws people to us. When we display those characteristics of speech, we fulfill the way God wants us to handle ourselves as we interact with others. When our speech is gracious, wholesome, and appealing, we will be effective in drawing the attention of unbelievers to our Lord.