“PRAY…THAT GOD MAY OPEN A DOOR”
Colossians 4:2-18
Key Verse: 4:3
PRAYER AND WISDOM (2-6)
As a conclusion, how did Paul admonish the Colossians? (2) Why are being “watchful” and “thankful” necessary? Why is this kind of prayer so fundamental to Christian life?
What were Paul’s prayer requests? (3,4) Why did he ask for this, instead of for release from prison? Why should we ask God to “open a door for our message”? (Ac 14:7; 1 Co 16:9) Why is it important to proclaim the mystery of Christ clearly? What do Paul’s chains tell us about his commitment to the message?
How did Paul tell them to deal with outsiders? (5,6) What can we learn here about how God uses us to open the door for the gospel?
MESSENGERS AND FELLOW WORKERS (7-18)
Who were Tychicus and Onesimus, how did Paul describe them, and why was he sending them? (7-9; see Ac 20:4; 2Ti 4:12; Phlm 10ff.)
Who were Aristarchus and Mark? (10,11; for Aristarchus, see: Ac 19:29; 20:4; 27:2; Phlm 24; for Mark: Ac 12:12; 13:5,13; 15:39) What did Paul say about Mark and why? (10b; cf. 2 Ti 4:11) Who else is mentioned? (11) How did Paul describe these men and why?
Who was Epaphras, what did Paul say about him, and why? (12,13; cf. 1:7; Phlm 23) What other coworkers does Paul mention? (14)
Where was Laodicea, and why was Paul so concerned about the believers there? (15,16) Who was Archippus, and what was Paul’s message to him? (17) What was Paul’s final greeting? (18)