Bible Journaling: Book of Colossians

In this book of Colossians we find yet another letter from Paul to a church community. Do you realize that you are the intended audience for these letters? They were written for believers who struggle to live out their Christian faith because of the very real struggles and challenges of living in the world.

For a broader view of this book of the Bible, we encourage you to watch this video:

Bible journaling tip: 

Everything is better when it is shared. Have you considered sharing Bible journaling? You can do this by getting together with friends - you can do individual or group study. Another fun idea is to work on a Bible-prompted artwork together. You could each work on the page for 5 minutes before passing it along to the next person, or you could have a bigger page in the middle of the table that you all work on at the same time. Bible journaling isn’t always a solo sport!

LOOK UP(information): encounter God through the Scripture 

Author:

This church in Colossae was started by Paul’s co-worker, Epaphras. He visited Paul in prison and tells him that this community of believers is doing great, but that they are under a lot of pressure. Paul decides they could use encouragement and writes to them what we now call the book of Colossians.

Audience:

One thing that is very unique about this letter is that Paul is writing to a church community that he didn’t start. He had never even meet these people! How would you write differently if you are writing to somebody you know, versus somebody you’ve never met? 

History:

First there was God. He alone was sharing the Good News with humanity. Then the Israelites became His people, and they started believing and sharing that news as well in their own ways. Then there was Jesus, who shared with many people including His disciples. After the ascension, these disciples went around and shared the Good News with many people. These people created small communities of believers, and called themselves “churches”. 

Paul had co-workers: The Gospel is contagious! 

Genre:

The book of Colossians is part of the Pauline Epistles (the letters written by Paul).

LOOK IN(revelation): contemplate / reflect on our own lives

Key verse:

Colossians 3:12 NIV

Therefore, as God's chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.

Inspiration:

This verse is similar to the famous fruit of the Spirit that Paul writes about in Galatians. It’s interesting how fruit is something that is a natural overflow from being Spirit-filled and Abiding in the Vine. Clothes on the other hand is something that you have to put on in action. Both food and clothing are basic human needs. What does it mean for you to clothe yourself with these things? How can you deliberately choose these things today?

LOOK OUT(transformation): respond with creative worship action  

Drawing prompt:

For today’s drawing prompt we are going to illustrate the poem in Colossians 1:15-20. 

1. First, read slowly through the poem and circle words or ideas that stand out for you. Try to circle about 5 things. 
2. Then, read through it again and try to think of images or visual shapes and forms that can be used to illustrate what you’ve circled. 

For example: 

1. I could circle the words “image of the invisible God” 
2. I could draw the letter G fading into focus from light to dark OR a mirror with a vague image in it. 

Bible Journey with JournalOwl:

Here are some questions / prompts provided by the JournalOwl community. 

• What church especially did Paul have a great burden of prayer for? (Colossians 2:1)
• Who else was included on Paul’s prayer list? (Colossians 2:1)
• Can you state what may be the uppermost desire of every minister for the church? (Colossians 2:2)

Follow this link to dive into this book with an online Bible Study group.

Writing prompt:

There are 2 pressures that face the community of believers in Colossae, and we know both pressures today as well. For today’s writing prompt we are going to write a prayer asking God to come into these pressures in our own lives and help us to overcome these uncertainties so that we do not compromise. You can use 2 separate pages for these 2 pressures.

1. Mystical polytheism.

Even though we aren’t expected to worship Hermes, Aphrodite, or Apollo - we are pressured to agree with what those gods stood for, namely money, sex and music. Do you feel pressure in any of these areas? The world today does have a lot of gods, because there are a lot of things fighting for our affection and attention, other than Jesus. Believing in Jesus can even be persecuted or at least unpopular depending on where you live. 

       2. Observance of the law of the Torah.

Even though we aren’t expected to be circumcised, eat cosher, or keep the Sabbath rules - we are pressured to follow certain religious standars whether they are placed by our church or our families. Do you feel pressure to tick all the boxes? The world today does still have a lot of religious laws, because there are a lot of different expressions of Christianity with conflicting beliefs, like that on baptism or sexuality. 

Prayer:

God, I want to thank you for the book of Colossians. Thank you for giving me the Spirit of wisdom and understanding that is spoken about in this letter. Let my response to this text be worship unto you!