Colossians 3:9-11
Relating to Fellow Believers in Unity

Lesson 17

background notes

doctrinal point

1. We must relate to fellow believers.

practical application

This coming year reach out across the barriers we’ve mentioned to establish some new relationships in the Lord.

questions

1. Relative to the Graeco-Roman culture, who were the barbarians and the Scythians?
2. What is the theme of Colossians?
3. How are we to relate to fellow believers? Describe, or diagram using concentric circles.
4. What kind of barrier does each of the following represent?
1. Greek or Jew
2. circumcised or uncircumcised
3. barbarian or Scythian
4. bond or free

1. Both were foreign to the Graeco-Roman culture; they were uncultured, and different from the Graeco-Roman economic-social bracket. The worst of the barbarians were wild, nomadic, and savage. Now some were becoming Christians, and a part of the church at Colosse, so they were to be accepted as brothers and sisters.
2. The supremacy and all-sufficiency of Christ.
3. We must relate with unity to overcome the barriers.
1. Outside circle: relating to non-believers
2. Middle circle: relating to fellow believers
3. Inner circle: victory over sin in our personal lives
1. a racial barrier
2. a religious background barrier
3. cultural differences,
4. socio-economic status barrier

discuss / consider

1. When we find it hard to get along with certain believers, should we isolate ourselves from them, and just keep on serving Christ in our own way?
2. Think of specific people in each of the barriers within your Christian sphere. How could you relate or reach out to each these people?

challenge

Are you ready to step outside your comfort zone to reach out to those who represent different barriers? Start in the circle nearest you.

memorize

• “Where there is neither Greek nor Jew, circumcised nor uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave nor free, but Christ is all and in all.” Colossians 3:11