Wednesday October 29, 2014

Read: Colossians 1:9-12

When you study an apprenticeship today there are a number of components. Consider for example doing an apprenticeship to be a mechanic. A large portion of your apprenticeship is on-the-job training. You spend your time actually doing the work of a mechanic, servicing cars, changing oil, reconstructing engines and repairing problems. But you also spend some time learning the theory required to do the job. You go to TAFE or sit with a trainer and learn about how engines work, what gearboxes do, how they are put together and how electronics work in cars. Both are important. If you neglect your theory or your practice your work will suffer.

We see the same principle at work here in Colossians. Paul tells the Colossian believers that he and Timothy are praying for them. They are praying that God would fill them with the knowledge of His will through all spiritual wisdom and understanding. Notice the priority that Paul puts on knowledge here. Paul wants them to have a thorough and deep understanding of all that God has done in the world and all that means for how they are to live. He wants them to understand who God is, what He has done and what that means for them.

Paul does not downplay knowledge of God, who God is and what He has done in the world. He doesn’t tell them to not worry about it and focus on living well instead. Paul prays first and foremost that the Colossians would be filled with  knowledge. He wants them to grow in understanding of God and His Word. Often we can be quick to dismiss growing in knowledge and understanding of God’s Word. We either think we have already arrived and know enough about all that or we think that pursuing that kind of knowledge is irrelevant for daily life.

This couldn’t be further from the truth. In fact, we see in the very next verse why Paul is praying for growth in knowledge: “And we pray this in order that you may live a life worthy of the Lord and may please him in every way…” This kind of knowledge is not a means to itself. In fact, it is a necessary step in living in a way which honours God. Paul is praying that they might grow in knowledge so that they might live differently.

As we too grow in knowledge of the Lord we must be careful of two things. Firstly, we must never pursue knowledge merely for knowledge sake. We cannot study God’s Word as a purely academic exercise without allowing it to change our lives and grow our relationship with God. When we do we have totally missed the point. A greater understanding of God’s Word must result in a changed life and a deeper relationship with Him.

Secondly, we must never abandon the pursuit of knowledge and the desire to grow in understanding of God’s Word. There is always more to learn about God and about what He has done for us. Through this kind of knowledge God works to change us from the inside out.

Let us pray that God would fill us with the knowledge of His will through all spiritual wisdom and understanding.

 Prayer:

Use the Bible passage from today and the reading notes to write down your prayer points before you pray.

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Adoration:

Confession:

Thanks:

Supplication:

¥ Pray that God would be at work in all those in your congregation (including you!) that they might grow in knowledge of God and what He has done. Pray that through this growth many lives would be changed and that people would honour Him.

Word Moment:

Knowledge and insight into God’s Word is a means by which He works to change us and the way that we live. We cannot hope to change and yet neglect our study of God’s Word. If you want to change start with God’s Word and prayer. You’ll be amazed what He does!

Discussion Questions For Families and Groups

1. What would you say to a believer who doesn’t think it matters whether you study God’s Word or not as long as you live a good Christian life?

2. What would you say to a believer who says it doesn’t matter how you live, just what you believe?

Discipleship Moment For Girls

Intro: Getting to know our friends well means we can be better friends to them. When we know them well we can do things that they like.

Share: A time when your friends showed how well they knew you. What did they do? How did it make you feel?
Read: Colossians 1:9-10 Paul prays that the people reading the letter would grow in knowledge of God. How do you think we can grow in knowledge of God? Who could we ask to help us? In verse 10 Paul says that knowing God better helps us to live better. How could knowing God help us live well?
Pray Together: Pray that God would help you to get to know Him better. Pray that He would help us live well.

Discipleship Moment For Boys

Intro: Getting to know our friends well means we can be better friends to them. When we know them well we can do things that they like.

Share: A time when your friends showed how well they knew you. What did they do? How did it make you feel?
Read: Colossians 1:9-10 Paul prays that the people reading the letter would grow in knowledge of God. How do you think we can grow in knowledge of God? Who could we ask to help us? In verse 10 Paul says that knowing God better helps us to live better. How could knowing God help us live well?
Pray Together: Pray that God would help you to get to know Him better. Pray that He would help us live well.