Class Lesson February 26, 2012

Hey Gang,

The Barna Group in one of their surveys found that only nine percent of all American adults have what might be termed as a biblical worldview. Our lesson this week closes out a series in which we have moved from general - Christ being the center of everything - to specific - Christ being the center of your life. It's a simple question to ask yourself - is Christ the center of my life?

 

Laminin

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People look in the mirror for many different reasons. Some do so out of curiosity. Others do so out of duty. They dread looking in the mirror, but they do so because they know they really should see how they look. Others do so to find things wrong with them. They look for hair that is disheveled or a piece of food stuck in their teeth. Some look in order to find the things that are wrong, but they don’t take the time to change them. Others go to the mirror determined to change that which is wrong.

Our biblical worldview and doctrine of Christ is the mirror that both reveals what is wrong with us and gives us the courage to allow Him to change it. This could occur in our character, home, or witness. The Barna Group discovered that only 9% of American adults have what might be termed as a biblical worldview.


Paul tells us this morning that...


Who Christ is and what He has done for us should shape our character, guide our homes, and direct our interactions with those who do not believe. Paul is calling on the Colossians to “put to death” their old way of living and to “put on” the way of Christ-like living.



I. A CHRIST-CENTERED CHARACTER – COLOSSIANS 3:5-10, 14-15, 17

5 Put to death, therefore, whatever belongs to your earthly nature: sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires and greed, which is idolatry. 6 Because of these, the wrath of God is coming. 7 You used to walk in these ways, in the life you once lived. 8 But now you must also rid yourselves of all such things as these: anger, rage, malice, slander, and filthy language from your lips. 9 Do not lie to each other, since you have taken off your old self with its practices 10 and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge in the image of its Creator.

14 And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity. 15 Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful.

17 And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.

How does a person put to death his or her old worldly nature? What does it mean to be renewed in Christ?

• At the moment of a believer’s conversion, God’s power transformed them into new creations in Christ (see Cor. 5:17). They stripped off their former way of living marked by evil practices (habitual acts) and took on a new life characterized by spiritual growth.

• Progressively, believers are being renewed in (toward) knowledge (spiritual understanding) by God’s creative activity in them, His working to restore His image in them, to make them like Him.

What would our world look like today if every person stopped before they acted and did everything in the name of Christ?





Like possessions, boomers have a lifetime accumulation of character traits. Some are like that country style couch we had back in the 80’s – maybe not as attractive today, but it’s too much trouble to get rid of them. Others have become such a part of our lives that we don’t even realize they’re there. 

 

How can you prepare for a spiritual makeover? 

• Begin by considering what in your life does not honor Christ.

II. A CHRIST-CENTERED HOME – COLOSSIANS 3:18-21

Instructions for Christian Households

18 Wives, submit yourselves to your husbands, as is fitting in the Lord. 19 Husbands, love your wives and do not be harsh with them. 20 Children, obey your parents in everything, for this pleases the Lord. 21 Fathers, do not embitter your children, or they will become discouraged.

What does a Christ-centered home look like from a husband’s point of view? How might it look from a wife’s point of view? How would a Christ-centered home look from a student’s perspective? How might a Christ-centered home look to someone who does not know Christ?



Why is the way we treat our families a reflection of the quality of our relationship with Christ?

• When Paul told wives to submit, the example he used was of their relationship with a loving Lord. When he told children to obey their parents, he did so because it brought pleasure to the Lord when that happened.

How can we provide guidance to newlyweds and young families based on Colossians 3:18-21?

III. A CHRIST-CENTERED WITNESS – COLOSSIANS 4:5-6

5 Be wise in the way you act toward outsiders; make the most of every opportunity. 6 Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone.

Why should we make the most of every opportunity to witness for Christ?




Are you a person who likes no salt, a little salt, or a little food with your salt? Why is it best to use salt in moderation? What do you think Paul meant when he encouraged us to let our conversation be “seasoned with salt?”

• To be “seasoned with salt” means that it is necessary but not overdone. When we encounter outsiders, we do not have to dump the whole shaker on them the first time we meet them (unless the Lord leads us to dump the whole shaker at one time). In Paul’s day, salt had three properties: it could preserve a food, sterilize a food or wound, or season a food. At times our speech can accomplish all three of these purposes toward those who are lost.
• If we have Christ at the center of our lives, we will care about the things that interest Him. Certainly at the top of His list are the people that need Him. He died on the cross for them, and His love for them should capture our attention as we live our lives.

Conclusion

What does a life look like that never gives Christ priority? What does a life look like that only gives Him priority on Sunday but not the other days? What does a life look like that gives Christ priority 24/7?

Prayer of Commitment

Lord, help me to live a Christ-centered life. Amen

 

I hope you have enjoyed this series of lessons on the centrality of Christ, but more than anything else, I hope that Christ has truly become the center of your life.


Have a blessed rest of the week and we'll see you on Sunday!


In His Love,


David & Susan