These small group studies of Colossians 2:11-23 contain outlines, cross-references, Bible study discussion questions, and applications. Visit our library of inductive Bible studies for more in depth inductive studies on this and other books of the Bible you can use in your small group.
Colossians 2:11-23 Bible Study For Small Groups – Christ Is The Center
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Outline
I. New life in Christ (11-15)
II. Our focus should be on Christ alone (16-19)
III. Do not exalt legalism as spiritual (20-23)
I. New life in Christ (11-15)
Discussion Questions
• What is a circumcision made without hands?
• What does it mean to put off the body of the flesh?
• In what way have you been raised with him?
• How is your life different after salvation?
• What does it mean to be dead in trespasses?
• What “debt” did you owe to God prior to salvation?
• Could you ever pay it off yourself?
• How was this debt dealt with?
• How would a person normally respond if someone else paid off a huge debt for him?
• What should you do for God since He paid this debt for you?
• What rulers and authorities were disarmed? How?
Cross-References
1 Corinthians 7:19 – For neither circumcision counts for anything nor uncircumcision, but keeping the commandments of God.
Galatians 6:15 – For neither circumcision counts for anything, nor uncircumcision, but a new creation.
Jeremiah 4:4 – Circumcise yourselves to the Lord; remove the foreskin of your hearts, O men of Judah and inhabitants of Jerusalem; lest my wrath go forth like fire, and burn with none to quench it, because of the evil of your deeds.”
Galatians 2:20 – I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.
Verse by Verse Commentary
1. A circumcision made without hands – Circumcision was a topic Paul often returned to throughout the epistles. The Jews had been conditioned over a long period of time to believe that circumcision as a ritual made them better than other people and more acceptable to God. Originally, circumcision was a sign of the covenant between God and His chosen people, the Jews. Abraham believed in God and had a relationship with God prior to ever being circumcised.
But in the time of Paul, faith was discounted and the tradition of circumcision was exalted. Jews thought that merely by following the law religiously they could merit God’s favor. So they followed many traditions such as circumcision, washing of hands, keeping the Sabbath, and offering sacrifices. In the meantime, their hearts were not regenerated. They had little awareness of their sinfulness and thus little repentance, instead trusting in their works, the key one being circumcision.
In Paul’s letters to the church, he repeatedly reminds them that God is not and never was primarily concerned with the outer ritual of circumcision. What God did care about was the circumcision of the heart (Jeremiah 4:4.) In this passage it is called “circumcision made without hands” and “circumcision of Christ.”
What is this?
It is the transformation of one’s heart through faith in Christ, which results in the old flesh being put off.
Salvation is not and never was accomplished through good works or the law. It is through the mercy of God and His work in transforming our dead hearts.
Application: Are you in any way relying on your own good works to merit favor with God? Going to church, reading the Bible, praying, and giving to others are good deeds, but these cannot save you. Sometimes these good actions can become a ritual, even an idol that we place our faith in rather than Christ. Neither should we judge those who do not do them as well as we do. Our good deeds should be a loving response to God’s grace rather than a prideful habit. Spend some time to pray to God. Confess any prideful attitude or reliance on self. Thank God for His undeserved mercy and grace.
2. Buried and raised with him (verse 12-13) –
Paul uses the symbolism of baptism to show a picture of the believer’s life before and after conversion. Baptism is a symbol of the old life and sins being washed away, represented by being immersed in the water, and the new life we have in Christ, represented by coming up out of the water. In a similar way, Jesus was buried in the tomb and came out with a new life and a new body.
For believers, we are to have a radical transformation of our lives when we are born again. The old self is dead and gone and we have new life in Christ. Verse 13 reinforces this, saying that “you were dead in your trespasses”, and “made alive together with him, having forgiven us all our trespasses.”
What does this mean?
It means that if you have placed your faith in Christ, your sins are forgiven. Every person is dead prior to conversion. We were completely separated from God and had no ability to please God in any way. We had no spiritual life. Even our good deeds were as filthy rags to