Input please

[MaggieMye]

Hey guys...I have a project that I have to complete for a course. I have to teach Col 1:3-14 and then lead a prayer group to pray in a manner fashioned after the text of these verse.
Here is the Scripture (black) and the 'teaching' (purple). Constructive comments are welcome! Thanks!
Maggie


[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]Colossians 1:3-14 New American Standard Bible[/FONT]

[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]3We give thanks to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, praying always for you, [/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]Paul states what it is that he and Timothy continually do concerning the people as Colosse; he declares WHO it is that they give thanks to (God the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ)[/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]4since we heard of your faith in Christ Jesus and the love which you have for all the saints; [/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]Paul commends the Colossian on their faith in Christ and how they love the other believers. This is also an encouragement.[/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]5because of the hope laid up for you in heaven, of which you previously heard in the word of truth, the gospel he states their "understood" reason for commending them (because of the hope laid up for you in heaven) as well as their reason for doing so (because They HEARD the Word of Truth, the Gospel...and believed)[/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]6which has come to you, just as in all the world also it is constantly bearing fruit and increasing, [/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]Paul relates to the Colossians that not only they, but the whole world has received the same Gospel and it is constantly bearing fruit and spreading![/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]even as it has been doing in you also since the day you heard of it and understood the grace of God in truth; Paul relays to the Colossions that he KNOWS that since the day they heard the Word of God, the Gospel, they have come into an understanding of the grace of God in the truth of it.[/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]7just as you learned it from Epaphras, our beloved fellow bond-servant, who is a faithful servant of Christ on our behalf, Here he gives Epaphras the credit for informing them of this Gospel of Truth on their (Paul's and Timothy's) behalf, since they could not be there.[/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]8and he also informed us of your love in the Spirit. Paul has received a good report of Colossians loving each other in the Spirit [of truth]. [/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]9For this reason also, since the day we heard of it, we have not ceased to pray for you and to ask that you may be filled with the knowledge of His will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding, [/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]Because of this good report, Paul and Timothy have continued to pray for the Colossians and ask God that He fill them with the knowledge of His will; His will being that of spiritual wisdom and understanding. This verse parallels Eph 1:17.[/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]10so that you will walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, to please Him in all respects, bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God; Now Paul relays to them just WHAT he is praying for: that they would walk in a manner pleasing to the Lord...so that they would please Him in ALL respects and bear fruit in all good works that they do as they continue to increase in their knowledge of just Who God is. This is an intercession, a prayer for the Colossians and even an impartation.[/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]11strengthened with all power, according to His glorious might, for the attaining of all steadfastness and patience; joyously Paul continues: he desires to see them, even from afar because of his imprisonment, strong and powerful, showing the glorious might of the Lord, Christ withIN them; exuding steadfastness or a 'standing strong', unwavering in their relationship with Christ Jesus, and so, each other. And he prays that Godly patience will also come WITH or because of their steadfastness.[/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]12giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified us to share in the inheritance of the saints in Light. Finally, Paul encourages the Colossian to JOYOUSLY give thanks to their Heavenly Father because it is He is the one, as the incarnate Christ, who has qualified them ALL, Paul, Timothy, the Colossians and all other believers, to share in this awesome inheritance, being "saints" in the Light[/FONT]​

 

[pickles]

I liked it. I also was impressed with how much encouragement Paul , not only gives, but also recieves form those that have recieved and believed in truth and love of Jesus.
The recognition of God Our Father is so important, as Jesus also acknowladges the Father.
The most important message is that all are blessed in Jesus by faith and love. Not just those that follow, but the witness (Paul) is blessed as well.
Showing that we all recieve, when all praise and glory is given to God Our Father in Jesus.
God bless, pickles

 

[oopsies]

Hey guys...I have a project that I have to complete for a course. I have to teach Col 1:3-14 and then lead a prayer group to pray in a manner fashioned after the text of these verse.
Here is the Scripture (black) and the 'teaching' (purple). Constructive comments are welcome! Thanks!
Maggie


[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]Colossians 1:3-14 New American Standard Bible[/FONT]

[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]3We give thanks to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, praying always for you, [/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]Paul states what it is that he and Timothy continually do concerning the people as Colosse; he declares WHO it is that they give thanks to (God the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ)[/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]4since we heard of your faith in Christ Jesus and the love which you have for all the saints; [/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]Paul commends the Colossian on their faith in Christ and how they love the other believers. This is also an encouragement.[/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]5because of the hope laid up for you in heaven, of which you previously heard in the word of truth, the gospel he states their "understood" reason for commending them (because of the hope laid up for you in heaven) as well as their reason for doing so (because They HEARD the Word of Truth, the Gospel...and believed)[/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]6which has come to you, just as in all the world also it is constantly bearing fruit and increasing, [/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]Paul relates to the Colossians that not only they, but the whole world has received the same Gospel and it is constantly bearing fruit and spreading![/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]even as it has been doing in you also since the day you heard of it and understood the grace of God in truth; Paul relays to the Colossions that he KNOWS that since the day they heard the Word of God, the Gospel, they have come into an understanding of the grace of God in the truth of it.[/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]7just as you learned it from Epaphras, our beloved fellow bond-servant, who is a faithful servant of Christ on our behalf, Here he gives Epaphras the credit for informing them of this Gospel of Truth on their (Paul's and Timothy's) behalf, since they could not be there.[/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]8and he also informed us of your love in the Spirit. Paul has received a good report of Colossians loving each other in the Spirit [of truth]. [/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]9For this reason also, since the day we heard of it, we have not ceased to pray for you and to ask that you may be filled with the knowledge of His will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding, [/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]Because of this good report, Paul and Timothy have continued to pray for the Colossians and ask God that He fill them with the knowledge of His will; His will being that of spiritual wisdom and understanding. This verse parallels Eph 1:17.[/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]10so that you will walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, to please Him in all respects, bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God; Now Paul relays to them just WHAT he is praying for: that they would walk in a manner pleasing to the Lord...so that they would please Him in ALL respects and bear fruit in all good works that they do as they continue to increase in their knowledge of just Who God is. This is an intercession, a prayer for the Colossians and even an impartation.[/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]11strengthened with all power, according to His glorious might, for the attaining of all steadfastness and patience; joyously Paul continues: he desires to see them, even from afar because of his imprisonment, strong and powerful, showing the glorious might of the Lord, Christ withIN them; exuding steadfastness or a 'standing strong', unwavering in their relationship with Christ Jesus, and so, each other. And he prays that Godly patience will also come WITH or because of their steadfastness.[/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]12giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified us to share in the inheritance of the saints in Light. Finally, Paul encourages the Colossian to JOYOUSLY give thanks to their Heavenly Father because it is He is the one, as the incarnate Christ, who has qualified them ALL, Paul, Timothy, the Colossians and all other believers, to share in this awesome inheritance, being "saints" in the Light[/FONT]​

In summary: pray to God with thanksgiving in your heart rather than asking God for "things."

As an exaggerated example, you can find things to pray to God in thanksgiving such as while tying your shoes. What would you pray for? Well, for one thing, thank God that you don't have arthritis and can actually thread the laces! Then you can thank God that your knees are ok and that your back doesn't cause you pain when you kneel or bend down to put on your shoes. After a while of just praying with thanksgiving in your heart, you will discover that you begin to pray to God to bless those who harm you. Then you will also find that you notice greater joy in the little things of life. Eventually, you will forget all about asking God to give you "things." Then one day, as soon as you need something from God, you make that prayer and... gasp! God is willing to give it to you right away! But don't forget to say thank you after God gives you what you ask for.

It's not a magic solution nor is it meant to be taken in that manner but it gives new insight on how we normally pray compared to how we could be praying.

 

[QuestionTime]

Greetings! I have decided to give this a go myself. You can use my responses if you like or combine it with yours, or even reject it entirely!

Best wishes to you in this endeavor!

Quest

[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]Colossians 1:3-14 New American Standard Bible[/FONT]

[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]3We give thanks to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, praying always for you, [/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]-Paul's heart is moved with thankfulness and prayer to God because of the joy his converts in Colosse brought to him.

[/FONT] [FONT=Times New Roman, serif]4since we heard of your faith in Christ Jesus and the love which you have for all the saints; [/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]-Paul is joyful because he hears that the believers in Colosse have a sincere faith that moves them to love the other saints.[/FONT]

[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]5because of the hope laid up for you in heaven, of which you previously heard in the word of truth, the gospel
[/FONT][FONT=Times New Roman, serif]-The reason their faith moves them, is because of the hope they have, an eternal inheritance laid up for them in heaven. Their hope moves them to faith and to love.[/FONT]

[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]6which has come to you, just as in all the world also it is constantly bearing fruit and increasing, [/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]-When people hear the gospel, it ought to change them just as it did these Colossians.[/FONT]

[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]even as it has been doing in you also since the day you heard of it and understood the grace of God in truth;
-The Colossians both heard and understood the grace of God. If we do not understand this grace, how can it bear fruit in us? How then can we be moved to faith and love as they were?[/FONT]

[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]7just as you learned it from Epaphras, our beloved fellow bond-servant, who is a faithful servant of Christ on our behalf,
-Here he gives Epaphras the credit for informing them of this Gospel of Truth on their (Paul's and Timothy's) behalf, since they could not be there.[/FONT]

[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]8and he also informed us of your love in the Spirit.
-Their love was not an earthly love from the resolution of men to do good. Instead, it was a love driven by the Holy Spirit through them.[/FONT]

[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]9For this reason also, since the day we heard of it, we have not ceased to pray for you and to ask that you may be filled with the knowledge of His will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding, [/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]-We must clearly have down the basics of faith and love, as well as assurance of our salvation, before God will entrust us to greater things.[/FONT]

[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]10so that you will walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, to please Him in all respects, bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God;
[/FONT][FONT=Times New Roman, serif]-Though they had a sincere love and faith, they still were lacking. There was yet a greater experience of God that they could yet obtain.[/FONT]

[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]11strengthened with all power, according to His glorious might, for the attaining of all steadfastness and patience; joyously
-As wonderful as their love and faith was, they were still lacking steadfastness and a perfect patience. They hadn't yet been fully taken hold of by God. Let us likewise pray to God, that we might claim all of His promises, being moved from faith to faith.[/FONT]

[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]12giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified us to share in the inheritance of the saints in Light.
-Paul is praying for them that they will have such great assurance of Christ's qualifying work to bring them eternal life, that they will naturally and without effort, always joyously offer thanks to the Father.

-It is deeply interesting, how that in these 12 verses, they are praised for the faith they have, yet they are continually in need of prayer for an even deeper experience of faith. Oh, let us not remain in the weak faith that we are now in, for God has so much more to offer us all! He wants to give us hearts full of assurance that sing the praises of God without ceasing and without strain!
1 Thess:
[/FONT] 23And the very God of peace sanctify you wholly; and I pray God your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.
​

 

[MaggieMye]

THANKS FOR THE INPUT!!

 

[loveschild]

With God inside of you, go and bear much fruit. You will be know by your fruit!

 

[Wootie]

I thought that was very good & want you to Pray continously to God the Father for anything further that needs to be addressed. It sound like He's already on your side with this endeavor. Good luck

 

[VW]

Very good, but my question is, why stop at verse 12? Verse 3 - 8 is one paragraph, and verse 9 - 23 is another paragraph.

13 - 23 For He delivered us from the domain of darkness, and transferred us to the kingdom of His beloved Son, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins. And He is the image of the invisible God, the first born of all creation. For by Him all things were created, both in the heavens and on the earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities- all things have been created by Him and for Him. And He is before all things, and in Him all things hold together. He is also head of the body, the church; and He is the beginning, the first-born from the dead; so that He Himself might come to have first place in everything. For it was the Father's good pleasure for all the fullness to dwell in Him, and through Him to reconcile all things to Himself, having made peace through the blood of His cross; through Him, I say, whether things on earth or things in heaven. And although you were formerly alienated and hostile in mind, engaged in evil deeds, yet He has now reconciled you in His fleshly body through death, in order to present you before Him holy and blameless and beyond reproach- if indeed you continue in the faith firmly established and steadfast, and not moved away from the hope of the gospel that you have heard, which was proclaimed in all creation under heaven, and of which I, Paul, was made a minister.

We cannot truly understand the intent of a passage unless we read the entire passage. Paragraphs contain complete thoughts. If we continue with our reading and searching, we find that the only answer to each and every one of Paul's prayers is found in Jesus Christ.