complete in christ

A 30-DAY BIBLE STUDY OF COLOSSIANS

 Acknowledgements
Resources used to create this study guide were taken from the following:
Scripture references for the study guide and artwork are taken from the NASB Bible
NEW AMERICAN STANDARD BIBLE®,
copyright© 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995
by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission.

Blue Letter Bible

Bible Gateway

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© 2022 meganallenministries.com
 How to Use This Study Guide
This Bible study guide uses the inductive study process of observation, interpretation,
and application. It’s designed to help you study the book of Colossians at your own
pace. The guide is divided into 30 daily lessons which should take you 20-30 minutes
each day.

If you are not familiar with the inductive Bible study process, be sure to download the
Inductive Bible Study Summary Sheet to familiarize yourself with this method.

Bible Study Tools You Will Need:

Along with the study guide, there are some other Bible study tools you will need.

● A Bible you are willing to mark in. I recommend having a Bible you use just for
study and marking.
● Or, you can print out observation worksheets of Colossians. An observation
worksheet is simply the chapter printed out on a sheet of paper, double spaced,
so you have room to mark and make notes. Click the links below to print an
observation worksheet for each chapter. Hit “ctrl p” on your keyboard (see video
tutorial below)

○ Chapter 1
○ Chapter 2
○ Chapter 3
○ Chapter 4

● Optional Resource: download and print the Keyword Key to help you create
symbols for marking keywords in Philippians.
● Video Tutorials: Here are a few video tutorials you may find helpful

○ How to Use the Inductive Method of Bible Study

○ How to Print an Observation Worksheet
○ How to Look up Word Studies and Cross-References with Blue Letter
Bible
 Welcome and Introduction
Hi there! I’m so excited that you have made the commitment to study and know God’s Word!

Colossians is a book about the fullness and freedom we have in Christ. Our world is full of
deceptive philosophies. Each and every day we are bombarded with ideas and beliefs that
could very easily pull us away from our devotion to God and the truth found in His word. As His
children, we must be able to identify these ideas when they present themselves. The greatest
way for us to discern a lie is to know the truth. True wisdom and knowledge are found in Christ.

Paul never met the chrisitans in Colosse, but he was well aware of the false teachings which
were prevalent in the area. This concern prompted Paul to write this epistle encouraging the
believers to continue in faith.

In chapters 1 and 2, Paul outlines the eternal and divine nature of Christ who has reconciled all
things to himself through the cross. Then in chapters 3 and 4 he gives us the implications of
Christ’s lordship and how we, as believers, are meant to live.
Overview

Day 1
Begin your study today, and every day, in prayer. Ask the Holy Spirit to be your tour guide
through the scriptures as you study Paul’s epistle to the Colossians. Thank Him ahead of time
for all that He is going to reveal to you.

For your first assignment, read through the entire book of Colossians in one sitting. This will give
you a general idea of the flow of this book.

Day 2
Today, read through the first two chapters of Colossians looking for every reference to the
author (Paul) and the recipients. When you find these verses, ask the 5 w’s and an h questions
(who, what, when, where, why, and how) about each of them. Make two separate lists of
everything the scriptures tell you about Paul and about the Colossians. If you aren’t sure how to
complete this step, make sure to watch the video tutorial linked above “How to Use the Inductive
Method of Bible Study”.

Day 3
Today, you will add to the lists you started yesterday. See what you can learn about the author
and recipients in chapter 3-4. Follow the same pattern you used yesterday and add any more
details to your lists.

Day 4
Take out your lists that you made over the past couple of days. As you review what you have
learned prayerfully consider the following:

1. How did the gospel come to the Colossians? (look closely at chapter 1:6-7)
2. Why do you think Paul wrote this letter to the Colossians? (consider chapter 2:4-8)

Day 5
This book gives great insight into the doctrine of Christ and the gospel message. On a separate
sheet of paper, draw two lines to make three columns. Then, turn your page over and do the
same thing on the other side, giving you six columns. Write the following phrases at the top of
each column.

1. By Him
2. Through Him
3. For Him
 4. In Him
5. With Him
6. He is

Your assignment for today is to go through the first two chapters in Colossians and write what
you learn about each of these phrases. Take your time with this. Optional - You may want to go
through and mark the scriptures first. Circle every reference to Jesus (including pronouns), then
go back through and make your lists.

Day 6
1. For today, finish making the lists you started yesterday. Go through chapters 3 and 4 and
finish writing out what you learn about Jesus.

2. After you have completed your list, spend some time prayerfully evaluating your beliefs.
Are you believing anything about the Lord Jesus that does not align with what you have
written down?

Ask the Holy Spirit to search and reveal what’s in your heart.

As you continue in this study, you will discover that what you believe directly affects how
you act and behave. Let’s be diligent to assure that our beliefs are in alignment with the
Truth found in God’s Word.

Chapter One

Day 7
Today, you will begin your study of chapter 1.

1. Read through the full chapter and see if you can come up with a one sentence summary.

2. Once you have a summary for the full chapter, go through the scriptures again and write
a summary for each section.

i. V. 1-12
ii. V. 13-20
iii. V. 21-23
iv. V. 24-29

Don’t stress too much about getting this ‘right’.These are just your initial thoughts. You can
come back and adjust your summaries later.
Day 8
Take a closer look at verses 1-12. Did you notice the word ‘gospel’ is repeated multiple times in
this section?

1. Go through these verses and list what these scriptures say about the words “knowledge”
and “gospel”.
2. Finish today by doing a word study of “knowledge” in verses 9 and 10. Write out what
you learn in your notes.

Day 9
1. Notice the phrase, “for this reason”(NASB) in verse 9. Read the verses leading up to this
statement and notice the reason why Paul prays the way he does.
2. What, specifically does Paul pray for the Colossians? Write it out in your notes.
3. What does Paul hope to be the result of his prayers for them? Notice the phrase “so
that…” in verse 10 through verse 12.
4. These first few verses reveal how powerful the gospel message is and how it continues
to work in our lives. Read Romans 1:14-17. What more insight do you gain about the
power of the gospel?
5. Finish your time today by thanking God for the work He has done in your life through the
gospel. You could even use Paul’s prayer for the Colossians to pray over yourself or for
another.

Day 10
The gospel message is centered around the person and work of Jesus Christ. You have already
taken an in-depth look at verses 13-20 when you made your list of Jesus, but read through them
again and ask the Lord to show you any new insights you may have missed.

1. Note the different mentions of the word “all”.

2. This passage shows us how God has given Christ first place in all things (v.18). If God
has given Him first place, doesn’t Christ also deserve to have first place in all areas of
our lives?
3. Take some time today to prayerfully consider any area of your life that you have not fully
surrendered to the Lord. Will you give Him first place in those areas? He is worthy, my
friend!

Day 11
Today you will move into the next section of the chapter, v. 21-23.

1. What does verse 21 tell us about our former condition?

2. According to verse 22, what did Christ do? How did He do it? For what purpose?
3. Verse 23 begins with an ‘if’.. What is this verse saying exactly?
 4. Do a word study of “continue”. Write the definition in your notes. (see video tutorial
above for how to do a word study)
5. Look up the following cross-references and note how they relate to Colossians 1:23
a. Hebrews 3:12-19
b. 1 Peter 1:3-5
c. Ephesians 1:13-14
d. Philippians 2:12-13
6. Considering all you learned in v. 23 and the cross-references, what does it mean to
continue in faith? Why is it important to continue in faith?

Day 12
Today, you come to the last section of chapter 1. Way to go!

There’s a lot of good stuff in this last section, so let’s unpack it one verse at a time.

Read verse 24.

1. Why does Paul rejoice?

2. Paul says that he is filling up in his body what is lacking in Christ’s afflictions. What does
this mean? Back up to verse 22. What did Christ do in His body? What was Christ’s
purpose in doing this? (read the rest of verse 22).
3. Now, read verse 22-29. In verse 28, what does Paul say about the purpose of
proclaiming Christ (look at the phrase “so that”).
4. Do a word study of “complete” in verse 28 (NASB).
5. How did Paul “fill up what was lacking in Christ's afflictions”? Why would this cause him
to rejoice? Look up 2 Corinthians 5:11-21 for more insight. Write out your thoughts in
your notes.

The one thing that the sufferings of Christ did not do was take His message into all the world so
that all men might hear and believe.

Paul had experienced beatings, hunger, loneliness, and much more physical suffering all for the
sake of the gospel and building up the body of Christ (the church). Yet, he rejoiced in knowing
that he was joining with Christ in the work to reconcile others to God and present all men holy,
blameless, and complete/perfect in Him.

Are you willing, like Paul, to join Christ in this work? Are you willing to lay aside your own
comforts and preferences in order to follow after Christ?

6. Finish today by reading Matthew 10:38-39

Day 13
In verse 26, Paul talks about a mystery that has been hidden.
 1. What do you learn about this mystery in verses 26-29?
2. Look up Ephesians 3:1-7 to see what else you can learn about this mystery. Write out
your thoughts and observations in your notes.

What an amazing time of history for us to live in! We can now comprehend and take hold of
what the patriarchs, prophets, and people of the Old Testament looked forward to - salvation for
all through Christ!

Feel free to consult your commentaries on Colossians chapter 1. Please do not move beyond
chapter one. Wait until after you have done your own diligent study before you consult the
thoughts of others. Allow the Holy Spirit to teach you first!

Chapter 2

Day 14
Now, you will begin your study of chapter 2. Paul begins this chapter by announcing that he has
greatly struggled on behalf of the churches in Laodicea.

Read through the entirety of chapter 2 to see if you can discover the what and why behind
Paul’s struggle for the Colossians.

1. Based on what you read, what can you discern was happening among these believers?
Write out your thoughts in your notes.
2. How does chapter 2 relate to chapter 1? Read chapter 1:24-2:4.

End your study today by writing out a one-sentence summary of chapter 2.

Day 15
1. Start today by summarizing each of the sections in chapter 2 as follows:

● V. 1-3
● V. 4-15
● V. 16-23

Read Chapter 2:1-3

2. What is the result of having a true knowledge of God’s mystery?

3. Why do you think Paul began this letter to the Colossians with the foundational doctrine
of Christ and the gospel message? Write out your thoughts in your notes.
Day 16
Take a moment to review your list of the Colossians that you made on Day 2. In chapter 1 you
learned that the Colossians:

➔ Had faith in Christ and love for the saints (1:4)

➔ The gospel was bearing fruit and increasing among them (1:6)
➔ Paul prays they would be filled with the knowledge of His will through spiritual wisdom
and understanding (1:9)

Keep all this in mind as you continue on in your study of Chapter 2. You are going to jump
around a little bit.

1. Paul begins verse 4 with, “I say this so no one will delude you with persuasive
argument.” What is the “this” that Paul had just said to them? Go back and read 2:3.
Where do true spiritual wisdom and knowledge come from?
2. What was Paul’s warning to the Colossians in 2:8? Look up Ephesians 5:6-16 and note
how it relates to Colossians 2:8
3. What was Paul’s command in 2:6-7
4. What were the Colossians in danger of? Do these same kinds of dangers exist in our
culture today? Do you see any application for your own life? Write out your thoughts in
your notes.

Day 17
Colossae was located along a main trade route in the southern part of ancient Phrygia. This
brought an interesting mixture of backgrounds and beliefs to this area. Lots of different ideas
and doctrines were discussed among the Colossian church.

While we don’t know for certain the specific arguments circling society in this region, the text
does give us some clues as to what they may have been.

1. Read through 2:9-15 and see if you can identify the different theological ideas that were
being challenged. Number them in the text as you go (ex: put a 1 by the word “Diety”, a 2
by the word “made complete”, 3 next to “head over”, and so on).

Let’s take a deeper look at each of the doctrines mentioned in this chapter. Along with Christ
and the gospel message, these precepts are important for keeping us firmly rooted in what we
believe.

Here are the doctrines you will be studying:

● Christ’s Deity
● Our completeness in Christ
● Circumcision
 ● Baptism
● Resurrection of Christ
● Christ’s Authority

2. Deity (Col 2:9): Read the following references and note what you learn about the deity of
Christ.

Philippians 2:5-11; John 1:1, 14; John 8:58; Exodus 3:14-15; John 8:24; John
10:30-31; Hebrews 1:3-4; Colossians 1:15-17; John 17:4-5; Isaiah 7:14; Matthew
1:21-22; Isaiah 9:6, Isaiah 43:10-11; Micah 5:2, Luke 2:4-7; Isaiah 44:6;
Revelation 1:7-8, 17-18

You looked at a lot of references today! Well done. I hope and pray these scriptures establish
your belief in Christ’s one-ness with God the Father.

That’s all for today, you will pick this assignment up tomorrow.

Day 18
For the next few days you will continue walking through the different ideas discussed in chapter
2:4-15.

1. Made complete (Col 2:10)

You have already studied Colossians 1, but go back and read through verses 15-23
again. This time, read these scriptures while looking for how we are complete in Him.

Now, read the following references and note what they say about our completeness in
Christ.

Ephesians 1:3-14; Ephesians 2:1-5

2. True Circumcision (Col 2:11)

Circumcision in the Old Testament was the physical removal of flesh. It was a sign that a
person belonged to the Lord. Read Genesis 17 for more on this.

a. Read Romans 2:28-29, Philippians 3:2-3

These verses make it clear that circumcision is of no value if the person’s heart is far
from God. God has always been after the hearts of His people. The Jews were
circumcised physically, but they had put their glory and confidence in themselves. A
person circumcised by the Spirit puts their glory and confidence in Christ.
Day 19
1. Buried in Baptism (Col 2:12)

a. Do a word study of “baptism”

The submersion into the water is a sign of death to our old life, then the rising out of the
water is a sign of our new life in Christ. This is the physical act of baptism. It is a step of
obedience to the Lord and a sign of our new life in Christ.

However, true spiritual baptism occurs when we place our faith in Christ and receive the
seal of the Holy Spirit, becoming one with Him.

Look up the following references and note what they say about baptism.

b. 1 Corinthians 12:13; Galatians 3:27; 1 Peter 3:21; Mark 16:16; Matthew 3:7-11

2. Raised through Faith (Col 2:12) - Don’t miss this part. The resurrection of Christ is
the foundation of our faith!

a. Do a word study of “raised”

b. Look up the following references about what it means to be raised with Christ.

John 11:25-26; Mark 16:6; Ephesians 2:4-9; Romans 6:1-8, 1 Corinthians

15:1-20

c. Here are some more references about the resurrection of the dead. Write down
your observations and thoughts in your notes.

1 Thesselonians 4:13-18 (the word “sleep” refers to those who have died); 1
Corinthians 15:20-58

Day 20
The Authority of Christ

1. Begin today by reading Colossians 2:9-15

2. What was the “certificate of debt consisting of decrees against us” in v. 14?
Look at Romans 7:1-13 for more insight. Then answer this question in your notes.
3. Do word studies for the words “head” (v. 10), “disarmed” (v. 15)
4. What does it mean that the rulers and authorities were disarmed? Why is this important?
Read Hebrews 2:14-15 write your thoughts in your notes.

The cross of Christ has released us from the law.

Make sure to not misunderstand what these verses are saying. The law itself is righteous and
good. It is God's holy standard. The problem is our sin. Now that Christ has put an end to our
sin, we are no longer bound by the law. We have died to sin and have been made alive by grace
through faith in Christ. Thank You, Lord!

Day 21
Up to this point in your study, you have been evaluating your beliefs regarding some of the
foundational doctrines of the Chrisitan faith. Starting in chapter 2:16, we see Paul making a shift
in the focus of his message. He now moves into discussing how their beliefs should affect their
actions and behaviors.

1. Look at chapter 2:16. What is the command that Paul gives the church?
Do a word study for the word “judge” in Col 2:16. Write the definition in your notes.
2. Notice the contrast in verse 17 (look for the word “but”). Do word studies of “shadow”
and “substance”.
3. Finish today by reading all of Romans 14 and Gatalians 3:23-25. How do these verses
relate to Colossians 2:16-17? Write out your thoughts in your notes.

I love the phrasing in the Berean Study Bible for Colossians 2:17 - “These are a shadow
of the things to come, but the body that casts it belongs to Christ.”

Day 22
1. What is Paul’s warning in chapter 2:18-19?
2. Do a word study for “defrauding you of your prize” (NASB). Write what you learn in your
notes.
3. Look up the following cross-references and note how they relate to Colossians 2:18-19
a. 1 John 4:1-2
b. 2 John 1:7-11
4. How do Colossians 2:20-22 relate to verses 2:18-19?
5. Read verse 20 again, then go back and read chapter 2:8. What phrase is mentioned in
both of these verses? Do a word study for “elementary principles”. Record what you
learn in your notes.
6. If you are in Christ, what is your relationship to the “elementary principles of the world”?
7. Feel free to consult your commentaries on chapter 2.

Chapter 3

Day 23

1. Start today by reading through chapter 3 and writing a one-sentence summary of the
chapter.
 2. Now, see if you can quickly summarize each section in this chapter.
a. v. 1-4
b. v. 5-11
c. v. 12-17
d. v. 18-25

Day 24

Time to dig into chapter 3! Start by reading Colossians 3:1-4. What commands does Paul give?
Why does he give these commands? (look at v. 3-4)

1. Do a word study of “seek (seeking)”.

2. How does this passage relate to what you read in chapter 2:12-14?
3. Look up Romans 6:4-9 and Galatians 2:20. What does it mean that our lives are
hidden in Christ?

Day 25
Begin today by reading Colossians 3:5-11.

In verses 1-5 Paul gave the command to seek and think about heavenly things. Now, in this
section he gives some practical ways that we do this. We must put to death the ways of our old
nature. The term ‘put off’ or ‘put them aside’ pictures a Pauline metaphor that means a change
in clothing. It represents a change in behavior – that which is fitting for a child of God.

1. In your notes, make a list of everything the text tells you to ‘put off’.
2. Look up Romans 13:12, Galatians 3:27, Ephesians 4:24. What do these verses teach
you about putting on the new man?

Day 26
Yesterday, you looked at the behaviors that we, as children of God, need to put off. Today, you
will look at the things we must put on. Read Colossians 3:12-17.

1. List the things the scripture says to put on.

2. For what purpose are we to put on these things? Look at the first part of verse 12.

This new self is to replace the old self, but it is also a renewal that continues until we are
conformed into the image of Christ. (v. 10)

3. Look at Acts 2:43-47 and note how it relates to Colossians 3:12-17.

 4. Take a moment to assess your own “attire”. Are you clothing yourself in the behaviors
that are fitting for a child of God? Ask the Lord to show you if there is anything you need
to put off.

Day 27
At this point in chapter 3 Paul shifts his focus from discussing how believers are to conduct
themselves as individuals and as a body, to discussing how they are to relate to each other
within different family relationships.

Read Colossians 3:18-25

1. What are the different groups of people Paul is speaking to in this passage? What are
his commands to each? Write it out in your notes.
2. I want to focus on the command to wives. Unfortunately, our culture has taken the word
‘submission’ and turned it into something God never intended it to be. Before going any
further, what initial thoughts come to mind when you hear this word?
3. Look up the word “submission” in your word study tools.
4. Now, look up the word “obey/obedient” in verse 20 (Paul’s command to children). How
does the definition of this word differ from the definition of the word “submit”?
5. How does Colossians 3:18-25 relate to what you read in Colossians 3:5-17?
6. What is the command in v. 23? Why does Paul give this command? (look at v. 24-25)
7. Feel free to consult your commentaries on chapter 3.

Chapter 4

Day 28
This last chapter of Colossians may appear short and sweet, but there is much we call pull from
this passage to apply to our lives. For today, read through chapter 4 and writing a one-sentence
summary of the chapter.

Day 29
Today, read Colossians 4 2-6. I love Paul’s exhortation in this passage about the practice of
prayer.

1. Start with some word studies. Look up the words “devote” and “alert”. Write the
definitions in your notes.
2. Write out v.2 in your own words.
3. Jump down to verse 12. How does it relate to verses 2-4?
4. Why is thankfulness so important in a Christians’s life?
Day 30
You’ve come to the final day of your study! Well done, my friend!

1. What is Paul’s final command in verse 5?

2. In advancing the gospel, what role is played by prayer? By watchfulness? By
thankfulness?
3. Feel free to consult your commentaries on chapter 4 at this time.

About the Author

Megan Allen has been studying God’s word using the Inductive
Method of Bible study since shortly after becoming a Christian
in 2002. She now leads other women in Bible study using this
process. Her passion is encouraging other women to study the
Bible for themselves. Currently, she lives in the beautiful Boise,
ID area with her husband, three children, and their dog Sadie.

meganallenministries.com
megan@meganallenministries.com