‘5 a Day’

 

Studies

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

5. Common Life

 

These studies may be less directed than others you are considering. My aim is not to give extra work to leaders, but to give some guidance and suggestions, whist allowing the group members the freedom to respond to the passages as they wish.

STUDY 1

Key Passage: Colossians 3:12-17

Introduction:

The letter to the Colossians is generally thought to be one of the Captivity epistles and written by Paul whilst he was in prison in Rome – though possibly in Ephesus. The date is probably around 60-61 A.D.

The founding of the church at Colossae was the result of missionary activity in activity in Asia Minor – Colossae, Laodicea and Hierapolis – led by one of Paul’s co-workers, Epaphras, rather than Paul himself.  It would appear from the letter that Paul had not met the Colossians, though he had heard of their faith.

The occasion of the letter is that Epaphras had visited the church at Colossae, and whilst commending them for their faith, had been disturbed by some wayward practice going on in the church. He reported this to Paul, who then writes the letter to warn the Christians their about being led away by false teaching. We don’t know the details of the “Colossian heresy”, though it would seem to have both Jewish and Gnostic elements – there are references to “philosophy and empty deceit”, circumcision, legal demands and dietary regulations.  As well as warning against false teachers, Paul, in a wonderful picture, describes the supremacy of Christ – or the cosmic Christ (Col2:15-23) and in our key passage – the expectations of the new life in Christ.

For Discussion:

1.      Read the key passage and think about the picture of the Christian community presented here.   Consider some of the phrases that Paul uses:  e.g. “clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility...”(v12);

“let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts..”(v15);

 ”teach and admonish each other in all wisdom...” (v16) and others that you find interesting

 

 How do these relate to our contemporary experience of the Church? Is there any similarity between Paul’s view of the church community and our experience? Is Paul being realistic or is his picture a utopian dream unlikely to be achieved.

 

2.      We are probably familiar with the image of the Church as “the body of Christ” ( 1 Corinthians 12:12-27), but there are also other images of the church in the New Testament.

In pairs or small groups look at some of them and then share your views with the others

·         Bride of Christ – Ephesians 5:22-32; Rev19:7, 21:2

·         Building or Temple – 2Cor5:1f; Eph2:19-22

·         Flock – John 10:11f

·         Vine and Branches – John 15:1f

·         People of God – Col3:12;1 Peter2:9-10

How do these relate to your experience? Do any particularly appeal to you?

3.      Returning to the key passage, think about how Colossians challenges our behaviour as individual members of the Christian Church.

 

 

STUDY 2:

BARNABAS: SON OF ENCOURAGEMENT

Key passage: Acts11:19-26

 

Introduction:

Barnabas is an interesting character who plays an important role in the development of the early Church. In many ways it’s a pity we know so little about him as he offers a valuable model for the individual Christian.

According to Acts, Barnabas was originally Joseph, a Jew and a Levite who came from Cyprus. . He is converted to the Christian faith and is given the name Barnabas “son of encouragement” on account of his generosity. Barnabas plays a leading role in the gentile mission. Eventually they fall out over John Mark, who was probably Barnabas’s cousin. After that Barnabas disappears from the scene – “Barnabas took Mark with him and sailed away to Cyprus” (Acts 15:36). That’s the last we hear of Barnabas, though legend has it that he was martyred at Salamis in Cyprus around 61A.D.

 

For Discussion.

  1. The references below are the sources for our knowledge of Barnabas. In pairs or small look at the references and try to build up a picture of Barnabas. Share your findings with the others and see how far you agree ... or not as the case may be.

Acts 4:36-37               Acts 9:27                     Acts 13:1-3                 Acts 13-14                                          Acts 15:36

N.B. Acts 15 is an important chapter both for the development of the Christian community and for an understanding of Paul and Barnabas.  It may be useful for one pair/ group to look at this passage on its own and to think about how does this affects our experience of the Church today.

 

  1. What can we glean about the character of Barnabas from the references to him?

What are the qualities which earn him the name “ son of encouragement”?

  1. If, in our common life, we are called to encourage one another, what are the gifts and attitudes that we can be showing?
  2. How in practical terms in our day-to-day life can we encourage one another? How do we feel about discouragement? Are there occasions when we have felt discouraged and how did we cope with them
  3. Barnabas is described as “a good man, full of the Holy Spirit and of faith”. What challenges does this present to us as individual Christians?