This study is taken form the book of Colossians 3:1–12, where Paul calls believers to live out their identity in Christ. Reflecting them on the call to set their heart and mind on things above, to put to death the old self, and to clothe yourself with compassion, kindness, and humility. As we committed to follow IBS method, you are requested to write down your insights and teaching of the passages. Start and end with prayer.
Let’s move to the process step by step: Observation, Interpretation, Reflection.
Step 1: Basic Observation
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Selected Passages | Colossians 3:1–12 |
| IBS Title | Living the New Life in Christ |
| Author of the Passage | Apostle Paul |
| Identity of Author | Paul, Apostle to the Gentiles |
| Genre of the Passage | Ethical Teaching |
| Time | Around A.D. 60–62 |
| Place | Written from prison in Rome |
| Repeating Words | “Put to death,” “Put on,” “Christ,” “Above,” “New self” |
| Main Keyword | New Life |
| Central Keywords | Christ, Above, Old Self, New Self, Character, Heart |
| Central Figure | Jesus Christ |
| New Titles | 1. Set Your Heart on Things Above 2. Put Off the Old, Put On the New 3. Clothed in Christ’s Character 4. Living as God’s Chosen People5. Transformed Life in Christ |
7 Fact Finding Questions (7 FFQs)
1. Who are the people?
- Believers: Those who have been raised with Christ and are called to live a new life (v1, v3, v9–10).
- God: Seated above, the source of the believer’s new identity and transformation (v1, v3).
- Jesus Christ: The risen Lord, who is our life and will appear in glory (v1, v4, v11).
2. Where is this happening?
- In the hearts, minds, and daily lives of believers, as they shift focus from earthly things to things above (v1–2).
3. When does this happen?
- Now: In the present life of believers as they live out their new identity in Christ (v3, v10).
- In the future: When Christ appears, believers will appear with Him in glory (v4).
4. What is the main event?
- The transformation of the believer: putting to death the old sinful nature and putting on the new self, being renewed in Christ (v5, v9–10).
5. How is this new life described?
- As setting your heart and mind on things above (v1–2),
- Putting to death earthly sins (v5),
- Removing anger, malice, and slander (v8),
- Putting on compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience (v12).
6. Why does this happen?
- Because believers have died with Christ and their life is now hidden in Him (v3),
- They are being renewed in the image of their Creator (v10),
- And they are God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved (v12).
7. So what?
- Believers are called to actively live out their new identity in Christ,
- Reject sinful habits,
- Embrace Christ-like character,
- And recognize the unity and equality of all in Christ (v11–12).
Step 2 – Interpretation
In this section, we will focus and learn more about passage in many sub sections like Main Context, Main points and Subpoints, Immediate Context, Background Story, Questions and Answer, etc.,
Main Context: Colossians 3:1-12 encourage believers to live out their new identity in Christ by setting their minds on things above, putting to death sinful behaviors, and clothing themselves with Christlike character and discipline as God’s chosen and renewed people.
| Main Points | Sub Points |
|---|---|
| A. Set Your Mind on Things Above | 1. Seek what is above, where Christ is (v1) |
| 2. Set your minds on heavenly, not earthly things (v2) | |
| 3. Your life is hidden with Christ in God (v3) | |
| 4. When Christ appears, you will appear with Him in glory (v4) | |
| B. Put to Death the Earthly Nature | 1. Get rid of sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires, and greed (v5) |
| 2. These bring God’s wrath (v6) | |
| 3. You once lived in these ways (v7) | |
| C. Put Off the Old Self | 1. Rid yourselves of anger, rage, malice, slander, and filthy language (v8) |
| 2. Do not lie to one another (v9) | |
| 3. You have taken off the old self with its practices (v9) | |
| D. Put On the New Self | 1. Be renewed in knowledge in the image of the Creator (v10) |
| 2. In Christ, all are one—no divisions (v11) | |
| 3. As God’s chosen people, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience (v12) |
Immediate Context
| Before (Colossians 2:16–23) | After (Colossians 3:13–17) |
|---|---|
| Paul warns against legalistic rules and human traditions that seem wise but lack true spiritual power, urging believers to stay rooted in Christ rather than be judged by external religious practices. | Paul warns against legalistic rules and human traditions that seem wise but lack true spiritual power, urging believers to stay rooted in Christ rather than be judged by external religious practices. |
Background Story: Paul wrote to the Colossian church addressing about the false teachings, promoting legalism and asceticism (2:16–23). He calls believers to focus on their new life in Christ by setting their minds on heavenly things, by putting to death sinful behaviors, and becoming Christlike human in character (3:1–12). This transformation counters false philosophies and centers believers on Christ’s lordship and unity.
Step 3 – Personal Reflection
Take a moment to write down your personal reflection on Colossians 3:1–12. End with prayer.
Your Assignment
- What does it mean to be “raised with Christ” (v1)?
- Why are believers encouraged to set their hearts and minds on things above (v1–2)?
- How is our life “hidden with Christ in God” (v3)?
- What hope does verse 4 give about the future?
- What kinds of behaviors are believers instructed to “put to death” (v5)?
- Why is greed called idolatry in this passage (v5)?
- What consequences does Paul warn about for continuing in sinful ways (v6)?
- How does Paul describe the “old self” and its practices (v7–9)?
- What does it mean to “take off the old self” and “put on the new self” (v9–10)?
- How is the new self being “renewed in knowledge” (v10)?
- What does verse 11 say about divisions among people in Christ?
- Why is it important to clothe ourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience (v12)?
- How does this passage challenge cultural or social distinctions?
- In what ways can you apply the command to “put to death” sinful behaviors in your life?
- How does understanding your identity in Christ empower you to live differently?
Simple MCQ of the passages
1. According to Colossians 3:1, where should believers set their hearts?
A) On earthly things
B) On things above, where Christ is seated
C) On their possessions
D) On their own plans
Answer: B) On things above, where Christ is seated
2. What does Paul instruct believers to “put to death” in Colossians 3:5?
A) Compassion and kindness
B) Sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires, and greed
C) Humility and patience
D) Prayer and fasting
Answer: B) Sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires, and greed
3. In Colossians 3:9–10, believers are told to do what with the “old self”?
A) Celebrate it
B) Put it on like clothing
C) Take it off and put on the new self, renewed in the image of its Creator
D) Ignore it completely
Answer: C) Take it off and put on the new self, renewed in the image of its Creator
4. Which of the following is NOT listed in Colossians 3:12 as a virtue believers should clothe themselves with?
A) Compassion
B) Kindness
C) Pride
D) Humility
Answer: C) Pride
5. What does Colossians 3:11 emphasize about the identity of believers in Christ?
A) Social and ethnic divisions remain important
B) Christ is all and is in all, breaking down divisions such as Jew or Gentile
C) Only certain people are chosen
D) Believers must strictly follow the law to be accepted
Answer: B) Christ is all and is in all, breaking down divisions such as Jew or Gentile
Other IBS: You May Also Love to Read
| Bible Passage | Link |
|---|---|
| Matthew 4:1-11 | https://daorai.in/IBSMatthew4111 |
| Mark 1:40-45 | https://daorai.in/IBSMark14045 |
| Luke 5:1-11 | https://daorai.in/IBSLuke5111 |
| John 5:1-15 | https://daorai.in/IBSJohn5115 |
| Matthew 8:23-27 | https://daorai.in/IBSMatthew82327 |
| Mark 6:45-52 | https://daorai.in/IBSMark64552 |
| Matthew 9:18-26 | https://daorai.in/IBSMatthew91826 |
| Luke 13:10-17 | https://daorai.in/IBSLuke131017 |
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