Lessons From the Epistles to Philippians, Colossians, and Thessalonians
<< >>
Sabbath, October 31, 2026Lesson 5
Walking Worthily MEMORY VERSE: “That ye might walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing, being fruitful in every good work, and increasing in the knowledge of God; strengthened with all might, according to his glorious power, unto all patience and longsuffering with joyfulness” (Colossians 1:10, 11).
Suggested Readings:
Testimonies for the Church, vol. 2, pp. 71–77;
Ibid., vol. 8, pp. 286–289.
“Paul put into words his desire for the Colossian believers. How high the ideal that these words hold before the follower of Christ! They show the wonderful possibilities of the Christian life and make it plain that there is no limit to the blessings that the children of God may receive.”—The Acts of the Apostles, p. 471.
1. AN EXAMPLE FOR US Sun, Oct 25
a. How does the apostle Paul express his deep confidence in the spiritual condition of the Colossian believers? Colossians 1:1–6.“The first and second chapters of Colossians have been presented to me as an expression of what our churches in every part of the world should be.”—The SDA Bible Commentary [E. G. White Comments], vol. 7, p. 906.b. What does this faith motivate the apostle to do? Colossians 1:7–11.“[Colossians 1:9–11 quoted.] How complete this prayer is! There is no limit to the blessings that it is our privilege to receive. We may be ‘filled with the knowledge of his will.’ The Holy Ghost would never have inspired Paul to offer this prayer in behalf of his brethren, if it had not been possible for them to receive an answer from God in accordance with the request. Since this is so, we know that God’s will is manifested to His people as they need a clearer understanding of His will.”—Ibid.
2. CREATIVE POWER IN CHRIST Mon, Oct 26
a. Describe the glorious experience the apostle portrays—and how we should keep our faith strong by abiding in it. Colossians 1:12–14.“We should stand fast in the liberty wherewith He has set us free and rejoice in the truth. God is displeased with us when we go to listen to error, without being obliged to go; for unless He sends us to those meetings where error is forced home to the people by the power of the will, He will not keep us. The angels cease their watchful care over us, and we are left to the buffetings of the enemy, to be darkened and weakened by him and the power of his evil angels; and the light around us becomes contaminated with the darkness. . . .“We have no time to throw away in listening to fables. Our minds should not be thus diverted, but should be occupied with the present truth, and seeking wisdom that we may obtain a more thorough knowledge of our position, that with meekness we may be able to give a reason of our hope from the Scriptures.”—Early Writings, pp. 124, 125.“God ‘hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of His dear Son.’ Colossians 1:13. It is all offered us in His word. If we receive the word, we have the deliverance.”—The Desire of Ages, p. 320.b. How does comparing Scripture with Scripture clarify the concept of Christ’s preeminence? Colossians 1:15, 18; compare the word “firstborn” in Psalm 89:20, 27; 1 Samuel 16:11–13.“We have only one perfect photograph of God, and this is Jesus Christ.”—The SDA Bible Commentary [E. G. White Comments], vol. 7, p. 906.c. What reveals Christ as God? Colossians 1:16, 17; John 1:1–3; Hebrews 1:2.“Through Christ the Word, a personal God created man and endowed him with intelligence and power.”—The Ministry of Healing, p. 415.“The hand that sustains the worlds in space, the hand that holds in their orderly arrangement and tireless activity all things throughout the universe of God, is the hand that was nailed to the cross for us.”—Education, p. 132.
3. CHERISHING THE SACRIFICE Tue, Oct 27
a. What do we need to understand about the deep significance of Christ’s mission in coming as the Son of man? Colossians 1:19, 20; 2:9.“In order to fully realize the value of salvation, it is necessary to understand what it cost. In consequence of limited ideas of the sufferings of Christ, many place a low estimate upon the great work of the atonement. . . . In this divine plan is seen the most marvelous manifestation of the love of God to the fallen race.”—Testimonies for the Church, vol. 2, p. 200.“Although Christ’s divine glory was for a time veiled and eclipsed by His assuming humanity, yet He did not cease to be God when He became man. The human did not take the place of the divine, nor the divine of the human. This is the mystery of godliness. The two expressions ‘human’ and ‘divine’ were, in Christ, closely and inseparably one, and yet they had a distinct individuality. Though Christ humbled Himself to become man, the Godhead was still His own. His deity could not be lost while He stood faithful and true to His loyalty. Surrounded with sorrow, suffering, and moral pollution, despised and rejected by the people to whom had been intrusted the oracles of heaven, Jesus could yet speak of Himself as the Son of man in heaven. He was ready to take once more His divine glory when His work on earth was done.”—The SDA Bible Commentary [E. G. White Comments], vol. 5, p. 1129.“Jesus placed the cross in line with the light coming from heaven, for it is there that it shall catch the eye of man. The cross is in direct line with the shining of the divine countenances, so that by beholding the cross men may see and know God and Jesus Christ, whom He hath sent. In beholding God we behold the One who poured out His soul unto death. In beholding the cross the view is extended to God, and His hatred of sin is discerned. But while we behold in the cross God’s hatred of sin, we also behold His love for sinners, which is stronger than death.”—Ibid., p. 1133.b. How does the apostle summarize the work which Christ performs in behalf of those who fully surrender to Him? Colossians 1:21, 22.“Christ has made provision that His church shall be a transformed body, illumined with the light of heaven, possessing the glory of Immanuel. It is His purpose that every Christian shall be surrounded with a spiritual atmosphere of light and peace. There is no limit to the usefulness of the one who, putting self aside, makes room for the working of the Holy Spirit upon his heart and lives a life wholly consecrated to God.”—Testimonies for the Church, vol. 8, p. 19.
4. CONTINUALLY CALLED Wed, Oct 28
a. Upon what important condition is the salvation of those who come to Christ fully assured? 1 Corinthians 15:1, 2; Colossians 1:23.“We cannot possibly have a changing religion. The gospel is to be proclaimed and personally received. A general assent is not enough. There must be an intelligent heart reception of the truth wherein the receiver must stand and perseveringly communicate to others the knowledge received. The truth must be practiced in every respect, holding fast the word of life, ‘by which also ye are saved, if ye keep in memory what I preached unto you, unless ye have believed in vain’ (1 Corinthians 15:2).“There is a declaration of the faith that is so diluted by man’s natural traits of character that it has lost its saving virtue by losing its distinctive characteristic of Christlikeness. Although saying you are rich, you will find yourself in the end wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind and naked. When there is a haphazard belief and practice that is not after the lessons of Christ, then you have a faith that is vain. Your heart must either contain the treasures of goodness or the treasures of that which is evil. Out of the good treasure of the heart the receiver of truth brings forth good things. The one who claims to believe, and does not practice, brings forth evil things which wound, discourage, and destroy.“I ask you, my brother, not to act like a child in understanding. Act like a child who is practicing the Word of God. Christ says, ‘Why call ye Me Master and Lord, and do not the things which I say?’ The consistency of our conduct in words, in patience, in meekness, will reveal the Christ in the heart. Take yourself seriously in hand, my brother, and move steadily onward, step by step, to be an overcomer.”—Manuscript Releases, vol. 9, pp. 213, 214.b. How does Paul describe his calling? Colossians 1:24, 25; 2 Corinthians 11:28–30.“Gain courage from the experience of the apostle Paul. He had many trials. He was an unwearied worker, and traveled constantly, sometimes through inhospitable regions, sometimes on the water, in storm and tempest. Far harder than ours was his lot, for traveling then had not the conveniences that it has now. But Paul allowed nothing to hinder him from his work.”—The SDA Bible Commentary [E. G. White Comments, vol. 6, p. 1106.
5. THE MYSTERY IN ACTION Thu, Oct 29
a. How only can Christians exemplify the living gospel we are to share? Colossians 1:27–29.“Through the power of Christ, men and women have broken the chains of sinful habit. They have renounced selfishness. The profane have become reverent, the drunken sober, the profligate pure. Souls that have borne the likeness of Satan have become transformed into the image of God. This change is in itself the miracle of miracles. A change wrought by the Word, it is one of the deepest mysteries of the Word. We cannot understand it; we can only believe, as declared by the Scriptures, it is ‘Christ in you, the hope of glory.’ ”—The Acts of the Apostles, p. 476.“Sanctified, self-sacrificing men are needed; men who will not shun trial and responsibility; men who are brave and true; men in whose hearts Christ is formed ‘the hope of glory,’ and who with lips touched with holy fire will ‘preach the word.’ For want of such workers the cause of God languishes, and fatal errors, like a deadly poison, taint the morals and blight the hopes of a large part of the human race.”—Ibid., p. 507.“If Christ is in you ‘the hope of glory,’ you will have no disposition to watch others, to expose their errors. Instead of seeking to accuse and condemn, it will be your object to help, to bless, and to save. In dealing with those who are in error, you will heed the injunction, Consider ‘thyself, lest thou also be tempted.’ Galatians 6:1. You will call to mind the many times you have erred and how hard it was to find the right way when you had once left it. You will not push your brother into greater darkness, but with a heart full of pity will tell him of his danger.“He who looks often upon the cross of Calvary, remembering that his sins placed the Saviour there, will never try to estimate the degree of his guilt in comparison with that of others. He will not climb upon the judgment seat to bring accusation against another. There can be no spirit of criticism or self-exaltation on the part of those who walk in the shadow of Calvary’s cross.”—Thoughts From the Mount of Blessing, p. 128.
PERSONAL REVIEW QUESTIONS Fri, Oct 30
1. What desire of Paul for the Colossians should we apply to ourselves today?2. How does Scripture extol Christ as Creator of all things?3. Why is an accurate understanding of the nature of Christ essential?4. Although one may profess Christ, what neglect sabotages true faith in Him?5. Why is Christ in us, the hope of glory, so greatly needed today?