Day 5 

Lisa Sheffler, author

Read

Colossians 1:9–14 (NIV)

9 For this reason, since the day we heard about you, we have not stopped praying for you. We continually ask God to fill you with the knowledge of his will through all the wisdom and understanding that the Spirit gives, 10 so that you may live a life worthy of the Lord and please him in every way: bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God, 11 being strengthened with all power according to his glorious might so that you may have great endurance and patience, 12 and giving joyful thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of his holy people in the kingdom of light. 13 For he has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of the Son he loves, 14 in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.

Study

To keep the flow of Paul’s thought, I’m including the verses we read yesterday, but we’ll focus on verses 11–14.

• Earlier in the week, we talked about the gospel and the fruit that it bears. In Paul’s prayer, we gain further insight into the effects that faith in Christ has. Make a list of grace-gifts that are available to those who believe.
• At com, the Faithlife Study Bible, includes helpful notes on this passage that explain terms like inheritance, kingdom, redemption, and forgiveness. Take some time to investigate any questions you have.

Think about

• Reread Paul’s prayer and look at the list you made of grace-gifts available to those who trust in Christ. Which one do you most need reminding of today? Why?

Pray

Like we did yesterday, use Paul’s prayer as a model for your own as you pray for yourself and someone else.

Talk about

• Share an area of your life where you are needing patience and endurance. Pray for one another.
• Together, make a list of reasons you can give joyful thanks to the Father. Pray and thank God for his grace.

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