Introduction: Does it matter how you live? Do your thoughts matter? Two weeks ago, we learned that if we maintain steadfast faith in Jesus, and we do not “shift” away from Him, we can be certain that we are saved from our sins. That makes us think that what we do does not matter as long as we do not turn away from Jesus. In Colossians 3, Paul tells us that what we do and think matters. We are not free to do whatever we want, secure in the idea that “God will forgive.” God will forgive, but that should not be the point of reference for our thoughts. Let’s jump into Paul’s teaching about how we should think and live our lives as children of God!

I. What Next?

A. Read Colossians 3:1. When Paul starts out with, “If then you have been raised,” what point is he making? Why is this important? (Paul is writing to those who have been saved by faith alone. He is not writing to those who are confused about whether their works are part of the key to their salvation.)

1. If you are secure in your salvation, what should we seek? What are the “things that are above?” (Heaven.)
2. If I told you to “seek heaven,” what would you do? How would you respond to me? (I would respond that I must put my faith in Jesus. But that does not seem to be the way Paul wants us to respond.)
3. Consider again Paul’s “If, then” statement. If you are saved by grace, then you should be thinking about acquiring (seeking) heavenly things. Is that how you understand it?

B. Read Colossians 3:2. Does this describe you? My initial reaction is that it does not describe me. I think about the things that are around me. I think about what I need to do, what I would like to do, and how I would like to improve things.

1. My second thought is that thinking about the things around me sets my mind on “things above,” at least to some degree. For example, I’m thinking right now about how I should best write this teaching outline. I’m currently in Michigan to help the future of Andrews University – an overtly Christian university. Does this satisfy Paul’s direction to think about things “above?” Or does the fact that Andrews and I are on earth mean this does not count?

C. Read Colossians 3:3-4. Paul uses another connecting word. He says “for” you have died – meaning died with Jesus when you were baptized. See Colossians 2:12. What does our death in Christ, and being “hidden” in what Jesus has done for us, have to do with where our mind is focused? (Being hidden in Jesus means that we are secure in Him. We can focus on something else.)

1. I’ve never started a business, but I assume that when the business starts the owner works completely on the basics of keeping the business open. What if a rich investor comes to the owner and says, “Don’t worry about keeping your doors open, I’ll take care of that. Instead work on how you can improve the business.” How would that refocus the thoughts of the owner?
2. Is this a fair analogy? That instead of being focused on defeating the sins in our life, we instead focus on bringing others to Jesus?

II. Kill It

A. Read Colossians 3:5. When I read this I think what I just wrote is wrong. Paul writes about dealing with specific sins. It sounds like Paul wants us to focus on the sins in our lives. Was I leading you in the wrong direction?

1. If a person put to death those evil things Paul mentions, would it free the mind to think and plan about advancing God’s kingdom? (Think back to verse 3 which says that you have “died.” Paul says that we need to give the same fate to these listed sins. We need to make them dead.)
2. Can you see a way to focus on making these sins “dead” and still set our minds on heavenly things? (Part of focusing our minds on heaven and advancing the kingdom of God is not focusing our minds on bad things. In that sense we “put to death” the “earthly.”)
3. Look at the list of sins in verse 5. What do they have in common, other than being sinful? (They are “desire” sins. They are something that you want, many of which are tied to sexual desire.)

a. Consider this example. You meet a very attractive member of the opposite sex. Is your first reaction, “How can I get her/him to like me?” Or is it “How can I get her/him to like the gospel?”

b. Does this illustrate how we can focus on heavenly things while at the same time killing these sins of desire?

4. Notice that covetousness is called “idolatry.” How do you explain that? It is not bowing down to some figure. (This is another great illustration of the contrast between setting our minds on heavenly things and setting them on sins  of desire. To covet something is to want what belongs to another. The sin is to scheme how to get that thing for yourself. A focus on heavenly things would be a scheme to create things that advance the kingdom of God.)

B. Read Colossians 3:6. Why do these “desire” sins cause judgment to come? (If the Christian is focused on satisfying his desire, and not advancing the kingdom of God, there is no reason for God to wait further to return.)

C. Read Colossians 3:7-9. Look at this new list of sins. These are not “desire” sins. What are they? What is their common thread? (They are sins that break people apart.)

1. Is this an argument for trying to avoid insulting others? (Something about believing that you know the truth causes strong opinions. I do not think there is anything wrong with strong opinions, but we must be emotionally intelligent in the way we share.)
2. I was just questioned about an article I wrote (not in GoBible) in which I took a “wrecking ball” approach to an opposing view. Should we always be very careful not to offend? (I’ll let others decide upon the merits of my approach in that article. But I see a difference in arguing ideas and concepts pushed by other groups, and debating with another person. Look at what Paul is doing here: he is writing about killing certain ways of thinking.)

III. Heal It

A. Read Colossians 3:10-11. Is Paul still on the subject of avoiding breaking people apart? (Yes, he is now writing of attitudes that bring us together. If we see that all these different groups are together in Jesus, it changes our attitude about differences.)

B. Read Colossians 3:12. What is common to these attitudes? (They heal differences. Having these attitudes help to avoid disputes.)

1. But what if your opinion is right? (Two things. Being right is important and the morally right thing should not be compromised. But are you sure that you are right? How would “humility, meekness, and patience” affect how graciously you hold your view?

C. Read Colossians 3:13. When we consider the cost of forgiving a person who has wounded us, what should we contemplate? (How much Jesus has forgiven us. And what His forgiveness cost Him.)

D. Read Colossians 3:14. How does love “bind” us together? (You give more latitude to those you love – at least you should.)

E. Read Colossians 3:15. If you are not in conflict with others, is your life more peaceful? (Of course. That is what Paul is offering us, a more peaceful life.)

1. How important is Paul’s last point in this verse, the admonition to be “thankful.” (This attitude is the opposite of coveting. I think being grateful is incredibly important to a peaceful life.)

F. Read Colossians 3:16. What practical guide do we have for living a more peaceful, heaven-focused life? (Doing what you are doing right now, which is dwelling in God’s Word. Learning and teaching God’s Word.)

G. Read Colossians 3:17. Is this a heaven-focused life? That whatever we do, we do it in the name of Jesus?

1. How, exactly, would you do that? (You should look for the guidance of the Holy Spirit, and you should ask yourself, “What is the Christian thing to do here?”)

H. Friend, do you have a better idea now about how to focus your mind on heavenly things? Why not ask the Holy Spirit, right now, to help you in that transition?

IV. Next week: Living With Each Other.

Copr. 2026, Bruce N. Cameron, J.D. Scripture quotations are from the ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved. Suggested answers are found within parentheses. If you normally receive this lesson by e-mail, but it is lost one week, you can find it by clicking on this link: http://www.GoBible.org. Pray for the guidance of the Holy Spirit as you study.

Source: https://ssnet.org/blog/11-living-with-christ-colossians-31-17-teaching-outline/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=11-living-with-christ-colossians-31-17-teaching-outline

What does it mean to be a new man/woman in Christ? Join the Hit the Mark panel as they discuss Sabbath School Lesson 11 – Living With Christ. It’s the fastest hour of the week! 

Make sure to get our weekly keyword lesson handouts HERE

Source: https://ssnet.org/blog/living-with-christ-hit-the-mark-sabbath-school/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=living-with-christ-hit-the-mark-sabbath-school

Daily Lesson for Wednesday 11th of March 2026

Having described the bad habits and negative qualities that are removed and put away when we come to Christ, Paul proceeds to the positive—like moving from darkness to light.

Image © Educational Concepts Collection at Goodsalt.com

Like Israel, called by God to be His special people and reflect His character, believers in Jesus are “the elect of God” (Colossians 3:12, NKJV), His “chosen ones” (ESV). Not all, though, live up to this calling. As Jesus said, “ ‘Many are called, but few are chosen ’ ” (Matthew 22:14; compare Matthew 24:22,24,31). Paul’s references to the elect have a similar meaning (Romans 8:33, 2 Timothy 2:10). Also, like Israel, believers are “loved” by God and “holy” (Deuteronomy 7:6-8). This privilege carries with it an important responsibility: to “proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light” (1 Peter 2:9, NKJV). And we do that by how we live now.

The eight qualities mentioned by Paul are quite a list! “Tender mercies, kindness, humility, meekness, longsuffering; bearing with one another, and forgiving one another,” and “above all . . . love” (Colossians 3:12-14, NKJV). These can spring only from a heart united with Christ, because they describe His character and how He has dealt with us. We are to forgive others “even as Christ forgave you” (Colossians 3:13). Love is “the bond of perfection” (Colossians 3:14, NKJV), because it is His love toward us that binds us to Him and enables us to truly love others (1 John 4:11-12).

These qualities impact our relationships in two ways. First, showing love, mercy, kindness, and forgiveness toward others blesses us and others. It is fulfilling to love and bless others. People will normally respond to us in kind, and we continue to receive God’s mercy and forgiveness (Matthew 5:7, Matthew 6:14). Second, and more important, it glorifies God and may encourage others to believe and follow Jesus, because it shows the power of divine grace. “No other influence that can surround the human soul has such power as the influence of an unselfish life. The strongest argument in favor of the gospel is a loving and lovable Christian.”—Ellen G. White, The Ministry of Healing, p. 470.

<–Tuesday Thursday–>

Source: https://ssnet.org/blog/26a-11-character-of-the-new-life/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=26a-11-character-of-the-new-life

Prepared by William Earnhardt for Sabbath School class, March 14, 2026.

Central Theme: This week we’ll see ways in which living with Christ can make a difference, now and eternally.

Read in Class: Colossians 3:1-6. Ask the class to identify the main idea of this passage.

Study: What condition does Paul indicate is necessary for us to be heavenly-minded? What do you think that means?

Apply: How do we experience what it means to be dead to self and to earthliness and alive to “those things which are above” (Col. 3:1)? See also Romans 6:1-7.

Share: Your friend asks, “How do we follow the words “mortify therefore your members which are upon the earth” (Col. 3:5)?” What do you tell your friend?

Read in Class: Colossians 3:6-11. Ask the class to identify the main idea of this passage.

Study: How does Paul continue with this train of thought?

Apply: What does putting off the old man look like for you in everyday life? See also,  Romans 6:6 and Ephesians 4:22-24.

Share: Your friend complains that a kid from the church neighborhood, who is trying t find Jesus has joined her son’s youth Sabbath School class. Last week during prayer request time, he was talking about how frustrating his life is and accidently let a very bad word slip out. He apologized, and the teacher forgave him. Your friend thinks he should have been asked to leave the class. This is church after all! What do you tell your friend?

Read in Class: Colossians 3:12-14. Ask the class to identify the main idea of this passage.

Study:  How are believers described, and how do you think it relates to the qualities they are to “put on”?

Apply: How well are you representing Jesus in the way you treat others, especially those who may be unkind to you?

Share: Your friend says we hear too many sermons about forgiveness and need to hear more sermons about perfecting our character. What do you tell your friend?

Read in Class: Colossians 3:16-17. Ask the class to identify the main idea of this passage.

Study: What specifically enables Christ to be in control, and what role does music play in all this?

Apply: We are told that whatever we do, “do all in the name of the Lord Jesus” (Col. 3:17). Can you truly say that you do that? If not, how can you change; that is, what must you stop doing if you cannot do it in the name of the Lord?

Share: Your friend asks how the Word of God “dwells” in us. What do you tell your friend?

Mission: Think about the kind of influence your life has on others. And though we tend to think of this in the context of our individual influence, what about our influence as a Sabbath School Class? How does your local Sabbath School class impact your local community?

Source: https://ssnet.org/blog/11-living-with-christ-sabbath-school-lesson-teaching-plan/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=11-living-with-christ-sabbath-school-lesson-teaching-plan

Daily Lesson for Tuesday 10th of March 2026

The initial words of Colossians 3:8 signal the dramatic and decisive change from death to life: “But now.” The word “now” in Greek is emphatic. Now, that is, because you are risen with Christ and seek those things that are above, your present life is to show a marked contrast with your former life. Having put to death “what is earthly in you” (Colossians 3:5, ESV), “now you must get rid of all such things—anger, wrath, malice, slander, and abusive language from your mouth” (Colossians 3:8, NRSV).

Image © Lars Justinen at Goodsalt.com

Both anger and wrath can describe God’s righteous response to sin (touched on yesterday) as it can for Jesus (Mark 3:5, Revelation 6:16). By contrast, we are urged to “be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath; for the wrath of man does not produce the righteousness of God” (James 1:19-20, NKJV). Malice wishes misfortune on another. Slander is designed to defame. Paul also condemns language that is abusive and obscene. Finally, lying to one another is forbidden (compare Leviticus 19:11,18), “since you have put off the old man with his deeds” (Colossians 3:9, NKJV).

The verbs Paul employs for this transformation from the old to the new allude to clothing, as if one took off old filthy garments and was clothed with new white garments (compare Zechariah 3:4). A similar old/new distinction is made in regard to the old and new covenants, which are characterized respectively by the external letter of the law and by the law inscribed by the Spirit in the heart (2 Corinthians 3:4-18).

These metaphors describe conversion and its effects, which Paul calls a “new creation” (2 Corinthians 5:17, NKJV). We are “renewed in knowledge according to the image of Him [Christ]” (Colossians 3:10, NKJV), who is the image of the invisible God (Colossians 1:15). Gaining a knowledge of Christ through His Word transforms us “into the same image from glory to glory” (2 Corinthians 3:18). This places us above all ethnic, geographical, and social boundaries (Colossians 3:11), because we are citizens of a higher kingdom.

<–Monday Wednesday–>

Source: https://ssnet.org/blog/26a-11-renewed-in-knowledge/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=26a-11-renewed-in-knowledge