Grade 12 - Coptic Orthodox Diocese of the Southern United States

Sunday School Curriculum Grade 12
As for the heresies, which became widespread in Colossi, the apostle condemns them as they are
an invitation to return to the old order of life governed by heretic human thoughts and not by the Will
of God. Examples of such heresies, mentioned by the apostle are the worship of angels as a sign of
humility, and the humiliation of the body as an aim in itself.
II. Chapter Three
Colossians 3:1-4 ―If then you were raised with Christ, seek those things which are above, where
Christ is, sitting at the right hand of God. Set your mind on things above, not things on the earth. For
you died and your life is hidden with Christ in God. When Christ who is our life, appears then you
also will appear with Him in glory‖.
Those who have risen with Christ, have all their interest linked with Christ, who sits at the right
hand of God. Thus most important sign of a believer is that his yearnings are sublimated, his feelings
sanctified, his inclinations heavenly oriented and his thoughts elevated.
Concerning God‘s children, the apostle says that their existence is hidden and it is Christ who
appears and works in them ―it is no longer I who lives, but Christ lives in me.‖
If the glory, which is Christ‘s, does not appear in us now, it is because we are still in the flesh.
However, we receive this glory secretly and it will be announced when the Lord comes in the clouds
and His glory appears. At that time we ―will appear with Him in glory‖, which is ours through Him.
What a great hope, we will be glorified with Him! This is our only consolation whenever we
suffer with Him. Whenever we are persecuted, crucified, or put to death with Him for the purpose of
achieving His mission, which He has entrusted within our souls.
Colossians 3:5-7 The apostle speaks about the need to kill the old self: to struggle against the lusts of
the body, such as adultery, uncleanness, delinquent passion, and greed that involves idolatry, love of
money and selfishness. All these things invoke God‘s anger upon the wicked. We were enslaved to
all these before we knew the Lord; but thanks be to God who has granted us victory in Jesus Christ.
Colossians 3:8-11 Having exhorted believers to abstain from apparent ugly sins such as adultery and
the worship of money, the apostle speaks about uglier and more object matters which are far more
dangerous. He speaks about ―anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, and filthy language‖. These sins are
inappropriate and do not fit the children of God who are calm, loving, gentle, and chaste in all their
members. The apostle then forbids lying in the same manner he used in the epistle to the Ephesians;
all such behavior is incongruous on the level of the one family whose members are brothers. For can
a brother lie to his brother? If we have put off the old self and put on the new, how is it that we
continue to follow the latter after having crucified him? We grow and get renewed continually so that
we might become in the picture of the great Lord Himself.
In Jesus Christ we have become one family, ―there is neither Greek nor Jew, no circumcised or
uncircumcised. Barbarian, Scything, slave nor free, but Christ is all and in all.‖
Colossians 3:12-17 Having spoken about negative matters concerning the departure from many sins
of varying evilness, the apostle speaks of positive conduct:
That ―we put on tender mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, long suffering,
bearing with one another, and forgiving one another.‖ That is a batch or virtues, which are
necessary for God‘s children who testify for Jesus Christ. They are also necessary for
brotherly relationships and for unity among believers.
186 AUGUST