Questions:

1. What was confusing, convicting, or encouraging from this study of Scripture?
2. Why is it important that God speaks to all parties in this list of instructions to husbands and wives, fathers and children, and masters and slaves?
3. The instruction to husbands and wives feels very countercultural. How would you explain to an astonished outsider why this is such good news for men and women?
4. God calls children to obey their parents, how does submission to earthly authority reflect our relationship with God?
5. Thinking about parents and children: What are some bad examples in each of these categories—in yourself or others? How would living in obedience to God’s Word here change these scenarios?
6. According to verses 22-24, what should our work look like? How does Paul’s greater purpose for work encourage or challenge you?
7. Thinking about slaves and masters (employers and employees): What are some bad examples in each of these categories—in yourself or others? How would living in obedience to God’s Word here change these scenarios?
8. In all of these instructions, who is the ultimate master? Who should be the master in our home and in our work? How does this change how we view these relationships?
9. By God’s grace, what needs to change in your life based on this study of Colossians 3:18-4:1?