Memory Verse: “So let no one judge you in food or in drink, or regarding a festival or a new moon or sabbaths, which are a shadow of things to come, but the substance is of Christ” (Colossians 2:16, 17, NKJV).

INTRO: Let’s begin our Bible lesson discussion this week on the Good Word program about what “completeness” in Christ means. Often, Bible Sabbath-keepers are confronted by well-meaning Sunday keepers with the idea that seventh-day Sabbath worship of Jesus Christ is perpetuating Jewish ceremonial practices. Would you agree or disagree? How can Bible Sabbath keepers, like Adventists and Seventh-day Baptists, explain their reasons for worshiping Christ on the seventh day instead of the first day?

Q: What has been your own experience with the need for “order” in your own spiritual life? What is the difference between “too much” and “not enough” order in a person’s spiritual life?

Q: How and why are believers encouraged to remain “rooted” in Christ (Col 2:6) as their spiritual maturity grows from day to day? It may be helpful to think of Jesus words to the disciples in John 15:4-5. Jesus’ parable of the Sower is also instructive (Matt.13:1-8, esp. v.6) What role does the Holy Spirit serve in this process?

Q: How do you deal with those who insist that we must keep the “ceremonial laws” as well? Though, perhaps, one could find some spiritual or theological blessings in keeping them, what problems arise from insisting that they must be kept?

CLOSING SIDEBAR:

“As you therefore have received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in Him, rooted and built up in Him.”
— Colossians 2:6–7 (NKJV)

“The Colossians are reminded that the Christ whom they received is sufficient. There is no need to look beyond him for spiritual fullness. To be ‘rooted’ and ‘built up’ in Christ is to have one’s entire existence grounded in him. Any teaching that suggests otherwise threatens the unity and stability of the community.”
— James D. G. Dunn, The Epistles to the Colossians and to Philemon

Paul affirms that Christ alone is sufficient for spiritual life and growth. Remaining rooted in Him protects the church from distractions that fracture unity. As believers continue to walk together in Christ, they grow stronger in faith and more firmly united.

NEXT WEEK, we’ll look at Paul’s theme “Living in Christ.” My thanks to Naomi Cueto and Faith Montes, our program engineers, and to all of you for listening in. Until next time, for the “Good Word,” I’m Phil Muthersbaugh.