One of my homework assignments in my Bible Study Methods class is to ask 30 questions of a given text. I was assigned Colossians 2:1-5. The questions have given me a lot of material to occupy my thought life for a while. This exercise caused a much more in depth reading of the text than I've ever experienced. I'm not that good at it yet, but I'm rather elated. David's exhortations in Worldview Class about asking questions of Scripture suddenly make an incredible amount of sense.
Colossians 2:1-5 (NAS)
For I want you to know how great a struggle I have on your behalf and for those who are at Laodicea, and for all those who have not personally seen my face, that their hearts may be encouraged, having been knit together in love, and attaining to all the wealth that comes from the full assurance of understanding, resulting in a true knowledge of God's mystery, that is, Christ Himself, in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge. I say this so that no one will delude you with persuasive argument. For even though I am absent in body, nevertheless I am with you in spirit, rejoicing to see your good discipline and the stability of your faith in Christ.
30 Questions:
1. What kind of struggle is Paul talking about?
2. Why would Paul’s struggle encourage them?
3. Who are “all those” others who have not personally seen Paul’s face?
4. Where is Colossae?
5. Where is Laodicea in relation to Colossae?
6. Did the Colossians know those individuals in Laodicea?
7. Why didn’t Paul visit them during his journey through Asia Minor?
8. Is the knowledge of Christ considered spiritual “wealth”?
9. Is wisdom and knowledge considered spiritual “wealth”?
10. How do you gain full assurance of understanding?
11. How can wisdom and knowledge result from the knowledge of a mystery?
12. Does “full assurance” of understanding mean that you understand everything?
13. Does “full assurance” of understanding mean that you are confident in what you know?
14. Does “full assurance” of understanding mean that you know enough to be confident?
15. Does “full assurance” of understanding result in the knowledge of Christ?
16. Does “full assurance” of understanding result in wisdom and knowledge?
17. Doesn’t the term “mystery” mean that we don’t understand everything about it?
18. How can you have a true knowledge of a mystery?
19. If you can have “full assurance” in your understanding, then why is Christ called a mystery?
20. Are persuasive arguments bad?
21. What does “good discipline” look like practically?
22. What is the practical application of the “stability of faith” that Paul is observing?
23. What is going on in Colossae that would cause Paul to warn them of deluding arguments?
24. Why does Paul warn them to not be deluded by persuasive argument and then say that he has observed their stable faith?
25. Is being knit together in love a precursor to attaining spiritual wealth?
26. Does being knit together in love result in encouragement?
27. Does spiritual wealth result in the knowledge of Christ?
28. Does the knowledge of Christ result in wisdom and understanding?
29. Is the fact that Christ is a mystery the factor of doubt that would cause the Colossians to be deluded by persuasive argument?
30. Is Paul “with them in spirit” through prayer?
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