Colossians 4:2-6 – Transforming Work of Prayer – Answers

      2Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful, 3as you pray also for us, that God may open to us a door for the word, so that we may proclaim the mystery of Christ, for which I am in chains. 4Pray that I may declare it clearly, as I should.
      5Act wisely toward outsiders, redeeming the time. 6Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone.

Interesting Words
Devote yourselves

(προσκαρτερέω – Greek) – proskartereó ► verb: To persist, persevere in, continue steadfast in; I wait upon – Acts 1:14; 2:42, 46; Rom 12:12;

watchful

(γρηγορέω – Greek) – grégoreó ► verb: I am awake (in the night), watch, I am watchful, on the alert, vigilant. From egeiro; to keep awake, i.e. Watch – Matt 24:42-43, 36:41; Mark 13:34;

proclaim

(λαλέω – Greek) – laleó ► verb: A prolonged form of an otherwise obsolete verb; to talk, i.e. Utter words – 1Cor 2:6-7; 1Thes 2:4; 1Peter 4:11; plus some 200+ uses by Jesus Himself and the apostles.

declare it clearly

(φανερόω – Greek) – phaneroó ► verb, from phaneros (evident, render apparent), To make clear (visible, manifest), make known – John 1:31-32, 17:6; 2Cor 2:14, 4:10-11; 1John 1:2;

redeeming

(ἐξαγοράζω – Greek) – exagorazó ► verb: From ek and agorazo; (present participle middle), to buy up, i.e. Ransom; figuratively, to rescue from loss – Gal 3:13, 4:5; Eph 5:16;

seasoned

(ἁρτύω – Greek) – artuó ► verb: derivative of airo (to prepare), i.e. Spice (with stimulating condiments), arrange, make ready; season, flavor – Mark 9:50; Luke 14:34;

Cross References

▪︎ Parable of the unrighteous steward – Luke_16:1-9
      1Now He was also saying to the disciples, “There was a rich man who had a manager, and this manager was reported to him as squandering his possessions. 2“And he called him and said to him, ‘What is this I hear about you? Give an accounting of your management, for you can no longer be manager.’ 3“The manager said to himself, ‘What shall I do, since my master is taking the management away from me? I am not strong enough to dig; I am ashamed to beg. 4‘I know what I shall do, so that when I am removed from the management people will welcome me into their homes.’ 5“And he summoned each one of his master’s debtors, and he began saying to the first, ‘How much do you owe my master?’ 6“And he said, ‘A hundred measures of oil.’ And he said to him, ‘Take your bill, and sit down quickly and write fifty.’ 7“Then he said to another, ‘And how much do you owe?’ And he said, ‘A hundred measures of wheat.’ He said to him, ‘Take your bill, and write eighty.’ 8“And his master praised the unrighteous manager because he had acted shrewdly; for the sons of this age are more shrewd in relation to their own kind than the sons of light. 9“And I say to you, make friends for yourselves by means of the wealth of unrighteousness, so that when it fails, they will receive you into the eternal dwellings.

▪︎ 1Thes 5:16-18;
▪︎ Phil 4:6-7;
▪︎ 2Tim 4:2;

Discussion Questions
Download questions to Word document (download). Enter your answers, then meet with some friends to discuss. You can also compare your answers to mine for a virtual discussion… back

1. Describe the kind of prayer that Paul describes in Col 4:2

▪︎ Steadfast devotion to consistent prayer.
▪︎ Being watchful noting opportunities for prayer.
▪︎ Being attentive to answers and adjustments.
▪︎ Thankful to God for His to availability to prayer from His children – Heb 4:16;
▪︎ Thankful for the Holy Spirit who interceeds for us before the Father – Rom 8:26;
▪︎ Thankfulness is extremely important to God.

2. What does the first phrase in Col 4:3 subtly indicate that the target of our prayer should be?

▪︎ Pray not only for the people in your realm…
▪︎ Pray also for us, for those who are on the cutting edge of ministry, evangelistic leaders.
▪︎ Pray for an open door for God’s word, the gospel.
▪︎ Expand your focus to include the whole world, the world that God loves and with whom He wants to have a relationship – Phil 2:20-21; John 3:16;

3. What exactly is on Paul’s prayer list?

▪︎ That the Colossians would become prayer warriors.
▪︎ Praying for an open door, attentive ears, open hearts for the Gospel.
▪︎ First to understand the mystery of Christ and then…
▪︎ The ability to make the gospel clear to the world as it should be well communicated.
▪︎ Efficient use of time and opportunities with the world (for everyone).
▪︎ Seasoning all their conversations with the gospel of Christ.

4. In this passage Paul asks for prayer about different ways to communicate the gospel to others. Can you find them, and how does way to communicate support success?

▪︎ Praying for the needs of those around you.
▪︎ Dropping into conversations thoughtful statements of the Gospel.
▪︎ Positive response to introductory statements of the Gospel, resulting in true opportunities for the Spirit to move.
▪︎ For the Colossians to follow his example in all aspects.
▪︎ Door to men’s heart and hope – Acts 14:27; Hosea 2:15; 1John 3:2-3; Rom 8:35ff

5. What does Paul mean by the phrase… “redeeming the time”? Consider also the parable of the unrighteous steward ( Luke 16:8, 9)

▪︎ Don’t waste any opportunity to share or further the Gospel… Be motivated.
▪︎ Be wise in using the gifts and talents God has given… Eph 5:15-16; 1Cor 7:29;
▪︎ Effectively use your wealth to advance the good news of Christ to those around us.
▪︎ Use gifts as well to further the gospel.
▪︎ Redeem time, money, gifts, service, prayer… use everything, in all ways, in wisdom, to redeem others to God.
▪︎ Preparation is important (of value) now and in the future – Matt 10:16;

6. How do you accomplish Paul’s goal of clarity using seasoning without changing the gospel message?

▪︎ Review every message, every opportunity to make sure the Gospel is clearly communicated to the degree the recipients can understand and respond.
▪︎ Ask questions that reveal the recipient’s understanding of point being communicated.
▪︎ Simplify difficult points without loosing the truth of scripture.
▪︎ Carefully create parables that communicate your point without going beyond scripture.

7. Check out the cross references. What are the common thread(s) you see? Why are they important?

▪︎ Be joyful in prayer… we come before the King of the universe. Don’t be a “Debbie Downer”. He answers prayer.
▪︎ Pray without ceasing… Develop a habit of constant communication, constant communion with God… Devote yourself to prayer.
▪︎ Take everything to God… He is more than capable and can handle it all.
▪︎ Be at peace… God wants to communicate. Nothing flusters Him.
▪︎ Be instant in the Word, don’t fumble around for an answer. Pray and respond by the Spirit, from memory, with help if necessary. Never let a point to learn go unaddressed.
▪︎ Preach the word, be ready – 2Tim 4:2;
▪︎ Be thankful – 1Thes 5:16-18;