No One Takes You Captive

Through studying the Bible, we won’t be deceived.

Bible Reading: Colossians 2:1-8

2 For I want you to know how great a struggle I have for you and for those at Laodicea and for all who have not seen me face to face, ² that their hearts may be encouraged, being knit together in love, to reach all the riches of full assurance of understanding and the knowledge of God’s mystery, which is Christ, ³ in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge. ⁴ I say this in order that no one may delude you with plausible arguments. ⁵ For though I am absent in body, yet I am with you in spirit, rejoicing to see your good order and the firmness of your faith in Christ.

Alive in Christ

⁶ Therefore, as you received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in him, ⁷ rooted and built up in him and established in the faith, just as you were taught, abounding in thanksgiving.

⁸ See to it that no one takes you captive by philosophy and empty deceit, according to human tradition, according to the elemental spirits^[a] of the world, and not according to Christ.

Reading Questions: What was Paul’s purpose for writing this letter to the Colossians? What did he want to be sure wouldn’t happen to them?

Journal Writing: What is an important truth from the Bible reading? Why do you need to know that truth?

Application Prayer: Write out a prayer for God’s insight and help into how you can apply the truth from the reading.

Week’s Memory Verse: Mark 12:29-31

Through God’s Word, we learn how to love God with our entire being.

²⁹“The most important commandment,” answered Jesus, “is this: ‘Hear, O Israel, the Lord our God, the Lord is one. ³⁰Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.’ ³¹The second is this: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no commandment greater than these.