Seminary
Philippians; Colossians

Philippians; Colossians

Overview

During his imprisonment in Rome, Paul wrote epistles to the Saints in Philippi and Colossae and taught them to turn to Jesus Christ for strength. He taught that Christ is the source of peace and rejoicing, and he emphasized what the Saints could do to feel joy and “the peace of God” (Philippians 4:7). He also reminded them to “continue in the faith grounded and settled” (Colossians 1:23) and to be “rooted and built up” (Colossians 2:7) in Christ.

Prepare to Teach

The following information provides teachers with ideas of what may need to be prepared in advance for each lesson.

Philippians and Colossians

Lesson purpose: This lesson can help students recognize that through Jesus Christ they can find strength to face their challenges.

  • Student preparation: Invite students to memorize Philippians 4:13.

  • Content to display: The instructions for students to complete their five-minute lesson (including the examples)

  • Videoconference teaching suggestion: Invite students to turn their sound and video off as they prepare their lessons. After the allotted time, have them turn their video and sound back on, and place the students in breakout rooms. Invite one or two willing students to teach their lesson to the smaller group.

Philippians 3

Lesson purpose: This lesson can help students understand the importance of making sacrifices to come to know Jesus Christ.

  • Student preparation: If possible, invite students to collect accounts from family members or ancestors who made sacrifices to follow Jesus Christ. Encourage them to come prepared to share these experiences with the class.

Philippians 4

Lesson purpose: Students will seek to identify ways they can receive increased joy and peace through Jesus Christ in their own lives.

  • Student preparation: Invite students to ask a few friends or family members how Jesus Christ brings them peace and joy in their lives.

  • Content to display: The image of Paul and his potential obstacles and barriers to peace and happiness

  • Videoconference teaching suggestion: Consider allowing students to use the whiteboard function to add their thoughts on the screen as they list ways to find increased joy and peace through Christ.

Colossians 1–2

Lesson purpose: This lesson can help students recognize forces that threaten their faith and ways they can be more steadfast in Jesus Christ.

  • Student preparation: Invite students to draw or take a picture of their favorite kind of fruit tree and bring the picture to class. Ask them to think of spiritual lessons we can learn from trees.

  • Videos: “Finding Joy in Christ” (9:56; watch from time code 0:09 to 3:56); “Lift Up Your Head and Rejoice” (9:51; watch from time code 5:48 to 7:48); “Spiritual Whirlwinds” (2:24)

  • Videoconference teaching suggestion: Consider using a drawing or whiteboard function and inviting the students to help draw a strong tree rooted in Christ and label it throughout the lesson.

Doctrinal Mastery Review 21

Lesson purpose: This lesson will give students an opportunity to practice applying New Testament doctrinal mastery passages to a variety of circumstances.

  • Student preparation: Invite students to choose a specific New Testament doctrinal mastery passage that has helped them and be prepared to share with the class how it has helped them.

  • Materials for students: A piece of paper and a writing utensil for each student

  • Videoconference teaching suggestion: Students could be placed in breakout rooms to discuss steps 1 through 4 in the doctrinal mastery writing activity. To give students an opportunity to work with a variety of classmates, consider placing them in a different breakout room for each question.