Colossians 4 - Are You Ready to Share Your Faith?
Paul concludes his letter promising to pray for them, acknowledging that Epaphras is praying for them and the other churches he helped start, and asking them for prayer. Prayer is a powerful form of serving others. He reminds us the best way to share our faith is to “Be wise in the way you act toward outsiders; make the most of every opportunity. Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone.” - (Colossians 4:5-6 NIV) In other words, we should not force our message onto anyone but to live in such a way and to say things in such a way, that those without faith will ask questions. By the way, the Greek version of the New Testament does not actually use the word “outsiders.” It’s an unfortunate translation. The actual Greek word should be translated “those without” meaning “those without faith.” We shouldn’t treat people without faith as outsiders but with kindness and love and compassion and when the time is right share about our faith. I find that comes easiest after I have asked to hear about their spiritual journey. #NewTestament, #Colossians, #BibleStudy, #Christianity, #BibleCommentary, #ScriptureAnalysis, #Faith, #ReligiousEducation, #Devotional, #ChristianLifestyle, #SpiritualGrowth, #ChristianTeachings, #Church, #EarlyChurch
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In a world more divided than ever, the 60 page e-book Not Like Me: Reconciliation, Poverty, and Politics offers a powerful, Christ-centered guide to creating authentic communities across barriers of immigration, race, class, and ideology.
About Through the New Testament for Skeptics, Seekers, and Disciples
Through the Bible for Skeptics, Seekers, and Disciples is a great resource for those who are exploring faith, those who are new to faith, those who are wanting to grow, or those wanting to help others you love find faith. Each devotional pulls out the key parts to know and addresses the parts which may be confusing or need more context.
About Dr. Eric Bryant
Eric has been with Gateway Church in Austin since 2011. Currently he serves as the Campus Pastor for Gateway South Austin with Senior Pastor Carlos Ortiz, Jr.. Gateway’s founding pastor is John Burke and is known for their mottos: “no perfect people allowed” and “come as you are.”
From 1998-2010, Eric served as part of the leadership team with Erwin McManus at Mosaic in Los Angeles, a church known for its creativity and diversity. The four years prior to that he helped plant a church in Seattle, WA.
Eric is the author of Not Like Me: Loving, Serving, and Influencing Our Divided World and Fruitful: Becoming Who God Created You To Be. He was a contributing author with Rick Yamamoto for Uprising Experience: A Personal Guide for a Revolution of the Soul by Erwin McManus.
Eric has taught courses at Bethel Seminary and coaches pastors. He is also the founder of Innovative Church Leaders which helps pastors experience and bring renewal.
Eric lives with his wife, Deborah, in South Austin, TX near their young adult children – son Caleb, daughter Trevi, and son-in-law Adrien.
Contact Through the New Testament for Skeptics, Seekers, and Disciples with Dr. Eric Bryant
https://ericbryant.org/
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