Colossians 4:10-11

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TALKS FOR GROWING CHRISTIANS

The Conclusion of Paul's Letter to the Colossians

BACKGROUND NOTES



DOCTRINAL POINT(S)

  1. Failure is not final.

PRACTICAL APPLICATION

  1. Your failure is not final.

QUESTIONS

  1. What do we know about Aristarchus?

  2. What do we know about Mark?

  3. Who was Justus?

  4. How was each of these brothers helpful to Paul?

  5. Does failure have to be final?

  6. How did Mark overcome failure?

ANSWERS

  1. He was a fellow-prisoner with Paul. He likely voluntarily made himself a prisoner to help Paul by assisting him in his ministry.

  2. Mark as a cousin of Barnabas. He wrote the gospel of Mark. On his first missionary journey with Paul, he quit and returned to Jerusalem (Acts 13:13).

  3. He is mentioned only in Colossians 4:11. He changed his name to Justus, perhaps not to lower the name of Jesus. He was “of the circumcision,” a Jewish fellow worker.

  4. They were a comfort and help to Paul as he labored in the gospel.

  5. No. God can pick up the pieces and make something beautiful out of a life, any life.

  6. Paul had refused to take Mark after he quit, and he was useless for a time. Then Mark proved himself, and was approved by Paul and by God Himself (2 Timothy 4:11). He was chosen to write, by inspiration of God, the gospel of Mark. The theme of Mark’s gospel, incidentally, is a servant.

DISCUSS/CONSIDER

  1. Failure does not have to be final. Review how Mark overcame failure. Recall some area in your life where you have failed. By God’s strength you can overcome these failures.

  2. Do you believe that God can make something beautiful of your life? Believe it! Discuss how God can take all things and work them together for God. The ultimate good is being conformed to the image of Christ. Praise God that He can do this with you.

CHALLENGE

  1. Are you willing to submit yourself to help someone else in the ministry of the gospel of Christ? Think of specific ways in which you could do this (and with whom).

KEY VERSES

  • “...These are my only fellow workers for the kingdom of God…they have proved to be a comfort to me.” Colossians 4:11



Colossians, New Testament, TalksDeb HarmsColossians 4:10-11