Lesson 2 – Setting a Good Foundation – Committed Relationships
Read Colossians 1 - https://www.bible.com/bible/59/col.1.esv

In this first chapter we find the following things for us to follow for being stable in Jesus Christ:
Committed relationships 1-2
Constant thanksgiving 3-8
Ceaseless prayer 9-14
Creator’s foundation 15-20
Continuing hope 21-23
Completed service 24-29

The Apostle Paul begins by giving us 3 committed relationships every Christian should have. The first is found in the words, “Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God.” Paul tells us two very important things about himself – who he is, and what his purpose is in life. Have you ever thought to yourself, why am I even here on earth? What difference am I making in anyone else’s life?

These kinds of questions come when we do not have the stability we need in our relationship with Jesus. Let’s look at Paul’s words. He says he’s an apostle. How could he be an apostle when he didn’t even believe in Jesus until after Jesus went back to heaven? Only Jesus’ disciples were called Apostles. Do you think Paul ever felt undeserving of that title – especially since he had killed Christians before his conversion (see Acts 7:58)? He gives us the answer, not only for himself but also for us. He is an apostle, by the will of God. Just as Paul’s purpose is found in the will of God, so is ours. God’s will, as we will see in the lessons of this study, gives us the best stability our lives could possibly have.

The next relationship needed for a stable life is in the words “and Timothy, our brother.” God never meant for any of us to live this Christian life by ourselves. We need others for fellowship, for encouragement, to keep us accountable before God. Timothy was a personal friend of Paul’s. Choose your close friends carefully for they will influence your life and your actions. Proverbs is full of warnings about false friends, see 22:24-27 as just one example.

The third relationship God designed us to need is other people. But we need those who are the same as us. Such people we find in a God-fearing/worshiping church. They are those who are followers of the will of God, those who are brothers and sisters in Christ. We come from every nation and every tribe. Together we find grace and peace from and in Him.

*What are the examples of false friends in Proverbs 22:24-27?
*Who is the “friend” in Proverbs 18:24?