Key Thought: The cross becomes an active reality with God’s love transforming people as they hear the gospel and receive Christ, the hope of glory.
February 28, 2026

1. Have a volunteer read Colossians 1:21-23.

1. Ask class members to share a short thought on what the most important point is in this passage.
2. Why does Paul say we were alienated from God and were His enemies? What is the expected result of Christ’s death?
3. Personal Application: Could an angel or exalted created being die for the sins of the whole world? Why not? Share your thoughts.
4. Case Study: One of your relatives states, “When you look at yourself, your character, and your innermost being, what does this tell you about your need of the cross?” How would you respond to your relative?

2. Have a volunteer read Colossians 1:24,25.

1. Ask class members to share a thought on what the most important point in this text is.
2. What does Paul say about his suffering for Christ’s sake?
3. Personal Application: How might the decisions you make fit in with God’s larger plan? How do we know if a decision we make is large or small in God’s estimate? Share your thoughts.
4. Case Study: One of your friends states, “How would you do in the face of suffering for your faith? Is it easier to suffer in a small situation that you can’t explain, or in a greater situation that you know why you are suffering?.” How would you respond to your relative?

3. Have a volunteer read Colossians 1:26,27; Ephesians 1:7-10; Ephesians 3:3-6.

1. Ask class members to share a short thought on what the most important point in this text is.
2. Paul talks about the mystery twice. What is the mystery?
3. Personal Application: How do you understand being perfect in Christ? What does that mean to you? Share your thoughts.
4. Case Study: One of your friends states, “Why is the plan of salvation spoken of as a mystery? Doesn’t this plan go all the way back to Genesis when Adam and Eve sinned? Is it because most people didn’t understand it until Christ came and revealed it to the apostles?” How would you respond to your friend?

4. Have a volunteer read Colossians 1:28,29.

1. Ask class members to share a thought on what the most important point in this text is.
2. Why do we believe that once saved, always saved is a false doctrine? Why is it dangerous to believe that way?
3. Personal Application: Why is it dangerous to become content with our Christian experience and becoming confident in our situation? Is it true that God will save us when we accept Jesus no matter what we do afterward? Share your thoughts.
4. Case Study: Think of one person who needs to hear a message from this week’s lesson. Tell the class what you plan to do this week to share with them.

(Truth that is not lived, that is not imparted, loses its life-giving power, its healing virtue. Its blessings can be retained only as it is shared. ”Ministry of Healing, p. 148).

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