Growing Healthy Relationships (Colossians 3)

Talk about a relationship (family, friend, coworkers, etc.) of someone you've observed that you would like to imitate? Why does these people's relationship appeal to you?

Read Colossians 3:18-25.

List the different types of people Paul addresses in this passage. Which categories describe you?

In your own words, summarize Paul's instructions for husbands and wives.

Why do you think some wives might struggle with this command?

Why do you think some husbands struggle to show love to their wives?

How are love and submission connected to one another? Give an example of how both spouses might both be loving and submitting to one another?

What things can parents do to make obedience easier for their children?

How might a father (or mother) provoke his children? How do you walk the line between demanding obedience and provoking or discouraging your child?

How might love and submission contribute to the parent/child relationship? Is it ever appropriate for a parent to submit to their child? Why or why not?

Assume for the sake of application that being a slave is similar to being an employee. In your own words, how should an employee act toward their boss?

What do you think it means that an employee should work for the Lord, not their master? How might you do that in your job? How might love and submission contribute to this relationship?

What promise does Paul give to the employee who is being mistreated? What do you think this means?

Which of these relationships do you want to work on this week:

• Husband/Wife
• Parent/Child
• Employee/Employer

How will you employ the strategy of loving and submitting in this relationship? How can we pray for you?