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We’re ready to start focusing on Chapter 3! From now on, we will be reading the chapter almost every day, looking for different words and thoughts every time we read.
Assignment: Read Colossians 3. Start by praying for the Holy Spirit’s guidance. Then, as you read the chapter, use a pen or colored pencil to circle the word “if” every time you see it. Depending on the translation you are reading, you should see the word at least twice. The NIV only uses it once.
Resist the temptation to skim the passage, looking for the word. Read the entire chapter again. Every time you read the chapter, you will become more familiar with it, and that is our goal!
After you have finished finding the “ifs”, go back and read the rest of the sentence that follows the “if phrase”. The word “if” is usually followed by a “then”. The actual word “then” is not always there, but it is implied.
Here are some simple examples:
- “If you are tired, you should go to bed.” What does the sentence say we should do if we’re tired? We should go to bed. (Sigh. Wouldn’t it be nice if we could always do that when we’re tired? :-)) The word “then” is not actually in the sentence, but it is implied. If we’re tired, then we should go to bed.
- “If you hit your sister, you will be disciplined.” If Daniel hits his sister, then he will be disciplined.
Returning to Colossians 3, verse 1 opens with the word “if” (unless you are reading in the NIV). “If you have been raised with Christ…”
Look carefully at the verse. If you have been raised with Christ, what should you do? Underline this part of the verse. I also like to draw an arrow at the beginning of these phrases. The arrow helps me see the connection between the “if phrase” and the “then phrase”.
Continue reading, underlining the other “then phrase” in the chapter.
Go back and read the verses you have marked. Record them in your notebook. These are clear instructions that God is giving us in His Word. Think about these commands. Are you obeying them? Meditate on these verses as you go through your day, and ask God to give you the grace to obey them.
Thanks for joining us! Feel free to leave comments, sharing what you are learning with the rest of us. See you tomorrow!
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