Welcome to the Pleasing God series in the Reforming Yourself podcast from Reformation Scotland. In these episodes we take a long look at what it means to reform our lives according to God’s revealed will and why that is so important. As you explore further the issues we address you can use some questions provided to help delve into the meaning and application of key Bible passages. Further reading material drawn from a rich past heritage of spiritual wisdom will also help you to continue to think about the points raised.
We begin with an introduction that gives a little insight into just how important and far reaching the matter of pleasing God is. It focuses on Colossians 1:9-14 and reflects insights from James Fergusson on this passage.
But there are still more questions for us to ponder. What exactly is pleasing God and just how important is it? What do we need to please God and how do we find out what is acceptable to him? If we are putting God first then how do we relate to others? What does it mean for my life, my work, my family and my church and much more?
Please subscribe to the podcast to stay with the conversation and explore these questions with us.
Bible Study Questions
Colossians 1:9-14
- What do Paul’s prayers teach us about the kind of things we should ask God for, both in relation to ourselves and others?
- What does it mean to be filled with the knowledge of God’s will? How can we receive more of His revealed will? What is included in all kinds of wisdom and spiritual understanding (1:9) and how should we seek to have more of it?
- 1 Thessalonians 2:12 shows that walking worthy is the response to God’s grace not the way we enter God’s kingdom. How does Paul define in Colossians 1:10 what it means to walk in a manner worthy of what God has done for us if we are true believers?
- How does increasing in knowledge help to please God in everything? Where could you start in each area of your life in knowing and then doing what pleases God?
- What makes a good work good? How does this relate to pleasing God?
- What resources are available to help us to please God (Colossians 1:11). Why is it important to have a Christ-centred view of pleasing God (see Philippians 4:13)?
- Look at verses 13-14, we live in a dark world (John 1:5, Acts 26:18, Luke 1:79, 1 Thessalonians 5:5), how does this further underline the importance of pleasing God?
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