devo sheet

What Friends Are For
Colossians 4:7-18

Memory Verses: Colossians 4:12-13

Day 1: Think about it!!

Robert Burn, Scotland’s national poet 200 years ago, was in a strange city, and feeling lonely and blue, he visited a church. No one there welcomed him, offered him a handshake, or spoke to him. So, before he left the church, he wrote on the flyleaf of a hymnal:
As cold a wind as ever blew:
A colder church, and in it few;
As cold a minister ever spoke;
You will all be hot before I come back!
Wow! Unfortunately, a lot of churches are like that today. Christians ought to be the friendliest people on earth. Christians ought to treat everyone like a friend. What does Proverbs 17:17 say about friends?



Day 2: Three cheers for Tychicus

Every Christian is a brother or a sister in the Lord, but Paul described Tychicus as even more special. He was sent by Paul to give a report to the churches on how Paul was doing.
Paul describes him in 3 ways:
“A beloved brother” (4:7)- He lifted others burdens; He built others spirits. He was an encourager.
Who is a beloved brother to you? __________
Who would call you a beloved brother? ______
“A faithful minister” (4:7)- He was dependable in times of difficulty.
Who is a faithful minister to you? ___________
Who could call you a faithful minister? _______
“Fellow servant in the Lord” (4:7)- Paul saw him as an equal, but also as one who did the work.
Are you a fellow servant?



Day 3: Twice-Born Slave

Tychicus would not be traveling alone to Colosse. Paul sent Onesimus with him. Onesimus was from Colosse where he had been a slave to Philemon. Read the book of Philemon. According to that letter, Onesimus had run away from Philemon, ended up meeting Paul, and was led to the Lord by Paul. Paul was sending him back to Philemon, and he calls him, “a faithful and beloved brother.”
Based on his past and his position in life, what can we learn from what Paul said?


In Christ, we are all equal. In Christ, we are all given a second chance.
Day 4: Three Faithful Jewish Believers

After alerting the Colosse church that Tychicus and Onesimus were going to be visiting them, Paul then sends greeting from three Jewish believers: Aristarchus, Marcus, and Justus.
Aristarchus was a prisoner with Paul at Rome (Col. 4:10). Where else was he with Paul (Acts 19:29)?

Marcus (John Mark) was the nephew to Barnabas (Col. 4:10). Paul and John Mark had a falling out during his first missionary journey. For the next missionary journey, Barnabas wanted to take Marcus again, but Paul refused, so the two parted ways. However, Paul and Marcus reconciled later on. How did Paul describe him in II Timothy 4:11?

Jesus, also called Justus, was also a friend of Paul. These men were faithful to serve with or for Paul. Are you a faithful servant?

Day 5: Some others

Epaphras was probably the pastor at the church in Colosse. He labored fervently. What does Colossians 4:12 say was his prayer for the people?


Luke was the beloved physician. What 2 books of the Bible did he write?
What things did Luke go through while traveling with Paul (Acts 27 is one example)?


Who held a church service in his house (col. 4:15)?


Day 6: Putting Truth into Action

Matching
___ 1. Paul a. called Justus
___ 2. Luke b. a church met in his
house
___ 3. Demas c. likely the pastor of the
Colosse church
___ 4. Archippus d. Needed to fulfill the
ministry he had
received in the Lord.
___ 5. Nymphas e. in bonds
___ 6. Epaphras f. related to Barnabas
___ 7. Jesus g. a doctor
___ 8. Mark h. not commended
___ 9. Onesimus i. a faithful and beloved
brother
___ 10. Aristarchus j. Paul’s fellow prisoner

What will you do to be a better friend to a fellow believer this week?


What step will you take to fulfill a ministry this week?