Words of the Apostle

For small groups and Bible studies

Leader guide

One session for each teaching. Read the teaching together or ahead of time, then use these questions. Print one session or all twelve.

All twelve sessions

Session 4

The Shadow and the Real Thing

“These are a shadow of the things to come, but the substance belongs to Christ.” Colossians 2:17

Open (5 minutes)

Have you ever recognized someone by their shadow before you saw them? What tipped you off?

Read together

Colossians 2:13-17; Hebrews 10:1-14; Acts 15:6-11. The teaching is at wordsoftheapostle.com/teaching.php?t=shadow

Talk about it

  1. Colossians 2:16 lists food, festivals, new moons and Sabbaths. Why might Paul put the Sabbath in the same list?
  2. What does it mean that “the substance belongs to Christ”?
  3. Why did the old sacrifices have to be repeated? Why was Jesus’ offering done only once?
  4. Peter called the Law a yoke “neither our fathers nor we have been able to bear.” Why would he say that about his own people’s law?

Remember this

The Sabbath, the feasts, and the food laws were shadows that pointed to Jesus. He is the real thing, and no one may judge you over a shadow.

Pray

Lord Jesus, lift our eyes from the shadows to You. You are the real thing.

This week

Read Hebrews 10 slowly. Circle the words “once” and “for all time.”

Leader tip: be hard on rules and gentle with people. Some in your group may have carried these burdens for years. Let them talk.