Birmingham Citadel
Salvation Army

Birmingham Citadel Band in Switzerland -Bible Study Day 1

28.05.2016

Bible Studies
The body of Christ is the theme of our daily Bible studies for the Swiss Tour and comes from the inspiration of the music Corpus Christi which means the body of Christ. This piece of music is one of the major works we will play during the tour. In the next few days we are going to unpack what it means to be part of the body of Christ as individuals, in the groups to which we belong and how this can impact the wider church.
Each day we will read a passage, reflect on it through some prepared questions and then respond by answering the question how will I live differently as a result of what I have discovered today?
We welcome those members of the body who will join us via our website to share in our studies together.

Saturday 28th May 2016
The body of Christ
READ: Colossians 2:6-10
Living in Christ

You will be familiar in Formula One racing with the tradition that if you are the reigning champion you can elect to use your allocated number on your car the following year or the number 1. Presently there is a bit of a furore in the industry because Luis Hamilton made the decision to keep his original number 44 for this season, even though he is the reigning champion.

Number 1 is significant and in popular culture it means; the best, above all, the champion.

In our life of discipleship Jesus is number 1, the pivot of our very existence; the best, above all, in all and through all. Being united to Christ unlocks so many possibilities as members of the body of Christ.

The central thought in our reading is simply not to let anyone or anything come between us and our experience with Jesus Christ, that we do everything we can to protect that ‘in Christ’ relationship ensuring that He has first place and first priority.
‘In Christ’ is the most frequently used description in the Scriptures for those who are followers of Jesus. The words ‘in Christ’ ‘in the Lord’ ‘in him’ ‘with Christ’ occur 164 times in the New Testament and refer to the new nature, the new identity we have when we enter into a personal relationship with the Lord Jesus Christ.
Christian teacher and evangelist John Stott writes:
“To be “in Christ” does not mean to be inside Christ, as tools are in a box or our clothes in a closet, but to be organically united to Christ, as a limb is in the body or a branch is in the tree. It is this personal relationship with Christ that is the distinctive mark of his authentic followers.”
It may be comforting to know that our relationship with Christ not only gives us a new identity it unites us with him so there is no sense of ‘going it alone’ or feeling isolated. Our relationship with Christ is our present reality which enables us to live lives of value.
The Christians at Colossae found themselves subject to ideas which challenged the new relationship they had in Christ. Paul uses the word capture to warn his readers not to be led astray by hollow deceptive theology and thinking that is contrary to being a disciple of Christ. In chapter 1 he speaks about the Supremacy of Christ, that Christ is before all things and in him, all things hold together 1:17
Simply stated, Paul is saying that Christ is enough, so don’t let anything come between you and your relationship with him. Do whatever it takes to ensure he has first place in your life, that he is number 1.
REFLECT:
What part of today’s reading challenged you?
(It can be a verse, a phrase or just a word)

What is God saying to you through this passage?
RESPOND:
How are you going to live differently because of what God is saying to you?
Thank God for your salvation and for your relationship with Jesus.
What are the things that capture and draw you away from maintaining your relationship ‘in Christ.’?