Guided Study · Growth
Put On Christ
Replacing the old life with the character, practices, and peace of Jesus
Begin here
Christian growth is not the construction of a more impressive self. Believers have died and been raised with Christ, and the new life increasingly takes His shape.
Colossians 3 joins identity and practice: because we belong to Christ, we put sinful patterns away and clothe ourselves with His character.
What does God say?
Set your mind where Christ is
The passage begins with union with Christ. Our life is hidden with Him, and our hope is secured in His appearing.
Holiness grows from belonging, not from anxious attempts to earn a place with God.
Which fear or ambition is pulling your mind away from Christ?
How does belonging to Him change the way you face it?
What does it mean?
Put the old practices to death
Sexual immorality, greed, anger, abusive speech, and lying do not belong to the renewed life. Paul does not tell believers to manage these patterns politely, but to put them away.
The new humanity also breaks the superiority and hostility that divide people.
Which old practice have you tolerated?
What honest confession and boundary does repentance require?
How should I live?
Clothe yourself with the character of Christ
Compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, patience, forgiveness, love, peace, gratitude, and the Word of Christ become the shared clothing of God’s people.
Transformation is practiced in relationships. Choose one specific Christlike response toward a real person.
What must you put off?
What will you put on in its place today?
Faithful response
Take the next step.
Name one old practice to put away and one Christlike practice to put on.
Confess and seek help where the pattern has remained hidden.
Memorize Colossians 3:12–14 and practice it in one difficult relationship.
Help another man
Pass it on.
Begin with his identity in Christ, not shame.
Ask for one concrete replacement practice.
Walk patiently while still expecting truthful repentance and growing obedience.
Continue the journey
Pursue Christlike Character
Bring your life into the light of the gospel and pursue repentance, holiness, wisdom, self-control, and perseverance in the power of the Holy Spirit.