Colossians 4:2

Colossians 4:2 - 4:18 : prayer and evangelism

observe

people

v7 tychicus (carries the letter; also eph 6:21)
v9 onesimus (philemon's slave)
v10 aristarchus, mark (barnabas' cousin)
v11 jesus, who is called justus
v14 luke, demas
v15 nympha
v17 archippus

the story of mark...
mark seems to have been on paul's first missionary journey (with barnabus), but he deserted them at pamphylia (acts 14:24). he and barnabus ended up splitting after "sharp disagreement" as to whether he should come with them on the second missionary journey, in acts 15:36-41.
this mark is often assumed to be the same mark, which is a sign of reconciliation.

names in ephesians

tychicus (eph 6:21)

names in philemon

v1,2 - to : philemon, apphia, archippus
v23 - from : epaphras, mark, aristarchus, demas, luke

places

laodacia and heiropolis (nearby cities) (v16)

misc items

'the only fellow workers'

this sounds discouraging...
note the similarities to 2 tim as well - paul's road, though not alone, is not a party.

commands

(write these on the board)
devote yourselves to prayer v2
conduct yourselves with wisdom toward outsiders v5

interpret / apply

devote youreslves to prayer v2

interpret

topics of prayer in this section :

thanksgiving (v2)
evangelism (pray for opportunity [v3], clear communication [v4])
maturity (v12 and 1:9)

my problems :

how frequently, how specifically
balance 'devotion' with 'no meaningless repitition' (matt 6:7)
the example of epaphras 'laboring' in v12 helped me greatly by giving me an example.

other useful examples :
acts 10:9 - peter goes to the roof to pray
acts 12:5, 12:12 - the church prays for peter

conclusion : i don't know how frequently or specifically, but i know that some frequency and specificity is required

devote

the word devote doesn't imply an action from desire, but an action from commitment.
(not that desire is excluded...)

apply

1. we should pray in an attitude thanksgiving (v2)
2. we should pray for maturity, opportunity for evangelism (?), and the ability to speak clearly (?)(v2)
3. we should 'devote' ourselves to prayer by consistently (we should be able to say that we are laboring in prayer).

specific possibilities
1. at meals, whenever - start and end each prayer with thanksgiving to god for more than the food.
2. commit to pray for 3 other believers growth and maturity 3 times a day.
3. pray for evangelism for youreself and the 3 other believers 3 times a day.

4. do it consistently whether you feel like it or not.

we are looking for devotion, not excitement.
(push-ups example)

conduct youreslves with wisdom toward outsiders v2

interpret

1. our words and actions toward unbelievers should be strategic

"in wisdom", by "opportunity", "with grace", "seasoned with salt"
looking for opportunities in wisdom

2. our words and actions toward unbelievers should be attractive

"in wisdom", by "opportunity", "with grace", "seasoned with salt"
(we should be gracious to them, as a seasoning)
huge parallel here in 1 cor 9:19-23 - anything to communicate the gospel effectively

apply

what does this not look like?

- not the christian who ignores grace and 'seasoned with salt' to hammer

notice the role of prayer in evangelism here :

paul instructs them to pray for opportunities (and to live in wisdom looking for them)
paul instructs them to pray for clarity in communication (and to be gracious and 'seasoned')
the unity of prayer and life - as we keep god's desires on our mind (in prayer), we are more able to live accordingly.