Single lesson
Colossians 4: Prayerful Speech and Actions
Colossians 4:1–6; Colossians 4:7–14; Colossians 4:15–18
This lesson helps children notice how Colossians 4 joins prayer, speech and support for others in daily life. The passage speaks about fairness, thankful prayer, wise answers, caring messengers, greetings and final instructions.
Before you teach
In this part of Colossians, Paul gives instructions about what is just and equal, continuing steadfastly in prayer, and speaking with grace. He also explains why Tychicus and Onesimus are being sent, shares greetings from several people, asks that the letter be read more widely, gives a charge to Archippus, and adds his own closing greeting.
Students will be able to name two teachings from Colossians 4 and explain one practical way to respond to them this week.
Welcome: Prayer, speech and support
4 minAsk the group to think of one helpful action and one gracious sentence that could go together. Then explain that Colossians 4 teaches about prayer and speech, and also shows people supporting and encouraging others through messages, greetings and prayer.
Colossians 4:2, Colossians 4:6, Colossians 4:7, Colossians 4:8, Colossians 4:12
Read and explain: What Paul tells them to do
8 minRead Colossians 4:1-6 aloud. Explain that verse 1 tells masters to act justly and equally because they also have a Master in heaven, so the focus here is fairness in the text. Then notice steadfast prayer, watchfulness with thanksgiving, wisdom toward outsiders, and speech that is gracious and fitting. Paul also asks for prayer that he may speak clearly.
Colossians 4:1, Colossians 4:2, Colossians 4:3, Colossians 4:4, Colossians 4:5, Colossians 4:6
Discuss: People who comfort, report and pray
6 minRead Colossians 4:7-14. Show that these names help the readers see the teaching in real relationships. Tychicus and Onesimus will make Paul's affairs known and bring comfort. Epaphras is striving in prayer for them. Others greet the readers, and some have been a comfort to Paul.
Colossians 4:7, Colossians 4:8, Colossians 4:9, Colossians 4:10, Colossians 4:11, Colossians 4:12, Colossians 4:14
Make and respond: Reminder card from the closing verses
8 minRead Colossians 4:15-18 and point out the greetings, the instruction to share the letter, the charge to Archippus, and Paul's own handwritten closing. Children then make a small reminder card. They may choose prayerful speech from verses 2 or 6, or one closing action such as greeting others, reading carefully, fulfilling a task, or remembering someone in hardship.
Colossians 4:2, Colossians 4:6, Colossians 4:15, Colossians 4:16, Colossians 4:17, Colossians 4:18
Closing: Final instructions to remember
4 minInvite each child to finish the sentence, 'This passage teaches me to...'. Encourage answers that match the end of the chapter as well as the earlier commands, such as pray steadily, answer with grace, greet others, pay attention to a task from the Lord, or remember Paul in chains. Finish by saying the takeaway together.
Colossians 4:2, Colossians 4:6, Colossians 4:15, Colossians 4:17, Colossians 4:18
Questions to explore
Why does Paul ask for prayer in these verses?
Look for what Paul wants God to open and how he wants to speak, then answer with the passage's own words if you can.
Colossians 4:3, Colossians 4:4
What do Tychicus and Onesimus do for the people receiving this letter?
Find the verses that say they will make things known and bring comfort, then explain that work in your own words.
Colossians 4:8, Colossians 4:9
What instruction is given to Archippus, and how is it different from the greetings nearby?
Compare the greetings in the closing verses with the direct command to take heed to his ministry and fulfil it.
Colossians 4:15, Colossians 4:17
Make, think or respond
Grace-Filled Reminder Card
What you’ll need
- paper or card
- pencils or pens
- coloured pencils or markers
- Bible or printed verses
Try it together
- Read Colossians 4:2, Colossians 4:6 and Colossians 4:15-18 again. Let each child choose one short line or idea for a reminder card.
- Fold a small piece of paper or card and write the chosen words or theme on the front.
- Inside, write or draw one real response, such as praying for someone, answering graciously, greeting others warmly, taking care with a task, or remembering someone in hardship.
- Decorate the card with simple symbols from the passage, such as speech bubbles, praying hands, a heart, or a small letter.
- Take the card home and place it somewhere visible this week.
This activity helps children remember both Paul's teaching about prayer and speech and his closing instructions about greeting, reading, fulfilling ministry and remembering his chains.
Adapt for your group
- For younger children, offer two or three short choices from the passage and let them draw a picture to match the one they choose.
- For older or stronger readers, ask them to add one sentence explaining how a person in Colossians 4:7-18 supports or encourages others.
An optional closing prayer
You may pray: 'Lord, help us to keep praying, speak with grace, encourage others, and be faithful with the things you give us to do. Amen.'
Read the Bible passage World English Bible Classic
Colossians 4
1 Masters, give to your servants that which is just and equal, knowing that you also have a Master in heaven.
2 Continue steadfastly in prayer, watching in it with thanksgiving,
3 praying together for us also, that God may open to us a door for the word, to speak the mystery of Christ, for which I am also in bonds,
4 that I may reveal it as I ought to speak.
5 Walk in wisdom toward those who are outside, redeeming the time.
6 Let your speech always be with grace, seasoned with salt, that you may know how you ought to answer each one.
7 All my affairs will be made known to you by Tychicus, the beloved brother, faithful servant, and fellow bondservant in the Lord.
8 I am sending him to you for this very purpose, that he may know your circumstances and comfort your hearts,
9 together with Onesimus, the faithful and beloved brother, who is one of you. They will make known to you everything that is going on here.
10 Aristarchus, my fellow prisoner, greets you, and Mark the cousin of Barnabas (concerning whom you received instructions, “if he comes to you, receive him”),
11 and Jesus who is called Justus. These are my only fellow workers for God’s Kingdom who are of the circumcision, men who have been a comfort to me.
12 Epaphras, who is one of you, a servant of Christ, salutes you, always striving for you in his prayers, that you may stand perfect and complete in all the will of God.
13 For I testify about him that he has great zeal for you, and for those in Laodicea, and for those in Hierapolis.
14 Luke the beloved physician and Demas greet you.
15 Greet the brothers who are in Laodicea, with Nymphas and the assembly that is in his house.
16 When this letter has been read among you, cause it to be read also in the assembly of the Laodiceans, and that you also read the letter from Laodicea.
17 Tell Archippus, “Take heed to the ministry which you have received in the Lord, that you fulfill it.”
18 I, Paul, write this greeting with my own hand. Remember my chains. Grace be with you. Amen.
World English Bible Classic. Public domain.