Walking has been a topic on my mind since February of this year.
Why?
Because I’ve been recovering from a torn meniscus, a large baker’s cyst, and an osteoarthritis flare-up in my left knee. I’m also struggling with a bone spur on my left big toe that makes it feel like I’m walking on a pebble.
Doctor’s appointments, physical therapy, and plenty of rest have altered my routine for the last several months.
But this is physical, literal walking.
The question of this post is about our spiritual walk and how we live our daily lives with one another.
Most importantly, what does it mean to walk worthily in God’s eyes?
And how should this impact our daily lives?
Join me in a study of Colossians 1:9-14.
Are You Walking Worthy?
A Study of Colossians 1:9-14 | Study Questions
9 And so, from the day we heard, we have not ceased to pray for you, asking that you may be filled with the knowledge of his will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding,[1]
Who is the “we” in this verse? (See Colossians 1:1)
How do they greet the Colossians? (See Colossians 1:2)
What had they heard about the Colossians? (See Colossians 1:4-8)
How long have they been praying for the Colossians?
10 so as to walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing to him: bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God;[2]
Using verse nine above, explain the phrase, “so as to walk in a manner worthy of the Lord.”
What happens when we are fully pleasing the Lord?
11 being strengthened with all power, according to his glorious might, for all endurance and patience with joy; [3]
Who strengthens us when we are walking worthily? How?
Why do we need God’s strength?
What requires endurance and patience in our daily lives?
12 giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of the saints in light.[4]
What has God the Father qualified us for?
13 He has delivered us from the domain of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of his beloved Son, 14 in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins. [5]
Using both verses twelve and thirteen, describe the difference between light and darkness.
Why is this prayer needed for believers?
Are You Walking Worthy?
A Study of Colossians 1:9-14 | A Prayer Response
Heavenly Father, thank you for your Holy Word that helps us learn to know you, our Creator. Clearly you desire us to know you deeply; otherwise, you wouldn’t have sent Jesus Christ to the cross on our behalf.
Fill us with Your wisdom and spiritual understanding as we walk through each moment of our days. Your scripture teaches us what is good and acceptable (Romans 12:1ff) and how to understand your will (Ephesians 5:17).
Enable us to grow spiritual fruit as we walk with you. Open our eyes and hearts to recognize when we are tempted to be disobedient to please others or even ourselves instead of you. Show us that our fruitfulness doesn’t need to come from a sense of duty, but results from our love for you above all else.
Keep us faithful through your mighty strength, and divine power that raised Christ from death. Remind us that this same power lives in all of us who believe in Christ. Encourage us through the Holy Spirit as we face hardships that require endurance and patience. May our joy in you through these challenges be seen in a way that opens doors for us to share our faith with others.
How amazing it is to know that you qualified us to be your children and enjoy eternity with you in heaven. You’ve delivered us away from darkness so that we can be surrounded by your holy light forever.
What grace we cherish to be a part of the King of your Son and his love once we accept what Christ has accomplished.
As the Psalmist says,
The Way of the Righteous and the Wicked
1 Blessed is the man
who walks not in the counsel of the wicked,
nor stands in the way of sinners,
nor sits in the seat of scoffers;
2 but his delight is in the law of the Lord,
and on his law he meditates day and night.
3 He is like a tree
planted by streams of water
that yields its fruit in its season,
and its leaf does not wither.
In all that he does, he prospers.
4 The wicked are not so,
but are like chaff that the wind drives away.
5 Therefore the wicked will not stand in the judgment,
nor sinners in the congregation of the righteous;
6 for the Lord knows the way of the righteous,
but the way of the wicked will perish. [6]
Amen.
Are You Walking Worthy?
A Study of Colossians 1:9-14 | Application
Based on this brief study, how do you describe walking in a manner worthy of the Lord?
What is the chief aim of a Christian?
Describe a time you had to practice endurance and patience.
Are you still able to be joyful when patiently enduring hardships? Why or why not?
What encourages you most from this passage?
Would your friends, family, or even strangers describe you as walking worthily? Why or why not?
Make a list of anything that challenges you in this passage. Spend time praying for God’s guidance over these challenges.
Remember this is a corporate prayer for all believers. But we can also use it for individuals too.
Insert the name of someone you are praying for in the blanks below. Consider writing this out on a notecard and sending it to them.
9 And so, from the day we heard, we have not ceased to pray for _____, asking that _____ may be filled with the knowledge of his will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding, 10 so as to walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing to him: bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God; 11 being strengthened with all power, according to his glorious might, for all endurance and patience with joy; 12 giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified _____ to share in the inheritance of the saints in light. 13 He has delivered us from the domain of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of his beloved Son, 14 in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins. [7]
Who will you ask to pray through this passage for you?
How will you share what you’ve learned from this post with others?
Warmly,
Barbara Lynn
[1] The Holy Bible: English Standard Version (Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles, 2025), Col 1:9.
[2] The Holy Bible: English Standard Version (Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles, 2025), Col 1:10.
[3] The Holy Bible: English Standard Version (Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles, 2025), Col 1:10–11.
[4] The Holy Bible: English Standard Version (Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles, 2025), Col 1:12.
[5] The Holy Bible: English Standard Version (Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles, 2025), Col 1:13–14.
[6] The Holy Bible: English Standard Version (Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles, 2025), Ps 1:1–6.
[7] The Holy Bible: English Standard Version (Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles, 2025), Col 1:9–14.