The document discusses how Christians are called to live distinctly different lives focused on virtues like compassion, kindness, humility, and honesty, as tied together by love of Christ. It examines passages in Colossians instructing believers to set their minds on things above, rid themselves of sins like evil attitudes and deception, and instead clothe themselves with virtues. Christians are challenged to reflect on modeling these traits, clinging to old sins, areas drawing their focus from God, and how releasing sin could change their focus to God.

1. Getting Started
We have examined throughout this course the characteristics of
a
good effective leader and the traits of a Christian.
Traits like honesty, integrity, and transparency are elements to
exhibit in the workplace and our personal life. As a Christian
begins their walk with Christ, these traits develop over time. A
Christian has to put off their old self and live in the new life
that
they are with Christ.
Upon successful completion of this discussion, you will be
able to:
● Examining how character traits begin to shape our life.
Resources
● Bible (New International Version)
Background Information
As believers in Christ, we are called to live a life that is
distinctly
different from the world around us. In Colossians 3:2, Paul
instructs us to set our hearts and minds on things above, not the
things of this world. To focus on the things above, there are
things
of this world, some habits, attitudes, practices, and sins that
need

2. to go. We have to begin to remove and separate ourselves from
any destructive behavior or attitudes. Remember back to
Workshop Two, we move from the darkness into the light,
because
we are children of light. In Colossians 3, the list of things we
need
to remove from our life is fairly inclusive: evil attitudes, evil
speech, deception, and several types of impurity. The list of
things
we should strive towards is similar to many of the traits and
virtues we discussed in this course. Some of the characteristics
include compassion, kindness, humility, and honesty. The love
of
Christ is what ties these virtues together. As believers in Christ,
these virtues should shine from our lives.
Colossians 3:2-10 (NIV):
Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. For you
died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God. When
Christ,
who is your life, appears, then you also will appear with him in
glory. Put to death, therefore, whatever belongs to your earthly
nature: sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires and greed,
which is idolatry. Because of these, the wrath of God is coming.
You used to walk in these ways, in the life you once lived. But
now
you must also rid yourselves of all such things as these: anger,
rage, malice, slander, and filthy language from your lips. Do not
lie
to each other, since you have taken off your old self with its
practices and have put on the new self, which is being renewed
in

3. knowledge in the image of its Creator.
Colossians 3:12-14(NIV):
Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved,
clothe
yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and
patience. Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of
you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord
forgave
you. And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them
all
together in perfect unity.
Instructions
1. Review the rubric to make sure you understand the criteria
for earning your grade.
2. Reread Colossians 3:2-10 and Colossians 3:12-14.
3. Reflect and respond to the following questions.
a. How well are you modeling these traits?
b. Are you still hanging onto old characteristics or sins or
trying to be clothed in both the old and new at the
time?
c. Identify an area that takes your focus off God? How
does this area consume your time?
d. It is hard to sin and focus on God at the same time.
By releasing the sin, how do you think that will change
your focus on God?

4. 4. Your reflection post should be at least one full page in length
and incorporate at least one Scripture other than those
covered in the assignment, that supports your post. Be sure
to use proper grammar, spelling and properly cite your
sources.
https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Colossians+3%
3A2-10+&version=NIV
https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Colossians+3%
3A12-14+&version=NIV