Put On The Overcoat Of Love | Jentezen Franklin
Sunday, February 11
Introduction
This guide is designed for small group leaders to facilitate a Bible study focused on the theme "Put On the Overcoat of Love," drawing from Colossians 3:12-14, Ephesians 4:22, and related Scriptures. The study will explore the virtues of Christ that believers are called to put on, the power of forgiveness and the overarching command to love.
Icebreaker (10 minutes)
Forgiveness vs Resentment
In the past, when individuals had disputes, they could resolve them through duels. This would end the conflict unless the defeated party’s kin chose to perpetuate the feud, sometimes for many years. Each offense committed against one faction would intensify the desire for retribution.
Nowadays, since duels are prohibited, we resort to the legal system to seek redress when we have been wronged or defamed. This method is more time-consuming, less violent, more transparent, and more civilized.
However, Jesus proposes a superior approach: to pardon and let go. This is the fresh perspective of the gospel: entrust your grievances to God. Avoid drowning your existence in bitter disputes; instead, embrace a life rejuvenated by love.
- Ask each member to share a brief experience where they felt deeply loved or forgiven. This will set the tone for discussing the profound impact of love and forgiveness.
Scripture Reading
Divide the reading of Colossians 3:12-14 among group members. Encourage attentive listening to grasp the richness of these verses.
Colossians 3:12-14 NIV 12 Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. 13 Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. 14 And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.
Let's quickly revisit the Scripture passage and highlight the specific actions that followers of Jesus are called to embody. For instance, the directive to "clothe yourselves with compassion" signifies the intentional act of adopting compassion as a defining characteristic of our behavior towards others.
The Virtues of Christ
Discuss the virtues listed in Colossians 3:12-14 (compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience) and how these reflect the character of Christ.
- What does it mean to "put on" these virtues in our daily lives?
- Share an example from your life or someone you know who exemplifies one of these virtues. What impact did it have?
Read Colossians 3:12 again. It emphasizes the transformation believers undergo through Christ, characterized by putting on a new self that reflects God's virtues.
Believers are described as holy, not through their own merit, but through Christ's sacrifice, which grants them a status of being dearly loved by God. This status is not static but involves a continuous effort to grow in holiness, reflecting Christ's character more fully.
The virtues of compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience are contrasted with vices, suggesting that a Christian life is marked by a deliberate choice to adopt Christ-like attitudes and behaviors.
Each virtue is explained in the context of its significance to Christian living:
- compassion as a reflection of God's character,
- kindness as a response to God's kindness towards us,
- humility as a correct understanding of one's position before God,
- gentleness as consideration for others,
- and patience as a form of long-suffering love.
Having looked closer at verse 12, let’s look at verse 13 a little closer.
The Power of Forgiveness
The power of forgiveness and how it can release us from the chains of bitterness.
Colossians 3:13 NIV “Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you.”
This verse emphasizes the practical application of Christian virtues in the context of community life, focusing on forbearance and forgiveness. Forgiveness can help us overcome bitterness and hurt.
- Why is forgiveness described as essential for those who have "put on the new self"?
- Trouble is Inevitable; Miserable is Optional. Discuss the concept that while hurt is a reality, bitterness is a reaction. Ask the group to share personal experiences where they chose not to be bitter about a hurtful situation.
- Discuss a time when forgiving someone was challenging. How did you overcome it, or what do you think could help you to forgive?
Verse 13 emphasizes the practical application of the virtues of forbearance and forgiveness. This directive is helpful to maintain the health and unity of Christian relationships.
"Bear with" is interpreted as an encouragement to practice patience and extend grace towards those who might be difficult to deal with—the "extra grace required" individuals.
The passage distinguishes between tolerating personal offenses, which should be met with forgiveness, and tolerating false teaching, which is not acceptable. This distinction highlights the nuanced approach to balancing the call to love and forgive with the need to uphold truth and sound doctrine.
Love as the Overcoat
All the virtues that Paul encouraged the believers in Colosse to develop were perfectly bound together by love. We’re all human and will make mistakes. This next section will discuss how love can help us navigate challenges.
Colossians 3:14 NIV And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.
Paul states that love is the virtue that binds all others together. Love operates as the "overcoat" in various situations.
- How does love work like glue, keeping everything in a believer’s life perfectly connected?
- Reflect on the statement, "Love goes OVER the issue." How can we practice this in conflicts or challenging situations?
Paul's metaphor of clothing oneself with virtues culminates in love, which he describes as the ultimate garment that binds everything together in perfect harmony, likened to a belt that holds all other garments in place. This imagery underscores love as "the bond of perfection," essential for the unity and effectiveness of the other virtues.
Paul's consistent message across his letters highlights the priority of love, pointing out that spiritual gifts, sacrificial acts, and adherence to commandments all fall short without love as their driving force. Simply put, practicing virtues without love leads to distortion and fragmentation within our relationships. Love is presented as the foundational element that builds others up.
Closing Application
The closing response of Pastor Franklin’s sermon was “The love of God is greater than any offense.”
- Ask the group to share their thoughts on the statement.
Jesus proposes a superior approach dealing with offense and bitterness: to pardon and let go. This is the fresh perspective of the gospel: entrust your grievances to God. Avoid drowning your existence in bitter disputes; instead, embrace a life rejuvenated by love and happiness.
- Invite each member to think of a situation where they need to "put on the overcoat of love." Have them write a commitment on how they plan to apply one of the discussed virtues in that situation this coming week.
Prayer
Close with a prayer asking for God's help to embody the virtues discussed, to forgive as we have been forgiven, and to wear the overcoat of love in all circumstances.
Post-Session Assignment
For further study beyond group meeting time, encourage members to read Ephesians 4:22-32 this week, reflecting on how they can replace old behaviors with the virtues of the new self in Christ.
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Additional Notes to Discussion Leaders
- Be sensitive to the personal stories shared, offering pastoral care as needed.
- Encourage an atmosphere of openness, where members feel comfortable sharing and supporting one another.
- Adapt the discussion questions and activities based on the group's dynamics and time constraints.