Colossians 3:12 - Lesson 1 - Compassion

Here is the first of six lessons based on Colossians 3:12 

So, as those who have been chosen of God, holy and beloved, put on a heart of compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience;

Each lesson will cover one of the virtues in Colossians 3:12 that we are supposed to put on.

Lesson 1: Compassion

Story: David spares Saul’s life

Bible passage: 1 Sam 24

Unit introduction discussion:

What should a Christian wear?  Should they have a certain uniform?  Do they need to wear t-shirts that speak of Christ?  Read Col. 3:12.  To be identified as a Christian we should wear the uniform of compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience.  We’re going to look at some people in the Bible and see if they were wearing the uniform of God’s holy and beloved.

Lesson introduction discussion:

The definition of compassion is “a feeling of deep sympathy and sorrow for another who is stricken by misfortune, accompanied by a strong desire to alleviate the suffering.” Use this scenario below and have the group separate the reactions into those that were compassionate and those that weren’t.

Compassion Scenario:A homeless man is walking down the street with a shopping cart that contains all of his possessions.  He is dirty, with a long poorly kept beard and messy clothes.  His shopping cart is partially blocking the street which is causing a backup in traffic.  Here are some responses from the people nearby.  Classify them as compassionate or not compassionate.

• “That poor man!  What must it be like to have no home and hardly any belongings!”

• “He must be lazy.  He should go get a job so he can provide for himself.”

• “Mommy!  That guy looks like the poor man from my Sunday School lesson.  Jesus helped people like him.  What can we do to help him?”

•  “He needs to get out of the way.  Doesn’t he realize that he’s blocking the road!  Some people are so totally self-involved.”

• “Wow!  If I were homeless, I bet I’d need a lot of things.  I can give him my jacket, hat, and gloves.  I think I have a blanket in my trunk, too.”

• “Boy, is this line slow!  That man needs to get his old shopping cart out of the way.  What’s he doing with the shopping cart anyway?  He probably stole it.”

• “That man is so skinny.  I bet he’s hungry.  I have a McDonald’s gift card in my wallet and he could probably walk there.  It’s only a few blocks away.”

• “Mom!  Look at the guy.  He’s dirty and his clothes are really worn out.  He’s so yucky!”

• “Excuse me, mister.  You look like you’re having some trouble pushing your cart.  Can I help?  In fact, I live just down the street.  I could make you a meal and wash your blanket and extra clothes while you eat.”

Bible story: 1 Sam 24

Tell the story.  Have the students write down things that signal that there was compassion.  Read the definition again for them to think about before you read the story.

Craft:  David cutting Saul's robe

Printouts:

Cave background 

Saul standing (you'll have to find your own ) 

David stooping (you'll have to find your own)

 Other supplies:

Tape
Straw (cut about 1-2 inches long)
String or yarn
Scrap fabric
Scissors
Glue
Crayons or Markers

Color the pictures first.  Then glue some fabric onto Saul for his robe.  Glue a small piece of matching fabric on David’s hand.  Tape the straw horizontally onto the back of David.  Tape one end of the string near the left edge of the paper (about 1/3 of the way up the paper from the bottom).  Feed the string through the straw taped to David.  Tape the other end of the string so that it is horizontal and goes across 2/3 of the paper.  Glue Saul onto the page covering the right end of the string.

Links to all the lessons:

Lesson 1 - Compassion - David Spares Saul's Life 

Lesson 2 - Kindness - David and Abigail 

Lesson 3 - Humlity - the Life of Solomon 

Lesson 4 - Gentleness - Rehoboam and the Division of the Kingdom of Israel  

Lesson 5 - Patience - Elijah Prays and Waits for Rain 

Wrap Up Lesson - Review Games and Memory Verse Games 

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