SESSION 3

Session 3: covering

SUMMARY OF VIDEO CONTENT

Covering means being a man or a woman who lives intentionally under the covering, protection and delegated authority of God. Covering provides protection, correction and direction. God will often use leaders and those in authority to provide these things.

Matt 8:10 Centurion who requested Jesus heal his servant with His word, understood the power of being under the covering of authority, in this case, the Roman Emperor. “I also am a man under authority.” He recognized Jesus as a man under authority.

Being “in authority” is limited. When we are “under authority” we live under the protection of a power greater than ourselves. e.g. a traffic policeman who raises his hand and all the cars stop.

Gal 4:19 “My little children for whom I labour in birth again until Christ is formed in you.” Christ’s character is formed in us much the same way little children are shaped into mature people. God places parents to train their children and children must learn to submit to their parents if they are to grow into stable mature adults. Likewise, God uses godly leaders, pastors, teachers, mentors to bring us to the place where Christ is formed in us.

Jesus Himself was an obedient son. Phil 2:5 Let this mind be in you … Jesus made Himself of no reputation, appeared as a man, humbled himself and became obedient even to death. Heb 5:7-9 Though He, (Jesus) was a son He learned obedience through the things he suffered. Suffering - living through what is difficult and doing it well is how the character of Christ is formed in our lives.

True Christ followers are not independent but through the power of a new nature, rebellion is replaced by submission and a desire to please the Father -even when it does not please us.

Rom 13:1-2 Every soul be subject to governing authorities. Authority appointed by God.

DISCUSSION

  1. We live in a society where people often distrust leaders and people in authority. The Biblical model of living “under cover” is therefore counter-cultural to current thought. What type of leader or authority should we be able to entrust ourselves to?

  2. How does knowing someone is also one living under authority help us submit to their leadership?

  3. In what ways do we require protection, correction and direction?

  4. What does it mean to have “Christ formed” in us? (Gal 4:19) How does a new nature provided by the new birth assist in this formation of Christ’s character?

  5. Read Hebrews 13: 7, 17. (A modern translation is helpful in understanding these verses.) The writer of Hebrews instructed these believers to “live under cover” as it was to their benefit. What are the benefits? What are the responsibilities of those in authority and to Whom will they give account?

COMPLETION

To register your completion of this session please click the relevant link below depending on your location.