WEEK 7 - ADOPTION

If you want to judge how well a person understands Christianity, find out how much he makes of the thought of being God’s child, and having God as his Father. If this is not the thought that prompts and controls his worship and prayers and his whole outlook on life, it means that he does not understand Christianity very well at all.
J. I Packer


PRIMARY TEXT:

GALATIANS 4:1 What I am saying is that as long as an heir is underage, he is no different from a slave, although he owns the whole estate. The heir is subject to guardians and trustees until the time set by his father. So also, when we were underage, we were in slavery under the elemental spiritual forces of the world. But when the set time had fully come, God sent his Son, born of a woman, born under the law, to redeem those under the law, that we might receive adoption to sonship. Because you are his sons, God sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, the Spirit who calls out, “Abba, Father.” So you are no longer a slave, but God’s child; and since you are his child, God has made you also an heir.

PRIMARY TEXT:

ROMANS 8.14 For those who are led by the Spirit of God are the children of God. 15 The Spirit you received does not make you slaves, so that you live in fear again; rather, the Spirit you received brought about your adoption to sonship. And by him we cry, “Abba, Father.” 16 The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God’s children. 17 Now if we are children, then we are heirs—heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory.

Discussion Questions.

OPENING QUESTION:

Before you were a Christian, how would you have described the relationship that christians have to God? (Or how do you think your non-christian friends or family would describe a christians relationship to God?)


Read Galatians 4:1-7

  1. What stood out to you in the passage? What questions did it raise?

  2. Paul imagines a child-heir of a very rich family (who is still taken care of by guardians). How does this illustrate the condition of a person who is under the law/doesn’t have a relationship with God?

  3. What has God done in order to make us His children? (vs 4-6) What was Jesus’ part? The Holy Spirit’s part?

  4. What is the significance of being adopted into God’s family? What difference does that/should that make in your life?

  5. Read Romans 8:14-17 What does “Abba” mean, why is calling God “Abba” significant?

  6. Which of the characteristics of a slave mentality (a person still living as if they are “under the law”) are strongest in you? How can you overcome that mentality?

 
 

Weekly Challenge:

Write down these statements on a piece of paper and start and end each day by saying them to yourself.

  1. I am a child of God.

  2. God is my Father.

  3. Heaven is my home.

  4. Every day is one day nearer.

  5. My Savior is my brother.

  6. Every Christian is my brother or sister too.