Sunday Morning’s message: 28th of April 2024
Ps Steve Walsh citywestchurch
Objective: Understanding our restored relationship as adopted children of the Father.
Leaders Note: Pick and choose what part of this study below fits your group.
Read Romans 8:14-17 (NIV)
Focus verse 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.”
Definition: Adoption (sourced from Wikipedia) Adoption is a process whereby a person assumes the parenting of another, usually a child, from that person's biological or legal parent or parents. Legal adoptions permanently transfer all rights and responsibilities, along with filiation, from the biological parents to the adoptive parents. Unlike guardianship or other systems designed for the care of the young, adoption is intended to effect a permanent change in status and as such requires societal recognition, either through legal or religious sanction.
Key thoughts: Being a part of a family has many privileges.
What are some of the attacks on families today?
Questions for possible discussion: How do we become part of Gods family? What rights and privileges do we now have as being part of a family? How does this change being a part of Gods family? What are the new rights and privileges do we gain when adopted into Gods family? Reflection What are some of the things that undermine the family of God?
Read Ephesians 1:3-5 NIV [3] Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ. [4] For He chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight. In love [5] He predestined us for adoption to sonship through Jesus Christ, in accordance with his pleasure and will---
1 Peter 2:9-10 NIV [9] But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God's special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light. [10] Once you were not a people, but now you are the people of God; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy.
We are chosen: This deals directly with the orphan heart. We aren’t an after thought or of no value. God formed us in our mother’s womb, He knows us by name.
What does “chosen” mean to you? What does it mean to others in the group?
Conclusions Make sure everyone is part of Gods family.
Pray for those in the group who feel distant from God - as this is a lie. Pray for those who have needs from a point of view that as part of Gods family we have the right to ask him for what we need.
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