SERMON DISCUSSION: I AM ADOPTED – PT 2
GALATIANS 4:4–7
Main Idea: God adopts us as his own children so that we might enjoy an intimate relationship with him.
Discussion Questions:
1. In what ways have you inadvertently allowed your relationship with your father (or mother) to color your relationship with God?
2. Why is Paul not being sexist when he calls believing men and women “sons”?
3. According to Paul, what singular Christian experience demonstrates, there are no second-class children, red-headed step children, or undesirable children in the family of God?
4. What does Paul mean when he says, “God has sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, crying, ‘Abba! Father!’ ” (Gal 4:6)? How does this subjective experience highlight the intimacy of our relationship with God.
Application Questions:
5. Describe a time in your life where you felt like God would not respond to your prayers but he might respond to the prayers of someone else on your behalf.
- How did you overcome this feeling of isolation / abandonment (if you have)?
- How can the Holy Spirit’s role in Romans 8:26–27 encourage you to keep pursuing God in prayer even when you “feel” dirty, weak, or like his is a million miles away?
- How can this promise help you press on in prayer even when you are not sure how to pray?
6. Have you ever struggled with your assurance of salvation?
- If you feel comfortable, would you share your struggle with the group?
- What did it take to overcome this struggle?
7. How can the implications of your adoption in Christ in Ephesians 1:13–14 bolster your assurance when you “feel like” God is ashamed of you or has abandoned you.
8. What impacted you the most in this message?
9. Do you sense God calling you to do something as a result of this message? Would you be willing to share it with the group?