START CONVERESATION
- What really common thing have you never done?
- What food do you love that a lot of people might find a little odd?
START TALKING
The Walt Disney movie “Pollyanna” is a favorite movie of many. It is about a little girl who has a positive influence on her community and her pastor. When the movie begins, we find her pastor, preaching harsh, hard, excoriating sermons. They were so negative that people’s stomachs would get upset they couldn’t even enjoy their Sunday lunch. Eventually, Pollyanna ask her pastor, “Have you ever considered using the ‘Glad text?’” The preacher says, “Glad text, what are Glad Text?” Pollyanna says, “There are over 700 passages in the Bible that speak about joy of the Lord, being glad in the Lord, and rejoicing in all ways.” If you’ve seen the movie, the preacher has a transformation when he begins preaching positive messages. I feel the same way Pollyanna does. I believe there is so much in the Bible to make us rejoice. One of those “glad text” is that we are in the family of God and that should be enjoyed–not endured. The bible study will show you how you can activate the Life you’ve begin longing to live.
READ ROMANS 8:12-14
12Therefor dear brothers and sisters, you have NO OBLIGATION to do what your sinful nature urges you to do. 13For if you live according to the sinful nature you will die. But if by the spirit you PUT TO DEATH THE MISDEEDS of the body, you will live. 14because those who are led by the spirit of God are SONS OF GOD.
First, GET TUNED-IN. Back in Jesus’ time they had sheepfolds. The sheepfold would have different flocks of sheep mingling together. The shepherd would walk into the sheepfold and call his sheep. His sheep would recognize his voice and when he turned to walk out of the sheepfold his sheep would follow. That’s how the people guarding the sheepfold could identify which sheep belong to which shepherd.
If you are a child of God and you belong to the “Good Shepherd.” When the “shepherd” speaks, you recognize his voice and follow him. Verse 12 says, “… you have NO OBLIGATION to do what (the) sinful nature urges you to do.” QUIT listening to the “voices” who have controlled you in the past. Listen for the “glad text” that the bible continually speaks to us.
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS:
- How can we “recognize” the spirit when it “speaks” to us?
- How does the Spirit lead us?
READ ROMANS 8:15
15For you did not receive a spirit that makes you a slave again to fear but you RECEIVED THE SPIRIT OF SON-SHIP. By him we CRY ABBA (FATHER).
Second, get FIRED-UP. The word ‘adoption’ in Greek is our word for son. It meant a legal transaction to make someone your son. Jesus legally claims us as his child and thereby we become his heir. God loves us so much he wanted to legally include us. That’s why this terminology ‘adoption’ is used for us. We become his heirs. Verse 17 says, “Now if we are children, then we are heirs of God and co-heirs [or joint heirs] with Christ. If indeed we SHARE IN HIS GLORY.” When you walk in the glory of God, you have a fire in you that the devil cannot withstand. Put on the armor of God. There’s glory in your feet! That’s what gives you the power to walk on Satan. That’s why the only thing the devil is to the Church …is a footstool.
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS:
What does “spirit of adoption” mean?
What is the difference between how a slave and how a son feels? How might their actions be different?
READ ROMANS 8:15-16
15By him we CRY ABBA (FATHER). 16The spirit himself testifies with our spirit that WE ARE GOD’S CHILDREN.
Third, LEAN-ON JESUS. Romans 8:15, says, “You receive the spirit of adoption and by him WE CRY ABBA…FATHER.” “Abba” is a personal intimate address that a little baby would utter to their parent. Picture a baby several months old–just old enough to be able to begin to form words. And this little baby looks out of its bassinet into the face of his mother or father and he begins to form his first words and says, “Abba.” It’s like our English word–when a little baby says, “Mama,” or “Dada” or “Papa.” It is the most basic baby-talk term of endearment in any language. The amazing thing is the Bible says is you and I can have intimacy with the creator of the universe.
There will be times in our lives when we will be burdened, hurting, and distressed; we literally just have to cry out “Abba!” Have you ever been so lonely–where you thought you were the only person on the face of the earth? At those times, you can get on your face and say, “Abba, I’m lonely!” Has your body ever been in such pain you thought you never would get any relief? You can get on your face before God and you can say, “Abba…papa…I’m hurting!” Have you ever been so discouraged you didn’t want to get up that morning? Whenever you are that discouraged, you can fall on your face and say, “Papa, I need your help!”
You see, what God is trying to say here is that when you are in his family you have a level of intimacy that is beyond human reason!
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS:
What are the benefits of being children of God?
READ ROMANS 8:17
17Now if we are children then we are heirs, HEIRS WITH GOD AND CO-HEIRS WITH CHRIST. If indeed we share in his sufferings in order that we may also SHARE IN HIS GLORY.
Last, stay SOLD-OUT. It means when you become a Christian the Holy Spirit of God comes to live in us, to be with us, and to fill our lives with His presence. The relationship includes incredible benefits.
Because you KNOW Jesus, you are guided by God, you are adopted by God, you have intimacy with God, and you have assurance with God.
The question believer’s MUST address is this: Do you KNOW who you are? And, if you do know who you are, you MUST find rock solid assurance in that relationship. 1st John 5:11-13 says, “And this is the testimony. God has given us eternal life and this life is in his son. I write these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, so that you may KNOW that you have eternal life.” Romans 8:16 says, the “… spirit himself [Holy Spirit] testifies with our spirit we are God’s children.”
You need to come to a rock-solid assurance that nothing can separate you from love of God. You can have the kind of assurance that will never allow doubt a seat at your table.
- It is your birthright as a part of the family of God.
- It is your heritage as a part of the family of God.
- It is your privilege as a part of the family of God.
It is time to act like an Heir-head…because you are one! The problem is that you and I are a part of the family of God but we’re just not enjoying the benefits of it! We forget our God has prepared banquet in front of you, and it is in the presence of your enemies. He even says you can address me as “Abba!” It is time to “sell out” to the promised life God offers. It is time to START ENJOYING WHO YOU ARE AS A CHILD OF GOD!
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS:
What does it mean that we are “heirs”? What do we inherit? In what way are we fellow heirs of Christ?
START PRAYING
Father, thank You for giving us a fresh new start with our lives. We want to honor You with our whole lives. Please search our hearts and show us where we need to make a change. Help us run toward You and trust that You are able to change our hearts to honor You. In Jesus’ name, amen
