Adoption

1 · Icebreaker · 7 min

Open the room

What is a place you did not start out belonging, where someone eventually made a place for you?

Leader. Being brought in. The book already asked about belonging, church conflict, and loneliness. Stay out of those three prompts. Say that passing is allowed, especially the first few weeks.

2 · The word · 8 min

See it, then say it

Definition, from the book

Adoption means God welcomes believers into His family as dear children, giving us full rights and love as heirs in Christ.

In the original language

Greek huiothesia — placement as a son, the legal act of adoption.

Memory verse · Ephesians 1:4–5

In love he predestined us for adoption to himself as sons through Jesus Christ, according to the purpose of his will.

Together, open the flashcard for Adoption. Say the word, the definition, and the verse once. Then put the phone away.

3 · Open the Bible · 15 min

Galatians 4:4–7

Paul moves a person from slave to son to heir, and puts “Abba, Father” in their mouth. That is the doctrine in one paragraph, and it is not the journal assignment.

But when the fullness of time had come, God sent forth his Son, born of woman, born under the law, to redeem those who were under the law, so that we might receive adoption as sons. And because you are sons, God has sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, crying, “Abba! Father!” So you are no longer a slave, but a son, and if a son, then an heir through God.

Have two readers if you can. Bibles open. The excerpt is only here so a forgotten Bible does not stop the night.

From the passage

1. 1.Trace the sequence: what did the Son do, what do we receive, and what does the Spirit cry?Core

   Leader. Born under the law, He redeems. We receive adoption. The Spirit cries Abba. Sonship is not a mood. It follows redemption and comes with the Spirit.

2. 2.What is the difference, in verse 7, between a slave in the house and a son?

   Leader. A slave may work on the property. A son inherits it. Duty without adoption is not the gospel.

4 · Around the room · 20 min

A conversation this chapter did not assign

1. 3.Romans 8:15–17 says the Spirit does not lead us back into fear, and that children are heirs — heirs with Christ, provided we suffer with Him. How does adoption speak to fear, and why does Paul refuse to separate sonship from sharing Christ’s sufferings?Core

   Leader. Abba answers fear. Glory later includes suffering now. Adoption is not a promise that the family avoids pain. It is a promise you do not face it as an orphan.

2. 4.Ephesians 1:5 says this was “according to the purpose of his will,” in love. What happens to assurance if we think we were adopted because we were the promising kid?

   Leader. The purpose was His. The love was His. Promising kids burn out trying to stay adoptable.

3. 5.John 1:12–13: he gave the right to become children of God to those who received Him, born not of the will of the flesh. Who in your actual life still thinks they have to earn a seat at a father’s table — maybe even yours?

   Leader. A child, a friend, a new believer. Ask what a word of welcome would sound like that does not add a condition Christ did not add.

5 · Say it · 5 min

In one sentence

Adoption means God receives believers as His own children and heirs, through Jesus, because He loves them.

Ask for two volunteers, not the whole circle. They may look at the sentence, then try it without looking. Clumsy and true is the goal.

6 · Pray · 8 min

Leave silence between these

1. Pray the word Abba slowly. Let it be awkward if it is awkward.
2. Thank Him that you are not staff in the house.
3. Pray for someone who only knows fathers as fear.