warm-up

How do your immediate family members and closest friends call you? What are your names and nicknames?

Have you ever received an unexpected gift or surprise? Who gave it, and how did it make you feel?

What do you wish you could leave to your children one day? Why?

word

4But when the fullness of time had come, God sent forth his Son, born of woman, born under the law, 5to redeem those who were under the law, so that we might receive adoption as sons. Galatians 4:4,5

God’s ultimate plan since the beginning of time was our salvation. He sent His Son, Jesus Christ, to redeem us, turn us from slaves of sin, and adopt us as sons and daughters into His family. Because of the love of our Father, the finished work of the Son, and the gift of the Holy Spirit, we are children of God. In this lesson, we will look at three benefits of being sons and daughters of God.

1
Adoption

. . . to redeem those who were under the law, so that we might receive adoption as sons. Galatians 4:5

To be adopted into God’s family is to receive full rights and privileges as a son or daughter, equal to other biological children in the family. This means we share legal rights and resources as God’s children. According to Galatians 3:28, what barriers has God broken for us to be part of His family?

2
Intimacy

And because you are sons, God has sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, crying, “Abba! Father!” Galatians 4:6

God’s Spirit in us now teaches us to relate with our heavenly Father in the most intimate way possible. We now have access to Him and have the privilege of a relationship with Him. We can now cry “Abba! Father!” which is like saying “Daddy!” or “Papa!” How has your relationship with God taught you more about who He is? How has it led you to trust Him above all else?

3
Inheritance

So you are no longer a slave, but a son, and if a son, then an heir through God. Galatians 4:7

The natural tendency of a parent is to prepare for and leave an inheritance for the children. God, our heavenly Father, has made us His sons and daughters by adopting us into His family. He has also made us heirs in His kingdom. We have now received His inheritance, guaranteed by the Holy Spirit. Why is the inheritance we will receive as heirs in God’s kingdom and family better than any inheritance or prize the world has to offer?

application

Tell us how you were adopted into God’s family. How has being a son or daughter of God changed the way you view yourself and your life? How has it changed the way you view others?

How can you grow in intimacy with the Father every day, starting this week?

The Holy Spirit is the guarantee of our inheritance as children of God. What’s one thing you will do differently this week so you will be filled with and be empowered by the Holy Spirit?

prayer

Thank God for His love for us and for fulfilling His plan for our salvation and adoption into His family. Pray that you would always be grateful for the privilege of being a son or daughter of God and for having a relationship with Him.

Pray that you would always cry “Abba! Father!” by the power of the Holy Spirit, which lives in you. Pray that you would know and love God more as each day passes.

Pray that you would draw more people to God and help them know all He has done for them. Pray that your family and friends who don’t know God yet will one day be adopted into His family as well.

victory_logo_black
© 2018 by VICTORY®
All rights reserved.

Scripture quotations are from The Holy Bible, English Standard Version® (ESV®)
Copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

Permission to photocopy this material is granted for local church use. This is not for sale.
victory.org.ph