Our Dilemma: We can forget the preciousness of our adoption to God.
Big Idea: Remember your adoption.
Key scripture: Ephesians 1:3-14
Outline:
I. What is Adoption?
II. Why do we struggle with experiencing this?
III. How can we live in this?
Questions:
In the “Orphan” column of the chart below, check off the tendencies you see in yourself, and underline or circle those things that most apply. In the “Son/Daughter” column, consider some major areas you’d like to see God grow you in.
Share some of these orphan traits, and describe what living as an orphan has looked like for you, provide an example that illustrates this.
Share a time when, by faith & humility, God’s grace enabled you to respond to something as a son/daughter.
How do you think trusting in & applying our adoption in Christ can impact our joy & bring transformation in these areas of our life?
How has the community of Christ’s body helped in reminding you of your new identity, and in growing into this new adopted identity?
How can we help one another now in prayer?
The Orphan
The Son/Daughter
Lacks a vital daily intimacy w/God
Learning to live in daily partnership w/God
Anxious about friends, $, school, work, position, future, etc.
Feels freed from worry because of security in God’s love for you
Feels as if no one cares about you
Shares burdens w/others
Lives on a success/fail basis, needs to look good, performance-oriented
Contentment in all situations because of Christ’s assurance
Feels guilty & condemned by sin, seeks to hide struggles, resists repentance
Growing experience of joy, freedom, & assurance in repentance
Struggles to entrust things to God
Daily trust in God’s sovereign plan
Labors under unlimited obligation, burns out
Prayer is a first resort at all times
Not very teachable, resists authority, hard- hearted, not transparent or submissive
Is teachable, seeks out input & is vulnerable w/trusted people, soft heart
Is defensive when accused of error or weakness, projects onto others
Open to criticism b/c you rest in Christ’s perfect righteousness
Feels discouraged or defeated, excessively self-confident or self-loathing
Encouraged by the Spirit at work in you, returns to the Word for strength
Aggressive with ideas, agendas, & opinions; must “win”
Is content to offer possibilities, welcoming dialogue & negotiation
Solution to failure: “try harder”
Solution to failure: seek refuge & restoration in Christ
Critical spirit (complaining, entitlement, bitterness, divisiveness, ungrateful)
Relies on Holy Spirit to guide tongue; praises, encourages others, gives thanks
Tears others down, focus their faults, gossips (confesses others’ sins)
Starts repentance w/self, & confronts others in truth & love to restore
Boasts. Exalts own accomplishments for fear that someone will overlook them
Jesus is more & more the focus. Boasts in weakness & Christ’s grace
Need for control of situations & people
Reliance on God allows for others to bear responsibility for themselves
Feels like God is keeping his best from you, is to blame for your suffering, or is punishing
Able to see God’s goodness, and sanctifying discipline in suffering
More motivated by obligation, duty, or “keeping score” with others. No passion for sharing gospel since Christian life is a burden
Motivated by genuine love for God
& sacrificial/generous love of others, passion for sharing gospel as only hope
Minimizes severity of sin, reduces God’s holiness, shrinks impact of grace in Christ
Sees God’s holiness & sin’s offense rightly, sees greatness of grace in Christ
Tends to compare self w/others, leads to pride or depression
Stands confidently in Christ. Self-worth comes from Jesus’ own righteousness
