Leader: here is an overview of the passage to discuss:
What is the main point of this passage?
Paul wants to make the point here that we have received a Spirit of adoption, not a spirit of slavery again. This ties in from chapter 6’s discussion on being freed from our slavery to sin and becoming slaves to righteousness. Paul wants to make the distinction that we are still slaves in that we are slaves to Christ, but it is not the same spirit of slavery that we had in our previous lives. It is a type of father-son relationship, but even more than that, it is a daddy-”my son” relationship where we know we are loved by our father because He has given us His Spirit of love that testifies to this fact. But there is hardship and suffering still, even though we are loved by the Father, and this suffering is so incomparable to the glory that is coming
Discussion question: Why was this a logical place for Paul to talk about our son-ship with God?
- 1 Peter 1:3-9 – a salvation reserved in heaven.
- Col 3:4 – When Christ, who is our life, is revealed, then you also will be revealed with Him in glory.
- Jer 12:4,11 – anxious moaning of creation for justice
- Gen 3:17 – Cursed is the ground because of you…
- Hosea 1:10 – Yet the number of the sons of Israel Will be like the sand of the sea, Which cannot be measured or numbered; And in the place Where it is said to them, “You are not My people,” It will be said to them,”You are the sons of the living God.”
- Matt 5:9 – blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God
- John 1:12 – But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, even to those who believe in His name,
- 2 Cor 6:18 -
- 1 John 3:1 – See how great a love the Father has bestowed on us, that we would be called children of God; and such we are For this reason the world does not know us, because it did not know Him.
Discussion question: In v16, do you think this means the Spirit is divided, so that the Spirit in man agrees with the Spirit of God?
Deut 19:15/Matt 18:16
We cry out Abba, Father! We don’t cry out, I am God’s child. We cry to the father for help, thanks, praise, adoration. What’s the difference?
John 3:30
Discussion topic: v17. heirs
- Matt 6:20 – don’t store up treasures on earth, but in heaven
- Matt 19:21 – sell all your possession and you will have treasure in heaven
- Luke 12:33 – money belts which don’t wear out are an unfailing treasure in heaven
- Luke 12:21 – storing up selfish treasure is not being rich towards God
- 1 Tim 6:18-19 – be rich in good works
- Rev 4:10 – the 24 elders cast their crowns before God
- Rev 21 – the new City, the new Jerusalem
Discussion topic: hope
- Acts 3:21 – whom heaven must receive until the period of (B)restoration of all things about which (C)God spoke by the mouth of His holy prophets from ancient time.
- 2 Peter 3:13 – But according to His (A)promise we are looking for (B)new heavens and a new earth, (C)in which righteousness dwells.
- Rev 21:1 – Then I saw (A)a new heaven and a new earth; for (B)the first heaven and the first earth passed away, and there is no longer any sea.
- 2 Cor 5:7 – we walk by faith –not by sight
- Heb 11:1 – now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen
