Grace Wheel: Adoption

1. Have you seen the movie "Instant Family"? Pete and Ellie explore adoption of a teenager and her two younger siblings. While experiencing all the quirky challenges that come with an instant family, they discover how powerful their love for the kids is and how strong their family bond can be. If you have seen the movie, can share what you recall the most about it?
2. What kind of family do you come from and what was it like for you? Traditional (mom and dad never divorced), blended, adopted, foster, extended, etc.?

Read Romans 8:14-17

1. Paul is using the imagery of God leading the Israelites out of Egyptian slavery indicating they are his children. The same Spirit has led us out of slavery to sin and death. What is there for us to fear in that slavery?
2. The term "Abba" is Aramaic (the common language of the Jews of that time as opposed to formal and ceremonial Hebrew or Greek) for "father," indicating a more familial or intimate relationship with God than formal and ceremonial. When we put our faith in Christ and receiving his Spirit, God adopts us to be his beloved children. What are some differences between a familial relationship with God and the church and a more ceremonial or religious relationship?

Read Galatians 3:23-4:11

1. Paul uses the imagery of guardians and trustees for underage heirs or children to help the Galatians understand the role that the Law of the Old Testament plays. Do you understand this? Work together to explain it for each other.
2. Paul teaches us that in the family of God we are all his beloved children regardless of our race, social class, gender, or by implication any other distinction between people like culture. His primary goal here is to help the Galatians understand that while the Judaizers (Jewish Christians) were trying to get them to follow certain cultural rituals in order to be fully converted, they actually do belong to the family of God simply because of their faith in Jesus. What are the implications of this for us and what we expect from Christians of other races, cultures, genders, etc.? Remember, even here there are cultures within our culture.
3. How does the question, "Is this Christ or is this culture?" affect you?