Adopted By The Father Gal 4_1-7

Out of the Orphanage

11.08.09 | Galatians 4:1-7

Adopted by the Father WORSHIP Have one person read through the Psalm slowly. ESV

Psalm 40

1 TO THE CHOIRMASTER. A PSALM OF DAVID. I waited patiently for the LORD; he inclined to me and heard my cry. 2 He drew me up from the pit of destruction, out of the miry bog, and set my feet upon a rock, making my steps secure. 3 He put a new song in my mouth, a song of praise to our God. Many will see and fear, and put their trust in the LORD. 4 Blessed is the man who makes the LORD his trust, who does not turn to the proud, to those who go astray after a lie! 5 You have multiplied, O LORD my God, your wondrous deeds and your thoughts toward us; none can compare with you! I will proclaim and tell of them, yet they are more than can be told. 6 Sacrifice and offering you have not desired, but you have given me an open ear. Burnt offering and sin offering you have not required. 7 Then I said, "Behold, I have come; in the scroll of the book it is written of me: 8 I desire to do your will, O my God; your law is within my heart." 9 I have told the glad news of deliverance in the great congregation; behold, I have not restrained my lips, as you know, O LORD. 10 I have not hidden your deliverance within my heart; I have spoken of your faithfulness and your salvation; I have not concealed your steadfast love and your faithfulness from the great congregation. 11 As for you, O LORD, you will not restrain your mercy from me; your steadfast love and your faithfulness will ever preserve me! 12 For evils have encompassed me beyond number; my iniquities have overtaken me, and I cannot see; they are more than the hairs of my head; my heart fails me. 13 Be pleased, O LORD, to deliver me! O LORD, make haste to help me! 14 Let those be put to shame and disappointed altogether who seek to snatch away my life; let those be turned back and brought to dishonor who desire my hurt! 15 Let those be appalled because of their shame who say to me, "Aha, Aha!" 16 But may all who seek you rejoice and be glad in you; may those who love your salvation say continually, "Great is the LORD!" 17 As for me, I am poor and needy, but the Lord takes thought for me. You are my help and my deliverer; do not delay, O my God!

Take time to allow the members of the group to quietly read the Psalm a second time. Have one person pray for the group as you begin the study. 1

notes

ADOPTED BY THE FATHER Galatians 4:1-7

ESV

1 [NIV: What I am saying is] that the heir, as long as he is a child, is no different from a slave, though he is the owner of everything, 2 but he is under guardians and managers until the date set by his father. 3 In the same way we also, when we were children, were enslaved to the elementary principles of the world. 4 But when the fullness of time had come, God sent forth his Son, born of woman, born under the law, 5 to redeem those who were under the law, so that we might receive adoption as sons. 6 And because you are sons, God has sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, crying, "Abba! Father!" 7 So you are no longer a slave, but a son, and if a son, then an heir through God.

STUDY

Read the Galatians passage aloud.

Propitiation: Propitiation: Jesus dying as the substitution

In Galatians Paul makes a strong distinction between faith in Christ Jesus and the Law. When the law was introduced, the covenant previously made with Abraham was not made void. In the history of redemption the promises made to Abraham by God were still to come, but they were to come after the law was introduced. The law served to increase humanity’s transgressions (Rm 5:20), to prepare us for the coming heir, and to serve as the guardian to the heir, who is Christ. Now, understanding the wonderful atoning work of Christ, Paul carries the message: God is redeeming by adoption those who are under the law. Adoption is the tenacious and tender love of the Father, who by sending his Son as a substitution for the children of God, rescues his beloved to bestow upon them an intimate relationship. Thus, the promise to Abraham is fulfilled in Christ. CONSIDER OUR FORMER CONDITION Who were you before you came to belief in Christ? If someone would like to share their testimony, that would be great! How do those outside of Christ actively oppose God (Rm 1) Does humanity really hate God outside of Christ? How is this true?

2

ADOPTED BY THE FATHER

notes Cosmic Child Abuse?

CONSIDER THE FATHER’S PROVISION

Some argue that the crucifixion is divine child abuse, but it is falsely this when you think Jesus as a mere third party or innocent bystander. He is not. He is the second person of the Trinity, God himself! Jesus willingly went to the cross on our behalf! He is the righteous Judge, who takes the judgment against us

Remember that God (the Creator) is not contingent (dependent) upon humanity (the creation), but it is humanity that is contingent upon God. Have someone read aloud John 112-13 What is your response to this passage in light of the God’s provision? How did you receive Christ, rather how did you come to believe? CONSIDER THE SON’S ACCOMPLISHMENT Have someone read II Cor 521.

John Owen 1683)

(1616-

“The greatest unkindness we can do to God is to insist that he does not

Do you wrestle like the Galatians, attempting to add to or deny the Gospel? How might one do this in relation to adoption? How were the Galatians doing this? CONSIDER OUR PRESENT REALITY According to Gal 41-7 what is our current position before God? Do you live this way? Paul delivers the Word: redemption and adoption are inseparable. Though distinct, to separate them from each other would be against the promises of God. God redeems us in order that he may call us sons! We are the children of God and heirs of God (co-heirs with Christ!). What then, is the nature of our inheritance? promises?

What are the

DIRECTED PRAYER 20 minutes Collect the prayers from the group. Take time to sit in silence in personal prayer before you begin praying for one another.

ACTIVITIES 3

Saturday morning at the Hewitts (223 Lansdowne Avenue, Wayne, 19087): Volunteers needed!