TOPIC: The Spirit of Adoption [RCCG Sunday School STUDENT Manual 29 September 2019]
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MEMORY VERSE: “For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father.” – Romans 8:15 (scroll down for RCCG Sunday School 29 September 2019 HYMN)
BIBLE PASSAGE: Romans 8:15-17 KJV (RCCG Sunday School STUDENT Manual 29 September 2019)
15 For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father.
16 The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God:
17 And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together.
LESSON INTRODUCTION: Spiritual adoption is an act of God’s grace by which He brings men into the number one of His redeemed family and make them partakers of all the blessings He has provided for them. Adoption represents the new relations into which the believer is introduced by justification (Rom.8:29). Romans 8:15 contrasts two spirits: an impersonal ” spirit of bondage” or “spirit of slavery” and the Holy Spirit, called here “the Spirit of adoption”. The bible presents a high view of adoption and uses it to parallel the relationship God wants to have with us (2 Cor.6:17-18). There are privileges connected with being adopted by God which every child of God must not just be conversant with but also enjoy (John 15:15).
LESSON OUTLINES
- SPIRIT OF ADOPTION VERSUS SPIRIT OF SLAVERY
- BENEFITS OF ADOPTION
SPIRIT OF ADOPTION VERSUS SPIRIT OF SLAVERY
God has made spiritual adoption possible faith in His only begotten Son, Jesus Christ (John 3:16-18; John 1:12; 14:6; Rom. 8:14). Based on our faith and confession of Jesus Christ as Saviour and Lord (Romans 10:9-10), God adopts us into His eternal family. We receive the Spirit of adoption when we accept, by faith, the grace that has been offered to us in Christ (Ephesians 1:5; Romans 8:23; Luke 10:27). It is the Spirit of adoption who teaches us to call out to God as our “Abba, Father” (Matthew 6:9).
BENEFITS OF ADOPTION
The Spirit of adoption makes us joint-heirs with Jesus Christ (Rom. 8:17) which allows us to “come boldly before the throne of grace” (Hebrews 4:16) as a beloved child runs to his father in times of trouble. Because of the Spirit of adoption, we can enjoy serving God without fear or obligation. Other benefits include enjoying God’s peculiar love (John 17:23; Romans 5:5-8); a spiritual nature (2 Peter 1:4; John 1:13); divine protection, guidance, consolation, comfort, supplies and peace (Luke 12:27-32; John 14:18; John 16:13; 2 Corinthians 1:4; Romans 5:1); fatherly chastisements (Hebrews 12:5-11) and a future glorious inheritance (Romans 8:17,23; James 2:5; Philippians 3:21).
CONCLUSION:
In spite of being born again through faith in Christ’s sacrifice for their sins (John 3:3), some believers still cling to a spirit of slavery, never realising the freedom that is theirs with the Spirit of adoption. Stand firm in the liberty wherein Christ has made you free (Gal.5:1; John 8:33). You are a son/daughter of God, not a slave.
QUESTIONS:
- Distinguish between the Spirit of adoption and the spirit of slavery..
- Mention four benefits of adoption.
FOR FURTHER READING:
Monday: Romans 8:15
Tuesday: 2 Cor. 6:17-18
Wednesday: Gal.4:4
Thursday: 1 John 3:1
Friday: 2 Corinthians 1:4
Saturday: Romans 5:1
Sunday: Philippians 3:21
ASSIGNMENT: Students should mention five (5) differences between the Spirit of adoption and the spirit of bandage/slavery.
RCCG Sunday School 29 September 2019 HYMN
- O Sunday School, on the Lord’s day,
O how I love Thee well,
I am happy, it makes me glad
To rejoice at Thy birth. - O Sunday School, on the Lord’s day, Thy friendship suits me well,
Both young and old will sing Thy song,
We long for Sunday School. - O Sunday School, on the Lord’s day,
Christ was Thy first teacher,
The Holy Spirit, great teacher,
Does manifest in thee. - O Sunday School, on the Lord’s day,
This testimony is sure,
That God, the Father Almighty,
Poured His blessing on Thee. - O Sunday School, on the Lord’s day,
Though the sun be so bright,
Or if the clouds black with rain,
I’ll be in Sunday School. - O Sunday School, on the Lord’s day,
I rejoice to see Thee,
Will thou pass over me today?
Without my being blest?