The Spirit of Adoption – Week Seven
LIGHT: Philippians 3:13-14 Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.
RAIN: Sing to the Lord by Pat Barrett; Christ Be All Around Me by All Sons and Daughters
SEEDS:
CULTIVATING: Emily’s lessons on Fatherhood and sonship have motivated us to lean in and draw near to Him. She has helped us identify places in our hearts that need His attention and patterns of thinking that show us where we aren’t benefiting as His children. I have been a child of God for almost 50 years and I was surprised to realize that I have been living like an orphan in some areas of my life. I am so grateful for her study and instruction and the faithfulness of God to discipline those He loves. Although this is the end of this series, I am including some additional study opportunities for those of you who feel you want to linger here. Please consider joining the zoom call on May 9 to hear what God is doing in us and prepare to take communion with us virtually with whatever elements you have available.
Let us draw near to God with a sincere heart and with full assurance. Read Hebrews 10:19-25.
Emily explained, “ if we are not drawing close to Him in our daily lives, we are letting more distance in. More distance that is unnecessary.” Philippians 3:13-15 describes this leaning in as “straining toward what lies ahead” and “pressing toward the goal to win the prize.” Consider the activities, relationships, and thoughts of your last week and write down the ones that demonstrate you are drawing close. Does anything on your list need to be “held captive and made obedient to Christ” [ 2 Corinthians 10:3-5]
We have been singing a Pat Barrett song called “Canvas and Clay”. You can listen to it here: Canvas and Clay. The lyrics speak to God’s sovereignty in assigning our seasons.
In my mother's womb
You formed me with Your hands
Known and loved by You
Before I took a breath
When I doubt it, Lord, remind me
I'm wonderfully made
You're an artist and a potter
I'm the canvas and the clay
You make all things work together
For my future and for my good
You make all things work together
For Your glory and for Your name
There's a healing light
Just beyond the clouds
Though I've walked through fire
I see clearly now
I know nothing has been wasted
No failure or mistake
You're an artist and a potter
I'm the canvas and the clay
You make all things work together
For my future and for my good
You make all things work together
For Your glory and for Your name
You're not finished with me...
When I doubt it, Lord, remind me
I'm wonderfully made
You're an artist and a potter
I'm the canvas and the clay
And I know nothing has been wasted
No failure or mistake
You're an artist and a potter
I'm the canvas and the clay
Read and compare the promises of sonship found in Ephesians 1:4-14 and Romans 8:28-30. Ponder the “kind intention of His will (NAS) or the “good pleasure of His will” (most other translations). These promises are so big that I can’t really understand them with my mind but by the Spirit I can still believe them. We can say with the young boy’s father, “I do believe; help me overcome my unbelief!”
The Greek word for adoption as a son is “huiothesia” and it means to legally make a son. Galatians 4:5-7 Romans 8:15-30
The Greek word for “good pleasure” is “eudokia”. It means favor, good pleasure, good will, satisfaction, happiness, delight, beneficial. Ephesians 1:3-10 Philippians 2:13 Matthew 11:25-30 Luke 2:14
The Greek word for “will” is “thelema” and it is used 63 times in the new testament in reference to God’s will or desires. Matthew 6:10 Matthew 12:50 Matthew 26:42 John 4:34 John 5:30 John 6:38 – 40
Write out a response/prayer/worship to God in response to His will for you.
In section VI of Emily’s lesson notes this week she has a list that moves from forgiveness to disappointment. Which ones of these pricked your heart? Which ones caused you to overflow with thanksgiving?
Emily’s last statement of this final lesson is a wonderful summary of the gospel:
As we work toward intimacy with the Father and receiving all that He is, He opens us up. His comprehensive care of us enlarges us. He increases our capacity. He shields us. He refills our cups. And we can go with Him to the people placed around us, secure in His word, in His promises, and in His power. Only truly receiving the Father in his largeness and extravagance can enable us to be generous and brave and vulnerable with people around us–to serve, to honor, to love. Who God is and how He relates to me means my marriage can thrive, my kids can flourish, my friends can be encouraged, and those who don’t yet know Him will actually want to. The full circle of our topic of study comes when we are generous and appropriately intimate with other people because we are living out of God’s generosity and intimacy with us. Freely we have received. Now freely give.
No matter how much you have grown in your inimacy with the Father during these last 8 weeks, you will miss out on even more if you can’t walk with Him into someone else’s life. It is only together that we have the power to grasp “how wide and long and high and deep” His love is [Ephesians 3:18].
I encourage you to take the next 30 days and pray each day about who God is asking you to live generously with. If you are praying for him/her/them, you will be in step with the Holy Spirit and have the power to respond to each opportunity. Your response won’t be limited to your heart for that person but will be a demonstration of the Father’s heart for them.
Contributor Donna Hyatt
NOTES: Session 4 Participant Notes
Zoom meeting May 9, 2020 09:30 AM- 10:30 AM Eastern Time
Psalm 66:16 Come and hear, all you who fear God;
let me tell you what he has done for me.
Join Zoom Meeting by clicking on the link below
https://seasons.zoom.us/j/95581618134?pwd=MEFrbWwxNVUxazY5NkkvTlFqSnl5UT09
Meeting ID: 955 8161 8134
Password: 718008
One tap mobile allows you to join by phone by clicking on the number/code below.
+13017158592,,95581618134# US (Germantown)
+13126266799,,95581618134# US (Chicago)
877 853 5247 US Toll-free Meeting ID: 955 8161 8134
888 788 0099 US Toll-free Meeting ID: 955 8161 8134