God the Holy Spirit, Mentor's Guide, MG14

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G O D T H E H O L Y S P I R I T

3. Adoption reminds us that salvation always involves becoming a part of God’s Church . Salvation literally involves being placed in a new family which we call the Church.

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Ministry Insight It makes a difference to belong to the Church. New converts must be taught to treasure time spent with the

a. God’s adoption of us results in a change of family identity. The Apostle Paul writes that the Church is, in fact, the very household of God (1 Tim. 3.15; Eph. 2.19-20).

family. Belonging to the Church is

b. Adopted children naturally desire to be in their Father’s house with their brothers and sisters (Acts 2.42; Heb. 2.11-13; 10.25).

quantitatively different from

belonging to any other institution.

c. Key verse: Eph. 2.19-20

4. Adoption gives intimate access to God – becoming a member of God’s family gives a person both rights and responsibilities.

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a. Through adoption we gain the right to call God “Abba” (Mark 14.36; Rom. 8.14-17; Rom. 8.29) which is an intimate personal term like “daddy” or “papa” in English.

b. As adopted children, God reveals himself and his plans in a unique way to us, his family (1 Cor. 2.12-13; Rom. 8.32).

c. God’s discipline demonstrates our adopted standing as full sons and daughters (see Heb. 12.5-11).

d. Key verse: Rom. 8.14-18