Scripture Memorization (read, write and repeat):
Both the one who makes men holy and those who are made holy are of the same family. So Jesus is not ashamed to call them brothers. - Hebrews 2:11

Bible Study
Read 1 John 3:1a, Ephesians 1:4-5 and Deut. 7:7-8. What is the reason God adopted you? Why does God love you?

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Adoption means two things:

1) Old family ties are broken

Read Ephesians 2:3, 12, 19 what were you before you were adopted by God?

According to Romans 6:17,18 what was your condition before adoption? What is your condition after adoption?

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One of Satan's ploys is to make us question whether we have really been adopted into God's family, by reminding us of sins past and present that we have committed. But we must remember as Sinclair Ferguson says, "our status is not a matter of worthiness but of God's love for us."

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Read Colossians 2:14 and rewrite it in your own words describing what Christ has done for you.

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2) New family privileges become ours

Read 1 John 3:2 and Romans 8:23 and answer the following questions:

When does our adoption become complete? What will that be like?

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In the meantime, what is it like as we wait for our complete redemption?

Personal Application
What did you learn about the character, plans or purposes of God through this study?

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How do you believe the Lord is speaking to you through this study?

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What adjustment in attitudes, beliefs or actions is God calling you to make?

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Take these things to God in prayer.

Sinclair Ferguson says, about our new family status that it "involves us in the most serious of family feuds." And that we need to remember "that while adoption offers us glorious privileges, a minor key runs through the melody of our present lives. We must take note of that minor key and know why it is there. Otherwise we will readily fall prey to the insinuations springing from Satan, the world and our own weak doubting spirits, that the Christian life is not all we expected it would be."