From
Servants To Sons
Introduction:
Gal. 4:1-7 (In the text, Paul discusses how we can go from being a servant to
being a son. The purpose of this study is to explore the dynamics of how you
can gain admittance into God's family and to understand how the blessings of
being in God's family should motivate you in service to him. We will look at
how God's plan to adopt us into his family unfolded through the ages.)
1. Promise To Abraham: Gen. 12:1-3 (God's initial promise to Abraham
included the promised blessing to all nations.) Gen. 22:18 (This promise was recounted on several occasions. In this instance he calls it the seed of Abraham.) Gal.
2.
The Law Given: Gal. 3:19, Rom. 3:19 (The law was given to define sin and bring
the world up to the appointed time the seed-promise would be fulfilled.) Gal. 5:1 (Because they could not
perfectly keep the law, it was seen as a yoke of
bondage.)
3. The Heir
Child In Bondage: Gal. 4:1-3 (The text speaks of
4. The Fullness Of Time: Gal. 4:4, Mk.
5. Adopted: Gal.
4:5 (Because Jesus did this, we can now be adopted by God
into his family.) I Jn. 3:1 (Consider what an
expression of love it is that God will actually let us come into his family.
Illustrate with parents adopting a child who could stake no claim to their
parental care. What of us, spiritually orphaned by our own
doing?)
6. Sons Can Cry
Abba: Gal. 4:6, Rom.
7. Heirs: Gal.
4:7, Rom.
8. The Steps: Jn.
9. Relationship
Defined: Rom. 8:1, 14 (Our relationship in God's family is
defined by our walking after the Spirit's guidance through God's word,
not after the flesh.) Rom.
10.
The Great Motive: Heb. 6:13-19 (Being an heir of the seed-promise gives us hope
to anchor our soul to the standards God has set forth. We live up to these standards for the
hope of being glorified with Christ as a joint heir
with him.)