Introduction – 5 MINUTES
Who is a TV or Movie father you would like to meet? Why?
Leader note: This should be an easy question for you to answer. Try to avoid tangents of people who had a bad father – keep the discussion away from personal experience and steer to a safer dialog of TV or movies. It could be a funny dad, a loving dad, or other attributes that attract you to him.
Observation – 10 MINUTES
Read Romans 8:14-17. What do you learn about a relationship with God?
Commentary:
“those who are led by the Spirit” – this particular passage is directed at Christians
We are His children
By the Spirit we are adopted – it is not a relationship of slavery
By the Spirit we can call God “our Father” Abba (personal and intimate relationship – like calling Him daddy
The Spirit testifies with our Spirit, by the Spirit we are claimed as a child
Through this relationship we are co-heirs with Jesus
We will share in Christ’s sufferings as well as His glory
Understanding – 20 MINUTES
Look at each statement from the passage. What is reassuring or challenging about each promise?
Leader note: As you look through each of the promises, have your group share what is something they looks forward to or take comfort in and what, on the other hand seems challenging.
Leader note: Try to keep these answers in the third person as you will be personalizing them in the next question.
Commentary:
Calling God “Abba” or daddy seems like such a personal and intimate relationship, one that makes God seem more accessible and concerned for our well-being.
Knowing the suffering Christ endured makes it difficult to consider that we could share in that kind of suffering – or any kind of suffering. So often people represent being a Christian as someone who no longer has challenges, but life will all of a sudden be easy.
Application – 20 MINUTES
Which of these promises are reassuring to you? Which are challenging? Why?
Leader note: As your group answers, stop them and ask specifically why the promise is challenging or why it is reassuring. What about the statement resonates? This is the appropriate place for people to talk about their relationship with their father, or their relationship with a child.
Live it Out
Who in our community would benefit from knowing God as their Abba Father?
Pray: As you end your time together take time to thank the Spirit for what He promises to do for you. Acknowledge the work He does within you and for your relationship with God the Father. Pray for each person for what was challenging to them and also praise God for those promises that are reassuring and what we have to look forward to in the future, as well as what we have now.