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RCCG Sunday School TEACHER’s Manual 29 September 2019 Lesson 5 – The Spirit of Adoption
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TOPIC: The Spirit of Adoption
OPENING PRAYER: Father, make me a member of Your family forever. (Scroll down for RCCG Sunday School 29 September 2019 HYMN)
BIBLE PASSAGE: Romans 8:15-17 KJV (RCCG Sunday School TEACHER’s Manual 29 September 2019)
15 For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father.
16 The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God:
17 And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together.
MEMORY VERSE: “For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father.” – Romans 8:15 (scroll down for RCCG Sunday School 29 September 2019 HYMN)
LESSON INTRODUCTION: Spiritual adoption is an act of God’s grace by which He brings men into the number one of His redeemed family and make them partakers of all the blessings He has provided for them. Adoption represents the new relations into which the believer is introduced by justification (Rom.8:29). Romans 8:15 contrasts two spirits: an impersonal “spirit of bondage” or “spirit of slavery” and the Holy Spirit, called here “the Spirit of adoption”. The bible presents a high view of adoption and uses it to parallel the relationship God wants to have with us (2 Cor.6:17-18). There are privileges connected with being adopted by God which every child of God must not just be conversant with but also enjoy (John 15:15).
TEXT REVIEW: Romans 8:15-17.
Apostle Paul highlights about six important benefits of spiritual adoption:
a. The Spirit of God in believers is not that of bondage that brings fear v.15a.
b. It is the Spirit of adoption that makes believers call God Abba Father. v.15b.
c. ………………………………………….v.16
d. ………………………………………..v.17a
f. …………………………………………v.17b
g. …………………………………………v.17c
2 LESSON OUTLINES
LESSON OUTLINE 1: SPIRIT OF ADOPTION VERSUS SPIRIT OF SLAVERY.
a. Based on our faith and confession of Jesus Christ as Saviour and Lord (Romans 10:9-10), God has made spiritual adoption possible (John 3:16-18; John 1:12; 14:6; Rom. 8:14)
b. God adopts us into His eternal family.
c. We receive the Spirit of adoption when we accept, by faith, the grace that has been offered to us in Christ (Ephesians 1:5; Romans 8:23; Luke 10:27).
d. The Spirit of adoption who teaches us to call out to God as our “Abba, Father” (Matthew 6:9)
e. There is a vast difference between the way sons serve their fathers and the way slaves serve their masters.
SONS- FATHER RELATIONSHIP
1 Sons perform tasks as acts of love
2 Sons wilfully/gladly obey.
3 Sons are motivated by love of relationship.
4 Sons ask, What else can I do for you?
5 The Spirit of adoption makes us joyful sons and daughters.
SLAVES- MASTER RELATIONSHIP
1 Slaves perform tasks as duties.
2 Slaves obey as a matter of duty/obligation.
3 Slaves are motivated by fear of punishment.
4 Slaves ask, What is required?
5 The spirit of bondage makes people fearful slaves.
CLASS ACTIVITY 1: Students should discuss why some believers find it difficult to obey God in spite of being adopted as sons and daughters.
LESSON OUTLINE 2: BENEFITS OF ADOPTION
i. The Spirit of adoption makes us joint-heirs with Jesus Christ (Rom. 8:17)
ii. The Spirit of adoption makes us to “come boldly before the throne of grace” (Hebrews 4:16) as a beloved child runs to his father in times of trouble.
iii. The Spirit of adoption, we can enjoy serving God without fear or obligation.
iv. We enjoy God’s peculiar love as a result of our adoption (John 17:23; Romans 5:5-8);
v. A spiritual nature results from our adoption (2 Peter 1:4; John 1:13)
vi. Through the Spirit of adoption, we also enjoy divine protection, guidance, consolation, comfort, supplies and peace (Luke 12:27-32; John 14:18; John 16:13; 2 Corinthians 1:4; Romans 5:1);
vii. Fatherly chastisements is a product of Spiritual adoption (Hebrews 12:5-11).
viii. A future glorious inheritance awaits adopted sons and daughters of God (Romans 8:17,23; James 2:5; Philippians 3:21).
CLASS ACTIVITY 2: Are you an adopted child of God? Mention the benefits you have enjoyed so far.
SUMMARY: Know who you are in the Lord, a Slave ora Son? The benefits of adoption cannot be over emphasised
CONCLUSION: In spite of being born again through faith in Christ’s sacrifice for their sins (John 3:3), some believers still cling to a spirit of slavery, never realising the freedom that is theirs with the Spirit of adoption. Stand firm in the liberty wherein Christ has made you free (Gal.5:1; John 8:33). You are a son/daughter of God, not a slave.
EVALUATION: Students should mention some of the benefits of being adopted child forever.
CLOSING PRAYER: Father, give me the grace to remain Your adopted child forever.
ASSIGNMENT: Students should mention five (5) differences between the Spirit of adoption and the spirit of bandage/slavery.
RCCG Sunday School 29 September 2019 HYMN
- O Sunday School, on the Lord’s day,
O how I love Thee well,
I am happy, it makes me glad
To rejoice at Thy birth. - O Sunday School, on the Lord’s day, Thy friendship suits me well,
Both young and old will sing Thy song,
We long for Sunday School. - O Sunday School, on the Lord’s day,
Christ was Thy first teacher,
The Holy Spirit, great teacher,
Does manifest in thee. - O Sunday School, on the Lord’s day,
This testimony is sure,
That God, the Father Almighty,
Poured His blessing on Thee. - O Sunday School, on the Lord’s day,
Though the sun be so bright,
Or if the clouds black with rain,
I’ll be in Sunday School. - O Sunday School, on the Lord’s day,
I rejoice to see Thee,
Will thou pass over me today?
Without my being blest?
