Sermon: Finding Belonging

(Phone apps are good for comparing multiple translations. Study Bibles help with interpretation.)

1. Icebreaker question: In your experience, what does it feel like to be excluded from something you want to belong to? What does it feel like to be accepted? Do you have any examples to share?

2. The sermon was based on Romans 8 and examined the Biblical idea of the church as the family of God. Review the main points of the sermon. What stood out to you or impacted you? Do you have any questions about it?

3. Consider the following stories of adoption in the Bible (you can read the passage or have someone summarize the story for everyone):

a) Pharaoh’s daughter and Moses (Exodus 2)

b) Eli and Samuel (1 Samuel 3)

c) Mordecai and Esther (Esther 2; see vv. 7 and 15)

d) Joseph and Jesus (Matthew 1)

e) How did the Lord use each of the adopted people in the stories above?

f) If the Lord has adopted you, what purpose might He have for your life?

4. Review Romans 8:14-17

a) What is a distinguishing characteristic of God’s children?

b) What has the Spirit of God done in our lives?

c) What does the Spirit help us to do now?

d) Do you experience the Holy Spirit regularly in your own life? In what ways?

e) If you desire to have more of the Spirit’s influence in your life, what should you do? (see Luke 11:11-13 and Ephesians 5:18-20)

5. Review Romans 8:29-30

a) What does it mean for us to be a brother or sister of Jesus?

b) What should this look like? (see the first part of v. 29)

6. Read 1 John 3:1-3

a) What are we told to see?

b) What steps can we take to continue to see this truth day after day?

c) What should we be doing as we await the day when we see Christ face to face?

7. Spend some time praying for each other. Thank God the Father for his willingness to adopt you. Thank Jesus for making it possible. And ask the Holy Spirit to help you live out your new life well.