Romans 8:14-15

Romans 8:14-15: For all who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God. For you did not receive the spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you have received the Spirit of adoption as sons, by whom we cry, “Abba! Father!”

Song Recommendations (click for YouTube links):

Good Good Father

No Longer Slaves

Discussion Questions:

How are a servant and a child treated differently in a home?

Paul says we have not received a spirit of slavery to fall back into fear.  How does fear make us like slaves?  What are people afraid of and how does it force them to act?

Christians today have a lot of different ideas about what the Holy Spirit does in the life of a believer.  According to these verses, what does the Spirit do for/in us?

To summarize what Paul has been saying: The Spirit makes us want to follow God.  Because we want these things, we can know that we are living as children of God.  This motivates us to obey, not out of fear but out of love.  Does this mean we will obey perfectly?  Does a child always obey her parents?  What happens when a child disobeys?

Discuss any stories of loving adoption that you know.  How do they help you understand what it means for you to be God's child?