Being adopted into someone’s family is life changing. In the Roman times, a childless couple could adopt a son, making him their heir. This was a deliberate decision a father would make to have someone carry on his name and inherit his estate. As a result, the child’s old debts would be canceled, he would receive a new name, he would be set to inherit all of his father’s wealth, and his father would become responsible and liable for the son. 

God knows those who are His. Every one of us by name. He is our hiding place and when we abide under the refuge of our God, He will not let any harm come to those who belong to Him. A thousand may fall at your side, though ten thousand are dying around you, but it will not come near you (Ps. 91:7). His children will never go without His provision, for never have the righteous begged for bread (Ps. 37:25). Because Jesus died on a cross to give you the protection of His name, and today we’ll be studying what it means to carry His name for those who were purchased with the blood of the Lamb. 

Read Romans 8:12-17 and journal through the following questions this week: 

• What are we debtors to? (v. 12)

• Who are “sons of God”? (v. 14)

• How does the Holy Spirit lead us? See John 14:26, Romans 8:26, Isaiah 11:2 and John 16:7-15 

We are led as we cooperate with the leading, because the Holy Spirit never forces us to do anything. In the words of Charles Spurgeon: “It does not say, ‘As many as are driven by the Spirit of God.’ No, the devil is a driver, and when he enters either into men or into hogs he drives them furiously. Remember how the whole herd ran violently down a steep place into the sea. Whenever you see a man fanatical and wild, whatever spirit is in him it is not the Spirit of Christ.”

• What is the adoption process like to become a son or daughter of God? See also John 1:12-13, Galatians 3:26-29, Ephesians 1:3-14 and Matthew 12:50

• What are we as children of God adopted from? (v. 15) See also Galatians 4:5-7

• What is the “spirit of slavery”? (v. 15) See John 8:34 and 2 Timothy 1:7

• What is the “Spirit of adoption”? (v. 15)

• What does “Abba” mean? (v. 15) (Hint: See the Greek definition here)

• Contrast how the attitude a slave has towards his or her master versus the attitude a child has towards his or her father. 

• How does someone who is a slave to fear live and approach God?

• What are the privileges of being a child of God? (v. 16)

• What does it mean to suffer with Christ? (v.17) See also 1 Peter 4:12-13, 2 Timothy 3:12, John 16:33, Philippians 1:29, Philippians 3:10 and Matthew 5:11-12

• What awaits those who suffer for the name of Christ? (v. 17) See also 1 Peter 5:10, 2 Corinthians 1:5, Philippians 3:21, and Colossians 3:4

Reflect & Respond

• What does this passage teach me about God?

• How does this change the way I live? 

Scripture to memorize

“For all who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God.” -Romans 8:14

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Yelena is the founder and editor in chief Tirzah. Yelena works as an attorney in tax and in her spare time, she is working on her first book for unmarried twenty-something women in extended waiting seasons and running Tirzah. She has a passion for pointing young women to Christ, and enjoys reading, writing, traveling, and spending time with her family.