DON’T GROW UP

LEADER’S GUIDE

– The Live Free Series –
BIG CROSS . DON’T GROW UP . TURN AND RUN . HEART IDOLATRY

The BIG IDEA

Those who trust in Jesus to forgive their sins become children of God.

The PROBLEM
Even though we are children of God, we can live like orphans because we don’t believe God loves and accepts us.

Our RESPONSE
Live with humble confidence because we’re children of God.

Why THIS MATTERS
Living in light of our identity as God’s children brings joy and freedom. When we realize God loves and accepts us unconditionally, it frees us from feeling like we need to earn his favor.

I WANT MY STUDENTS TO:

KNOW: Our identity as children of God.
EXPERIENCE: Joy and freedom in knowing God loves us and that we don’t have to do things to earn his favor.
DO: Live with humble confidence because we’re children of God.

The idea box is a place where you can find some creative ideas for leading this study. You might find videos, activities, or great illustrations that really bring the main point home. The ideas come from small group leaders like you, so if you have an idea that isn’t in there, click below to share it with the community!

GET AN IDEA I SHARE AN IDEA

*WHAT DO YOU THINK?

Imagine you’re a child of Superman. How would that change your life for the better?
Allow the group to discuss. Help your group see that this special relationship with Superman would bring incredible blessings and privileges. That’s a small picture of the blessings and privileges we experience because of our relationship as children of God.

WHAT DOES GOD SAY ABOUT THIS?

*1. Read Romans 8:15.

What does a spirit of slavery lead to?
What does a spirit of adoption as sons (and daughters) lead to (verse 15)?

A spirit of slavery leads to fear, but a spirit of adoption as sons and daughters leads us to relate to God as our Daddy (this is what the word “Abba” means) and Father. When the writer refers to “spirit” in this context, he’s talking about the thing that rules our hearts. We can be ruled by the reality of being under the control of something bad (spirit of slavery). Or as followers of Christ, we’re ruled by the reality that we’re adopted into God’s family as dearly loved children.

2. What kind of spirit did we receive upon placing our trust in Jesus to forgive our sins?
We received a spirit of adoption.

*3. Read Romans 8:16. What does the Holy Spirit do in our lives if we’ve trusted in Jesus?
The Holy Spirit lets our spirit know that we’re God’s children.

4. Read Romans 8:17. If we’re children of God, what else are we?
Heirs of God.

5. What does it mean to be an heir?

What do you think it means to be an heir of God and fellow-heir with Christ?

An heir is someone who gets what belongs to someone else, usually upon the death of that person. According to Bible scholar Doug Moo, being an heir of God and fellow-heir with Christ means we as Christ’s followers get all the good things God has promised to his people. These good things include eternal life, forgiveness, love, God’s acceptance, joy, and peace.

6. Why do you think suffering with Christ is one of the good things that’s part of being an heir of God and fellow-heir with Christ?
Allow the group to discuss. It’s a good thing because it’s an honor to enter in a small way into the suffering Christ endured for us when he bore our sins on the cross. Since Jesus was willing to suffer so greatly to bring so much good into our lives, we honor him when we walk that same path in the power that he provides us through his Spirit.

HOW DO WE APPLY THIS TO OUR LIVES?

*7. If we’ve trusted Jesus to forgive our sins, we’re children of God. But sometimes we act like we’re not a part of God’s family, thinking we need to take care of ourselves, be strong on our own, or do things to make God happy with us. In what ways do you act like you’re not a part of God’s family?
Allow the group to discuss. You may want to help your group think of things you worry about or fear. These things can point to places we don’t believe in the depths of our hearts that we’re part of God’s family.

*8. Think of something that’s causing you fear or worry right now.

How do you think it would help with what you’re facing to remember your identity as a child of God?

Allow the group to discuss. Remembering your identity as a child of God in the face of fear and worry helps us realize that our Father and Daddy is the God of the universe! There’s no problem that’s too big for him to handle. That provides supernatural peace.

*9. How does having God’s acceptance change the way you value the acceptance of important people in your life (like parents, teachers, friends, teammates, coaches, and boyfriends or girlfriends)?
Allow the group to discuss. Knowing that the most significant person in the universe accepts us makes the acceptance of others less important. Everyone in the world can reject us, but it’s okay because the most important Person accepts us unconditionally.

10. How does knowing you’re a child of God affect the temptation to base your worth on the things you do for God and others?
Allow the group to discuss. It crushes that temptation because we realize that God approves of us regardless of how well or poorly we perform.

Our review cards are an excellent way to review your past lessons with your students before each study. Not every lesson has one yet but if we have them, you can find them on the PRINT page. Check them out and use them each week to help your students grab hold of the truths in these studies.

What ideas do you have that could improve this study? Are there creative things you do to bring this topic home to your students? Please share with the community clicking the FEEDBACK button or leaving a comment below.

FEEDBACK