Week 8: Holy Adoption!

As we step into Chapter 4, we are greeted with an overarching theme of "family"!  Since we all are a part of family - no matter what type - this is easily relatable.  Paul starts it off in the first few verses when he explains that we have been emancipated (freed from legal, social, or political restrictions).. + adopted as His children!  Isn't it so like the character of God to always go one step further?  Freedom from the law would have been enough but He doesn't stop there.  He goes on to bring us intimately + permanently into His family!

I love the concept of adoption + I fully believe God uses this word knowing how powerfully it would speak to our hearts.  My husband has a niece and a nephew that are adopted + it is so neat to watch how they so specifically fit into the family.  Being around them, you would never guess they are adopted - + the funny thing is, his nephew is hispanic in a white family!  I can think of numerous families with adopted children that I am absolutely shocked to find out they're adopted!

In vs. 5-7 Paul explains that when we are adopted we have access to such a beautiful, intimate conversation with the Heavenly Father.  When we are adopted we are set free to experience that heritage (the MSG version even says our "rightful" heritage!) and become a child of the Lord.

In review of the first 3 chapters of Galatians, this chapter really gives me a sense of peace.  I have felt stretched + challenged up to this point, + now I just feel like soaking in the promise of God.  I hope you each have enjoyed the study so far + thanks for sticking with us still!  -Justine

In vs. 8 Paul talks about being enslaved to gods with no divinity + in vs. 9 asks how anyone could go back to them after knowing - or rather being known by - God.  What in your life is God gently showing you is a god with no divinity?  Through this study, I hope you gain a strong sense that God knows you so intimately + has chosen you!  And embracing this, I hope we can all find freedom from the things of this world.