The Apostle Paul taught us that there are two different mindsets that we can have in our approach to God—we can approach Him as slaves in spirit of bondage or as adopted children of God. The Bible presents a high view of adoption and uses it to parallel the relationship God wants to have with us. The spirit of bondage views God as a slave owner and we are His trembling subjects. The spirit of adoption, through the Spirit of God, views God as a loving Father and we are His beloved sons and daughters. There is a vast difference between these two ways of thinking. Slaves may perform duties, but sons act out of love. Slaves dutifully obey, but sons gladly obey. Slaves ask, “What is required?” Sons ask, “What else can I do for you?” The Spirit of God, as Romans 8:15 teaches, enables us to cry Abba Father, transforming us from fearful slaves to joyful sons and daughters in God’s family.

Day 1 Romans 8:14-17

Reflect: What things give evidence that we are God’s adopted children of God? How does the Spirit of God fulfill His role? What do we inherit as heirs of God through Jesus Christ, His Son?

Apply: What is your favorite thing about being a child of God? When have you felt more like a slave than an heir, trapped in a spirit of bondage? How has the Spirit of God reminded you that you are part of God’s family?

Pray: Father, radical holiness, fearless freedom, familial prayerfulness, and the hope of glory are characteristics of Your children of God. Thank You for Your indwelling Spirit of God who witnesses and assures us, through Romans 8:15, that we are Your children and Your heirs in God’s family.

Day 2 Romans 8:22-30      

Reflect: What is the meaning and purpose of the groanings described? What promises in this text can you claim as an adopted child of God? How does Romans 8:15 reinforce the truth that we received the Spirit of adoption?

Apply:  What stood out most to you in this text? What was most helpful or meaningful? When have you claimed verse 28 for yourself or for someone else? What does it mean to you to cry Abba Father as part of God’s family?

Pray: Father, I struggle to trust You with the broken pieces of my life. Thank You for using my trials for my good and Your glory to make me more like Jesus Christ, Your Son. Help me to live as Your adopted child, free from the spirit of bondage.

Day 3 Galatians 4:1-7     

Reflect: In verse 3, what are the elementary principles of the world that enslave people in a spirit of bondage? What are some of the challenges and joys that come with both freedom and responsibility as children of God?

Apply:  What new insight do you gain from this text? How often do you address God as “Abba, Father,” as Romans 8:15 encourages? Who do you know that needs to be reminded of their true standing with God in God’s family?

Pray: Abba, Father, thank You for choosing us to be part of God’s family through adoption. No matter what challenges I face, You are with me, encouraging, guiding, protecting, and cheering us on with Your love through Jesus Christ, Your Son.

Day 4 Hebrews 2:10-13 

Reflect: How does verse 10 speak to the chief end of humankind? What do you see Jesus Christ, Your Son, doing for us? What does this mean to you? What does it mean to know Him as a brother in God’s family?

Apply: Hear this—Jesus Christ is not ashamed of you. How do you receive this truth? Why? Through what false lenses may you be looking at yourself and your relationship with God, perhaps feeling a spirit of bondage rather than adoption?

Pray: Jesus Christ, the Son, I am in awe of You, the perfect human who restored our fractured glory by taking the destructive way of the Cross and making it the way that brings life and freedom as members of God’s family.

Day 5 Luke 15:11-24

Reflect: How do you see God revealing the kind of relationship He wants and does not want with us? What does verse 12 reveal about God and about us? What about verse 20? How does this parable reflect the truth of Romans 8:15 that we received the Spirit of adoption?

Apply:  After this, what do you imagine the relationship was like between the father and the younger son? How might Jesus Christ want this parable to renew your relationship with Father God, enabling you to cry Abba Father?

Pray: Heavenly Father, there is nothing that commends me to You, and I have done many things that are unworthy of Your name. Yet, in Jesus Christ, Your Son, I have been declared righteous and accepted. Thank You for Your love and grace that welcome me into God’s family.

Put it into Practice

Ask the Lord what needs to change in you or your relationship with Him for you to fully embrace your position as His beloved child of God. Are you holding on to unworthiness? Do you feel you have to work for His love and approval? Are you clinging to the law more than God’s grace? Is there a spirit of bondage hindering your relationship with Father God? Ask God to reveal lies and His truth, trusting the Spirit of God to assure you, as Romans 8:15 teaches, that you can cry Abba Father as part of God’s family.