Here are some questions based on last Sunday’s sermon text (Galatians 4:4-7), in case they’re helpful to you for personal growth or group discussion…

• [4] “God sent forth his Son” to become incarnate, to become a human, Jesus. What does this say about God? About his nature? His character? His intentions toward you?

• [5] In the Incarnation there is an exchange that takes place. Irenaeus said, “He became what we are in order to enable us to become what he is.” (See 2 Cor. 5:21.) What did the Son of God become, and what did he make us? What did the Son of God take from us, and what did he give to us?

• [6] In the Incarnation there is a sending-forth and a returning. God the Father sent forth his Son—and Spirit—and we have been brought back home, into God’s own family, where he receives his own Spirit back from us. What does it mean that “the Spirit of his Son” cries, “Abba! Father!” from our hearts? Do you cry it, or does he? Is it his relationship with the Father, or is it yours… or is it ours? What does it even matter? (Hint: it matters.)

• [7] Since the Incarnation, you are “sons” and “heirs.” Heirs of what? (Can you think of any Scriptures that talk about our “inheritance” or “portion”?) Is this important to you? J. I. Packer said, “Our understanding of Christianity cannot be better than our grasp of adoption.” Do you usually think of Christianity in terms of adoption? Can you commend it to others in those terms?