Understanding Your Religion
7 Major Doctrines that Define Christianity
Becoming Children of God
The Sub-Doctrine of Adoption
Teaching Strategy
The focus of this lesson is an explanation of doctrines that describe God’s plan of salvation from different perspectives. Of special note in this lesson are the elements of salvation as put forth by God and their meaning.
Student Learning Outcomes
- Know: Be able to explain God’s plan of salvation from a personal perspective.
- Feel: Appreciate the love God has for us through His deep desire to adopt us as His children.
- Do: Live faithfully as an expression of our love for God.
Body of the Lesson
Discussion Questions
Below are suggested questions to use during the guided discussion portion of the lesson. There are also suggested responses to questions to help students grasp the various concepts. These are provided to assist the discussion and are not considered as “right or wrong” responses.
- Election – The choice God made to choose Christ as an acceptable sacrifice for our sins and our choice to accept God's way.
- Predestination – God's knowledge that His choice of Christ will produce our reconciliation.
- Atonement – God paying the price for our debt through Jesus' sacrifice.
- Redemption – The result of atonement
- Regeneration – God giving new life to the freed sinner.
The story of the gospel
The historical story of Jesus, who He was, His life, ministry, death, burial and resurrection (I Corinthians 15:1-5).
The meaning of the gospel
God's plan to redeem man through Christ. It is seen in the teachings that explain the gospel message of why Christ came, what He did and how we are affected.
The response to the gospel
Our choice to accept God's plan for our redemption seen through our active faith (repentance, baptism, and holy living).
Moses is to tell Pharaoh that Israel is His son, His firstborn. This imagery is of God adopting the nation of Israel as His special people. The concept of "holy" or "sanctified" is shown here as God sets aside for a special purpose the nation of Israel. That special purpose was that Israel would be the people through whom Jesus would come to complete the plan for man's redemption.
The word "begotten" normally means to be brought into existence by a parent.
When used in reference to Jesus means one-of-a-kind. In other words, only Jesus shares the divine nature as God the Son. Only Jesus is referred to as "begotten" of God.
Mankind and the nation of Israel were said to be adopted by God for a special purpose. God chose Israel initially as His adopted sons. Now, as we obey the plan for our redemption, God adopts us into His family. Israel was first (firstborn – Exodus 4:22) to have this distinction, however, since Jesus all who believe in Him also have this special identify (Galatians 3:26).
It was the end result of God's plan. (Ephesians 1:5; Galatians 3:23-4:7. He also explains how we receive special considerations and blessings from God our Father as His adopted children (Romans 8:15-17). As legally and fully adopted children, we are full heirs to the blessings offered by God. There are many given but the ultimate blessing is eternal life with the Father.
We should grow spiritually to the point that we fully appreciate that we are indeed redeemed. We can live confidently and peacefully that we are free from the guilt of sins and can go about living for and serving God. Our focus shifts from fear of punishment to the anticipation of life with our Father. This special relationship is offered to all but granted only to those who obey the plan for our redemption God put forth. It is not something we earn, but something we accept in God's way and not our own. This shows that we understand God's love for us and our humility as we accept that love through faith in Jesus Christ. Even when we fail, God accepts us back as we repent and return to Him (Luke 15:11-32; I John 1:5-10).