ADOPTED: The Preciousness of the Family of God
Spring '24 Sunday Auditorium Class
Lesson 12 - A Wealth of Spiritual Blessings
May 26, 2024 • Russ Robins, Dru McLaughin, Justin Spargo • Ephesians 1:3
After a short introduction, Paul begins the letter to the Ephesians by pouring out praise to our God, who is the essence of all that is good. Ours is the God who loves to give. We’ve already read from Romans 8:28, which speaks of His work and involvement in our lives. James said every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the father of lights, who does not change like shifting shadows (James 1:17). God is all about good, and He loves to shower blessings on His children. In fact, you have been so blessed by Him that you are rich in Christ. You have been blessed beyond imagination.
Lesson 11 - The Excitement of Sharing Your Hope
May 19, 2024 • Russ Robins, Justin Spargo, Dru McLaughin • Titus 3:1–8, Titus 2:5–10
Now that you’re in God’s family, you have been given a tremendous opportunity to share the gospel with others you meet. These might be your spouse, children, parents, and extended family. There are friends in your life who are outside Christ. You may have business acquaintances or people at work who need to hear the good news. Potential prospects are everywhere!
The Experience and Wonder of Worship
May 12, 2024 • Russ Robins, Justin Spargo, Dru McLaughin • Isaiah 6:1–8, Luke 5:16–27
When we worship God, we should be able to see something spectacular—something beyond ourselves. We should leave filled with awe, mesmerized by God's life-giving, life-flowing power. We should be motivated to tell others about what we have experienced.
Lesson 9 - Spiritual Confidence
May 5, 2024 • Russ Robins, Dru McLaughin, Justin Spargo • 1 Corinthians 15:58
This lesson will focus specifically on confidence, an essential attribute of strong Christians. We will discuss the importance of trust, where to place it, and how to cultivate it. More importantly, we will explore how this confidence supports us throughout life, offering resilience and stability no matter our challenges. This is about acknowledging the necessity of confidence and understanding how it can be actively developed and maintained in our daily walk with Christ.
Lesson 7 - A Different Outlook on Life
April 21, 2024 • Russ Robins, Justin Spargo, Dru McLaughin • 2 Corinthians 5:11–17
In this lesson, we will explore how our relationship with Jesus redefines who we are and how we live, offering us a new perspective and an invigorated sense of purpose. The goal is to understand further the life-changing power of our faith and the continual renewal it brings.
Lesson 6 - A Peace Not Like the World
April 14, 2024 • Russ Robins, Dru McLaughin, Justin Spargo • John 14:27, Philippians 4:7–13
Paul knew from personal experience that God is the God of peace. Every need he had was met every time – whether in circumstances of need or abundance. Paul possessed the ultimate confidence that God was with him. In verse 12, he says that he has learned the secret of being content and that he found true peace. True peace comes when we do not allow our circumstances to impede our influence and activity in the kingdom. In other words, it comes when we entirely devote ourselves to God and completely depend on His resources. This is why Paul could write down the words that so many of us have memorized: I am able to do all things through Him who strengthens me. Paul understood that no matter what came upon him, good or bad, persecution or abundant blessing, he would be given the strength to fulfill God’s purposes.
Lesson 5 - Freedom from Sin
April 7, 2024 • Russ Robins, Justin Spargo, Dru McLaughin • Colossians 2:11–14
Before God adopted you, you were dead in your sins and trespasses and separated from him. Your sins had piled up before him, and there was no way you could repay the debt you owed – except by eternal death. When you chose to call upon his name by responding to the gospel invitation, God made you alive with him and forgave (you) all (your) trespasses. At the moment of your baptism, the debt you owed was canceled. You are no longer obligated to pay it – because Jesus took your debt of sin away, nailing it to the cross. Oh, how precious is our adoption! Without Him, we would be hopelessly lost, under sin, and eternally doomed.
Lesson 4 - Gifted Godly Leaders
March 31, 2024 • Russ Robins, Justin Spargo, Dru McLaughin • Ephesians 4:11–12
In this lesson, we will discover the significance of spiritual leadership in the church's life and its impact on our individual and collective spiritual growth. We will explore the roles these leaders fulfill, the power of their ministry, and the principles of servant leadership they exemplify. I hope our hearts are stirred with gratitude for the leaders God has graciously placed in our midst and that we are inspired to actively participate in building up the local church we are part of.
Lesson 3 - Spiritual Family
March 24, 2024 • Russ Robins, Dru McLaughin, Justin Spargo • Ephesians 2:12–19
Spiritually, when God adopts us, we go from total separation (foreigners and strangers) to the household of God. I love the imagery in Ephesians 2 where Paul says the Gentiles weren’t just invited to God’s house; they got a seat at God’s table (2:12-19). Through the work of Christ, God is bringing people together from every tribe, every nation, every language, and every culture and making them one. Paul likens this to a building being put together and growing into a holy temple in the Lord. In him, you are also being built together for God’s dwelling in the Spirit (2:21-22). Your coming into the body of Christ is not just about you – it is Christ and the new family of fellow believers you receive.
Lesson 2 - New Family Values
March 17, 2024 • Russ Robins, Dru McLaughin, Justin Spargo • Ephesians 4:17–32
Going through the adoption process marks a deeply personal and significant shift in an individual's life. When a person is adopted, it signifies a profound transition from one family to another. This change goes beyond legalities and paperwork; it's about leaving behind old family values, traditions, and identities to embrace new ones fully. As an adopted child becomes part of their new family, they adopt its values, beliefs, and ways of life, which fundamentally shape their understanding of the world and their place within it. This significant change represents a new beginning, filled with love, belonging, and a newfound identity.
Lesson 1 - A New Identity
March 10, 2024 • Russ Robins, Dru McLaughin, Justin Spargo • Ephesians 2:1–10
In this lesson, we discuss the concept of salvation and how it is often brought to light by the beautiful metaphor of adoption. Ephesians 2 and the teachings of Paul profoundly manifest this, depicting our unparalleled journey from spiritual desolation to divine belonging. Here, by exploring God's initiative, the reason behind our salvation, and its transformative results, we can see a parallel to the adoption process, where one is chosen, redeemed, and given a new identity.
Class Introduction
March 3, 2024 • Russ Robins, Justin Spargo, Dru McLaughin
As we study together over the coming months, I want you to discover the beautiful, complex, and redemptive adoption narrative. It's a story of finding a home, being chosen, and ultimately, belonging to a family far more significant than we could ever imagine. Adoption is a powerful word. It describes a concept filled with love, mercy, and grace. When an adoption happens, a person is taken into a family not related to them and given all the rights and privileges of a family member. If you’ve experienced adoption in your physical family, you know it is just something truly incredible.