The Gift of Adoption

Sermon Discussion Questions: December 7, 2025 The Five Gifts of Christmas: The Gift of Adoption Advent Candle Lighting: Micah 5:1-5a – Peace Sunday 1. Verse 5:2 states that Bethlehem was not a notable town at the time of the prophesy was written. Nor was it notable when Jesus was born there. Where else in scripture do we see God using nondescript locations or unimposing people to carry out momentous events? 2. What evidence do we see in these verses that Jesus had a per-incarnate existence? Sermon: Galatians 4:4-7 1. Last week's sermon was on redemption; this week's sermon is on adoption. Is there some reason for this sequence, or could it have been just as easily reversed? 2. Pastor Tavernelli gave three examples of how loneliness is manifested in the world: Youth conversing with chat bots, young adults in bars, and elderly in nursing homes. Does separation from God result in separation from other humans? If “yes”, how does the former lead to the latter? 3. What support do we see in this passage for the doctrine of the hypostatic union? (Jesus is fully God and fully Man) 4. What is the significance, in verse 4, of Jesus meeting two criteria: Born of woman, and born under the law? (Also see Galatians 3:13-14) 5. In what sense is our adoption already a “done deal” and in what sense will it fully completed only when Jesus returns? 6. Ephesians 4:24 states that we were created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness. List a way we: a. Are like God now. (Using the sermon passage) b. Will be like God after our resurrection. c. Will never be like God. 7. What evidence do we see in Matthew 28:19 of unity within the Trinity? 8. What two reasons did Pastor Tavernelli give for the scripture referring to adoption as “sons”, rather than “children” or “sons and daughters”. 9. Why is the church corporately referred to in the feminine? (1 Peter 5:13 and multiple references in Revelation) 10. The world encourages us to establish our identity through our job, sexual orientation, possessions, or evolution. What are some scriptures that establish our authentic identity? 11. Verse 4 states that ...the fullness of time had come... for Jesus’ birth. What conditions or situations may have made the world ready for Jesus' incarnation? 12. AI Question: Since Paul says we are no longer slaves but children of God, how should this truth shape the way you view yourself and respond to feelings of inadequacy or fear?