Week 1 · Receiving your new identity
Day 5
You can come as a child
Before you read, ask the Holy Spirit to help you understand the passage and respond honestly.
Read
Romans 8:14-17; Galatians 4:4-7
Read in the ESV ↗Read the whole passage slowly, twice if you can. Then come back here.
Reading the chapters alongside your first ten days? Today's is chapter 5: Learning to pray.
Understand
Paul uses adoption to describe the place God gives those who belong to Christ. They are welcomed as children, and the Spirit enables them to address God as Father. This access rests on the Son’s redeeming work.
Human families can make the word father comforting, painful, or complicated. God’s character is not defined by the failures of an earthly parent. He is holy, faithful, and loving. You can bring both gratitude and pain into your relationship with him. Romans also connects being God’s children with sharing Christ’s suffering and future glory. Adoption does not guarantee an easy life; it gives you belonging and hope within it.
Pray
Father, help me receive the belonging you give through Jesus. Heal the ways I misunderstand your character. Holy Spirit, help me come honestly and trust the Father's care. Amen.
Use this as a starting point, then speak in your own words.
Reflect
What helps or hinders you when you address God as Father?
Act today
Begin a short prayer with Father and name one concern you have kept to yourself. If that word is difficult, tell him why. Consider sharing that difficulty with a trusted pastor rather than forcing a feeling you do not have.
Words you will hear today
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Walking with someone through this? See the week 1 guide
Missed a day? Resume where you stopped. You don't need to catch up.