New City Churchs Summer 2012 Online Book Club

JI Packers Knowing God ~ Chapter 19, Sons of God (Sections 1-3) Before reading: How would you summarize the message of the New Testament?

Purpose: To grasp the tremendous significance of adoption in the Christian life

Outline: IV. What Adoption Shows Us V. The Great Secret Key Quotes: Were I to focus the New Testament message in three words, my proposal would be adoption through propitiation. What will make heaven to be heaven is the presence of Jesus, and of a reconciled divine Father who loves us for Jesus sake no less than He loves Jesus Himself. To see, and known, and love, and be loved by, the Father and the Son, in company with the rest of Gods vast family, is the whole essence of the Christian hope. The vital truth to be grasped here is that the Spirit is given to Christians as the Spirit of adoption, and in all His ministry to Christians He acts as the Spirit of adoption. As such, His task and purpose throughout is to make Christians realize with increasing clarity the meaning of their filial relationship with God in Christ, and to lead them into an ever deeper response to God in this relationship. So it is not as we strain after feelings and experiences, of whatever sort, but as we seek God Himself, looking to Him as our Father, pricing His fellowship, and finding in ourselves and increasing concern to know and please Him, that the reality of the Spirits ministry becomes visible in our lives. Do I, as a Christian, understand myself? Do I know my own real identity? My own real destiny? I am a child of God. God is my Father; heaven is my home; every day is one day nearer. My Saviour is my brother, every Christian is my brother too. Say it over and over to yourself the first thing in the morning, last thing at night, as you wait for the bus, any time when your mind is free, and ask that you may be enabled to live as one who knows it is all utterly and completely true. Reflection Questions:

1. Why is the phrase adoption through propitiation such a rich summary of the gospel?
2. How does our adoption show us the greatness of Gods grace? The glory of the Christian hope? They key to understanding the ministry of the Holy Spirit? The meaning and motive of gospel holiness? The solution to the problem of assurance? 3. What one concept, idea, or quote do you want to remember from this chapter? Review these questions & quotes, and let them direct your thoughts, prayer, and praise.