Week 1: Anchored in Jesus
(Hope, Salvation & Identity)
Day 5 — Adopted Into God’s Family
Scripture Reading:
“But when the set time had fully come, God sent his Son, born of a woman, born under the law, to redeem those under the law, that we might receive adoption to sonship. Because you are his sons, God sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, the Spirit who calls out, “Abba, Father.” So you are no longer a slave, but God’s child; and since you are his child, God has made you also an heir.”
Galatians 4:4-7 NIV
“Yet to all who did receive him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God—”
John 1:12 NIV
Devotional Thought
Most of us spend a good part of our lives trying to belong — to be chosen, accepted, and known. We look for it in relationships, work, success, or approval. But deep down, there’s often a quiet question underneath it all: Do I actually matter? Do I belong anywhere for real?
The message of the gospel answers that question in a powerful way.
When you said yes to Jesus — whether that moment felt dramatic or quiet — something profound happened. God didn’t just forgive you; He adopted you. That means you didn’t just get a second chance… you got a new family.
I
n the culture of the Bible, adoption was permanent and irreversible. Once someone was adopted, they had full rights, full access, and full belonging. That’s the picture Scripture uses to describe your relationship with God. You’re not a guest. You’re not on probation. You’re not “almost” family. You are fully His.
God doesn’t keep you at arm’s length. He doesn’t relate to you as a distant authority figure. He invites you to call Him Father — not in a formal or religious way, but in the deeply personal sense of someone who knows you, loves you, and chooses you.
Your past no longer defines you. Your failures don’t disqualify you. Your identity is no longer based on what you’ve done or what’s been done to you. You belong — completely and permanently.
You’re not trying to earn a place at the table. You already have a seat.
Reflection Question
If you truly believed you were fully accepted and loved by God, how might that change the way you see yourself or approach your life today?
Practice for Today
Take a quiet moment and simply say,
“God, thank You for making me Your child.”
Notice what emotions or thoughts come up as you sit with that truth.
“But when the set time had fully come, God sent his Son, born of a woman, born under the law, to redeem those under the law, that we might receive adoption to sonship. Because you are his sons, God sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, the Spirit who calls out, “Abba, Father.” So you are no longer a slave, but God’s child; and since you are his child, God has made you also an heir.”
Galatians 4:4-7 NIV
“Yet to all who did receive him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God—”
John 1:12 NIV
Devotional Thought
Most of us spend a good part of our lives trying to belong — to be chosen, accepted, and known. We look for it in relationships, work, success, or approval. But deep down, there’s often a quiet question underneath it all: Do I actually matter? Do I belong anywhere for real?
The message of the gospel answers that question in a powerful way.
When you said yes to Jesus — whether that moment felt dramatic or quiet — something profound happened. God didn’t just forgive you; He adopted you. That means you didn’t just get a second chance… you got a new family.
I
n the culture of the Bible, adoption was permanent and irreversible. Once someone was adopted, they had full rights, full access, and full belonging. That’s the picture Scripture uses to describe your relationship with God. You’re not a guest. You’re not on probation. You’re not “almost” family. You are fully His.
God doesn’t keep you at arm’s length. He doesn’t relate to you as a distant authority figure. He invites you to call Him Father — not in a formal or religious way, but in the deeply personal sense of someone who knows you, loves you, and chooses you.
Your past no longer defines you. Your failures don’t disqualify you. Your identity is no longer based on what you’ve done or what’s been done to you. You belong — completely and permanently.
You’re not trying to earn a place at the table. You already have a seat.
Reflection Question
If you truly believed you were fully accepted and loved by God, how might that change the way you see yourself or approach your life today?
Practice for Today
Take a quiet moment and simply say,
“God, thank You for making me Your child.”
Notice what emotions or thoughts come up as you sit with that truth.