The Father’s Love
Dr Rob Reimer, December 2, 2018

Scripture: Romans 8:14-16

Main Thought: Our heavenly Father loves you.

Summary: We can live as heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ.

Getting to Know Each Other (Start Here):
Have you ever listened to how you pray? Are your prayers cognitive and religious or personal and relational?  Do you refer to the Father, the Son or the Holy Spirit differently?  

Going Deeper:
1. Are you connected to God the Father? Are you actively pursuing God as your Father, or are you waiting passively for something to shift?   
2. In Romans 8:14-17, we read that as children of God, we can live as heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ. Have you received the adoptive love of the Father? Is there a barrier that is holding you back from receiving the Father’s love?

Dr Reimer spoke of three ways to receive the revelation of the Father’s adoptive love:  When the Holy Spirit illuminates scripture, when the Holy Spirit speaks to us, and when the Holy Spirit pours out the love of God in our hearts. 

3. When the Holy Spirit illuminates scripture to us. How does the Holy Spirit illuminate scripture to you (i.e.: reading, meditating, praying scripture)? What has the Holy Spirit been illuminating for you as you read or meditate on scripture? 

4. When the Holy Spirit speaks to us about it. Have you experienced a direct revelation of the Father’s love? What has the Holy Spirit told you? Give testimony of what you’ve seen, heard, and experienced.

5. When the Holy Spirit pours out the love of God in our hearts. (Romans 5:5) Have you experienced the filling of God’s love in your heart? How has it changed you?

Apply it:
1. Persistently and actively pursue all that scripture promises as ours in Christ.  
2. Ask the Holy Spirit to illuminate scripture for you and show you the Father’s love.