As Dearly Loved Children
Summary: As children who are secure in the love of the Father we admire His awesomeness, and we’re free to admit our faults and failures as we grow to be increasingly like Him.
Main points:
- The scope of our imitation — what particular aspects of God are we to be imitators of?
Helpful references:
New self, changed lives: Romans 12:1-2; Colossians 3:10; Romans 8:28-30
Follow my lead: Leviticus 11:44-45; 1 Peter 1:15-16
Matthew 5:43-48; Luke 6:35-36
- The spirit of our imitation — how does imitation as dearly loved children affect our approach to being imitators of God?
- The power source of our imitation — how can we be motivated to pursue this calling every day of our lives?
Respond:
Love how awesome your heavenly Father is (That’s my Dad!)
Enjoy being his dearly loved children
Embrace the call to love difficult people (Just like Daddy…)
Take compassion on hurting, needy people
Be slow to take offense and quick to forgive
Look for ways to give yourself in love (that’s how this family operates!)