VISION – HEIRS OF GOD
Think Like an Heir, Not a Slave
Message from Pastor Chad Everett
OVERVIEW
Did you know that when you believe in Jesus, you become part of God’s family?
That means God is your Heavenly Father, and you are His child! The Bible even says you are an heir of God. An heir is someone who belongs to a family and receives an inheritance.
But sometimes we forget who we are. We might think, “I’m not good enough,” “I’ll never change,” or “I can’t help getting angry.” We might let our feelings or what other people say decide how we see ourselves.
God wants us to think differently!
His Word tells us who we really are. And when we listen to the Holy Spirit, He helps us change the way we think, the choices we make, and the way we treat others.
You don’t have to wait until you’re grown up to live as God’s child. You can start right now!
HOW TO USE THIS STUDY GUIDE
Read About It → Talk About It → Think About It
Open your Bible and read each passage together.
Look for the answers in Scripture before answering the Talk About It questions. These questions follow the same truths the adults are studying, so Kidz can be part of the conversation, too!
Then use the Think About It questions to look at your own choices, attitudes, and actions. Talk about what God’s Word says and how you can live His way at home, at school, and with your friends.
MEMORY VERSE
“The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God.”
Romans 8:16 (NKJV)
BIG WORDS
Heir – Someone who belongs to a family and receives an inheritance. Through Jesus, we are heirs of God!
Inheritance – Something given to a person because they belong to a family. God has given His children wonderful promises through Jesus.
Adoption – Being welcomed into a family as someone’s own child. Through Jesus, God has made us His sons and daughters.
Carnal – Living by what our selfish feelings and desires want instead of following God’s ways.
Condemnation – Being declared guilty and deserving punishment.
Put to Death – To completely stop something. The Holy Spirit helps us turn away from sinful actions and attitudes.
Bears Witness – To tell or confirm that something is true. The Holy Spirit reminds us that we are God’s children.
Joint-Heirs – People who share an inheritance. The Bible says we are joint-heirs with Jesus!
SECTION 1 — SEE YOURSELF AS GOD SEES YOU
BIG IDEA
When you believe in Jesus, God welcomes you into His family as His own child. You don’t have to be perfect or earn His love. God wants you to believe what His Word says about you instead of letting mistakes, feelings, or other people’s opinions tell you who you are.
READ ABOUT IT
Galatians 4:4–7
TALK ABOUT IT
- Who did God send into the world when the right time came?
- According to verse 5, what did Jesus make possible for us to receive?
- What does the Spirit of God’s Son cry out in our hearts?
- According to verse 7, are we still slaves, or are we God’s children?
- What else does verse 7 say we are because we belong to God?
THINK ABOUT IT
- When you make a mistake or someone says something mean about you, do you let that decide how you feel about yourself? What does God’s Word say about who you really are?
- Do you ever feel like you have to be extra good to make God love you? How is obeying God because you love Him different from trying to earn His love?
- If you really believe you are God’s child, how should that change the way you treat someone who is different from you, hurts your feelings, or makes a mistake?
READ MORE
Romans 8:15–16
SECTION 2 — THINK LIKE AN HEIR, NOT A SLAVE
BIG IDEA
God rescued the Israelites from slavery in Egypt, but they sometimes continued thinking like slaves. We can do something similar when we keep acting the same old way even though Jesus has made us free. God wants us to stop believing that we can never change and start living like His children.
READ ABOUT IT
Galatians 4:1–7; Romans 8:12–15
TALK ABOUT IT
- In Galatians 4:1, how is a young heir compared to a slave?
- According to Galatians 4:7, what does God say we are now?
- In Romans 8:12, does Paul say we have to keep living according to our sinful desires?
- What does Romans 8:15 say we have received instead of a spirit of slavery and fear?
- What do we call God because we have been welcomed into His family?
THINK ABOUT IT
- Have you ever said, “That’s just how I am,” when you were angry, unkind, or didn’t want to obey? Does God’s Word say you have to keep acting that way?
- When someone annoys you, leaves you out, or doesn’t do what you want, do you blame them for how you act? What could you choose to do differently as God’s child?
- Is there something you keep saying you can’t change, like arguing, complaining, or being selfish? What would it look like to ask the Holy Spirit to help you change instead of making excuses?
READ MORE
2 Corinthians 5:17
SECTION 3 — RENEW YOUR MIND TO MATCH YOUR IDENTITY IN CHRIST
BIG IDEA
God wants us to think about the things that matter to Him. Colossians 3 teaches us to turn away from wrong thoughts and actions and live a new way. When we fill our minds with God’s Word, we learn to think and act more like Jesus.
READ ABOUT IT
Colossians 3:1–10
TALK ABOUT IT
- According to verse 1, what are we supposed to seek?
- Where does verse 2 tell us to set our minds?
- What does verse 5 tell us to do with sinful things in our lives?
- What wrong actions does Paul tell us to stop doing in verses 8–9?
- According to verse 10, whose image are we being renewed to become like?
THINK ABOUT IT
- Think about what you watch, listen to, play, and talk about. Are those things helping you think more like Jesus, or are some of them teaching you attitudes that don’t agree with God’s Word?
- Have you ever known something was wrong but tried to make an excuse because your friends were doing it or because you really wanted to? What does God’s Word say should guide your choices?
- Is there something you get upset with others for doing, but sometimes do yourself, like lying, being unkind, or refusing to share? What would Jesus want you to change?
READ MORE
Romans 12:2
SECTION 4 — BE LED BY THE SPIRIT, NOT THE FLESH
BIG IDEA
Sometimes we want to do things our own way, even when we know they’re wrong. The Bible calls this following the flesh. But God has given us the Holy Spirit to help us say no to sin and choose His ways. We don’t have to try to change all by ourselves!
READ ABOUT IT
Romans 8:12–14; Colossians 3:8–10
TALK ABOUT IT
- According to Romans 8:12, do we have to obey our fleshly desires?
- Who helps us put a stop to sinful actions in Romans 8:13?
- According to Romans 8:14, who leads the children of God?
- What kinds of attitudes and words does Colossians 3:8 tell us to put away?
- What does Colossians 3:9 tell us not to do to one another?
THINK ABOUT IT
- When you get frustrated, lose a game, or don’t get your way, what usually comes out of your mouth? Do your words show that you’re following Jesus or just doing what your feelings want?
- Have you ever acted kind at church but treated your family differently at home? Why should following Jesus change how we treat people even when no one else is watching?
- When a parent, teacher, or leader corrects you, do you listen and try to change, or do you argue and make excuses? How can asking the Holy Spirit for help change the way you respond?
READ MORE
Galatians 5:22–23
SECTION 5 — LIVE IN THE INHERITANCE YOU HAVE THROUGH JESUS CHRIST
BIG IDEA
The Holy Spirit reminds us that we are God’s children. And because we belong to Him, we are heirs of God and joint-heirs with Jesus! We don’t have to wait until heaven to start living as God’s children. We can trust Him, follow His Spirit, and show His love to others right now.
READ ABOUT IT
Romans 8:14–17; Galatians 4:6–7
TALK ABOUT IT
- According to Romans 8:14, who are the sons of God?
- What does Romans 8:15 say we can call God?
- What does the Holy Spirit tell us in Romans 8:16?
- According to Romans 8:17, what are we because we are God’s children?
- Who do we share our inheritance with?
THINK ABOUT IT
- Do you sometimes think following Jesus is mostly about going to heaven someday? What are some ways God wants you to live as His child right now?
- When you’re afraid to do what’s right, stand up for someone, or say no to something wrong, do you remember that the Holy Spirit is with you? How could trusting Him help you make a brave choice?
- If your friends, family, or classmates watched how you act this week, would they see someone who belongs to Jesus? What is one thing you can change so others see more of His love in you?
READ MORE
Galatians 3:26–29
REMEMBER THIS!
You are God’s child! Think like an heir! Follow the Holy Spirit!
When you believe in Jesus, you become part of God’s family. You don’t have to let your past mistakes, your feelings, or what other people say decide who you are. God tells you who you are in His Word!
Ask the Holy Spirit to help you change the way you think, choose what is right, and treat others like Jesus would. You don’t have to wait until you’re older to live as God’s child.
You belong to Him. Start living like it today!