SPIRITUAL AUTHORITY: SONS & DAUGHTERS – GROW UP & LIVE DIFFERENTLY
Message from Pastor Chad Everett
OVERVIEW
If you are a son or daughter of God, should the way you live look different?
In Grow Up & Live Differently, Pastor Chad teaches that God does not just want us to know that we are His children. He wants us to grow up spiritually and learn to live like His sons and daughters.
Galatians 4:1 tells us that an heir can still live like a slave when he is a child. He really is an heir, but he has not grown up enough to understand how to live like one yet.
The same thing can happen to us. We can belong to Jesus but still let things like jealousy, anger, arguing, hurt feelings, or wanting our own way control how we act.
The Bible calls this living by our flesh. God has something much better for us. He has given us the Holy Spirit, and He wants us to learn to listen to Him and let Him lead the way we think, talk, and act.
Pastor Chad said, “Our spiritual maturity will determine our spiritual experience.”
Growing spiritually is not just about getting older or going to church for a long time. We grow when we spend time with Jesus, learn His Word, pray, worship, listen to the Holy Spirit, and practice doing what God teaches us. We also grow alongside other believers who help us follow Jesus.
When God shows us something in our lives that needs to change, He is not trying to make us feel bad. He is showing us something that is keeping us from being free. Jesus wants to help us grow up, come out of things that control us, and live differently as sons and daughters of God.
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 the Bible before answering the Talk About It questions. Then use the Think About It questions to talk honestly about how God’s Word connects to your own life.
Ask the Holy Spirit to show you where you are growing and where you still need His help. Remember, when God shows you something that needs to change, He is inviting you to grow and become more like Jesus.
This guide can be used with your family, your Kidz group, or during a group discussion with adults.
MEMORY VERSE
“For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God.” — Romans 8:14 (NKJV)
BIG WORDS
Spiritual Maturity = Growing in your relationship with God and learning to think, talk, and live more like Jesus.
Spiritual = Being led and directed by the Holy Spirit.
Carnal = Letting your own wants, feelings, or wrong desires control you instead of the Holy Spirit.
Flesh = The part of us that wants to do things our own way instead of God’s way.
Envy = Wanting what someone else has or being jealous of them.
Strife = Arguing, fighting, or being angry with others.
Division = When people are pulled apart instead of living in unity.
Freedom = Not being controlled by the things Jesus has set us free from.
SECTION 1 — SONS AND DAUGHTERS ARE CALLED TO LIVE DIFFERENTLY
BIG IDEA
Because I am God’s child, I can learn to think, talk, and act differently.
READ ABOUT IT
Galatians 4:1–7
TALK ABOUT IT
- According to Galatians 4:1, who can an heir act like while he is still a child?
- Does Galatians 4:1 say the heir is already “master of all”?
- According to Galatians 4:4–5, whom did God send?
- According to Galatians 4:6, whom did God send into our hearts?
- According to Galatians 4:7, what are we instead of slaves?
THINK ABOUT IT
- When something hard or disappointing happens, what usually comes out of you?
- Is there a way you sometimes talk or act that does not look like Jesus?
- What is one way you want the Holy Spirit to help you live differently this week?
READ MORE
Romans 6:17–18, 22; Colossians 1:13–14
SECTION 2 — SPIRITUAL IMMATURITY KEEPS US LIVING LIKE SLAVES
BIG IDEA
God wants me to keep growing so I do not stay stuck in ways of living that control me.
READ ABOUT IT
1 Corinthians 3:1–3
TALK ABOUT IT
- What did Paul call the Christians in 1 Corinthians 3:1?
- Did Paul say they were acting like spiritual people or carnal people?
- In verse 2, what kind of food did Paul say he had given them?
- Why did Paul say they were not ready for solid food?
- What does verse 3 say was happening among them that showed they were still carnal?
THINK ABOUT IT
- Growing spiritually is different from growing taller or getting older. What do you think it looks like to grow spiritually?
- Is there something you know God wants you to do, but you still have trouble doing it?
- When God shows you something that needs to change, do you make excuses for it or ask Him to help you grow?
READ MORE
Hebrews 5:12–14; Ephesians 4:14–15
SECTION 3 — BE LED BY THE SPIRIT, NOT CONTROLLED BY THE FLESH
BIG IDEA
The Holy Spirit wants to lead me instead of letting my feelings and wants control me.
READ ABOUT IT
1 Corinthians 2:14–16; Romans 8:12–14
TALK ABOUT IT
- According to 1 Corinthians 2:14, what does the natural person not receive?
- How does 1 Corinthians 2:14 say the things of God are understood?
- According to Romans 8:13, who helps us put to death the wrong things our bodies want to do?
- According to Romans 8:14, who leads the sons and daughters of God?
- What does being “led by the Spirit” tell us about who should be leading our choices?
THINK ABOUT IT
- Have you ever been so angry, upset, or excited that your feelings seemed to be in charge of you?
- Before you react when you are angry or hurt, how could you stop and ask the Holy Spirit to help you?
- Can you think of one area where you want to get better at listening to the Holy Spirit instead of just doing what you feel like doing?
READ MORE
Galatians 5:16, 22–25
SECTION 4 — INVEST IN YOUR SPIRITUAL GROWTH
BIG IDEA
I can choose to spend time with God and make room for Him to help me grow.
READ ABOUT IT
Romans 12:1–2; Colossians 3:1–2
TALK ABOUT IT
- According to Romans 12:1, what are we supposed to offer to God?
- According to Romans 12:2, should we copy the ways of the world around us?
- What does Romans 12:2 say God can renew?
- According to Colossians 3:1, where should we look for the things that matter to God?
- According to Colossians 3:2, what should we set our minds on?
THINK ABOUT IT
- What are some things you spend a lot of time doing each week?
- What are some ways you can spend time with Jesus besides going to church?
- Which is one thing you could do more intentionally this week: pray, read your Bible, worship, listen to God, or spend time with people who help you follow Jesus?
READ MORE
Psalm 1:1–3; Colossians 3:16; 1 Timothy 4:7–8
SECTION 5 — COME OUT OF CARNALITY AND WALK IN FREEDOM
BIG IDEA
When God shows me something wrong in my life, I can bring it to Jesus and let Him help me change.
READ ABOUT IT
1 Corinthians 3:1–3; Romans 16:17–18
TALK ABOUT IT
- What does 1 Corinthians 3:3 say was happening among the believers?
- What is envy?
- What is strife?
- According to Romans 16:17, what should we watch out for?
- What does Romans 16:17 say we should do about things that cause division?
THINK ABOUT IT
- Do you ever get jealous when someone has something you want, gets chosen for something, or does something better than you?
- What usually happens when you get angry or have your feelings hurt? Do you argue, say mean things, talk about the person to someone else, or try to get others on your side?
- Is there something Jesus may be showing you today that He wants to help you change?
READ MORE
Ephesians 4:25–32; James 3:13–18
KEEP GROWING!
God wants you to keep growing as His son or daughter. Spend time with Jesus through prayer, His Word, worship, and listening to the Holy Spirit. Then practice what He teaches you as you learn to think, talk, and live differently.
You do not have to grow alone! Are you part of Roads Kidz on Sundays? Roads Kidz is a place for you to be trained and equipped as a follower of Jesus. You are not just the Church of tomorrow. You are part of the Church today! Come ready to learn God’s Word, ask questions, pray, grow in your faith, and practice what you are learning.
ACTIVITY — WHO IS LEADING ME?
Draw a picture of what might happen if you let your feelings be in charge.
Then draw another picture showing what could happen if you stopped, asked the Holy Spirit to help you, and chose to respond God’s way.
Under your pictures, finish this sentence:
“The Holy Spirit can help me live differently when ________________________________.”