Dear Church family & friends.
Many of you know, we have an adopted grandson named Issac, whom we love dearly. He has also blessed us with two precious great-granddaughters, whom we love and cherish, but don’t see often enough (by our standards!) We think of them and treat them as our very own “flesh and blood”! Issac may be adopted, but he is genuinely our beloved grandson and we are so grateful that God allowed him to come into our lives and our family!
Honestly, before Issac, I had no idea what the adoption process entailed in our state. I did not know that someone had to pay for it, that it would require us to go through interviews, attend court hearings and legally declare him adopted by our eldest son, Matthew.
It’s with that lack of knowledge that we entered the courtroom on the day of Issac’s adoption. Gayla and I were both moved as our son took on a challenge that no one else would dare take on. As we sat looking on and listening to the judge, we both wept tears of joy. “Another child we can be grandparents to, another child we can love!” Then, all of a sudden, Judge Macia asked Gayla and I to step forward. He then charged us, “If, for any reason, your son cannot raise this child, do you commit to step in and raise Issac for him?” Wow! I was not expecting that! Gayla and I had not even had a chance to discuss this, but without any hesitation or even looking at each other for approval, we both unanimously and simultaneously said “YES!” And now, we have the honor of calling him mijo! (Free Spanish lesson: mijo is short for mi hijo, which means “my son”.) But when you say mijo, it’s more than just calling him my son, it’s conveying my son that I love dearly. It’s expressing deep, intimate affection.
Ice breaker: When you were younger, what name did your parents or grandparents use to convey their affection to you?
This Sunday’s text is 1 John 2:1 & 2. Please read it to help you prepare to answer the following questions:
- What intimate terms did John use to address the church in hopes of conveying his affection to them? (1 John 2:1 & 1 John 2:7) Why do you think he chose those two words and what was he trying to convey?
- In these two passages and in the two words John uses, he lays out his purpose for writing to them. What are the two purposes? (HINT: both times John says, “I am writing these things or I am writing to you” to let us know his reason or intention.) Summarize these purposes in your own words.
- We know that not everyone has a Biblical view of sin. In your opinion, what is the popular view of sin among non-christians/the world today? What is the popular view of sin among most Christians today?
- In 1 John 2: 1 & 2, we find two theological words that we don’t use regularly in our daily vocabulary: “advocate” and “propitiation”. Before you look them up, try to define them in your own words. How does “advocate” and “propitiation” affect your daily life as a Christ-follower? Write down some examples.
Pray: Now have some T.A.C.O.S. (SVCC family member, Ashley Stewart, shared this with me. I love it! So I’m going to use it to remind myself to have my daily serving of TACOS!)
T = Thank God (Spend a few minutes thanking God for His goodness, grace and mercy in your life.)
A = Adoration (Spend a few minutes praising God for His nature, character and goodness.)
C = Confession (Spend a few minutes in confession knowing that God will forgive you.)
O = Others (Spend a few minutes interceding on behalf of others.)
S = Self ( Spend a few minutes praying for your own needs and your spouse’s needs.)