Acquitted & Accepted

You’re not on spiritual probation—you’re acquitted in Christ and accepted as family. Romans 8:8–16 cuts through performance pressure and announces a better way to live: the flesh cannot please God (v.8), but the Spirit dwells in you (v.9), leads you (v.14), and makes you cry, “Abba! Father!” (v.15). No hype—just holy ground for busy, real-life families.

Big Idea: Those God justifies, His Spirit leads—from slavery to sonship—so we put sin to death by the Spirit and walk with the assurance of adoption.

CHAPTERS

00:00 Intro — From probation to belonging

02:15 Why the flesh can’t please God (v.8)

07:45 The Spirit dwells: new identity (v.9–11)

14:10 Debtors not to the flesh (vv.12–13)

20:40 Led by the Spirit = sons of God (v.14)

27:05 Adoption, not slavery: “Abba! Father!” (v.15)

33:30 Assurance: the Spirit bears witness (v.16)

39:10 Practices for home & work

44:30 Prayer & invitation

KEY TAKEAWAYS

You owe the flesh nothing (v.12).

By the Spirit you put to death sin’s deeds (v.13).

Spirit-leading marks God’s children (v.14).

Adoption replaces fear with “Abba!” (v.15).

Assurance is the Spirit’s witness in step with the Word (v.16).

PRACTICES FOR THE WEEK

3-Minute Morning Liturgy: Read Rom 8:14–16 → breathe “Abba, Father” → ask for one obedience today.

Stop–Swap–Spirit (conflict tool): Stop 10 sec → swap harsh words for a gentle question → whisper, “Spirit, lead me.”

Mortification Audit (10 min): Name one deed of the flesh → cut access → replace with a Spirit-feeding habit (Scripture, song, serving).

Witness from adoption: “I don’t have every answer, but I carry the Answer—Jesus adopted me. Can I share how?”