Summary: I am the father of an adopted son. I am the son of an adopted father. I am the grandson in-law of an adopted child. I am the brother of an adopted sister. You could say adoption kind of runs in our family. And whether or not adoption runs in your biological family or not, one thing is for certain—adoption runs in God’s family. Jesus was an adopted child. Paul saw adoption as a metaphor for the gospel. And adoption is a part of David’s story.<br> More than a just a Christian mission, adoption is part of what it means to be Christian. So, join us this week as we celebrate Orphan Sunday and the power of adoption. You might just find a family tree that has the power to change your entire family.<br> DOWNLOADS<br> SEE IT // BE IT<br> (WEEKLY COMMUNITY GROUP DISCUSSION GUIDE)<br> Title: Rise and Reign: The Family Tree // Scripture: 2 Samuel 9:1–1<br> ARRIVAL / SOCIAL TIME 15-20 minutes Spend the first 15 minutes or so of your time together catching up and socializing with one another. Also find time to catch up together on how the assignments from last week turned out.<br> SERMON REVIEW 5-10 minutes<br> Whether or not adoption runs in your biological family, one thing is for certain—adoption runs in God’s family. More than just a Christian mission, adoption is part of what it means to be Christian. Jesus was an adopted child. Paul saw adoption as a metaphor for the gospel. And adoption is a part of David’s story too.<br> In II Samuel 9, David makes room at his table for Mephibosheth, the son of Jonathan. David risks his kingdom to show him love and acceptance even though he had himself faced rejection. David steps into his identity and kindly grants Mephibosheth close and continual access to his table and to his family. David’s faith moves Mephibosheth from a sense of shame to a place of honor, giving him a present inheritance and a future hope.<br> As we consider the kindness of David, we see the heart of God. God dares to know your name and not your nothingness. He dares to see you as a person and not as a problem. And he is inviting you to take your place in his family tree and let the power of the Good News of Jesus transform your life and give you a future.<br> THE MAIN THOUGHT keep this in mind as you facilitate discussion.<br> For the truth to be transformational it must first become personal<br> SEE IT – Questions 10-15 minutes<br> Picture (What is the story saying?): SEE IT – Questions 10-15 minutes<br> Picture (What is the story saying?): How is adoption a part of God’s story as expressed in scripture? How did David’s kindness to Mephibosheth demonstrate God’s heart for us all? What impact did David’s faith have on the future of Mephibosheth?<br> Mirror (Where am I in the story?): How is God showing you acceptance from past rejection? In what ways do you personally identify with David? In what ways do you identify with Mephibosheth? How has Jesus sought you out and invited you to his table?<br> Window (How does the story change how I see those around me?): How can seeing and extending our identity as adopted children of God inform the way we live in community together and the way we reach out to the world? Who is God inviting you to bring close in order to show them kindness? How can you move from naming them as a problem to knowing them as a person?<br> BE IT – Practice<br> At Grace each week we use the ideas of Worship, Word, and Wonder to guide our Sunday morning experiences. This week we want you to use these ideas to guide you in your community experience.<br> Change UP // Parent Prayer 15 minutes<br> Spend one minute in silence asking God to give you specific words about his transformational truth. Now speak those words of God’s truth out loud. Close with a prayer of thanksgiving that God’s faithfulness gives us a future.<br> Change IN // Name Change 5 minutes<br> Write down the three biggest areas of shame, need, or problems in your own story. Next to each area,
