Neighbor Groups: Embrace FamiliesSample

Adopted

When we talk about being in God’s family, a key word is “adoption.” The Bible tells us that when we accept Jesus as our Savior, we are adopted into God’s family.

God decided in advance to adopt us into his own family ... Ephesians 1:5 NLT

Adoption creates opportunities for a child that they might not otherwise have. In the Old Testament, Moses led God’s people out of slavery from Egypt. But before that happened, he was adopted into the Egyptian Pharaoh’s family.

Pharaoh had a fear that the Israelites living in Egypt were going to outnumber and overpower him. So he sent out a decree that all sons born of Hebrew women were to be killed.

When Moses was born, his birth mother placed him in a basket near the river. In a wild turn of events, Pharaoh’s daughter found Moses and adopted him—raising him as her own. 

Because of this adoption, Moses was placed exactly where God wanted him to be. In his position, he was able to defend his people and lead the Israelites out of Egypt.

We see countless other stories of adoption throughout Scripture, including in Jesus’ family in the New Testament. Joseph and Mary were set to be married, but before they tied the knot, Mary became pregnant, and Joseph wanted to back out. 

However, God spoke to Joseph through an angel and told him that Mary would be giving birth to Jesus, the Son of God, who would save God’s people from their sins. Joseph then married Mary and became Jesus’ earthly father. 

Joseph brought a child into his family that wasn’t his own. And that’s exactly what God has done for each of us. So when we foster or adopt, or support families fostering and adopting, we’re able to love God’s people the way He has loved us. 

Adoptions and foster care can be messy, with court dates, legal issues, and childhood trauma. And that means it takes a village to love, support, and nurture kids and families in those situations. 

So whether you’re in the process of fostering or adopting, supporting those who are, or mentoring and walking alongside birth parents so that their families can be reunified, know that your efforts and heart matter to God and His kids.

Pray: God, thank You for adopting me. I want to use my position as an adopted member of your family to serve those around me. Stir my heart for those around me who are hurting. Where there are needs, use me to meet them. In Jesus’ name, amen.

Challenge: Think about the opportunities you’ve had because of the family you were raised in. How can your experience be used to impact families around you?