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Join me as I do a refresh of basic doctrinal topics of the gospel, these are personal study notes. KJV is used for Bible references. I've added an audio narration for convenience.
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I became a child of God. John 1:12, 1 John 3:1-2.

John 1:12. But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name.

1 John 3:1-2. Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God: therefore the world knoweth us not, because it knew him not. Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is.

In John 3:10, we learn that there are two groups of people. Let's identify them. (John 3:10. In this the children of God are manifest, and the children of the devil: whosoever doeth not righteousness is not of God, neither he that loveth not his brother). We see that there are children of God, and children of the devil.

  • Was Cain a child of God or a child of satan? Let's see. (Not as Cain, who was of that wicked one, and slew his brother. And wherefore slew he him? Because his own works were evil, and his brother's righteous). Cain was a child of satan.
  • In John 8:37, we read about the conversation between Jesus and the Pharisees (the religious leaders of the Jews). What did these men seek to do to Christ? Let's see. (John 8:37. I know that ye are Abraham's seed; but ye seek to kill me, because my word hath no place in you. The men sought to kill Jesus.
  • Who did the men think their Father was? They thought their father was God. (Verse 41. Ye do the deeds of your father. Then said they to him, We be not born of fornication; we have one Father, even God).
  • If a person hates Christ, is God really his Father? No. (Verse 42. Jesus said unto them, If God were your Father, ye would love me: for I proceeded forth and came from God; neither came I of myself, but he sent me).
  • Who did Jesus say their father really was? the devil. (Verse 44. Ye are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father ye will do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and abode not in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own: for he is a liar, and the father of it).
  • Did the Pharisees believe the words of truth that Christ spoke? No. (Verse 45. And because I tell you the truth, ye believe me not).
  • If a person does not hear and believe God's Word, is he really a child of God? No. (Verse 47. He that is of God heareth God's words: ye therefore hear them not, because ye are not of God).
  • Why didn't the Pharisees hear and believe God's Word? because they were not of God.
  • Were the Pharisees pleased with the things Christ was telling them? No. (Verse 59. Then took they up stones to cast at him: but Jesus hid himself, and went out of the temple, going through the midst of them, and so passed by).
  • Were they able to kill Christ? No.

Ephesians 2:1-3. And you hath he quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins; Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience: Among whom also we all had our conversation in times past in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind; and were by nature the children of wrath, even as others.

  • According to Ephesians 2:1-3, did we become children of God by physical birth? No

  • How can a person become a child of God? by receiving Jesus Christ; by believing on His name. (John 1:12. But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name). The word sons in John 1:12, and 1 John 3:1-2 should be translated children. Therefore, to become a child of God, you must be born again. When a person is saved, he immediately becomes a member of God's family. he then enjoys a relationship to god that he never had before and is able to cry out: Abba Father. Let's see some references. (Romans 8:15-16. For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father. The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God). (Galatians 4:6. And because ye are sons, God hath sent forth the Spirit of his Son into your hearts, crying, Abba, Father). The word Abba is a very familiar term which means Father, and it reminds us of a young child who comes to his father and says, Daddy or Papa; addressing his father with some kind of endearing or familiar term.

  • Who else enjoyed this close relationship to God? Jesus Christ did (Mark 14:36. And he said, Abba, Father, all things are possible unto thee; take away this cup from me: nevertheless not what I will, but what thou wilt).

  • According to Ephesians 6:1 and Colosians 3:20, what is the one responsibility children have to their parents? The answer is obedience. (Ephesians 6:1. Children, obey your parents in the Lord: for this is right). (Colossians 3:20. Children, obey your parents in all things: for this is well pleasing unto the Lord).

  • As children of God, what is our one responsibility to our Heavenly Father? to obey Him.

  • Therefore, we should walk as obedient children. (1 Peter 1:14. As obedient children, not fashioning yourselves according to the former lusts in your ignorance).

  • In Ephesians 5:1, we learn that we should be followers (imitators) of God, as dear (beloved) children. (Ephesians 5:1. Be ye therefore followers of God, as dear children).

  • Children often follow the example of their parents. They look like their parents. Often they act like their parents and imitate them in many ways. As believers in Christ, we need to imitate our Heavenly Father which means we need to be like Him. We need to reflect the family likeness.

  • Just as He is Holy, so should we be Holy. (1 Peter 1:15-16. But as he which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation; Because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy).

  • Just as He is merciful, so should we be Merciful. (Luke 6:36. Be ye therefore merciful, as your Father also is merciful).

  • Just as He is Perfect, so should we be perfect. (Matthew 5:48. Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect).

  • Just as He is Forgiving, so should we be forgiving. (Ephesians 4:32. And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you).

  • Just as He is Pure, so should we be Pure. (1 John 3:3. And every man that hath this hope in him purifieth himself, even as he is pure).

According to 1 Peter 2:2, and 2 Peter 3:18, what does God want his children to be doing? (As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby... But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and for ever. Amen). God wants his children to grow in grace and in the knowledge of Jesus Christ.