God's Coaching #351

God's Coaching #351

When Scott Hamilton won the gold medal at the 1984 Winter Olympics in Sarajevo, he became one of the most famous male figure skaters in US history. But who knows what his life would have been like if he hadn’t been adopted? Ernest and Dorothy Hamilton, two schoolteachers from Bowling Green, Ohio, adopted Scott when he was six weeks old. After he put on ice skates at age nine, it quickly became evident that he was a rising star.

Scott eventually won numerous national and world championships. In 1990, he was inducted into the World Figure Skating and US Olympic Halls of Fame. Following his competitive skating days, Scott has enjoyed a wide-ranging career. In the 1980s and 1990s, he went on 15 national tours with Stars on Ice. He also produced other ice shows, TV specials, and an off-Broadway production. Scott is often seen on TV, giving his insights on various figure-skating competitions. He has even authored several books. Would any of this have happened if two loving parents hadn’t adopted Scott? We’ll never know.

What’s the Score?

Did you know that all Christians are adopted? It’s true! When you put your faith in Jesus, you are not only forgiven of your sins, but God also adopts you as his child! John 1, Romans 8, Galatians 4, Ephesians 1, and 1 John 3 all talk about this wonderful act. By adopting us, God reveals a lot about his loving character.

God doesn’t want to merely forgive us of our sins—although that in itself is amazing! He also wants to train us to become more like him as our loving heavenly Father. By adopting true believers, God gives us the full rights and privileges of sons and daughters—his love, his blessings, and his Spirit. Rather than being a distant God, he is intimately near to us. Our adoption as children of God has future benefits too. All believers will spend eternity with him in heaven, where we will see his face. Amazing!

On the Ball

Talk with your parents about “adopting” a child in a third-world country through a charitable organization such as Compassion or World Vision. You can help another child to know a loving heavenly Father by providing money, food, and Bibles; writing letters; and praying for him or her.

Coach’s Comment

He predestined us for adoption to sonship through Jesus Christ, in accordance with his pleasure and will. Ephesians 1:5 (NIV)