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Created In God’s Image
Genesis 1:26&27 and 2:7
Lesson
Purpose:
The purpose of this lesson is to present the concept of the image
of God. Through the creation story we see God’s activity
of bringing life to the world. When He created humans He created
them in His image, He breathed His life into them. Understanding
we are created in God’s image is an important aspect of
knowing God. His care and love for us is seen from the very beginning
when He created us.
Scripture:
Then God said, “Let us make humans
in our image, in our likeness, and let them rule over the
fish of the sea and the birds of the air, over the livestock,
over all the earth, and over all the creatures that move along
the ground.”
So God created humans in His own image,
in the image of God He created them, male and female He created
them.
(Genesis 1:26&27)
The Lord God formed the man from the dust
of the ground and breathed into his nostrils the breath of
life, and the man became a living being. |
Ice
Breaker:
Invite the group to think for a moment about this question: Growing
up, who did you idolize? Ask group members to share their
responses.
Life
Connections:
Use these questions to help your group members to begin to open
up with one another and to think about their own lives. The answers
to these questions need not be spiritual in nature. The intention
is for practical real life responses.
1)
What makes celebrities attractive to us? Their
money; their looks; their popularity.
2)
What does it mean to have an image? You have
everything together; it is what the rest of the world sees; it
is about what you wear, how you talk, and how you live.
3)
How do you create an image for yourself? By buying things; through
acting certain ways so people think certain things about you;
by working hard and using your skills.
4)
What tarnishes someone’s image? Scandals;
if people find out they aren’t really who they said they
were; rumors and gossip.
Scripture’s
Answers: Genesis 1:26&27, 2:7
In this section the Life Connection questions are now related
to the passage of Scripture being used in this Bible Study. The
answers to the following questions should come from the text as
well as out of the individual’s hearing and understanding
of what they have heard read.
Have a member of the group read the Scripture passage aloud for
all to hear. Make sure extra Bibles are available so everyone
can follow along.
Introduction:
Although there are differing views on creation, don’t let
that sidetrack your group from the idea of the image of God. The
final thing God created was people and He didn’t speak them
into being like He did everything else. God formed, molded and
created His greatest creation. He breathed His breath of life
into the humans. Being created in the image of God is what makes
us different from every other aspect of creation. It is the image
within each of us that enables us to be in relationship with God.
The story following Creation is about The Fall. Because of the
choices Adam and Eve made they were separated from God by sin.
In this separation the image of God in all of us was hurt. Through
sending His Son Jesus, God made it possible for the healing and
restoration of the image of God in each of us.
5)
What does it mean that God created us in His image?
We look like Him; we can all be gods; we are His children.
Teaching
Time:
Say
to your group: There are many images that people try
to make the world see. For example, many people want to look
successful, wealthy, intelligent, powerful or popular. This
is not the kind of image we are talking about. The image of
God in each of us is who we are at the core. Being created
in God’s image doesn’t mean we are just like Him
or even look like Him, what it means is we are meant to be
with Him. The Bible tells us human beings were created in
such a way so they could know God and be in relationship with
Him. To be created in God’s image is to be His child.
We are not God’s pet or servant or some kind of object,
we are created to be His son or His daughter. |
6) What is important about God breathing life into the
first humans? It made them different; it shows that part
of Him is in us; He took special care to bring them to life.
Teaching
Time:
Say to your group: When God created humanity
He did something different. The Biblical account never says
anything else was created in His image. That makes human beings
different. The difference is, God made us like Him so we can
know Him. We were created specifically to be in a relationship
with Him. The problem is human beings have made wrong choices
and caused a separation to grow between God and us. The more
we choose to go our own way, the wider the gap becomes. Some
people think this gap is not important, but it really is. |
7)
Why do you think the gap between people and God is important?
It shows God is better than we are; it is sad we are separated
from Him; because it wasn’t meant to be this way.
8)
What do you think the gap between God and humans does
to the image of God inside of us? It makes it smaller;
if it is inside of us from the beginning, I don’t think
it does anything; hurts it.
Teaching
Time:
Say to your group: The gap between God and
people has caused the image of God to be damaged. What God
wants is for us to come back and to be in relationship with
Him. When that happens we can become the people we were created
to be. |
9)
If we were meant to be in relationship with God, how would
your life look different if you turned to Him? It would
be in better order; it would be easier; I don’t know what
that kind of a relationship would be like.
10) What does it mean to turn to God? You have
to give up all the things you like; you start going to church;
you become a better person.
Teaching
Time:
Say
to your group: Turning to God means inviting Jesus
to come into your heart. When you do this, the gap between
you and God is bridged. This is important because the person
you are meant to be, the image inside of you that cannot be
tarnished when you are in relationship with Him, and the life
you have the potential to live can be realized.
God created you. You are special to Him. When you choose to
turn to Him you don’t turn and head into a bunch of
rules and restrictions, making your life more difficult. No,
turning to God frees you from the sin that holds you. Life
begins to make more sense because you can realize what your
purpose for living is and that is to know and love God.
He wants to know you. Isn’t that amazing? God created
you and He wants to know you, He sent Jesus to restore our
image of God and to bridge the separation between us.
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Reflection:
Invite the group to take a moment to reflect silently on the questions
you are going to ask. These questions can be answered or you may
choose to allow the members of the group to think about them.
11) What image are you trying to show the world—an
image that is fleeting or can be tarnished or the image of God
in you?
12)
How does being separated from your Creator make you feel?
13)
How does it make you feel that God wants to be in a relationship
with you even though you have made choices to separate yourself
from Him?
Optional
Activity Time:
As a way to make the reflection more meaningful in the lives of
group members there are two activities to engage in. First, give
the group time to write the answers to the reflection questions
in a journal they can keep throughout the study time and the week
to come. Second, send each group member home with these questions
to think about and write about in a journal during the week. When
the group gathers together the next time, break the group up into
smaller groups and give them the opportunity to share what they
have been thinking about since they last met.
Conclusion:
Take time to pray together before the group leaves. Allow group
members to share insights and ask questions they may have.
Possible
Prayer:
Dear Jesus,
Thank You for bridging the great distance
between God and us. Thank You for Your interest in a relationship
with us. Will You help us to see the places we are pulling
away from You? Will You help us to turn around and become
the people You want us to be?
Thank You for making us in Your image. Help
us not to care about what other people think, but to only
care about knowing You so You can heal our broken relationship.
We know when we do, our identity will be in You—that
is an image that never can be tarnished or ruined. Help us
to live our lives how You intended them to be lived, as Your
creation.
Amen. |
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