Scripture
Genesis 1:26–27 (ESV): Then God said, “Let us make man in our image, after our likeness. And let them have dominion over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the heavens and over the livestock and over all the earth and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth. So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them."
Biblical Principle
We have learned who God is, but who are we? We know that we are humans, but who are we in relation to God? We know from reading Genesis 1:26-27 that we are made "in the image of God." What does it mean to be made in God’s image?
The Hebrew word depicts we are made in the likeness of God, meaning we bear a resemblance to Him. This is an interesting debate among theologians about what this actually means. We will not dive into that debate here, but we will think about what it means to be like God. What it means to be like God is that all of our positive attributes are reflections or resemblances of God himself. Meaning, the strength you may have to carry your kids, is a shadow of how God is a powerful God. How we are thinking beings, means our intelligence is a reflection of God. Our will and moral compass are reflections that we know right from wrong like God and choose which one we want to do, known as free will (obviously we know that God always chooses correctly).
So, we have established that we are made in the likeness of God. But, we are not exact replications of God - there is a huge difference between us and God. God has given us value and worth because we are made by Him and in His image. Yet, He is more valuable than us because He is Creator and we are the created. This is an important distinction, everything we have is from the goodness of a grand Creator who loves us and has a plan and purpose for us.
Application
For Parents
How does remembering you are the Created impact the way you parent?
How does remembering God is Creator ease your worries in the middle of a pandemic?
For Children
We learned last week that God created everyone and everything. This week we learned we were made in the image of God.
Where does your worth come from?
How many or what type of toys/clothes you have?
How well you do in school?
Being good at a sport or an art?
No, your value comes from being made in the image of God. We are not valuable in and of ourselves but because of what we were meant to reflect.
Activity
Memorize: Genesis 1:27 by repeating it and practicing it with your child.
Pray: God would remind you and your family daily that you were made in His image and as image bearers you would reflect His character in your daily life.
Activity: As a family talk about each other's best qualities. Ask questions about how it reflects God’s character. Parents lead this discussion if your children need some help.
A Family Devotion Guide similar to this one will be provided on our website under Fellowship Church Resources and social media every Friday for you to use at home.