Catechism – Week 5 – Image of God

What does it mean to be created in the image of God?

Genesis 1:26-27 [modified] – Then God said, ‘Let us make man in our image…and let them have dominion over [every living thing 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. (ESV)

For students old enough, please watch this animated explanation:

Who is created in God’s image?
Every person, both male and female.

What does this mean for them?
People are to reflect God’s glory and rule on the earth.

Illustration: Take a mirror and position it so that the children can see your reflection (and not you). You can see things about me by the reflection, the reflection is not me but you can see pieces of who I am. In the same way, people are supposed to reflect who God is to the world.

What does our rule look like?
It must reflect God’s rule over the world, which shows his loving care to make the world flourish.

What does it mean that other people are made in the image of God?
Since people are made in God’s image, they are due respect. We should not harm people to help ourselves because it disrespects God (see Gen. 9:6).

How do we reflect God’s image?
We reflect God’s image by acting as God acts and by pointing the world to the God whom we reflect. Just as God’s love causes him to care for all creation, we must care for it. Just as God reveals his glory in creation, we must point others to God (see 2 Cor. 4:4-5).

Scripture Memory Verse:

Genesis 1:27 – So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them. (ESV)

What does it mean to be created in the image of God?
To be made in God’s image means that we reflect God’s loving care for all creation, especially other people who also bear his image.

This is a very deep concept, for which this only gives the tip of the iceberg for the sake of children. Please consult a fuller explanation from Dr. Tim Tennent (President of Asbury Theological Seminary) by clicking this link.