Sunday Children’s Services 9 and 10:45am
This week’s lesson
KNOW THIS
Out of all the amazing things God created, there was one creation that is very, very special to Him. Do you know what that is?
Here’s a hint: God made this very special creation after He made the earth, the universe, and all the plants and animals.
That’s right, people!
People are the crown of all God’s creation. The Bible says God has made people with glory and honor (Psalm 8).
People are so precious to God that He created us in His own image. In this lesson, we’ll find out more about what that means.
In the last lesson, we learned about how God created the world and everything in it. Today we’ll read in the book of Genesis more about how God made humans.
God said His Creation was good. But after He made people, God said His creation was very good.
THINK ABOUT THIS
Genesis 1:27 tells us people are different from everything else God made in Creation. This Scripture says mankind is created in God’s own image. What does that mean?
Does it mean we look like God? What does God look like? Does He have a body like us? No, the Bible tells us God is spirit.
Who exactly is God? What is He like?
God is so much bigger, so much more powerful, and so much more intelligent than we are–we can’t fully understand Him. But the Bible tells us what God is like so we can know Him.
God is HOLY–which means He is perfect.
God is GOOD–He is always right and true. We can trust Him.
God is LOVING–He loves us, He wants what is best for us, and He knows what is best for us.
psalm 102:12
malachi 3:6
Hebrews 4:16
genesis 14:19
isaiah 55:8-9
The Bible tells us also in Hebrews 1:3 that Jesus is the exact representation of God. John 1:1 says Jesus is just like God the Father because He is God!
We can learn more about God by studying Jesus’ character–what He did, what He said, and what He believed.
So since people are unlike anything else in God’s Creation, and since we are made in God’s image, does that mean we’re exactly like Him? No.
The Creationists at Answers in Genesis tell us what it means to be made in the image of God in this next video.
We are made in God’s image and we can reflect Him in ways other parts of Creation can’t.
We are made to have feelings, to have ideas, and to know right from wrong. We can be creative, have relationships, and think with complexity.
It’s an honor and a responsibility to be made in God’s image–showing God’s love on earth!
Try THIS
Here is a fun way to show how YOU are created in the image of God.
- Take a piece of paper and write your name in BIG letter outlines. You can also use a computer to print your name in letter outlines.
- Take a look at the list below of 28 of the character traits of Jesus. Since Jesus is God, thinking about all these character traits of Jesus gives you a good idea of what God’s character is like.
Since you are made in God’s image, YOU reflect some of these character traits, too! As you read this list, think about which words describe you. No doubt there are more than a few of these words that people would use to describe you!
If you’re not sure, ask friends and family to read this list and help you see which of these traits describe you.
Loving
Peaceful
Patient
Kind
Gentle
Having Self-Control
GODLY, CHOOSING TO FOLLOW SCRIPTURE
fAIR
HONEST
DEPENDABLE
GRATEFUL
RESPONSIBLE
GENEROUS
ENCOURAGING
COMPASSIONATE
ENTHUSIASTIC
OBEDIENT
AVOIDING SINFUL ANGER
A GOOD EXAMPLE
COOPERATIVE
CREATIVE
DEFERENT (PUTTING OTHERS FIRST)
RESPECTFUL
DISCIPLINED
FEARLESS
FORGIVING
TOLERANT
WISE USER OF TIME
- Now go back to the outlined letters of your name and fill in the letters with the words that describe you and pictures to go with them, if there’s room. You can be as creative and as colorful as you want!
- Finish your name picture with the words “I am” at the top. Now hang it up somewhere to remind you of all the ways you reflect God’s image!
Are there other character traits on the list that you feel don’t really describe you yet? Are there other ways you would like to be more like God?
The Bible tells us we are to become more and more like Jesus. We call that becoming Christ-like.
If you’re not completely like Jesus yet, don’t worry! After you become Jesus’ follower, you’ll spend the whole rest of your life becoming Christ-like.
Therefore be imitators of God as beloved children. Walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God. –Ephesians 5:1-2
How can you show God’s love and goodness to others? Do you think we can become fully Christ-like on our own?
No. We can’t do it in our own strength. We need God’s strength to become Christ-like. That’s one of the reasons He gives us His Holy Spirit when we become Christ-followers. God knows we need His help to more fully reflect His holy nature.
But God wants us to always desire to become and try to become more and more like His Son, Jesus who is the exact representation of His being.
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS
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What job did God give Adam and Eve?
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How do we know people are God’s most precious creation?
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Since other people are created in God’s image as well, how should we treat them?
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Why do you think God made people so unique and different from each other?
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What is something special about yourself that you like?
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What would you tell a friend who didn’t like something about themselves?
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What are some ways you can become more Christ-like?
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Jesus is HOLY, that means He is perfect. Do you think it’s okay if you make mistakes?
Remember THIS
What does Psalm 139:14-16 say about how God created us? We are fearfully (that means incredibly! with amazing detail!) and wonderfully (that means so, so very good!) made.
This Scripture also says all our days were planned before even one of them came to be–that means God created us on purpose with a unique design. God has a reason and a plan for your life!
Just like you are special to God, each person He has made is special and unique. All people are created in God’s image. All people are just as precious and valuable to God. This should affect the way we treat others.
Of all the things God created, man and woman are the only creatures made with the ability to reflect His love. Do you know what that means?
this summary helps us to understand
People are the only part of God’s Creation made for a true relationship with Him and with each other. God made us in His image to reflect His goodness on earth.
We alone have the ability to choose to love God and worship Him. We can feel His love and see His goodness in our lives–how amazing is that!
THINK ABOUT THIS
God made you this way because He wants a relationship with you.
You are made in God’s image especially for that relationship with Him. Nothing can stop Him from loving you, and almost nothing can keep you from having a relationship with Him–almost.
There is something that keeps getting in the way of having a relationship with God. Do you know what that is?
we can have a relationship with God
That’s right, it’s SIN. Sin gets in the way of our relationship with God.
2 Corinthians 5:19 says God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ, not counting people’s sins against them.
We’ll talk more about how Jesus came to restore our relationship with God in the next lesson!
Here’s a playlist for you to praise God all week!
I will extol the LORD at all times; His praise will always be on my lips. My soul will boast in the LORD; let the afflicted hear and rejoice. Glorify the LORD with me; let us exalt His name together. Psalm 34:1
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MEMORY VERSE
