Lesson 2: Created in the Image of God

UNIT 1, WHEN OUR STORY BEGAN Lesson 2: Created in the Image of God

GENESIS 1 Genre: Prehistory, poetry, genealogy (origins) PROFILE Author: Traditionally attributed to Moses Passage: Genesis 1:1-31 Where Is It: Old Testament: Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus Key Characters: God, creation, humans—male and female Main Plot: The focus of this lesson is to reflect on a God who makes all things out of love. Genesis 1:26-27 reveals the pinnacle moment of the creation story—God making human beings.

THE WORD Genesis 1:1-31, key verses: 1:26-27

ENGAGE THE WORD Lesson Overview: Relational Dimension Our youth sometimes struggle with poor self-image and a hopelessness that keeps them from understanding that they were created in God’s perfect image. Youth arrive at these misconceptions for many reasons. Perhaps it’s because they are growing up in a broken environment, or maybe they have been mentally rehearsing for years the thought that they themselves are hopeless and broken. In the midst of their struggles, we want youth to know that they are each a beautiful creation designed to be in relationship with God.

This lesson is designed to help youth see themselves through God’s eyes—as a perfect and beautiful creation. It is important to understand that we are each created in God’s image. Without that as a foundational belief, we will continually compare ourselves to other images and constantly find ourselves lacking. We live in a culture that is more than happy to present false pictures and ideals of image to our youth. This lesson will provide an opportunity to paint a true picture of youth as image-bearers of Wesleyan Snapshot Christ. As image-bearers, we are uniquely designed The Imago Dei to be in relationship with God and have been Wesley held that the image of God endowed with creativity, vision, purpose, ability, had three dimensions—the natural passion, and power. image (humans are body and spirit); the political image (humans have a special vocation to steward creation); Biblical Commentary and the moral image (humans have a INTRODUCTION capacity to be free and to love). This lesson concentrates on the holistic The Bible says that human beings are a part of God’s idea of the image of God, that humans creation, a continuation of what was started with the are uniquely made to love, serve, and creation of the world. They reflect in a unique way reflect who God is. the image of God in a way no other part of creation

THE MAIN IDEA Beauty and the imago Dei BEFORE ANYTHING ELSE, WE WERE MADE IN THE IMAGE OF GOD. BECAUSE WE WERE MADE IN GOD’S “A mother of two daugh- IMAGE, WE CAN BE IN RELATIONSHIP WITH GOD. ters remembers when, as a teenager, she anguished over the acne on her can. We are creatures gifted by our Creator with the ability to reason, face. One day she was so choose, communicate, and invent. God places a high value on God’s depressed she felt unable to leave the house. final creation—humankind. Genesis 2 tells us God places man in the garden and gives him a task to complete. God’s story starts with a Her father led her to the bathroom and asked if he picture of wholeness for creation, both in the earth and with people. could teach her a new way to wash. He leaned over the GENESIS 1:27 sink and splashed water Being created in the “image of God” is an important place to start over his face, telling her, (Genesis 1:27). The imago Dei is the Latin term for “image of God.” This “On the first splash say, ‘In the name of the Father’; on is a vital doctrine because it describes the people of God as beings the second, ‘in the name of made to reflect God before anything else. John Wesley says of the the Son’; and on the third, image of God, “man (sic) was what God is, Love. Love filled the whole ‘in the name of the Holy expansion of his soul; it possessed him without a rival.” (The Sermons of Spirit.’ Then look up into the John Wesley, “The Image of God.”) mirror and remember that you are a child of God, full We are reflections of God’s glory. The ability to reason, create, speak, of grace and beauty.” Today and make decisions is part of the image of God. We can never be this woman reenacts those totally like God because God is God and we are not. But we do have words at her daughters’ the ability to reflect God’s love, patience, kindness, goodness, forgive- bath time, making every bath a baptismal act, a ness, and faithfulness. Moreover, we are created in such a way that reminder that they are we, unlike any other creation, can be in relationship with God. made in God’s image” Kenda Creasy Dean and Ron GENESIS 1:31 Foster, The Godbearing Life. Our worth should not be placed in achievement, possessions, looks, or wealth. Instead, our worth comes from knowing that we are made in God’s image. God calls humankind “very good” (Genesis 1:31).

REFLECT ON THESE THEMES: Who are some people in your life who reveal God’s grace, love, and presence to you?

Ask for discernment to see yourself the way God created you to be, not through the tainted lens of our culture.

THINK ABOUT YOUR YOUTH: Through what lens do you think most of your youth view themselves?

If your youth understood they are image-bearers of God, how would their view of themselves and others change? 11 UNIT 1, WHEN OUR STORY BEGAN DISCUSSION GUIDE

LESSON Main Idea: At the moment of our creation, we were made in the image of God. OUTLINE Because we were made in God’s image, we can be in relationship with God. Resources: Bibles, smart phones or devices (Alternative: magazines and newspapers), scissors and glue/tape, markers, white board/butcher paper/poster board, paper for coat of arms, copies of handout Connect to My Experience: Welcome and Prayer Image Activity Character Inventory Connect to the Word: Read and Reflect on Genesis 1:26-27 Connect to My Life and the World: Filtered Closing: Affirmation and Prayer

CONNECT TO MY EXPERIENCE Student Goal: Youth will identify some personal traits about themselves that they like.

WELCOME YOUR GROUP AND OPEN WITH PRAYER. Begin with the following icebreaker:

SAY: In our culture, we are constantly bombarded with ideal images of what we are supposed to be like. These images range from what we are supposed to look like to how we should act or respond to life. Image isn’t only physical traits. Our image includes how we appear on the outside, but also who we are on the inside.

IMAGE ACTIVITY Divide your group. Give each group a poster board and markers. Ask your group to use their smart phones or devices to appropriately search what they think the perfect person would look like, and to make a list of some words that might describe that person. After giving them some time to find their image, have each group share what they came up with and why they chose those components.

ASK: Did you have any disagreements about what to choose? Why do you think that is?

On a scale of 1-10 (10 being the highest), how realistic do you think these images are? Are they attainable?

In what places/areas do you feel pressure to be a certain way?

CHARACTER INVENTORY Based on what your youth came up with on their posters, write on the whiteboard a list of cultural values (success, riches, athleticism etc.).

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SAY: Our culture gives us some unrealistic images and expectations. Ultimately, we must decide how we are going to see ourselves. Take a 2 Corinthians 3:18 minute to come up with three things you like about yourself. Only one And we all, who with of them can be physical. The other two must be something about your unveiled faces contem- character. plate the Lord’s glory, are being transformed into his After you have given your youth a few minutes to think of three things, image with ever-increasing ask them to share their list with someone near them. glory, which comes from the ASK: Was it hard to come up with a list of three things? Why? Lord, who is the Spirit.

If you were to ask your best friend the same question about you, do you think he or she would come up with the same three things? Why or why not?

SAY: How we view ourselves is important to our story. Where we look to find the source of our identity is even more important. If we look in the wrong places for the answers regarding our image and identity, then we are going to come up with the wrong answers. Genesis gives us the right answers.

CREATIVE OPTION: WHO AM I? NAME TAG GAME As youth gather for your meeting time, place a name tag on their back with the name of a famous person, historical figure, pop icon, biblical character, or a well-known person in your church. Do not tell them who they are. Once everyone has been given a name, the students are to go around asking questions until they can figure out what name they have been given. Once they figure it out, have them sit down until everyone has guessed their name tag identity.

CONNECT TO THE WORD Student Goal: Youth will see themselves as image bearers for Christ. Last week we learned how God created the whole earth and all we see in creation, and how that creation reveals God to be good. This week we learn about the final thing that God creates in Genesis, which is people.

READ AND REFLECT ON GENESIS 1:26-27 Ask a group member to read Genesis 1:26-27 aloud.

ASK: Using your own words, what do you think this verse is talking about?

Why do you think God saved the creation of people for last?

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SAY: Genesis tells us that we are all created in God’s image and likeness. But what does that mean? God isn’t talking about the way we look on the outside. He’s talking about what we look like on the inside. So, what does God look like? How are human beings different from what God had previously created?

ASK: God created animals and the earth first and called them good. Are they created in the image of God?

How are people different than animals?

What can we do that animals cannot?

SAY: Last week we talked about how God is good. Because we are created in the image of God, we can also be good as a result of our relationship with God. We might not always choose to do so, but we get the opportunity to be good. Unlike animals, we can choose to be moral and make moral decisions. When we view ourselves through God’s eyes, we get a correct image of ourselves. Think back to some of the non-physical things you said you liked about yourself. Are those things true of God, too? Each of us has the capacity to show God’s character by being who God created us to be. Colossians 1:15-16 The Son is the image of God, the firstborn over all creation. For CONNECT TO MY LIFE AND in him all things were created: THE WORLD things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether Student Goal: Youth will discover that as image thrones or powers or rulers bearers, they are endowed with creativity, vision, or authorities; all things have purpose, ability, passion, and power to bring been created through him and wholeness to the kingdom of God. for him. SAY: Last week we read about how God created the earth and animals. This week, as we continue in the story, we read about God Four Observations creating people. Understanding what role each character is supposed 1. Think of human beings as to play in God’s story is important and helps us know how to live. God’s masterpiece. ASK: How are the images we created from the “image activity” differ- 2. Humans, made in the image ent from the image we see described in Genesis 1:26-27. How are they of God, are totally unique. We similar? are not God, but we are also not like any other creature on earth. FILTERED

3. The image of God is not an Using an Instagram or Snap filter, change photos of your youth so that innate object we possess, but it is difficult—but not impossible—to tell who they are. Then ask youth a gift given to us by God. to guess who is in the original picture. You can also use pictures of 4. Jesus Christ is the perfect celebrities. Discuss how easy it is to change the way people look. Ask reflection of the image of God. your youth if they think what is online, in movies, or on social media is a real representation of people’s lives. Ask them to explain their answers.

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ASK: How could viewing ourselves through God’s eyes, as people created in the image of God, change our relationships with people we come across?

This week, where is one place you can be an image bearer and give others a glimpse of God?

CREATIVE OPTION: INSIDE OUT Make copies of the handout for this lesson (at the end of this book) and distribute to your youth. Have them complete it, and discuss the way culture imposes false images on people and how these images differ from what God says about us in Genesis 1.

CLOSING Affirmation and Prayer Reaffirm these truths to your youth in your own words:

• All of us are created in the image of God to be a reflection of God’s holiness.

• We bring encouragement to a broken world when we share the traits and characteristics of God that are found in us.

• You are so valuable to God. He looks at you and says, “It is very good.”

Close in Prayer: God, thank you that I am created in your image. Thank you that you love me above all your creation. Fill me up so that when people see me they see you and praise your name. Amen.