The Beginning: Genesis 1:26-28
“26 Then God said, “Let Us make man in Our image, according to Our likeness; and let them rule over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the sky and over the cattle and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth.” 27 God created man in His own image, in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them. 28 God blessed them; and God said to them, “Be fruitful and multiply, and fill the earth, and subdue it; and rule over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the sky and over every living thing that moves on the earth.” [1]”—Genesis 1:26–28, NASB 95
The image of God is a unique privilege only given to mankind. With this privilege comes tremendous responsibility. The implications impact how we view our fellow man, co-workers, those who disagree with us, and so much more. Image bearing also informs how we view the weakest and most vulnerable among us. Image bearing gives us a clear purpose in this world. We are to live in the world as God would, representing Him and His character.
Discussion Questions
1. If you were raised hearing about the image of God in church or your family, how was it described to you? How has your understanding changed over time?
2. Russell discussed the “dominion mandate” on Sunday in Genesis 1:26-28. Reread the passage and discuss what it means to rule and have dominion. How have we done this well as mankind? How have we done this poorly?
3. How does it change how we think about the “image of God” when we consider it a verb rather than a noun?
4. It’s pretty weighty to think about being a representative of God. How does that make you feel? Why?
5. How are we doing representing God in our world? Grade imaging of God in the following areas:
- Home
- Work
- Neighbors
- Random people we run into around town
6. After working through the list, are there some people we need to better represent God to? What is the plan?
2. Russell discussed the “dominion mandate” on Sunday in Genesis 1:26-28. Reread the passage and discuss what it means to rule and have dominion. How have we done this well as mankind? How have we done this poorly?
3. How does it change how we think about the “image of God” when we consider it a verb rather than a noun?
4. It’s pretty weighty to think about being a representative of God. How does that make you feel? Why?
5. How are we doing representing God in our world? Grade imaging of God in the following areas:
- Home
- Work
- Neighbors
- Random people we run into around town
6. After working through the list, are there some people we need to better represent God to? What is the plan?
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