Made in God's Image
Month 1: In the Beginning — Knowing God · Heart Matters
Today's Scripture
Read together: Genesis 1:26–27
26 Then God said, “Let Us make man in Our image, after Our likeness, to rule over the fish of the sea and the birds of the air, over the livestock, and over all the earth itself and every creature that crawls upon it.” 27 So God created man in His own image; in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them.
Memory Verse
“In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.”— Genesis 1:1 (BSB)
📖 Bible-in-a-Year (optional)
Today's reading: Genesis 12–15
Reading the whole Bible in a year — do this when you have extra time. (Day 4 of 365 — God calls Abram and makes a promise.)The Heart of It
On the sixth day, God did something He did with nothing else in all creation. He did not just speak people into being from far away. He stooped close. He took counsel within Himself. "Let Us make man in Our image." And He made human beings to look like Him. Not like Him in body, because God is Spirit. But like Him in the things that matter most. We can think. We can love. We can choose. We can make things, and we can know right from wrong. We can even talk with God. Stars can't do that. Whales can't do that. Only image-bearers can. That is how special you are.
This is the deepest answer to the question every heart whispers: Do I matter? Yes, you do. Not because of what you can do. Not because of how you look. Not because of what others say. You matter because the King of the universe stamped His own image on you before you ever did a single thing. Your worth was settled on day six of creation. So even on a day you feel small, or you've messed up, or no one notices you, your value never moves. It never moves, because the One who set it never changes. You are loved, on purpose, by your Maker.
Around the Table
God made you to be like Him in special ways — you can love, talk, and make things! You are very, very special to God.
Let's do it: Look in a mirror together and say, "God made me, and I am special!"
Being made "in God's image" means we can do things animals can't. We can love. We can choose. We can talk with God. Which of those do you love most?
Let's talk: Where does your value come from? From what you do, or from who made you?
Your worth was decided in , before you achieved anything. The world says you earn your value. The Bible says you're given it. How does that change the way you handle a bad grade or a hard day?
Let's go deeper: Every person carries God's image. How should that change the way you treat someone you find annoying?
💬 Conversation Starter
What is one thing you can do that no animal can do? That's a clue that you're made in God's image!
🛡️ Defending the Faith
Humans aren't just "smart animals." We write poems. We ask why we exist. We feel guilt, and we seek God. No animal does those things. The best explanation isn't a long chain of accidents. It's a Maker who made us like Himself ().
For Dad · Go Deeper
The image of God is the bedrock of biblical identity, and it is under heavy attack. Our culture tells your kids they must build their own worth through achievement, appearance, or applause. That is exhausting. And it is a lie. The gospel goes further still. In Christ, the image that sin once ruined is being restored. We are "renewed in knowledge according to the image of Him who created him" (). So speak identity over your children before they perform, not as a reward after. The way you handle their failure will preach louder than any lesson. Do they see a dad whose love is anchored in who they are? That is how the Father's love is anchored in who they are in Christ.
Draws on: Paul David Tripp, Parenting.
Let's Pray Together
"Father, thank You for making us in Your image. Help us know we are valuable because You made us and love us. Not because of what we do. Help us treat everyone as someone You made. In Jesus' name, amen."
My worth isn't something I earn. It's something God gave me when He made me in His image.