REFLECTING GOD’S IMAGE

TOPIC: REFLECTING GOD’S IMAGE

TEXT: 2 CORINTHIANS 3:18

AIMS: 

1. To teach on how the concept of reflecting God’s image can help us understand human purpose on earth
2. To teach Christians that being made in God’s image, they are call to reflect His nature, His love, justice and relational character

• To teach Christians as bearers of God’s image, we have the responsibility to rule over creation

INTRODUCTION:
The scripture describes us as being made in the image of God or as God’s image bearers. Basically, what this means is that we reflect something of God’s nature and character to the rest of creation and there are few ways we do this: The first is through our natural capacity for goodness, love, mercy, justice, compassion and even, with the Holy Spirit’s help, holiness. These are all attributes we share with God that He calls us to demonstrate in this world.

The second is through our actions. God gave humans dominion, or authority over creation. We are called to care for all God has made, seeking to shape and develop creation, seeking to make the most of it for His glory.

The third is through our relationships. God is a relational being who eternally exists in a joyful relationship between the father, Son and Holy Spirit, we are meant to live in relationship with one another and with Him. We are not meant to live in isolation, set apart from one another, but to live with one another so that, Ultimately, God’s goodness can be seen through us.

Even as we bear the image of God by nature, we do not do so perfectly. Sin distorts and disrupts it, but it does not destroy it. Instead, it reminds us of our need for the only one who perfectly represents God: Jesus, who perfectly reflects all of God’s attributes, fulfills His will, and enjoys a perfect relationship with the father.

QUESTIONS FOR DISCUSSION:

1. What does reflecting God’s image look like in your daily life? 2Corin.3:18; Romans 13:13-14; Eph. 4:25-32
2. How can you more fully reflect God’s image in a specific area of your life? Col.3:10; Eph.4:24

• What in your life reflects God’s image? 1John 3:2; Gen. 1:26; 2Corin.5:17; Eph.2:10

1. Why is it important to live in the image of God? 1Corin.15;49; Romans 5:1-2; 8:29

FOOD FOR THOUGHT: To reflect Christ in our daily life, we must stay connected with God and do what He asks of us, even when it does not make sense in our own.

MEMORY VERSE: 2Corin. 3:18 “All of us, gazing with unveiled face on the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, as from the Lord who is the Spirit”