Today's passage gives insight into whom God made us to be. This is a commonly-referenced verse, but important nonetheless. God placed His identity into our very being--into who we are. When this verse says that we are made in God's image, the word "image" ("tselem," in Hebrew) is used in Genesis 5.3 to reference Seth being made in the image of Adam. It is also used in Psalm 73.20 to indicate a shadow. God created us to be linked to Himself. Just as a person looks at a child and sees a strong family resemblance to the parents, and just as a shadow moves in the same way as the one casting it, looking at each other should have pointed back to God.

In our rebellion and fall from God's very good creation, through sin, that image was tarnished. God's redemptive work through Jesus Christ continues to restore us. Those reborn in the Holy Spirit are made anew in His image, a work that will be completed and perfected when God makes all things new in heaven.

May the word of God cause us to have a deeper understanding and desire to be the image bearers of God that He created us to be.

Genesis 1.27

27 So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them.

[ WHAT ] is this passage saying and what is a key truth or thought that we learn?

+ Who created us?

+ Who were we created to resemble?

+ Are both men and women God's image bearers?

[ HOW ] is the Lord calling me to action/obedience?

+ Is there sin to confess or a next step to take? How has it gone since last time?

+ Do people look at you and think of God? How can you improve this, by how you present yourself and how you act?

+ Do you move where God is moving?

+ For additional study on how far this "image" goes, read Psalm 82, specifically verse 6. Then read John 10.31-38 to see how Jesus taught us to interpret that scripture. Notice His use of both offspring and action in His teaching. Do people see God in you, and you in God, through your actions?

[ WHO ] am I walking with and praying for to discover Jesus?

+ What is my next step?

+ How can you better inform them of who God meant them to be, and what He has done to restore them to that place?