Pastor Matt reminded us we are created beings, each of us made in the image of God—which distinguishes us from the animals. Our dignity, purpose, and worth are derived from the image of God, as that image is reflected in our everyday lives.
MY STORY
Tell us one positive thing about yourself that very few people know.
WHAT DOES GOD WANT US TO HEAR?
God said, "Let us make man in our image, after our likeness. And let them have dominion over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the heavens and over the livestock and over all the earth and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth."
So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them. (Genesis 1:26-27).
According to Pastor Matt, who is the "us" who created human beings in the image of God?
How does the image of God make human beings distinct from the animals?
Why is it significant that the image of God includes males and females?
What does God want us to hear? Based on the passage and the questions above, what "takeaways" do you think God has revealed to you?
WHAT DOES GOD WANT US TO DO?
Pastor Matt reminded us that there are three relational categories that set us apart from the rest of creation:
1. We have a unique relationship with God.
2. We have a unique relationship with creation itself.
3. We have a unique relationship with each other.
What does it mean to be sought out by God? Why is it important to be reminded that God is the one who initiates and sustains a personal and dynamic relationship with us?
What special sub-set of creation has God given you dominion over?
How is the health of our relationships a reflection of our spiritual health (even those relationships where we might be experiencing some tension)?
What does God want us to do? Flowing out of our reading and interpretation, what action does this passage or the Spirit's leading, call us to?
WHAT DOES GOD WANT ME TO DO?
Pastor Matt said, "Humanity is not a cosmic accident, but bears intrinsic dignity, purpose, and worth derived from the Creator."
Describe the dignity, purpose, and worth that you derive from God, especially in ways that are unique to you.
In other words, what makes you extraordinary and special in the eyes of God?
Identify someone in your circle of influence who struggles with having any sense of intrinsic dignity, purpose, or worth. Go out of your way to show compassion to that person, so that he or she might get a taste of how much God values them.
Meditate on how Jesus' atoning work on the cross proves the depth of God's love and affection for you.
What does God want ME to do? What is the personal application and action step God is calling you, personally, toward?
Message Notes
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