God’s Image, Our Essence

Genesis 1:1-2:3

First impressions are critical. We have all experienced this--whether preparing for that important interview or getting ready for that first day of school. These impressions are significant because they shape the way we are perceived in future interactions. In many ways, Genesis 1 presents the first impression that God wanted to make, that will shape the way we see him as we reflect upon the rest of Scripture.

There is much we can learn from this first impression of God. For the purposes of the first sermon, we will focus on God's authority and relationality. 

Simply reflecting upon these two essential characteristics of God will lead us to a greater appreciation of who he is. However, God's authority and relationality are revealed to us so that we can also better understand ourselves. After all, we are created in the image of God. Therefore, we will also reflect upon how we as humans are beings of authority and relationships.

As the rest of Scripture shows, these characteristics have been tarnished by our sin, but they have also been redeemed through the gospel of Jesus Christ.

Questions:

1. Why do you think that God chose to introduce himself the way he does in Genesis 1? 

2. Why is it important to be mindful of both God’s authority and relationality? What might happen if we overemphasize one at the expense of the other?

3. In your own life, how have you experienced both the fallenness and the redemption of these two God-derived characteristics: authority and relationships?

4. How has Jesus Christ embodied both of these characteristics?

5. Write down what it means to you the fact that how Christ has embodied both of these characteristics has been imputed onto you and is the image toward which God is shaping you. Share with one another what you have written as a sacrifice of praise to God.