During the lesson, the information for you to know is written in regular type, and what we suggest speaking or reading aloud to children is in bold. All resources for this lesson, including the Teacher Guide, Student Page, Family Connection Card, and other resources can be downloaded in a ZIP file by clicking on the following link:
In some lessons you will find "resource articles." These are articles written by experts from around the world to help equip you for your work with children and adolescents. Share them with parents or guardians if you consider it appropriate.
Then the Lord God formed a man from the dust of the ground and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life, and the man became a living being.
Genesis 2:7
Breathe in and out. Several times every minute your chest goes in and out, bringing in life-giving oxygen. You do not have to think about it. It is automatic. And it comes from the all-powerful Creator of the universe. The same is true about the animals. They breathe in and out and do not have to think about doing it. But there is something special about humans.
When God created Adam, He formed him from the dust of the earth, and then He did something very different and very special. God breathed the breath of life into the man. This is a very intimate thing that God did. Without God’s breath of life to complete him, Adam would have been just like the animals. The same would be true for us. Who are we without God to bring us to life?
This week, as you think about God’s final acts of creation, take time to praise Him for making you and giving you life. You are His. The very breath of life in you comes from God.
The families of your students may not know the power of blessing their children. Speaking life, spiritual growth, and affirmations into a child can change that child’s future as she begins to believe all God has created her to be. You can read more about the power of blessing in Genesis 24:59–60; 27; 49.
Teacher Tip: If possible, email or text the Family Connection Card to the families of your students.
Welcome! We are going to play an action game to celebrate the ways we are alike and the ways we are unique. God, our wonderful Creator, made every one of us.
Explain how the game works: Everyone should stand up. You will call out a question and the children will shout their answers. The children should form groups as quickly as possible with those who are shouting the same answer. Try this game by using an easy question, just to get the children started. Remind them that noise is good!
Everyone will yell his age and quickly find everyone else in the group who is the same age. When you are sure the children understand, try some of the following questions, or substitute ones that more perfectly fit your group.
We are similar in many ways and different in many ways. Isn’t it fun that God made each one of us?
Ask the children to sit down as you continue the lesson.
• My next question is a little more difficult: Are there any ways that you think you are similar to God? If so, in what way?
Allow the children to offer their thoughts. If any are wrong, do not correct them at this time. As you teach the lesson you will be able to point them to the correct answer. This question opens the way to introduce the lesson topic that we are created in the image of God.
Today our story is about the very best thing God made—people, including you and me! Remember that most of God’s work in creation was finished—the earth, plants, and the animals. Everything looked great. But something was still missing from His plan.
So on the sixth day, God made His most special creation—people. God saved the best for last. God made people different from the animals and plants. Here is what the Bible says:
Read Genesis 1:27 directly from the Bible if you have one.
So God created mankind in his own image, in the image of God he created them; male and female he created them.
Genesis 1:27
The word “man” in this verse does not refer only to males but to human beings. God made males and females special. God created humans to be like Him. Only humans have spirits. Only humans can pray and know God. Only people can make choices between right and wrong. Animals cannot do these things.
This is how God made the first 2 people. First, God took some dust from the ground. He carefully moulded it into the shape of a man. Then God breathed into the man—and he became alive!
The man was called Adam. God gave Adam a special job to name all the animals. It was a fun job, but there was a problem. Adam was lonely. None of the animals were exactly like Adam. None of them were created in the image of God. They were just animals.
So God decided to create another person. God made Adam go into a deep sleep. While Adam slept, God took out one of his ribs and made a woman. She was called Eve. Adam loved Eve, and Eve loved Adam. They lived and walked as friends with God.
Let’s think some more about how Adam and Eve and all humans were created in the image of God. This means we are meant to reflect His image. Just as when you look in a mirror and see a reflection, we are meant to be a reflection of God.
Answers might include: loving, creative, compassionate, Spirit, orderly, and other things.
Children may suggest things such as being loving and compassionate, caring for creation, being spiritual people, being in relationships, being creative, or other things.
Many scholars say that one of the ways we are created in the image of God is that we have spirits like He is Spirit. Other things they mention are that we are created to be in relationship with others, we are creative, we can choose between right and wrong, we have emotions, and we can care for creation.
Unfortunately Adam and Eve chose to sin—to choose their own way over obeying what God had said. That led to a broken relationship with God. God was sad and Adam and Eve were sad. That sin has continued through all of humankind. In many ways sin broke the ways humans are meant to reflect the image of God.
Thankfully, God provided a way for that sin to be covered by sending His Son Jesus to take the punishment for our sins. Jesus is the only human who has ever reflected God’s image perfectly. If we ask Jesus to forgive our sins and accept Him as Saviour and Lord of our lives, our relationship with God is restored and we become more like Him. He also provided His Holy Spirit to live in all believers so that they will have the power to live in ways that reflect the image of God.
Encourage 1-3 children to answer each of these questions.
Today’s very important verse is Genesis 1:27. Read it again to the children. Tell them they will work on memorizing this verse today.
So God created mankind in his own image, in the image of God he created them; male and female he created them.
Genesis 1:27
Ask the children to recite the verse again and then insert their own names in the first part. Then they should go to at least 3 other people and say the verse to that person with his or her name in the verse. The children will say something like this: “So God created Sarah in his own image, in the image of God he created her.”
This verse is about how God created humans—including you! Isn’t it amazing that the Creator of the world created you to be like Him?
Turn to your neighbour and tell her one way that you are created in the image of God.
You are special above all the rest of creation. You can talk to God as a friend. You can take care of the world He made. You can talk to God as a friend when you are upset or hurting. The animals cannot do these things. You are special. God loved you so much that He created you, and everything in your life is important to Him.
Optional: If you are using Student Pages, allow the children to do the activity and write their names in the verse.
Have your children pair up and share with each other how they want to reflect God’s image in their lives. Encourage them to pray together.
Close with a blessing as a prayer based on Genesis 1:27:
Blessing: God has breathed life into you. And you are uniquely created in His image.
If you have time, continue to share this song with your children to celebrate how great God is!
Life on Life ©2020 David C Cook. Reproducible for home or classroom use only. All other uses require written permission from David C Cook [email protected]. All rights reserved.
