This Week's Study Guide

Made In His Image | Image Bearer Week 1
Message-Based Curriculum   

Opening 

• Begin with a brief welcome and prayer to set the tone for the group time. 

• Introduce the theme: In a world of shifting values and conflicting voices, we’re taking time to rediscover what it means to be made in the image of God—and how that truth shapes our identity, purpose, and relationships. 

Discussion Questions 

CONNECT 

• If you were stranded on a desert island, what aspect of it would you secretly be grateful for? (e.g., No more bills, finally getting some peace and quiet)  

• What’s the earliest label–positive or negative–that you can remember someone giving you? (e.g., smart, pretty, lazy, etc.)  

DISCOVER 

Read Genesis 1:26-28, Numbers 23:19, and Romans 1:21-25 together as a group 

• According to the Genesis passage, what does it mean to be made in God’s image? How is that often misunderstood?  

• How have you seen Romans 1:21-25 played out in the world around us?  

• The Numbers passage says that God doesn’t change or lie. Why is that important when we think about our identity?  

• From the sermon, which of the four “reasons for our identity crisis” points resonated most with you?  

• Changing values 

• Too many contradicting voices 

• No shared foundation for truth 

• Not being fully known 

APPLY  

• How does sin distort our perspective of who God made us to be?  

• “Labels describe you, but they don’t define you.” 

• How in your life do you make that distinction?  

• What’s a label that describes you, but that you need to reject to embrace the reality of who God says you are?  

• How does viewing yourself as an image bearer above anything else change your outlook on life?  

RESPOND 

• Which of the four “Realities of being an image bearer” do you need God to help you grow in? How can we encourage one another towards that?  

• Being made in God’s image means you have intrinsic value 

• Being made in God’s image means you were designed to reflect His glory and show the world what He is like.  

• Being made in God’s image means nothing else can redefine you.  

• Being made in God’s image means everyone else is made in His image, too.  

GROUP PRAYER 

• Pray for Clear Vision: That God would clean our mirrors so we can better reflect Him.  

• Pray for Security in Our Identity: That we will recognize ourselves as image-bearers first.   

• Pray for Other Image Bearers: That we would see others as God sees them. That they will come to recognize their God-given identity.   

CLOSING 

Encourage everyone to think about next week’s topic: According to Genesis 1:26-28, what is our purpose?