Genesis 1:26-28: Image-Bearers: How God Establishes and Expands His Kingdom
Scripture
Genesis 1:26-28
Digging Deeper
The foundational truth that we are made in the image of God is not just a theological concept, but a powerful reality that shapes every aspect of our lives. In Genesis 1:26-27, God declares, "Let us make mankind in our image, in our likeness." This profound statement means that every person, regardless of race, gender, or background, reflects God's character and who He is. Our value, therefore, is not determined by external factors like appearance or achievements, but is rooted in the fact that we were created by a loving Creator God who designed us to resemble Him in both our identity and purpose.
Understanding that we are made in God’s image invites us to see ourselves as He sees us. Far too often, we base our sense of worth on what others think or on temporary accomplishments, which can lead to insecurity and feelings of inadequacy. But God’s view of us is unshakable. When we accept the truth of our identity as image-bearers, it transforms the way we live. We find peace in knowing that our worth is determined by God and not dependent on the opinions of the world. This realization can be especially freeing in moments of self-doubt, as we remember that we are forever fully loved and valued by our Creator.
Being made in the image of God also changes how we interact with others. Everyone is made in God's likeness regardless of their behavior or circumstances. This means that every human being deserves dignity, respect, and love. When we recognize this truth, it challenges us to reflect God's character in our relationships. We are called to be patient, kind, and compassionate, even when others may be difficult or unlovable. The way we treat others, especially those who are marginalized or in need, should mirror the grace and mercy God shows to us daily.
Reflecting God's image goes beyond how we treat others; it extends to how we live out our purpose in the world. As image-bearers, we are called to reflect God’s love, justice, and truth in our actions. This means that in everything we do—whether at work, at school, or in our families—we should strive to display His character. Our daily lives should be a testimony to His goodness, as we seek to represent Him through our work, words, and decisions. Reflecting God’s image isn’t about perfection, but about striving to live authentically and intentionally in a way that honors Him.
Finally, embracing the truth that we are made in God's image compels us to care for hurting and marginalized people. Jesus is the ultimate reflection of God's image, and He demonstrated how to love and serve others selflessly. As followers of Christ, we are called to reflect His love by caring for the least among us, defending the oppressed, and standing up for justice. This can look like offering help to someone in need, speaking up for the voiceless, or simply showing kindness to someone who feels invisible and unseen. By living in this way, we fulfill our calling to be reflections of God's image to the world around us.
Our challenge is not only to understand but to live out the truth that we are made in the image of God, bringing His love, justice, and mercy into our daily lives.
What Not To Miss
The Main Point:
Humanity was the CRESCENDO of CREATION that was to ESTABLISH and EXTEND God’s Home—aka Kingdom—on Earth.
The Temple:
A sacred place where God dwells, bringing heaven to earth.
The epicenter of God’s glory, presence, throne, rule, and reign on earth.
Central to civilizations as places where deities took residence and ruled.
The Big Story – God’s Purpose for Humanity
Humanity is to be the supporting actor for the main character, Jesus.
Four truths about Image-Bearers: WHO, WHY, WHAT, and HOW.
WHO Image-Bearers (Humans) Are – The Crescendo of Creation
Humans are made in the image of God, unlike the rest of creation.
Descriptions of human uniqueness to the rest of creation:
Royalty, Dignity, Value, Honored, Special, Sacred, Humble.
Our Ontology – The Nature of Who Humans Are:
Not just gene machines or clumps of cells.
Fearfully and wonderfully made (Ps. 139:14).
Every human being has worth.
WHY Image-Bearers (Humans) Were Created – To Image, Reflect, and Mirror God
“Image” used in ancient civilizations:
Offspring of gods.
What was placed in temples for worship.
Kings placed images of themselves throughout their territories.
Image describes these ideas:
Reflection, Representation, Mirroring
Humans are to establish and extend through representing, reflecting and mirroring God’s rule and reign here on earth.
When we faithfully represent, reflect, and mirror God’s nature, characteristics, and attributes we glorify our Creator King and Father.
WHAT Image-Bearers (Humans) Do to Fulfill Their Why
Relate – Kingdom Relationships
Marriage, family, friendships, community, nation, and foreigners.
Relationships reflect and mirror the way God relates to Himself and to His creation.
Create – Kingdom Cultivation
Cultivating raw materials (both material and immaterial).
Culture shaping and formation of ideas, beliefs, and artifacts.
Civilization is when people bring their culture together in a structured and formalized group, community, tribe, or nation.
When you add it all together, we participate in cultivating, culture, and civilization as a means by which we reflect God’s kingdom in the world.
Operate – Stewardship, Management, and Oversight
Stewarding resources, time, treasures, talents, replicate, and inflate.
Ensuring functionality and flourishing for others.
Replicate – Fruitful and Multiplication
Be fruitful, multiply, and make other image-bearers.
Make a royal family.
Inflate –Expand
Expand and extend the garden until He has filled the earth with image-bearers who worship and reflect His Kingdom on earth as it is in heaven.
HOW Image-Bearers Accomplish Their WHY & WHAT
Responsibilities and roles centered around God’s Word.
Living Obediently to the Word
God’s Word is central to creation and humanity’s role.
Obedience is necessary for fulfilling God’s purpose.
They will need a leader who leads and lives obediently to the Word.
Adam’s roles:
Prince/King – Exercising dominion under God’s Kingship.
Priest – Guarding and keeping the Garden.
Prophet – Teaching and declaring God’s Word.
The Fall:
Adam failed as Priest, allowing Satan into the Garden.
As a result of the fall, humanity now struggles with identity, purpose, and obedience.
The beginning of the Kingdom of Man:
Humanity still relates, creates, operates, and replicates, but not in alignment with God’s will.
God’s Redemption Plan:
God pursues image-bearers who are broken, fragile, weak, alienated, and destined for wrath and eternal punishment.
God gives the promise of a new King, Priest, and Prophet – Jesus Christ.
Those who follow Jesus, those who profess Jesus as Lord, King, and Savior become His Church. The Church commits to center their lives around the glory and supremacy of Jesus. Jesus commissioned His Church to invite all people back home into His presence, into His Kingdom.
As we relate, create, and operate we are imaging Jesus.
Jesus is using us to fulfill God’s original intention to replicate image-bearers who glorify Him and extend His kingdom to the ends of the earth.
Humans are created to establish and extend God’s kingdom on earth. The church is being conformed into the image of Jesus, who is the exact representation of God.
The only way to be fully human, to be fully alive is to be found fully in Jesus!
Life Application
Being made in the image of God gives us inherent worth and shapes how we view ourselves, knowing our value comes from Him, not from achievements or others’ opinions. This truth should also impact how we treat others, leading us to show kindness, patience, and respect in every interaction. As image-bearers, we are called to reflect, represent, and mirror God's love, justice, and mercy in our daily lives through our actions and choices. Recognizing God's image in all people compels us to care for the marginalized and stand up for those in need. This week, intentionally live out this truth by embracing your God-given identity, treating others with dignity, and taking practical steps to reflect, mirror, and represent God’s character.
Small Group Discussion
If you were able to walk with God as His image-bearer in the Garden of Eden, what would you want to talk with God about?
What does it mean to be made in the image of God (Genesis 1:26-28)?
In what ways is humanity different from the rest of God’s creation?
How does being an image-bearer of God affect how we live our lives?
What is one area of your life where you feel challenged to reflect, mirror, and represent God’s image more clearly?
Daily Devotional Bible Passages
Day 1: Created in God’s Image-Genesis 1:26-27; Psalm 8:4-6; James 3:9
Day 2: Dominion-Genesis 2:15; Psalm 115:16; Matthew 25:21
Day 3: Obedience-Deuteronomy 30:19-20; John 14:15; Galatians 5:13
Day 4: The Fall-Genesis 3:6-7; Romans 5:12; Isaiah 59:2
Day 5: Restored through Christ-Romans 5:19; 2 Corinthians 1:7; Colossians 3:10
Prayer
Thank You for creating me in Your image and giving me infinite worth and purpose. Help me to see myself as You see me—not through the lens of my flaws or failures, but as a beloved reflection of Your love and grace. When I struggle with self-doubt or insecurity, remind me that my value comes from You alone. Teach me to embrace my identity in You, so that I may live with confidence, purpose, and a heart that desires to honor You in all I do.
Lord, help me to see Your image in every person I encounter. Give me a heart full of love, patience, and compassion, especially toward those who are difficult to love or often overlooked. Show me how to reflect Your character in my words, actions, and attitudes, so that others may see You through me. Give me the courage to stand for justice, care for the hurting, and extend grace just as You have shown grace to me. May my life be a testimony to Your goodness as I seek to honor and reflect You each day.
