Scripture Reference:
Genesis 2:7
And the Lord God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living being.
Reading Guide for Mom and Dad:
In Genesis 1: 27 God created man "in His own image; in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them".
What makes man to be in the image of God? The word for breath in Hebrew is linked to the word for Spirit. God breathed His Spirit into man, making man into His likeness.
God made man to be in relationship with Him and to be an expression of God's character. God made man to have dominion over creation and to multiply so that all of creation can see what God is like. This was God's original plan, since the beginning, even before sin entered the world:
A multitude of spirit-filled believers in His Image, ruling with Him over all of creation.
This is the mystery of the Kingdom.
1. A multitude of spirit-filled believers
2. In His Image
3. Ruling with Him over all creation
In the next 2 lessons we will look at the multitude and ruling parts. For now let's look at being created in God's Image:
In Exodus 33:18 Moses asked the Lord to show him His glory. He wanted to see God's glory. God answered him in verse 19 and said: I will proclaim the name of the Lord before you.
Exodus 34:6 "And the Lord passed before him and proclaimed, "The Lord, the Lord God, merciful and gracious, longsuffering and abounding in goodness and truth, keeping mercy for thousands, forgiving iniquity and transgression and sin..."
God revealed His characteristics to Moses by proclaiming His Name:
God is Love, Peace, Truth, Goodness, Mercy, Gracious, Just. This characteristics of God is the GLORY of God that Moses asked to see.
In 1 John 4:12 we read: "No one has seen God at any time. If we love one another, God abides in us, and His love has been perfected in us."
God's plan and purpose is for Spirit-filled believers in His Image, radiating His Love and Glory(who He is) to the world. How can we do this? When we walk in close relationship with God, His love will overflow through us. We can radiate the image or glory of God to the rest of creation.
Jesus poured out His Spirit when He sent out His disciples in John 20:20
"And when He had said this, He breathed on them, and said to them, Receive the Holy Ghost."
In Acts 2:4 "And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance"
By pouring out the Spirit of God, Jesus restored us back to what the first Adam had: the breath(Spirit) of God. But even more: He restored us according tho the measure made available through the finished work of the Cross. The measure of His Spirit according to the second Adam, Jesus Christ.
As Spirit-filled believers we are able to have a face-to-face relationship with God! What an amazing God we serve!
Dear Mom and Dad, I strongly recommend listening to the full teaching regarding the interpretation of our theme. The purpose of my blog is not to provide the full Scriptural references already made available by Gavin Porter on YouTube. Most of the content I use will be taken from the series of 10 lessons that he posts on his YouTube channel: God's Vision God's Mission. Please find the link below:
Teaching reference: God's Plan and Purpose
Conversation Starters with the little ones:
What does it mean when we say: Like father like son?
How are we like our Dad, or like our Mom?
Do we look the same as Mom and Dad? Do we act the same and sometimes speak the same?
Why do we have the same characteristics? For example, why do we talk a little bit like Mom and Dad? Because we spend time with them, we learned to speak by listening to their Voices.
God is our Father, He created us, we are created in His Image. He is a good Father who will always take care of us. He also wants to spend time with us.
Teach them to Rule and Multiply:
Have a discussion as a family: Sit in a circle and take turns naming characteristics you see in each other that you appreciate. For example: Dad always makes sure that we laugh a little every day, even on our worst days. Mia showed kindness to a friend who was sitting alone today by going to sit with her. Divan helped Mia with the remote today without her having to ask for help. Mom always makes sure we have water in our water bottles.
Kettle Prayer Suggestion:
Father God you are so good to us. Reveal your Father heart to my children. Show them your Love by your Spirit. Amen
Visual aid - you are welcome to download this visual aid for your own personal use:
Comments