Let us begin by seeking the Lord in prayer.

“Heavenly Father, thank You for making us in Your image. As we study what it means to be Your image-bearers, open our hearts to understand our purpose and responsibility. Teach us to reflect Your goodness in all we do. In Jesus’ name, Amen.”

Genesis 1:26–27 says this:

“Then God said, ‘Let Us make mankind in Our image, in Our likeness, so that they may rule over the fish in the sea and the birds in the sky, over the livestock and all the wild animals, and over all the creatures that move along the ground.’ So, God created mankind in His own image, in the image of God He created them; male and female He created them.”

This is one of the most significant moments in the Bible. Up until now, the creation story focused on the sun, the moon, the stars, the earth, the plants, and the animals. But here, the narrative shifts. God is about to do something unique.

He says, “Let Us make mankind in Our image.” Humanity is the pinnacle of creation, made not just to exist but to reflect God Himself.

What Does It Mean to Be Made in God’s Image?

Being made in God’s image means that we share certain characteristics with Him. It doesn’t mean we are identical to God, but we reflect aspects of His nature.

            •           We have the ability to think and reason.

            •           We can create, plan, and build.

            •           We are relational, created to love and to be loved.

            •           We have a moral capacity, a sense of right and wrong.

Above all, being made in God’s image means we represent Him on earth. Just as a king might place a statue in a faraway land to represent his rule, God placed humanity on earth to represent His authority and care.

God’s Breath and Our Purpose

Genesis 2:7 says, “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.”

Think about that for a moment. God didn’t just speak humanity into existence as He did with the rest of creation.

He formed Adam with His hands and breathed His own breath into him. This shows the intimacy and value of humanity in God’s eyes.

With this divine breath comes a divine purpose: to reflect God’s glory and to care for His creation.

Genesis 1:28 says, “God blessed them and said to them, ‘Be fruitful and increase in number; fill the earth and subdue it. Rule over the fish in the sea and the birds in the sky and over every living creature that moves on the ground.’”

This is humanity’s calling: to steward the earth as God’s representatives.

Stewardship: Our Role as God’s Image-Bearers

As image-bearers, God entrusted Adam and Eve—and by extension, all of us—to care for His creation. Stewardship means managing something that belongs to someone else. The earth is the Lord’s, but He has given us the responsibility to care for it.

This responsibility extends beyond nature to every area of life:

            •           Stewardship of Resources: How are you managing the resources God has given you—your time, your money, your possessions? Are you using them wisely and for His glory?

            •           Stewardship of Health: Are you taking care of the body God gave you? Your health is a gift meant to be nurtured for His service.

            •           Stewardship of Relationships: As image-bearers, we are called to reflect God’s love in how we treat others. Are you stewarding your relationships with kindness, patience, and forgiveness?

Application: Living as God’s Stewards

Take a moment to reflect on your own life. Are there areas where you are neglecting your role as a steward? Maybe you’ve been careless with your time, distracted in your relationships, or wasteful with your resources. God calls us to reflect His image by living with purpose and responsibility.

Practical steps to stewardship might include:

            •           Setting aside time to care for your physical and spiritual health through rest, exercise, and prayer.

            •           Reviewing how you spend your money to ensure it aligns with God’s priorities.

            •           Intentionally nurturing your relationships—whether it’s spending quality time with your family or showing grace to a coworker.

Reflection Question

Ask yourself: In what areas of my life can I better reflect God’s image through responsibility and stewardship? Write this down, pray over it, and commit to making one small change this week.

Closing Exhortation

Being made in God’s image is both a privilege and a responsibility. It means we carry the likeness of the Creator wherever we go. It also means we are accountable to Him for how we live. Let us honor Him by being faithful stewards of all He has entrusted to us.

Let us close in prayer.

“Lord, thank You for creating us in Your image and entrusting us with the responsibility of stewardship. Help us to honor You in how we care for Your creation, our resources, our health, and our relationships. Show us where we can grow and give us the strength to be faithful in all we do. In Jesus’ name, Amen.”

Let this truth guide you throughout the day: You were made in God’s image, and you carry His purpose wherever you go. Live in a way that reflects Him.