series
On purpose
We are all made in the image of God.
The PROBLEM We don’t always remember that we are made on purpose, in the image of God.
Our RESPONSE By exploring what the Bible says about God creating us in his image, we can gain a better idea of how he views us and others.
Why THIS MATTERS Knowing that all people are created by God and made in his image can help us treat others and ourselves with respect, humility and love.
KNOW: That we are all made in the image of God.
DO: By God’s power, learn to treat others with respect, humility and love because they too were created in God’s image and he desires to have a relationship with them.
Bring a mirror to the study and pass it around and ask the question, “is what you see in the mirror actually you or a reflection of you?” If you’re able, purchase small mirrors for each student as a gift and reminder that they are made in God’s image.
This study is about how we are made in God’s image and what that means for us and others.
Only people were made in the image of God.
What does it mean to be made in the image of God?
Unlike the animals, we were created in God’s image, with a soul, which causes us to want to know God.
*God created us in his image, carefully and on purpose.
Have there been times in your life when you have questioned if God made a mistake in the way he created you?
How could knowing you are made in the image of God change the way you think about yourself?
Have you ever looked down on someone else or forgotten that others are made by God in his image too?
How could knowing others are made in the image of God change the way you treat them?
When you hear about unjust or sad things going on in the world today, how does knowing we are made in God’s image impact your view of things?
When we are aware that we are all made in God’s image, we can see how people should be treated.
However, we know people are often not viewed as being made in God’s image.
power
The PROBLEM God gave us power but because of sin, power is often abused.
The idea box is a place where you can find some creative ideas for leading this study.
The ideas come from small group leaders like you, so if you have an idea that isn’t in there, click below to share it with the community!
What are three ways that someone has power over you?
What are three ways that you have power?
What is one example of how someone else has used their power to help you?
*Everyone has power to use for the good of others, but because of sin, power is often abused.
The book of Esther has some great things to teach us about power.
What is power?
In the book of Esther both Hamon and Esther had power.
Where did Hamon’s power come from?
Where did Esther get her power and how was it different from Hamon’s power?
- Who has power?
Ask for examples of people the students know who have power either over them or in the culture as a whole.
In what ways do you have power?
What are examples of people using power for good in the world?
Some examples are students who bully other students at school or online, authorities who use their power to hurt people, gangs who commit violent acts, or in many countries people who kidnap others to use them for selfish purposes.
Can you think of a way that you, like Esther, can use your power for the good of others this week?
Remind them that, like Esther, we can be most effective when we invite God to give us the wisdom and the power to do the right thing.
Prejudice
Also we can ask God to give us the power to forgive those who have hurt us with their negative attitudes or actions.
The Bible tells us we are all made in God’s image — this truth can affect how we treat and view others.
He asks us to forgive those who have been unkind to us because of prejudice and to have compassion when we see unkindness shown toward others.
EXPERIENCE: Freedom to view others as Christ does without prejudice and with love and compassion.
DO: Show love and compassion to people who are targets of injustice because of prejudice.
Ask God for his power to forgive others who have treated us unjustly and ask forgiveness for our own unjust attitudes.
The idea box is a place where you can find some creative ideas for leading this study.
The ideas come from small group leaders like you, so if you have an idea that isn’t in there, click below to share it with the community!
The Bible has a lot to say about this and today we will be looking at how Jesus handled a situation that involved the way people view each other.
When traveling, it was common for Jewish people (Jesus was Jewish) to avoid this area so they would not have to get near the Samaritan people.
In John 4:4-12 what was the reaction of the Samaritan woman to Jesus when she arrived to get water from the well?
In John 4:13-19 Jesus offered the woman “living water” and asked her about her relationship with men.
In John 4:20-26 they talked some more, ending with Jesus telling the woman he was the Messiah.
How did Jesus treat her during their talk?
What was their response when they saw Jesus talking to the woman?
If Jesus had held on to prejudices like his followers, what would have happened?
In John 4:39-42 what was the end result of Jesus leaving prejudice behind and showing respect to the Samaritan woman?
Many Samaritans from the village believed in Jesus because of the woman telling her story and Jesus being willing to love others without prejudice.
You might need to remind the students that prejudice comes in many forms.
Confess – tell Jesus about your struggle with prejudice
*End the study with prayer, asking God for the ability to forgive those who have hurt you and the strength to treat others with respect and compassion.
When prejudice happens there is deep hurt, and pain that comes from being treated unjustly.
God asks us to forgive those who have hurt or wronged us.
This kind of forgiveness happens by asking the Holy Spirit to give you the power to let go of hurt and allow God to accomplish justice.
people
See people as God sees them.
The PROBLEM When we fail to see that all people are made in the image of God, great sin and injustice occurs.
Why THIS MATTERS All over the world there are groups of people who are treated unfairly because of prejudice.
Looking at the African American experience in America is a way to highlight the effects of racial prejudice toward ethnic groups everywhere.
EXPERIENCE: An awareness of our attitudes and actions, and how they can be influenced and changed by God through his Holy Spirit in our lives.
DO: Seek to educate myself on what the Bible says about ethnicity and prejudice, which can then shine a light on the African American experience in America, as well as in other cultures.
The idea box is a place where you can find some creative ideas for leading this study.
The ideas come from small group leaders like you, so if you have an idea that isn’t in there, click below to share it with the community!
*This study will highlight the African American experience as an example of the racial prejudice that exists all over the world.
Even today some people groups, like African Americans, are still being mistreated and experience negative attitudes, prejudice and racism.
Racism is negative attitudes or behaviors directed at a person or group of people based on their skin color or heritage.
Much like the Israelites, African Americans (black people) have experienced injustice and mistreatment for many years.
Some students may bring up the deaths of African Americans at the hands of the police or other authority figures.
As we see in the Bible, the mistreatment of people is not okay with God.
How do you think God feels about the mistreatment of African American people (or any other ethnic group) in society?
We learned in the first lesson that we are all made in the image of God so we can be sure he is saddened when anyone is not treated with dignity, respect and love.
It always helps to know about other people’s experiences when we talk about racism.
CHUKA KEN MINISTRY 