Why Are You Here? (Gen 1:26-2:1)

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🧩 Icebreaker: “What’s This For?” Object Game

Theme: What it means to be human (image of God, gender, vocation, rest) Felt Need: “Who am I really? And does my life have purpose?”

Bring a few obscure tools or kitchen gadgets. Ask the group to guess their purpose. Discussion:

When you don’t know what something’s for, it’s easy to misuse it.

Same with humans: if we don’t know our design, we’ll live in ways that damage us and others.

Bridge: Genesis 1–2 shows us what humans are for—not just how we were made, but why we exist.

Last time, we looked at Genesis 1:1–25 and saw how God brings order out of chaos. He forms and fills creation with purpose, beauty, and rhythm—not through violence or accident like the surrounding cultures believed, but by His powerful Word. We saw that creation is good, intentional, and theological—not just scientific. And most importantly, Genesis 1 confronts our modern idolatry by reminding us that the world isn’t ultimate—God is.

And this week, we turn our attention to the pinnacle of his creation.....us.

Genesis 1:26–2:1 ESV

Then God said, “Let us make man in our image, after our likeness. And let them have dominion over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the heavens and over the livestock and over all the earth and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth.” So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them. And God blessed them. And God said to them, “Be fruitful and multiply and fill the earth and subdue it, and have dominion over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the heavens and over every living thing that moves on the earth.” And God said, “Behold, I have given you every plant yielding seed that is on the face of all the earth, and every tree with seed in its fruit. You shall have them for food. And to every beast of the earth and to every bird of the heavens and to everything that creeps on the earth, everything that has the breath of life, I have given every green plant for food.” And it was so. And God saw everything that he had made, and behold, it was very good. And there was evening and there was morning, the sixth day. Thus the heavens and the earth were finished, and all the host of them.

⛓️‍💥A Break in the Pattern

Genesis 1:26a – A Theological Pause in the Rhythm

“Then God said, ‘Let us make man in our image, after our likeness…’”

What's Different Here?

Up until now, the pattern has been clear and rhythmic: “And God said… and it was so… and God saw that it was good.”

But Genesis 1:26 breaks the rhythm: God doesn’t just say—He deliberates.

The language shifts from singular (“God said”) to plural: “Let us make man…”

💡 This signals that something special is happening. Humanity is not just another creature—this is a climactic moment in the creation account.

🤔 Who is the “Us” in verse 26?

This has sparked a lot of theological reflection, and there are several major interpretations:

A Divine Council View (cf. Job 38:7; Psalm 82:1): God is speaking to His heavenly host—angelic beings who witness creation, though they do not share in the actual act of creation.

A Trinitarian Echo: While not fully revealed yet, this may hint at the triune nature of God—Father, Son, and Spirit already working in unity (cf. Gen 1:2, John 1:1–3, Col 1:16).

A Royal “We” (plural of majesty): Some argue this is like a king’s formal self-reference, though this usage is rare in Hebrew.

🧠 Whichever view you lean toward, the key point is this: God pauses, speaks differently, and draws attention to the fact that humanity is distinct. This isn’t just another creation—it’s a relationship.

🖼️ What is an Image?

When Genesis says humans are made in God's image (tselem), it’s not just saying something about our worth—it’s saying something about our purpose.

📸 Think of an Image Like a Photograph

A photo isn’t the person—but it represents them. It points to their presence. It reflects their character or mood in a moment.

When someone looks at your life—how you speak, create, lead, forgive, love—they’re supposed to see a snapshot of the Creator.

But unlike a static image, we’re not just passive reflections—we are active participants in reflecting who God is through what we do.

📜 In the Ancient World…

In ancient Near Eastern cultures, kings would place statues (images) of themselves throughout their territories to signal their presence, authority, and rule. In temples, idols were placed as the image of a god—to represent and manifest that god to the world.

So when Genesis says God made humans in His image, it’s saying:

You were made to reflect God’s character, rule, and presence in the world. 2. צֶלֶם (ṣelem) — “Image”

Lexical Sense

Core meaning: physical representation, statue, effigy

Commonly used of:

Idols (Num 33:52; 1 Sam 6:5)

Royal statues (ANE parallels)

Carries representational, not abstract, force.

This is not primarily about internal qualities (reason, morality), but about visible, functional representation.

Key Observation

In the ANE, a ṣelem:

Made a god or king present in a place

Represented authority and rule

Did not need to resemble physically in detail—its function mattered more than its form

So: ṣelem = authorized representative. You are like a living statue in God’s cosmic temple—meant to show others what He is like.

🚫 Why God Forbids Idols

“You shall not make for yourself a carved image…” – Exodus 20:4 Why does God forbid idols when other religions used them freely?

Because He already made images—us. To carve an idol is to reduce God to wood or stone. But to live as an image-bearer is to reflect God’s living presence to the world.

💡 God doesn’t want you to build something to reflect Him—He made you to reflect Him.

🪞So What Does It Mean to Be His Image?

Genesis 1:26–27

“Let us make man in our image, after our likeness… So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them.”

This is one of the most theologically significant statements in all of Scripture. It answers deep questions about who we are, why we exist, and how we relate to the world and to God.

Representation:

In the ancient Near East, kings placed images of themselves in distant lands to mark their dominion. Similarly, humans are God’s representatives—His royal stewards—set within creation to rule and cultivate on His behalf (Gen 1:28). → Implication: Every human vocation is meant to mirror divine kingship—exercising dominion that reflects God’s justice, creativity, and care.

Reflection of Character:

God’s rule in Genesis 1 is creative, ordered, life-giving, and good. Bearing His image means embodying those same qualities—justice, beauty, and care for what He made. We were designed to reflect how He rules, not just that He rules.

Relationship:

Unlike idols of stone, humans are living images, animated by the breath of God (Gen 2:7). The image is not merely functional but relational—we were created for communion with the Creator. → Implication: Our dignity and purpose are found in relationship with God, not merely in autonomy or achievement.

Dignity

Because all humans bear God's image:

Value is not earned by performance, intelligence, age, or ability.

Every life matters—from the unborn to the elderly, from the weak to the powerful, from every ethnicity and background.

This is the foundation for human rights, justice, and compassion.

✝️ Genesis 9:6 and James 3:9 affirm that the image of God is still present after the Fall. Even sin and brokenness do not erase human worth.

Reflection Questions

What does it change about your self-worth to know you’re made in God’s image?

How should this shape the way you view and treat others?

Where are you tempted to find identity outside of your Creator?

🚹🚺Gender is God’s Design

Genesis 1:27

“So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them.”

Gender Is Part of God’s Design

God could have created humans as genderless or uniform—but He didn’t. From the very beginning, He created humanity as male and female, both bearing His image. This tells us something vital:

Gender is not an accident of biology—it is a gift of creation.

Male and female together reflect the fullness of God’s image in a way that neither does alone.

💡 Gender is not a social invention—it is part of the beauty, diversity, and intentionality of God’s design.

Gender Is Received, Not Redefined

Genesis presents gender as something we are created with, not something we choose or construct. While gender confusion and dysphoria are real and deeply painful for some, the biblical witness gently but clearly calls us to receive our created identity as part of God’s good design.

This doesn’t mean we ignore brokenness or suffering—it means we navigate it in light of truth, with compassion and conviction.

🪞Reflection Questions:

How does understanding gender as part of the image of God shape the way we see ourselves and others?

Where are you tempted to downplay or distort either sameness or distinction?

How can we speak truth about gender while still showing the heart of Christ to those struggling with identity?

💬 “Male and female He created them.” That isn’t just biology—it’s theology, and it’s good.

🧭 What Are We Supposed to Do?

Our Mandate as Image-Bearers – Genesis 1:28–30

“And God blessed them. And God said to them, “Be fruitful and multiply and fill the earth and subdue it, and have dominion over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the heavens and over every living thing that moves on the earth.” And God said, “Behold, I have given you every plant yielding seed that is on the face of all the earth, and every tree with seed in its fruit. You shall have them for food. And to every beast of the earth and to every bird of the heavens and to everything that creeps on the earth, everything that has the breath of life, I have given every green plant for food.” And it was so.”

Being made in God's image isn't just about who we are—it’s also about what we’re called to do. Genesis 1 gives humanity a clear set of mandates—a divine calling to participate in God's work in the world.

📜 The Mandates in Genesis 1

1. Be Fruitful and Multiply

➤ We are called to create life, cultivate families, and fill the earth with image-bearers.

This is more than biology—it’s about building communities, culture, and generational legacy. We reflect God not only in our existence, but in our ability to generate life and order.

2. Fill the Earth and Subdue It

➤ “Subdue” (Hebrew: kabash) means to bring under cultivation—to shape and steward the world.

This doesn’t mean domination or exploitation. It means developing the potential of creation—agriculture, technology, architecture, education, music, science, justice.

Think of Eden as a beginning, not a finished product. Humanity was to extend Eden outward—to turn wilderness into garden, chaos into order, all under God's reign.

3. Have Dominion Over the Creatures

➤ To “rule” as God’s representatives—not as tyrants, but as servant-kings.

Dominion means responsible authority—caring for creation as stewards, not consumers. This shapes everything from how we treat animals to how we think about environmental care.

From Cultural Mandate to Great Commission

In Genesis 1:28, God blesses humanity and commands: “Be fruitful, multiply, fill the earth, and subdue it.” This is often called the Cultural Mandate—a call to extend God’s rule, order, and life throughout creation. Humanity’s task was to fill the world with image-bearers who reflect God’s glory in every sphere of life.

After the fall, this mandate fractured: instead of spreading God’s presence, humanity spread corruption. Yet in Christ, the mission is renewed and transformed. Jesus’ Great Commission in Matthew 28:18-20 echoes the same structure—He reclaims authority (“All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me”) and reissues the human vocation (“Go, make disciples of all nations”).

The difference is scope and redemption:

The Cultural Mandate filled the earth with God’s image through physical multiplication.

The Great Commission fills the earth with Christ’s image through spiritual regeneration.

In other words, Jesus doesn’t replace the original mandate—He redeems it. The mission that began in Eden now finds its fulfillment in the Church: to cultivate a world where God’s likeness and reign are restored in every nation through the gospel.

🌍 The first Adam was told to fill the earth with image-bearers; the last Adam sends us to fill the earth with disciples who bear His image.

🌎 So What Does This Mean For Us Today?

🌍 1. Your Work Is Worship

The command to “subdue” and “rule” isn’t just about kings or farmers — it’s about every act of ordering creation toward life and goodness.

Whether you’re designing software, teaching kids, or repairing cars, you’re participating in God’s creative work when you bring order, beauty, and blessing into the world.

Example: Turning chaos into order — a spreadsheet, a classroom, or a home — echoes God’s Genesis pattern.

“We don’t work to survive; we work to reflect the God who creates.”

🧠 2. Stewardship Over Selfishness

Dominion is not domination. It’s stewardship — ruling for the good of creation rather than for personal gain.

Everyday application: how we treat the environment, our coworkers, or even our digital spaces reflects whether we rule like God or like Pharaoh.

Reflection question: How am I using my influence — in conversations, leadership, spending — to bring life rather than take it?

🌱 3. Fruitfulness Beyond Biology

“Be fruitful and multiply” isn’t just about having kids — it’s about multiplying goodness, truth, and beauty.

When you mentor someone, share the gospel, or invest in others’ growth, you’re obeying this command spiritually.

Example: Every disciple you help grow is a new branch in God’s garden.

✨ 4. Living on Mission

The human mandate anticipates the Great Commission — both call humanity to fill the earth with God’s presence and glory.

Ordinary life becomes sacred space when lived with that awareness.

🪞Reflection Questions:

Where do you sense God inviting you to reflect Him through your work, creativity, or leadership?

In what ways can you exercise dominion without becoming domineering?

How can we pursue justice, beauty, and flourishing in the world as extensions of Eden?

🌲The Trees of Day 6

Humans as trees:

✨ The Pattern:

Genesis 1 follows a patterned progression of forming (Days 1–3) and filling (Days 4–6):

Days of Forming Days of Filling

1 – Light / Darkness 4 – Lights (Sun, Moon, Stars)

2 – Sky / Waters 5 – Birds / Fish

3a – Land / 6a – Animals

3b - Trees 6b - Humans

On Day 3, there's a surprise: not just dry land, but vegetation, especially “fruit trees bearing fruit with seed” (Gen 1:11–12). This second act in the day breaks the rhythm—an extra flourish of life and provision.

Similarly, on Day 6, after land animals are created (vv. 24–25), there’s another surprise act: humans, made in God's image (vv. 26–28). Again, the rhythm is broken—this time with the climax of creation.

🔁 The Parallel:

Day 3 Day 6

Trees emerge from land Humans formed from the ground

Trees bear fruit “according to their kind” Humans made “in the image of God”

Trees provide food and sustain life Humans are given dominion and called to cultivate life

Trees are part of the Garden's focal point Humans are placed in the Garden as its caretakers

Biblical Authors Comparing Humans to Trees

Psalm 1:3 "He is like a tree planted by streams of water, that yields its fruit in its season, and its leaf does not wither."

Jeremiah 17:7–8 "Blessed is the man who trusts in the LORD... He is like a tree planted by water... its leaves remain green."

Isaiah 61:3 "...that they may be called oaks of righteousness, the planting of the LORD, that he may be glorified."

Matthew 7:17–20 "Every healthy tree bears good fruit, but the diseased tree bears bad fruit."

John 15:1–5 "I am the vine; you are the branches... apart from me you can do nothing."

Luke 13:6–9 “Learn the lesson from the fig tree...”

Job 14:7–9 "There is hope for a tree, if it be cut down, that it will sprout again..."

Psalm 92:12–14 "The righteous flourish like the palm tree and grow like a cedar in Lebanon... They still bear fruit in old age."

The Flourishing Tree

What are some things that a tree needs to flourish?

The same things that make a tree flourish, are the same things that can help us flourish

Tree Flourishing Christian Flourishing

Pruning dead or diseased branches Removing sinful habits, distractions, and harmful influences (John 15:2; Heb 12:11)

Deep roots Being deeply rooted in Christ and His Word (Col 2:6–7; Psalm 1:3)

Rich, healthy soil Living in intentional environments that foster spiritual growth (Matt 13:8; Prov 13:20)

Consistent watering Receiving nourishment from Scripture, prayer, and the Spirit (John 4:14; Eph 5:26)

Adequate sunlight Living in the light of Christ’s presence and truth (John 8:12; Eph 5:8–9)

Protection from pests and disease Guarding against temptation, false teaching, and spiritual attacks (1 Pet 5:8; Eph 6:11)

Proper support for young trees Mentorship, discipleship, and Christian community (Titus 2:2–6; Heb 10:24–25)

Fruit is meant for others to enjoy Our spiritual fruit blesses and nourishes others (Gal 5:22–23; John 15:8; Matt 5:16)

🪞 Reflection Questions:

Which part of the tree metaphor resonates most with your current season of life?

Are you being pruned? Taking root? Bearing fruit? Facing storms? Where do you see yourself?

What does your “root system” look like right now?

Are you drawing nourishment from God’s Word, prayer, and community—or trying to grow in dry soil?

What needs pruning in your life?

Are there habits, distractions, or relationships keeping you from spiritual health?

Who helps “support your growth” like a stake to a young tree?

Who’s mentoring, encouraging, or discipling you? And who might God be calling you to support?

Is your life bearing fruit that blesses others?

Are the people around you nourished by your words, time, generosity, or love? What kind of fruit do they see?

What is one step you can take this week to cultivate growth?

Maybe it’s cutting off something unhealthy, getting back into the Word, joining a group, or confessing sin.

💬 “They will be called oaks of righteousness, the planting of the LORD, that He may be glorified.” —Isaiah 61:3