ROUNDTABLE LEADER’S NOTES — WEEKLY SHEET

RTBS | Genesis 1:26–27 — “Image-Bearers: Created with Purpose, Marked by God”

Main Passage

➡ Genesis 1:26–27 (NKJV)

Then God said, “Let Us make man in Our image, according to Our likeness; let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, over the birds of the air, and over the cattle, 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.

These verses define what it means to be human. Before sin ever entered the picture, God marked mankind with value, identity, and purpose. In a culture that constantly confuses identity, Genesis 1 reminds us of our origin and calling: we are made by God, in His image, to reflect His character and rule His world. This truth is foundational to understanding human dignity, gender, vocation, and redemption.

1. SEEK

Start with prayer and reflection. Ask God to awaken your heart to the weight of being made in His image. Reflect on Sunday’s message and journal privately:

Do I see myself as created intentionally by God?

In what ways have I allowed culture to shape my identity more than God’s Word?

Do I reflect His character in the way I speak, live, and lead?

2. EXPLORE

Break down the key words and ideas in the passage:

“Let Us make…” — First glimpse of the Trinity. God speaks in plural, showing divine community.

Who do you think it means when it says us?

This is the first most complex aspect of this passage

There are some theories as to who us is, but the primary 2 theories are...

1. Angels

2. The other two parts of the trinity

Now I don’t believe it is angels due to one simple fact.… focus less on the us as describing the image, but rather the act of creation

It says let us make man

So the reference here is to others taking part in the creation of man, which can only lead to one conclusion of who this is....

The other two parts of the trinity

The spirit

The son

“In Our image / likeness”

What do you think it means to be made in the image of God?

This is a heavily debated topic, however I think that it is purposefully vague

We don’t have a clear example as to what being made in the image of God means

We have to look throughout scripture to really gain an understanding

I think the best way to view this is as a top down funnel approach

top (overall meaning) Ephesians 4:24 “and that you put on the new man which was created according to God, in true righteousness and holiness.”

God created mankind in perfection, in his perfect image.

When Adam and Eve were placed on this earth, they were not made copies of God, they were not equal with God, but they were made in his image, an imitation of him

And what that imitation is, is righteousness and holiness

So at the top, this means that we are made to be righteous and holy, and we know this is only done through Christ now that we have sinned

Middle (more specific step)

Genesis 1:26 “Then God said, “Let Us make man in Our image, according to Our likeness; let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, over the birds of the air, and over the cattle, over all the earth and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth.””

Being made in God's image also includes function—God gave mankind authority over creation.

We are made to steward, rule, and cultivate the world on His behalf—like royal ambassadors managing the territory of a king.

This role reflects God’s sovereign rule in a delegated form. It’s not ultimate authority—it’s entrusted authority.

Psalm 8 reflects this: “You have made him to have dominion over the works of Your hands…”

Bottom (most specific personal capacity)

This is talking about who we are as individuals

I think the best way to look at what being made in his image means, is to look at what being made not in his image means

Now I am going to leave angels out of this just for sake of simplicity, but lets look at the other conscious creation God made on earth, the animals

What separates us from the animals? Well it’s really 3 things, rationality, morality, and spirituality

It is these three things that the animals do not have

They do not have the capacity to rationalize

They do not have the capacity to see inherent morality

They do not have the spirit that communes with God

So we can see that being made in the image of God is much more specific than just a physical image, it is actually a picture of everything we are.

Now what this also means is that there is a certain level of respect that even non believers have becasue they are made in the image of God.

Genesis 9:6 NKJV

“Whoever sheds man’s blood, By man his blood shall be shed; For in the image of God He made man.

So we have here the institution of capital punishment because the shedding of a mans blood is so serious to the fact that he is made in the image of God.

Do you think that this is a command that nations must judge all murderers with capital punishment?

This is a declaration of the seriousness of being made in the image of God, not a universal command

It also clearly condones capital punishment, but it does not command it

We see multiple examples in scripture where murder is committed but the man is not condemned to death

Romans 13:4 NKJV

For he is God’s minister to you for good. But if you do evil, be afraid; for he does not bear the sword in vain; for he is God’s minister, an avenger to execute wrath on him who practices evil.

The government has a right to determine punishments, and we must submit to those punishments

Main Idea

➡ Being made in God’s image means we were created with purpose, value, and a calling to reflect His character in the world.

3. ANALYZE

Key Doctrine (3.1):

➡ The Doctrine of the Imago Dei (Image of God) (ee-MAH-go-day-ee) Definition: The Imago Dei is the divine imprint on every human being, marking us with dignity, value, and a moral and spiritual capacity to reflect God. Though sin has distorted the image, it has not destroyed it. In Christ, the image is being restored and one day will be completely restored.

Key Insights:

Human life has intrinsic worth because of who made us—not how we perform.

The image of God is not earned; it’s given.

Redemption in Christ restores us to God’s original purpose (Col. 3:10).

Every human—regardless of age, ability, race, gender, or background—is made in God's image.

Gender distinction is part of divine design—not a social construct.

Cross References (3.2):

Verse Connection

Psalm 8:4–6Humans are crowned with glory and honor, given dominion over creation.

James 3:9We dishonor God when we curse others made in His image.

Colossians 3:10Believers are being renewed in the image of the Creator through sanctification.

Ephesians 2:10We are created in Christ Jesus for good works—on purpose and with design.

4. RESEARCH

Cultural & Literary Background

In the ancient Near East, only kings were said to bear the image of a deity. Genesis breaks this mold—every person is royalty under God.

“Image” (Hebrew: tselem) = shadow or statue. “Likeness” (Hebrew: demut) = resemblance.

Together, these words show humans are not divine—but we represent the divine.

5. CONNECT

Trinitarian Application (5.1):

Father Creator and ruler—He gives humans purpose and dominion.

Son The perfect image of God (Heb. 1:3) who restores our identity through redemption.

Spirit Breathes life into us and empowers us to live out the image of God (Gen. 2:7).

Discussion Questions (5.2):

What does it mean practically to bear God’s image?

How should being an image-bearer affect how you view yourself? How you treat others?

What lies has culture told about identity that this verse corrects?

How do we reflect God’s image in our work, relationships, and decisions?

6. HEAR

Close by reading the passage again slowly. Pause to reflect:

➡ Do I live like someone made in God’s image? ➡ Where do I need to reclaim God’s design in my life? ➡ Who around me needs to be reminded that they bear God's image?

Pray together: Thank God for creating you with intention and dignity. Confess areas where you’ve lost sight of your identity. Ask for grace to reflect His image clearly—to the world, and to each other.