“So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them.” — Genesis 1:27
Lesson
What You Will Learn
- Explain the dignity of every person as made in God's image
- Describe the heart as the center of a person's life in Scripture
- Distinguish sin from suffering and recognize that people experience both
- Explain why no one is beyond hope in Christ
Lesson Notes
Made in God's Image
Every person you help bears God's image (Genesis 1:27). That means dignity, worth, and respect, no matter her past, her record, or her struggle. The psalmist says, I am fearfully and wonderfully made (Psalm 139:14).
God also made us whole people: body and soul. Sleep, food, illness, and stress affect the soul, and the soul affects the body. Psalm 103:14 says he knoweth our frame; he remembereth that we are dust. That is one reason lay helpers encourage medical care when the body may be part of the struggle.
The Heart
In Scripture the heart is more than feelings. It is the center of what a person loves, trusts, fears, and wants. Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life (Proverbs 4:23). Jesus said of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaketh (Luke 6:45).
Good helpers listen not only to behavior but to what lies underneath: What is she hoping for? What is she afraid of? What does she believe about God and herself?
Sin and Suffering
Everyone is a sinner: all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God (Romans 3:23). Everyone also suffers in a broken world, often from things done to them. People usually experience both.
A wise helper does not treat suffering as if it were sin, and does not ignore sin when it is present. Job's friends assumed his suffering was punishment, and God said they were wrong (Job 42:7). Never tell a person who was harmed that the harm was her fault.
Never Beyond Hope
The gospel says while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us (Romans 5:8). If any man be in Christ, he is a new creature (2 Corinthians 5:17). God's mercies are new every morning (Lamentations 3:23).
Hope is not denial. It is confidence that God is present and at work, even when the road is long.
Key Terms
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Image of God | The God-given dignity and worth of every human being |
| Heart | In Scripture, the center of a person's loves, trusts, fears, and desires |
| Sin | Falling short of God's will in thought, word, or deed |
| Suffering | Pain and loss in a broken world, including harm done by others |
In-Class Activities
Underneath the Surface
Read three short situations (each person is a composite example). For each, write what you see on the surface (behavior or words) and two questions you could gently ask to understand what may be happening in her heart.
Sin, Suffering, or Both?
Sort eight brief examples into mostly sin, mostly suffering, or both. Then write one sentence on how your response would differ for a person who was harmed versus a person who caused harm.
Assignment: The Person Before Me
Write one page describing how a biblical view of the person will shape the way you care for others. Include:
- What Genesis 1:27 means for how you treat someone with a hard past.
- Why body and soul both matter, and one example of when you would encourage medical care.
- How you will avoid blaming someone for harm done to her.
- One verse of hope you would want to offer, and why.
Graded with the Module Assignment Rubric.
Reflection Journal
Genesis 1:27 says you are made in the image of God. Is that easy or hard for you to believe about yourself? About others? Write about one person you find hard to see as an image-bearer and pray for her or him.
Prayer focus: Thank God for making every person in His image, and ask Him to help you see others with His eyes.
Weekly Reading & Devotions
Every Person Bears His Image
Before you know anything else about the woman in front of you, you know this: she is made in the image of God. Her past, her record, and her struggles do not erase that. Dignity is the starting point of all biblical care.
Scripture also teaches that we are whole people. Our bodies affect our souls and our souls affect our bodies. When someone has not slept in weeks, cannot eat, or is in pain, that matters spiritually and physically. Encouraging her to see a doctor is not a lack of faith. It honors the way God made her.
The Bible speaks often of the heart: what we love, trust, fear, and want. Good helpers listen beneath behavior. Monique snapped at everyone during her first month home. (Monique is a composite example.) A wise friend did not just correct her. She asked what was hardest, and Monique admitted she was terrified of failing her children. The anger was sitting on top of fear.
People sin and people suffer, usually both. Comfort those who have been harmed, never blaming them. Speak gently about sin where it is present. And never forget that in Christ no one is beyond hope. His mercies are new every morning.
Think About It
- What does it mean to you that you bear God's image? ______________________
- When have you seen fear or hurt underneath someone's anger? ______________________
- Who is hard for you to see as an image-bearer? ______________________
Daily Devotions for Week 3
In His Image
So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them.— Genesis 1:27 (KJV)
Every person has God-given worth. That changes how we treat people.
Reflect: How would you treat others differently if you saw God's image in them?
Pray: Lord, help me see Your image in everyone.
Do: Speak to one person today with special respect.
Wonderfully Made
I will praise thee; for I am fearfully and wonderfully made: marvellous are thy works; and that my soul knoweth right well.— Psalm 139:14 (KJV)
You are God's careful work. So is every person you will help.
Reflect: Can you praise God for how He made you?
Pray: Lord, thank You that I am wonderfully made.
Do: Write one thing about how God made you that you are grateful for.
Keep Thy Heart
Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life.— Proverbs 4:23 (KJV)
What happens in the heart shapes everything else.
Reflect: What is your heart most set on this week?
Pray: Lord, guard my heart.
Do: Ask yourself: what am I most afraid of, and what am I hoping for?
He Knows Our Frame
For he knoweth our frame; he remembereth that we are dust.— Psalm 103:14 (KJV)
God is patient with our weakness. He knows our limits.
Reflect: Where do you need God's patience with your weakness?
Pray: Lord, thank You for remembering that I am dust.
Do: Get enough rest tonight as an act of trust.
New Every Morning
It is of the LORD's mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not. They are new every morning: great is thy faithfulness.— Lamentations 3:22–23 (KJV)
No one is beyond the reach of God's mercy, including you.
Reflect: What mercy of God can you see this morning?
Pray: Lord, great is Your faithfulness.
Do: Begin tomorrow by thanking God for one new mercy.
Module Quiz
- 1.
In Scripture, the heart is best described as:
- 2.
Job's friends were wrong because they:
- 3.
Psalm 103:14 reminds us that God:
- 4.
A wise helper never tells a person who was harmed that the harm was her fault.
- 5.
Explain why body and soul both matter in caring for someone.