Man and Sin - Doctrine in Twelve Weeks
A Study on Man and Sin - Leader Guide and Handout
Consider beginning your study with a devotional reading of Genesis 1:26-27 and Romans 3:23, reflecting on humanity's creation in God's image and our fallen state.
Having discussed God and His revelation in previous sessions, we turn our attention to man and Christian living in the second half of this series. In order to rightly understand salvation, we must first understand our situation as humans. In this session, we will be looking at what it means to be created in the image of God, what it means to sin, and what our hope for salvation is. These three topics will prepare us to look at salvation in more detail over the next two weeks.
Created in God’s Image (Genesis 1:26-27)
Ask a participant to read Genesis 1:26-27. Invite the group to discuss what it means to be made in God's image and how this impacts our understanding of human dignity and purpose.
The concept of being created in God's image is fundamental to understanding our identity and purpose as humans. Genesis 1:26-27 tells us that God created mankind in His own image and likeness, setting us apart from all other creation. This divine imprint bestows upon us a unique dignity and value and reflects God's nature in our finite, human existence.
What does it really mean to bear God’s image? What even is an image in the first place? An image is a representation of something real. Images are not recreations of things; rather, images are attempts to capture and display certain qualities of real things, accurately communicating these aspects of the things they represent. Images are always lacking some original dimension or quality of the real thing. A statue of a human is not alive like the human it represents. A landscape painting is not a real, 3-dimensional place like the thing it represents. Images are analogies of real things. While a statue communicates something about the person of whom it is an image, a biography of that person communicates other dimensions of who that person is. Just as statues or biographies vary in their accuracy and detail in relation to the people they are images of, so too our imaging of God varies from moment to moment and from person to person.
Being an image-bearer encompasses far more than a specific set of attributes or behaviors. It's a comprehensive representation of God's character through our entire being. Just as a photo, a painting, a sculpture, and a computer graphic can all be images of the same real thing, the ways that we can rightly bear God’s image are diverse. While we will never be ontologically like God - that is, we will never share His divine nature - we are called to display His qualities, nature, and attributes in our thoughts, actions, and relationships. This imaging of God is dynamic, varying in its expression from person to person and even moment to moment in our lives.
Fallen in Sin (Genesis 3:6)
Invite a study participant to read Genesis 3:6 and Romans 3:23. Encourage the group to reflect on how sin has affected humanity's relationship with God and our ability to reflect His image.
The narrative of human history takes a tragic turn in Genesis 3 with the introduction of sin. In a profound act of rebellion against God, Adam and Eve chose to disobey His command, fundamentally altering the human condition and our relationship with our Creator. This fall into sin has far-reaching consequences that continue to impact every aspect of our lives and the world around us.
At its core, sin is a rejection of God's good design for creation and our lives: it is any thought, word, or action that deviates from God's perfect will. As image-bearers, when we sin, we fail to accurately reflect God's character and distort the very purpose for which we were created. The results of this rebellion are evident in the brokenness we see in our world - from strained relationships and internal struggles to the corruption of the creation under our care.
Despite the fall, it's crucial to understand that the image of God in humanity has not been entirely erased. James 3:9 reminds us that all people, regardless of their actions, still bear God's image. However, our fallen nature significantly diminishes our ability and inclination to accurately reflect God's character. We find ourselves in a constant struggle between our created purpose and our sinful inclinations, unable to fully live out our calling as God's image-bearers through our own efforts. This tension sets the stage for our desperate need for salvation and restoration.
Hope for Salvation (Genesis 3:15)
Ask a participant to read Genesis 3:15. Lead a discussion on how these passages point to Christ and offer hope for the restoration of God's image in humanity.
Even in the darkest moment of human history, as God pronounces judgment on sin in Genesis 3, He provides a glimmer of hope. In verse 15, God promises that a descendant of Eve will crush the head of the serpent, foreshadowing His plan for redemption through Jesus Christ. This passage, often called the protoevangelium or "first gospel," points to God's ultimate solution for the problem of sin and its consequences.
Salvation, in its fullest sense, is not merely about escaping punishment or securing a place in heaven. It's about restoration - bringing us back to God's original design for humanity. It's a return to life as God intended it, where we can once again fully and accurately bear His image. In this way, salvation is not merely “how we get to heaven”; it is a way of living in the fullness of God’s good ordering of creation.
The hope of salvation finds its ultimate fulfillment in Jesus Christ, who is described in Colossians 1:15 as "the image of the invisible God." As the perfect God-man, Jesus demonstrates what it truly means to bear God's image without the distortion of sin. Through His life, death, and resurrection, Christ not only conquers sin and death but also provides the means for our restoration. As we follow Him, empowered by the Holy Spirit, we are gradually renewed "in knowledge after the image of its creator" (Colossians 3:10). This process of sanctification enables us to increasingly reflect God's character, fulfilling our original purpose as His image-bearers and extending His love and truth to the world around us.
Conversation Starters:
How does understanding yourself as an image-bearer of God impact your sense of purpose and value?
In what ways do you see the effects of sin in your own life and in the world around you?
How has your relationship with Christ begun to restore God's image in you? Can you share specific examples?
What are some practical ways we can cultivate our ability to reflect God's image more accurately in our daily lives?
How does the hope of complete restoration in Christ motivate you in your current struggles with sin?
In closing, consider inviting your group to write prayers confessing our shortcomings in bearing His image, our common need for salvation, and gratitude for our hope found in Christ.
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