Bible Devotional: Genesis and the Image of God
December 31, 2030 - March 14, 2040
Bible Devotional: Genesis and the Image of God
Bible Devotional: Genesis and the Image of God
Here at Marine Reach, we are passionate about Discipleship and about the Bible. Bible devotionals are amazing and different from Bible study, even if only in emphasis. In this blog, we will look at an example of reading the Bible devotionally, and we’ll also look at how Bible study can help us. This Bible devotional is all about the image of God and focuses on the first chapter of Genesis verses twenty-six through thirty.
Made in the Image of God
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.”
Reading the Bible Devotional
Now read the text again, maybe even a couple of times. Ask yourself “What does this mean? What does this say about who God is? Who am I according to this passage?”
After this, have a conversation with God about your thoughts (a.k.a. prayer).
Congratulations! You have now done a Bible devotional, but let us go a little deeper.
Going Deeper into the Image of God
The word in, in English, can denote different things as can the Hebrew word for in which is the letter beth. (For a dictionary definition check here.)
The apple is in the bag. (Describes location.)
I wrote the note in pen. (Describes what tool was used.)
The window broke in pieces. (Describes result)
I am in education. (Describes function.)
- A being made in the image of God is an example of the functional usage of the word.
A teacher is in education, regardless of whether they are a good or a bad teacher. The same can be said about humans being made in the image of God. Humans can image God either poorly or well but they are not more or less an image of God.
Now read the text again and see if anything new comes to mind. With this new meaning of being made in the image of God, what does this say about who God is? How does this affect how you live your life?
Here are some verses you might want to look at as well: 2 Corinthians 4:4, John 14:9b-10, Colossians 3:10, Romans 8:29, and 2 Corinthians 3:18.
Take some time to pray and meditate on the passage of scripture, but also on what the image of God means as a function.
Here at Marine Reach, we have a training program where the Bible is read and studied with the primary goal of discipleship. During this program called the Discipleship Bible School (DBS), we look at the whole Bible. If you have questions or want to learn more about the DBS, there is more information on our DBS page.
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Emmanuel & Emelie Linder, 28 & 26, Sweden
“Throughout my time on the Pilgrimage DTS, God has worked in me in countless ways. Whether it was learning to see His beauty and love for us in creation, or learning to trust when I was soaking wet, and knowing it’s all for a purpose, a part of the adventure! But also a great part was having lectures about how to walk in the authority of Christ, and learning how to hear the voice of God and grow in relationship with Him! I must say, it’s been the adventure of a lifetime, which won’t end because God isn’t just staying with us for a season, He’s in it with us for eternity!”
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Tabitha Abishegam, 26, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
“Before I did the Go Pacific DTS, I was expecting the Lord to do a lot of amazing things through me; and He did. However, I never expected Him to do so much work in my own heart. I drew a lot closer to God, experienced freedom, and I learned to believe in the ‘Jonas’ that He says I am. My relationship with God has become deeper and more serious, but at the same time it has become more fun and casual.”
Jonas Sørensen, 21, Denmark
“Last year I decided to seek after God wholeheartedly and applied for the Pilgrimage DTS. Going on this journey (physically and spiritually) has been life-changing! Instead of wandering on my own, I am now following the Almighty God. I have rediscovered a personal and intimate relationship with my Creator!”
Tim Stallard, 26, Switzerland
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Alex Ronsdorf, 24, Germany
“Being apart of Wild Heart has really helped me find out what it means to be wild for God. It has helped me break out of shells I didn’t even I know had. The stream transformed my way of thinking when it comes to being a disciple of Christ, teaching me to take action in faith. It has given me many things I will be able to take home and apply in my daily life, crazy awesome!”
Deylan Santy, 19, Idaho, USA
“Wild at Heart? Yes, of course! But whatever adventure I went for, I wanted to be the one in control. During my DTS, God changed my heart to go wild with Him. I learned to trust in God and that I don’t have to be in charge, as long as I know the One who is!”
Silas Bauer, 21, Germany
“Medical Compassion DTS was a truly an incredible experience. Working in health centres, hospitals and pop-up clinics grew my interest in medicine and allowed me to practically show the love of God. For me, the most transformational aspect of my Med-Com DTS was the focus on compassion and its importance in achieving true holistic healing. This is an experience like no other!”
Matthew Bassett, 18, Orewa, NZ
“I have just finished my Worship DTS at Marine Reach NZ.
When I signed up for the worship DTS I thought it was just about praising God. It’s about the role we play as worship leaders, it about how you lead the worship session, when to pray, and when and how you end. I recommend the Worship DTS to everyone who is inspired by the worship at your home church.”
Adam Pelletier, 36, BC. Canada
