Burden to Impart:
In the last lesson we saw that God created man (both Adam and Eve) differently than the animals. In this lesson we see that man is the most special creature of all that God created, for he was the only creature created in God's image. Only man was created like God. Because man was created like God, in God's image, man can contain God (like a glove can contain a hand because it is made in the image of hand). Also man can enjoy God and serve God upon the earth.
Memory Verse: |
"And God created man in His own image, in the image of God created He him, male and female created He them" (Genesis 1:26-28). |
Facts to Teach: |
(Sripture reading: Gen. 1:28; Psa. 8:6-8) |
- In the last lesson we saw that the way God created men and women was different from the way He created the animals. In this lesson we will see that human beings, men and women, are different from the animals.
- Man was made according to God's image. The animals were not. All the creatures God created were made "after their kind." Men and women, however, were made after God's "kind." God Himself was the pattern; men and women were made in God's own image and likeness. The only creature with God's image is man. Man "matched" God, just like Eve matched Adam.
- Man was made to contain God. The animals were not. A glove is made in the image of a hand so it can contain a hand. If a glove only had three fingers it could not contain a hand. Man was made exactly in the image of God, so he can perfectly contain God. Because the animals do not have God's image they cannot contain God. Only men and women can.
- Man was made to enjoy God, the animals were not. Because man has God's image, he is like God and can even receive and contain God. So, only man can enjoy God. Man can love as God loves, feel as God feels, and think as God thinks. Man was made to be a companion to God, to enjoy God. No other creature was made to enjoy God.
- Man was made to serve God on the earth, the animals were not. The angels serve God in the heavens, but He created men and women to serve Him on the earth. Because only man can understand God's desire, he is the only creature that can serve God on the earth (Gen. 1:28)