“In the beginning, God created…” It may seem obvious, but this one sentence in Genesis 1:1 governs everything else that is said throughout Scripture. It introduces us to the sovereign God who made all things, and therefore has the right to define them. Indeed, we are told just a few verses later that God created man in his own image. This image—the Imago Dei—sets humans apart from the rest of God’s creation in a remarkably dignified way, and it connects people from all nations and ethnicities to one another as equally dignified image bearers.

It is significant that we’re told that God made man—male and female—in his image. This is not a passing detail. It means that in our maleness and in our femaleness, we are called to reflect the glory of God in unique ways. It informs our understanding of what’s at the heart of gender, what ought to be the heart behind sex, and so much more.

This spring semester, we will begin in Genesis and survey Scripture, seeking to understand more about God’s design for men and women made in his image. We will trace the story of redemption, focusing on God's beautiful design for gender, sexuality, and the reflection of his glory. We will also cover topic such as dating, marriage, and sexuality.

This study will include large group teaching and small group discussion at RYF gatherings beginning in January, as well as a personal study guide (download below) for your own reflection.

Imago Dei Guide in ePUB (recommended for iBooks, most E-Readers)

Imago Dei Guide in MOBI (for Kindle apps and devices)

Imago Dei Guide in PDF (recommended for print and other devices)

If you have any questions, please contact Alex Dean.

Each summer, our students participate in summer conferences put on by Reformed Youth Ministries (RYM). These conferences feature a week of solid Reformed teaching, community, and fun activities for everyone. The Middle School conference takes place here in Texas, and the High School conference takes place in beautiful Estes Park, Colorado.

Dates for the 2019 conferences are as follows:

Middle School Texas: June 3-7

High School Colorado: June 16-22

The registration links below will go live on February 4.

Each summer, For the Nations Refugee Outreach hosts a summer program for refugee children from Northeast Dallas, Richardson, and Garland. Teams from all over the country come to support the work of FTNRO during these crucial weeks. This summer, we will have the opportunity to join this effort as we serve from July 28-August 2. We will stay together in FTNRO's apartment in east Dallas, while during the day we will serve at VBS, afternoon activities, and more. In the evenings, we will have unique opportunities to learn about people from various cultures who now call our city home.

This trip is open to high school students (having completed 9th through 12th grade), and it is limited to 15 students. The cost is $400 per person (plus money for some breakfasts and dinners along the way), and we will begin to raise funds in early spring. Stay tuned for sign ups and more details.