“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.
