• Being made in the image of God, we have an intrinsic value that’s set by the Creator alone
• Really no other detail of our being or choices affect our value
• Genesis 1:26-31
• The Hebrew “tselem” is the word for image. It’s a good picture, but not exactly the same
• We’re an image of God with a likeness, but are an incomplete copy or depiction
• God describes Himself and reveals Himself in His Word–and He is the only stable narrator
• We’re primarily spiritual in God’s image, even though we’re outwardly presented as flesh
• Being His image, we have an intrinsic relationship. 
• Even being made as male and female in His image–there’s a communication down to our cells
• Even a single neuron will reach out with dendrites to seek another cell to communicate with
• Introverts even need connection to be a healthy person
• This is both with other people and with God. Both relationships are necessary
• We were also made to work: to be creative, inventive, productive, and in charge of creation
• All these tasks, work included, are stated as blessings in Scripture
• God is all these things before we were made, and God says His creation of us was “very good”
• Though we’re marred by sin, this doesn’t invalidate God’s blessings or the potency of His image
• Even at the time of Noah, well after the Fall, God reiterates these blessings
• God portrays agriculture as essential to what we’re tasked to do
• Psalm 8:6-8, same with animal husbandry
• Genesis 4:17-22, even Cain is put forth for working and multiplying, and even founded a city
• Quickly we see music, tools, new lifestyles like nomadic herders, etc
• When the kids were tasked with making new animals, each one drew from what animals they already knew of–our brains aren’t equipped to create out of nothing. But we’re called to create
• When we don’t look to God to provide our foundations and essentials, we grow weary
• But with God, we can do a staggering amount of work and make crazy progress
• We must be involved in the world and its maintenance–not in pillaging or abuse
• We cross the line when we act like little gods as we try to claim this power and capability for self
• Some people would even claim that God sent His Son because of our value
• Romans 5:8 reminds us that God sent Jesus while we were sinners–failures. 
• God sent Christ because of who God truly is, eternally, and for His own glory first and foremost
• Focus on the responsibility and weight of God’s image

Questions:

1. WHAT IMPLICATIONS DOES THE IMAGE OF GOD HAVE FOR YOUR WORK?
2. HOW DO YOU APPLY BEING MADE IN THE IMAGE OF GOD FOR YOUR DAILY LIFE? WHETHER YOU OR “THEM”
3. WHERE DO YOU SEE A NEED TO APPLY THE RESPONSIBILITY OF BEING MADE IN HIS IMAGE?